We have listed seven hotels, five restaurants, and three places to visit on the way. One of our favourite road trips to date is the Garden Route drive in South Africa, our honeymoon along the coast of Oahu, Hawaii & The Great Ocean Road in Australia but driving the down the west coast of America was yet another road trip to remember. What is there not to love about snacks, blasting music, beautiful scenery and your own schedule! Believe us. Its just outside of downtown Hood River, on the Washington side. We will be in de US for about 4 weeks. On top of being located in the most action-packed part of Portland, this hotel is extremely generously priced - coupled with the incredible amenities, this easily makes The Duniway the best hotel in the entire region. Heres what we recommend. It's worth parking at the toll plaza ( here on Google Maps) to get some nice pictures of the bridge. Book early for any weekend trips. Seattle ( / sitl / ( listen) see-AT-l) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. Here are our top three choices for adventures around Mt. Its a beautiful place to visit while on your road trip. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 6:39 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, 8:05 pm Wildlife Safari 53-63000. This is the one where you can drive your car through actual living redwoods! Looking for more cool hotels? Here are a couple of ways to do this road trip based on your interests and number of days. Best free things to do in Ashland (Oregon)? Breakfast was included, it was clean and surrounded by shops, places to eat and gas stations. stay for about 2 hours and leave at 8:02 pmdrive for about 58 minutes, 9:00 pm arrive in San Franciscostay at Top of the Mark, Elliott from Sheffield asked:Road Trip from SF to Vancouver/Seattle- where are the best places to see? Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up. The lighthouse is pretty cool, and is definitely worth the price of admission, which is simply a three mile round trip hike to get to it. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 10:37 amdrive for about 1.5 hours, 12:00 pm Mount Shasta (California) Overview of a 4 week 2015 Seattle, San Francisco, and Sierra with Travel Itinerary, Travel Road Map, and Tips for Cross Country travelers with Kids 2015 Seattle, San Francisco, and Sierra | Lolo's Extreme Cross Country RV Trips International Rose Test Garden (20 mentions) Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. Please also note that due to a giant landslide in May of 2017, a whole section of the Big Sur is inaccessible from the South, and you cannot travel the whole route. Rainier and Mt. Advice to avoid snowy road conditions from SF to Seattle (January). Today, its time to relax! So if youre looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco, keep reading! Other foodie things to do besides wine tasting, Searching for an inexpensive and nice inn in Napa area. I have regularly done the Seattle to San Francisco drive (and the San Francisco to Seattle drive, too), including one time where I did it all in one daysolo. We know the city like the back of our hands, and hope we can give you some of the inside knowledge you need to make your trip to Seattle a memorable one. The Best Route for Your Seattle to San Francisco Drive, The Best Stops to Make on a Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip, Mt. So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. Planning a Trip to Mount Rainier National Park? Stay charged anywhere you go, with access to our global charging networks. When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. GNIS feature ID. If youre tight on time:Jump directly on HWY 5 South and head forWillamette Valley. Standing on the rim of the canyon, youll be staring thousands of feet down into crags and crevices winding through the world-famous chasm that millions of people flock to every year. What is your favorite restaurant in Eugene? Click the blue button below. Here's the quick answer if you have friends taking shifts as driver so that you can make the entire trip by car without stopping. If you must, head there to check out the sea lions, grab chowder and a bread bowl at Boudins Bakery (DEF NOT GLUTEN FREE), and move on. Pok Pok Restaurant Saint Helens provides some surreal views of this active volcano, as well as some intriguing natural formations. Road trips are F-U-N! Time. No Seattle to San Francisco road trip would be complete without making a stop in the weird and lovable city of Portland. We recommend Timber Valley Inn and Suiteswhich is conveniently located directly off HWY 5. Powell's City of Books (17 mentions) What are the top 5 can't miss tourist attractions in S.F.? We recommend Sandcastle Inn. During the summer, the inland route through the Hood River, Bend, and Crater Lake have some of the best hikes and gorgeous scenery we have ever seen. Surprisingly, there are no rivers or flowing water that enters the lake, the water simply comes from rain and the melting of snow making it one of the cleanest and clearest bodies of water in the world. You can also hike Trillium Falls to see beautiful trillium flowers dotting the groundcover, as well as impressive redwoods and a small waterfall. Pigeon Point Light Station is a lighthouse located on the coast of northern California near Pescadero. We spent the day driving around the lake, taking photo after photo! There are picturesque coastal towns, wildflowers galore during the spring, cool ocean breezes in the summer (definitely expect fog too), serene beaches, and towering redwoods that will leave you in awe. Day 2: Drive from Mt. You should also know going in that San Francisco is generally an expensive place to visit expect to pay over $100 a night to stay in the city, and usually much more than that. Hotels: The Hoxton and the Society Hotel (weve stayed there) are our top hotel picks in Portland. Spas in the Ashland area? McMinnville. Other foodie things to do besides wine tasting Just 15 minutes from Monterey, youll find a variety of cheaper hotels. Simply use this as a guideline! Weve made this trip in one straight shot in just 12 hours when taking I-5. 