wait in line for Cowlicks Ice Cream. So incredibly good. 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. Resident of SF? Not too many people know that! Slightly better one: Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn 3*. Note that many rental car shops charge extra for returning their cars at different pick up/drop off locations just something to keep in mind (worth the extra cost to me I would rather pay an extra fee than drive an extra 15+ hours (with gas! 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. Drive past Netarts all the way to Cape Lookout. Be sure to check out my 3-day San Francisco itinerary. Dedicate Day 1 to a full exploration of the national park, and dont miss Sulphur Works, Emerald Lake (an absolute dream! The Golden Gate Bridge has a walkway, so you're free to stroll or ride a bike here. 14+ days would be best, but we also know that you might not have that kind of vacation time to burn. And plus, those vineyards and wineries come with beautiful grounds, lush rolling hills, and boast fantastic views of the area . And thankfully, Portland is less than two hours from the coast! You will enjoy reading his ultimate guides to undiscovered destinations and his articles about various travel experiences. No other landmark in San Francisco is as famous as the Golden Gate Bridge, it's the city's icon! San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip: Take a Pacific Northwest Drive. Check out Surfsand Resort you can see Haystack Rock from your balcony! People can go on hiking trips in Sausalito, learn about the natural habitat and the preserved seashore, among other activities. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Are you interested in doing another road trip from San Francisco? Before your coastal road trip continues, meet a local fisherman for a crabbing outing in one of the protected coastal bays. 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. Youll also find scuba diving here as well! 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. Yup, thats over here in Fort Bragg, although if youre expecting a beach made of primarily smooth glass, youll be wildly disappointed. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Rainier (STOP #11) if you prefer, TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 2 hours, 30 min // ~ 5 hours, 45 min roundtrip. Youll find plenty of options in Redding, I can promise you that. Promise me you wont miss a day or two in Californias wine country (preferably two if you want to do all the things). Day 1: Fly into Seattle and pick up your rental car (or, leave from Seattle if you live here!). This museum is especially great for families with kids. 5 day road trip Seattle to San Francisco - Road Trips Forum Take a ferry to historic Alcatraz Island and admire the San Francisco skyline from Twin Peaks. 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). Any scuba enthusiasts in the house? Looking to check something off your bucket list? You can take two main routes on a Seattle to San Francisco road trip, each with differing lengths. Now lets get this San Francisco to Seattle road trip under way! However, there are things to do and to explore in Tillamook itself! Rainier does not disappoint in that department! I promise that each park will give you those towering redwoods youre so looking forward to (and theres actually three different types!) From Seattle, drive straight to Mt. Looking for a top hotel recommendation? Take your time and enjoy the waves crashing into the rocks. Both areas have roughly the same number of wineries, but Sonomas are spread over twice the land, ultimately making it feel way less crowded. Road-tripping individuals will have the chance to behold the unique views on the Pacific Coast Highway in California. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Visiting Crater Lake National Park is a must when on a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle. Be sure to dress appropriately, as there WILL be snow on the mountain no matter what time of year you visit. However, we believe that Shasta Lake is one of the most stunning spots in California to visit.. Road Trip from San Francisco to Seattle - 3 Day Itinerary. Portland Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums on the west coast with a large collection of Native American and Asian art. Consider heading to Olympic National Park, ; everything you can possibly think of for any long road trip! 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). Sea lions can be spotted at the docks, too. Spend the next day hoping from waterfall to waterfall, as there are lots to pick from today! Re: San Francisco to Seattle. Search for the best car rental prices here, my favorite things to do in San Francisco, Pacific Coast Highway all my favorite stops here! Seattle to San Francisco - Road Trips Forum - Tripadvisor Theres SO much food worthy of making this list, as Portland earns its title as a foodie city, and youd burst from attempting to eat at all the hot spots. And right near the Space Needle is the Chihuly Garden and Glass, another not-to-miss spot in Seattle. Make sure to search for one-way flights when booking tickets. Portland is the largest city in Oregon. Road Trip San Francisco to Seattle in 3 Days - Enterprise Rent-A-Car 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. Through his work, Gabi will transport you into a world of marvelous attractions where you will learn about the various landmarks and places of interest that distinguish any country around the planet. Another better option is to rent a Campervan or an RV from Outdoorsy to make one's life easier regarding accommodation. 