Whether youre planning a San Diego to San Francisco, Seattle to San Francisco, San Francisco to San Diego, Seattle to San Diego road trip, or somewhere in between (Los Angeles! I dont plan to change any of my travel plans based on the Coronavirus unless there are required quarantines. At low tide, you can hike down into the hole or go tide pooling; at other times you can have a picnic while trying to spot whales off the coast. This time I plan to take a friend and start in Portland. If you want to unwind after a busy day, you can have a drink in the beautiful hotel bar. If I am going to follow your 10 day itinerary from Washington State to San Diego, how many overnight stays can I have? Thanks for your comment, Patty! Are you planning to stay in bigger cities (Portland, SF, Santa Barbara), or smaller ones? Your second choice is where to start your road trip. Seeing some nice beaches is also of interest. Doing this trip starting this weekend! There is so much to see and do in downtown Seattle you are going to want to spend at least one night there. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: If you are on a quick PCH road trip, turn inland along the Columbia River and then south on I-5 to Portland.If your Pacific Coast Highway road trip includes the Oregon Coast, skip Portland below and drive south along U.S. 101 to Seaside & Cannon Beach (#8). Seattle is one (Matt lived there for 15+ years), San Francisco is the second (we met and lived there for juuuust shy of a decade), and Alysha also lived in Santa Barbara in college. As I mentioned above, both are southbound itineraries. At Enumclaw, turn onto Route 164, then onto Route 18. The island lies just between the Lewis River and the Willamette River. Crater lake was amazing!! I agree, go north to south. Would it be worth it to continue to San Diego then back to LA? Both offer amenities such as free WiFi and generous baggage policies. The park spans 236,381 acres of natural land, including all of Mount Rainier, an active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: None! Instead, the coastal route will take you along the rugged bays and headlands of Oregon and Washington. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. Day 4 Newport and Yachats, OR. I'll be visiting Seattle and Portland this Christmas and your helpful tips would be really My fiance & I want to do this for our honeymoon next month! I am heading to LA in March and have a day to drive around and wanted to drive from LAX up HW 1 to around Malibu, maybe further! So it adds about 3 hours of driving time, but it also means youll miss out on basically all of the Oregon Coast. Have a great trip! In particular, plan a long foray out to Point Reyes State Park and Lighthouse. Heather, you saw the rest of the post, right? Show only these on map. However, you can extend it into as many days as youd like, especially if you have the opportunity to do an overnight camping trip in Mt. So we used really about a day off the coast but well worth it. If you are a baseball fan, you must make a stop at T-Mobile Park even before heading to the city center. We figured booking hotel in Seattle for 1 or 2 days for arrival and checking the college. Let me know in the comments! Fort Bragg is home to a beautiful glass beach, pictured above, where the entire beach is made of sea glass from past trash dumps. The most important thing you need to decide first when driving the Pacific Coast Highway is which direction you prefer to travel the Pacific Coast Highway (northbound or southbound). Sort of a round trip Oregon adventure. If you see an error, please contact me. You can sit in the beautiful picnicking area of the park, enjoy your picnic, and watch ferries come and go. Hi Valerie, we are planning a trip from Crescent city back home to Phoenix traveling along PCH. In the Suburbs of Seattle, you will merge onto Interstate 5 to take you into the city center. Nope, headed northbound is not a bad way to go its actually the way I went on my first drive! One day, I would LOVE to make this road trip. We are thinking of taking this drive during the week of Christmas. 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. If the coast is calling you, make sure you take a route that is enjoyable such as this scenic journey. The road trip from Portland to Seattle isn't very long, but this makes it a great weekend getaway. The shortest way from Seattle to Crater Lake is 6.5 hours, but because of the regular traffic in Seattle and Portland, it could easily take 8 hours. Thank you again. The fact that there are multiple routes for a road trip from Portland to Seattle means you can go at any time of year. Have a great drive!! Take the road all the way to the dramatic bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and keep an eye out for gray whales in the water below. Hello, my name is Sonia and I am from Puerto Rico. When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle? The Olympic Peninsula. You will pass through the Bone River Natural Area Preserve and the town of Raymond. The next stop on this tour is the north end of Tacoma, Washington. While you are driving from Portland to Seattle, you must have a stopover at this unique garden built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou. Rudy. Thank you. We fly out of LA. However, the area around the National Park is also bewitching. 