Traveling The Oregon Coast On The 101 Until You Meet California
Hi loves!
We had such a killer time on our summer trek northwest last year and I have been sharing the last legs of it and I hope you are enjoying it so far. If you are just starting to follow along, Lin and I decided last minute (very last minute) to jump on the BMW bike and head northwest. We typically hit Santa Fe in the month of July so this isn't completely out of the ordinary---as we go to Santa Fe every summer actually but decided to mix things up last year and cross some things off my bucket list!
I love motorcycle trips. I love the weeks of planning, (or in this case the three days..ha) the feeling of setting out for an adventure, being out on the open road in a new and interesting place with my love, and coming home with new memories and experiences, photos, and travel diaries! Road trippin' in general is just the best!! There is no reason why you can't take the routes we take in a car! I promise you will see so much more scenic views this way!! So follow along and take some notes! We were on the road for 32 days which is pretty rough, especially on the bike. (weather, exhaustion, bike service layovers can all be a tad tricky so reserving lodging accommodations ahead of time are just not practical so we plan three days at a time) And ps, if you are needing some help with moto gear, grab that list here. If you are needing moto packing tips, grab that list here. And so many motorcycle tips and tricks in this post here.
So we had just come off an amazing week in Seattle and Portland and it was time to finally hit the 101 and travel the coast to Newport Beach where some friends were expecting us. I had waited my whole entire life to do this! And to do it on a motorcycle with the man I love...well I just struggle to find the words.
You will want to stop at The Heceta Head Lighthouse --pronounced “Ha – SEE – Ta” by most, “HECK – ah – Ta” by others, yet everyone agrees Heceta Head is one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world. The Heceta Head Lighthouse and Light Keeper’s home are circa 1894. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse is a working lighthouse. From a height of 205 feet above the ocean, its “first order” Fresnel lens, casts it’s beams some 21 miles out to sea. It is the brightest light on the Oregon coast. It is said to be the most photographed lighthouse in the United States. It's so worth the stop! We spent about 2 hours there exploring and taking photos--plus we had to kill time. Their was a massive wreck on the 101 and delays were two hours long.
And if you plan a tad better than we did, you can actually stay overnight there.
Imagine a night at a lighthouse…
Nestle into a room at one of the last remaining Lightkeeper’s cottages on the Pacific Coast. A handcrafted wooden staircase leads to their well appointed rooms with cozy down duvets and unique antique furnishings. Dream about a Lightkeeper’s life on your nighttime walk to the lighthouse. Away from the cares of the modern world, experience the vast starscape while you gaze at the beams from the sparkling first order Fresnel lens! Wake to a decadent seven-course breakfast and taste the riches of Oregon and the Northwest.
Year round the Heceta Head Lightstation offers a Bed and Breakfast for the romantic and adventurous traveler.
The Heceta Lighthouse B&B, in the Light Keeper’s home, is perched on a cliff with a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean and the beach below. Paths from the Light Keeper’s Home lead both to the beach and to the lighthouse.
https://www.hecetalighthouse.com/
Another beautiful sight along The 101, well it's all so freakin' beautiful, but stop for a minute and take in the beauty that is Buena Vista State Park.
And now you have made it to California!
Some places we stopped were The Del Norte Redwoods State Park and Klamath! We had to see The famous Klamath Tree and actually drive through a huge redwood!
Klamath Tree
Sixty minutes north of Eureka, the newest of the drive-thru redwoods sits atop a hill near Redwood National Park and Yurok tribal lands along the Klamath River. The craftsmen who carved the opening to the Klamath Tour Thru Tree in 1976 carefully avoided critical areas of living wood, safeguarding the health of the tree. The grounds have a restroom made from a redwood, gift shop, and picnic table so you can snack and watch others join the drive-thru club.
Exit off US Highway 101 just north of the Klamath River bridge. If entrance booth closed, honor system is in place for payment. 430 CA Route 169, Klamath, Calif. 707-482-5971.
Such amazing memories !
I can't wait to share the most charming places along the California coast with you soon!! I will also be sharing a new guide to Bernal Heights in San Fran and a Santa Barbara travel diary along with a Newport Beach. So keep checking back with me and let me know your favorite memories along the Oregon coast in the comments below.
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