Favourite Routes South to California and Beyond

Taking U.S. Interstate 5 via Washington and Oregon is just one of the routes to California and the gateway to many Southwestern destinations. It's also an exciting one with several natural attractions and services along the way.

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Words by Steve Fennell

One of the great things about RVing is a journey to and from a destination can be equally exciting. In most cases, there's usually more than one route and whether you prefer a familiar Interstate or a route more adventurous, your choice will be a good one. In fact, the journey from British Columbia to California, Nevada, or Arizona via Washington and Oregon is as diverse as you want it to be. Interstate 5 offers easy passage with many accessible byways and attractions to visit. With such an enormous area to cover, here are a few to get you on your way.

1. Mount Rainer National Park, Washington

One of the nice things about taking the I-5 is you never have to travel far to see nature at its finest. This National Park is approximately 40 minutes from Tacoma and is where Mount Rainer stands at 4,392 m (14,410 ft) above sea level. With five major rivers, endless hiking trails, countless waterfalls and many lakes, it's an RVer's dream. If fishing is your game, Alder Lake is a great spot with its easy access and many species including rainbow and cutthroat trout, kokanee, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and bullhead catfish. Boats are allowed, yet no-wake zones are established. Another great spot to fish (if you're the adventurous type) is Packwood Lake. After hiking the 7.4 km (4.6 mi) trail, you can wet a line for some wild rainbow trout. Waterfalls are also abundant, and Comet Falls is one of the park's more popular sights. It's approximately 91 m (300 ft) and accessed via the 6 km (3.8 mi) Comet Falls Trail. Camping is also permitted in the park with three RV-friendly campgrounds, available on a first-come, first-served basis. If those are full, five additional RV parks are nearby, just outside of the park's entrance. www.nps.gov

2. Walla Walla, Washington

Once known as a rural prison town, Walla Walla has evolved into a wine-producing Mecca and a top destination. In fact, according to a 2017 article in the Seattle Times, wineries, restaurants, and boutiques can be found throughout downtown and the area is home to approximately 120 wineries as the region's climate and fertile land produces some of the best grapes and wine in Washington, if not the United States. So, if you like to wine, dine, shop, and explore a new destination, it's certainly worth the drive. Walla Walla is located approximately three hours from Spokane, WA, and four hours from Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, or Boise, ID. Walla Walla also hosts a series of festive events throughout the year. There's the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede (October 17 -21, 2018), The Fall Release Weekend (over the first weekend in November), and the Holiday Barrel Tasting (December 7-9, 2018) when winemakers provide samples of future releases. You may also want to visit for the Spring Release Weekend (May 3 -5, 2019) to enjoy all of the region's new wines. Many RV parks are also found throughout the area.  www.wallawalla.org

3. Roseburg/Rogue Umpqua National Scenic Byway

Oregon has many scenic routes to discover and all provide a change of scenery from the I-5. From Roseburg – in Southern Oregon – take Highway 138 and enjoy the Rogue Umpqua National Scenic Byway. The byway conveniently loops back around to Gold Hill and the I-5, but not before you pass all the natural splendour. At 276 km (172 mi), this paved byway has three segments to include North Umpqua, High Cascades, and Upper Rogue. All three offer diverse landscapes and range in elevation from 121 m (400 ft) to more than 1,524 m (5,000 ft), where you can discover tumbling falls, whitewater rivers, lakes, and towering peaks. Sure, you could do the drive in an afternoon, but there are many campgrounds to stay at and enjoy the excellent fishing or a series of other outdoor activities. According to the Bureau of Land Management, it's wise to plan ahead as the snow zone is usually above 762 m (2,500 ft) from November to April. So, it's best to contact the Oregon Department of Transportation for current road conditions at www.tripcheck.com.

4. Valley of the Rogue Park, Gold Hill, Oregon

South of the larger centres of Portland and Eugene is Gold Hill, located just off I-5 that serves as a great stop for south- or north-bound RVers. Located in Oregon's Rogue Valley, Valley of the Rogue Park offers a day-use area, as well as a full-service campground located along the Rogue River. The park has a 2 km (1.25 mi) trail along the river and easy river access to fish or even launch your boat at the ramp. Perhaps stay for a few days to take in the nearby attractions such as Crater Lake National Park, the Oregon Caves National Monument, or browse the antique shops in historic Jacksonville, just 20 minutes away. www.oregonstateparks.org

From Oregon to California, Nevada, and Arizona

From Oregon, the I-5 leads all the way down California to San Diego where you'll pass many more attractions and will take you to your destination in The Golden State. The I-5 in California is also the gateway to other main interstates or byways to the snowbird havens such as Nevada and Arizona. While the choices are vast, the I-5 is certainly a route to consider, providing many great side trips to make the most of your next adventure south.

Going Coastal: U.S. Route 101

One of the best known and scenic routes in North America, Highway 101 provides one of the ultimate road trips for RVers. As it meanders right along the west coast, it may be out of the way if your destination is to the south-east, but the kilometres will pay off with the reward of all the diverse landscapes. With too many attractions to mention, the two-lane highway passes along farms, mountains, beaches, dunes, beach towns, and wineries, providing unique experiences from state to state and county to county. You can discover the Hoh Rain Forest or Long Beach Peninsula in Washington; the old growth forests of Oswald West State Park or Coos Bay and Charleston in Oregon; or enjoy all the outdoor activity in Monterey and Carmel in California – U.S. Route 101 is the perfect trip whether you're returning to the north or to a much-loved destination in the south or beyond.