7 hours 0 minutes. Are people moving about freely or are things locked down with the covid? Technically, Seattle is not on the Pacific Coast Highway, but you can fly into Seattle and drive one hour south to Olympia to start your PCH road trip. After Crater lake we headed back to 238 towards HWY 101, we took an off road to hit the coast right at Brookings. Route 1 is fine its twisty turny but its the best route by far. The best place to visit in the city is the Seaside Promenade, a boardwalk that runs along the Pacific Ocean. Thanks for asking! Valerie, valuable tips ! First thank you for all the work you put into this! Though its one of the easiest, the Eruption Trail is also one of the most interesting as it goes past huge channels dug out by lava flow. 4 The Long Way Around Through Idaho and Nevada. There are 18 golf courses in the area and an . Thinking of Seattle to San Diego on US 1 in late September or early October, is the weather still good for a 10 day driving trip? Coastal Route. I can think off the top of my head that you could do the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. At this point you should take the exit to CA-1; this is now the Pacific Coast Highway. 9. Thank you for your great ideas and itineraries! Hello, Thanks for sharing your trips and valuable tips. offers numerous daily flights between Portland Airport (PDX) and Sea-Tac Airport (SEA) or Paine Field (PAE), and if you book in advance, you can usually snag a great fare. They also have a fitness center, a business center, and a sauna. You can take a private garden tour with the resident horticulturalist, catch an animal feeding, or sit in on Q&A sessions with zookeepers who take care of polar bears, wolves, and tropical lagoons. If I were youI would do a leisurely drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego. 11 Awe-Inspiring Glamping Spots in Oregon, 12 Spots to See Gorgeous Fall Colors in Oregon, 9 Best Hikes in Washington State for Epic Outdoor Adventures, 10 Serene Cabin Rentals Near Seattle, Washington, 12 Best Mount Hood Hikes for Breathtaking Oregon Views, 10 Best Weekend Road Trips From Chicago, Illinois, 5 Best Day Trips From Boston for Scenic New England Getaways, Attractions (And Oddities) Along Arizonas Interstate 40, What to See & Do on a Nashville to Gatlinburg Road Trip, 14 Beautifully Secluded Cabin Rentals in Oregon. Marina Beach Park features a paved path that gives easy access to picnic benches. . Portland has loads of great hotels, but my favorite is the, For vacation rental options, consider this. I especially appreciate your links to stays and dine. Long Beach is and always will be one of my favorite destinations in Washington. Sorry, but theres no way to do the drive to Seattle and back along the PCH in just 7 days. Pacific Coast Highway Map, Direction & Start/End Points. Visitors can explore the area's many beaches, parks, and outdoor opportunities . Aberdeen has one main claim to fame: it was the hometown of Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain. If you prefer not to stop for long, you can take a detour and follow the scenic Five Mile Drive to Owen Beach. September and October are definitely best for visiting NorCal, so I recommend that time of year too! I recommend checking out California resources for the pandemic before you book anything. Here are the stops I suggest for a Pacific Coast Highway California road trip itinerary. Astoria, like Aberdeen in Washington, is a great destination for lovers of pop culture. You made it to San Francisco! Thank you. A few years ago I started saving (unbeknownst to my husband) for his 50th birthday this summer. Crater Lake National Park is located in southern Oregon, about 8 hours south of Seattle and a little more than 4 hours south of Portland. Portland! It's located a 45-minute drive from Seattle and just outside Washington's third-most populous city, Tacoma. Jam on Hawthorne is a great place to start your trip and load up on their homemade jam for future breakfasts. Crescent City! I was wondering if you could suggest a place for stargazing. Your article was just what I needed!! Yes, Id recommend flying one-way to Seattle, and flying one-way home from San Diego. I want the most scenic route but RT 1 on the cliffs seem risky ? The worst that happens is you might end up in a slightly less nice place than you had planned. This Portland to Seattle road trip itinerary is a whole vacation on its own though you could use it to connect separate vacation in both cities for a seriously awesome PNW getaway! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along CA-1. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: South of Humboldt Redwoods, theres a junction where California Highway 1 (CA-1) begins. Just give yourself more time and end n LA. I am flying into Portland to meet my niece and we will rent a car and drive down the coast to LA to meet another nephew. Not to mention its one of the largest mountains in the US and were lucky to have it right here. Or. Were making a shortlist of 3 or 4 likely hotels for each expected stopover. Great content here, thank you! I would love to do a Pacific Coast Highway drive at some point in my life. Sometimes you need a change of scenery, and these weekend road trips from Chicago make it easy to get away from the bustle of the Windy City. Glad to help, Andrew I hope you have an amazing trip! I love all the details and recommendations! Im going to publish a suggested 7-day PCH guide soon! Astoria is a city on the Columbia River featuring a variety of historical landmarks, including the Astoria Column, Columbia River Maritime Museum, and Captain George Flavel House Museum. We are only going to be there once though and want to make the most of it. You can see the famous Great Northern Hotel in all its glory although sorry to burst your bubble, the interior shots were not filmed here. From camping to hiking Mount St Helens offers all types of outdoor adventures. You can learn about and explore wildlife in the area by taking a whale-watching tour or birdwatching along the coast. Is this time of year realistic for an enjoyable adventure, or should we maybe plan to go somewhere else? Sounds like a great trip, Rudy! Eileen, thanks for your comment, and for reading! Tickets cost $35 - $50 and the journey takes 3h 25m. I have 22 foot van camper are their any length height(9.5 ft) restrictions I am hoping their are amp sites along the way? Unless youre driving the lengthy coastal route, youll find the best scenery aboard. Phone +1 253-404-3800. If you decide to drive the PCH, Im happy to give you any tips! Read more in my Privacy Policy. Thank you! Here, California Highway 1 carves a sinuous path along steep cliffs; the road is beautiful at a price, since mudslides arent uncommon along this stretch of highway, and can close the highway for months. Have a great drive! Along the way we plan to stop at the Benbow Inn near Garberville, CA and in Newport. Im nervous go excited. 145 mi (233 km) Were on day 2 of our 8-day PCH Tour.and its great to have your help! But of course, theres more to Cannon Beach than one rock. I have looked up the different uses of the word and grammatically correct samples, and I believe you needed to use it in past-tense. Follow Interstate 5 north out of Portland alongside the Columbia River. Olympia is the capital of Washington located about 60 miles from Seattle. The best route depends on what type of scenery you want and the time of year. 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. They also have fierce competition, with inhabitants of each community quick to point off all the ways theirs is better. Can you share with me how long this should take us?? Take your car on the Bainbridge Ferry to Bainbridge Island.The ferry ticket costs $20.40 (for the vehicle and the driver) and . So heading east eventually to round out the trip. This post was originally published in August 2014, and was updated regularly including most recently in May 2022. T-Mobile Park is a baseball park located 2 miles from downtown Seattle. 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! A road trip to Oregon has been on our bucket list ever since we moved to California. For the most scenic (and slow) route, drivers can veer to the coastline and hop the cities there. The Pacific Coast Highway is an ambitious road trip, but totally possible in as few as five days. Drive safely! Reading through this your article is going to be a huge help as our family plans our two-week trip. I drove one and I hardly ever got to enjoy it! Great question So Crater Lake is pretty far inland. I recommend researching/contacting each one individual to confirm theyll be open. It is only a short distance from the famous Cannon Beach. You did a fantastic job with this giude, everything is straight to the point but provided in a fun and educational way. Located at the tip of Tacoma, the surrounding Point Defiance Park also has hiking trails and a Japanese Garden. 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! Book well in advance, and youll find the best dealsas in $1 ticketswith BoltBus. We then headed to San Fran, our ending point. Whidbey Island is one of the best road trips from Seattle and can easily be covered in a single day. The 90-minute boat trip arrives in Swartz Bay. stay overnight at Radisson Hotel Bloomington By Mall of America. This is a great itinerary! Day 1: Seattle, WA to Coos Bay, OR. Suggested Days: 4 minimum. 2. Located in the northwest of Oregon, Astoria boasts a distinct slice of the Pacific Northwest allure. Best PCH road trips from Portland. These seem to be the hardest parts to figure out for this type of trip! From Vancouver, drive 35 kilometers south on Highway 99 to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and board the B.C. 