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Some places live in your head.
Others live in your heart.
This one lives in both. Here's my love letter to Highway 101.
From LA to NorCal — Meeting Up With a Friend
After leaving LA, my best friend and I started heading north, making a quick pass through San Francisco before stopping at Point Reyes, a spot I had actually visited earlier in the year, and came back to because it's worth the drive.
The first time I saw it, it was clear and sunny, but this second visit felt like we were standing above the clouds.
The fog rolled in thick along the coast, giving us an entirely different experience. It felt surreal, like the world had gone quiet just for us.
That night, we stayed in Rohnert Park with another best friend of mine. We grabbed takeout from Art’s Place, a cozy little Italian restaurant, and spent the night catching up, eating pasta, and watching shows together, a calm night before what would become the best day of my life.
The Route That Changed Everything
The next morning, we grabbed coffee and ham & swiss sandwiches from Johnny’s Java, nothing fancy, but it felt like the official start to something special.
We set out on the exact route I had dreamed of retracing since the last time I was there, but this time, further. Here’s the drive we took (and trust me, take this exact route if you ever go):
- 101 North
- Cut over to 128 through the redwoods
- Hit Highway 1, hugging the coast past Mendocino
- Back to 101 all the way up to Brookings, Oregon
The Drive That Took My Breath Away
I’ve never felt more connected to a place in my life.
It wasn’t just cliffs or beaches. It wasn’t just trees or fog. It was the way all of it moved together, the golden light hitting the ocean like a movie scene, the towering redwoods blocking out the sun so much you had to turn your brights on, the winding roads revealing new views around every corner.
I felt like I was living in a dream I didn’t want to wake up from.
And even though I didn’t see it all, not even close, I knew I’d be back. My Google Maps is now filled with flagged spots I will visit when I return. Every penny I save is with the hope that one day I can call this place home. It completely stole my heart away.
Our Stay in Brookings, Oregon — Pure Magic
That night, we arrived at our Airbnb in Brookings, hosted by Barbara and Patrick. Patrick showed us around and led us down to their private beach, where chairs and blankets were set up on a porch to watch the sunset. Here's the Airbnb link if you're interested: click here.
I remember sitting there, fully aware that I had just lived the best day of my life.
If you go to Brookings, start your next morning at ABCoffee. Brandon, the barista, made sure our drinks were perfect and even took the time to chat with us. It's the kind of warmth you remember long after the trip is over.
Continuing North — Unexpected Highlights
As we headed toward Portland for a concert, we stopped in Lincoln City for dinner. I grabbed a burger from a small food truck tucked inside The Pines Dine, the best burger I’ve ever had, served by the kindest man in the back-right corner of the lot.
We didn’t do much the next couple of days except rest and take in the atmosphere, which honestly, is what the Pacific Northwest does best. Calm, cool, and quiet, the perfect contrast to how full my heart felt from the coast the day before. Here's some of my favorite photos from further north in PNW:
Crescent Lake, Washington
Ames Lake, Washington
Forks, Washington
What I Recommend You Bring
If you plan to visit the Pacific Coast or explore PNW, here are a few things I highly recommend bringing along:
- A Travel Guide & Map — GPS goes out a lot on these remote roads. Having a physical travel guide like this one is a lifesaver. Especially since while I was there I didn't know a lot of good spots I now have saved, this travel guide would have been helpful in exploring more of what PNW had to offer.
- A Good Camera — If you’re serious about photography, I recommend the Canon EOS Rebel T7, the camera I use. But if you’re on a budget, even this compact digital camera can help you capture stunning shots. If you're in coming to PNW, you better be ready to take some photos.
Final Thoughts
I’ve never loved a place more.
And I’ve never wanted to return to a place more.
If I could bottle up that feeling and carry it with me, I would. But since I can’t, I’ll just keep planning my way back. These songs come closest to capturing that feeling again:
- "California and Me" by Laufey & Philharmonia Orchestra — For the soft, cinematic coastal moments.
- "Spit in the Sink" by Haley Heynderickx — For the golden light through the trees and the quiet hum of the redwoods.
I could not recommend this road trip more, it has changed me forever.