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Portland to San Francisco Trip

pgiesinpgiesin
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I am planning a 7-8 day driving trip for the DW and I (w/o the kids) from Portland to San Francisco. The plan is to drive an hour or two each day and then spend the rest of the day site-seeing. So far the only things on the list of must does is spend the last few days in and around San Francisco. Other than that I am clueless. I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations of the best route and any must sees along the way.

Thanks, Pete

Comments

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Pete - Don't know why no one has responded to you yet. A few thoughts. There are basicthree routes from Portland to SF

    1. Direct: I-5. Stop in Ashland Or. and see a play at one of the many theatres there, it is not stop all summer, both contemporary and Shakespere. Good little town.

    2. Inland mountains/high desert: stop in Bend and/or Crater Lake, Lassen Peak.

    3. Coast: Follow 101 along the Oregon shore and see lighthouses and dune buggies. Tour Redwood National Park. Turn inland at Eureka, unless you want to take forever following the ocean to Marin County.

  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Pete,

    I can give you lots of advice about Al's #2 above. I did a ton of exploring last year in eastern NorCal and Oregon on my way up to CDA. Basically, if you want to see NorCal and Sierra's, I'm your guy.

    I also know of some very good roads and areas on the coast, north of SanFran. That said, my perspective of a road trip is enjoying the road...I don't do much stopping for tourist stuff and I'm solo on a motorcycle vs in a car with kids

  • pgiesinpgiesin
    @Al: Thanks for the tips. I assumed everyone was busy racing, but knew someone would eventually respond. :-)

    @Rich: I think for this trip we would like to stick to the coast line. We are leaving the kids home and have 5-6 days to reach San Fran. At this point the only must see we have is the Redwood National Forest. I was thinking of doing a brewery tour. So have been researching the local breweries along the way. Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Pete
  • tuckermtuckerm
    Ah a brewery tour, now that is a good idea. I hope you are going to go to the following:

    Rogue, Portland OR
    Deschutes, Bend OR - A little far inland though They do have a pub in Portland though
    Hopworks, Portland OR
    Hair of the Dog, Portland OR
    Sierra Nevada, Chico CA
    Bear Republic, Healdsburg CA
    Laganitus, Petaluma CA
    21st Amendment, San Francisco, CA
    Anchor Brewing, San Francisco CA
    Speakeasy, San Francisco CA
    Russian River, Santa Rosa, CA - If you do not go here I will punch you in the face. This is a must stop. Some of the best beer in the country. unfortunately the ywill not have Pliny the Younger, though Pliny the Elder is pretty good as well.

    Enjoy yourself, and yes I may have a problem.
  • pgiesinpgiesin
    @Tucker: Your the MAN! That is exactly what I was looking for.
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    Posted By Tucker McKeever on 16 Jun 2010 10:04 PM

    Sierra Nevada, Chico CA

    That's my hometown! WAHOO! Great beer AND restaurant too!

    Don't forget to hit all the in-n-outs you can along the way! LOL

  • tuckermtuckerm
    No problem Pete, I LOVE my craft beer. I just put Anchor and Sierra on there because they are pretty famous and classic breweries. I don't love their beers but would be fun I am sure. Enjoy, drive safe, take pictures, and try to ship some Russian River out to me. I'm not kidding. I'll pay.
  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    Wow, very cool list. Looks like I'm off to San Francisco pretty soon!
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