This is such a wonderful trip. I did it about 10 years. I was just in Paso Robles a month ago with my sisters. The seal viewpoint near Cambria is definitely worth a stop. The beach @ Morro Boy (by the rock) has lots of sand dollars if you like to beachcomb. I love the coast north of SF, the redwood forests are just magnificent. My vote is a light fleece layer with a windbreaker or puffer when needed for beaches. Maybe not that stylish but functional for lying in the sand to contemplate life.

Lynn, ooh, thanks for the recommendations on stops. I might start an off-topic thread about favorite spots along the coast to learn more from those of you who have done this before. I'm now debating whether to do north or south on Hwy 1 after LAR101's comment (we're driving both ways, but will do I-5 one direction, because it's about 10 hours shorter). I will confess, though, fleece just isn't my favorite, less due to fashion than to comfort.

GillianPearl, oh, good call on the split back and the wind! I wouldn't have thought of that. That particular top might be better as a before/after piece for yoga or dance workouts, but for now, I have something that fills that niche.

Sloper, I would never have thought of Universal Standard for this, but you're right! They really seem to looooove high crewnecks there, but if I decide to go with a zip-up option they have some great ones.

anchie, too funny! We supposedly have a "Mediterranean climate" here in LA, but they really just mean dry in summer and wet in winter. Nights get chilly almost year-round, even this far south!

Jonesy, that sounds like the perfect "just after college" trip. I'm pretty sure my 20-yo son (who isn't going with us on this one) yearns to crisscross the country with his friends a la Jack Kerouac.

ETA: I've put a couple of orders in and will report back!

I would do south bound on the coast and N on the 5. I've driven this many times. I love Cambria- Moonstone Beach,and Hearst Castle if you've never been. Fun trip!

Wow chewy, many times?! I'm impressed. I'll admit I'm a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of driving. We figured it at a minimum of 42 hours on the road, not counting detours.

How far are you going? I used to live an hour north of San Fran and have family in Orange County- that drive (and back) I've done many times. We've driven both the coastal and inland routes, and also driven north to Oregon from our old home. I guess I should have read more closely before opening my big mouth lol

We’re going all the way to Seattle. Or possibly Vancouver, depending on Covid restrictions.

oh yeah- I haven't gone that far.

Color me absolutely “overwhelmed by the sheer amount of driving”. When you first posted, it didn’t occur to me that you were choosing to do this for fun—I assumed it was part of a move or maybe taking merch to a show or something, and that you were making the best of it. Then people began to comment that they’ve done it. I’m surprised at the idea of spending so much time behind the wheel and considering it a vacation. Just the daily driving required to live where we’ve lived in the US hurts my body.
But you will have each other as relief drivers, and I guess you can jump in the surf whenever you need to, which sounds marvelous. Hope you enjoy the trip.

I have multiple versions of Vince’s lightweight cotton sweaters. Super comfortable and flattering. They can be spendy but I’ve found several on EBay.

Jenn- I will see if I archived all my notes/planning for the trip. If I did I will be happy to send them to you. We drove from LA up to Portland then headed back to CO from there. It was my last trip with my elderly parents and something they had always wanted to do. I have driven the WA segment with my sister when she lived in Seattle but that was years ago. On the I-5 segment I would recommend making a couple of detours to see Mt Rainer NP, the waterfalls along the Hood River just east of Portland, and Crater Lake NP (we are National Park junkies).
Personally I love road trips.

That would be amazing, Lynn. We spent a lot of time at Mt. Rainier when we lived in Seattle and hiked that Hood River area, as well, so we can focus on other areas this trip. Crater Lake is a possibility depending on how long we end up taking and how big of a detour it is! We're planning to focus most of our stops between Santa Barbara and Portland because the area out of easy day/weekend trip range from LA or Seattle is the space we haven't really been able to explore before.

sylvie55, that looks like a lovely sweater!

Fashintern, I'm not sure there will be all that much jumping in the surf when the coastline looks like the below (TripAdvisor photo, not mine). Hwy 1 is one of those "great American road trips" though. It will be a long, slow drive with lots of stops, pullouts, leisurely meals, and spur-of-the-moment exploration.

My father had a court case down the coast when I was a child. We drove down Hwy 1. The signs said no stopping except in emergency. I said, oh, if we had a flat tire we could look at the view. Over fifty years later, I AM BLAMED FOR THAT FLAT TIRE! Oh, to have such power..

Yes, I have heard of driving Highway 1, but never so far on it—I didn’t realize it was nearly that long. Not a lot of surf in that pic, but neat rocks—tide pools are cool too. Like I said, doesn’t sound like my kind of trip, but I hope you enjoy it.

JAileen, that’s hilarious!

This is a great trip!!! I only made it LA to the OR state line once, but San Francisco to Big Sur was a monthly excursion for me for many years. (There’s great beach combing for jade at Willow Creek! Keep an eye on the tide charts and be sure you make it back to the main beach before high tide
Muir Woods is a must-see, too….)

I love the idea of your first find. Also an advocate for a hoodie+puffer vest (and scarf). The fog can be deceptively cold in July! Then again, I wore corduroy pants, fleece jackets, wool beanie and flip flops with socks, shorts year-round - so take my advice with a giant grain of salt.

Have a great time!!!

JAileen, too funny!

Fashintern, my time estimate was for both directions added together. Hwy 1 is significantly longer than taking the interstate because of the lower speed limits and meandering path along the coast.

nemosmom, I'd be so excited if I got to wear a scarf! It's been a while. Also, can I just say that technology is such a gift when it comes to tide tables? I literally have an Apple watch face that I switch to whenever we go to the beach that puts the local tide chart (along with my exercise rings, the temperature, and the air quality) right on my wrist. So useful!