Any interesting hot rod related stops along the Washington,Oregon pacific coast highway? Thinking of doing a road trip in early march.
I drove it from Seattle to northern California 5 or 6 years ago and dont recall seeing anything hot rod related. But probably wouldn't be located on the highway. It is a fun drive, especially in an old car.
Not sure if it's any good anymore, or even open still? But used to be Jim Meyers Racing in Lincoln City, Or. Jim retired and I'd heard the shop had a number of complaints about people getting stiffed, so not sure it still exists? edit-Did a search on Jim Meyer Racing and they haven't updated their FB page since 2016, so appears it's gone.
Hwy 1 and 101 are a mess right now in NorCal. Hopefully repaired by March when you make the drive but no guarantees.
Depends on where you start on it. You planning on starting at Port Townsend, or coming down I5 and going over at southwest WA? Out on the coast, not much. There are (were ) a couple big rod weekends in Astoria OR and Seaside OR, but were more of a zoo than a fun time. I guess I’m showing my age now. It’s a beauty trip, but more outdoorsy than hot rod.
Thinking ferry to Port Angelas then west and down. Kinda avoid Seattle till. The trip home maybe. I live on Vancouver island, outdoors stuff we have like to of. Another view of a beach isn't that special when you live 200' from the ocean.
Early March is probably going to be a bit wet and nasty yet. I've done sections of it, Port Townsend/Port Angeles to Astoria a couple of times in the past 10 years. It's mostly drive, stop and take scenic photos, drive and stop and take photos again. Ruby Beach, a popular photo spot that is down one hell of a steep trail. Not for the folks who can't hike up hill for a few blocks. Pacific beach state park sunset. There are a couple of rod/custom shops in Aberdeen Wa but I couldn't tell you how to find them. Sunset at Cape Dissapointment state park. Taken a few hundred yards from where folks take the Cape Dissapointment surf photos. Cape Dissapointment is south of Long Beach where the End of the World Rod run is held. Pretty well the Tourist town of Tourist towns PNW wise. You can pick and choose your route Between Aberdeen and the Bridge to Astoria and hit some of the spots like Westport (fishing town) and or Long Beach or take a straighter route to the Astoria-Megler bridge to Astoria. There is a real interesting maratime museum in Astoria if you are into boat history and the history of the Columbia River. Columbia River Maritime Museum - Home (crmm.org) The Tillamook Cremery is an interesting stop to take a break and get a bite of real good ice cream and some good chese. Creamery - Tillamook From there down the coast, it is how far you want to drive in a day or where you plan to stop. Plenty of cool towns Along the Oregon Coast. Nor Cal may depend as someone said, if they have the roads fixed by then. The trees of Mystery have been a Traditonal stop for tourists since I was a kid and probably before that. You don't get the paper sign tied to your bumper with wire anymore though. You can get a photo of yourself standing in front of the statues of Paul Bunyon and Babe the blue ox. Then you get down around Humbolt county were roads may be iffy. The next tourist trap is Chandalier Grove where if your fits you can drive through a red wood tree and do a photo op. The gift shop has the same redwood nicknacks in the same bins that it had when I was 15 when I went there with my dad and sisters. Fancy winery to impress your lady and a chance to see the "Tucker that was in the Movie Tucker at the Francis Ford Coppola winery SF was a huge disappointment to us. The filthiest place I have ever been anywhere. We bopped back over to the coast at Monterey ( I never did find that old boiler made into a shack from Cannery row and Sweet Thursday) and drove down the coast while I took tons of pictures. Hurst Castle is pretty interesting Time consuming but my wife loved the tour and it is interesting. I'd plan on spending a night in Moro Bay especially during the week days. We both want to go back there. There is a fun brew pub in the middle of town with more craft beers than you can write home about and some pretty decent fish and chips and burgers. Pismo Beach is Pismo beach. Last time I drove between Santa Monica and Salanas was at night and I don't remember much except that outside of food and gas stops I drove from Santa Monica and Renton Wa straight through. We did most of the Oregon Coast highway coming back from Pismo Beach in 2016, As others said, no car stuff but if the weather is good lots of interesting scenery.
In addition to what @Mr48chev laid out for you.... The Tillamook Air Museum is a good place to stop. It's in a MASSIVE WW II blimp hanger and has some pretty cool stuff! Take time to enjoy the scenery... the Washington, Oregon and Northern California coastline is fantastic! Enjoy your trip and Welcome to the US of A!
Hello, In 2015 and earlier in 2000, My wife and I took our coastal road trips up to the San Juan Islands and try to see some friends in Bellingham, as well Lynden. We had come up and down the coast on other trips and this time we started near Bainbridge Island to go all around the Olympic Peninsula. That was something we had not done before. So, it was one of the most beautiful drives we had ever taken up there. In 2015,we came down the coast all the way to Crescent City and Eureka to see some of the biggest waves on the coast and those fearless local Coast Guard guys/girls that blast up and over those giant waves. In 2000, on our way down from Washington, we crossed the huge bridge at Astoria and took the meandering road that parallels the Columbia River all the way back to Portland. On these road trips, we were watchful for hot rods and cool trucks. We saw plenty of old trucks, but a few hot rods cruising up or down the 101 Coast Highway where we were driving. 2015 was late summer and 2000 was spring. So, the weather was not a factor. But, as we got closer to Portland, a few old hot rods were seen on the highways and city streets. Jnaki Note from earlier travels: When my wife and I were on the way home from Victoria, B.C. back in 2000, we drove down the coast and crossed the tall bridge at Astoria. It was astounding and a first time for us. Since we had come down the Washington coast and stopped in a city called Long Beach, we decided to go inland along the river back to Portland and end up in Vancouver, Washington, just across the river. The long and winding Highway 30 was interesting as we had never been on that road ever, plus, it was like going upriver, except for driving a car. As we got near Portland, we turned off on 308 to go to the Portland Raceway on the direct access road over the I-5 bridge to Vancouver, WA. We did not know it at the time, as the gas station was just a shop and we drove by easily. But the end result was a street called North Interstate or Pacific Highway West. It led directly to the I-5 bridge and Vancouver, WA. Many years later when we came up to Portland again, we used the side roads to by pass a jam up on the I-5 in South Portland. The end result was the last North Interstate that allowed us to fly by 1000s of cars, stuck on the freeway leading over the big bridge. We have liked old gas stations, and wished, looking at the recent photos, that the Signal Station/Pizza Place was around when we went by. We missed the pizza shop by a couple of years. We certainly would have stopped as we are pizza fanatics, too.
Not hot rod but there are a couple of steam railroads along there. On down the coast at Pt. Reyes there is a vintage marine ship to shore radio station and museum.
The Jalopy Journal
