Fun stuff on Phoenix to Eugene road trip
June 8, 2021 9:09 AM Subscribe
I’m flying to my BFF in Phoenix next week and we will be taking three days or so to drive back to Eugene. It’s her birthday next Friday, so we’d like to do something fun that day. She wants to make it to the coast-so I’m thinking Phoenix to LA then up the coast? How would you break this trip out, assuming three nights (maybe leave Weds afternoon and arrive in Eugene Saturday afternoon)? Your favorite places to stop? We will be doing hotels and love wine and great food-which doesn’t need to be fancy. Your favorite roadside diner is awesome, too. Both fully vaxed.
Response by poster: Yes, thinking of PHX to Santa Barbara first day, shorter coast drive next, and heading from coast to I-5 somewhere around Bay Area.
posted by purenitrous at 10:53 AM on June 8, 2021
posted by purenitrous at 10:53 AM on June 8, 2021
Santa Cruz is a nice place to stop on the way up the coast.
posted by bleep at 12:01 PM on June 8, 2021
posted by bleep at 12:01 PM on June 8, 2021
The drive north of SF is gorgeous also, as is the Oregon coast. But that would be really slow.
posted by SLC Mom at 3:57 PM on June 8, 2021
posted by SLC Mom at 3:57 PM on June 8, 2021
Response by poster: I live in Oregon and agree-coast is amazing, but not something new to me.
posted by purenitrous at 4:04 PM on June 8, 2021
posted by purenitrous at 4:04 PM on June 8, 2021
Check the roads around Big Sur if you're going to take that part of the 1. They had major problems this last rainy season and I don't know if it all got patched up. Google Maps will likely be wise to the problems, so it won't take a lot of effort, but just a thought.
Would agree with skipping LA - you'll miss the traffic, apart from anything else, and you're also saving a dogleg.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 4:19 PM on June 8, 2021
Would agree with skipping LA - you'll miss the traffic, apart from anything else, and you're also saving a dogleg.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 4:19 PM on June 8, 2021
I'll just offer a vote that whether you head up through Central CA on the 1, 101, 5, or 99 (see also 33 which is a GREAT - and on a weekday was basically empty - drive through Los Padres), or some combination of all of the above as necessary because of traffic, it's all pretty remarkable scenery. We did a camping trip two weeks ago that was basically from Malibu up 33, around 166, back down the 101, and it was all gorgeous and varied.
I personally would consider avoiding LA and SB entirely, going the northern route I-40 to Bakersfield and then cut over to San Luis Obispo/Morro Bay/Pismo Beach on Hwy 58 (or Bakersfield - Lost Hills - Paso Robles on to one of the beach towns via Hwy 46, which looks like it is less twisty - depends on your tolerance). Traffic across LA and up the coast there will cost at least the "extra" two hours the northern route seems to be on paper, and this way you could spend the night right at the beach, get up the next morning and enjoy the beach a bit before you hit the road.
I would not attempt to drive more than a token part of the coast highway, though. Most of the single- and double-digit highways are not super multi-lane but the 1 is the only N-S through-street in a shitload of little tourist towns, all of which have most/all of their beach parking just on the shoulder, and each of which have at least one stoplight. And it is summer, schools are mostly let out now, people are ready to go do stuff, and it's going to be a bit of a chore.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:15 PM on June 8, 2021
I personally would consider avoiding LA and SB entirely, going the northern route I-40 to Bakersfield and then cut over to San Luis Obispo/Morro Bay/Pismo Beach on Hwy 58 (or Bakersfield - Lost Hills - Paso Robles on to one of the beach towns via Hwy 46, which looks like it is less twisty - depends on your tolerance). Traffic across LA and up the coast there will cost at least the "extra" two hours the northern route seems to be on paper, and this way you could spend the night right at the beach, get up the next morning and enjoy the beach a bit before you hit the road.
I would not attempt to drive more than a token part of the coast highway, though. Most of the single- and double-digit highways are not super multi-lane but the 1 is the only N-S through-street in a shitload of little tourist towns, all of which have most/all of their beach parking just on the shoulder, and each of which have at least one stoplight. And it is summer, schools are mostly let out now, people are ready to go do stuff, and it's going to be a bit of a chore.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:15 PM on June 8, 2021
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In SB you can eat dinner at La Super Rica (local legend casual authentic Mexican food), or at a fancier place like Bouchon. Santa Barbara has TONS of good food and wine tasting (and also tasting menus, if you're into that). Santa Barbara has good hotel choices as well.
I would advise shortening the amount of coastal route you do. Maybe do like LA to Monterey, then cut over to the interstate the rest of the way? Or take the 5 from LA up to SFO and drive up part of the coast from there.
posted by bluesky78987 at 10:22 AM on June 8, 2021 [2 favorites]