rynosback Posted April 26, 2021 Report Share Posted April 26, 2021 I was thinking of taking 101 North from San Francisco to Washington state. I have a 40’ 5ver. I have never been on this section of road. What are your thoughts and experiences? I’ve heard I should be really careful through Napa Valley as there are a lot of drunk people on the road. Quote 2015 Ram 3500 RC DRW CTD AISIN 410 rear 2016 Mobile Suites 38RSB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapperdan Posted April 26, 2021 Report Share Posted April 26, 2021 Ryan, we did that route only backwards 8 or 9 years ago. We came onto the 101 in Oregon and drove to Petaluma. Absolutely beautiful ride!! Take your time heading north, lots to see! Lots of areas to pull off (with the RV) and take in the fantastic views! We had NO issues with our old Montana (38’), you shouldn’t have any either. Make sure you take in the “Avenue of the giants”, unbelievable! The Redwoods are AWESOME!!!! Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted April 26, 2021 Report Share Posted April 26, 2021 We have traveled that route from Sequim, WA through Forks, WA and Crescent City, CA to Eureka, and inland to Redding and from there on to SF. It is not a high speed route but is one of the most scenic routes in the country. At no point does that route pass through Napa or the Napa Valley. I have been through the Napa Valley several times and to my knowledge never encountered any drunk drivers, and while it has been quite some time since I was there, the only reason that I can think of for such advice is possibly because it is wine country. Unless you plan a side trip about 50 miles out of your planned line of travel, you will not be in the Napa Valley at all. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted April 26, 2021 Report Share Posted April 26, 2021 2 hours ago, rynosback said: I was thinking of taking 101 North from San Francisco to Washington state. I have a 40’ 5ver. I have never been on this section of road. What are your thoughts and experiences? I’ve heard I should be really careful through Napa Valley as there are a lot of drunk people on the road. The 101 doesn't go through Napa Valley, it runs up Sonoma Valley (more wineries in Sonoma Valley that are nicer, not as haughty as Napa). Not really a problem. We've run it Clear up - but while California and Oregon have 101 close to the coast or right on it most of the time, it it goes inland in Washington State. Where in Washington do you want to end up? As for getting through San Francisco, I have a route that will take you over the Golden Gate: Take Highway 101 up to I-280, go north on I-280 until Highway 1 joins, stay on Highway 1 and take the Highway 1 - 19th Ave exit , get in the MIDDLE lane and stay there. It will be stop and go for about 3 miles and then you go underneath the Presido and emerge on the other side and join Highway 101 again. You will be on the far right, which is the bus/RV lane. Stay there and across the Golden Gate you will go - there is no toll going north! Quote Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted April 27, 2021 Report Share Posted April 27, 2021 We've driven 101 from San Francisco quite a few times with our 40' motorhome towing the Jeep. Beautiful drive! It's not at all like Hwy 1 which parallels it. In Oregon you'll cross the Astoria bridge and 101 continues westward with many coast opportunities and Olympic Nat'l Park's beautiful rain forest side. Then it continues around the Olympic Peninsula on the drier side to Sequim/Port Angeles before heading southward toward Olympia. In Port Townsend/Chimacum is a great Escapees park! That's a fun area in summer... festivals, Farmer's markets, sand sculpture contest on a beach, etc. Fort Worden State Park is another good place to stay on the beach. There are noontime concerts on Fort Worden's lawn and many night concerts. Plan a day to drive up to Hurricane Ridge at Olympic Nat'l Park . . awesome views of the San Juan's, mountains and lots of water. Good hiking, also. The whole drive from San Francisco is loaded with opportunities to explore and do some fun things. Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted April 27, 2021 Report Share Posted April 27, 2021 11 hours ago, 2gypsies said: Plan a day to drive up to Hurricane Ridge at Olympic Nat'l Park . . awesome views of the San Juan's, If up for some Olympic NP touring, take time as you pass through Forks to visit Ozette Lake on the coastal side of the park. Not only is it a beautiful and not heavily used area, but there is a hiking trail out to the coast that is spectacular. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NamMedevac 70 Posted April 27, 2021 Report Share Posted April 27, 2021 (edited) When I made a return trip from Oregon around May 2018 on 101 through the Red Woods SP area the road was under heavy repair/construction in more than a few locations and it was down to single lane, very rough at times very narrow at other times. It was early Sunday morning in heavy fog so lucky for me no traffic or construction crews but lots of machinery on the shoulder. This time I was only towing a 5X8 Uhaul so no great problem. Being an experienced RVer I am sure you will get latest road condition report before heading out. Happy Trails to some but not all. Retired Acct & SEC CFP. Former legislative aide and pilot to two Texas Governors & 4 Honorable Discharges from Active Army, Guard, Reserves. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1739912699644241&type=3 https://www.facebook.com/Capt-Bill-Perkins-Evergreen-Helicopters-Singapore-HeliServices-Internat-1602761913330016 Edited April 27, 2021 by NamMedevac 70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Camper Posted April 27, 2021 Report Share Posted April 27, 2021 Below are each of the west coast links to their DOT on current road conditions. That should give you more update information. Best of luck roads.dot.ca.gov/ www.oregon.gov/odot/Maintenance/Pages/Traveler-Information.aspx www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic//trafficalerts/printer.aspx?view=L2NW&action=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynosback Posted April 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2021 Thanks for the tips everyone. Quote 2015 Ram 3500 RC DRW CTD AISIN 410 rear 2016 Mobile Suites 38RSB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynosback Posted May 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2021 On 4/26/2021 at 2:13 PM, Kirk W said: We have traveled that route from Sequim, WA through Forks, WA and Crescent City, CA to Eureka, and inland to Redding and from there on to SF. It is not a high speed route but is one of the most scenic routes in the country. At no point does that route pass through Napa or the Napa Valley. I have been through the Napa Valley several times and to my knowledge never encountered any drunk drivers, and while it has been quite some time since I was there, the only reason that I can think of for such advice is possibly because it is wine country. Unless you plan a side trip about 50 miles out of your planned line of travel, you will not be in the Napa Valley at all. So you took 299 inland? It looks pretty windy. Quote 2015 Ram 3500 RC DRW CTD AISIN 410 rear 2016 Mobile Suites 38RSB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted May 2, 2021 Report Share Posted May 2, 2021 12 hours ago, rynosback said: So you took 299 inland? It looks pretty windy. That was a mistake on my part. We didn't do that road with the RV but with our towed. With the motorhome we followed US101 to Santa Rosa, not Redding. I guess my memory got ahead of my map! It was also 20+ years ago that we took 299. Sorry for the mental slip! Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Schneider Posted May 2, 2021 Report Share Posted May 2, 2021 (edited) 16 hours ago, rynosback said: So you took 299 inland? It looks pretty windy. 299 isn't bad. The road you want to avoid is CA 36 from Fortuna to Red Bluff. It's posted "RVs Not Advised". Edited May 2, 2021 by Lou Schneider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynosback Posted May 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 10 hours ago, Kirk W said: That was a mistake on my part. We didn't do that road with the RV but with our towed. With the motorhome we followed US101 to Santa Rosa, not Redding. I guess my memory got ahead of my map! It was also 20+ years ago that we took 299. Sorry for the mental slip! No problem, just wanted to get clarification. Quote 2015 Ram 3500 RC DRW CTD AISIN 410 rear 2016 Mobile Suites 38RSB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynosback Posted May 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 6 hours ago, Lou Schneider said: 299 isn't bad. The road you want to avoid is CA 36 from Fortuna to Red Bluff. It's posted "RVs Not Advised". Thanks. Quote 2015 Ram 3500 RC DRW CTD AISIN 410 rear 2016 Mobile Suites 38RSB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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