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. If all of this sounds too familiar (didnt we already see those things in Newport, Oregon? Multnomah Falls - plunges from a height of 620 feet and is easy to access, but crowded. However, if finding accomodation inside the park is important to you, book super early, as there are only two inns located within. The drive is not super long, but youll definitely want the better portion of the day to stop and soak it all in! Hoping to get down to those dazzling blue waters yourself? Keep in mind that this route includes toll roads. 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! 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). Depending on how many days you have at hand for your Seattle to San Francisco road trip itinerary, there is an interesting detour option to spend the night in Eugene, Oregon and explore Toketee Falls / Crater Lake the next day. The time in the car doesnt have to be absolutely horrible. 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. Beware that the line to get on one of those can reach up to 2 hours! Rainier. Visiting the Falls requires a 1.3 km hike, including some stairs to climb. 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.:). : This is a popular whale watching site and displays an intriguing geology. Make sure to check out the rose garden if its open and the Zoo. From almost 600 feet up, you get unparalleled views of the Seattle skyline as well as the Puget sound. 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. Plan accordingly and bring snacks! San Francisco to Seattle drive - plan a road trip And those photos youve seen of all the colorful sea glass on the beach? This 1200 feet above sea level trail is often in the clouds but nevertheless very scenic and bright! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Check out. Nice story and great photos. 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. San Francisco to Seattle - A 12-day Road Trip - Leisurely Drives Promise me you wont miss a day or two in. : 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. stay at Ace Hotel. If you are not up for the challenge, consider stopping at Cape Lookout Viewpoint for some great photos of the ocean. On this driving/exploring/sightseeing loop, youll venture into three Oregon State Parks, watch a ton of seals and sea lions play, as well as stop at numerous breathtaking vantage points. If cheese alone doesnt satisfy your appetite, have a look at the ice cream counter, taste wood fire pizza or local yogurt. Seattle is split between tons of different neighborhoods, each with their own distinct flare and character. The best way to experience a true San Francisco is by taking a local cable car he worlds last manually operated cable car system! Read More: Seven of Seattles Top Tourist Attractions, Where to Eat all the Noms in Seattle, Seattle Seaplane Experience, Seattle Tourist City Guide. I agree Olympic NP is absolutely amazing! Plus, all my snack suggestions. Enjoy delicious seafood at Fisherman's Wharf and the dim sum in Chinatown. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Today is the final day of our trip the day we cross the Golden Gate Bridge into The City by the Bay. However, there is an almost 5-hour journey before we reach city borders. 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); SF Chinatown is one of the best areas for walking around. 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. With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 12 hours and 47 mins to drive. Road Trip From Seattle To San Francisco - LazyTrips If youre not pressed on time you can easily spread these activities/stops out over two days. Lady Bird Johnson Grove is a must-see spot if you have limited time. I picked out some glass for the photos guilty! Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US and was formed by a supervolcanic eruption 7,700 years ago. 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. Youll probably be skipping this area and heading north as day trips to Napa are on everyones spring weekend itinerary. Crescent City is all about outdoors and nature activities. 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. Yachats other name is the gem of the Oregon coast, and there is a good reason for that. San Francisco To Seattle: The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary - TheTravel Ready for some waterfall fun and stinky sulphur in your life? Fun fact: Mount Rainier is actually a volcano! 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!) The museum used to be one of the top US private World War II aircraft collections. And lucky for you (any myself), I already did this same exact road trip from San Francisco to Mendocino. 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. 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. . Youll find plenty of options in Redding, I can promise you that. If you dont feel like walking so much, you can easily hike just the part of the trail, for example up until Panorama Point. And as a plus, the beach isnt too sore on the eyes! The Ultimate San Francisco To Seattle Road Trip: 55+ Stops You Need To Make In Between July 26, 2022 Looking for a West Coast road trip that features unbelievable waterfalls, coastal villages, wineries, redwoods, or volcanic geological sights? Located a little north of San Francisco, Sonoma is composed of small and picturesque towns such as Healdsburg, Guerneville (the best option to a night of party) and Forestville. Probably all the same: both here and there. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This itinerary looks amazing but we only have one week to travel from San Fran to Seattle. When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. I recommend spending a few days here, as the city is weird, wacky, and downright wonderful. Youre in luck, because next up on this San Francisco to Seattle road trip itinerary is. drive for about 2.5 hours. WorldNomads offers travel insurance for attractive rates. The south trail will take you to a variety of sea life, whereas the north offers offshore colonies of seals and sea lions (closed March-June to protect the baby seal pups!) Go to Napa if you want to be where all the people are, love a good cab and other classic Bordeaux varietals, and want to buy and taste some of the best-known wines in the world. The most beautiful city to visit on the road trip from San Francisco to Seattle is Fort Bragg. French press coffee and Belgian waffles will melt in your mouth! The historic 75-mile drive on Columbia River Highway connects Troutdale in Oregon with the Dalles. Where to Stay: The nearby town of Redding is a great place to base yourself for these two days wandering around Lassen and Burney! Fort Bragg is only a few miles north, and a great way to spend a few hours. Since youll probably be pressed on time during this San Francisco to Seattle road trip, itll be difficult to plan your day in Mt. Before we head to Newport, there is an interesting stop along the way that you should visit Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area. Mmmm Im salivating just thinking about the Top Pot donuts. With quiet seaside coves, bustling beach towns, and secluded hideaways, you wont want to miss the beauty that is Oregon. Obviously sunny and clear is sought after, as the mountain may be hidden beneath lots of fog and cloud cover if not! (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. Newport, Oregon 5. San Francisco to Seattle Drive: Our Ten Year Anniversary Road Trip Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Dont fret if all the rooms are sold out (but what a bummer), as there are numerous towns nearby with more accommodation options. 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. Devils Punchbowl is a rock formation in the shape of a bowl that roars when the waves enter it and crash into rocks (especially during winter storms). Doesnt get much better than that! Phew, made it (finally)! 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! You. We recommend spending one full day here, so book 2 nights. Ready to cross this trip to the Pacific Northwest off your bucket list?! , including olive-oil tasting (carb-loaded drizzled tastings, anyone? When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. And you cant really determine where they are real in metropolitan cities or in some American outback. Get close to harbor seals, sea lions, seabirds, sharks, turtles in this amazing, 25-year-old aquarium. Your email address will not be published. You can either make a well-deserved detour to wine country (and lets face it, get your wine on), or. Stay at an AirBnB directly in the forest (with star gazing opportunities at night) and you wont be disappointed. San Francisco To Seattle Road Trip: 55+ Stops To Make In Between The city is known for being eco-friendly with numerous parks, bike paths, and outdoor areas. For more sea glass you may want to visit the Sea Glass Museum. ), ziplining through the redwoods, farmers market visits, wildflower hiking, and mud baths to tickle your fancy (yes, I just said mud baths). He loves traveling, reading, partying, and making friends. Youll still fall in love with Napa and/or Sonoma I promise. 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). Day 5, 6 and 7. Japanese Garden in Portland is believed to be the most authentic Japanese Garden outside of Japan! Mount Rainier is most definitely a landmark in Washingtons landscape. From sculpture parks and waterfront activities, to. Oh, and well be stopping in a few cities known for their donuts what could possibly go wrong? 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. Other moderately priced options include: Pretend to be a hipster for a few days and book yourself a room at the. Start off early and head to the park before everyone else arrives. 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. Sure, Californias Highway One surely steals the show when it comes to coastal road trips, but Oregons coast is one for the bucket list as well! As usual, here are some budget-friendly options, for example, Pacific Inn. Might be easiest to save this map and bookmark this page to have handy for future reference. Theres a whole long list of things to do in Napa besides drink, including olive-oil tasting (carb-loaded drizzled tastings, anyone? No wonder there are so many great options to choose from scenic beaches, hikes among giant redwoods, fishing, surfing, horseback riding, whale watching. Not I, thats for sure! Bandon, Oregon 4. Rainier throughout your hike. 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. Pay a visit to Point Arena Lighthouse dating back to 1908 and enjoy the view of the rugged coastline. 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.
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