Things to do on the US west coast?

[Rosse]

If all goes as planned, I'm doing a second road trip in the states with my boyfriend and sister next year! So, do you have any suggestions on what to do/see in Washington, Oregon and California? We've already read up and planned a lot, so I'm looking for things a little more "off the beaten path".

Oh, we like: nature, science and space, games/toys/nerdy stuff... and just experiencing the culture of the country we visit ^_^

[kaoskat]

Yay!!!! Have fun! I have no clue what to do though!

[Ginger]

Oooo have a fun trip!!! If I were in Oregon, I'd go to the sock dream store rofl. I hope you get some good ideas!

[ashes]

Where in California do you plan on visiting?  Because there's loads to do, both in Northern and Southern CA.

[Rosse]

So far we have planned on driving hwy 1 from San Fransisco to LA, possibly San Diego, then over to the Sierras (Yosemite, Seqouia) and Lake Tahoe. Hopefully we'll have time for Death Valley as well, and possibly Joshua tree.

[Maniah]

Hmm I don't know what the travel time is like.. But Devils Punch Bowl is where they filmed the Flintstones, and is a popular hiking area out in the Antelope Valley. Its sort of near Palmdale and Victorville, but I cannot remember the exact location.

Rosamond has Edwards Airforce Base, where you can go see jets and space shuttle stuff. It also has an Exotic Feline Breeding Compound, if you like big cats. Edit: Also, there are old abandoned gold mines and gold mining towns. One town is located behind the Tropico High School, but last I knew, it was gated off. Some of the mines are super easy to find by hiking in the hills. Every so often, they do hay rides out into the hills and do a big bonfire event.

Hamilton Beach has great bonfire pits if you like the beach after dark.

Oxnard has a nice little harbor touristy spot with a very beautiful, but small, aquarium. Edit: Depending on what time of year you go, Oxnard also has tons of roadside stands selling fresh produce, ripe and delicious. Also a strawberry festival.

There are the usual theme parks.. Disney Land, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Sea World, Great America.

San Fransisco has TONS to do in that city alone, and there is a wetlands preserve outside of Oakland.

Oh, of course, the Zoo down in San Diego is huge, or, I remember it as Huge from when I was little

If you go visit the redwoods, those are some pretty impressive trees!

The Sierra Nevada mountains are GORGEOUS and I envy your chance to see them!

Hmm If you go out to Mojave I THINK that's where there are tons of apple orchards, but I have no idea if the season is or will be right for apple picking.

[kakenterprise]

Oooo have a fun trip!!! If I were in Oregon, I'd go to the sock dream store rofl. I hope you get some good ideas!

I love sock dreams!!!  That would be one cool store to hit.

[Galactica]

OMG- there is so so so much-   

I have lived in Seattle, San Francisco (Nor Cal) and Huntington Beach (So Cal) and there  is SO MUCH in between- I haven't even scratched the surface-

That said, I have to say that Seattle has more dorks per square inch than any other city I have ever visited or heard of-   The Sci-Fi museum is fun, the Music Experience Project, the Library downtown is actually an amazing thing that I take all out-of-towners to-  the market is fun.

Lots of hiking and outdoor activities nearby too- the most fun being Little Mount Si for me, and also kayaking and visiting the little islands (San Juan, Orkas)  I guess visiting  Seattle will really depend on the time of the year.   The weather in Seattle is perfect starting on July 4th and ending pretty much in October- with a little carryover either way.   Otherwise it rains.  Not fun to go outside in the chilly rain and mud.

My favorite thing to do in San Francisco is rent a bike and ride it over the bridge over the wetlands, and take the ferry back-

also Muir Woods just outside of town is fantastic-    really for California, there are limitless options- you might want to get a book? 

[melodys_angel]

Looks like youve got alot of suggestions already

Have fun!

[Eviecorn]

Great suggestions so far.  Just do as much outdoors as you can - the scenery on the PacNW coast is breathtaking.

[ZennaBug]

The Joshua trees are ridiculous.  We drove to San Diego from Colorado this summer and they were everywhere.  We were super tempted to make a side trip to see the national park, but were crunched on time.

[hannaliten]

Oooo have a fun trip!!! If I were in Oregon, I'd go to the sock dream store rofl. I hope you get some good ideas!

I love sock dreams!!!  That would be one cool store to hit.

Yes! I need to go to OR just to go there.

[sarafina]

That said, I have to say that Seattle has more dorks per square inch than any other city I have ever visited or heard of-

    Ahhh it's so true!

Lots of hiking and outdoor activities nearby too- the most fun being Little Mount Si for me

I still haven't hiked Little Si - my husband took me up Big Si years ago & I thought I was never going to make it through.  I was pretty peeved when we got to the bottom and I found out that there actually was such a thing as a Little Si.    I need to try that next time.

[Galactica]

That said, I have to say that Seattle has more dorks per square inch than any other city I have ever visited or heard of-

    Ahhh it's so true!

Lots of hiking and outdoor activities nearby too- the most fun being Little Mount Si for me

I still haven't hiked Little Si - my husband took me up Big Si years ago & I thought I was never going to make it through.  I was pretty peeved when we got to the bottom and I found out that there actually was such a thing as a Little Si.    I need to try that next time.

Haha- totally-  (maybe we need to plan a ponywalk up the little mountain this summer!)   and yes for the OP- There is certainly Big Si to tackle- but if you want a merry little 5 mi stroll (steepish but not like mountain climbing steep) - perfect for a late morning walk and a picnic at the top- - than Little Si is for you ! http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/little-si

[Rosse]

Thanks so much for all the replies and suggestions so far! I have taken notes of everything in our "travel plan" document.

Oh I should've mentioned, we're planning on going in June. We want to go as soon as possible but any earlier and there is still risk of closed roads in the mountains.

We're going to Portland so I'll definitely try to make a visit to sock dreams, I'm a total sock nut! Some other stops we've planned in WA and OR are Olympic national park, North cascades, Mt Rainier, Mt Saint Helens, Mt Hood and Crater Lake.

Galactica - We do have one book about California, and one about the national parks of the western US. We'll be hitting the library for more later, don't worry

If anyone has more suggestions, please keep them coming! ^__^