The Ultimate San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip However, our proposed itinerary has been designed to enable visiting all the cool attractions along the way, especially small charming towns along the coastline. No other landmark in San Francisco is as famous as the Golden Gate Bridge, it's the city's icon! 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). Todays primarily a driving day, but dont worry, theres tons of scenic stops along the way, including scenic seaside towns, sand dunes, spectacular lighthouses, and cheese! From the cold and foggy State of Washington to sunny California this almost 1000-mile road trip offers many exciting ways to explore the West Coast and its natural beauty. Not a wino? If youll be following this itinerary and heading north (without driving the direct 15+ hours back to San Francisco), youll want to book two one-way tickets. The place is perfect for whale watching and great photo opportunities. Its full of all my favorite spots (sweets and treats included!). You always hear about the gloominess and rain, never the sunshine and green space. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. June 27, 2015. :p, Check out my road trip packing guide for must-have items and other handy tips and tricks (helpful even if youre an experienced road tripper, promise!). stay for about 1 hour. Later (or the following morning), head to Castle Lake Road to get fantastic views of Mount Shasta with the city beneath it. Slightly better one: Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn 3*. Not too many people know that! You have two options the long way (6 hour drive with more exploration of the southern Oregon coast), or the shorter way (3 and a half hours cutting straight to Coos Bay from Crater Lake). In order to see the best of both Lassen Volcanic National Park and Mount Shasta, its best to give yourself two full days in the area. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); When it comes to visiting museums, everyones taste is different. And thankfully, Portland is less than two hours from the coast! Required fields are marked *. Pay a visit to Point Arena Lighthouse dating back to 1908 and enjoy the view of the rugged coastline. Lady Bird Johnson Grove is a must-see spot if you have limited time. Psst check out the recommended Portland hotels above, and book an extra night if youre totally feeling this day trip. And you cant really determine where they are real in metropolitan cities or in some American outback. Youre in luck, because today is alllll about those ancient giants. There are tons of great accomodation options in both Napa and Sonoma. 2-day Route 66 Las Vegas to Grand Canyon itinerary, hiking ideas in Mt. We recommend spending one full day here, so book 2 nights. Next is a stop at the most beautiful waterfall in Oregon, the unique Toketee Falls. Majestic. Next comes Washington in the road trip from San Francisco to Seattle, where most commuters stop at the iconic Mount Rainier National Park and the Gig Harbor for a couple of calming and relaxing days. That mountain sure is something. The distance between Seattle to San Francisco is 808 miles. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. However, most of the aircraft were moved to other museums over the years, leaving a modest collection of 25 airplanes. Marvel at the unusual multi-colored soil, and watch the boiling pools of water. ), ziplining through the redwoods, farmers market visits, wildflower hiking, and mud baths to tickle your fancy (yes, I just said mud baths). Your pick wine or coastline. If youve never visited the City by the Bay before (SF), you should really stay and wander for a few days. Doesnt get much better than that! (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). And those photos youve seen of all the colorful sea glass on the beach? San Francisco to Seattle - A 12-day Road Trip - Leisurely Drives And remember you wont find any restaurants or grocery stories within the parks, so plan accordingly and pick up some sandwiches, chips, picnic goods, etc beforehand.:). Just my recommendation but Id hate to miss that amazing area! 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. Road Trip from San Francisco to Seattle - 3 Day Itinerary. Beware that the line to get on one of those can reach up to 2 hours! The museum used to be one of the top US private World War II aircraft collections. Since youll probably be pressed on time during this San Francisco to Seattle road trip, itll be difficult to plan your day in Mt. Avenue of the Giants is a 31-mile portion of old Highway 101 running through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. 2023 Tigrest Travel Blog - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. t: Being the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast, you cant miss this towering beauty. IMPORTANT NOTE: You kinda have two choices on how you make your way to Mendocino (stop #3 and our first coastal town on this itinerary). Learn how your comment data is processed. That journey consists of the Drive from San Francisco to Washington's largest city, Seattle. Thankfully there are numerous options outside the park in nearby communities, including Packwood, Lewis County, and Mineral Lake. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If all of this sounds too familiar (didnt we already see those things in Newport, Oregon? The drive is not super long, but youll definitely want the better portion of the day to stop and soak it all in! 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. Check out Howland Hill Road, Bald Hills Road, Coastal Drive Loop, and/or Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. 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. This is a great beach to watch the sunset! surely steals the show when it comes to coastal road trips, but Oregons coast is one for the bucket list as well! San Francisco to Mendocino Weekend Road Trip, The Mini Guide to Mendocino and Fort Bragg, Ready for some waterfall fun and stinky sulphur in your life? Once you have satisfied your curiosity, have lunch and continue your southbound journey to Klamath Tour Thru Tree massive redwood tree with a drive-thru tunnel carved out of its trunk. 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). Keep in mind that this route includes toll roads. Read your head at El Dorado Hotel (breezy rooms with a wine bar), MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa (warm and sophisticated), or Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn (spa with mineral baths). 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. If you enjoy quiet walks and being alone with nature, this park may be for you! 