Highway 101: an RVer’s Playground

As Canadian full-time RVers, we typically spend our winters snowbirding in Arizona to escape the cool and dreary weather in British Columbia. When it was time to return home this year, we headed west toward Los Angeles to Hwy 101, which extends through California, Oregon, and Washington, the longest continuous highway in the U.S. There were many full-service RV parks located within easy access that can accommodate big rigs, and we were pleased with those mentioned.

Morro Bay

After settling in at Morro Dunes RV Park, we hiked a short path to the top of Black Hill for spectacular views of Morro Rock, a prominent outcrop of volcanic rock marking the harbour entrance. Morro Bay Golf Course is known as “The Poor Man’s Pebble Beach” (only $40) for its ocean views from many of its 18 holes. Just south of the course is a boardwalk for viewing salt flats, dunes, and numerous sea birds.

If you want to get salty, various water-based activities include whale watching, fishing, sightseeing, sunset and dinner cruises, surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing. We spent a few hours on a tour boat with Morro Bay Whale Watching, taking photos of grey whales, sea lions, dolphins, and sea otters cavorting near the boat. After a chilly morning on the water, we warmed up with lattes and cinnamon buns at the popular, dog-friendly Top Dog Coffee Bar on Main Street. Delicious!

Just north of town at Del Mar Park are pickleball and tennis courts, and further north, at the enticing village of Cambria, there are lawn-bowling courts that welcome visitors. And further north in San Simeon is Hearst Castle, a “must-do-tour” for every visitor to the area.

Monterey

Natural wonders abound in this waterfront community, which can be viewed from boardwalks and piers. Monterey County Fair RV Park provided a VIP card to receive a complimentary appetizer with dinner at Domenico’s Restaurant on Fisherman’s Wharf, which has excellent views of boats, birds, sea otters, and the occasional rainbow.

Various tours are available on the wharf, including fishing, sailing, whale watching, glass-bottom boat excursions, ice cream, and candy shops to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Not to be missed is 17-Mile Drive, a toll road featuring numerous attractions and several golf courses, including Pebble Beach ($600 for 18 holes). On one side of our vehicle was the coastline’s picturesque beauty; on the other were sun-bleached cypress trees and luxurious homes, eliciting more “wows” than I could count! The Lodge restaurant, overlooking the 18th hole, credited our toll-road fee ($11) toward our lunch cost.

In the mid-1900s, Cannery Row was a waterfront street lined with thriving sardine canneries; it has since evolved into a picturesque combination of restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and shops. A top-rated attraction is the Aquarium, which offers over 200 Exhibits of sea creatures, including six species of sharks, energetic penguins, cuddly sea otters, pulsating jellies, and exotic, colourful fish, too numerous to mention. Behind-the-scenes tours and feeding times for the various animals were highlights of our visit.

Bodega Bay

This charming seaside community and the nearby community of Bodega provided the set in 1963 for Alfred Hitchcock’s movie The Birds. We kept our eyes open to see if the birds were still running amuck and we’re happy to report that all were behaving normally, except for one seagull that pooped on my truck! After a scenic drive west from Hwy 101 on Petaluma Valley Ford Road through vast rolling green hills sprinkled with cattle, we arrived at Bodega Bay RV Park, which has a putting green, bocce ball court, horseshoes, ladder toss, corn hole, and washer toss.

On our drive to Bodega Head overseeing the harbour entrance, we picked up lunch at Spud Point Crab Co to eat at a picnic table on the Head while surveying the ocean. Their clam chowder is one of the best addictions on the Coast, we picked up more on the way back to our park!

The Redwoods

From Giant Redwoods RV in Myers Flat, we focused on exploring a 31-mile stretch of two-lane road known as the Avenue of the Giants. Not suitable for big rigs, it winds through stands of giant redwoods along the Eel River. Its Visitors Center provides hands-on exhibits, movies about the redwoods, a museum, and a bookstore.

One of our favourites, the Founders Tree, is dedicated to several prominent men who formed the Save-the-Redwoods League in 1917 to preserve these magnificent trees. Since then, the League has donated 57 million dollars to protect over 170,000 acres of primeval forests in California, including the redwoods.

