Christmas Road Trip Los Angeles, California to Garibaldi, Oregon

2019 Road Trip to Seattle for Christmas Family Reunion (I)

Los Angeles, California to Garibaldi, Oregon - December 16~18, 2019

After our Asia trip to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China, we came home for about a month to celebrate MOR's retirement. Then we left on a 6-week trip to Europe for the back-to-back cruises from Civitavecchia to Civitavecchia and then Civitavecchia to Miami. I have posted those reports here. Soon enough, we were ready for a short trip up to Seattle for our family reunion set for Christmas. Not all family members were able to join us but we enjoyed a wonderful week there with our loved ones who were able to make it from different parts of the world.

Most family members from Southern California took different flights up because of time constrains but for us, it would be another road trip ahead. We did consider the weather situation which would not be in our favor during the winter months and I was worried about the mountainous highway especially at the Oregon/California border, which could be dangerous if snowing. We were fortunate that although we had some rainy days, we did not run into any problems on this entire trip.

Our plan was to drive up north along the Oregon coast, our most favorite and familiar route, spending three nights on the way. Then after a week in Seattle we'll take the 5 Fwy back with two nights in between. Hotels booked, bags packed, car serviced, on our way we go!

Leaving Southern California on a fine, sunny morning.

There was some traffic on the 5 near Castaic, but not too bad really.

Going downhill through the Grapevine.

We usually take a break at the little town of Buttonwillow and then make a couple of stops at the roadside rest area to switch drivers and for bathroom breaks. This boring strip of Fwy 5 can make a driver very drowsy if not careful. Frequent stops is the best policy to stay awake.

Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant - 24505 W Dorris Ave, Coalinga, CA 93210

We love having a good steak or a piece of tender prime rib here at Harris Ranch, but today we will save our appetite for a buffet dinner in San Jose. We had some simple sandwiches made ahead of time to last us til dinner. Stopping at Harris Ranch was to get gas and also using their nice restrooms. I also wanted to check and see if they have meat on sale at their store.

Arrived at Harris Ranch

I was surprised at all the Christmas decorations inside!

It was almost like the Mission Inn in Riverside during Christmas.

Inside the store.

So festive!

What a treat!

Upon leaving Harris Ranch, we continued north on the 5, then made a turn at Los Banos on to 152, which is now a beautifully reconstructed highway passing through San Luis Reservoir to Gilroy on the west. Again, we took the opportunity to fill up on gas at the Costco at Gilroy before heading north  on 101 to San Francisco where we would spend the night. We made plans to enjoy a buffet dinner at Tomi on the way before checking into our hotel.

Tomi Sushi and Seafood Buffet - 2200 Eastridge Loop #2074, San Jose, FA 95122

We found this buffet restaurant inside a big mall a year ago when we came up for the memorial service of Rev. Thomas Wang. At that time we told ourselves that we have to bring our son here for a meal. There are Asian buffet restaurants everywhere but we found that Tomi has the most variety of food served. The only thing lacking is services, which can be improved. No matter, we enjoyed a great dinner here and had fun picking out the food we wanted. We were there early enough and there was no wait time. 

A great meal to end our tiring travel day.

Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport

Now, we have stayed here many times before when I was still teaching. I used to attend the annual State conference for teachers here in San Francisco every January for about nine years in a row. Other than the last year that it was held in Santa Clara, we have stayed here at the Hyatt Regency so this is familiar territory for us. That was the time when son was still in elementary and intermediate schools. This time son is bringing us back using his Hyatt free night for memory sake. 

This was the first time that we got a room facing the atrium.

Comfortable and spacious room.

December 17, 2019

Father and son reminiscing of old times. They told me that was what they used to do while waiting for me during the day when I was attending the conference. They would sit there at one of the windows off the hallway and watched the planes landing and taking off at the airport.

A good spot to watch the runway at the airport off San Francisco Bay.

Going across the Golden Gate Bridge.

We always like to make a brief stop here after passing through the Golden Gate Bridge.

