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. Three days in the city is the perfect amount of time for any first-time visitor to San Francisco. 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. 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 . 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. San Francisco to Seattle - A 12-day Road Trip - Leisurely Drives (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The so-called old town, the heart of Newport, almost Victorian docking area. 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! Psst check out the recommended Portland hotels above, and book an extra night if youre totally feeling this day trip. Ive got you covered, but dont blame me if you cant get into your pants the next day. We highly recommend taking the submarine tour. The time in the car doesnt have to be absolutely horrible. Not too many people know that! 2 Week Road Trip Itinerary Overview Over the course of 2 weeks, we drove approximately 1650 miles (2330km) at a moderate pace. Just my recommendation but Id hate to miss that amazing area! Once you are finished with the hike, relax and have lunch at Paradise Inn lunch room. 1) HOME SFO, 2) SEA HOME. surely steals the show when it comes to coastal road trips, but Oregons coast is one for the bucket list as well! Feeding wild animals is a big no-no, and can actually do way more harm than good. *EXTRA ADD-ON: STOP #10 >> can go directly to Mt. Thanks! People can go on hiking trips in Sausalito, learn about the natural habitat and the preserved seashore, among other activities. 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! Check out lodging in Crescent City, Arcata, and Trinidad. Just saying . Ill receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which Ill totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. I'd say the big cities for another time since they're easier to get to (SF, Portland, Seattle). Hike the 1.1 mile (2.2 roundtrip) Cleetwood Cove Trail, short, but very steep, which offers access to the shore. 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. Over the course of the road trip, expect to drive approximately 38 hours (one way) and around 1800 miles. After the tour and quick cheese bites, head to Oceanside to admire the scenic Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge three large and six small rocky islands located about a half-mile offshore. Sign up using my link and youll receive up to $35 off your first stay! Glad you loved it as well! 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. Since this is in fact a road trip, youll need a vehicle to get you from place to place! As always, thanks for the support. , Seattle has a lot to offer. But really, all views of the lake deserve a thumbs up (or 2 or 5). Probably all the same: both here and there. Be sure to dress appropriately, as there WILL be snow on the mountain no matter what time of year you visit. Our original plan was to a San Francisco to Portland drive, but we found a cheaper one-way fare coming back from Seattle. The historic 75-mile drive on Columbia River Highway connects Troutdale in Oregon with the Dalles. (in the super cute Nob Hill) if quirky boutique hotels are more your thing. Where to Stay: I highly encourage you to make it to the famed Cannon Beach on this day (if you arent splitting the drive up), which you can check out tomorrow morning (dont worry about making it here before dark). So incredibly good. Stay at an AirBnB directly in the forest (with star gazing opportunities at night) and you wont be disappointed. Stop 5: Crater Lake National Park (2 Nights) As usual, here are some budget-friendly options, for example, Pacific Inn. No wonder there are so many great options to choose from scenic beaches, hikes among giant redwoods, fishing, surfing, horseback riding, whale watching. The route would take you through Portland to the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River and Mount Hood. The lake was formed in a 2,148-foot (655 m) deep caldera around 7,700 years ago and is only filled with snow and rainfall. From almost 600 feet up, you get unparalleled views of the Seattle skyline as well as the Puget sound. 5 day road trip Seattle to San Francisco - Road Trips Forum 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. Stuff your face with Mission burritos (found in, you guessed it, the Mission District), some ice cream from Bi-Rite or Mitchells (both equally orgasmic choices), a sourdough bread bowl from Boudin Bakery, and homemade Italian in North Beach. The trail is well maintained and quite easy. San Francisco to Seattle - Road Trips Forum - Tripadvisor With quiet seaside coves, bustling beach towns, and secluded hideaways, you wont want to miss the beauty that is Oregon. If I were you, Id stay away from the hotels near Fishermans Wharf as this place is tourist central and therefore uber crowded ALL THE TIME (although Hotel Zephyr looks pretty rad). Bypassing part of the coast isnt really an option since there are no major highways through the National Forest between Crater Lake and the coast. ; the cool vibes wont disappoint (bonus: youll find Stumptown Coffee right next door). There are tons of great accomodation options in both Napa and Sonoma. I completely agree with the opinion that the modern United States is still different. No words truly capture that feeling you get staring up at it. Together, they make up a World Heritage Site, so definitely not to be missed, considering they are the tallest trees on Earth! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Ready for some waterfall fun and stinky sulphur in your life? Youll probably be skipping this area and heading north as day trips to Napa are on everyones spring weekend itinerary. stay for about 1 hour. Seattle We could come up with many combinations. Seattle to San Francisco drive time is approximately 13 hours, driving distance from Seattle to San Francisco is around 800 miles via direct highway. Fingers crossed the weather cooperates for your visit, because once you see the mountain, wow, just wow. 