Gold Beach

Oregon, unlike California, has no sales tax, so we chose to fuel up and shop for groceries just across the border in Brookings. A short distance further at Gold Beach is Turtle Rock RV, which has hot tubs at some sites, a great setting to relax and enjoy California wines. A short walk from the Resort is Turtle Rock, Kissing Rock, and a beautiful sandy beach with an endless variety of stones.

Tortuga Mexican Bar & Grill is at the entrance to the Resort while across the street is Arch Rock Brewing Company, which offers tours and samples of their handcrafted beers.

Newport

Oregon’s largest commercial fishing port, this town is located on Yaquina Bay, with its north and south features separated by the graceful art deco Yaquina Bay Bridge. The Port of Newport RV Park is located on the south side of the Bridge. Tourist attractions within walking distance feature displays of coastal marine life and the Rouge Ales Brewery, which offers tours, a restaurant with maritime views, and dozens of award-winning beers.

Across the Bridge is historic Bayfront, a street lined with various shops interspersed with commercial fisheries. A window seat at Clearwater Restaurant provides views of a small rocky island, home to dozens of sea lions. Nearby, with its original furniture, the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse (1871) is open to visitors. A short walk offers close-up views of the harbour entrance, sand dunes, and endless waves lapping on a sandy beach.

Seaside

After arriving at Seaside RV Campground, we discovered why “Seaside is for Fun.” Broadway Avenue has arcades with bumper cars, tilt-a-whirl, laser tag, and a carousel, while Inverted Experience provides whimsical photos taken against fun backdrops.

Along the Avenue are a variety of shops, restaurants, and a craft beer Brewery – previously the old city jail. Golfers will enjoy the nearby Scottish-style Gearhart Golf Links, the oldest (1892) course west of the Mississippi.

Other attractions are a paved oceanfront path (1.5 miles), an Aquarium, and prominent landmarks commemorating the Lewis and Clark Expedition reaching Seaside from the Mississippi River in 1806.

After breakfast, we drove down Beach Avenue to a popular ocean-watching location by The Cove. Just beyond is Tillamook Trail, an uphill path to a lookout, offering a view of the Tillamook Lighthouse two miles off shore.

Ocean City

A short drive on Route 109 brings you to Ocean City RV Park. After setting up, we walked on a path through dense thickets of shore pine with our dog for a romp on the beach. A major attraction in this small town is The Market Place, which offers beautifully hand-carved wooden plaques and galore statues.

To the south, Ocean Shores has “family fun” facilities, a golf course, a brewery, gift shops, and homemade fudge and ice cream. The North Jetty and Damon Point offer spectacular ocean views and Grays Harbour. Nearby, the Coastal Interpretive Center provides exhibits about the coastal environment and remnants of shipwrecks that occurred on the nearby rocky shores. A nature trail through the forest and a children’s playground are accessible from the Center.

If you like Mexican food, you’ll love Los Hermanos. You can also enjoy a great meal with ocean views at Quinault Beach Casino.

Port Angeles

Driving north brought us to Elwha Dam RV Park near Port Angeles. They rent electric bikes to explore various trails on the Olympic Peninsula, including a paved waterfront path with views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Harbor, and Olympic Mountain Range.

The nearby Elwha River Casino provides lots of slots and low fuel prices. Downtown, local attractions include Heritage tours of the underground, a Marine Center, wineries, whale watching, and numerous shops and galleries. We chose Downrigger’s Waterfront Restaurant for dinner, which has panoramic views of the harbour from its second floor.

Sadly, our fun-filled adventure through three states and eight communities ended with our final passage on the Coho Ferry to Victoria, BC. Since we only scratched the surface of these communities, we’re already considering Hwy 101 to stay and play on our next trip south.

If You Go:

• • • Book RV parks at least a month in advance to ensure availability.
    • Consider a Good Sam membership to save 10% at most of the Parks mentioned .
    • Check for weather and road closures before departing an RV park.
    • Drive less than four hours a day and spend at least three days in each community.
    • Choose a restaurant in each community to enjoy a meal, with your favorite cocktail.