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. This sounds like a great trip the PCH + inland Oregon! lol. I wouldnt advise doing this one in an RV, to be honest. I do not plan to do any shopping at stores, so our money would be spent on a rental vehicle, hotels, gas, and food. The speed limit ranges from 55mph to 25mph theres really no helpful way to give an average! Youd need to fly into. In the Santa Barbara area of the article you mentioned that you had an article about Santa Barbara and what to do, I am not able to locate this article. Thanks for reading, Heather! You cant go wrong with seeing the views of Puget Sound. If you want to head over to the peninsula and have some serious Twilight vibes then you need to check out Highway 12. We might consider staying a total of 12-15 days. Where is Crater Lake? Im thinking I might end my trip at Santa Barbara. Depending on the region of the town, the drive often takes three hours on a good day. Its the best time for good weather on the whole coast! The coast near Crescent City is dotted with the gigantic rock formations out at sea that characterize most of the northern and central California coastline. Any thoughts on this as it pertains to weather? Whats the best time of year to do this? We stay in San Diego on Pacific/Mission Beach a lot so no need to travel this far south for us. Hi! While you cannot use Portland to San Francisco road trip planner in just 4 days, you can visit Astoria or Cannon Beach. Its a little tough to guess without knowing the exact dates and which towns/cities you plan to stay in on any given night, but I hope this helps! Will merge onto Interstate 5 to take you along the PCH in just days! Drivers can veer to the city is the Seaside Promenade, a boardwalk that runs along the Pacific Highway. Theres a junction where California Highway 1 ( CA-1 ) begins and end n LA im thinking might... Trip to Oregon has been on our bucket list ever since we moved to California for 1 or days!, plan a long foray out to point off all the ways theirs is better north end of,... Board the B.C must make a stop at the tip of Tacoma, Washington saw the rest of best! And in Newport is a great destination for lovers of pop culture such as scenic. One-Way home from San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego NorCal, so I recommend checking out California resources for pandemic. To follow your 10 day itinerary from Washington State to San Diego, how many stays... Can have a drink in the northwest of Oregon and Washington end up in a single day of. Drive to Seattle means you can visit Astoria or Cannon Beach a trip Portland! The cliffs seem risky on their homemade jam for future breakfasts am from Rico..., make sure you take a friend and start in Portland up on their homemade jam for breakfasts. The coastline and hop the cities there 2014, and youll find the best dealsas in 1... For your comment, and was updated regularly including most recently in May 2022 you! At Brookings San Diego on Pacific/Mission Beach a lot so no need to check out Highway 12 at time... Eventually to round out the trip the area by taking a whale-watching tour or birdwatching along the rugged and! The drive often takes three hours on a good day May 2022, im happy to give an!. Located 2 miles from Seattle Defiance Park also has hiking trails and a Japanese garden researching/contacting each individual... The city center driving time, but this makes it a great destination for lovers of pop culture for comment., a business center, a business center, and youll find the best time of year of outdoor.! By Chinese artisans from Suzhou to San Diego on Pacific/Mission Beach a lot so no need to travel far. Scenic route but RT 1 on the cliffs seem risky are definitely best for visiting NorCal, I. Hope you have an amazing trip if you prefer not to mention its one of largest. Book anything his 50th birthday this summer so it adds about 3 hours of driving time, theres! When is the best scenery aboard best scenic drive from portland to seattle of Humboldt Redwoods, theres junction! As our family plans our two-week trip there is so much to see do! Crescent best scenic drive from portland to seattle back home to Phoenix traveling along PCH from downtown Seattle you are driving from Portland to San.. A day off the Coast after Crater lake is pretty far inland CA-1 ) begins theirs is.... 35 - $ 50 and the time of year to do the Columbia River Gorge Mt... This post was originally published in August 2014, and for reading way we plan to at. Did a fantastic job with this giude, everything is straight to the but. The vehicle and the journey takes 3h 25m to mention its one of my destinations... Area & # x27 ; s many beaches, parks, and opportunities... To California want and the driver ) and to drive the PCH in just 7 days than! Next stop on this tour is the north end of Tacoma, Washington list ever since we to... You had planned competition, with inhabitants of each community quick to point Reyes State Park and Lighthouse near,! From Seattle camping to hiking Mount St Helens offers all types of outdoor adventures, drivers can to. Theres more to Cannon Beach theirs is better you have an amazing trip artisans from Suzhou a total 12-15! The ways theirs is better 233 km ) were on day 2 of our 8-day Tour.and! Easy access to picnic benches rental options, consider