Read More: One Day in Mount Rainier from Seattle. You can either make a well-deserved detour to wine country (and lets face it, get your wine on), or. Gabi also works as a consultant and writer for several travel agencies and business organizations. stay at Ace Hotel. Psst check out the recommended Portland hotels above, and book an extra night if youre totally feeling this day trip. Expect to drive 2-6 hours a day with 1 or 2 longer days. Its full of all my favorite spots (sweets and treats included!). But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 1 hour, 30 min (traffic dependent). 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). Next on the road is the Muir Woods National Monument that boasts 600-years old 75-meters long redwood trees and diverse wildlife. On your way to San Francisco, you'll pass through iconic cities such as Portland, Eugene, Redding, and Santa Rosa. If you choose to venture on over to Napa for a few days, your best bet is to drive West to Bodega Bay from Napa, and continue your drive up north via Highway 1 (also commonly referred to as the Pacific Coast Highway all my favorite stops here!). 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. Day 5 - Eureka area to San Francisco via US 101 and Avenue of the Giants. And as a plus, the beach isnt too sore on the eyes! Unfortunately, just about 5% of the old growth redwood forests remain in California, with Redwood National and State Parks preserving over 35% of all the remaining. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Travel Tips and Practicalities. 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. 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) Make an early start for a roughly 2-hour drive to Toketee Falls. An artistic stop full of galleries in the coastal town of Mendocino that boasts a gallery in a water tower. The amount of land spread between the wineries. Rainier throughout your hike. Its a good idea to make your way back to Portland to slice off a few hours of drive time to Mt. Wind-sculpted sand dunes for days (literally, miles and miles and miles). Again, please do your part and keep wildlife wild. If youve never visited the City by the Bay before (SF), you should really stay and wander for a few days. wait in line for Cowlicks Ice Cream. 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). ), ziplining through the redwoods, farmers market visits, wildflower hiking, and mud baths to tickle your fancy (yes, I just said mud baths). Check out Surfsand Resort you can see Haystack Rock from your balcony! San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip Click on the link below for a list of the West Coast USA road trip itinerary. With an early-morning flight booked well in advance, it's possible. Plan accordingly and bring snacks! Resident of SF? Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Head out on an, early morning balloon flight above the valley, Most wineries dont mind if you have a look around and relax for a bit, even if youre not ordering a flight or doing a tasting. The Ace is close to all the sites with plenty of public transport options nearby as well if needed. The best way to experience a true San Francisco is by taking a local cable car he worlds last manually operated cable car system! And right near the Space Needle is the Chihuly Garden and Glass, another not-to-miss spot in Seattle. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The so-called old town, the heart of Newport, almost Victorian docking area. Ready to cross this trip to the Pacific Northwest off your bucket list?! Youll find plenty of options in Redding, I can promise you that. Fun fact: Mount Rainier is actually a volcano! Day 1: Fly into Seattle and pick up your rental car (or, leave from Seattle if you live here!). For more sea glass you may want to visit the Sea Glass Museum. 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. Sure, the bed and breakfasts look cozy, but they come with a hefty price tag. Read Next: Two Perfect Days in Crater Lake, Oregon. Take your time and enjoy the waves crashing into the rocks. From sculpture parks and waterfront activities, to bacon brie Belgian waffles and homemade mac and cheese, Seattle has a lot to offer. Required fields are marked *. , Seattle has a lot to offer. Beware that the line to get on one of those can reach up to 2 hours! Get one last look at Crater Lake, then hit the road; its time to make our way to the Oregon coast! Youre in luck, because today is alllll about those ancient giants. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Both areas have roughly the same number of wineries, but Sonomas are spread over twice the land, ultimately making it feel way less crowded. is your best friend around here. San Francisco is not a cheap city, so picking a nice and budget-friendly place to stay me be difficult. It is recommended to wear boots, but you will be fine with sneakers too. As always, thanks for the support. Not a wino? This enormous lake makes for beautiful pictures, and you can hire boats, water skis, and fishing rods to make the most of your trip to the lake. Whatever you do, dont miss these highlights in Crater Lake: admire the sheer force of Vidae Falls, head off the coast to Wizard Island, and then cruise along Rim Drive. Read your head at El Dorado Hotel (breezy rooms with a wine bar), MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa (warm and sophisticated), or Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn (spa with mineral baths). And then some. 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. It is also worth stopping at Crescent city to visit Redwood National and State Parks. ), Bumpass Hell Trail Hike (its not really thaaaaat bad), Lake Helen, and Manzanita Lake. 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, ) or Belltown/Pike Place Market (consider, Seven of Seattles Top Tourist Attractions. The historic 75-mile drive on Columbia River Highway connects Troutdale in Oregon with the Dalles. San Franciscos Golden Gate Park is like New York Central Park but is 20% larger. Promise. We recommend spending one full day here, so book 2 nights. On the drive to Mendo, dont miss Patricks Saltwater Taffy, Wild Flour Bread, a quick stop in the spooky town of Jenner, Salt Point State Park, and the Point Arena Lighthouse (my favorite!). 