Sireesha, thanks for reading. They all offer budget rentals, run regular deals and specials, and have one-way rental options. Thanks for your comment, David! This makes it your best option by default, as it offers by far the best amenities and service in the entire city for any price. So doing our 101 bucket list too, but want a 2-3 days near Ocean Beach, CA. Instagram. Is this possible?? Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Its a short drive south and a little east along U.S. 101 from Long Beach to cross the Astoria into Oregon. When in doubt, stay on the coast. Dont drive down to SD and back up to LA. Thanks for reading, Lauren! Route 1 is fine its twisty turny but its the best route by far. Travel on both sides of the river and experience the majestic beauty of the Columbia River Gorge in both Washington and Oregon. It was a great help! After Crescent City, the Pacific Coast Highway starts to navigate in and away from the coast at times, which includes chances to experience one of Californias natural wonders: the Redwoods. We will start in Portland, Or and drive to Las Angeles, CA. The Cascades train has four daily departures, while the Coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip. Again, thanks for great info and advice. Please keep doing what youre doing. The coldest time of year is December, although it remains cold through January and February. One of the most famous sea stacks on the U.S. Pacific Coast, Haystack Rock is picture perfect while you stretch your legs. Thanks for reading, Tony! We were planning on a 7day road trip with our 8, 6 and 20 month olds in June. We are doing the PCH this July and August coming from Yellowstone, Glacier and Teddy Roosevelt NP it has been on our Bucket list for quite some time after this trip we only have Alaska to visit and we will have visited all the States !! Reading through this your article is going to be a huge help as our family plans our two-week trip. I hope you have an epic time; Patrees such an amazing host! My first true adventure began as a six month voyage around South East Asia as a fresh faced backpacker and ever since Ive lived a semi nomadic existence, clocking up visits to over 40 countries. There are no reasonable alternatives for some of the routes like the one across Bixby Canyon Bridge (shown above). Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head west along U.S. 101 until it turns south along the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula. This Pacific Coast Highway itinerary is 7 days and will let you take the whole route and return home with unforgettable memories: If you have more time to drive the PCH, this 10-day itinerary is perfect. I enjoyed it so much that I wrote a whole article about the experiences I recommend in Santa Barbara! Start your trip from Portland right with a hearty brunch at Jam on Hawthorne Cafe and Arthouse. If you will drive back to Denver from Seattle, you will spend 48 hours behind the wheel just to get there and back. It is a time consuming drive but the most worthwhile time you will ever spend traveling. 12 of the best hikes to see wildflowers in Washington this summer, A post shared by capturing the bliss of life (@capturing_bliss_of_life). However, I have decided to take a detour east through Columbia River Gorge and Washington State wine country. do you have a printable version of this? Tim & Janice, what kind words! If I wanted to follow your trip but stop off a day at Yosemite what might the drive look like? Youll have a great time! Thanks for your amazing feedback, and Im so glad to help! Maybe worth checking another site thats more expert in RV travel! Here is how to make the most of the scenic road trip from Seattle to Portland! Thanks. We might consider staying a total of 12-15 days. We will go from Seattle to San Diego using your itinerary as our planning guide. I do have the same recommendations youll see A LOT of fellow bikers/trikers out on the PCH; its a great ride on 2-3 wheels as well as 4 wheels . In the Suburbs of Seattle, you will merge onto Interstate 5 to take you into the city center. You did a fantastic job with this giude, everything is straight to the point but provided in a fun and educational way. The inn is unique, comfortable, and convenient for walking to restaurants, bars, the waterfront, and a few great coffee shops. If you want to make the most of the popular and beautiful journey, here are the best stops on the Portland to Seattle drive. Whats the best time of year to do this? St. Helens RV Resort. The PCH is Highway 1 in California, though sometimes Highway 1 and 101 overlap which is what causes the confusion! There are plenty of things to do in Long Beach for more than an overnight stop! While