For my 30th birthday celebration, we adventured off on one of my dream road-trips:
The Pacific Coast Highway!!
Highway 101 has been a legendary road-trip in my mind for quite some time! I have often day-dreamed of the stunning ocean-cliff-views, the foggy Redwood Forest, and that free feeling only an open road brings. I would one day love to cruise this stunning highway from Canada all the way to Mexico, just winging it for at least a month…
Since we only had roughly a week, and a smaller budget we set off for just a little taste of the West Coast. We drove from Utah to Portland to visit some friends, then spent a night in Seattle before we drove down the coast. From Washington to California. Oh boy, it was marvelous.
Here were the highlights in each area of our trip:
WASHINGTON
The beautiful city of Seattle!
We were lucky enough to stay right in the heart of downtown Seattle, where everything we wanted to see was in walking distance!
I was most excited to visit the Chihuly Gardens. Dale Chihuly has been one of my favorite artists for many years. This garden exhibit shares the Space Needle terrace, so we had stunning views of the Space Needle too!
We had to check out Pike Place Market, the original Starbuck, and the infamous [& kind of gross] Gum Wall The best part: they are all in the same area!
We were also wanted to check out the new Amazon Go Marketplace. I would suggest downloading the app BEFORE you go in, so you can experience the seamless in & out experience.
Sunday/Mother’s day we had a yummy brunch with some old friends at Local 360 — This restaurant is unique and fresh, everything is locally grown or sourced within 360 miles.
OREGON
Multnomah Falls
This is a very popular and crowded attraction, but definitely worth a pit stop. Unfortunately when we went, the hike was closed off due to a fire, but it is on our todo list for next time!
Bridal Veil Falls
This gorgeous waterfall is located off of a short and very sweet, luscious-green 3/4 mile walk. It is a close drive from Multnomah falls, and much less crowded here.
The greens on greens on greens makes you feel lost in an enchanted fairy garden.
Downtown Portland
While in Portland, you have to stop and get a doughnut from either Voodoo Doughnuts or Voodoo Too although I have heard arguments that Blue Star doughnuts is better. Maybe try them both!
While in Portland, you HAVE to check out their food pods & carts!! They have some of the best food trucks in America. Off of Alder street, you have one of the largest downtown collection of food pods.
We did a lap around the square and all agreed to go with a food cart called: Love Verona.
This little place has unquestionably earned their stellar reviews on Yelp.
We enjoyed our pizza & pasta in “Portland’s living room,” aka Pioneer Courthouse Square. Here you will find some marvelous people watching– possibly even some live action role playing!
The International Rose Test Garden was a great spot as well.
Even though we went during early season, there was still a lot of gorgeous grounds and flowers to explore. There was a very peaceful ambiance here. We want to come back when it is in full bloom, to see all the roses, and check out the Japanese Garden as well.
Powell’s City of Books
Give yourself plenty of time to get lost in this wonderful emporium. You can even grab a coffee and spend hours reading or just wandering around.
Ground Kontrol
I am a sucker for a good arcade bar– and this one is worth checking out! Give yourself a few hours to stop and play at this little gem.
After a fun weekend visiting friends, we finally hit the “road-trip” part of our road-trip
Our first night we found a perfect little camping spot at LL “Stub” Stewart State Park. This is were we learned how freaking awesome Oregon State Parks are. The state of Oregon owns and preserves almost the entire coast line. Our little campground was very clean, cheap for campers, and we were happy to learn that most state parks have showers and recycle bins — yayy!!
The next morning we started our journey down highway 101.
Our first stop was at the Tillamook Cheese Factory in Tillamook, Oregon.
It was my birthday, so of course we had to get some Tillamook ice-cream to celebrate! David and I also shared a grilled cheese for lunch, and it did not disappoint!
The Oregon coast line was such a stunning drive.
The greens on greens. The hazy weather, the random bouts of fog, the forests, the beautiful beaches! I want to go back already and stop in all the cute little cities along the coast. It was even dreamier than I could have imagined.
We had a lot of road to cover this Monday, May 14th. We stopped shortly at D River for some foggy Pacific Ocean views, and Fishing Rock State Park for a quick little trail and panoramic ocean views!
As it was getting late, we decided to stop in Newport.
We enjoyed some incredible food from Georgie’s Beach Grill, and they even sent us with free birthday cheesecake to go! After dinner, we pitched up our tent at South Beach State Park for the night.
The next morning, May 15th
we cooked our delicious homemade breakfast burritos, and then we continued our scenic trip down Highway 101.
First stop of the day was the gorgeous views of Seal Rock:
Next, we stopped to take in the views at Yachats, and to watch the many sea lions, right outside of Florence.
As we were driving through Bandon, we saw a sign for “West Coast Game Park– Walk through Safari.”
We turned around on a whim, and we are both so glad we did!! This was one of the highlights of our trip. We both got to feed, pet, and walk around with a ton of animals. David held a baby opossum, a baby fox, and even pet a baby lynx.
IT WAS SO FREAKING COOL.
Next stop: Battle Rock.
We stopped for the ocean views, and stayed to eat at the Crazy Norwegian’s Fish & Chips. David’s sister Sam lives in Norway, so we HAD to try this place in her honor. They had the best cheese soup I have ever tried. David loved his fish & chips as well. It was very cute and casual for a quick bite to eat.
CALIFORNIA
We covered a lot of road today. We got our first views of the Redwood Forest as we crossed into the California border. It was hard to find a camping spot in the Redwoods that was not already booked.
Luckily as we were driving around trying to find a spot, we found Orman’s Ranch! We absolutely LOVED this little gem. We had a private place to camp, and for only $16!! We were right next to the Redwoods, had rain coverage from the trees, and had a place to shower and play a round of pool!
Wednesday morning, May 16th
We packed up, and said goodbye to the cute Orman’s Ranch and drove into the Redwood Forest. We heard we were close to where they filmed the Endor scene in Star Wars. After that we checked out the cute little Crescent City, California. While we were there we took a short walk to see the Battery Point Lighthouse, found some crabs, and hunted for agates before we continued down the Pacific Coast Highway.
I had to attend a live class session for school, so our Redwood forest visit got cut short searching for service. When we come back, we will for sure walk through the Trees of Mystery and spend extra time exploring the dense forest.
David and I decided last minute to cut through Reno, Nevada; instead of heading the extra 10 hours to San Francisco. We both want to come back down to SanFran when we had more time and money to spend there!
We ended our trip down the 101 just outside of Arcata, California– taking the GORGEOUS Highway 299 up to Reno and into a real bed for the night. (Our air-mattress had sprung a leak!)
Things we want to do different next time:
- Start in Canada or Astoria, and spend way more time in all the little coastal cities, and Oregon State Parks.
- I want to check out Silver Falls!
- Spend more time exploring and hiking in the Redwood Forest.
- Make it all the way down from Astoria to San Francisco or even Mexico!
- Spend a couple nights in San Francisco, visiting Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Haight-Ashbury.
Tell me, where is your favorite beach town in Pacific West Coast??
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