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 proposed itinerary for 7-day Seattle to San Francisco road trip Day 1 Mount Rainier National Park, WA Day 2 Portland, OR Day 3 Tillamook, OR and Three Capes Scenic Drive Day 4 Newport and Yachats, OR Day 5 Toketee Falls and Crater Lake, OR Day 6 Crescent City and Redwoods National Park, OR Day 7 Avenue of the Giants and Mendocino, CA Pacific Coast Highway road trip summer washington Post Summary: The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary + All The Stops Along The Way The Pacific Coast Highway is easily considered to be one of the most iconic road trip routes in the world! When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. You always hear about the gloominess and rain, never the sunshine and green space. Favorites include Rattlesnake Ledge, Thunder Knob Trail Hike at Diablo Lake (GORGEOUS but requires even more driving time), and Snoqualmie Falls, all ranging from easy to moderate with absolutely fantastic views. 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. Rainier. If you do decide on the longer trek, youll need to dip back south into California (yes, for real) in order to get back on Highway 1. 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! The city is known for being eco-friendly with numerous parks, bike paths, and outdoor areas. We will want to leave San Fran about 3:30 on Wed . Ultimate USA West Coast Road Trip: 7, 10 or 15 Days Itinerary Ideas Catch a ferry from Pier 33 to what once was the most secure prison on the west coast! Slightly better one: Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn 3*. Majestic. Beware that the line to get on one of those can reach up to 2 hours! And once you get back, you can definitely say you earned your donut/s. 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. Dont get confused though Redwood National Park is actually a series of a few stunning National and State parks of protected forests, beaches and grasslands along the rugged Northern California coast. In May the many waterfalls along the Gorge walls will be at their best, full of water from melting. Sadly, its a private club so visitors are not allowed inside but good photo ops are just in front of the building. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Another museum worth visiting in Tillamook is the Naval Air Museum. Road Trip The Best Road Trip from Seattle to San Francisco By Jess Moss That Pacific Coast Highway route from San Francisco to Los Angeles gets all the attention, but it's not the only West Coast drive that should be on your map. Looking to check something off your bucket list? The ability to track prices (and get email notifications when the price drops) is top notch and one of my favorite features. Not I, thats for sure! Marvel at the unusual multi-colored soil, and watch the boiling pools of water. San Francisco to Mendocino Weekend Road Trip, The Mini Guide to Mendocino and Fort Bragg, Ready for some waterfall fun and stinky sulphur in your life? HAYSTACK ROCK, enough said. Rainier throughout your hike. A gem of the Pacific Northwest is the Willamette Valley, known for its 1300 wineries and vineyards. Day 1 - Seattle to Hood River via Maryhill Day 2 - Hood River area Day 3 - Hood River to Bandon via Columbia Gorge, I-5, Oregon Hwy 38 and US 101 Day 4 - Bandon to Eureka area via US 101. 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. For more sea glass you may want to visit the Sea Glass Museum. Plan accordingly and bring snacks! Any suggestions on the must sees (or what to save for another trip) so we can fit it in? (preferably two if you want to do all the things). Rainier does not disappoint in that department! By the way, if you enjoy road trips, have a look at our 2-day Route 66 Las Vegas to Grand Canyon itinerary. some of the most notorious criminals spent their time here. Other trendy recommendations include: The Society Hotel (budget funky), McMenamins Kennedy School (yes, an old elementary school! 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. Hiking, snowshoeing, and picnicking are all good options in the park! As much as we loved San Fran, getting there was just as gorgeous (if not even more so). Enjoy the ride all the way until you reach our next stop Eureka, CA. San Francisco To Seattle Road Trip: Top Routes & 5 Stops Along the Way Road Trip from San Francisco to Seattle - 3 Day Itinerary. Road Trip From Seattle To San Francisco - LazyTrips 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 More: One Day in Mount Rainier from Seattle. I suggest opting for the short route as in my opinion, you wont be missing out on too much by skipping the southern coast below (as Coos Bay is one of most scenic areas on the Oregon Coast)- but obviously, your choice! Head out on an early morning balloon flight above the valley, worth the ridiculous AF wake-up call. Long road trips can get boring, so consider printing out these 100 fun Questions for a Road trip. Walk the Golden Gate Bridge and climb down Lombard Street. If all of this sounds too familiar (didnt we already see those things in Newport, Oregon? Look no further-a multi-day drive from San Francisco to Seattle is calling your name! Youll still fall in love with Napa and/or Sonoma I promise. We decided to stay at. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Take your time and enjoy the waves crashing into the rocks. 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. Heck, their slogan is Keep Portland Weird, and it definitely lives up to its reputation. A few other Seattle suggestions for your few days in the city: take a harbor tour along the Puget Sound for unbeatable city and water views, check out the madness of the Museum of Pop Culture (formerly the EMP Museum), take photos at Olympic Sculpture Park, eat everything at Pike Place Market, visit the gum wall and the first Starbucks, and stuff your face with all the noms throughout the city.