Thanks for asking, Helen! San Diego was the starting point of my Pacific Coast Highway road trip; for you, it may be the end. A perfect short road trip taking you through some amazing nature with plenty of options to stop and break up the journey. I recently discovered Mendocino on a weekend trip and fell in love with the small town. But of course, theres more to Cannon Beach than one rock. This route seems less popular than the other because it's a bit longer. Were renting an RV in Seattle (after few days in hotel) and have 30 days before we drop it off in San Fran (and hotel for a few days). And of course, you can also check out Discovery Park while youre in the area for a great stroll. Take the coastal route for a longer, more scenic drive, and you can hit up Canon Beach or even Tillamook, where you can tour the Tillamook Creamery. We sure cant. 15 years ago. Seattle is obviously your final destination on this Portland to Seattle road trip, but its a highlight in its own right. Hi We have just 1-day and will be starting in Fortuna and heading to San Francisco. Thanks so much for reading, Teresa! Hello Valerie; my family and i are thinking about a trip from northern CA to San Diego along the coast. Once youre in Seattle, there are so many places to choose from for a relaxing stay that its barely worth making suggestions. I would definitely do some research on inland options Im not as familiar with whats inland though. Sorry; I dont have any suggestions for that! Read more in my Privacy Policy. 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! Interstate 5 offers the most direct route with a 170-mile journey that hovers between three and four hours long, depending upon traffic. All rights reserved. Oswald West State Park and Ecola State Park offer trail networks through temperate rainforest and expansive coastal views. Bachelor Island is an island located 30 miles from Portland in the Columbia River near Ridgefield. What a great and comprehensive post! 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). Sign up for Weekend Wanderer to join thousands of readers getting epic travel and gear ideas every week. If youve ever enjoyed tulips in the spring months, this is probably where they came from. Youll have a great time! I was planning 10-12 days? We just booked Patrees room! I am planning to take this trip with my family of 5 as you have lined out for the 10 days this coming June. The park features various lookout points, including Paradise, Sunrise, and Longmire among a few others. Youll see signs for Hoh Rainforest, a left turn that takes you inland to the forest. I hope you can do at least part of the PCH someday soon . Thanks for reading, Brianna! Its a small detail, but totally uncalifornian to say the PCH. I dont think you can do Yosemite in a day its a four hour drive from the coast to Yosemite (one-way) and youll probably want a full day in the park at minimum. I appreciate your asking for clarification! If it's summer and you want mountain scenery, try the mountain route past Mt. 7 hours 0 minutes. Also, for a map, I use the app Roadtrippers, which is linked in the post. Suggestions? The best place to visit in the city is the Seaside Promenade, a boardwalk that runs along the Pacific Ocean. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow California Highway 1 south. Glad to help, Bethany! Thank you for sharing. Super excited. You can then follow Stevens Canyon Road, which is closed in winter, into the park. Loren Kerns / Flickr. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. You can find the Cobain house at 1210 E 1st St, and right next door you can see a memorial to Cobain in Kurt Cobain Memorial Park (the house now a private residence, so dont disturb the owners!). Or, do you think one could just take a chance and stop and book a room when in need??? Hood, Crater Lake, the Redwoods in much greater depth than I advise above you could also spend some time at Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, or elsewhere in the Sierra Nevadas! Just one small thing, its not the PCH, its just PCH. Great content here, thank you! How Long is it? With an RV, Id just give yourself a lot more time each day (probably 25% more driving time) since youll need to go a bit slower. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is also home to over 20,000 birds belonging to 275 different migrating species. Im thinking of doing this trip from Seattle to San Diego. We live in Colorado, so more interested in Ocean more than hiking, so 101 is ideal. Jam on Hawthorne is a great place to start your trip and load up on their homemade jam for future breakfasts. Try another? Ive done Yosemite and Sequoia, so no need for inland stops. Im not sure how to prioritize the rest of our time. Thanks for your comment . The Kathryn Riverfront Inn also has special king rooms with fireplaces and hot tubs. Thanks for your comment, Archimedes. This location has some historical significance since it is close to where the illustrious explorers Lewis and Clark finished their cross-country journey in 1805. Are people moving about freely or are things locked down with the covid? Hi V& VDid you make hotel reservations in advance for your overnight stops? Weve spent time in SF already so dont need to stay there. Hi! Congrats on finishing your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. You can even stretch it out by spending a few extra days exploring some of the cities along the route if you want to. I hope this helps! My best advice is to take a look at the app Roadtrippers and start plugging in where you might want to go to get a sense of travel time then you can decide whats must-do, what extra you have time for, and what needs to be cut.I hope that helps! Hello, my name is Sonia and I am from Puerto Rico. Both have unique vibes, great restaurants, and access to the outdoors. Dont rush, and youll notice plenty of beautiful sights. Do you happen