Few years ago, i visited Bigsur via Califonia highway 1 and fell in love with it especially Bixby bridge. i cannot even count the number of folks i recommended or bought them to this place over the years and i still cannot find a beautiful place than this and this is one of the reasons i moved to California. Every-time i visit this place, i feel like am in a different world and how tiny we are in this wide world and show beautiful nature is.
There are some viewpoints where we can see ocean touching these rock formations and it is so amazing that words cannot express and you have to visit and see for yourself.
Long story short- Highway 1 made me explore rest of the highway along the Pacific Cost highway. We drove around south which made us wonder how about “North”. It was Beautiful.
Here is how the trip looks like. You start from San Jose and visit Seattle via Burney Falls, Crate Lake and Portland and return via Oregon coast highway
There are definitely a whole lot of beautiful places along the way better than this. i Just wanted to log what we drove around share our experience and hopefully help someone who wants to give it a shot and can explore more places along the way and have fun.
What is life without a little bit of Fun right ?
Hike down to Burney Falls:
Day by Day Itinerary looks something like this:
Day 1 :
Google Maps for Day 1
Lassen Volcanic national park is amazing. Please check conditions before you go. Our MVP is Manzanita lake and Bumpass hell trail. There are quite a few things to do.Check them out.
Burney falls is amazing. There is a short hike down to the falls and we can go closer to the water but be careful as the rocks might be slippery. There is Burney Falls Loop Trail which is relatively short and fun. if you have time, check it out. There are good cabins and camping area as well which needs reservations so check em out.Do not Miss this. this is beautiful. Drive along the Volcanic Scenic byway is truly serene.
Lake Shasta Caverns is another place not to miss. Make this part of your trip
Day 2 :
Google Maps for Day 2
After camping out along the way, we started our day 2 towards Crater lake national park. One of the Must do thing here is to drive the 33 mile Rim drive which is open during summer and is partially open in Winter. Plan your activities so that you can see the beauty along the drive. Watchman Peak trail is one of those hikes which takes you to the top and it is gorgeous. There are quite a few things to do. Just Explore the park. Check out amazing trails here. Another short hike is to Toketee Falls and it is awesome hike with beautiful waterfall.
Day 3:
Google Maps for Day 3
Bend is an amazing place to relax and explore. There are so many small towns close to it which are awesome such as Sisters.Things i would recommend is visit town of Sisters and bend Downtown and explore and Tumalo Falls and drive along Cascade Lake Scenic Byway , Smith Rock State park , Painted Hills Overlook , Silver Falls State Park which is beautiful with so many amazing trails and head to Portland.
Day 4:
Google Maps for Day 4
Portland i think is one of the underrated cities and has amazing things to offer for a traveller right from waterfalls to breweries. We really loved the time spent here and would come back for sure. Vista House experience and history was good and Portland Japanese garden is good but i like Japanese garden in San francisco and Forest park is beautiful and explore many breweries around the city while we visited few.
Vista House:
More:
Google Maps for Day 4b
We could not visit Aerial tram as it was clsoed at the time we visited but heard rave reviews about it and then we headed to favorite place of our trip to explore Columbia River Gorge and started with Multnomah Falls. We can go see the falls from the elevation we want and is busy and beautiful. Other Amazing water falls around the are Wahkeena Falls and Bridal Veil Falls Which i heard is closed recently and amazing Latourell Falls where we can go to the bottom of the falls and the feeling of joy is un explainable. we have to visit it for sure.
More Trails to explore here and head to Seattle
Multnomah Falls
Day 5:
Google Maps for Day 5
We stayed in Seattle for few days and the city has lot to offer and is beautiful.Must see things are Space needle,Pike Place market, etc..
If time permits:
Olympic National Park
Mount Rainer National Park
Leavenworth - MUST in Winter
Waterfall in Mt Rainer:
More:
Return Trip:
Day 11:
Google Maps for Day 11
Can kickstart the journey back by exploring the coast of Astoria, Ecola State park and Beer and ended at Cannon beach and end the day at Rockaway Beach
Cannon Beach:
Day 12:
Google Maps for Day 12
Can see myself spending hours watching how cheese is made at Tilamook Creamery. Ive seen the cheese so many times during our flight journey and seeing how they are made is nice experience. Cape Meares Lighthouse was one of the best things we were expecting but was closed and would certainly come back for this. Also do not miss Octopus Tree. Drive along the coast is beautiful and there are some nice small towns such as pacific City and New port along the way and can stop anywhere for some nice views. Oregon coast is rugged compared to pacific coast and i believe there lies the beauty. Some must see stops are Devils Punchbowl and can hike down as well but be careful if tide is high and end your day with Oregon Coast Aquarium.
Devils Punchbowl:
Day 13:
Google Maps for Day 13
Some of the must see spots along the way were Thors Well and Heceta Head Lighthouse and one of the unique things we came across is exploring Sea lion Caves. some ATV rides at Oregon Dunes is fun. I liked rides at Pismo beach but seeing dunes along the highway was sort of different feeling so i loved for the timing and experience.
And Secret Beach :)
Day 14:
Google Maps for Day 14
Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor is beautiful. There is nothing i could say and we have to see it for ourself.Then we headed towards Avenue of Giants which was one of my bucket lists for a while and the drive from end to end was relaxing with high trees and drive thru trees.Magical
Drive along the way:
Day 15:
Google Maps for Day 15
Ready for amazing next day and we loved Mendocino which we could not spend enough time and would certainly come back and Point Arena Lighthouse and this is one of my favorite places next to Pointe Reyes Lighthouse and is beautiful. Bowling ball Beach is a different experience and Cypress Tree Tunnel is Awesome. Timber Cove resort looks amazing but expensive too. Some day for sure :)
Day 16:
Google Maps for Day 16
Point Reyes and area around it is truly amazing. Drakes Beach is where i had one of my good memories when i visited few years ago but now it seems like less maintained. but this is certainly a beach to visit with less crowds.Alamere Falls is awesome and a must visit at some time in our life in california.Just drive along Sir Franciso Drake Blvd is so nice. We are slowly heading our way into crowded yet beautiful places which are Muir Beach Overlook ( Muir beach is also nice and less crowded than Stinson) and Stinson Beach and its town. its beautiful. Staying at this town for a sweet weekend. Tennessee Beach is also a must visit
Day 17:
Google Maps for Day 17
Rodeo Beach and Black Sands Beach were one of beaches we love and visited so many times. Point Bonita Lighthouse is close to the city and is beautiful with small hike and short bridge along Marin headlands and this is Must Must visit
Google Maps for Day 17b
We ended our long trip with awesome places such as Hawk Hill,Kirby Cove and exploring best of Marin headlands and our favorite Lands End Trail and its area, Fire Pit on Ocean Beach and beautiful Pacifica and Pigeon Point Light house which has hostel rooms to stay :)
There are so many things to explore in this big wide beautiful world and with little time we have on this planet, lets go see whatever we can and experience the joy out of it.it does not matter what you visit, just go with open mind and heart and Nature will take care of you and show you the way
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