Thank). The distance between Seattle to San Francisco is 808 miles. However, if one wants to enjoy most of the attractions along the San Franciso-Seattle road, they must spend at least an extra 5 to 7 days. Guided tours take you through the entire boat and tell you about its past. Uber and Lyft are more than sufficient. The best part about the Redwoods National Park is the possibility to drive through the park rather than taking long walks. And lucky for you (any myself), I already did this same exact road trip from San Francisco to Mendocino. Take advantage of Skyscanner, you guys! Moreover, visiting the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum would be a good idea when in Willamette Valley. ), ziplining through the redwoods, farmers market visits, wildflower hiking, and mud baths to tickle your fancy (yes, I just said mud baths). You need to choose! 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. Diablo Lake (GORGEOUS but requires even more driving time), and Snoqualmie Falls, all ranging from easy to moderate with absolutely fantastic views. We will want to leave San Fran about 3:30 on Wed . This website uses cookies to improve your experience. And as a plus, the beach isnt too sore on the eyes! wait in line for Cowlicks Ice Cream. First of all, youll probably want to spend the morning and early afternoon in Cannon Beach since you most likely arrived at night the previous day. We decided to stay at. The trail is well maintained and quite easy. He loves traveling, reading, partying, and making friends. 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. The city is known for being eco-friendly with numerous parks, bike paths, and outdoor areas. Yachats is at one of the most beautiful parts of Oregon Coast. (in the super cute Nob Hill) if quirky boutique hotels are more your thing. Gabi also works as a consultant and writer for several travel agencies and business organizations. Yes, cheese! Other moderately priced options include: Pretend to be a hipster for a few days and book yourself a room at the. To say its simply stunning is a huge understatement. ), Bumpass Hell Trail Hike (its not really thaaaaat bad), Lake Helen, and Manzanita Lake. 7:38 pm Mount Rainier. The museum used to be one of the top US private World War II aircraft collections. 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. 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. Plan would be to fly into Seattle and out from SF. If you are up for a short hike, head to YaXaik Trail (1.15 mile long). Mendocino is designated as a Historic Preservation District with lots of historic mansions and other attractions as well as homely diners and cute inns. If AirBnBs not your thing, check out the super cute and modestly priced Hill House Inn, Joshua Grindle Inn, and Agate Cove Inn. That journey consists of the Drive from San Francisco to Washington's largest city, Seattle. ), plus the cost of hotels on the way back). Where to Stay: You wont find any fancy resorts over here this stretch of coastline is mostly made up of motels and small, low-cost hotels. If AirBnBs not your thing, check out the super cute and modestly priced. Next, people usually stop in Tillamook to have ice cream and for cheese tasting. My favorites are Mendocino, Crater Lake, Lassen, and Cannon Beach! Time to start making your way to the coast, because were heading north on the PCH towards Mendocino and Fort Bragg! If you had to choose between Napa and Sonoma, which one would you? Youll know when youre getting close youll smell the sulphur! For all wine lovers, there is a fantastic stop along the way Briceland Vineyards Winery. , including olive-oil tasting (carb-loaded drizzled tastings, anyone? Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Get ready for big mountain views today, as Mt. I bet youll find a great deal! Youll probably be skipping this area and heading north as day trips to Napa are on everyones spring weekend itinerary. all the way to the Mendo/Fort Bragg area. Consider heading to Olympic National Park, Vancouver, and/or Vancouver Island up North, or Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, and the southern California coastlinedown south. Look no further-a multi-day drive from San Francisco to Seattle is calling your name! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If youd like to take a boat tour around the lake (only offered in summer), I HIGHLY recommend you make a reservation in advance (tickets are known to sell out months in advance). Additionally, a lot of visitors head to Domaine Chandon to taste US's best sparkling wines. FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. Not too many people know that! stay at Ace Hotel. Seattle We could come up with many combinations. Be sure to dress appropriately, as there WILL be snow on the mountain no matter what time of year you visit. Theres a whole long list of. 