Hiway 1

[Poprivet]

I'm about to make my first trip from San Francisco to Seattle traveling in a 1990 Airstream 250 motor home with no tow vehicle. Any pointers from you veterans will be appreciated.

[cammur]

Watch the curves! But I guess that would be obvious.

Very difficult to enjoy the views and stay in your (only) lane.

Enjoy the trip - doing similar in June to join the International in Salem, and visit our son in Seattle.

[joewinfield]

Hi David Alan. I have not made this trip in my 28' AS mh but have made part of it in my 21' Barth. This road is beautiful but tough... Tons of major grade change and switchback type curves. Two years ago Jen and I made the trip in a small suv and camped in a small tent. Great trip. Have fun. joe

[Poprivet]

sounds like i'd better not be in a hurry

[warbler5]

Within California, I would suggest you try and travel on a week-day (not including Friday). Otherwise, you will spend much of your time searching for a place to pull off to let the line of cars behind you go by....and, California law dictates that you do so if you have more than 5 vehicles trailing you. It will be much more relaxing for you on a week-day....

The curviest and narrowest part is between Jenner and Fort Ross, without many places to pull off and take a break. There are not many places where you can cut back over to Hwy 101, if Hwy 1 gets to be too much....and these roads are pretty curvey, as well, and some are roads that you share with logging trucks. As you travel further north, these two highways join in the vicinity of Leggett, and the road widens out, becoming freeway in some areas.

Where do you plan to stay along Hwy 1 in California? How long is your MoHo?

[robandzoe]

I believe a 250 is a 25 footer.

[warbler5]

There are several State and Regional parks along the way. In the town of Bodega Bay, there is Westside Park, one of the Sonoma County Regional Parks, and there is Bodega Dunes Campground, one of the Sonoma Coast State Beach campgrounds. Further north is Stillwater Cove Regional Park, Salt Point State Park, followed by Gualala Point Regional Park. I am pretty sure these parks can accomodate a 25' MoHo; however, I would suggest that you go to the California State Parks web site (http://www.parks.ca.gov/) and the Sonoma Regional Parks web site (http://www.sonoma-county.org/parks/), and you can look at where these parks are located and perhaps figure out where you might want to stay.

btw....does anyone riding with you get car sick? Both of my sons have tossed their cookies on this road. I would suggest you get some dramamine before going.

[myoung]

Leaving SF there are only 2 feasible routes, IMHO. The high-speed interstate one is I-5, which you would pick up by taking the 505 connector off I-80 in Vacaville. The more interesting and scenic one would be Route 101 from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border where you could stay along the coast for the ocean views and the terrific state parks or cut over to pick up I-5.

It would be foolhardy to go up Route 1. The twists and turns, the grade changes, and the narrow lanes all add up to an unpleasant trip in an RV. And, once you get to the end up north beyond Fort Bragg, you have to cut over to Route 101 anyway. That stretch of the road is perhaps the most twisty part. It's not even pleasant in a car, let alone an RV.

Going up Route 101, I'd suggest a slight deviation to take in the Avenue of the Giants for a spectacular ride through the Redwoods for 20 or more miles. The northernmost stretch is the prettiest. If you catch the Rhodedendrons in bloom in Ferndale, it is a must stop.

I-5 has its attractions from Redding north to Ashland with Mount Shasta being the most stunning vista. If you wanted, you could also take a swing up to Crater Lake just north of Ashland.

Once again, don't even consider taking Route 1.