Anyone from California here?

[rhegedus]

I'll be driving the Pacific route from LA to Seattle in October and one of my stops will be around Pismo/Morro Bay.

Anything to chose between them?

[thecoalman]

I don't live in Cali but some guy in Morro Bay was offering me hits off a doob within the first 10 minutes I was there. No shit we pulled into a campground to get a site and two dudes pull up beside us smoking dope and asked if we wanted some, that and if we wanted a shot from there liquor bottle.

Haven't been to Pismo and my time in Morro Bay was brief. Really nice beach, slightly developed but still nice. that was ten years ago though. That's about all I can offer we only stayed there for the night, just passing through.

[snafu099]

Points of interest between La and Seatle would be to nurmorus to list.
On your planned route select some cities and do a search. Much would depend on what your interests are and how much time you have to divert to side trips/stops.

The west coast of the US has a rich history
Mining
Farming
Timber
Missions
Sea life
Boating
Theme parks
National parks

[rhegedus]

Yeah, I know I'm doing it a disservice by doing it in two weeks, but that's all the time I can get off work before Christmas.

I'm stopping at:

LA
Pismo/Morro Bay
Monterey
SF
Fort Bragg
Crescent City
Bandon
Astoria
Seattle

Each stop is about 150-200miles from the last and each stop is 1-2 nights.

[Epicurus8a]

They are both quaint coastal towns. Nothing too much to get excited about in either town. If I were you, I'd drive a bit further to Cambria. At first glance Cambria is just a small tourist stop, but if you get to the heart of the city you'll find some nice shops, restaurants, etc.

If you must choose between Pismo or Morro Bay, choose Morro Bay. IMO, there's more to see and do, and it's closer to Hearst's Castle. Hearst's Castle is the incredible mansion once owned by William Randolph Hearst. He was the inspiration for the Orson Welles movie: Citizen Kane. Citizen Kane trivia: "Rosebud" was supposedly Hearst's pet name for his mistress. (Actually her cl*tor*s.)

50 or 60 miles south of Monterey is the town of Big Sur. Be sure to stop at Nepenthe's Restaurant (just north of town). There might be a long wait, but you simply can't miss it. The food is simple (burgers, etc.), but the view and the atmosphere are amazing. When you're in Monterey don't miss their world class aquarium. And please, go to the warf and have some clam chowder for me!

When you get to S.F., I'm sure you'll all the touristy things, but here's one thing you probably won't hear about. On the way to Oakland (via the Bay Bridge) stop off at Treasure Island, then go to the North/West portion of the island. The night-time view is spectacular! And if you have time, take in Sausalito (on the North side of the Golden Gate Bridge). Sausalito has upscale homes & shopping.

I'm sure a google search will turn up a wealth of information on all these places.

PM me at Cap's if you need any more info.

[Conquest10]

The warfs are the main things every visitor should visit. That and the beaches. You can watch all the sufers (or join them if you're into that sort of thing).

I saying this as a photographer but when that fog blankets everything its just a beautiful scene. I don't know if you get that in the UK but its weird as hell when you see that for the first time.

But, California is a HUGE state and there is just so much to see there. It all depends on what you want to see. Like me, I hate the forests and mountains.

[Epicurus8a]

Oh yeah, the King Tut exhibit will be in LA while you are there. This is a once in a life time experience (for most people) to see these remarkable treasures. Don't miss them!!!!!!

http://www.kingtut.org/

[rhegedus]

Nah, we're only in LA for one night (the night we arrive) and we're heading north next day. To be honest, we're shit scared of LA - it just serves as our port of entry.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys!

[Epicurus8a]

There's no need to be afraid of LA? Watch out for the freeway snipers, though.

Highway One is a beautiful drive. You won't regret it.