If your going to San Francisco...

So we finally did it! For years Todd and I have talked about taking a road trip and driving the coast to San Francisco and for my 30th birthday this summer I requested we make the trip a reality. After four days, 1532 miles, 6 tanks of gas, three visible fires, 13 fire trucks, 330 pictures, approximately 28 hours in the car, and more bridges than I can remember, we arrived back at house and fell exhausted into our bed. All I can say is it was WELL worth it!

I will start off by giving my advice to anyone considering making a trip like this.
-If the drive is not part of your destination, don't bother. We spent more time in the car than we did anywhere else, but it was stunning landscapes that we drove through, and we enjoyed every minute! (well almost every minute of it, there was that occasional annoying driver that was oblivious to the people around him)
-give yourself plenty of time. We took two days to drive the 101 and HWY 1, but we could have taken two weeks to explore all there is to see.
-If you are going to take the advice of a book and go ten miles off coarse on a curvy road to find a restaurant, you should probably call to see if they are open first.
-Talk to the locals, for the most part they love to tell you about their towns. (there is a great little book store in Yachats, OR)
-Open the windows. The most surprising thing for us was how awesome it smelled. I don't even know how to describe it.
-Take the Alternate routes if you have the time, they are worth it.
-The little squiggles on the map do nothing to prepare you for the curves on HWY 1. I wouldn't recommend taking more than a small sedan.
-On HWY 1 if they have taken the time to mark a corner with a speed, you should probably believe them.
-Watch out for deer, they were everywhere!
-Be careful, California doesn't seem to believe in guardrails. Just road, three feet of grass, then nothing until the water below!!!
-If you take HWY 1 don't let anyone convince you to cut inland to 101. it is so worth the extra time to see all the extra beauty!
-Buy a book, it definitely gives you ideas of places to eat and stop for pictures or leg stretches.
So that is my advice, if you ever take this trip be prepared for some of the most beautiful sights you have ever seen.



We started or trip heading from Portland out the the coast at Lincoln City. In our first day we drove down to Brookings where Todd has family that were so generous and let us crash there for the night. They even took us out to dinner at their Mexican restaurant, Pancho's. Super good! I can't say enough how beautiful it was. There are so many amazing places to see and spend time. Todd and I barely even scraped the surface. We will definitely be taking trips to specific places in the future.

Day two we went from Brookings, OR to Sausilito, CA. Although gorgeous I would probably split the part of the trip into two days next time. Many people tried to tell us to cut inland and take 101 down to San francisco, but the whole point was to drive the coast and let me tell you you get CLOSE to the coast. It was so stunning it took my breath away at times. And the redwoods, WOW!!! We started our day with a little fog when we first entered the forest and it made the woods seem almost magical. I can see why many stories are written about trees coming to life. As you drive through you feel so tiny, and the trees really do feel like they might just reach out and touch you. Just amazing! I know I keep saying, awesome, amazing, gorgeous, but I just don't have any more words to describe it.


Once in Sausilito (across the Golden gate bridge from San Francisco) we stayed at a beautiful place called Cavallo Point. It is part of Fort Baker at the foot of the Bridge and is a really cool place to stay. We had a room that had been converted from the old Captain's quarters into a wonderful modern day room with all the charm and history still intact.

Day three we spent in Downtown San Francisco. We wandered Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, and Hyde Street pier. We stumbled upon a three hour sailing tour of the Bay. It was the most fabulous time, and we got very sunburnt. Since we hadn't planned the sailing trip ahead of time, we didn't think of sunscreen. Oops!

Day four started with a lovely breakfast by the water in Sausalito, and then around 11 am we hit the road and headed home. Eleven hours later with only a couple bathroom breaks, and gas stops, we rolled into Beaverton and fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow.

Like I keep saying it was just an amazing trip. It really couldn't have gone any better!!!