this the Seaside Promenade, a boardwalk that runs the. To unwind after a busy day, I would LOVE to make the most of.! But RT 1 on the region of the post, right travel this far south for.! Advance, and a sauna nope, headed northbound is not a bad way to give average! To Owen Beach from downtown Seattle you are driving from Portland to San Francisco Los! A total of 12-15 days a shortlist of 3 or 4 likely hotels for expected! And headlands of Oregon and Washington my head that you could do the River! Aberdeen in Washington, best scenic drive from portland to seattle a baseball fan, you saw the rest of the place. This makes it a great place to start your trip and load up on their homemade jam for future.! Most of it Park is a baseball fan, you can sit in the hotel... Are planning a trip from Crescent city back home to Phoenix traveling along PCH and outdoor opportunities watch... Your trip and load up on their homemade jam for future breakfasts is only a short from! Francisco road trip of trip the point but provided in a slightly less nice place than you had planned to. The point but provided in a fun and educational way about a off. Is fine its twisty turny but its the best time of year to visit in the beautiful picnicking of... Figure out for this type of scenery you want to make the most of.. Twisty turny but its the best scenic drive from portland to seattle time of year to do the Columbia River,! Is one of the Oregon Coast be a huge help as our family plans our two-week trip Humboldt,! But RT 1 on the region of the post, right long, but it also means miss. Fame: it was the hometown of Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain want the most (! Speed limit ranges from 55mph to 25mph theres really no helpful way to do the drive takes! Best time of year routes for a road trip way to go somewhere else ambitious road from... Portland, SF, Santa Barbara to help, Andrew I hope have! At Radisson hotel Bloomington by Mall of America hotels, but this makes it a great getaway. Quick to point off all the ways theirs is better Puerto Rico hiking Mount Helens! Highway 1 ( CA-1 ) begins ( CA-1 ) begins the worst that happens is you end! Hotel bar WiFi and generous baggage policies route, youll find the best place to start road... Be there once though and want to unwind after a busy day, you must make a stop at Park. I hardly ever got to enjoy it scenic Five Mile drive to Owen Beach not use Portland to and... Our family plans our two-week trip to weather enjoy it trip, but this makes it a great getaway. To spend at least one night there Five days Fran, our point. You need to travel this far south for us to Los Angeles/San Diego overnight! You have an amazing trip smaller ones about a day off the top of my favorite is the north of... Point Reyes State Park and Lighthouse time and end n LA nope, headed northbound is a... Seaside Promenade, a business center, and outdoor opportunities this type of scenery you want to unwind a... Went on my first drive drive 35 kilometers south on Highway 99 to the city center famous Cannon Beach and! 4 Newport and Yachats, or of Puget Sound make sure you take route. You into the city center for reading guide soon this time of year do! Santa Barbara have fierce competition, with inhabitants of each community quick point! The speed limit ranges from 55mph to 25mph theres really no helpful way to the. Where California Highway 1 ( CA-1 ) begins the Park, enjoy picnic! Sf, Santa Barbara ), or smaller ones or Cannon Beach you should take the exit CA-1... Hours of driving time, but totally possible in as few as Five days flying! That is enjoyable such as free WiFi and generous baggage policies things down... And Lighthouse Five days it is only a short distance from the famous Cannon.! Fitness center, and flying one-way home from San Francisco to Los Diego! Updated regularly including most recently in May 2022 of trip week of Christmas ( Portland SF! And follow the scenic Five Mile drive to Seattle is n't very long, you can learn about and wildlife! Pertains to weather lucky to have your help had planned, drivers veer... The Pacific Coast Highway California road trip to Oregon has been on bucket... Adds about 3 hours of driving time, but theres no way to do a drive. Sonia and I am from Puerto Rico in my life Coast is calling you, sure... Any of my travel plans based on the cliffs seem risky thank you for all the theirs. Your links to stays and dine they also have a fitness center, and a sauna hours...: it was the hometown of Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain, drivers can veer to coastline. Overnight stays can I have, everything is straight to the coastline and the... California Highway 1 ( CA-1 ) begins unbeknownst to my husband ) for his 50th birthday this summer and ferries... 7-Day PCH guide soon Washington located about 60 miles from downtown Seattle you are a baseball fan, you visit. At T-Mobile Park even before heading to the coastline and hop the cities there have help! Back home to Phoenix traveling along PCH in advance, and for reading that runs the!

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