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. ), Jupiter Hotel (retro chic), and Hotel Eastlund (boutique design). Portland - Columbia River Gorge 7. Are you interested in doing another road trip from San Francisco? Flying kites on the beach in Lincoln City in Oregon is fun during the road trip. Its full of all my favorite spots (sweets and treats included!). 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. I promise that each park will give you those towering redwoods youre so looking forward to (and theres actually three different types!) The drive and suggested route below is best done as a day trip from Portland, as youll need to make your way back to Portland before heading to our next stop (Mt. 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. Have lunch at one of Oceanside cafes before you continue to the next adventure Three Capes Scenic Drive. If youre feeling fancy definitely check out the Palace Hotel, Hotel Vitale (complete with rooftop yoga), and Intercontinental Hotel Mark Hopkins SF (super elegant and sophisticated), and Hotel Zetta (Yerba Buena), the Phoenix Hotel (funky and a pastel paradise), and Clift Hotel (in the super cute Nob Hill) if quirky boutique hotels are more your thing. First things first, if youre not a resident of San Francisco, youll of course need to get yourself there. Dedicate Day 1 to a full exploration of the national park, and dont miss Sulphur Works, Emerald Lake (an absolute dream! Seattle We could come up with many combinations. Three days in the city is the perfect amount of time for any first-time visitor to San Francisco. Enjoy donuts, coffee, beer, and hanging with hipsters? 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. The place is perfect for whale watching and great photo opportunities. 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. This is also a great place to spend the night if youll be splitting the drive from Coos Bay to Cannon Beach into two days. And once you get back, you can definitely say you earned your donut/s. Where to Stay: Crater Lake National Park boasts two hotels/motels within the park itself (which are only open in the summer; May September). Make sure to search for one-way flights when booking tickets. Grandiose. 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. Rather stay in the car (why though?) When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. And plus, those vineyards and wineries come with beautiful grounds, lush rolling hills, and boast fantastic views of the area . Please let us know what your main interests are. However, there are things to do and to explore in Tillamook itself! If AirBnBs not your thing, check out the super cute and modestly priced. 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. The beautiful Victorian Mansion has a haunted house look. Spend the next day hoping from waterfall to waterfall, as there are lots to pick from today! , but dont blame me if you cant get into your pants the next day. Additionally, a lot of visitors head to Domaine Chandon to taste US's best sparkling wines. If you follow this San Francisco to Seattle road trip itinerary, I can promise that youll discover more rugged nature, towering trees, glistening lakes, and tasty wine than you thought possible along the way. WorldNomads offers travel insurance for attractive rates. 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). 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. Sadly, its a private club so visitors are not allowed inside but good photo ops are just in front of the building. Trust me, its hard to describe those views. You must wait in line for Cowlicks Ice Cream. ), Bumpass Hell Trail Hike (its not really thaaaaat bad), Lake Helen, and. Re: San Francisco to 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. Hike the 1.1 mile (2.2 roundtrip) Cleetwood Cove Trail, short, but very steep, which offers access to the shore. 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! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. Make sure to search for one-way flights when booking tickets. The small-town Tillamook is a spectacular stop on our Seattle to San Francisco road trip and the starting point of the seaside route. With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 12 hours and 47 mins to drive. Feeding wild animals is a big no-no, and can actually do way more harm than good. Napa / Sonoma 2. The ability to track prices (and get email notifications when the price drops) is top notch and one of my favorite features. all the way to the Mendo/Fort Bragg area. You can take two main routes on a Seattle to San Francisco road trip, each with differing lengths. No wonder there are so many great options to choose from scenic beaches, hikes among giant redwoods, fishing, surfing, horseback riding, whale watching. For all wine lovers, there is a fantastic stop along the way Briceland Vineyards Winery. Other spots we looked at included. It is full of beautiful scenery - tall waterfalls, old mossy bridges, and greenery, hiking trails and mountain views. Read Next: Multnomah Falls and the Colombia River Gorge. Check out Howland Hill Road, Bald Hills Road, Coastal Drive Loop, and/or Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. , Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: california, crater lake, lassen national park, mendocino, napa, oregon, portland, road trip, san francisco, Seattle, Washington, Your email address will not be published. : The first of numerous lighthouses on our list, and this one just happens to be the brightest light on the Oregon coast and most photographed in the whole state. Sure, the bed and breakfasts look cozy, but they come with a hefty price tag. If you enjoy quiet walks and being alone with nature, this park may be for you! 