you are in Cannon Beach, you may want to travel a few miles to visit this beautiful state park. Its a very winding cliff-side road and doing it in an RV is going to be laboriously slow and probably make you a bit nervous at times. Sunrise also features miles of trails amidst Mount Fremont, Burroughs Mountain, and Sourdough Ridge. Seattle is perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you have the time. I especially appreciate your links to stays and dine. The lake, however, spans 3,000 acres in area. It opened in the 1920s as a clam shack but has transformed into a premier . Your email address will not be published. On some byways, you'll drive from the high desert to snowcapped peaks to verdant valleys in one go. (Hours and dates for the attractions on the SF CityPass have been affected by the pandemic, so be sure to check those when you purchase!). My fiance & I want to do this for our honeymoon next month! Your email will not be provided to third parties. Foodies will appreciate the local food and beverage program, including a notable clam chowder, on the Cascades route. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. A post shared by Manuel Sauceda (@msaucl). After Crater lake we headed back to 238 towards HWY 101, we took an off road to hit the coast right at Brookings. You can take the same route back to downtown Seattle. Big Sur is defined as the stretch of coastline and adjacent state park between Carmel and San Simeon. ENJOY the sightseeing trip of a lifetime. I also agree that Point Reyes (and the lighthouse) is spectacular and my top place to go when in North Ca. Im thinking of a four day road trip for easter next year but thinking along the lines of vegas to grand canyon and so. Re: Scenic drive from Seattle to Portland, Oregon. I know we wont see everything, but its the only time frame we have. Wonderful trip sharing you made. Instead of rushing, taking a more scenic route will turn this road trip into the perfect weekend adventure. I do have OCD though, and Im having a really hard time getting past your use of the word lament in the paragraph suggesting to drive on southbound. I appreciate your asking for clarification! Thanks for your comment, Catherine. Next time I have a few days off, Ill have to change that! I am going to drive PCH 1 this summer and was going to drive from North to South but my son has driven it and suggested going South to North. Best scenic stops along the way from Portland to . We both have a lot of vacation all the time, so 10 days or more would be fine. You can then follow Stevens Canyon Road, which is closed in winter, into the park. September and October are definitely best for visiting NorCal, so I recommend that time of year too! Portland has loads of great hotels, but my favorite is the, For vacation rental options, consider this. The latter tells about the history of the region and has a super-interesting map of the more than 50 shipwrecks around the region. Best of all, theres no cell service so theyll have to look around to see them . Its the best time for good weather on the whole coast! Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Where is Crater Lake? Nate, thanks for your comment. I havent been to Monterey but its high on my list! A scenic drive on Interstate 84 on the Oregon side to Hwy 14 on the Washington side will take you on a beautiful tour along the Columbia River. Again, thank you so much!! Regarding openings, Im sorry but I cant keep up with all of the places and changing restrictions in the various counties and states. Hello, my name is Sonia and I am from Puerto Rico. You may encounter some rain up north near Portland and Seattle, but you shouldnt experience any snow! The shoulder seasons can be a great time to visit Mt. It depends a lot on how long you plan to make the drive do you know how many days youll be driving? You thinks thats safe or should I make some. Steep, evergreen-covered cliffs are striated with so many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the mind. Especially watching the sun set over Morro Rock in the distance! Im glad it was helpful. The Point Reyes Lighthouse is only open to visitors from Fridays to Mondays (weekends) from 10am-4:30pm. The best time of year to do this will be in the summer (June/July/August), probably sooner in the year rather than later. Cannon Beach has a plethora of options ranging from campgrounds to oceanfront lodging, luxury hotels, and vacation home rentals. 