Seawolf's Pacific Coast Highway Trip!

seawolf

Hey friends!

I'm taking a little time for myself this month and driving solo up the Pacific Coast Highway from San Diego to Seattle starting on 15 October. I've never been north of California, and I'm really excited to see the Pacific Northwest! On my return trip, I'll make my way down the eastern side of WA, OR, and into NV. I'm meeting Mrs. Seawolf and some friends in Las Vegas at the end of my journey. It's going to be a blast!

I'll be visiting friends and family along the way, camping, going to a show, getting a cabin with a bunch of friends in rural WA, and will post some of my journey here. I am starting to get excited as my gear is gathered and camping reservations are made. It's starting to feel real!

I'm driving my little VW Golf and will be accompanied by lots of great music and maybe some audio books. I'm hoping to stop at a winery or two, maybe a cannabis farm, and any other damn thing that looks fun and interesting. Unfortunately, I'm unable to do any serious hiking because my muscles aren't working too well lately, but I'll take some scenic walks when I can. I expect lots of time for reflection and relaxation. It's also going to be pretty damn cold, so I'll be glad to dig into some of my warmer clothes that have been neglected during my seven year tenure in San Diego.

I'm open to suggestions if anyone wants to recommend a good place for a burger, or anything else that you think might be noteworthy.

Thanks for reading! See you out there

Clint_D

Be sure to check out the Avenue of the Giants to see the redwoods firsthand. It's breathtaking and there are some very easy walks through some of the largest redwoods you'll ever see. It's in Humboldt county as well so you should probably get a chance to visit a cannabis farm as well while you're there.

mclaincausey

Say hello to my friends while you're in Portland
http://www.thesmokinoakpit.com/

Matt

See Sequoia while you still can

When I drove from NM to Baltimore I tore up some podcasts. Radiolab and This American Life are my favorites. Spooked from Snap Judgement is great for this time of year and S Town from This American Life is awesome and totally riveting.

seawolf

@Clint_D:

Be sure to check out the Avenue of the Giants to see the redwoods firsthand. It's breathtaking and there are some very easy walks through some of the largest redwoods you'll ever see. It's in Humboldt county as well so you should probably get a chance to visit a cannabis farm as well while you're there.

Great suggestion! Thank you!

@mclaincausey:

Say hello to my friends while you're in Portland
http://www.thesmokinoakpit.com/

Yes!! Are they actually friends of yours, or am I going to walk in and get blank stares when I mention your name?

@Matt:

See Sequoia while you still can

When I drove from NM to Baltimore I tore up some podcasts. Radiolab and This American Life are my favorites. Spooked from Snap Judgement is great for this time of year and S Town from This American Life is awesome and totally riveting.

Those are the only podcasts I've ever really listened to. Love them both! Radiolab is always so fascinating. I'm thinking about some podcasts and audiobooks.

Seul

Can't wait, wolfie!..

Fadez

Sounds like a beautiful trip you have planned! Looking forward to the adventure

goosehd

@seawolf I’m envious, but extremely happy for you. I love Washington and would move there in a heartbeat, but visiting is all I’ve been able to do.

If you can, visit Mt. Rainier. It is breathtaking and I would almost say life changing. I spent a day driving through and around the park and want to go back whenever things open up again.

Take a good camera and enjoy!!

Nik

Going to be a great trip. Growing up in Seattle I did it the other way. Fun to see the seal cave and surf in Monterey, so different from the PNW. In Seattle I’d recommend Chinooks and if you’re still hungry grab some pancakes from bay cafe or some salmon jerky from the wild salmon market all at fisherman’s terminal in magnolia by the Ballard locks. Good to walk around discovery park too.

endo

What a great plan @seawolf . I did parts of that trip twice, in 1990 from SF to SD and in 2016 vice versa. One of my favorite spots for camping along Hwy 1 is Kirk Creek Campground, where you don't have many people but an amazing view over the pacific. Also, (from 1990) I remember that Muir Woods was beautiful. Have a great and safe trip!

