san fran to seattle ?

We'll likely avoid Napa, but plan on going to Mendocino and some combination of rte. 1/101 and I5. Any suggestions ?

......food, scenery, beer, wine or music suggestions? ....or all of the above? Are you just going 1 way, or driving back down to SF,
and how many days are you allocating?
My no time limit trip would be:
Up 1/101 through the Redwoods to Crescent City, then US199 over to Grants Pass, Ashland & the Rogue Valley for a day or two. Then on to Crater Lake and over to Bend (high desert)for a day. Head back over the Cascades to Eugene on Or. 58 and on to the coast on Or.126 to Florence, up the coast
clear to Astoria, back to Portland on US30 or US 26 and up I-5 to Seattle. This would be the most vibrant food, scenery, and culture tour combination, hitting Ocean, Mountain, National Parks
and the most interesting Places.
....and a whole lot of good food in all places mentioned.
Bill

quote:

Originally posted by bill voss

......food, scenery, beer, wine or music suggestions? ....or all of the above? Are you just going 1 way, or driving back down to SF,
and how many days are you allocating?
My no time limit trip would be:
Up 1/101 through the Redwoods to Crescent City, then US199 over to Grants Pass, Ashland & the Rogue Valley for a day or two. Then on to Crater Lake and over to Bend (high desert)for a day. Head back over the Cascades to Eugene on Or. 58 and on to the coast on Or.126 to Florence, up the coast
clear to Astoria, back to Portland on US30 or US 26 and up I-5 to Seattle. This would be the most vibrant food, scenery, and culture tour combination, hitting Ocean, Mountain, National Parks
and the most interesting Places.
....and a whole lot of good food in all places mentioned.
Bill

Spoken like a true Oregonian--and bypassing most of the fabulous California coastline (except for that itty bitty stretch from Eureka to Crescent City which it's hard to miss unless you go I-5 all the way and I don't remember if you can even see the water from it).

I'll leave the route north of the CA border to Bill. But take 128 from Cloverdale to Albion on the coast and go up the coast through Mendocino and Ft. Bragg, reconnecting with 101 at Leggett. You'll see a lot of nice farm and vinyard country, and redwoods too, on 128 (through Boonville). And you said you didn't want to miss Mendocino, which you shouldn't.

I haven't done this trip in far too long so I can't offer and current restaurant suggestions, but the memories of when I did do it (including the Oregon part) will last forever. All the little towns along these routes have worthy roadfood possibilities. Maybe you'll discover some for us--be sure to tell us about them. Mendocino, of course is loaded with dining spots and there are plenty in Ft. Bragg and Eureka as well. Another spot worth a short detour is Ferndale, essentially a well-preserved Victorian village just south of Eureka.

Oh no, I'd do the whole Lost Coast Hwy. 1segment. I love that stretch. The best part of the redwoods are at Jedidiah Smith State Park, not in the National Park, though.
The first time we did a NW run, we actually did almost what I described, but headed back up the Washington Coast from Astoria, around the top of the peninsula , to Olympic National Park, over to Victoria, and back down to Seattle.

we have a week to get from sf to seattle. one way.

how long is the drive from mendocino to crescent city ? looks like it could take forever.

I'd go from Mendicino area 1st night, up and over 299 at Eureka to Redding, where you can hit the In & Out burger on Ca. 44, then head north on I-5 past Mt. Shasta to
the Rogue Valley -new, small wineries-and Ashland. to spend 2nd night. Then you could do I-5 clear to Portland past More wineries or cut west at Eugene, over to the coast on Or. 126 to Florence ,and up to spend the night in Yachats. You could cruise up the coast and over towards Portland & Seattle at Astoria .( My preference.) There's a couple of other Oregon threads that describe things pretty well. There's more good food , (both road and more elegant) and
BIG mountains (Mt. Shasta 14,000 ft. and Crater Lake-a spectacular sight) by cutting inwards from Redding to Eugene; more moody remote ocean landscapes on the northern California/southern Oregon coast. I prefer the middle to north coast of Oregon for both scenery and food .
Bill , in Southern Oregon
P.S.-I'd eat at the Peerless or New Sammy's if I wanted 1 unique meal in Ashland.
http://www.localharvest.org/restaurants/M5449

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/08/24/CM73357.DTL

quote:

Originally posted by bill voss

I'd go from Mendicino area 1st night, up and over 299 at Eureka to Redding, where you can hit the In & Out burger on Ca. 44 ...

