# Better PCH Road Trip Option? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 26, 2021, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828 "2021-02-26T17:29:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/41 "2021-02-27T18:22:35Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > How come? I don’t know anything about those places. The drive from Seattle to Olympia is a slog on un-scenic I-5, and while Oly has some charms, it’s not exactly a destination hot spot and then the drive from Oly up through Bremerton is also a slog at times, although a lesser one. The ferry on the other hand is a beautiful trip, with Winslow, Poulsbo, Port Gamble and Port Ludlow being interesting, scenic stops along the way from the Bainbridge ferry terminal. Or alternatively, from the Bremerton terminal, you can drive up the remote and scenic west side of the Hood Canal for a longer, but still doable day. I lived in Seattle for 20+ years and may be jaded, but that drive from Seattle to Oly was always the worst part of going anywhere to the south. Heavy traffic and little of the visual charm that the other routes have. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/42 "2021-02-27T18:47:34Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > I lived in Seattle for 20+ years and may be jaded, but that drive from Seattle to Oly was always the worst part of going anywhere to the south. Heavy traffic and little of the visual charm that the other routes have. Good point. You’ll miss a lot of not-very-scenic highway and industrial development and, if you time it well, save a lot of time getting to the Olympic Peninsula. Unless you have some particular interest in going to Olympia (which I’m sure has its charms but I haven’t found them), you can skip it. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/43 "2021-02-27T18:51:28Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Olympia (which I’m sure has its charms but I haven’t found them) … the K Records house! Uh, the sexy geoduck sculpture at Evergreen State! The crusties and their dogs on rope leashes! Anyway, nthing the ferry idea. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/44 "2021-02-27T19:34:45Z")
Awesome, thanks. That’s exactly the type of info I need. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/45 "2021-02-27T19:36:00Z")
Back in the day one could go to the Olympia Brewery in Tumwater. Google says that’s long gone. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/46 "2021-02-27T20:44:51Z")
When I as 13 or so My mom and I wen to visit my Aunt + Uncle in Sacramento, and some cousins in Arcata (I think some still like in McKinleyville). Anyhow, Somewhere along the route there was a large treehouse (I think there were actually two) that might be attractive to your kids. This was 35+ years ago, so may no longer be there. I can’t find it (it ISN’T the “World’s Famous Tree House” as that is on the ground level, this was definitely in the air – rather conventional treehouse, but on a big tree and fairly high up.) I was in the passenger seat (My mom and aunt were in the back chatting away). On the trip south it was pretty scary looking over the cliffs with no barrier and my uncle driving fast. Th door handle has quite a bit of sweat on it… Brian ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/47 "2021-02-28T15:58:11Z")
I’m thinking about tacking on an additional day so we don’t have to rush around the peninsula. So instead of making the long drive from the Hoh rainforest to Portland, we would spend the night somewhere in between. I have heard Long Beach is nice. Any other opinions on places to stay in the area between the peninsula and Portland? ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/48 "2021-02-28T16:07:40Z")
[Lake Quinault lodge, maybe?](https://www.olympicnationalparks.com/lodging/lake-quinault-lodge/) ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/49 "2021-02-28T17:13:09Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > I’m thinking about tacking on an additional day so we don’t have to rush around the peninsula. So instead of making the long drive from the Hoh rainforest to Portland, we would spend the night somewhere in between. I have heard Long Beach is nice. Any other opinions on places to stay in the area between the peninsula and Portland? I usually stay in Port Washington. Port Townsend is more touristy but Port Washington (which is basically a working port town) gives you quick access to the Hoh Rainforest and Lake Crescent and is a good midway point around the Olympic Peninsula. The problem with Long Beach or Lake Quinault is that they are at the far southwest end, so you have to drive back north an hour to get back to the Hoh River Trail or other accessible areas. Quinault Lake Lodge is also fairly pricy (I think I paid ~$200 for a main lodge room, which would have been cramped for two people) and because of legal challenges by the tribe you can’t take a canoe or boat on the lake. There is also some good camping on both Lake Crescent and in Hoh Campground if you’re considering that but it fills up quickly so you’ll want to have reservations. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/50 "2021-02-28T17:20:49Z")
I don’t think I explained my plan properly. I was thinking of staying in Port Angeles the first night on the peninsula. Getting up the next morning at getting to Hoh around 10 AM. Then whenever we leave Hoh, find somewhere on the way to Portland to spend the night. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/51 "2021-02-28T18:00:56Z")
Yeah, that makes complete sense. Staying in Long Beach or Astoria are definitely good options. The drive over the bridge into Astoria is a sight in and of itself, BTW. Every time I feel like I’m preparing to e catapulted into space. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/52 "2021-02-28T19:19:47Z")
When you get to the redwoods part, I concur with the recommendation for Howland Hill Road and Stout Grove near Crescent City. Stout Grove is an easy half-hour loop; the Boy Scout Tree trail is a nice hike, but probably longer that will fit your itinerary. Heading south on 101, be sure to take the Newton Drury scenic alternate through Prairie Creek Redwoods. In Mendocino, don’t miss the headland at Russian Gulch State Park, or the Fern Canyon at Van Damme State Park. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2021, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/53 "2021-03-01T00:17:00Z")
> [@ASGuy](#): > > Garberville Garberville! Does that bring back memories… ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2021, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/54 "2021-03-01T05:17:18Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Garberville! Does that bring back memories… What happens at Benbow Inn stays at Benbow Inn… Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2021, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/55 "2021-03-01T06:35:56Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > > [@ASGuy](#): > > > > Garberville > > Garberville! Does that bring back memories… Better still, you got memories of Whitethorn? ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2021, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/56 "2021-03-01T11:44:17Z")
+1 for a ferry ride. To go to Seattle and not get on a ferry is missing out. [Ruby Beach](https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/visiting-kalaloch-and-ruby-beach.htm) is one of my favorite places to visit when I’m in the area. I think my parents stay at [Kalaloch Lodge](https://www.thekalalochlodge.com/) approximately every other year. And I’ll add another vote for Long Beach, WA. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2021, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/57 "2021-03-01T15:16:58Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Garberville! Does that bring back memories… Ah yes, spent a summer at Camp Ravencliff in the early 60’s. Longest bus ride ever from Richmond. ---
**Author:** ![ASGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/58 "2021-03-01T15:34:45Z")
Southern\_Yankee, as you head south on 101 in Humboldt County (CA) you will get to the State highway 36 interchange. As you pass the bridge wave. My place is off to the left about 800 feet. (It looks like a train station but you won’t be able to see it because of the interchange ramps.) ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2021, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/59 "2021-03-01T15:36:54Z")
Nice. Will do! ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2021, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828/60 "2021-03-03T13:21:54Z")
You chose a great place to put down roots. I love that area. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828.md?page=4)