seattle to san francisco scenic route
#1
commu*ist spy
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seattle to san francisco scenic route
I'm in seattle right now trying to figure out the best way to san francisco. I would like to go through portland, because I hear good things about it, and I know someone there who could probably let me stay for a few days.
is there any recommendation for a good route? places to see? I would prefer to travel close to a straight line, and not zig zag too much, but I realiize that also limits me for things that I shouldn't miss while I'm there.
is there any recommendation for a good route? places to see? I would prefer to travel close to a straight line, and not zig zag too much, but I realiize that also limits me for things that I shouldn't miss while I'm there.
#3
Banned
Scenic ? Yes , It Is.
Want to take a straight line , Get A Boat .
US 101 is the Coast highway until you get into Northern California ,
only then does California Route One go off to the right,
where US 101 turns inland and starts becoming a 4 lane faster route..
Want to take a straight line , Get A Boat .
US 101 is the Coast highway until you get into Northern California ,
only then does California Route One go off to the right,
where US 101 turns inland and starts becoming a 4 lane faster route..
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-24-15 at 10:20 AM.
#4
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Yes, the coastal highway is popular, although it can be busy.
The Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway is nice. Not particularly straight, and not the best connection in Portland, but once to Champoeg State Park, it is quite nice all the way to Eugene.
Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway - Ride Oregon Ride
I've ridden from Eugene to Roseburg/Riddle, OR in the past, but it has been quite some time ago, I may be able to figure out parts of the route. However, the "Tour de Lane" had a suggested course to the coast.. oh, southward.
Day 2-Clear to the Coast - A bike ride in Lane County, OR
The Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway is nice. Not particularly straight, and not the best connection in Portland, but once to Champoeg State Park, it is quite nice all the way to Eugene.
Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway - Ride Oregon Ride
I've ridden from Eugene to Roseburg/Riddle, OR in the past, but it has been quite some time ago, I may be able to figure out parts of the route. However, the "Tour de Lane" had a suggested course to the coast.. oh, southward.
Day 2-Clear to the Coast - A bike ride in Lane County, OR
#5
commu*ist spy
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I've decided to go to olympia, possibly longview (maybe skip it), portland, and then go inland and do the rest of the way down 101.
Is eugene worth visiting?
Is eugene worth visiting?
#6
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I wrote my observations on the Pacific Coast Highway at this link:
https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/95...l#post16933424
But since you will be inland for much of the route, some of my comments might not be that applicable.
https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/95...l#post16933424
But since you will be inland for much of the route, some of my comments might not be that applicable.
#7
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Heck, I don't know.
What kinds of things are you interested in?
There is quite a bit of university oriented stuff. There is a nice Saturday Market, but I don't get there a lot.
Euphoria Chocolate Company????
Perhaps there isn't quite as vibrant of a nightlife as the big cities, or perhaps I just miss it.
What kinds of things are you interested in?
There is quite a bit of university oriented stuff. There is a nice Saturday Market, but I don't get there a lot.
Euphoria Chocolate Company????
Perhaps there isn't quite as vibrant of a nightlife as the big cities, or perhaps I just miss it.
#8
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That's the flat way out of town. No services along the way but no cars once you get over the first hill until you get within ten miles of the coast.
I strongly recommend you head out to US1 instead of staying on US101 in CA. First of all, most people don't like the heat of the inland valleys. Secondly, the traffic is MUCH heavier on 101. You're essentially on a freeway. It's yucky in the extreme. In fact, I generally leave US101 at Ferndale and head out to the Lost Coast. I go through Petrolia, camp at A.W. Way, turn up Wilder Ridge at Honeydew (can also get to Honeydew from the Avenue of the Giants), then head to Usul Rd which is a 24 mile single-lane rutted dirt road that connects to US1 thirty miles north of Ft. Bragg. This avoids the dangerous stretch of US101 between the Avenue and Leggett, but adds a lot more climbing on empty roads. It's not for the weak of leg, but it is very scenic.
#10
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Also I got the impression that bike theft was pretty likely there.
BTW, I rode from Seattle to San Francisco and beyond and didn't like my route for the part leading to Astoria. I used the Bremmerton Ferry and then followed the ACA Pacific Coast route. If I were doing it again I try to find a different route or maybe take a bus or rental car to Astoria. The views from the ferry would have been the highlight of that section if it wasn't fogged in.
BTW, I rode from Seattle to San Francisco and beyond and didn't like my route for the part leading to Astoria. I used the Bremmerton Ferry and then followed the ACA Pacific Coast route. If I were doing it again I try to find a different route or maybe take a bus or rental car to Astoria. The views from the ferry would have been the highlight of that section if it wasn't fogged in.
#11
Banned
from Longview where Cowlitz River joins the Columbia , still plenty of Mt St.Helens Ash on the river shores
WA 4 follows along the north side of the Columbia ..
lots of traffic crosses the Longview Bridge to US 30 on the Oregon side
2 other crossings: Cathlamet, Puget Island ferry to Westport OR and the Megler-Astoria Bridge , on US 101,
WA 4 follows along the north side of the Columbia ..
lots of traffic crosses the Longview Bridge to US 30 on the Oregon side
2 other crossings: Cathlamet, Puget Island ferry to Westport OR and the Megler-Astoria Bridge , on US 101,
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-25-15 at 08:41 AM.
#12
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Your bike won't be stolen if it is under you.
I haven't had any problems with theft since I was in Jr High. But, as with any place, a good lock keeps people honest.
I also have never had anybody mess with my lights, speedo, bags, or trailer.
As with any place (especially college towns), don't leave your bike unattended at night.
Oregon Coast Beach Access areas are probably a much higher risk area than the city.
#13
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Yeah, we've got an underground economy that trades in stolen bikes (often for meth or heroin). I was at a nice local food wholesaler that also sells to the public today and they had a new sign up about bikes with cable locks being stolen from their racks. They are right across the tracks from the Amtrak station, so that's kind of telling.
In fact, one of my neighbors on our dead-end road just sent out an email about her bike that was stolen from her yard this weekend. One definitely shouldn't leave anything unattended in this city.
In fact, one of my neighbors on our dead-end road just sent out an email about her bike that was stolen from her yard this weekend. One definitely shouldn't leave anything unattended in this city.
#14
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Do the Seattle to Portland route (STP) It's pretty great and is marked the entire way. I didn't even mean to ride it when I did the same route as you, but after seeing "STP" signs stenciled on the road I started following them blindly and sure enough they lead me straight to Portland. Just, whatever you do, don't ride over the "Lewis and Clark bridge" across the Columbia. Hitch a ride from someone.
#15
commu*ist spy
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well I'm in portland. I'll probably end up staying here for a few days, to dodge the rain, meet some girls, see some stuff that you don't find elsewhere. I've also ordered some stuff of amazon that'll get here this weekend, and ship back some other stuff, to save some weight and have less to worry about.
so it's a consensus that after portland, just go to the coast and stay there?
so it's a consensus that after portland, just go to the coast and stay there?
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well I'm in portland. I'll probably end up staying here for a few days, to dodge the rain, meet some girls, see some stuff that you don't find elsewhere. I've also ordered some stuff of amazon that'll get here this weekend, and ship back some other stuff, to save some weight and have less to worry about.
so it's a consensus that after portland, just go to the coast and stay there?
so it's a consensus that after portland, just go to the coast and stay there?
S H I F T to bikes!
#17
commu*ist spy
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Well, you're just in time. There's a full-moon naked bike ride tonight. Get goin'.
S H I F T to bikes!
S H I F T to bikes!
#18
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#20
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so it's a consensus that after Portland, just go to the coast and stay there?