BloodnThunder

@seawolf here are some Seattle suggestions:

Paseo - Best sandwich in Seattle, period. - https://www.paseo.com/

Discovery park (good spot for a walk and awesome views of the sound). Grab a Paseo sandwich, a beer from one of the local breweries in Fremont, then drive over to the park and eat on the beach. - Fort Lawton Beach, 122.434422, Seattle, WA 98199

Depending on how much time you're spending in the area I've got a lot more. But honestly, if I was just passing through this is what I'd do.

seawolf

@Seul:

Can't wait, wolfie!..

Me either! Leaving a week from today!

@Fadez:

Sounds like a beautiful trip you have planned! Looking forward to the adventure

thanks! Me too! @goosehd:

@seawolf I’m envious, but extremely happy for you. I love Washington and would move there in a heartbeat, but visiting is all I’ve been able to do.

If you can, visit Mt. Rainier. It is breathtaking and I would almost say life changing. I spent a day driving through and around the park and want to go back whenever things open up again.

Take a good camera and enjoy!!

My first time going to WA or OR. I might never come home.

@Nkwkfld:

Going to be a great trip. Growing up in Seattle I did it the other way. Fun to see the seal cave and surf in Monterey, so different from the PNW. In Seattle I’d recommend Chinooks and if you’re still hungry grab some pancakes from bay cafe or some salmon jerky from the wild salmon market all at fisherman’s terminal in magnolia by the Ballard locks. Good to walk around discovery park too.

Thank you! This is great!

@endo:

What a great plan @seawolf . I did parts of that trip twice, in 1990 from SF to SD and in 2016 vice versa. One of my favorite spots for camping along Hwy 1 is Kirk Creek Campground, where you don't have many people but an amazing view over the pacific. Also, (from 1990) I remember that Muir Woods was beautiful. Have a great and safe trip!

Love Muir Woods! I'll check out that campground. Sounds lovely

@BloodnThunder:

@seawolf here are some Seattle suggestions:

Paseo - Best sandwich in Seattle, period. - https://www.paseo.com/

Discovery park (good spot for a walk and awesome views of the sound). Grab a Paseo sandwich, a beer from one of the local breweries in Fremont, then drive over to the park and eat on the beach. - Fort Lawton Beach, 122.434422, Seattle, WA 98199

Depending on how much time you're spending in the area I've got a lot more. But honestly, if I was just passing through this is what I'd do.

Paseo sandwich is added to the list. That's happening before my tattoo appointment! I'll be in town for a few days, so I'm sure I'll get around a bit, but I'm a sucker for a great sandwich. What's your favorite on their menu?

Thank you all so much for the suggestions! I'm nearly packed, and getting anxious to hit the road. The first big hurdle is getting the F out of SoCal. LA traffic is the worst, but as soon as I'm through it, it should be a pretty chill drive all the way up.

BloodnThunder

@seawolf You for sure want to get the Caribbean Roast. If you are looking for another sandwich spot while in the area and are downtown definitely checkout Tat's and get a Tatstrami.

mclaincausey

@seawolf:

@mclaincausey:

Say hello to my friends while you're in Portland
http://www.thesmokinoakpit.com/

Yes!! Are they actually friends of yours, or am I going to walk in and get blank stares when I mention your name?

Oh yeah they are! The fella you see on that website (Bryan) used to live with me. Menu is largely based off his family's central TX recipes–I think I mentioned how they had some encounters with Aaron Franklin as they were developing the restaurant in the BBQ thread. I have not yet made it out there, but we used to cook together a lot and I can definitely vouch for his recipes, and the press they've been getting is very positive and they stay busy. But he, his college roommate, and his roommate's wife put it together and they have a great thing going. They are great people and I hope you make it!

seawolf

Service is spotty so I’ll do my best to upload some decent pics. Trip is going well so far! I’ve had two awesome nights. One at a state park and one on some private land with about 8 campsites. The place where I am now with the private campsites is really nice. Tons of amenities