to know or can you suggest a source with info about the road conditoin in the light of recent terrible weather in California. Looking to fly into Crescent City Ive tried to locate flight from Oakland to Crescent City but havent been able to, do you have any info on this flight? This location has some historical significance since it is close to where the illustrious explorers . So if picturesque fields of flowers and amazing farmland sound like something you want to see, the Skagit Valley is only a short drive from Seattle. My question is: how to best use our time? Silver Lake is an exquisite lake that lies in Seaquest State Park in the northwest of Silverlake, an unincorporated community in Washington. Both offer amenities such as free WiFi and generous baggage policies. Thinking of maybe making this where we would b me somewhere different for 4th of July. Another great option is the Chinaberry Hill Inn, located a bit closer to downtown Tacoma. If you want to unwind after a busy day, you can have a drink in the beautiful hotel bar. Starting point: 107 miles from Seattle. Thanks again! What are must see spots. Great article. We have lived, collectively, in exactly three cities. Im at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! Foodies will appreciate the local food and beverage program, including a notable clam chowder, on the Cascades route. Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air 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. Next, youll pass through Point Reyes, which again seems underwhelming. You also mentioned Suburbans are not great because they are so big, but I dont think we have much choice with the large family. Paradise is a lookout that lies at the height of 5,400 feet and offers mesmerizing views of nearby mountains and meadows. 3. Point Defiance State Park can be the first destination on the tourists Seattle to Portland itinerary. Especially watching the sun set over Morro Rock in the distance! I had a question regarding travel to California present time as in next week(August 14, 2021). If youve just stayed overnight in Santa Barbara or started your road trip in San Diego, that may not make as much sense. Thanks for your comment, Manny. The road trip from Portland to Seattle isn't very long, but this makes it a great weekend getaway. To ensure accommodations, I was thinking to book all of the hotels in advance. The thing is, Lake Tahoe is a fun place to visit any time of year. By the end, youll be ready to plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary. my best friends and I have talked about driving down from San Francisco to some of the Orange County, CA cities. We are from Ohio. When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle? We always wanted to do an RV trip, but maybe the PCH is not the one to do that on?? Seeing some nice beaches is also of interest. I have one question where is the best place to fly into? Now hear us out on this one, we know technically a good chunk of this journey doesnt involve driving. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Be sure to check out my Ebook: USA Wine Guide For Travelers. Oregon Coast Road Trip from Portland: Astoria to Cannon Beach. Now we want to take our girls on the same trip. I was considering driving from San Jose with overnight stops at Mt Shasta or Lassen NP, Crater Lake, Portland, and Seattle (maybe a few nights in the cities). We are just wondering if you have an estimate on how much it would be to travel the PCH! Awesome, you can sign up using the forms in this post to get the PDF! Astoria is a small city on the Columbia River. Is this time of year realistic for an enjoyable adventure, or should we maybe plan to go somewhere else? Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Valerie I just came across this post. Travel from Portland to Seattle easily to explore both of these top PacNW cities. I will definitely use all the info youve provided. That gives you a lot more to do each day to wear the kids out and much more suitable for an RV. My only additional rec for anyone would be to add the Great Tide Pool in Monterrey to check out little worlds of marine life. At Enumclaw, turn onto Route 164, then onto Route 18. I would love to receive the PDF version of this, please. A frequent Cali traveler warned me of smog in the late summer and recommended late Sept. early Oct. What are your thoughts? This is such a great article. Thanks so much, Lois and glad to help! After all, I liked it so much when I first visited in 2012 that I moved there in 2013! Youll also find a lot of luxurious resorts near the lake, including Silver Cove RV Resort, Streeters Resort, Silverlake Resort, and Mt. You absolutely nailed it. We will start in Portland, Or and drive to Las Angeles, CA. Sunrise also features miles of trails amidst Mount Fremont, Burroughs Mountain, and Sourdough Ridge. The state capitol building, a volcano, a forestry industry sector, and rural farms make up a diversified itinerary that first-time visitors to the region will relish. I loved the harbor and wharf, was surprised by the food scene, and lightly dabbled in the historical significance of Santa Barbara enough for me to want to return. Hi, we are flying into Seattle 7/27 and out from San Diego 8/7, we are visiting colleges in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and San Diego for my daughter. Were making a shortlist of 3 or 4 likely hotels for each expected stopover. My favorite place is Mendocino if the skies are clear! I drove one and I hardly ever got to enjoy it!.why were you hardly ever able to enjoy driving a convertible???? After all, a little time on the road never hurts. Depending on whether you drive a Washington to California road trip or just drive portions in California, you can start/end your road trip at the various cities in this guide. The shoulder seasons can be a great time to visit Mt. 