Oh please, you can do so much better in Redding than In & Out. Like Carls Jr. ...

or Thai Cafe, 820 Butte Street, if you're into Thai cuisine. Better get directions from Mapquest, because this is in the river bottoms and it would be easy to get lost. Exterior that hasn't been updated since 1890 (I'd guess); excellent food; reasonable prices.

Here's my theory, Lunza. Tone Monster's from Norwalk, Connecticut. There are no In&Out Burgers in Connecticut. Redding's the place to turn North, not explore cuisines that are just as good or better in lots of spots. (like Senthong's in Dunsmuir or Thai Pepper in Ashland). I&O has been discussed endlessly on these boards, and the Redding location is the last he'll see of one til he returns to California. It makes a for prime Roadfood experience.
I personally would go to Bartel's, but I'm guessing a traveler
would want to see what all the fuss is about, and I know there's lots of places to eat in the bay area, so Mr. Monster probably won't get around to hitting an I&O while in SF.
Life's too short to eat at Carl's Jr., though they are OK. They aren't a "roadfood" stop to me.If I see a 14,000 ft. mountain looming in front of me, I'd want to get closer. They can hit the drive thru and head North. No slam on Redding, but once I saw what awaited me, I'd be PO'ed at spending an extra hour there.

You are right about the old in n out urge. I did live in southern Calyforneea for 10 years, but my wife is from the east coast, and as such an in n out stop is essential. You all have given me some great pointers. Thanks for the input.

Carl's Jr. IMHO is not worth crossing the street for. Like every other fast food burger joint (except In N Out) they are poorly run, assembly line and, I believe, franchised. The ones nearest me are dirty and constantly over-run with street-people. It's hard to get in the door without trying to get around some homeless person camping (and possibly worse) in the doorway. And when you do, the food is mediocre if slightly (only slightly) better than McDonald's. In N Out, by contrast, has no franchises. All their outlets are owned and run by the company and firmly supervised. For a burger joint, they are unsurpassed for cleanliness and their focus on BURGERS matters.

As I mentioned before, Carl Kartcher, founder of Carl's Jr. and the founder of In N Out were friends down in Orange County (CA) but they took different routes to business success.

PS--I still utterly disagree with Bill's implied advice to fly by the CA coast from SF to Crescent City like it wasn't one of the most gorgeous stretches of scenery on earth with some great dining opportunities. But, then, he IS from Oregon.

Here's what we decided to do. Mendicino 1st night, up to Crescent City ,2nd night over 199 to 5. How's that for starters ?

quote:

Originally posted by Lunza

quote:

Originally posted by bill voss

I'd go from Mendicino area 1st night, up and over 299 at Eureka to Redding, where you can hit the In & Out burger on Ca. 44 ...

Oh please, you can do so much better in Redding than In & Out. Like Carls Jr. ...

or Thai Cafe, 820 Butte Street, if you're into Thai cuisine. Better get directions from Mapquest, because this is in the river bottoms and it would be easy to get lost. Exterior that hasn't been updated since 1890 (I'd guess); excellent food; reasonable prices.

Buzz's Crab Shack!!! fresh seafood every morning and VERY roadworthy!!! Along with the Redding French Bakery---my two favorite stops in Redding---and theres also a great little burger joint where all the classic cars guys hang out but i cant remember the name of it--i do know its been the same for a LONG time!!Ask anyone that looks like he follows Nascar--theyll know it!