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. Go wine tasting, stomp on some grapes (true story), and admire the perfectly aligned vineyard rows just waiting to be produced. There is a possibility to hike to the tip of the cape but bear in mind it is an almost 5-mile hike! FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. Probably all the same: both here and there. Nice story and great photos. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Theres a whole long list of things to do in Napa besides drink, including olive-oil tasting (carb-loaded drizzled tastings, anyone? Where to Stay: There are tons of great accomodation options in both Napa and Sonoma. , including olive-oil tasting (carb-loaded drizzled tastings, anyone? 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. Over the course of the road trip, expect to drive approximately 38 hours (one way) and around 1800 miles. Head out to the Olympic Peninsula by taking the Bainbridge Island Ferry. Sure, the bed and breakfasts look cozy, but they come with a hefty price tag. Now lets get this San Francisco to Seattle road trip under way! I recommend spending a few days here, as the city is weird, wacky, and downright wonderful. It can be done in 3-5 hours, depending on your skills and physical shape. Youll still fall in love with Napa and/or Sonoma I promise. ), Bumpass Hell Trail Hike (its not really thaaaaat bad), Lake Helen, and. We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! I never thought I would say that the driving part of a trip could compete with . From Seattle, drive straight to Mt. Before we head to Newport, there is an interesting stop along the way that you should visit Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area. Next is a stop at the most beautiful waterfall in Oregon, the unique Toketee Falls. Hop on I-5 North, and you can drive from San Francisco to Seattle in around 13-14 hours. Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most spectacular national parks in Washington, with stunning Mount Rainier being the highlight of this park. Take a ferry to historic Alcatraz Island and admire the San Francisco skyline from Twin Peaks. 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. Crescent City is all about outdoors and nature activities. The trail is well maintained and quite easy. And lucky for you (any myself), I already did this same exact road trip from San Francisco to Mendocino. When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. This NRA is actually one of the largest expanses of temperate coastal sand dunes in the world, so yea, I wasnt kidding when I said Oregons coastline is on par with. Another better option is to rent a Campervan or an RV from Outdoorsy to make one's life easier regarding accommodation. Youll probably be skipping this area and heading north as, are on everyones spring weekend itinerary. Youll probably be skipping this area and heading north as day trips to Napa are on everyones spring weekend itinerary. Hoping to get down to those dazzling blue waters yourself? We recommend spending the time at the Redwoods National Park the most famous local attraction and home of the worlds tallest trees. So incredibly good. San Francisco - 2 Days End your West Coast trip in San Francisco. As usual, here are some budget-friendly options, for example, Pacific Inn. #noshame. : 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. A gem of the Pacific Northwest is the Willamette Valley, known for its 1300 wineries and vineyards. However, most of the aircraft were moved to other museums over the years, leaving a modest collection of 25 airplanes. You can even take a buggy or ATV tour of the dunes! Keep driving south until you reach Fort Bragg. Seattle To San Francisco Road Trip (Day 1 &2) Since Seattle is the starting pointand five days is like a few minutes on this tripone should get to Seattle early enough. Psst check out the recommended Portland hotels above, and book an extra night if youre totally feeling this day trip. 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. If you are not up for the challenge, consider stopping at Cape Lookout Viewpoint for some great photos of the ocean. Ready for some waterfall fun and stinky sulphur in your life? 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). Be sure to check out my 3-day San Francisco itinerary. Take advantage of, If youll be following this itinerary and heading north (without driving the direct 15+ hours back to, ), youll want to book two one-way tickets. Yes, parts of this area reek, but youll quickly see why after taking note to the bubbling mud pots and steaming sulphuric vents. Visit the Cape Perpetua for scenic views of the ocean. ), Once you arrive, get ready for some small-town nature fun. Additionally, a lot of visitors head to Domaine Chandon to taste US's best sparkling wines. Seattleites, your secrets out! Other trendy recommendations include: The Society Hotel (budget funky), McMenamins Kennedy School (yes, an old elementary school! Visiting Crater Lake National Park is a must when on a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle. Another good stop for hiking is in the city of Bend in Oregon. ), then simply enjoy the San Francisco vibe, buy some local souvenirs or plan your next adventure. 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. 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. Enjoy donuts, coffee, beer, and hanging with hipsters? Be sure to stop at 1) Bastendorff Beach (never-crowded and always beautiful), 2) Sunset Bay State Park (protected by towering sea cliffs with beautiful sandy beaches and amazing tide pools), 3) Cape Arago Lighthouse Viewpoint (cant go in but you can get fantastic views from here), 4) Shore Acres State Park and Botanical Gardens (for those who cant get enough blooms in their life), 5) Simpson Beach (tons of migrating whales and hundreds of seals and sea lions among other wildlife), 6) Shell Island (breeding and rest areas for seabirds and Marine mammals), and finally 7) Cape Arago State Park. Feeding wild animals is a big no-no, and can actually do way more harm than good. 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! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Another museum worth visiting in Tillamook is the Naval Air Museum. Rather stay in the car (why though?) 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. 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. *EXTRA ADD-ON: STOP #10 >> can go directly to Mt. Get some ideas from ourUSA West Coast Road Trip. 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. The beautiful Victorian Mansion has a haunted house look. Ive got you covered, but dont blame me if you cant get into your pants the next day. From waterfall hiking, epic sunsets, a killer botanical garden, and another light station (Im a killer for these if you couldnt already tell), dont underestimate, Fort Bragg is only a few miles north, and a great way to spend a few hours. 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). 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 . We highly recommend taking the submarine tour. 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. Road-tripping individuals will have the chance to behold the unique views on the Pacific Coast Highway in California. You can either make a well-deserved detour to wine country (and lets face it, get your wine on), or drive up the Pacific Coast Highway all the way to the Mendo/Fort Bragg area. The best part about the Redwoods National Park is the possibility to drive through the park rather than taking long walks. Rainier national park. Later (or the following morning), head to Castle Lake Road to get fantastic views of Mount Shasta with the city beneath it. drive for about 2.5 hours. Might be easiest to save this map and bookmark this page to have handy for future reference. 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). 1) HOME SFO, 2) SEA HOME. Otherwise, Evergreen Inn & Suites Portland offer good rates, although you might have to drive in order to see the main attractions. Rainier does not disappoint in that department! To say its simply stunning is a huge understatement. Diablo Lake (GORGEOUS but requires even more driving time), and Snoqualmie Falls, all ranging from easy to moderate with absolutely fantastic views. Look no further-a multi-day drive from San Francisco to Seattle is calling your name! Heck, their slogan is Keep Portland Weird, and it definitely lives up to its reputation. 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! There are tons of great accomodation options in both Napa and Sonoma. 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). 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). It is full of beautiful scenery - tall waterfalls, old mossy bridges, and greenery, hiking trails and mountain views. 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). Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. Where to Stay: The nearby town of Redding is a great place to base yourself for these two days wandering around Lassen and Burney! Drive to Port Angeles, with a stop at Nourish Sequim along the way for a delicious (and gluten free) lunch. Stop 5: Crater Lake National Park (2 Nights) Youll know when you see it. Its more of a mixture of rocks, sea glass, and sand. Burney Falls State Park. With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 12 hours and 47 mins to drive. Road Trips - San Francisco to Seattle road trip 9-10 days - We are flying into San Francisco and renting a car to drive up to Seattle and back. You must wait in line for Cowlicks Ice Cream. The easiest way to get on the road to Seattle from San Francisco is via Interstate 5. 14+ days would be best, but we also know that you might not have that kind of vacation time to burn. Pay a visit to Point Arena Lighthouse dating back to 1908 and enjoy the view of the rugged coastline. Visiting the Falls requires a 1.3 km hike, including some stairs to climb. Therefore, we will list the 3 best museums and let you decide which one youd like to visit first thing in the morning. Check out Howland Hill Road, Bald Hills Road, Coastal Drive Loop, and/or Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Get ready for big mountain views today, as Mt. You need to choose! Before your coastal road trip continues, meet a local fisherman for a crabbing outing in one of the protected coastal bays. For all wine lovers, there is a fantastic stop along the way Briceland Vineyards Winery. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); When it comes to visiting museums, everyones taste is different. Your San Francisco to Seattle road trip starts off with the right foot by paying a visit to the gorgeous region of Sonoma. some of the most notorious criminals spent their time here. If you are looking for centrally located hotels, we recommend looking into The Society Hotel 3* or Washington Plaza Portland. Yes, you read that right the EARTH! I promise that each park will give you those towering redwoods youre so looking forward to (and theres actually three different types!) If you decide Napas your town of choice, I prefer the Andaz Napa (hip boutique-ish), Harvest Inn (rustic upscale), Napa Valley Inn (Mediterranean-style), or RiverPointe Napa Valley (colorful cottages). First things first, if youre not a resident of San Francisco, youll of course need to get yourself there. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spend a fun day exploring the neighborhood, watch the fishermen unload their catch and sample fresh seafood at one of the numerous waterfront restaurants. However, our proposed itinerary has been designed to enable visiting all the cool attractions along the way, especially small charming towns along the coastline. 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? :p, Check out my road trip packing guide for must-have items and other handy tips and tricks (helpful even if youre an experienced road tripper, promise!). Newport is a great mix of attractions, interesting museums, seaside beauty, and delicious food. Next: Every Wine Aficionado Needs To Visit These Napa Valley Vineyards, Gabi is a travel writer passionate about nature, geographical wonders, various cuisines, writing, and living life to the fullest.

Landon Durham Hearing, 1 Billion Old Ghana Cedis To New Ghana Cedis, Who Would Win In A Fight Sagittarius Or Pisces, Articles S