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. Looking for a top hotel recommendation? Check out lodging in Crescent City, Arcata, and Trinidad. The ability to track prices (and get email notifications when the price drops) is top notch and one of my favorite features. How to Plan an Amazing San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip 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. Seattle to San Francisco - Road Trips Forum - Tripadvisor Sign up using my link and youll receive up to $35 off your first stay! The historic 75-mile drive on Columbia River Highway connects Troutdale in Oregon with the Dalles. ), ziplining through the redwoods, farmers market visits, wildflower hiking, and mud baths to tickle your fancy (yes, I just said mud baths). Rather stay in the car (why though?) From almost 600 feet up, you get unparalleled views of the Seattle skyline as well as the Puget sound. Worth mentioning so you dont forget to account for the cost of a rental car when following this San Francisco to Seattle itinerary! Psst check out the recommended Portland hotels above, and book an extra night if youre totally feeling this day trip. Go wine tasting, stomp on some grapes (true story), and admire the perfectly aligned vineyard rows just waiting to be produced. Portland 6. Unfortunately, just about 5% of the old growth redwood forests remain in California, with Redwood National and State Parks preserving over 35% of all the remaining. Once you are finished with the hike, relax and have lunch at Paradise Inn lunch room. WIth that being said, please appreciate the park and leave no human trace behind. Sea lions can be spotted at the docks, too. 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). Its a good idea to make your way back to Portland to slice off a few hours of drive time to Mt. If youre not pressed on time you can easily spread these activities/stops out over two days. Head out to the Olympic Peninsula by taking the Bainbridge Island Ferry. A road trip through the Pacific Northwest and Northern California is equally epic, but with less traffic. When you get hungry, have a look at Sea Grill for a wide selection of premium seafood, Brick & Fire for wood-fired oven pizzas or Humboldt Smokehouse for delicious BBQ. The latter is famous for its Glass Beach in the Noyo Headlands Park that boasts mesmerizing views of the Pacific Ocean. Theyre both absolutely stunning and feature lush, rolling hills full of vineyards, so the scenery wont really help make up your mind. 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. Check out. 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. The state park also has a campground with over a hundred sites for tents and RVs without hookups. In order to see the best of both Lassen Volcanic National Park and Mount Shasta, its best to give yourself, Dedicate Day 1 to a full exploration of the national park, and dont miss Sulphur Works, Emerald Lake (an absolute dream! 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. and at less than $100 a night (inclusive of free breakfast! Better yet, go at sunset if you want to see something spectacular. These cookies do not store any personal information. , including olive-oil tasting (carb-loaded drizzled tastings, anyone? Napa / Sonoma 2. : The perfect stop for a late lunch, depending on how much exploring/sand-duning you did earlier. My favorites are Mendocino, Crater Lake, Lassen, and Cannon Beach! Get ready for big mountain views today, as Mt. Paradise is located just 2h 30 min from Seattle and is a great base for a day hike in the mountains. Moreover, a visitor must issue a travel insurance policy to cover themselves in case of incidents. (in the super cute Nob Hill) if quirky boutique hotels are more your thing. Ready to cross this trip to the Pacific Northwest off your bucket list?! Probably all the same: both here and there. If you are looking for centrally located hotels, we recommend looking into The Society Hotel 3* or Washington Plaza Portland. Hike the 1.1 mile (2.2 roundtrip) Cleetwood Cove Trail, short, but very steep, which offers access to the shore. The best thing is that you can get in the water accompanied by professional divers to get an even closer look. A gem of the Pacific Northwest is the Willamette Valley, known for its 1300 wineries and vineyards. ), Be sure to check out my Ultimate Road Trip Packing Guide; everything you can possibly think of for any long road trip! . Next, people usually stop in Tillamook to have ice cream and for cheese tasting. - a national park or lake such as Yosemite, Lake Tahoe - redwoods - some of the coastal drive - ideally no more than 4 hours driving on a leg While the town is wickedly small (youll see what I mean), the surrounding area completely makes up for it. Had enough of the trees and craving some 1,940+ foot deep lake time? Next on the road is the Muir Woods National Monument that boasts 600-years old 75-meters long redwood trees and diverse wildlife. Seattleites, your secrets out! Crescent City is all about outdoors and nature activities. Rainier). Hi, Im Jess. Take your time and have lunch, as we are about to take a long ride straight to Golden Gate viewpoint a must-see stop just before the sunset! 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 park is a perfect getaway from the busy city streets. drive for about 2.5 hours. drive for about 41 minutes. Japanese Garden in Portland is believed to be the most authentic Japanese Garden outside of Japan! TIP: hike counter-clockwise, this way you will meet fewer crowds along the way. The time in the car doesnt have to be absolutely horrible. For all wine lovers, there is a fantastic stop along the way Briceland Vineyards Winery. You can choose to stay within the park or just outside, your choice. Glad you loved it as well! 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. Hood, Willamette, and Siuslaw National Forests, and Redwood National and State Parks. Check out lodging in, Had enough of the trees and craving some 1,940+ foot deep lake time? all the way to the Mendo/Fort Bragg area. Washington Park is highly rated among both locals and visitors A great retreat in a busy city. Despite its small size, the place is known as the home of the largest colony of breeding tufted puffins, the largest common murre colony south of Alaska and pupping site for the threatened Steller sea lion. Plus, all my snack suggestions. 7 day road trip from San Francisco to Seattle - California Forum 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). 2. USA West Coast Road Trip Itinerary: Seattle to San Francisco Vacation Blackout Policy Sample, George Strait Concerts 2022, Designer Eyeglass Frames With Nose Pads, Christina Wilson Annual Salary, Articles S
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