I'm taking the Mini From OC to Shelter cove this August to visit my relatives new beach house.Got any tips,things to see, roads not to miss ,they have a large extended family so I might need another place to stay.(hotel , not your place.) It's the only part of the California coast I've never been to.

 

You might check out some of our past runs in the area (all maps are downloadable). The lost coast highway (also known as the "the wild cat" to locals), although very beautiful and should not be missed, is not a MINI friendly route.

Travel slowly when you exit off Avenue of the Giants on Mattole Road thru Humbolt Redwoods State Park, and slower still when you hit the coast. This route is listed on Jeep sites as being a recommended route for 4-wheel drive vehicles.

I have done it with others in a MINI (traveling too fast) so it is possible. Would I do it in a MINI again?... I'll take my Jeep.

 

Are you saying all roads leading into Shelter Cove are gravel ?

 

Actually the road in to Shelter Cove is fully paved. It is very windy and steep. I have smelled many a car's brakes on the decline. Go slow with low gearing and you won't burn out your pads or heat/warp the rotors.

 

Wow thanks for the advice , not a place you want a break down.Where is the nearest Mini dealer just incase.

 

SF.

We blew out a runflat up there, but found a Les Schwab to help us out. Plugged it. Blew it up.

Great scenery but LONELY!

 

The road to Shelter Cove is actually in beautiful shape (compared to many in the area) and is a stunning drive, but although that area is definitely lost is not the "Lost Coast Highway". The Lost Coast Highway is further north ending (beginning, depending on the direction traveled) at Ferndale. You should inquire when you are there if Kings Peak & Wilder Ridge Roads are open... that will take you straight to Mattole Road and the Lost Coast Highway (without having to drive further north on 101 to access it), and Chemise Mountain Road if open (or if you have a jeep) will take you south to SR-1. Just north of where Wilder Ridge Road meets Mattole Road, I believe there is a nice Bridge for a photo oportunity. The section of Mattole Road (off Avenue of the Giants) is beautiful and should not be missed, just take it very slow. Although technically not a gravel road, a good gravel road may be considered an improvement. You'll encounter small slides, wash board finishes, and forest debris... but definitely travelable).

The Lost Coast Highway itself is in disrepair because it serves so few people and has very poor sections. It should not be missed. There is a lot for a wife to do in the Bohemian Victorian village of Ferndale.

If you need a little privacy from your relatives, make a hotel reservation in Garberville... its on 101, relatively close by but definitely opens your options of places to travel. There are some great restaurants in Garberville (although the town is a little laid back and kind of Bohemian). You should see Scotia, Ferndale, and maybe even Eureka and Crescent City. There's a great micro brewery/restaurant off 101 near Ferndale and another in Eureka (Lost Coast Brewery & Pub). Theres not much in Shelter Cove itself to keep you interested for more than a day, but you can visit a relocated lighthouse and the small airport (to look at small parked planes).

You should definitely take SR-1 either to or back home from Shelter Cove. The section from Leggett to the coast is beautiful winding road, sure to get any children in the back seat sick.

The nearest MINI dealership is in San Francisco, but there are many independant BMW mechanics in the Santa Rosa area.

 

There are three or four other great routes from US-101 to SR-1 that should not be missed (you can't do them on the same trip though) cutting towards the coast as far south as the Marin Headlands, from Petaluma, just north of Santa Rosa, and one of the best roads (curvey yet paved) from Healdsburg. Email me or visit our run archives for specific routes.

 

Thank's everyone I am now much more prepared,It should be an adventure,I love the north coast if it wasnt so cold I'd move there."The coldest winter I've ever known was a summer in San Fransisco" Mark Twain .My 17 and 10 year old boys are going with me ,I'll bring a bucket for the twisties ,dont want to soil the new car.

 

Check out Pashnit's site. He's got some lodging recommendations.

www.pashnit.com

Great site for California twisty roads! The dragon pales to many here.

 

We had our Lighthouse Tour in April of this year. You are in for some beautiful roads and country. Here is a link to the photo album with some photos from Shelter Cove:

http://www.redwoodempiremini.com/mbb...2&sortdir=desc