Historic Bayfront is a must-visit for shopping, strolling through the streets, sea lion watching and of course, amazing seafood! Mount Rainier is most definitely a landmark in Washingtons landscape. The most beautiful city to visit on the road trip from San Francisco to Seattle is Fort Bragg. It's not hard to believe either. Housed in a former US Navy blimp hangar, built in 1942. The ability to track prices (and get email notifications when the price drops) is top notch and one of my favorite features. Be sure to check out Merriam Point, Watchman Overlook, and Pinnacles Overlook all absolutely stunning! While the town is wickedly small (youll see what I mean), the surrounding area completely makes up for it. Looking at Seattle to San Fran road trip about 14 days available to do it. Pay a visit to Point Arena Lighthouse dating back to 1908 and enjoy the view of the rugged coastline. Once you are done walking, head back to the city for a dinner and finish the day in Portland at one of the numerous restaurants. 6. Day 1 - Seattle to Hood River via Maryhill Day 2 - Hood River area Day 3 - Hood River to Bandon via Columbia Gorge, I-5, Oregon Hwy 38 and US 101 Day 4 - Bandon to Eureka area via US 101. And lucky for you (any myself), I already did this same exact road trip , If you choose to venture on over to Napa for a few days, your best bet is to drive West to Bodega Bay from Napa, and continue your drive up north via Highway 1 (also commonly referred to as the, , dont miss Patricks Saltwater Taffy, Wild Flour Bread, a quick stop in the spooky town of Jenner, Salt Point State Park, and the Point Arena Lighthouse (my favorite! : Dont miss the Spouting Horn, an exploding salt water geyser, and Thors Well, a gaping pit with violent waves crashing in every direction that ultimately fall into a hole, just as weird and wonderful as it sounds. Together, they make up a World Heritage Site, so definitely not to be missed, considering they are the tallest trees on Earth! And then some. Burney Falls State Park. A trip from San Francisco to Seattle involves driving for around 800 miles along the Pacific Northwest and watching the most attractive views while on the way. We will want to leave San Fran about 3:30 on Wed . Probably all the same: both here and there. Ill receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which Ill totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. If its your first time in Seattle, youll probably want to stay in one of the more touristy areas near all the attractions: Waterfront (check out the Seattle Marriott Waterfront and The Edgewater Hotel) or Belltown/Pike Place Market (consider Kimpton Palladian Hotel and Hotel Andra, or for those on a tight budget the Green Tortoise Hostel, practically on the markets edge). . They can also visit The Tillamook Creamery for free. However, another road trip that allows visitors to the western side of the US to explore the Pacific Northwest is equally attractive to the Los Angeles-San Francisco drive. : The perfect stop for a late lunch, depending on how much exploring/sand-duning you did earlier. The ability to track prices (and get email notifications when the price drops) is top notch and one of my favorite features. Plus, all my snack suggestions. some of the most notorious criminals spent their time here. :p, Stop by Baker Beach, Crissy Field, and/or the Marin Headlands for my favorite views of the Golden Gate (, There are SO many hotel choices when it comes to the city, at all different price points as well. : Who could resist some fine, fine creamy cheese samples? That journey consists of the Drive from San Francisco to Washington's largest city, Seattle. Check out Howland Hill Road, Bald Hills Road, Coastal Drive Loop, and/or Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Stop by Baker Beach, Crissy Field, and/or the Marin Headlands for my favorite views of the Golden Gate (more Golden Gate Bridge photo spots here). Most wineries dont mind if you have a look around and relax for a bit, even if youre not ordering a flight or doing a tasting. The south trail will take you to a variety of sea life, whereas the north offers offshore colonies of seals and sea lions (closed March-June to protect the baby seal pups!) Bring your binoculars! No wonder there are so many great options to choose from scenic beaches, hikes among giant redwoods, fishing, surfing, horseback riding, whale watching. Search for the best car rental prices here, my favorite things to do in San Francisco, Pacific Coast Highway all my favorite stops here! I never thought I would say that the driving part of a trip could compete with . We decided to stay at The Best Western Anderson Inn and at less than $100 a night (inclusive of free breakfast! It is recommended to wear boots, but you will be fine with sneakers too. Mmmm Im salivating just thinking about the Top Pot donuts. Get one last look at Crater Lake, then hit the road; its time to make our way to the Oregon coast! Both book up super quick, so if youd like to stay directly within the park, its a good idea to make your arrangements as soon as possible. This NRA is actually one of the largest expanses of temperate coastal sand dunes in the world, so yea, I wasnt kidding when I said Oregons coastline is on par with. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This place is particularly known for its Glass beach which is sadly almost gone due to numerous visitors taking pieces of this beach back home with them. Rather stay in the car (why though?) :p, whenever searching for tickets, and more often times than not, find the cheapest prices on one of them. Sea lions can be spotted at the docks, too. Get close to harbor seals, sea lions, seabirds, sharks, turtles in this amazing, 25-year-old aquarium. Not a wino? If you decide Napas your town of choice, I prefer the, The Most Beautiful Wineries in Napa Valley, Time to start making your way to the coast, because were heading north on the PCH towards Mendocino and Fort Bragg! On your San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip, you'll pass plenty of beauty spots. Note that visitors are not allowed on Shell Island due to the large abundance of wildlife. Sure, the bed and breakfasts look cozy, but they come with a hefty price tag. And once you get back, you can definitely say you earned your donut/s. Check out Surfsand Resort you can see Haystack Rock from your balcony! Hit the road and head south to Portland for the next fun day. No other landmark in San Francisco is as famous as the Golden Gate Bridge, it's the city's icon! In the morning, head to Stout Grove loop trail that shows you some of the best tall redwood trees the Jedidiah Smith State Park has to offer. Next on the road is the Muir Woods National Monument that boasts 600-years old 75-meters long redwood trees and diverse wildlife. Located a little north of San Francisco, Sonoma is composed of small and picturesque towns such as Healdsburg, Guerneville (the best option to a night of party) and Forestville. Not I, thats for sure! Check this guide for more hiking ideas in Mt. We recommend spending the time at the Redwoods National Park the most famous local attraction and home of the worlds tallest trees. *** Want to extend your trip even further?! With quiet seaside coves, bustling beach towns, and secluded hideaways, you wont want to miss the beauty that is Oregon. Reach out to Gabi on kyrillosgabi3@hotmail.com, Road Trip Patagonia: Driving Scenic Ruta 40 From Esquel To Bariloche, Napa Valley in California is the most famous stop on the San Francisco, Need A Day Trip from Las Vegas? And plus, those vineyards and wineries come with beautiful grounds, lush rolling hills, and boast fantastic views of the area . Visitor? Any suggestions on the must sees (or what to save for another trip) so we can fit it in? ), ziplining through the redwoods, farmers market visits, wildflower hiking, and mud baths to tickle your fancy (yes, I just said mud baths). Plan would be to fly into Seattle and out from SF. Read Next: Things to Do in Napa Besides Drink Wine, The Most Beautiful Wineries in Napa Valley, A Girls Getaway to Wine Country, Hot Air Ballooning Above Napa Valley, TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 2 hours, 45 min without drive the PCH. A few not to miss: Burney Falls (an absolute wonder you NEED to go here), the trio of waterfalls McCloud Falls (which you can easily drive between), and Mossbrae Falls if youve got some extra time. So incredibly good. Spend the next day hoping from waterfall to waterfall, as there are lots to pick from today! Wear or pack your bathing suit, but beware, the falls are chilly year-round, even in the 100 degree F scorching heat! Spend the night in Pacific city or drive further south to Lincoln City (23 miles) for more affordable options, such as Americas Best Inn Lincoln City 3* or Westshore Oceanfront 3*. Bandon, Oregon 4. And once you get back, you can definitely say you earned your donut/s. Favorites include Rattlesnake Ledge, Thunder Knob Trail Hike at. Todays adventure is a bit out of the way, but 100% worth it since you probably wont be back anytime soon (but fingers crossed you will!) FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. If you dont feel like walking so much, you can easily hike just the part of the trail, for example up until Panorama Point. And thankfully, Portland is less than two hours from the coast! Once you get to the Coos Bay area, plan on spending the rest of the day on the Cape Arago Beach Loop. Read Next: The Two-Day Portland Itinerary Youll Want to Copy. Not too many people know that! The historic 75-mile drive on Columbia River Highway connects Troutdale in Oregon with the Dalles. Read Next: Two Perfect Days in Crater Lake, Oregon. And plus, those vineyards and wineries come with beautiful grounds, lush rolling hills, and boast fantastic views of the area my favorites for non-drinkers here! Getting from San Francisco to Seattle The distance on the drive from San Francisco to Seattle is about 808 miles (1300 kilometres) and the drive time is around 12 hours and 45 minutes non-stop if