Taking the Fossil down the Pacific Coast from B.C. to Northern California this summer. Don't have a lot of stops in mind yet, but the kids know all about renting dune buggies on the sand dunes so I guess we are doing that. What is the best choice there? Preferably somewhere with a good park and some hiking since my wife will be loving nature while me and the kids are destroying it.
What are some good state parks and beaches to hit?
Beyond that, I don't have anything special in mind, other than Avenue of the Giants which I remember from taking a 53 foot trailer through by mistake 25 years ago.
I have three boys age 9 to 14. Any stops have to be designed to keep me from killing them, and them me. Happy kids happy vacation!
How far into NorCal are you going? If you're going down as far as San Francisco, I would recommend picking up Hwy 1 South of Garberville, CA instead. The drive down the coast is much more spectacular than 101 further inland.
The little Earthquake museum/park near Point Reyes is also pretty interesting.
We are probably going to spend most of our time in Oregon. Redwoods is probably as far into California as we will get. Maybe Fort Bragg at the most.
Ft Bragg? Youe comin to NC?
Fort Ord, maybe? In Monterey? There are some enormous dunes in OR -- signs for them everywhere if you're going down the PCH or I-5. Redwood forest is great. My wife and I honeymooned in Bandon, OR and it has a lot of fun stuff (horseback riding, beautiful beaches, etc.). Seattle and Portland are always fun.
Bandon looks good. Added it to the list. Thanks!
I just did the southern part of this trip last weekend. The dunes were cool, but we didn't have time to rent a buggy. The sea lion caves are worth a stop, even though it's a bit of a tourist trap. I hear the aquarium in Newport is good, but haven't been yet. There are also a bunch of cool light houses along the way to check out. Lots of nice curvy driving roads. 
Light house tour. Good tip.