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. Let us know, wed love to hear from you! Youll immediately gasp at the size of these Red Wood trees! Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can . Youll follow the coastline past sweeping sand beaches (stop at Jenner Beach!). This article shares the 15 top tips that turn your San Francisco trip into an unforgettable journey. Youll find an array of video games, mini golf, photo booths, laser tag and rides. Not sure what to do in Seattle? If youre looking for the best gluten free restaurants in San Francisco, Ive got you covered. Check out the. Stop at the Good Life Cafe: If youre going to be in Mendocino in the morning, stop over at the Good Life Cafe for breakfast and a cup of coffee. Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detoursfrom roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond. Potato Champion Aug 19th, 2009 08:02 AM. A road trip through the Pacific Northwest and Northern California is equally epic, but with less traffic. If youre making a trip specifically for gluten free food, wed say that Boston is probably not even on the shortlist of places wed recommend. The high-60s temperatures are just warm enough for you to spend your time outdoors, so this is when most tourists tend to flock to the city. We left Santa Cruz after a walk along the beach and continued our way down the coastal HWY 1 towards the gorgeous Monterey Bay + surrounding areas. Make sure you check road conditions In fact, Matt recently did this drive alone. One of our all-time favourite things to eat! Here are our favorite things to do in Point Reyes National Seashore. Mileage: It's 808 miles from Seattle to San Francisco. Hike Fern Canyon if you want to go through a narrow canyon whose walls are entirely lined with ferns and moss. The road trio from Seattle to San Francisco is full of incredible activities and experiences. Instead, whatever route you decide to take in Oregon, we definitely recommend cutting over to the gorgeous California coast to meet up with Highway 101 and the iconic Highway 1 to end your road trip with a bang. Morimoto Whats the weather like and is there any concerns doing it that late? The hotel is a bit on the expensive side, as you might expect, but if any resort in the area is worthy of its price tag, it's definitely this one. If thats a few too many days, then we recommend heading down the I-5 corridor through Oregon instead, skipping Bend and Crater Lake, which are further inland. Drive to Port Angeles, with a stop at Nourish Sequim along the way for a delicious (and gluten free) lunch. As you can tell, Jacob was less than impressed. Continue south, heading to Tillamook Creamery for ice cream and a fun cheese-making tour. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, This coastal adventure is a perfect year-round itinerary. Once youve figured out the number of days you are going to take for this trip, youll have some decisions to make about the best route for you. Arrive in Portland and stay either Kex, the Hotel Grand Stark, or the Jupiter NEXT Hotel (read our full guide on the best places to stay in Portland for more of our recommendations weve been to Portland numerous times and are planning on relocating there at some point in the near future). Rainier National Park is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Continue south past Willamette and Umpqua National Forests before pulling into Medford. All the rooms are the same, so theres no presidential suite or choices between deluxe and superior rooms. There are of course cheaper alternatives, but this HIGHLY recommended. The best resource on neighborhoods, areas, Glass Beach and Fort Bragg: Glass Beach is an unusual beach with tons of tiny colorful glass pieces amid the pebbles on the beach. Venture further inland and go hiking in Death Valley National Park. Head out to the Olympic Peninsula by taking the Bainbridge Island Ferry. Here are a few estimates of what to expect. Traveling with a dog or cat? Get out and explore Portland, particularly the areas east of the river along Hawthorne and Division St. Day 3: Drive from Portland to Eugene, stopping at Silver Falls State Park to do the Trail of the Ten Falls (truly spectacular) and then refueling in Salem, the capital of Oregon, at Bigwig Donuts (100% gluten free donut holes, fried to order). Traveling from Seattle to San Francisco is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. If youre planning on doing this drive in the winter, avoid snow and tricky road conditions by going the coastal route on the famous Highway 101, which is amazing in its own right. The Ultimate Guide To Crater Lake National Park, See Expedia for more