For Portland to Astoria to San Francisco this summer, I plan to relax and take my time. What are the best locales on that route to pick as my rest days and why?

I took a day last year at Jedediah Smith State park near Crescent City CA. There was some great hiking amongst the redwoods and it was a nice break from the ocean for a while.

I seem to need a rest day after three or four days of riding. I expect to average around 50 mi. per day, usually making the first day a little shorter, say 35 mi. No matter how much conditioning you do before your ride, it probably won’t be enough. The first days are conditioning days. After my first rest day, I seem to be good to go for as long as necessary, although I will sometimes take a rest day after a particularly hard day, like I did on Nova Scotia when I rode across the ridge line and had to pedal down hill into a pretty stiff head wind for a total of 75 mi. You can plan your route and see where you anticipate ending up after three or four days. Portland to Astoria is probably two days, then down the coast one or two days.

It also depends on weather and riding conditions, like hills. Riding in a cold rain is very draining on me as a rider. When I rode from Seattle to San Francisco, my fourth day was a cold, rainy, hilly day from Longview to Astoria. I took a rest day in Astoria and felt fine after that.

Newport, OR is a nice place to take a day off. The bike shop there has a nice lounge area with laundry equipment you can use, nice lodging and camping near the beach, restaurants and good food available in Old Town and it's the right distance from the start of your ride.

Arcata, CA is also a nice little town to take a break in, or Guerneville, CA on the Russian River, just off the coast.

I never plan my rest days, I just take them when I need or want them.

I rode from Astoria to San Francisco last year in three weeks from the end of September to mid October. There really are no bad places to take a rest day. My only regret is not taking addtional time to ride the Lost Coast Loop. There are enough hill climbs thoughout the ACA route that I just took rest days when my body felt like it was needed. If you are camping, the Oregon State parks are excellent. If you are staying in hotels, then maybe you will want to stay an extra day in Seaside and Mendocino. The Avenue of the Giants is another great place to spend an extra day. There's no bad choice for that tour.

Been to the Maritime Museum in Astoria?

I second Jed Smith State Park. Warm showers, beautiful scenery and one of the most pristine rivers is the US, the Smith. Only problem is there are not really any places to resupply with food in/around the park. Its about 7-8 miles off of the Pacifc Route, complete flat ride, but probably 45 minutes out of your way.

There is a small convenience type store about a mile beyond the park entrance up 199 where some food is available. Yes the river is exceptional and the biker sites are really nice.

I ride sections of the Oregon route often since I live S of PDX. I particularly like Pacific City. Long wide beaches, surfing culture and just enough services. If you are looking for a place to stay the Anchorage Motel is in town and near the beach.

Brookings is a nice stop. The hiker/biker sites are nice, and it's a nice little town (with a Fred Meyer).

Venita just east of Florance Oregon, if you happen to be riding the same weekend as the Oregon Country Fair. Don't forget your tie dye tee shirt.
Also love the tunnels in Oregon where you have the press the button and peddle like mad.
Liam

Just an update: OCF is the weekend after the 4th of July,
But now you have to buy your admission pass
before you get there , there are No Gate sales..

no camping in the fair, but for the vendors minding their stuff, and service volunteers.

Yeah, the one in Hiouchi.

It really depends on what you like to do on days off. When I rode this route I found it was best to just get to a place and then decide whether or not to rest up. Sometimes it was the beaches, other times it was the local brew pub, once or twice it was because I was tired. Harris Beach State Park just north of Brookings was a great stop. Nice hiker/biker site, great ocean views and it even had a laundromat. And a decent size town with good stores just a little down the road.