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. Raynard, when are you going? Rainier National Park. I would hate to plan a trip only to find out that things are shut down or there are big restrictions placed on free movement. It's located a 45-minute drive from Seattle and just outside Washington's third-most populous city, Tacoma. The best time of year to do this will be in the summer (June/July/August), probably sooner in the year rather than later. Is this possible? There are plenty of things to do in Long Beach for more than an overnight stop! The Pacific Coast Highway is located in the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon, and California. After reading your blog we are excited to visit San Jose. I mapped it here so you can see the option to add in Crater Lake and what youll miss: https://goo.gl/maps/2A4GYTKnBcADVdRw5. In Northern California, the best weather of the year happens between September and October. I appreciate any help you can provide. Thank you for all this information. This is an excellent road trip for those who love spectacular landscapes, mountains, and . 5 Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary. Best rates and airports to use. Instead, the coastal route will take you along the rugged bays and headlands of Oregon and Washington. The next stop on this tour is the north end of Tacoma, Washington. Have a great trip! Its almost unfair that there are so many great stops in this segment, given the (probably) limited time you likely have to drive it. Newport is a great destination to stretch your legs for a few hours once you arrive back on the Pacific Coast (you can also drive straight down Highway 101 from Cannon Beach if you decide to skip a stop in Portland). of the PCH? Monterey is a charming town that is home to a handful of attractions, including the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, the historic Cannery Row, and the scenic 17-Mile Drive, which winds along the coast and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Liz is a freelance writer and editor who lives on the road. drive for about 6.5 hours. There are no reasonable alternatives for some of the routes like the one across Bixby Canyon Bridge (shown above). Crescent City! Yes, I do have San Francisco guides! Taking my granddaughter on an epic journey. If you prefer not to stop for long, you can take a detour and follow the scenic Five Mile Drive to Owen Beach. The lake features aquamarine water that is pumped from the Cowlitz River and passes to the south end into the Columbia River. Seattle to San Diego Road Trip: Route Options. Seattle is perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you have the time. Right, Mel? However, be vigilant for early snowfall that could affect the roads. St. Helens or the coast. Eventually, youll reach and cross the Lewis and Clark Bridge into Washington. Nope, headed northbound is not a bad way to go its actually the way I went on my first drive! Related Read:The 10 Best Scenic Drives in Washington. Return to Route 123 after visiting the park and follow it north. Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experiencefor good reason! Its impossible to reduce all of the amazing things to do in San Francisco down to a small paragraph or overnight stop on a Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Thanks for reading, Jan. We are going to go the middle of September 2022 and take a flight from Phx to somewhere around Crescent city. Again, thanks for great info and advice. The inn is unique, comfortable, and convenient for walking to restaurants, bars, the waterfront, and a few great coffee shops. Unfortunately, I dont have suggestions for Santa Barbara as I havent been there in nearly a decade. Great question So Crater Lake is pretty far inland. Basically, you cant start/end in Crescent City if you want to rent a car. Book a ticket to head up the tower, or even enjoy cocktails at the Loupe Lounge. We are planning on a 7 days trip in Dec 2021. Ending at a beach front hotel in Diego for 2-3 days to visit that college, unwind and settle a little bit before leaving. From Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument to Seattle with side trips is about 208 miles and will take around four hours when done as a straight shot. Galley Beach is one of the best restaurants in Nantucket, with a long, rich history on the island. Day 2 Portland, OR. I love that the Pacific coast has those little hideaways! Whats your thought on late availability rooms at that time of year? I do have the same recommendations youll see A LOT of fellow bikers/trikers out on the PCH; its a great ride on 2-3 wheels as well as 4 wheels . Im saving this post to reference when I think about doing this trip, because that has to happen! If you do decide to spend an overnight in the area, I recommend stopping in the town of Mendocino first for late lunch, walking around the Mendocino Headlands, then continue driving south to spend the night at the beautiful Little River Inn for dinner at the Whale Watch Bar. The city boasts a broad array of tourist attractions, including Washington State Capitol Building, Capitol Lake, Capitol Theater, and Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. If you want a true Seattle experience, opt for a stay on a refurbished and romantic houseboat. This day marked our last bit of time spent in Portland. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Its a short drive south and a little east along U.S. 101 from Long Beach to cross the Astoria into Oregon. Anyway, we are looking to do the very same drive. If you would like a customized itinerary, I offer that for a fee to help cover the time it takes me to put those tips together. 