Yeah, that drive on 1 between SF and Fort Bragg is pretty slow (especially if you get stuck behind someone afraid of sharp turns and tall cliffs. Not quite as bad as through Big Sur area but a lot longer.

You were off of 1 about an hour after leaving Fort Bragg. But considering the roads I find myself on during some of our weekend drives, all of 101 feels like an interstate to me.

Couldn't tell you about that motel in Florence. I am amazed I even remembered it was in Florence, let alone the local geography.

Hope you did some good sightseeing in Eureka since you only drove 80 miles that day in getting to Crescent City. If Florence is where you cut back over to 5 for the final push into Portland then you picked the best of the cutovers for pretty coast range driving.

Yep, that day we did only drive a short bit. But, we really wanted to stay in Eureka and Crescent City {we had a free night at the hotel there, that was awesome, btw}.

We really did take our time. Actually, if we had more $$ and time, I'd do it again and stop even more.

And, not necessarily those two places. All over. Eureka didn't have a helluva lot but the hotel was nice {we had a fireplace, indoor/outdoor pool, breakfast} overlooking the ocean. Crescent City, ah, that Hampton Inn was very comfy. And, right along the ocean. We walked right over to the Battery Point Lighthouse. I totally recommend this place, even though it is in the middle of nowhere and in tsunami warning area, it is peaceful and beautiful.

The lighthouse, well, you can only get to it during low tide!

And, I think, also, that the time we turned in was a good time. We had beautiful views greenery from Florence to Portland. {or whenever we hit the major freeway}.

I am dying here, trying to set up another little trip. Since checking rates last night, they've gone up about {at least} $50. :mad: I should have just booked the rooms last night....:(

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/P9250099.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/P9260146.jpg

First one is Glass Beach, Fort Bragg, CA

Second is Battery Point Lighthouse, Crescent City

God! I want to get in my car a drive the hell away from here! My Sister used to live in Gualala, CA (which is on the coast at the southern end of Mendicino County). We used to do the 10 hour drive from LB to Gualala in a day but the end result was worth it. Once we got off the 101 in Petaluma (Hi SL), drove through lamb country to Bodega Bay life became incredibly good.

One trip we stopped in Berkely, then Gualala then continued along the coast to Trinidad to stay in some lovely little cottages. That was a GREAT trip!

I've always been fascinated by the Lost Coast of California. One day, I will go exploring there.

To the best of my recollection, while the 101 is not a freeway the entire trip, there are no stop signs or lights to get in the way. There used to be four (or was it five) signals as you went through Santa Barbara, but those were (finally) removed and the freeway put through about 15 years ago.

When I went to Cal Poly SLO, I made the drive between SLO and OC MANY times and know the route well. I always took the San Marcos Pass past lake Cachuma - it shaves about 20 minutes off the drive.

And BTW: talked my coworker into taking the 101. Since he is leaving at 4:00 tomorrow morning, I don't think he will run into too much traffic.

I could be wrong but my recollection is that the first stoplight on 101 after LA is in San Francisco.

Okay, what can you tell me about Bodega Bay? We only stopped for gas there and I couldn't figure out what to do in the brief time we had except look around as we drove away.

Ah, there was so much that we passed. That is why I'd love to take even more time, next time. To stop at the darn Bigfoot store {I will buy one of those wooden statues}, do all of those funky little side of the road museums, etc. We did a little but there was so much more.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/P9260143.jpg

This was cute. The big Paul Bunyun spoke. He talked to me as I was leaving and even winked at me. ;) That cracked me the heck up.

Many times in the area but I don't think I've ever actually stopped in Bodega Bay (setting for Hitchcock's The Birds). However, the nearby miniscule burg of Bodega has a biker bar (easy to find as it is one of only about four buildings "downtown") that on Saturdays served grilled oysters out on the patio. I don't eat bivalves but Lani assures me that are wonderful.

In honor of another random mention. My photo of our magnet from the Bigfoot store.

Hey! Yes, we drove right past that. :( For some reason, time wise, we couldn't stop. But, we did take time a short way past that to stop and look at some {gak!} I can't remember darn it, deer looking creatures.

Ah, I'll skip the bar. We usually have a minor with us.

But, I did want to stop there. I do remember it from 'The Birds'. I thought you could visit the school and that maybe there is a B&B? Just from the road I couldn't see anything {except the backside of everything or the bay and boats}.

The patio is kid accessible.

If the deer-like animal was down by the Bigfoot store then I think it was probably just a deer. But if you were farther north, say around Redwoods National Park (north of Eureka) they may have been Roosevelt elk. They have a couple good sized herds up there and they're frequently right off the road.