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. Crater lake is the deepest lake in the United States 594m at its deepest point. Rainier. In order to drive from San Francisco to Seattle in a reasonable amount of time (1-2+ weeks depending on the length of your trip), youll be driving almost every day, with some being longer driving days than others. Be sure to check out Merriam Point, Watchman Overlook, and Pinnacles Overlook all absolutely stunning! The drive's signature stops include the cities of Portland and Sacramento, Mt. Just did a 14 day roadtrip from Seattle to San Francisco last summer and Id recommend going that way instead (so that you work your way from rainy and cold to sunny and warm) but this itinerary left off my favorite part of the trip, which was going around the Olympic peninsula which took us through Sequim to see some lavender fields, to Hurricane Ridge, and staying a night at Cresent Lake then to the coast where we stopped at Rialto Beach and Ruby Beach. Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. Obviously sunny and clear is sought after, as the mountain may be hidden beneath lots of fog and cloud cover if not! Glad you loved it as well! 7-10 days will give you more time to explore along the way, both the beautiful landscapes at places like Crater Lake and Mount Rainier, and amazing cities like Bend, Portland, and Healdsburg. Enjoy the ride all the way until you reach our next stop Eureka, CA. An artistic stop full of galleries in the coastal town of Mendocino that boasts a gallery in a water tower. Long road trips can get boring, so consider printing out these 100 fun Questions for a Road trip. 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. Consider heading to Olympic National Park, ; everything you can possibly think of for any long road trip! This is a great beach to watch the sunset! ), and The Courtyard (great location). Youll find plenty of options in Redding, I can promise you that. Mount Rainier is most definitely a landmark in Washingtons landscape. Looking for a top hotel recommendation? The ability to track prices (and get email notifications when the price drops) is top notch and one of my favorite features. Youre in luck, because next up on this San Francisco to Seattle road trip itinerary is. Both areas have roughly the same number of wineries, but Sonomas are spread over twice the land, ultimately making it feel way less crowded. Make sure to search for one-way flights when booking tickets. 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. No words truly capture that feeling you get staring up at it. Sure, the bed and breakfasts look cozy, but they come with a hefty price tag. Day 6: Drive from Brookings to Yachats - this will give you time to explore some of the Oregon Coast such as Samuel boardman scenic byway, (101), Gold Beach, Bandon, and Florence (giant sand dunes). Rather stay in the car (why though?) I swear by Skyscanner and Google Flights whenever searching for tickets, and more often times than not, find the cheapest prices on one of them. ), ziplining through the redwoods, farmers market visits, wildflower hiking, and mud baths to tickle your fancy (yes, I just said mud baths). Another better option is to rent a Campervan or an RV from Outdoorsy to make one's life easier regarding accommodation. With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 12 hours and 47 mins to drive. With quiet seaside coves, bustling beach towns, and secluded hideaways, you wont want to miss the beauty that is Oregon. ), Once you arrive, get ready for some small-town nature fun. If you are not up for the challenge, consider stopping at Cape Lookout Viewpoint for some great photos of the ocean. Related: Road Trip Patagonia: Driving Scenic Ruta 40 From Esquel To Bariloche. Get close to harbor seals, sea lions, seabirds, sharks, turtles in this amazing, 25-year-old aquarium. Other spots we looked at included. From waterfall hiking, epic sunsets, a killer botanical garden, and another light station (Im a killer for these if you couldnt already tell), dont underestimate, Fort Bragg is only a few miles north, and a great way to spend a few hours. Where to Stay: You wont be able to stay directly within the parks as there is no accomodation options, but dont fret lodging is available in nearby communities. . (preferably two if you want to do all the things). Resident of SF? Now I am carefully planning my trip to the States, the country is huge and so colorful that it is impossible to determine the priorities! Seattle is split between tons of different neighborhoods, each with their own distinct flare and character. I never thought I would say that the driving part of a trip could compete with . While the town is wickedly small (youll see what I mean), the surrounding area completely makes up for it. Required fields are marked *. 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. Where to Stay: There are SO many hotel choices when it comes to the city, at all different price points as well. Yup, thats over here in Fort Bragg, although if youre expecting a beach made of primarily smooth glass, youll be wildly disappointed. and at less than $100 a night (inclusive of free breakfast! San Francisco is not a cheap city, so picking a nice and budget-friendly place to stay me be difficult. For more sea glass you may want to visit the Sea Glass Museum. A gem of the Pacific Northwest is the Willamette Valley, known for its 1300 wineries and vineyards. The Golden Gate Bridge has a walkway, so you're free to stroll or ride a bike here. The state park also has a campground with over a hundred sites for tents and RVs without hookups. day 2 driving 6.5 hours. They can also visit The Tillamook Creamery for free. I guesssss you could do both, but thatll add another hour or two to your driving time. Other spots we looked at included TownePlace Suites Redding, Fairfield Inn and Suites, and Hilton Garden Inn, but we booked too late and most were sold out. Heck, their slogan is Keep Portland Weird, and it definitely lives up to its reputation. 