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? In fact, between Seattle and Portland there is only the boring I-5 corridor. We were thinking October, but after reading all the comments, I think we will make it September. Hi Valerie, we are planning a trip from Crescent city back home to Phoenix traveling along PCH. As we will be married 40 years! I enjoyed it so much that I wrote a whole article about the experiences I recommend in Santa Barbara! Thanks for asking! San Luis Obispo with Paso Robles). Chinquel, nice to hear from you! The best route for a road trip from Portland to Seattle depends on the time of year you want to travel. Thats it! The city also boasts other attractions, including the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, and Ecola State Park. The Cascades train has four daily departures, while the Coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip. While staying in Cannon Beach we have planned day trips to Astoria and Long Beach and maybe an inland drive to McMinnvile, for some wine tasting. However, the mountain route is not as suitable for winter use. Kim, December should be a pretty good time, but plan for classic marine layer weather (chilly and cloudy this is whats normal on the Pacific coast!). The picturesque volcano features striking landscapes and offers a wide range of outdoor recreations. With colorful historic seaside homes and great hiking trails and other outdoor activities, Mendocino is good for at least an overnight stop dont be surprised if you want to spend even longer here once you arrive! Here are the stops I suggest for a Pacific Coast Highway California road trip itinerary. This guide is great, do you have a Google map itinerary to download with the stops? While you are driving from Portland to Seattle, you must have a stopover at this unique garden built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou. Booking this trip for late Oct. Id like to fly in ( from East Coast) somewhere north of San Fran. Located in Northeast Olympia, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife sanctuary housing birds, lathe animals, amphibians, mammals, and reptiles. You could easily spend a weekend here, so give it an extra day if you like playing outside. Glad this was helpful! 2 Most Direct Seattle to San Diego Road Trip: I-5. Territory Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you book or purchase using our links. Thanks for your comment, Shelly! Rainier, as it is typically quieter, and the weather is cooler. Thank you for your great ideas and itineraries! If you also want to explore Portland and Seattle, I'd add at least one day in each city (preferably two). The road winds through overhanging trees for 8 miles, offering beautiful views of the Cascade Mountains in the distance and the waters of Lake Washington. While you cannot use Portland to San Francisco road trip planner in just 4 days, you can visit Astoria or Cannon Beach. When driving the PCH south from Portland, how much of a detour would it be to see Crater Lake on the way? I recommend researching/contacting each one individual to confirm theyll be open. The lookout also gives access to many hiking trails. Or. 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. Youre very welcome, and have a great road trip!! Thanks so much for this comprehensive look at the PCH. My wife and I were planning to fly to San Diego to start the trip, but your point about southbound visibility makes total sense. If we have 10 days to do this and could skip San Francisco, because we just did that 2 years ago, could we drive from Seattle to either Los Angeles or San Diego in an RV? Address: 100 Brown Farm Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98516, United States. Most of these attractions are in downtown Olympia. Book tickets for the Exclusive Ice Cream Experience to learn about the entire process of making ice cream, tour the farm exhibit and viewing gallery, and stop by the dining hall and shop to grab a bite before heading out to see what else Tillamook has to offer. Unfortunately, when I drove the PCH it was pretty foggy and cool most of the week. Thanks for reading, Thomas. You can find out more information about the data we collect on our Privacy Policy page. I was hoping to see autumn colours in the northern area. As this post is over 6,000 words long, I typically dont provide extra additional itinerary services for free. The Greyhound-owned company that successfully lured a younger generation with sleek, tech-friendly coaches offers incredibly inexpensive fares when it releases schedules six months in advance (yet, like airfare, prices increase as the date gets closer). On your stop here, be sure to walk out along the pier and keep an eye out for surfers working the breaks along the beach. The park also features dozens of food trucks, serving great stadium eats and fine beer. Its not a long drive from Seattle to Olympia, so I recommend just making a waypoint stop here to stretch your legs before the rest of your driving today whether thats to Port Angeles or Portland. Heres a Pacific Coast Highway map and schedule for 10 days: One of the most popular questions I get about driving the Pacific Coast Highway is about when to drive the PCH. Hello, Thanks for sharing your trips and valuable tips. Take your car on the Bainbridge Ferry to Bainbridge Island.The ferry ticket costs $20.40 (for the vehicle and the driver) and . Dj vu! Take the ferry across to Bainbridge Island and plan to spend 2 or 3 days in Olympic National Park. Ann, thanks so much for your comment. You can hike on an extensive 275-mile trail network or explore by bike on the park roads. One of the requests I get asked for is a Pacific Coast Highway map with all of the stops I suggest, so I used Roadtrippers to put together this one. Have you heard any issues with the Covid and being able to rent places on the way down? The proposed itinerary for 7-day Seattle to San Francisco road trip. Want to stop over a few nights, and hit some of the destinations you listed. If you have time, you could combine this Washington scenic drive with Mount Baker (number two above). 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