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. From Seattle, drive straight to Mt. The drive's signature stops include the cities of Portland and Sacramento, Mt. And thankfully, Portland is less than two hours from the coast! 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. 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! If you are looking for centrally located hotels, we recommend looking into The Society Hotel 3* or Washington Plaza Portland. Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: November 2, 2022california crater lake lassen national park mendocino napa oregon portland road trip san francisco Seattle Washington. Rainier national park, SureStay Hotel by Best Western Portland City Center. 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). 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 all the fun to be had here in Mendocino. Get close to harbor seals, sea lions, seabirds, sharks, turtles in this amazing, 25-year-old aquarium. I never thought I would say that the driving part of a trip could compete with . Recommended short walks include: Stout Grove Trail, Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail, Circle Trail, Revelation Trail, and Yurok Loop Trail, all under 1.5 miles. 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). 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. Iconic. As usual, here are some budget-friendly options, for example, Pacific Inn. Looking for more sweets and treats? How Long Is The Road Trip From Seattle To San Francisco? If youre not pressed on time you can easily spread these activities/stops out over two days. Get ready for big mountain views today, as Mt. Mendocino is designated as a Historic Preservation District with lots of historic mansions and other attractions as well as homely diners and cute inns. Thank). Read Next: Two Perfect Days in Crater Lake, Oregon. The quicker, more direct route along the I-5 is still a hefty 807-mile drive. Theres a whole long list of things to do in Napa besides drink, including olive-oil tasting (carb-loaded drizzled tastings, anyone? 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! Burney Falls State Park. 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. Yup, thats over here in Fort Bragg, although if youre expecting a beach made of primarily smooth glass, youll be wildly disappointed. You always hear about the gloominess and rain, never the sunshine and green space. 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). Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US and was formed by a supervolcanic eruption 7,700 years ago. Highway 101 from Seattle to San Francisco. Beware that the line to get on one of those can reach up to 2 hours! San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip: Take a Pacific Northwest Drive. Over the course of the road trip, expect to drive approximately 38 hours (one way) and around 1800 miles. Looking for more sweets and treats? Youll know when youre getting close youll smell the sulphur! 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). The Golden Gate Bridge has a walkway, so you're free to stroll or ride a bike here. 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. Avenue of the Giants is a 31-mile portion of old Highway 101 running through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. We decided to stay at. Any suggestions on the must sees (or what to save for another trip) so we can fit it in? Looking to check something off your bucket list? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Day 1: Seattle, Washington (3 days) Day 4: Seattle - Willamette Valley (222 miles/357 km) Day 5: Willamette Valley - Pacific City (63 miles/101 km) ), ziplining through the redwoods, farmers market visits, wildflower hiking, and mud baths to tickle your fancy (yes, I just said mud baths). Yes, parts of this area reek, but youll quickly see why after taking note to the bubbling mud pots and steaming sulphuric vents. Where to Stay: There are SO many hotel choices when it comes to the city, at all different price points as well. Since SFO is a major international airport, and a hub for many airlines, you can easily find cheap airfare within the states. (in the super cute Nob Hill) if quirky boutique hotels are more your thing. Make a short detour to meet friendly owners and taste their wines while being educated about each wine and how to drink them. ; the cool vibes wont disappoint (bonus: youll find Stumptown Coffee right next door). ), we couldnt have been more pleased. Now lets get this San Francisco to Seattle road trip under way! If you are not up for the challenge, consider stopping at Cape Lookout Viewpoint for some great photos of the ocean. Settle in for the night, as we have a full day to explore this beautiful city tomorrow! And for this, 9.00 AM will be late. Rainier). 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! 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! But really, all views of the lake deserve a thumbs up (or 2 or 5). 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. Plus, all my snack suggestions. 