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! 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. Read Next: San Francisco to Mendocino Weekend Road Trip, The Mini Guide to Mendocino and Fort Bragg, TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 5 hours (extra hour or so to Mount Shasta). Pay a visit to Point Arena Lighthouse dating back to 1908 and enjoy the view of the rugged coastline. We recommend spending one full day here, so book 2 nights. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); When it comes to visiting museums, everyones taste is different. Again, please do your part and keep wildlife wild. Not a wino? Plan accordingly and bring snacks! 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. are located a few miles south. Road Trips - San Francisco to Seattle road trip 9-10 days - We are flying into San Francisco and renting a car to drive up to Seattle and back. Where to Stay: Pretend to be a hipster for a few days and book yourself a room at the Ace Hotel; the cool vibes wont disappoint (bonus: youll find Stumptown Coffee right next door). The complete drive around the lake is 33 miles, which is completely paved and easily drivable in the summer months, with tons of scenic overlooks to view and ooh and awe at! Be sure to check out my 3-day San Francisco itinerary. The Ace is close to all the sites with plenty of public transport options nearby as well if needed. Paradise is located just 2h 30 min from Seattle and is a great base for a day hike in the mountains. Grandiose. Related: Need A Day Trip from Las Vegas? Your email address will not be published. SureStay Hotel by Best Western Portland City Center is a good deal in terms of price and location (only 2 km from the city center). A few recommended stops between Coos Bay and Cannon Beach, where well be ending the drive today. Visiting Mount Rainier National Park is optional but very much advisable, especially in summer. Trust me, snow does not melt 14,410 feet above sea level. 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. Next on the road is the Muir Woods National Monument that boasts 600-years old 75-meters long redwood trees and diverse wildlife. The Alcatraz Island served as a military fortification and a lighthouse before it was turned into a prison. Our original plan was to a San Francisco to Portland drive, but we found a cheaper one-way fare coming back from Seattle. 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. Crescent City is all about outdoors and nature activities. No wonder there are so many great options to choose from scenic beaches, hikes among giant redwoods, fishing, surfing, horseback riding, whale watching. Head out on an early morning balloon flight above the valley, worth the ridiculous AF wake-up call. A road trip through the Pacific Northwest and Northern California is equally epic, but with less traffic. 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. Take your time and enjoy the waves crashing into the rocks. San Francisco - 2 Days End your West Coast trip in San Francisco. Stop 1: San Francisco (0-5 Nights) More Things to Do in San Francisco. Visit the creamery to find out why their products are so delicious, peek inside the making and packing of the cheese and finally taste the samples. Plus, all my snack suggestions. Dont plan on visiting them all, as you definitely wont have time on this San Francisco to Seattle road trip, and to be honest, feature similar things (yes, those redwoods). Mmmm Im salivating just thinking about the Top Pot donuts. If you are looking for centrally located hotels, we recommend looking into The Society Hotel 3* or Washington Plaza Portland. Theyre both absolutely stunning and feature lush, rolling hills full of vineyards, so the scenery wont really help make up your mind. Doesnt get much better than that! Whatever you do, dont miss these highlights in Crater Lake: admire the sheer force of Vidae Falls, head off the coast to Wizard Island, and then cruise along Rim Drive. Since youll probably be pressed on time during this San Francisco to Seattle road trip, itll be difficult to plan your day in Mt. For more information about local wildlife, visit Wilderness Information Center as well as Henry M Jackson Visitor Center. 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, If you want something a bit different, consider a. which will provide you aerial views of all of Seattles most iconic sites (think the Space Needle and such). *** Want to extend your trip even further?! In terms of what we want: - a couple of days either end to explore both cities. Check out Surfsand Resort you can see Haystack Rock from your balcony! The first stop on the San Francisco to Seattle drive is the Town of Sausalito, known for its breathtaking nature and relaxing atmosphere. What makes the two designated wine spots a tad different from each other? Since SFO is a major international airport, and a hub for many airlines, you can easily find cheap airfare within the states. Visiting the Falls requires a 1.3 km hike, including some stairs to climb. Thats for sure. 