025_Travel Nursing Road Trip #2: WA to AZ via the Coast

Length: 6 days

Route: Centralia- Portland- Eugene- The Oregon Coast- Redwoods NP- San Francisco- Salinas- The California Coast- Santa Barbara- Ventura- Malibu- Venice- Joshua Tree NP- Phoenix

Sights: 3

This was hands down the best drive ever. I mean, THE BEST. I couldn’t get enough of it. I can’t wait to do it again.

The drive began in Centralia, WA. From there, I drove to Portland, OR to get breakfast from one of my new favorite spots, Off The Griddle. I then continued South to Eugene, OR where I spent the night (Eugene Whiteaker International Hostel), procured breakfast from Morning Glory Café, and sampled several necessarily unnecessary treats from Voodoo Doughnut . I then drove West to the coastal town of Florence and proceeded down Route 101 into California.

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Now, this is where I first lost my mind, ya’ll. Three words: Redwoods National Park. Four more words: Avenue of the Giants. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you haven’t lived. I am so serious! I spent a day and a half in this national and state park and I almost couldn’t tear myself away to continue on my journey. I spent the first afternoon/evening exploring on Big Tree Circle Trail (0.3mi, easy) and Fern Canyon Loop Trail (1.2mi, easy, requires high clearance vehicle to traverse the road that leads to the trail). The next morning I almost continued on my journey South. But about 30min outside of Eureka, I couldn’t help it. I turned around. I had to see more. And I am so glad that I did! I started with a leisurely 1.3mi trail through old growth called Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail. Then a park ranger told me about a little thing called Avenue of the Giants. It was technically on the way to my next stop, San Francisco, so I said why not. A slight deviation from the 101 but it might be worth it. And worth it it was! It’s like driving through a dream. A road literally built among the Redwoods. As tall as the eye can see along a narrow winding road, the sun breaking through the moss, the bark a deep red. All of my senses were on overload. The smell alone. Like, where is that bottled so I can buy it? A candle, maybe?? I was transported to a majestic place and I was mesmerized. The coolest part was driving through one of the largest Redwoods in my car. I tried to record myself driving through and scraped my side-mirror on the inside of the tree. But nevermind that.

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Well, I eventually had to leave. At this point, I had the choice to continue along Route 101 or deviate back to the coast along the infamous Route 1. A little out of the way and certainly not as fast, but this was a journey, after all. The California coast, in general, is so beautiful, offering so many vantage points for viewing the ocean and lined with so many cute towns. From Crescent City to Ventura, I pulled over what felt like every 15minutes to take a photo or soak it all in. If it were up to me, I would have spent multiple days on multiple beaches, really taking my time and milking this adventure. Highlights included the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco with a high school friend, the John Steinbeck museum in his hometown of Salinas (I totally geeked out; hands down my favorite author of all time), and sunset in Santa Barbara.

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After a night in Ventura to recuperate, it was finally time to venture inland. One last coastal trek from Malibu to Santa Monica and I suddenly found myself getting lunch at one of my all-time favorite vegan spots, Café Gratitude. From there, I drove 3 short hours to the West and found myself at Joshua Tree National Park. What a gem. Joshua trees growing everywhere! This was my first experience in a Southwest/desert national park. The coolest thing about this park is that one can pull over literally anywhere along the road and just start walking in any direction for as far as the eye can see. Though there are some designated trails, I enjoyed going off-trail and getting “lost” but never being far from the car or the road. Of course, I visited popular sites such as Hidden Valley Trail (1mi loop) and Skull Rock (off the side of the road). Cholla Cactus Gardens (off the side of the road) was my ultimate favorite and I immediately fell in love with the cactus so aptly named “Teddy Bear.” My biggest suggestion, though: don’t venture off-trail without sturdy boots! I stepped many-a-time on a broken piece of cactus and it went right into the sole of my shoe, which was impossible to get out because, well, it’s a cactus. Minor details. Minimal hindrance.

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I spent the night in a nearby hotel because all of the campgrounds are often full at this time of the year (I forgot that peak season for this area is Winter!) but not before experiencing one hell of a sunset. I returned the next morning for a half day of adventuring and climbing before continuing on to my final destination. 3.5hours later, to Phoenix I had arrived. And while one adventure ended, several more were to come as I explored the state of Arizona.

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