travelling on the I-5 Highway route from San Francisco. Try to leave early, as there will be a 4-hour journey to Crescent City our final stop for the day. You'll get stunning views of the bridge at Conzelman road. Tip go to Mos Seafood and Chowder for the best crab in town! From sculpture parks and waterfront activities, to bacon brie Belgian waffles and homemade mac and cheese, Seattle has a lot to offer. Visit the Cape Perpetua for scenic views of the ocean. Another good stop for hiking is in the city of Bend in Oregon. When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. People on a high budget go to world-class Michelin-starred restaurants, such as The French Laundry or Auberge Du Soleil, to eat in Napa Valley. Pacific Coast Highway road trip summer washington Post Summary: The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary + All The Stops Along The Way The Pacific Coast Highway is easily considered to be one of the most iconic road trip routes in the world! National Park Inn is open year round, while Paradise Inn only operates between mid-May through early-October. Get some ideas from ourUSA West Coast Road Trip. ; the cool vibes wont disappoint (bonus: youll find Stumptown Coffee right next door). Another stop worth embracing is the picturesque wine region of Sonoma. Napa / Sonoma 2. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); There is a circular road going around the lake, so you can drive to various Overlook points and take memorable photos. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry science and technology museum features large-screen theatre, planetarium, and exhibition halls with a variety of hands-on permanent exhibits. Other moderately priced options include: Pretend to be a hipster for a few days and book yourself a room at the. Just my recommendation but Id hate to miss that amazing area! For starters, dont miss the obvious super twisty Lombard Street, Alamo Squares Painted Ladies (those iconic Full House houses), Twin Peaks for an awesome birds eye view of the city, Ghirardelli Square for some ice cream sundaes, and eerie yet surprisingly alluring Alcatraz. A few suggested options include Best Western Holiday Hotel Coos Bay, Red Lion Hotel Coos Bay, and Old Tower House Bed and Breakfast. *EXTRA ADD-ON: STOP #10 >> can go directly to Mt. Rainier. If AirBnBs not your thing, check out the super cute and modestly priced. I like to search. A few other Seattle suggestions for your few days in the city: take a harbor tour along the Puget Sound for unbeatable city and water views, check out the madness of the Museum of Pop Culture (formerly the EMP Museum), take photos at Olympic Sculpture Park, eat everything at Pike Place Market, visit the gum wall and the first Starbucks, and stuff your face with all the noms throughout the city. Where to Stay: Its a good idea to make your way back to Portland to slice off a few hours of drive time to Mt. Psst check out the recommended Portland hotels above, and book an extra night if youre totally feeling this day trip. Good call! Beware that the line to get on one of those can reach up to 2 hours! Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US and was formed by a supervolcanic eruption 7,700 years ago. If you decide Napas your town of choice, I prefer the Andaz Napa (hip boutique-ish), Harvest Inn (rustic upscale), Napa Valley Inn (Mediterranean-style), or RiverPointe Napa Valley (colorful cottages). Iconic. Once you are finished with the hike, relax and have lunch at Paradise Inn lunch room. Make a short detour to meet friendly owners and taste their wines while being educated about each wine and how to drink them. However, please note that if you are interested in seeing seals, there is a good opportunity to spot them at low tide at the Yaquina bay tide pools. The hike is roughly three miles and takes about an hour to get down to the boardwalk. Welcome to Seattle, dubbed the Emerald City and surrounded by mountains, forests, and water oh and the coffee and donuts in this part of the world are plentiful and then some. After lunch (hopefully of freshly caught crustaceans), your route south connects the jutting headlands of the Three Capes Scenic Loop and winds through green pastures, small beach towns, sand dunes and . Shasta (2 days) Stop 5: Redwood National Park (1-2 days) Stop 6: Crater Lake (2 days) Stop 7: Coos Bay / Southern Oregon Coast (1 day) Promise me you wont miss a day or two in. WorldNomads offers travel insurance for attractive rates. Spend the night in one of Eurekas cozy guesthouses, such as Rodeway Inn Humboldt Bay, Clarion Hotel By Humboldt Bay 3* or Red Lion Hotel Eureka 3*. To say its simply stunning is a huge understatement. Are you interested in doing another road trip from San Francisco? I strongly encourage you to go up during both daytime and at night as you get totally different aspects of the city this way. But whats another two hours, amiright? Rainier national park. Never bother any animals you see on the beach (or anywhere for that matter), and this includes feeding, touching, etc, and please, keep your distance. Before hopping onto the automobile, visitors must rent a car from legitimate and affordable sources, such as RentalCars.com, which offers rentals of various car brands. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Day 3 Tillamook, OR and Three Capes Scenic Drive, Day 6 Crescent City and Redwoods National Park, OR, Day 7 Avenue of the Giants and Mendocino, CA. Chose Sonoma? The proposed itinerary for 7-day Seattle to San Francisco road trip Day 1 Mount Rainier National Park, WA Day 2 Portland, OR Day 3 Tillamook, OR and Three Capes Scenic Drive Day 4 Newport and Yachats, OR Day 5 Toketee Falls and Crater Lake, OR Day 6 Crescent City and Redwoods National Park, OR Day 7 Avenue of the Giants and Mendocino, CA all the way to the Mendo/Fort Bragg area. Next: Every Wine Aficionado Needs To Visit These Napa Valley Vineyards, Gabi is a travel writer passionate about nature, geographical wonders, various cuisines, writing, and living life to the fullest. This park is a perfect getaway from the busy city streets. Once you arrive, get ready for some small-town nature fun. Youll also find scuba diving here as well! Rainier (STOP #11) if you prefer, TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 2 hours, 30 min // ~ 5 hours, 45 min roundtrip. Hi, Im Jess. If AirBnBs not your thing, check out the super cute and modestly priced Hill House Inn, Joshua Grindle Inn, and Agate Cove Inn. ), Be sure to check out my Ultimate Road Trip Packing Guide; everything you can possibly think of for any long road trip! June 27, 2015. . There are numerous look out points around the Cape Arago Beach Loop for viewing purposes. Seattle to San Francisco drive time is approximately 13 hours, driving distance from Seattle to San Francisco is around 800 miles via direct highway. Redwood National Park - Trinidad 3. We have already seen many redwoods along the way, so this time it is totally up to you whether youd like to make many stops or simply drive through. Read Next: First Time Visitors Guide to San Francisco, Where to Find the Best Views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Best Desserts in San Francisco, Ultimate San Francisco Food Bucket List, Three Perfect Days in San Francisco (the ultimate itinerary). Enjoy the ride all the way until you reach our next stop Eureka, CA. Fingers crossed the weather cooperates for your visit, because once you see the mountain, wow, just wow. During your few days in Portland, dont miss the International Rose Test Garden (best during the summer months), Portland Japanese Gardens (uber authentic and super zen), Pittock Mansion (for those birds eye views of the city down below), Portland Saturday Market (open-air arts and crafts market, open on weekends only), the Aerial Tram (for even more views), and Powells Books. However, if finding accomodation inside the park is important to you, book super early, as there are only two inns located within. Highway 101 from Seattle to San Francisco. (If youve rented a car, you can return it now avoid paying for an extra few days you wont need your own wheels within the city itself). On the drive to Mendo, dont miss Patricks Saltwater Taffy, Wild Flour Bread, a quick stop in the spooky town of Jenner, Salt Point State Park, and the Point Arena Lighthouse (my favorite!). Crater lake is the deepest lake in the United States 594m at its deepest point. Psst check out the recommended Portland hotels above, and book an extra night if youre totally feeling this day trip. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); SF Chinatown is one of the best areas for walking around. Cape Kiwanda is our next stop, with its beautiful dunes and rocks. So in theory you could do it in two days, but to make it into a road trip, we'd recommend at least five days, and ideally two weeks or more. 2 Week Road Trip Itinerary Overview Over the course of 2 weeks, we drove approximately 1650 miles (2330km) at a moderate pace. Sure, Californias Highway One surely steals the show when it comes to coastal road trips, but Oregons coast is one for the bucket list as well! Where to Stay: AirBnB is your best friend around here. Visiting Mount Rainier National Park is optional but very much advisable, especially in summer. Read Next: Multnomah Falls and the Colombia River Gorge. Because Crater Lake is fed entirely by rain and snow (and not from rivers), its marvelously pure, meaning the water is as blue and clear as its gonna get. Head out to the Olympic Peninsula by taking the Bainbridge Island Ferry. My favorites are Mendocino, Crater Lake, Lassen, and Cannon Beach! But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I went a few years ago and would love to go back! Skyline Trail is one of the best day hikes from Paradise. Seattleites, your secrets out! But nothing beats seeing it up close and personal. The 129-foot-tall, 250-foot-wide Burney Falls is both gorgeous and very easy to reach. As always, thanks for the support. Fun fact: Oregon residents, who wish to support Crater Lake national park, can order Crater lake license plates for their vehicles at some extra fee! Taking the quicker route can get you there in about 12 hours without stops or major traffic, and while the more scenic route is harder to predict, a good estimate would be over 20 hours. Its a good idea to make your way back to Portland to slice off a few hours of drive time to Mt. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Drive to Port Angeles, with a stop at Nourish Sequim along the way for a delicious (and gluten free) lunch. The trip from San Francisco to Seattle can span 810 to 980 miles depending on your route of choice. You can either make a well-deserved detour to wine country (and lets face it, get your wine on), or. If youve never visited the City by the Bay before (SF), you should really stay and wander for a few days. As much as we loved San Fran, getting there was just as gorgeous (if not even more so). We recommend spending one full day here, so book 2 nights. The time in the car doesnt have to be absolutely horrible. Head out on an early morning balloon flight above the valley, worth the ridiculous AF wake-up call. Portland Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums on the west coast with a large collection of Native American and Asian art. I suggest opting for the short route as in my opinion, you wont be missing out on too much by skipping the southern coast below (as Coos Bay is one of most scenic areas on the Oregon Coast)- but obviously, your choice! Fort Bragg is only a few miles north, and a great way to spend a few hours. No visit to Northern California is complete without sipping some of the good stuff (wine, duh) in either Napa Valley or Sonoma (both excellent and similar choices). Plan accordingly and bring snacks! Since youll probably be pressed on time during this San Francisco to Seattle road trip, itll be difficult to plan your day in Mt. We decided to stay at. And right near the Space Needle is the Chihuly Garden and Glass, another not-to-miss spot in Seattle. Make sure to join free tours offered several times daily. Keep driving south until you reach Fort Bragg. Craving some ice cream? Make sure to search for one-way flights when booking tickets. The jewel of the Pacific Northwest, the city of Portland is a popular stop for nature and hiking lovers and foodies. Otherwise, Evergreen Inn & Suites Portland offer good rates, although you might have to drive in order to see the main attractions. The Ultimate San Francisco To Seattle Road Trip: 55+ Stops You Need To Make In Between July 26, 2022 Looking for a West Coast road trip that features unbelievable waterfalls, coastal villages, wineries, redwoods, or volcanic geological sights? National Park Inn is open year round, while Paradise Inn only operates between mid-May through early-October. Have a picnic at one of the tables underneath the soaring redwoods, but please remember to do your part and properly store and dispose of all food and garbageeven crumbs. Favorites include Rattlesnake Ledge, Thunder Knob Trail Hike at Diablo Lake (GORGEOUS but requires even more driving time), and Snoqualmie Falls, all ranging from easy to moderate with absolutely fantastic views. I teach 9-5 professionals how to maximize their limited time off with carefully planned out itineraries, long weekend inspiration, and general travel planning tips. First things first, if youre not a resident of San Francisco, youll of course need to get yourself there. Diablo Lake (GORGEOUS but requires even more driving time), and Snoqualmie Falls, all ranging from easy to moderate with absolutely fantastic views. , but dont blame me if you cant get into your pants the next day. Read Next: A Waterfall Weekend in Lassen National Park. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Portland 6. Looking to check something off your bucket list? Make sure to search for one-way flights when booking tickets. Where to Stay: I highly encourage you to make it to the famed Cannon Beach on this day (if you arent splitting the drive up), which you can check out tomorrow morning (dont worry about making it here before dark). Your email address will not be published. On your way to San Francisco, you'll pass through iconic cities such as Portland, Eugene, Redding, and Santa Rosa. Check out. If I were you, Id stay away from the hotels near Fishermans Wharf as this place is tourist central and therefore uber crowded ALL THE TIME (although Hotel Zephyr looks pretty rad). Thank). Catch a ferry from Pier 33 to what once was the most secure prison on the west coast! Settle in for the night, as we have a full day to explore this beautiful city tomorrow! Tip: Good hotels for the relatively acceptable price can be found near the International Airport, for example, Hotel 1550 SFO Airport West and Bayhill Inn. The Ace is close to all the sites with plenty of public transport options nearby as well if needed. Yes, parts of this area reek, but youll quickly see why after taking note to the bubbling mud pots and steaming sulphuric vents.

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