Planning a PCH trip, looking for suggestions.

"DanZman" (DanielHarpel) 07/26/2017 at 15:40 • Filed to: None

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My cousin and I will be making our way up to Oregon for the big eclipse in August. We live in Phoenix and are planning an inland route up through Salt Lake City, Missoula MT(thanks highlander) and then over to the coast. We want to make our way over to Cape Flattery and then come home down the Pacific Coast Highway.

The only real stops we have planned are SLC, somewhere for the eclipse in Oregon and Six Flags in California. Any suggestions would be amazing! Just keep in mind we will be in my corvette, so pavement is a priority. Also, if anyone wants to join up for any part of the trip, that would be cool too.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 15:46

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Don’t forget that PCH is shut down near Big Sur. Pity since that section is an incredible drive even when it’s overrun with rental Mustangs.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 15:52

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Initially read that as “Planning a PCP trip” and I was like boy are you gonna have fun.

RallyWrench > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 15:53

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Highway 1 is closed between Ragged Point and south of Carmel due to a bridge failure and landslide damage, and will remain so for probably another year. So you’ll have to skip over to 101 at Monterey (or earlier) on your way south, then to I5 for Six Flags. You should put that leg off as long as possible, maybe cut over at 126 in Ventura, which pretty much comes out at Magic Mountain. 166 is a pretty drive to cut over on too, from Santa Maria, but there’s been a big fire out there so I’m not sure what it looks like now. That would put you out just before the Grapevine on I5.

DanZman > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 07/26/2017 at 15:54

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I saw that. The bridge is out or something...?

cmill189 - sans Volvo > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 15:57

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If you get sick of Utah I-15, pretty much any road that heads east will loop back around. If you’re looking for a sort-quick little side route post SLC - head up Emigration Canyon - East Canyon - Hennifer. It will lead you right back to I-84 which goes right back to I-15. I love that route on my motorcycle, never had a car worthy of it. There are some decent places to eat here. I’d recommend Proper Brewing/Burger, Tradition, or Taco Taco. They have good drinks as well.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 15:58

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Big Sur HWY 1 is close due to 1 bridge basically falling into a canyon and a massive landslide closer to SLO. Maybe try oregon coast and northern California coast first, lost coast is a really cool 1 day drive. Oregon Dunes is neat too. There is a beach you can drive on in Oregon.

I’m sure you meant to write Missoula MT, but I’m still offended.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 07/26/2017 at 16:00

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And at least a hangover, jail somewhere in the middle and death being the worst case scenario! YAY! Haha.

TheRealBicycleBuck > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 16:01

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If you’ve never experienced real dunes, stop by the Oregon dunes and rent a buggy for half a day. Make a couple of side trips to see the Sequoia National Forest and the Redwood National Forest.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 16:02

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Bridge   and   landslide:

So you get this:

haveacarortwoorthree2 > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 07/26/2017 at 16:03

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Wow, that is unfortunate. I loved that part of the drive when we did it a few years ago. I mean, most of PCH is beautiful scenery but I thought the section through Big Sur was really special.

Tapas > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 16:20

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Im gonna be doing that myself!

In the 3rd week of August! From Oakland to LA? Or maybe not that far (Stop before LA and turn around to go to the Monterey Concours).

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > haveacarortwoorthree2 07/26/2017 at 16:20

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I have mixed feelings about how much money they have to spend maintaining that road, but as someone who likes unique driving experiences I’m glad they’re doing it. Plus I guess it brings in the tourism money.

CaptDale - is secretly British > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 16:21

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As everyone has said the Central coast area of the 1 is closed but if you go to Monterrey and go CA1 through SF and keep on it hit Bodega Bay and go all the way up. It is a section I love honestly more than the closed area.

DanZman > Tapas 07/26/2017 at 16:30

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Monterey Concourse sounds cool!

CaptDale - is secretly British > TheRealBicycleBuck 07/26/2017 at 16:33

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We went on a Hummer tour there, that was cool!

DanZman > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 16:34

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And... scratch that. Sounds awesome, but no way I’m going to convince my cousin to drop that kind of coin on tickets.

Tapas > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 16:44

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No tickets. Well just the one for the Rolex Motorsports Vintage car races at Laguna Seca (~$120 for 2 days).

I’m going to do this whole thing a-la-Doug.

http://jalopnik.com/i-saw-all-the-cool-stuff-at-pebble-beach-without-spendi-1625167446

Just browse parking lots and wait outside when the events end and everyone drives out.

If you’re interested, let me know. Maybe we can split housing for a day or two. Because that is expensive as fuck.

Or maybe just meet up for a beer somewhere? :)

sony1492 > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 16:50

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There’s the Avenue of the Giants along 101, it’s very beautiful.

OmerCarrothers333 > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 16:52

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Squatters in the Sugarhouse neighborhood in SLC has good food and pretty good beer. The same with Mellow Mushroom a couple doors down.

Stop by the Bonneville Salt Flats, they might be underwater, but you should see it.

If you’re hoping to go to Big Sur, Hwy 1 is gone for the forseeable future.

The stretch of Hwy 1/101 between Crescent City and Eureka sucks. The posted speed limit is 35-45 for about 40 miles. Beautiful views, but it’s a pain in the ass.

