Continuing the Adventure - San Francisco to Puget Sound planning

[ksanders]

Here is the challenge...

It's mid July, and our boat is currently in Alameda California.
We need to be off the Pacific Coast before we get trapped by the winter storms that are coming.
We also want to enjoy the trip, and actually explore along the way.

Winter might seem like a long way away but in terms of our trip, time is limited. We have a lot to see and a bit over 700 NM to go before winter.

Here is our very tentative plan, and a photo of our route.
The places we stop can and might change, but the idea is simple.

Spend three nights at least in each port.
Spend approximately 2-3 weeks on the boat, followed by a couple weeks at home in La Paz

We fly back to the Bay area next weekend, and will spend another week with friends exploring San Francisco.
We are planning on an extended time in the Redwood Forest area, and plan on leaving our boat in Crescent City for our next trip home.

We will run the boat together to Fort Bragg, and after that Vicky will drive the Jeep while I drive the boat. She is great at navigating, but has not been comfortable driving on the freeway.

Alameda to Bodega Bay 58nm, july 28
Bodega Bay to Fort Bragg 83nm, july 29
Fort Bragg to Eureka 89nm, aug 1
Eureka to Crescent City 58 aug 4,
Fly home to La Paz Aug 09, Return Aug 23
Crescent City to Brookings 21nm aug 27
Brookings to Coos Bay 88nm aug 30
Coos Bay to Newport 81nm Sep 2
Newport to Garibaldi 63nm Sep 5
Garibaldi to Greys Harbor 84nm Sep 8
Greys Harbor to Neah bay 102 Sep 11

 

[AlaskaProf]

That stretch of Hwy 1 from Fort Bragg over the mountain to Leggett will make her appreciate freeways!

 

[tiltrider1]

I would skip Eureka. Lot of boat time and I don’t find the town very interesting. One full day in Bodega might be enough but weather windows might require you to stay longer.

I would skip Brookings and run to Bandon if possible. Better marina activities You won’t end up in Coos Bay but Winchester. Probably makes no difference as you have the jeep.

When you say Grey’s Harbor I’m sure you mean Westport.

I would skip La Push and get to Neha Bay, back track with the jeep if you want to see La Push.

Just my opinion but nothing you have laid out is wrong, just time consuming.

 

[ksanders]

Thanks Dave! We'll look at those ideas...

I just caught something, I got the place names confused between La Push va Neha Bay.

 

[ksanders]

We're gong to have to look at that road north of Fort Bragg. hmmm Thanks!

 

[mvweebles]

I actually like Eureka because town is right there at the dock. Easy walking.

Russian River and Anderson Valley are two wine growing regions that are much more approachable than Napa/Sonoma. Vaguely reminiscent of Valle Dr Guadeloupe (for others not familiar with Baja, this is Mexico s premier wine region outside Ensenada). Beautiful drive - Anderson Valley produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the country.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/best-anderson-valley-wineries/

Many great road trips.

Peter

 

[AlaskaProf]

We're gong to have to look at that road north of Fort Bragg. hmmm Thanks!

The first is a lovely drive along the rocky shore, but then it suddenly hangs a right and plunges into what seems like an endless series of blind 15 mph curves.

 

[SteveK]

We will run the boat together to Fort Bragg, and after that Vicky will drive the Jeep while I drive the boat.

Have you considered at this point to stay with the boat and while Vicky returns to La Paz you would gain some distance north.

 

[ksanders]

Have you considered at this point to stay with the boat and while Vicky returns to La Paz you would gain some distance north.

Nope, we are doing this together.

If we need more time driving Vs exploring we'll allocate more time either through shortening port calls or decreasing time we spend at home.

for example right now it's HOT in La Paz with average highs near 100, so we are spending more time on the boat. This next time we will be extending I'm pretty sure so we can comfortably spend an extra week with friends in the SF bay area, and not feel stressed about heading north.

That said, we have a life in La Paz. If we have a hurricane bearing down on La Paz we will park the boat and fly home pretty much immediately. Our home is very well protected and we have back up power, but Vicky has responsibilities in the bakery, with employees, and our adult children.

So, right now, I'm staying ahead of the curve, and making sure we can be off the coast before the weather turns, which as you know generally starts by mid October.

 

[ksanders]

I actually like Eureka because town is right there at the dock. Easy walking.

Russian River and Anderson Valley are two wine growing regions that are much more approachable than Napa/Sonoma. Vaguely reminiscent of Valle Dr Guadeloupe (for others not familiar with Baja, this is Mexico s premier wine region outside Ensenada). Beautiful drive - Anderson Valley produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the country.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/best-anderson-valley-wineries/

Many great road trips.

Peter

Thanks Peter, we are going wine tasting in Napa week after next!

