Touring - Pacific Coast Touring

If one was to tour the Pacific Coast in November, Vancouver to San Francisco, would the state parks still be open?

Do you have duckwear?

Aberdeen, Washington gets almost 12 inches of rain in November.
http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?waaber

Newport, Oregon gets about 10.
http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ornewp

Eureka, California only gets about 6.
http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?caeure+nca

By comparison - Toronto only gets about 3 inches per month in the summer.
http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?Province=ALL&StationName=toronto&SearchType=BeginsWith&LocateBy=Province&Proximity=25&ProximityFrom=City&StationNumber=&IDType=MSC&CityName=&ParkName=&LatitudeDegrees=&LatitudeMinutes=&LongitudeDegrees=&LongitudeMinutes=&NormalsClass=A&SelNormals=&StnId=5051&

Why not start in San Francisco and head south - then over to the Mojave Desert and Grand Canyon?

Do you have duckwear?

Aberdeen, Washington gets almost 12 inches of rain in November.
http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?waaber

Newport, Oregon gets about 10.
http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ornewp

Eureka, California only gets about 6.
http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?caeure+nca

By comparison - Toronto only gets about 3 inches per month in the summer.
http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?Province=ALL&StationName=toronto&SearchType=BeginsWith&LocateBy=Province&Proximity=25&ProximityFrom=City&StationNumber=&IDType=MSC&CityName=&ParkName=&LatitudeDegrees=&LatitudeMinutes=&LongitudeDegrees=&LongitudeMinutes=&NormalsClass=A&SelNormals=&StnId=5051&

Why not start in San Francisco and head south - then over to the Mojave Desert and Grand Canyon?



+1
Here in Oregon, we've already had a very wet October.

I don't think they ever close along the coast, do they? You're going to get WET (probably.)

Many of the N. California State parks' camp grounds will be closed.

Thanks guys..with that in mind I've booked a flight for Cuba and will be leaving in November. Will tour from Holguin to Havana, 14 days. The weather should be great there.

Wish I could join you.
But, unfortunately, we Americans could get arrested for going to Cuba.
Have a great time! I'm a wee bit jealous.

Bummer, can you travel to Mexico or Canada, then fly Cuba? I think I've read some American's have done so in the past?

I've been to Varadero twice (resorts) and am looking forwards to experiencing the "real" Cuba.

If anyone would like to join on the tour, I leave Nov 25th, return Dec 11th.

Cheers.

I'd LOVE to go with you.

I did a little research after I posted.
Yeah, there are ways for Americans to travel to Cuba, but it still is illegal.
Technically, travel to Cuba isn't banned - just spending any money.
And the government considers any "gifts" to be spending money, too.
(For example - if you paid for everything and I paid you back in Canadian $$.)
If the feds discover you have been to Cuba, you can be fined $5000.

I was in Cuba twice. March 2005 and November 2005. Both were short trips of 2 weeks each since that's how I managed to get cheap last minute flights. The cycling component was only one week for each one of those trips. The first one from Varadero to Havana and some local cycling in the west near Vinales. The second trip later that same year was from Varadero to Trinidad via the Bay of Pigs. Then staying in Trinidad and renting a moped to head up into the mountains.

It's a great country for cycling due to the low volume of traffic and mostly good, courteous drivers. The people are usually very friendly and speaking a bit of Spanish will make the experience much better. My best moments in Cuba were all out in the country where no one spoke English and where they pretty much never see tourists.

The country is quite safe in terms of violent crime but there may be certain sections of Havana where one should be careful. Just like in any large city. Petty theft is an issue in Cuba and I had things stolen both times I went there. Keep an eye on your stuff.

I had a great time in the mountains near Trinidad on a moped. Got lost and had to communicate with astounded villagers who most likely had never seen a silly turista by herself on a 49cc moped in the middle of nowhere on a road that ceased to be passable decades ago.

As for Americans in Cuba. I ran into a few. Getting into Cuba is not a problem. The Cubans are more than happy to let Americans into their country. The problem is the US adminstration. As far as I know the US is the only western democracy that does not permit its' citizens to travel freely wherever they like. Quite ironic.

The Cubans will not stamp your passport. I had to specifically ask them to stamp mine (Canadian). Just make sure you do not purchase your tickets with a credit card that can be traced back to you. Get a Canadian or Mexican friend to make the purchase and get your Canadian Dollar traveller's cheques from a bank in Canada ...bought with cash. Don't bring US cash since there's an 18% surcharge for changing it in Cuba.