4 The Long Way Around Through Idaho and Nevada. Thanks for your comment, Kathy! Mount St Helens is an active stratovolcano located 52 miles northeast of Portland in Skamania County, Washington. Wed like to be flexible so, if we like somewhere we could stay an extra night, or if we need to push on, we could pull the itinerary forward. Also, you can probably get away with booking hotels/vacation rentals in the smaller towns only a few days in advance but if you want to stay in any of the big cities, I would book those 2-3 weeks in advance at the latest! Hello Valerie & Valise, I love this trip information on, it is so amazingly helpful. Ruby Beach is only a short drive from Hoh Rainforest but its the most picturesque beach on Washingtons Pacific Coast. I am going to mostly follow the path you outlined in your 10 day itinerary. Also, I will have 3 weeks to do this, I like small towns, Vegan food, and too out of shape for extended hikes. You can hike on an extensive 275-mile trail network or explore by bike on the park roads. Lan Su Chinese Garden is a Chinese botanical garden in Northwest Portland. I have one question where is the best place to fly into? If you want a quick stopover, you can visit state parks in the suburbs of Olympia. From Astoria, follow Route 30 inland along the Columbia River. Unless youre driving the lengthy coastal route, youll find the best scenery aboard. This post was originally published in August 2014, and was updated regularly including most recently in May 2022. It is time to start driving along the coast from Seattle to Portland. Nothing scream Pacific Northwest like the striking Oregon coastline. Sort of the opposite of sea stacks like Haystack Rock,Devils Punchbowlis another beautiful natural rock formation along the Oregon Coast. So the verb lament is correct in the present tense, and the tense of recommend earlier in the paragraph. Fort Bragg is home to a beautiful glass beach, pictured above, where the entire beach is made of sea glass from past trash dumps. If you prefer not to stop for long, you can take a detour and follow the scenic Five Mile Drive to Owen Beach. AND, I did it in November in a PT Cruiser with the top down.all bundled up with the heat on full..but man, what a view! In smaller towns though, Id recommend committing to those earlier you may find you have nowhere to stay and have to drive on another 100+ miles at some parts! Tickets cost $15 - $55 and the journey takes 3h 35m. After some great urban exploration, pull out the hiking shoes, drive a bit out of the city, and check out some of the fantastic hikes that the Seattle area has to offer. Id like to make a 10 day trip with a couple days in San Francisco and San Diego. If you're pressed for time, make Cannon Beach your top priority. South of Seaside, be sure to stop in Cannon Beach to admire Haystack Rock. November should be a good time, but you may experience some days where the Marine Layer rolls in be sure to pack layers in case its cooler/less sunny than expected! Thanks, Larissa! The Oregon Coast Aquarium lets visitors explore the marine ecosystems around this part of the Pacific Ocean. The state capitol building, a volcano, a forestry industry sector, and rural farms make up a diversified itinerary that first-time visitors to the region will relish. The last stop on todays Portland to Seattle road trip is Mount Saint Helens, the most infamous volcano on the West Coast due to the historic eruption on May 18, 1980. Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experiencefor good reason! Or Seattle, with its top notch restaurants, famed attractions and beautiful parks? I appreciate any help you can provide. As most of these sites are located in the suburbs of Tillamook, you wont have to spend an hour reaching downtown to explore the major landmarks of the city. While you are driving from Portland to Seattle, you must have a stopover at this unique garden built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou. Walk into this temperate rainforest and you'll find golden-red foliage in fall, snow sprinkles in winter, wildflowers in spring and flourishing mosses year-round. Thanks so much for this comprehensive look at the PCH. When I first moved to Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula was one of the first road trips I made. flickr/ Maciek Lulko. Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive deals, stories, info & more! Crescent City is a great spot for an overnight stop (or longer) depending on your itinerary. Follow the highway south as it winds inland and along the coast. I didnt want to make all my reservations, but just go with it for one time in my life. Driving makes it a 1 hr and 50 minute scenic day trip from Seattle. Point Defiance State Park is one of the most scenic stopovers between Portland and Seattle. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south on U.S. Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast to Newport. The park also features dozens of food trucks, serving great stadium eats and fine beer. Then round out your trip to Astoria by visiting the Astoria-Megler Bridge and the Columbia River Maritime Museum. anything you can suggest extra the girls would be wowed by would be great. Aretta, thanks for your comment! Yes, I do have San Francisco guides! 15 years ago. I will definitely use all the info youve provided. Youll still be at the mercy of traffic, but if you want to leave the driving to someone else, hop aboard one of numerous buses shuttling between Portland and Seattle. Both offer amenities such as free WiFi and generous baggage policies. However I actively lament that I was on the wrong side of the road in the present tense (as in, if you ask me today, I still lament it); I didnt really realize I was on the wrong side until after my trip was over and its not like you can change your route once you start! September 23, 2018. Hi Valerie. I can think off the top of my head that you could do the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. To maximize your . I think once we hit Los Angeles we will just take the I10 home to Phoenix. Thanks for reading, Thomas. Any additional thoughts? If we have 10 days to do this and could skip San Francisco, because we just did that 2 years ago, could we drive from Seattle to either Los Angeles or San Diego in an RV? Relaxing in a secluded cabin deep in the woods under a starlit sky is one of the best experiences you can have in Oregon. One day, I would LOVE to make this road trip. But even the most straight-shot . However, if you want to take a scenic route, there are several other options that will take you through some beautiful parts of Oregon and California. Glad to help, Dan! I appreciate you taking the time to answer everyones questions. We are planning our trip for the first half of April, SF to LA. I had a question regarding travel to California present time as in next week(August 14, 2021). Newport is a great destination to stretch your legs for a few hours once you arrive back on the Pacific Coast (you can also drive straight down Highway 101 from Cannon Beach if you decide to skip a stop in Portland). Thanks for reading, Heather! That gives you a lot more to do each day to wear the kids out and much more suitable for an RV. It adds a couple hours and 140 miles to the journey. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 33 votes, 34 comments. In addition, it serves as a haven for a variety of seabirds and other intertidal creatures like starfish and crabs. I drove one and I hardly ever got to enjoy it! Additionally, there are various hiking routes and lovely, fragrant wildflower meadows in Paradise Overlook, which is 1,000 feet (304.8 meters) lower. My wife and I are planning an 18 day trip in the coming months to fly into San Diego and then make the drive up to Seattle. The proposed itinerary for 7-day Seattle to San Francisco road trip. During these days, you have time to experience the highlights of the coast, and whet your appetite for another future trip! The Kathryn Riverfront Inn also has special king rooms with fireplaces and hot tubs. Congrats on finishing your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. We are planning a trip next year from New Orleans while my husband has a conference in Portlandwe were thinking of driving Hwy 1 down to Disneylandand catching some of the beautiful beaches and state parks. There are a wide range of activities you can indulge in at Silver Lake, including camping and boating. Take your car on the Bainbridge Ferry to Bainbridge Island.The ferry ticket costs $20.40 (for the vehicle and the driver) and . Can you believe theres a rainforest in Washington? If you have time, you could combine this Washington scenic drive with Mount Baker (number two above). My best advice is to take a look at the app Roadtrippers and start plugging in where you might want to go to get a sense of travel time then you can decide whats must-do, what extra you have time for, and what needs to be cut.I hope that helps! 1) Point Defiance State Park, Washington. Oregon's nearly 400-mile coastline is famous national-wide for good reason. Suggestions? The mountain route will take you past the famous Mount St. Helens and into the spectacular Mt. The Kathryn Riverfront Inn is a spectacular beachside hotel with a gorgeous interior, located right at the center of the town of Seaside. Merge with Route 410 and follow this all the way to Enumclaw. Youll get access to five major attractions at a discounted price, so you can experience more of what Seattle has to offer for less. However, a pleasant drive along I-5 is the best alternative if tourists desire to drive a car in either city and if the cost of . 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