So, if a fella and his family (from say Indiana) have enjoyed a couple trips to the East Coast ~ Atlantic Ocean these past couple summers, and if they were contemplating a possible trip next summer to the West Coast ~ Pacific Ocean...
...where should they go?
I've enjoyed Morro Bay, CA (near San Luis Obispo) the last few years. Very low key, small beach town where there isn't a crowd to fight. Temps are a bit cool compared to what you may have in mind for a So-Cal beach.
We're going to try exploring the Oregon coast later this summer, so if there are any highlights there I'd love to hear about them.
Brad Ott, post: 324326, member: 197 wrote: ... West Coast ~ Pacific Ocean......where should they go?
Hard to mess up on that for a destination. Drive west until you see water. Then turn right or left. The Oregon Coast is awesome (California and Washington are OK, too).
If you're from flat farmland, you might consider the San Francisco Bay Delta. Drive along the levee roads, take ferries between the islands, enjoy local fish. The farming is done on reclaimed land below sea level. Rent a houseboat and take life slow ...
On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night.
There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself
'This could be heaven or this could be hell'
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face.
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year (any time of year) you can find it here
Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes Benz
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys, that she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget
So I called up the Captain,
'Please bring me my wine'
He said, 'we haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty-nine'
And still those voices are calling from far away,
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say"
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face.
They livin' it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise), bring your alibis
Mirrors on the ceiling,
The pink champagne on ice
And she said, 'we are all just prisoners here, of our own device'
And in the master's chambers,
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives,
But they just can't kill the beast
Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before
'Relax' said the night man,
'We are programmed to receive.
You can check out any time you like,
But you just can never leave!'
That is a very strange song. Even stranger is that I always liked it, even if I could never memorize all of the words correctly. Takes me back to about 1971.
Brad Ott, post: 324326, member: 197 wrote: So, if a fella and his family (from say Indiana) have enjoyed a couple trips to the East Coast ~ Atlantic Ocean these past couple summers, and if they were contemplating a possible trip next summer to the West Coast ~ Pacific Ocean...
...where should they go?
So, if you wan't Sunny beach and Palm Tree's Aim for So Cal. I spent 5 years there and loved many parts of it, the beach being one of the best. The Drive up the Coast from So cal to Nor Cal to Oregon Washington Border is pretty amazing as well. Hearst Castle is a great look into the Opulence of the past. The redwoods are definitely something to see and the tidepools, rock outcrops cliffs, and monolithic rocks along the oregon coast are always great to explore and etch in your memory. If you like waterfalls, wineries, breweries and some of the best food around I'd be sure to head through the Columbia River gorge on your way to Portland, OR. Naturally I am biased because I call this great area my home. I'd be happy to follow up with more Q&A as you thing about your options, Likes and dislikes. Cheers.
clearcut, post: 324348, member: 297 wrote: Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes Benz
If I'm not mistaken the lyric is actually "Mercedes bends".
I sense a California Beerlegger in the making.
Let's all meet at Dave Karoly's house.
I'll keep you posted on the details.
Dave will love it, but let's surprise him.
He should have plenty of beer and bourbon. 🙂
Don
Warren Smith, post: 324334, member: 9900 wrote: If you're from flat farmland, you might consider the San Francisco Bay Delta. Drive along the levee roads, take ferries between the islands, enjoy local fish. The farming is done on reclaimed land below sea level. Rent a houseboat and take life slow ...
Be sure to stop in at world famous Al the Wop's in Locke, CA and Dinky Diner in Clarksburg, CA.
Brad,
The answer will largely be determined by how old your kids are and what they like to do. Happy kids = happy Dad.
The left coast is a vast area with a diverse culture and ecosystem. Beaches, mountains, big trees, sand dunes, bears, sea lions, history, wine....
If your trip is late summer be flexible as much of this area can be on fire and off limits to visitors.
If you trip is early summer be aware that the beaches are much cooler than inland areas. Oregon has excellent state parks all along its coast.
You can't go wrong with the number 1 or 101. Epic drive. A car is necessary but a motorcycle is way more fun.
Dan
Jered has some good ideas. I'll add to them. If you have kids, you may want to consider SO Cal places like Disneyland, Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Universal Studios, Warner Bros, the beaches etc. Hollyweird is real fun especially the first time.
Yosemite and the big Sequoias trees would certainly be pleasing too. Tahoe is nice. Morro Bay, the Hearst Castle, the drive up Big Sur, Carmel San Fran, Mendocino, Oregon Coast and to Seattle if you can swing it all. There's a lot to see on the West coast.
Back in the '80's during my younger, college years, my sis took me on a ferry boat that left the Long Beach harbor, went around the Palos Verdes peninsula up to the Santa Monica area, and then back while a live Reggae band was playing the whole time. It was a lot of fun but I doubt you'd want to take your family on something like that. hahaha! I don't even know if they do that anymore.
Dude! you gotta check this place out!!!
@44.2785833,-124.1129712,18z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0xb3e0d8a887f64cfb"> https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tho r's+Well/@44.2785833,-124.1129712,18z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0xb3e0d8a887f64cfb
:party::party:B-)B-):party::party::party:
Brad Ott, post: 324326, member: 197 wrote: So, if a fella and his family (from say Indiana) have enjoyed a couple trips to the East Coast ~ Atlantic Ocean these past couple summers, and if they were contemplating a possible trip next summer to the West Coast ~ Pacific Ocean...
...where should they go?
Aloha, Brad: I'd suggest fly few more miles...you will end up where you will be surrounded by Pacific Ocean and priceless ALOHA!
Brad Ott, post: 324326, member: 197 wrote: So, if a fella and his family (from say Indiana) have enjoyed a couple trips to the East Coast ~ Atlantic Ocean these past couple summers, and if they were contemplating a possible trip next summer to the West Coast ~ Pacific Ocean...
...where should they go?
The Southern and Northern Oregon coast is great. The middle isn't much. Crater Lake is a must see. Columbia Gorge is nice.
I would recommend you stop in Salem, Oregon for a spell so you get a full tour of BeerLeg HQ. Might even get a free grilled steak dinner.
What about the Third Coast?
Some of the nicest beaches in the world from Appalachicola to Pensacola.
Crater Lake, Thor's Well, Multnomah Falls, Painted Hills. If it were whale-watching season, I would also suggest Depoe Bay.
Brad Ott, post: 324326, member: 197 wrote: So, if a fella and his family (from say Indiana) have enjoyed a couple trips to the East Coast ~ Atlantic Ocean these past couple summers, and if they were contemplating a possible trip next summer to the West Coast ~ Pacific Ocean...
...where should they go?
San Juan Islands