Bartel's is the burger stand. It's really a great place. There are several including one in Corning on the west side of I-5.
I still say Redding's a left turn towards the north.
Once you start going up and hit Lake Shasta, Redding's just a memory.
Look what lies ahead.>
http://www.shastacam.com

When you're in Seattle, check out West Seattle for food that not so many people know about. I don't know if it's because you have to cross a bridge or what, but people seem to think it's too far away, so they don't go. Their loss. Between California Ave. and Alki Drive, I'd recommend:

Pegasus: Semi-greek pizza place on Alki. More of a pan than a deep dish.

Easy Street Records: The best breakfast you will find in Seattle, right at the Alaska-California junction, and it's in a great independent music store. Try the Horton Heat Hash, and try to get a table with Lydia (middle-aged blonde woman with too much makeup).

Charleston Cafe: Fabulous clam chowder.

Mashiko: Great sushi in a cool place where you'll wait a long time for your order and pay too much, OR...

Kamei: Almost great sushi that's quick and a lot cheaper, and just a block away.

The Alki market's a nice place too. I just feel the need to plug West Seattle because you never hear about it ... maybe that's why it's nice.

Don't even think of passing through Portland with out eating at
Jake's Famous Crawfish - Portland, OR
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=161

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2970407-jake_s_famous_crawfish_portland-i

On I-5 at Chehalis Wa. is Plaza Jalisco mexican food. Excellent and right next to the free-way at the Interstate Ave. exit. Go to the stop sign and look to your right and there it is.

Sorry, Tone Monster, I didn't see you choice til now. 101 to 199 is an all around good time. If you go that way, you could stay in Takilma at the treehouses-
http://www.cavejunction.com/cavejunction/lodging.shtml
or keep on coming to GP to Ashland. You can be rustic to elegant out here. I'm partial to Southern Oregon, since I live here. Lots of artisan foods to experience, and spectacular scenery.
Bill
p.s.-2 wineries out in the Illinois valley
http://www.bridgeviewwine.com http://www.foriswine.com

There's surprisingly good barbeque at the Shell station in Chehalis, Wa., too (don't ask me why). That's all the more notable just because it's a place in the Northwest that actually has good barbeque.

The "Olive Pit' in Corning California has been a fun stop for me several times. Free tasting of the hundreds of types of olives and their stuffing plus they have a super olive burger. It is directly off of I-5 about 50 miles south of Redding and about 110 miles north of Sacramento.

http://www.olivepit.com/

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

everyone thanks for the input !!

quote:

Originally posted by tonemonster2

You are right about the old in n out urge. I did live in southern Calyforneea for 10 years, but my wife is from the east coast, and as such an in n out stop is essential. You all have given me some great pointers. Thanks for the input.

In & Out is incredibly overrated. If you don't want to stop and you want to be able to say you ate there, and it happens to be on the way, then fine, but I wouldn't plan my trip around it.

quote:

Originally posted by tiki

quote:

Originally posted by Lunza

quote:

Originally posted by bill voss

I'd go from Mendicino area 1st night, up and over 299 at Eureka to Redding, where you can hit the In & Out burger on Ca. 44 ...

Oh please, you can do so much better in Redding than In & Out. Like Carls Jr. ...

or Thai Cafe, 820 Butte Street, if you're into Thai cuisine. Better get directions from Mapquest, because this is in the river bottoms and it would be easy to get lost. Exterior that hasn't been updated since 1890 (I'd guess); excellent food; reasonable prices.

Buzz's Crab Shack!!! fresh seafood every morning and VERY roadworthy!!! Along with the Redding French Bakery---my two favorite stops in Redding---and theres also a great little burger joint where all the classic cars guys hang out but i cant remember the name of it--i do know its been the same for a LONG time!!Ask anyone that looks like he follows Nascar--theyll know it!

I used to live in Redding; I left at the end of August 2000. Buzz's was starting to suck and the French Bakery (which I lived about half a block from on Oxford Road) had just closed.