Never thought about the wine country North, but... We love the little botique wine cafes where you try several wines and if you buy some the trying is free.

 

[GoneFarrell]

I'm with Tilt on skipping Brookings. It's not very well kept. We had Paula's boat there and couldn't wait to get out of there.

 

[Govino]

Great information here as we are considering the same voyage. Curious what you use for weather forecasting while on this trip? Have a safe trip.

 

[ksanders]

Great information here as we are considering the same voyage. Curious what you use for weather forecasting while on this trip? Have a safe trip.

Sorry for the late reply.

I use predict wind, windy, and back that up with weather.gov marine forecasts.

 

[captobie]

Have you been across the Tillamook Bay bar before? I'd personally suggest skipping Garibaldi unless you have perfect bar conditions. I grew up in Garibaldi and have seen what that bar is capable of. Plus, maybe I'm jaded since I grew up there, but there really isn't that much to do there. I'd suggest keep on going to Astoria, it's a much better place for a multi-day stop.

 

[AlaskaProf]

Another vote for Astoria. Don't miss the maritime museum.

 

[ksanders]

So.... Yes i have crossed the Tillimook bar, no problems.

Astoria means i have to cross the Columbia river Bar twice, and it's not like Astoria is near the entrance. It's a pretty good run to the harbor.

We actually liked Geribaldi, but I'm not a fan of the marina, as it's not set up well for big boats.

 

[captobie]

Have fun then. If you’re not a fan of the Port of Garibaldi, you might consider anchoring at Crab Harbor.

And you’re probably already aware since you’ve crossed before, but absolutely contact Station Tillamook Bay before crossing for current conditions and advice. I’d have a plan B, just in case. If you don’t want to go all the way in to Astoria, Ilwaco is a nice alternative.

 

[tiltrider1]

Being that Kevin is watching his weather windows I don’t see him having any issues with the bars. The real question is how much time will he want to spend entering and exiting vs best location for sight seeing.

I can’t answer those questions for him. I can only guess that he will spend a fair amount of time in Newport and after that will probably make a run for Westport. He has a car and I believe by the time he leaves Newport he will be done with the Oregon Coast.

 

[ksanders]

So... I'm trying to do these as day hops. We are not big fans of overnight, and it also complicates things. If we are both on the boat for a overnight, we have to return for the jeep.

That's why I'm choosing 80 miles or so as a max run.

The only real reason for choosing Tillimook as a stopover is because of it's location.

 

[ksanders]

Here are the distances I have calculated.

Fort Bragg to Eureka 89nm
Eureka to Crescent City 58
Crescent City to Bandon 90 nm
Bandon to Newport 90 nm
Newport to Garibaldi 63nm
Garabaldi to Greys Harbor 84nm
Greys Harbor to Neah Bay 102

Is there a "better" plan that keeps us to 80NM or so a day?
I would be happier with 50NM but 80 works.

 

[tiltrider1]

You have the plan. We all wish there were more options. You are already aware of Brookings, Winchester, LaPush and why they are poor options. Others will make comments but they won’t be able to offer you a better solution to your requirements. I am assuming you mean Westport when you say Greys Harbor.

 

[ksanders]

You have the plan. We all wish there were more options. You are already aware of Brookings, Winchester, LaPush and why they are poor options. Others will make comments but they won’t be able to offer you a better solution to your requirements. I am assuming you mean Westport when you say Greys Harbor.

Have you ever been into reedsport?

That looks like a nice harbor from the map.

 

[captobie]

Others will make comments but they won’t be able to offer you a better solution to your requirements.

That's because there are none. That's why most people just try to power through this section of coast. I feel for him doing this singlehanded. Nothing wrong with Tillamook Bay as long as conditions are good, but personally if they are not ideal I'd keep moving on to plan B. Tillamook Bay is one of those place where "being on a schedule" can bite you.

 

[tiltrider1]

Reedsport is Winchester Bay. Bandon is just so much nicer than Gold Beach, Coos Bay or Reedsport. It also makes Newport an easy next hop. That said, I like them all by car.

In all fairness, I am usually grinding my way up the coast and only stopping for weather or fuel. Cresent City, New Port and Neha Bay are my go to stops.

If you have the time and weather I would do any or all of them.

 

[ksanders]

Reedsport is Winchester Bay. Bandon is just so much nicer than Gold Beach, Coos Bay or Reedsport. It also makes Newport an easy next hop. That said, I like them all by car.

In all fairness, I am usually grinding my way up the coast and only stopping for weather or fuel. Cresent City, New Port and Neha Bay are my go to stops.

If you have the time and weather I would do any or all of them.

Thanks!!!

We are good to go to head to Eureka in the morning.
Then Crescent City on Monday.