What a sight!

Traffic on the bridge. No toll going north, but travelers have to pay when driving south on the bridge.

Continued our drive on 101, which we found many sections of this highway had been rebuilt thus making it a better and wider highway.

Crescent City, California

We usually stop at the Costco in Eureka to fill up the tank. This would be the last Costco along the coast until we reach Warrenton, Oregon. This is a good place to also get what we need on the road and use their clean restrooms. Between Eureka and Crescent City, we past through several forests and parks, including Redwood National Park which we had to give-up because it was getting dark already. By the time we reached Crescent City, where we will spend the night, it was late and the restaurants (Chart Room, Crescent Seafood) where we planned on having dinner were all closed. Left us with not many choices but this one that was still opened, the Good Harvest Cafe. To our surprised, this turned out to be a great dinner!

Not that many customers at that hour.

MOR had their live crab special.

Son had their panko fried oysters.

And I ended up with the New York steak sandwich.

Tender and juicy piece of steak. We all enjoyed our dinners.

Westward Inn, Crescent City, California

In the past, we have stayed in a motel called Front Street Inn here in Crescent City a few times which is owned by a very friendly Chinese family. We liked the location of that particular motel which is right across from the seashore. But this time around, we picked somewhere else for the night, and stayed at the Westward Inn in town, which seemed to be just recently remodeled and upgraded for a very good price. A basic hotel that is clean for a quick overnight stay was all we needed. I don't mind coming back in the future, especially when a simple breakfast is included.

December 18, 2019

We started real early this morning and had a simple breakfast at the motel before hitting the road.

Self-made waffles and a cup of coffee was good enough for me.

Oregon Coast

Pretty soon, we drove past the California and Oregon state line and the views of the gorgeous Oregon coast appeared right in front of our eyes for miles and miles.

A deer was trying to cross the road right in front of us.

Battle Rock Wayside Park, Port Orford, Oregon

This is the place we always make a stop at when driving up or down the coast. It's very convenient, right next to the highway 101 with lots of parking, clean restrooms, and amazing views. We never get tired of this and even though I have not track down to the beach, son really enjoyed getting closer to the water.

Rocky Point

Battle Rock

Vinny's Smokin' Good Burgers and Sandwiches, Coos Bay, Oregon

For lunch, son found a BBQ place that has excellent reviews. The restaurant is a little out of the way from 101 but we didn't mind having to go a little further for some good food. Oh, yes, the burgers here were some of the best we've ever had. 

Prices were quite reasonable for the huge serving size.

And came with the drink.

Son's Meathead. Look at that huge burger with beef patty, pulled pork and brisket!

I think I had the Hitman.

The Boss for MOR.

We had leftovers for dinner.

A small restaurant at a street corner.

McCullough Memorial Bridge just north of Coos Bay.

One of the beautiful lakes by the roadside. 

Siuslaw River Bridge, a historic drawbridge on the Siuslaw River.

And we like to stop at the Heceta Head Lighthouse Viewpoint at Cape Cove. 

But we have never been able to take a picture of the lighthouse which is blocked by the trees.

I think we should track up the hill next time.

Tenmile Creek Bridge

Spouting Horn at Cooks Chasm.

Crashing waves onto the rocks making huge spouting action.

Thorn's Well on the other side.

Tried to make good time to the motel for the night, we just drove past many of our favorite towns like Newport, Depoe Bay, and Yachat without stopping. The Oregon Coast is so beautiful that I really think it's best to spend at least a week on this stretch of highway.

Harbor View Inn and RV Park - Garibaldi

This was the first time we are spending the night in this small fishing town of Garibaldi. When looking for a place to spend the night, this little motel caught my eyes and decided that we should try it out. 

Rooms were nicely designed with sea life theme.

Very clean and well-kept.

Ear plugs for the light sleepers.

A few taffies came with the keys to the room. Nice touch!

"The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure, and altogether righteous."   -- Psalm 19:9