greatHotels for Road trips, Adelaide to Melbourne via The Great Ocean Road: Ultimate Guide, The Ultimate Road Trip around Oahu, Hawaii, Greece to Croatia Road Trip via Albania & Montenegro, A Guide to Visiting the Amazon Rainforest, 7 Underrated Travel Destinations for the Budget Traveler, 9 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Zadar, Croatia, 20 Best Things to Do in Cape Town with Kids & Toddlers, Your Guide to Australian Wildlife and National Parks, 8 Incredible Places in California To Visit, A Guide to the Most Instagrammable Beaches in 2020, Day 4: Seattle Willamette Valley (222 miles/357 km), Day 5: Willamette Valley Pacific City (63 miles/101 km), Day 6: Pacific City Roseburg via the Oregon Coast (229 miles/368km), Day 7: Roseburg Crater Lake National Park (86 miles/138km) toCrescent City, California(185 miles/297km), Day 8: Crescent City Santa Rosa (300 miles/482km), Day 10: Santa Rosa Santa Cruz (129 miles/207km), Day 11: Santa Cruz Monterey (43 miles/69km, 45 minutes) (2 days), Day 13: Monterey Big Sur (28 miles/45km), Day 14: Big Sur San Francisco (147miles/236km). It will help people who will take the same Seattle to San Francisco route. Santa Cruz. Head to Redwood National and State Parks and explore Stout Memorial Grove, Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway, and Fern Canyon. Thirsty? With that in mind, you may want to avoid the drive in the winter if you don't want your access to these landmarks to be significantly limited. stay at Ace Hotel. What is your favorite restaurant in Redding? Hiking the Skyline Trail: Is This the Best Hike in the Entire State? The hostel was close to all the main sights as well as public transport. If youre really feeling it, why not take a helicopter to Post Ranch Inn (a very fancy resort) in a helicopter, starting at $4000! This route has a total of 24 hours of driving split up between 10-14 days when you follow our recommendations below. Heres what we recommend doing when you stop here during your road trip. I dont recommend that. Hi, first of all thank you so so much for this amazing post. . You could also drive down the coast, which is gorgeous, and would be our choice if youre making the trip outside of the summer months. Do this road trip and you'll probably do around double that. The mighty Hood River and stunning Columbia River Gorge are a must-see on your way down to Bend. Life is all about the journey, not the destination! This has become a popular destination for the outdoorsy adventurer types out there. Now, its time to discover the best restaurants from Seattle to San Francisco. Its on the south side of Mount Rainier, around 5,400 feet above sea level, featuring colorful wildflower meadows in late summer, evergreen groves, and massive glaciers. Then youll have the perfect San Francisco to Seattle road trip itinerary. Driving non-stop from Seattle to San Francisco How far is San Francisco from Seattle? If you have more time, here are some other places to stop along the way from Seattle to San Francisco. Thank you so much for posting this and with such fabulous photos! This industrial-chic Airbnb in South Lake Union is a close second for the next time were looking for a place to stay in Seattle. They remembered my mum right away and we chatted with them about their lives. We are looking to plan this exact trip this summer and Im so happy to find your blog! The Willamette Valley is home to some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and youll find more than 500 wineries surrounding this region. Here are some of our favorite things to do. Were going to California in mid October, and thought since were already flying in from outside US, maybe we should do our long wished-for seattle-SF trip. Last, but certainly not least (the opposite, in fact) is to head inland and hit Mt. We are a family of 4 with two older children (19,16) who love nature and hiking. restaurants around Portland: trip dates & more! It helps if you put your mirrors in to go through the tree. by calculating the distance from Seattle to San Francisco. During our brief stop, we took a trip down memory lane on behalf of her and went and visited her old host family an adorable couplewho arenow 90 and 93 years old! Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Seattle to San Francisco drive. Our travel philosophy, in general, is eat-walk-drink-walk-eat-repeat. And Portland is an amazing place to do that. eat at Voodoo Doughnuts What is your favorite restaurant in San Francisco. To visit all of these areas, we recommend taking the first exit to Monterey off the freeway and work your way around. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Day 5: If you missed any of the redwoods above, double back and make sure to catch them. Along Highway 101, cut through Oswald West State Park and pass Tillamook and Siuslaw State Forests, as well as Rogue River-Siskiyou and Six Rivers National Forests. Looking to promote your product, hotel or service? Trip Length: Give yourself at least five days for a worthwhile journey. Not long after passing Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, drive the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge and pull into San Fran. Explore locations along your route to charge your electric vehicle and see how our Supercharging network can take you there. Stop by Rachels Ginger Beer, Beechers Cheese (their flagship cheese is one of my top three all time favorites), and Ellenos Frozen Greek Yogurt while youre there. Doing this drive in record time isnt going to be a fun one. What makes summer an appealing time to visit The Golden City are the mild climate and the abundance of amazing events. In this guide to planning an Algarve itinerary, were going to use our experience spending a week, Read More How to Plan an Amazing Algarve Itinerary (3-7 Days)Continue, We love San Francisco, which is where we met, got married, and lived for almost a decade. There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to San Francisco. Click the button below to explore more questions Some of these trees have been known to measure 360 feet in height, making it the tallest measured tree species on earth. The road map above shows you the route to take to your destination. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary (2022) Here are some options for where to stay in Seattle whether you prefer staying in hotels or in an Airbnb. Theres really only one choice here. The Pacific coast highway is one of the legendary road trip routes that follows highway 101 through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Head out to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, Cypress Grove, and do a portion of the Tomales Point Trail. Have you done this road trip before? Oxbow Public Market (6 mentions) Take your pick! We want to explain the top three destinations we recommend on the San Francisco route. Here are some excellent hikes you can go on while visiting the best national park in Washington (and one of the best on the west coast). You can roam the vineyards, taste plenty of wines and relax while overlooking acres of grapes. Redding (11 answers) Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the Required fields are marked *. If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Seattle to San Francisco journey, you can consider the five restaurants we have chosen. We recommend avoiding flying out of San Jose (SJO), which is two hours south of San Francisco, because roads to get there are prone to heavy traffic that will make it an even longer journey. who wants the trip to end? Add anything that looks interesting! Explore a route and we'll find the best locations to keep you charged along the way and upon arrival. Break the budget! Dont miss these! Its in Union Square, which honestly kinda sucks, but its affordable and stylish. Stop in Astoria to check out the Astoria Column and Fort Stevens State Park, then make your way to Ecola State Park for great views of Cannon Beach. Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation Mid July: 1 week with wife and kid - what should we prioritize? It can be hard to decide which iconic spots to see . By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Frankie and Jos and Molly Moons for awesome local ice cream (Frankie and Jos is 100% gluten free and vegan!). 1. Have you ever taken a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco? Here are our picks for where to eat, drink, stay, and play while youre in Seattle. Its the most direct route. The Paradise side of Mt. questions about Mount Shasta (California): Road Trip from SF to Vancouver/Seattle- where are the best places to see? One other note were also assuming you want to spend time in Seattle and San Francisco too. questions about Eugene: suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it Hop onto Interstate 5 straight out of Seattle and make your way to Portland, passing Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Artesa Vineyards & Winery (9 mentions) If you dont already live in the Seattle area, then you can fly in and rent a car to take the Seattle to San Francisco drive. Were Matt and Alysha, the two endlessly curious travelers behind this site. 4. Driving Directions from San Francisco to Seattle The Fastest Route The easiest way to get on the road to Seattle from San Francisco is via Interstate 5. Visiting in July for 5 days with my boyfriend, where and what must we do? If youre on a budget, check out the Found Hotel. by Emily Cass | Oct 18, 2017 | Most Popular, North America | 3 comments. Airbnb in Seattle. Jessica from asked:Best seafood restaurant in S.F.? The 960-mile road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes 20 hours 30 minutes. Once in Vacaville, take Interstate 80 through Fairfield, then cross the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge. The Society is the best value hotel in Portland, with options from dorm rooms to suites, so you can pick an option that works for your style and budget. Spend the night at either the Olympic Lodge or a vacation rental along the shores of Lake Sutherland. I was excited to have the opportunity to follow this road for 6 days starting from Seattle and ending up in San Francisco. Im a foodie at, Read More Gluten Free San Francisco: A Complete Guide for CeliacsContinue. Crater Lake is the largest lake in the United States (over 1900 ft deep!) next trip! Crater Lake National Park is an extraordinary park that has a dormant volcano as its crown jewel. On a random side note: 41 years ago my mum lived in Oregon on a Rotary Exchange. Our drive down the ever so famous Big Sur on HWY 1. Except the authors have strong perspectives on what adventures you should choose. Mendocino is a largely unspoiled area of California that has beaches, valleys, and forests. Day 7: Congrats! Experience the stunning beauty of the Pacific Northwest and Northern California on this luxury journey from Seattle to San Francisco. First of all, we have a whole guide on where to stay in Portland. Drive through Cape Perpetua (stop at Thors Well and the scenic overlook), Heceta Head Lighthouse, and finally to Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor. Road Trip Route Planner, Map and Trip Guides | Roadtrippers Start New Trip Trip Guides Sign Up Log In Start a trip by adding places Collect places for your trip by adding them. Find pet-friendly stops. Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ (11 mentions) Start your day early and travel down HWY 101 along the coast of Oregon. drive for about 1.5 hours, 9:37 am Ashland (Oregon) Get our latest blog posts, updates and deals. Do the Skyline Trail (6 miles, moderately difficult), one of the best hikes in Washington State, to get up close and personal with the Mountain (note that you wont be able to do this in the winter, but its still worth visiting Rainier). (17 answers). day 2 driving 6.5 hours. Visiting both cities is a must if you're in the area and doing so in an RV is particularly beneficial as you get to see some excellent sights along the way. From here, drive to Mendocino (not the most interesting drive, to be honest). There are a few places to spend a night in the Big Sur, Glen Oaks,Fernwood Resort,Big Sur River Inn, as well as campsites inPfeiffer Big Sur State Park. The 363 mile Oregon coast has cute towns, beaches and photo ops all along the way. Honestly, the whole trip was a highlight but if we had to choose, these would be our top 5 highlights. 1. Youngberg Inn Hill $199 $400 USD/breakfast included. Featuring both the ocean and some of the finest parks and forests in the country, this is one of the most legendary itineraries in all of America. A somewhat sleepy, somewhat rowdy college town, home of the University of Oregon, Eugene is quirky, creative, and a fun weekend getaway from Portland. Its only 3 hours though, and you can stop in Berkeley or Oakland on your way into the city if youre looking for somewhere to grab lunch. Can you hike on Mt. The Best Road Trip from Seattle to San Francisco By Jess Moss That Pacific Coast Highway route from San Francisco to Los Angeles gets all the attention, but it's not the only West Coast drive that should be on your map. Drive to Port Angeles, with a stop at Nourish Sequim along the way for a delicious (and gluten free) lunch. Todays a long driving day, but its broken up with many stops. Download this app. Pine Ridge Vineyards Hike the short and sweet Trinidad Head Trail for amazing coastal views. Here are a few pit stops to consider stopping for. Heres what we suggest doing in this stunning national park, which you can pretty easily tackle in a full day. Bend is situated amid the snow-covered Cascade Mountains and high desert plateaus. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Day 3: Continue south along the coast of Washington, crossing into Oregon after a quick stop at Cape Disappointment. We plan (and pay for) all of our own travels, and we use our first hand knowledge to write detailed travel guides to the places we love to help, Heres a guide to the best breweries in Seattle, industrial-chic Airbnb in South Lake Union, How to Plan an Unforgettable Day Trip to Mount Rainier From Seattle, Where to Stay near Mount Rainier National Park: A Complete Guide, The Best Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park: A Helpful Hiking Guide. Point Reyes is a long peninsula just north of San Francisco with unforgettable views of the Pacific Ocean and unique wildlife viewing opportunities (Elk!). Nonstop drive: 807 miles or 1299 km Driving time: 12 hours, 32 minutes Third stop is the Hoh Rainforest, which is a spectacular example of the temperate rainforests that call this part of the country home. He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip. Check out Redwood National and State Parks and Humboldt Redwoods State Park before getting onto Highway 1 and pulling into Mendocino - from there, check out Jackson Demonstration State Forest before continuing south. I am a keen photographer and we like nice scenery, (oceans/mountains/forests/rivers/lakes/waterfalls etc). These are some of the best resorts this incredible itinerary has to offer: Oregon's largest city is the most logical place to spend a weekend on your road trip from Seattle to San Francisco, especially if you're driving the interstate route. To help you plan your trip, were putting our heads together, along with all of our personal experience, to curate the best stops along the way to give you the information you need to plan an unforgettable trip down the west coast. If there was one thing on this whole trip that we really wanted to see, it was Big Sur. We wouldnt recommend spending the night here instead, continue south to Portland for the night, which is just a couple of hours south. Thanks for all the info happy travels . (20 answers), Valerie from Los Angeles asked:What is your favorite restaurant in San Francisco? What is your favorite restaurant in Portland? Napa (85 answers) California Redwoods. Trippy members suggest Ike's Place, which was mentioned 23 times. If you want to see what makes the Pacific Coast a staple of US adventures, you should definitely do a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. stay overnight and leave the next day around 8:00 am, 8:00 am leave from Wildlife Safari