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 Pacific Coast Highway all my favorite stops here!). On your San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip, you'll pass plenty of beauty spots. If you want to ensure youll be able to drive around the perimeter of the lake (Rim Drive), schedule your trip for late July, August, or September. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Wind-sculpted sand dunes for days (literally, miles and miles and miles). Doesnt get much better than that! Please let us know what your main interests are. Looking for more sweets and treats? Be sure to stop at 1) Bastendorff Beach (never-crowded and always beautiful), 2) Sunset Bay State Park (protected by towering sea cliffs with beautiful sandy beaches and amazing tide pools), 3) Cape Arago Lighthouse Viewpoint (cant go in but you can get fantastic views from here), 4) Shore Acres State Park and Botanical Gardens (for those who cant get enough blooms in their life), 5) Simpson Beach (tons of migrating whales and hundreds of seals and sea lions among other wildlife), 6) Shell Island (breeding and rest areas for seabirds and Marine mammals), and finally 7) Cape Arago State Park. However, most of the aircraft were moved to other museums over the years, leaving a modest collection of 25 airplanes. If youre lucky enough to find yourself a super clear city day, the views of the bridge cant be beat- although many claim shes just as beautiful in the fog (hey there, #karlthefog yes, we named the form of precipitation!). Shasta Lake. I recommend spending a few days here, as the city is weird, wacky, and downright wonderful. 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). Rainier). Might be easiest to save this map and bookmark this page to have handy for future reference. It can be done in 3-5 hours, depending on your skills and physical shape. Hoping to get down to those dazzling blue waters yourself? Wear or pack your bathing suit, but beware, the falls are chilly year-round, even in the 100 degree F scorching heat! And then some. Other stops in Oregon include Columbia River Gorge and Cannon Beach. Better yet, go at sunset if you want to see something spectacular. When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. Youre in luck, because next up on this San Francisco to Seattle road trip itinerary is Crater Lake National Park, one of the deepest lakes in the USA and quite possibly the most pristine on Earth! With its varied menu and lots to choose from for any taste, Mothers Bistro & Bar is a perfect place for a tasty lunch or dinner while in Portland. With an early-morning flight booked well in advance, it's possible. Required fields are marked *. and leave at 8:38 pm. is your best friend around here. French press coffee and Belgian waffles will melt in your mouth! Other trendy recommendations include: The Society Hotel (budget funky), McMenamins Kennedy School (yes, an old elementary school! Flying kites on the beach in Lincoln City in Oregon is fun during the road trip. 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. Dedicate Day 1 to a full exploration of the national park, and dont miss Sulphur Works, Emerald Lake (an absolute dream! However, there are things to do and to explore in Tillamook itself! The time in the car doesnt have to be absolutely horrible. If you are flying into San Francisco International Airport and road-tripping north, you can simply hop on US Highway 101 N. From there, you can merge onto I-5 N, which you can follow all the way to Seattle. The 129-foot-tall, 250-foot-wide Burney Falls is both gorgeous and very easy to reach. Then you could pick up the rest of this itinerary working your way south. Hiking, snowshoeing, and picnicking are all good options in the park! Where to Stay: Crater Lake National Park boasts two hotels/motels within the park itself (which are only open in the summer; May September). Once you arrive, get ready for some small-town nature fun. But really, all views of the lake deserve a thumbs up (or 2 or 5). Marvel at the unusual multi-colored soil, and watch the boiling pools of water. : The perfect stop for a late lunch, depending on how much exploring/sand-duning you did earlier. A Waterfall Weekend in Lassen National Park, You wont be able to stay directly within the parks as there is no accomodation options, but dont fret lodging is available in nearby communities. Make an early start for a roughly 2-hour drive to Toketee Falls. Go wine tasting, stomp on some grapes (true story), and admire the perfectly aligned vineyard rows just waiting to be produced. Just my recommendation but Id hate to miss that amazing area! Today, this is an open museum, and anybody can come and visit. Youll know when you see it. Where to Stay: There are tons of great accomodation options in both Napa and Sonoma. Fun fact: Mount Rainier is actually a volcano! Therefore, we will list the 3 best museums and let you decide which one youd like to visit first thing in the morning. Its more of a mixture of rocks, sea glass, and sand. Three days in the city is the perfect amount of time for any first-time visitor to San Francisco. 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. 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)