There’s a great record store next to a pretty cool coffee shop in old town Eureka.

If you feel like going from Monterey to Salinas, the online lowrider magazine Deadend, has a brick and mortar store. The shop and magazine are run by good people. There’s also a cool underground art gallery called Somos that’s in the same neighborhood as the Deadend store. The guy that runs that place is really cool.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 07/26/2017 at 16:54

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That’ll buff out! Real unfortunate since I wanted to include that as part of my Coast to Coast move to the LA area. I figured it would be a signature way to end the trip since Im in a Miata rather than just trotting along down the 101 or the 5. Ahh well, they will fix it eventually and I can get plenty of weekend trips to Big Sur to enjoy it.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 16:57

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Definitely looking to follow how this trip goes and hope you document it a bit on Oppo. I will be planning a move from NJ to CA in September and driving across via a Northern route in my Miata. Been looking to plot out fun roads in Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon where possible. Less interstates the better! Gotta make it worth it to spend 12 hours a day in a racing seat instead of the plush leather one.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 07/26/2017 at 17:04

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I’ve driven it in my S2000, and it was probably the dream of driving PCH in a convertible that made me get the car.

TheRealBicycleBuck > CaptDale - is secretly British 07/26/2017 at 17:43

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Which there? The dunes?

We rented a buggy while we were there. It was my wife’s first experience in a buggy and on sand dunes. She claims it was one of the most terrifying experiences of her life. :)

CaptDale - is secretly British > TheRealBicycleBuck 07/26/2017 at 17:46

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Yes the dunes. Growing up going to the castrated Pismo Dunes I was in awe of how open the Oregon Dunes were.

TheRealBicycleBuck > CaptDale - is secretly British 07/26/2017 at 17:55

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Growing up, I went with my uncle to Little Sahara in west Oklahoma. The biggest dune there was the same size as the average dune in Oregon. The rest were much smaller.

For Sweden > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 07/26/2017 at 19:18

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It’s also a road people use for everyday commuting and errands.

LongbowMkII > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 19:39

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There are road closures between Monterey and SLO

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 19:47

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If you’re driving down the Oregon Coast and are camping, consider looking in to Cape Perpetua campground. Amazing spot to car camp. Even if you can’t get a reservation drive up to the overlook up the hill from the campground - amazing views of the coast. Also the beaches across the street are fun for exploring.

Nick Has an Exocet > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 20:23

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I did the drive from SLC to SF on 80 (straight shot). If you want to tear off all the non-coastal stuff like a band aid, that’s the way to do it. Straight, fast, and easy.

HWY 1 from SF north to Point Reyes Station is an epic stretch of corners and views.

AestheticsInMotion > DanZman 07/26/2017 at 20:57

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How far north are you going? I’d join up in northern Oregon. Or if you head through Washington, I could give you quite the list of driving roads/beautiful sites

DanZman > AestheticsInMotion 07/27/2017 at 00:14

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I’m planning on going. All the way up to the start is HWY1. I think the pace we are going is called cape flattery

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 07/27/2017 at 07:50

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The best is waking up quite early and hitting that road right around sunrise. Then you get to avoid the RVs and rental mustangs. Ive stayed over night just outside SLO and then started the journey Northward. Didnt hit any traffic until after Big Sur around noon or so. And most of it was coming South from the Bay area.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > DanZman 07/27/2017 at 08:57

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Last year the wife and I drove up PCH from Venice to San Francisco. Great road, great views, don’t be surprised when you’re stuck behind a motorhome or some other slow driver who doesn’t pull off for faster traffic. Long stretches of nothing, so take your bathroom breaks when you can. Awesome drive though.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 07/27/2017 at 10:35

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I was hoping I wasn’t the only one...

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AestheticsInMotion 07/27/2017 at 10:42

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I would like said list if you want to provide it! More twisty the roads the better.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > For Sweden 07/27/2017 at 14:08

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There are other commuter roads used elsewhere that don’t require millions in constant maintenance. If it weren’t for the tourism I’m not sure reopening it would be such a sure thing.

http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/03/is-big-surs-highway-1-worth-saving/

AestheticsInMotion > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 07/29/2017 at 00:56

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101 along the coast obviously

Highway 2 from Monroe to Leavenworth is phenomenal driving, with beautiful places to stop throughout.

Union hill and 208th/204th is a fun hillclimb, and it’s close to ames lake road which is also fantastic.

West snoqualmie Valley road is good

Hell, even just hopping on I-90 east is fun if you’re not local (or if you are). Crossing the mountains in Washington is a treat

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AestheticsInMotion 07/31/2017 at 09:48

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Glad to know I90 isnt too boring, that was likely going to end up being my route if I didnt have enough time to stay on Hwy 2. Current plan is taking Hwy 2 across the country the whole way basically. I plan to be stopped in Glacier Nat’l park in MT and then either go direct to Portland or spend the extra day trekking across WA and ending up camping at Cape Flattery. Would be kinda cool to end up there.

Thanks for the suggestions! I also want to make trips to Seattle once Im in LA, so I will be sure to be back to check out the mountains some more.