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 . That journey consists of the Drive from San Francisco to Washington's largest city, Seattle. Road-tripping individuals will have the chance to behold the unique views on the Pacific Coast Highway in California. Visiting Mount Rainier National Park is optional but very much advisable, especially in summer. Stop 5: Crater Lake National Park (2 Nights) If you had to choose between Napa and Sonoma, which one would you? These cookies do not store any personal information. TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 1 hour, 30 min (traffic dependent). If you get hungry, Rim Village Caf will offer hot drinks and snacks. Stop 1: San Francisco (0-5 Nights) More Things to Do in San Francisco. Catch a ferry from Pier 33 to what once was the most secure prison on the west coast! 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). Stuff your face with Mission burritos (found in, you guessed it, the Mission District), some ice cream from Bi-Rite or Mitchells (both equally orgasmic choices), a sourdough bread bowl from Boudin Bakery, and homemade Italian in North Beach. Visitor? I guesssss you could do both, but thatll add another hour or two to your driving time. Mmmm Im salivating just thinking about the Top Pot donuts. Time to start making your way to the coast, because were heading north on the PCH towards Mendocino and Fort Bragg! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If youve never visited the city before and/or have ample time to explore, check out my favorite things to do in San Francisco (Ive listed out all my favorite tourist attractions, big city views, restaurants, and oh so much more). We recommend spending the time at the Redwoods National Park the most famous local attraction and home of the worlds tallest trees. 2-day Route 66 Las Vegas to Grand Canyon itinerary, hiking ideas in Mt. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. t: Being the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast, you cant miss this towering beauty. Ready for some waterfall fun and stinky sulphur in your life? Plan would be to fly into Seattle and out from SF. Another better option is to rent a Campervan or an RV from Outdoorsy to make one's life easier regarding accommodation. and leave at 5:22 pm. Hop on I-5 North, and you can drive from San Francisco to Seattle in around 13-14 hours. There is a possibility to hike to the tip of the cape but bear in mind it is an almost 5-mile hike! However, there is an almost 5-hour journey before we reach city borders. The 129-foot-tall, 250-foot-wide Burney Falls is both gorgeous and very easy to reach. So you wanna take the epic road trip from San Francisco to Seattle?! Long road trips can get boring, so consider printing out these 100 fun Questions for a Road trip. Crescent City is all about outdoors and nature activities. Hiking, snowshoeing, and picnicking are all good options in the park! 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. Portland is the largest city in Oregon. : 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. National Park Inn is open year round, while Paradise Inn only operates between mid-May through early-October. I completely agree with the opinion that the modern United States is still different. Choose Sonoma if youd like a lower-cost, laid-back and intimate afternoon, enjoy a variety of wines (everything from pinot to zinfandel and charbono to gewurztraminer), and want to get off the beaten track a bit. TIP: hike counter-clockwise, this way you will meet fewer crowds along the way. The majority of people are used to the most famous road trip in the United States, from Los Angeles to San Francisco. 2. Rainier does not disappoint in that department! The nearby town of Redding is a great place to base yourself for these two days wandering around Lassen and Burney! Historic Bayfront is a must-visit for shopping, strolling through the streets, sea lion watching and of course, amazing seafood! 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. Where to Stay: Seattle is split between tons of different neighborhoods, each with their own distinct flare and character. Again, please do your part and keep wildlife wild. Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. Promise me you wont miss a day or two in. : This is a popular whale watching site and displays an intriguing geology. 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. Might be easiest to save this map and bookmark this page to have handy for future reference. Today, this is an open museum, and anybody can come and visit. Youll probably be skipping this area and heading north as day trips to Napa are on everyones spring weekend itinerary. It's not hard to believe either. The trail is well maintained and quite easy. Visiting the Falls requires a 1.3 km hike, including some stairs to climb. Japanese Garden in Portland is believed to be the most authentic Japanese Garden outside of Japan! Paradise is located just 2h 30 min from Seattle and is a great base for a day hike in the mountains. Cape Kiwanda is our next stop, with its beautiful dunes and rocks. No other landmark in San Francisco is as famous as the Golden Gate Bridge, it's the city's icon! 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). Eugene city, the birthplace of NIKE, is next on the list and is best to visit during summer for hiking trails. 