Crater Lake or not?

We are flying from UK into Seattle in September and flying out of San Francisco. The plan is to visit Glacier NP then down to Columbia River Gorge and then drive the coast to San Francisco. Thinking now that maybe we would like to see Crater Lake but don%26#39;t want to drive back to the coast afterwards. Probably won%26#39;t ever be back this way again so do you think we would be better to see Crater and then drive down the interstate or stick with the original plan. At the risk of offending anyone is the Californian coastline much different than what we will have already seen? Grateful for any opinions.

Crater Lake or not?

';At the risk of offending anyone is the Californian coastline much different than what we will have already seen?';

At the risk of offending someone, yes... it%26#39;s not as nice as the Oregon coast! ;-) So, if time is an issue, suggest you drive the Oregon coast to Crescent City CA, then hwy 199 northeast up to Crater Lake. That route would take you through Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park.

Crater Lake or not?

I agree. Besides, Hwy 101 goes inland after Eureka and does not go down the California coast. Trying to go down the coast in Northern California is a difficult, stop and start proposition. If you were going south of SF along Hwy 1 I%26#39;d say to do that, but not between Eureka and SF. By cutting across on Hwy 199, as suggested, you can visit Crater Lake and then zip down the I-5 to the Bay Area (passing the most impressive sight of Mt. Shasta and the Shasta Lakes area).

I agree completely with the first two posters. Crater Lake is very much worth it and you will never have another chance to see the Redwoods.

You must see the redwoods! However, you do not see many by just taking Hwy 199 from Crescent City to Grants Pass. We drove that road just a short time ago and I made sure to note that. The redwoods are south of Crescent City, unless you take Howland Hill Road.

So, if you could arrange to spend a night in Crescent City, you would have time to drive Hwy 101 south a bit to see the big trees. Take Hwy 101 south to Klamath River and take the Newton Drury scenic drive. This is a loop that will take you back out to Hwy 101, which is freeway through there. Then head back to C.City.

RT time about 2 hours, give or take.

Howland Hill Road is an awesome car tour, about 6 miles long on a dirt/gravel road. The road is potholed, so would not take a low-slung sports car on it. You can access it off of Hwy 199, or south of town off Elk Valley Road. It takes about an hour to drive and is well worth it - the trees are huge.

Thanks everyone, Crater Lake it is then. Sounds great and the redwoods will be an added bonus!