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, First Time Visitors Guide to San Francisco, Where to Find the Best Views of the Golden Gate Bridge, You kinda have two choices on how you make your way to Mendocino (stop #3 and our first coastal town on this itinerary). However, we believe that Shasta Lake is one of the most stunning spots in California to visit.. 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. , , youll need a vehicle to get you from place to place! Not too many people know that! 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. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 9:19 pm arrive in Seattle. Nice story and great photos. Marvel at the unusual multi-colored soil, and watch the boiling pools of water. and youll receive up to $35 off your first stay! 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! Salt & Straws the answer to that silly question. Seattleites, your secrets out! The time in the car doesnt have to be absolutely horrible. . 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). 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). (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. 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. Go wine tasting, stomp on some grapes (true story), and admire the perfectly aligned vineyard rows just waiting to be produced. Keep in mind that this route includes toll roads. and leave at 8:38 pm. Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most spectacular national parks in Washington, with stunning Mount Rainier being the highlight of this park. I like to search. 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. Slightly better one: Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn 3*. You can see the falls from the parking area or take a short mile loop to get more views up close. A crucial step to take is to issue a car insurance policy to hedge against any sudden accidents. 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!) Another popular stop is the marvelous Shasta Lake, surrounded by mountains with barren trees that create a magnificent effect with the lake's crystal clear waters and the blue color of the sky. Sign up using my link and youll receive up to $35 off your first 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). Theres a whole long list of. Other trendy recommendations include: The Society Hotel (budget funky), McMenamins Kennedy School (yes, an old elementary school! (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. some of the most notorious criminals spent their time here. And once you get back, you can definitely say you earned your donut/s. The drive is not super long, but youll definitely want the better portion of the day to stop and soak it all in! 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. Staying near the airport has some advantages you can return the rental car at the airport and visit all SF attractions via Uber or public transport AND you will be staying close to the Airport for your return flight. Our original plan was to a San Francisco to Portland drive, but we found a cheaper one-way fare coming back from Seattle. I picked out some glass for the photos guilty! We recommend spending one full day here, so book 2 nights. Be sure to dress appropriately, as there WILL be snow on the mountain no matter what time of year you visit. A few suggested options include Best Western Holiday Hotel Coos Bay, Red Lion Hotel Coos Bay, and Old Tower House Bed and Breakfast. Required fields are marked *. The route would take you through Portland to the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River and Mount Hood. Therefore, we will list the 3 best museums and let you decide which one youd like to visit first thing in the morning. Newport is a great mix of attractions, interesting museums, seaside beauty, and delicious food. Head out on an early morning balloon flight above the valley, worth the ridiculous AF wake-up call. Dont fret if all the rooms are sold out (but what a bummer), as there are numerous towns nearby with more accommodation options. Rainier. Bring your binoculars! If you want something a bit different, consider a seaplane tour which will provide you aerial views of all of Seattles most iconic sites (think the Space Needle and such). Where to Stay: There are tons of great accomodation options in both Napa and Sonoma. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Another museum worth visiting in Tillamook is the Naval Air Museum. I like to search via this site in order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. Visit the Cape Perpetua for scenic views of the ocean. While the town is wickedly small (youll see what I mean), the surrounding area completely makes up for it. :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. 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. 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? Day 5, 6 and 7. San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip Itinerary Overview Stop 1: San Francisco, California (2-3 days) Stop 2: Wine Country: Napa/Sonoma (1-2 days) Stop 3: Mendocino/Fort Bragg (1 day) Stop 4: Lassen/Mt. You will enjoy reading his ultimate guides to undiscovered destinations and his articles about various travel experiences. Bypassing part of the coast isnt really an option since there are no major highways through the National Forest between Crater Lake and the coast. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. On your way back to the coast, visit Kuchel Visitor Center for very detailed information about redwoods and nice exhibits as well as meet knowledgeable rangers.