If youre lucky enough to find yourself a super clear city day, the views of the bridge cant be beat- although many claim shes just as beautiful in the fog (hey there, #karlthefog yes, we named the form of precipitation!). Sadly, its a private club so visitors are not allowed inside but good photo ops are just in front of the building. 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. 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). The Golden Gate Bridge has a walkway, so you're free to stroll or ride a bike here. June 27, 2015. Rainier does not disappoint in that department! 7-10 day San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip May 2019 Where to Stay: Its a good idea to make your way back to Portland to slice off a few hours of drive time to Mt. Check out lodging in Crescent City, Arcata, and Trinidad. Get some ideas from ourUSA West Coast Road Trip. The city-to-city road trip from San Francisco to Seattle is arguably one of the best West Coast road trips, especially with this itinerary. Road-tripping individuals will have the chance to behold the unique views on the Pacific Coast Highway in California. The Alcatraz Island served as a military fortification and a lighthouse before it was turned into a prison. There are numerous look out points around the Cape Arago Beach Loop for viewing purposes. If you dont feel like walking so much, you can easily hike just the part of the trail, for example up until Panorama Point. 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. 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. Cape Kiwanda is our next stop, with its beautiful dunes and rocks. Thank). Long road trips can get boring, so consider printing out these 100 fun Questions for a Road trip. The distance between Seattle to San Francisco is 808 miles. Other spots we looked at included. Expect to drive 2-6 hours a day with 1 or 2 longer days. Dedicate Day 1 to a full exploration of the national park, and dont miss Sulphur Works, Emerald Lake (an absolute dream! Oregon Museum of Science and Industry science and technology museum features large-screen theatre, planetarium, and exhibition halls with a variety of hands-on permanent exhibits. San Francisco is not a cheap city, so picking a nice and budget-friendly place to stay me be difficult. With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 12 hours and 47 mins to drive. 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. Travel Tips and Practicalities. Pay a visit to Point Arena Lighthouse dating back to 1908 and enjoy the view of the rugged coastline. Sure, the bed and breakfasts look cozy, but they come with a hefty price tag. And for this, 9.00 AM will be late. He loves traveling, reading, partying, and making friends. 15 Stunning Stops on a Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip It can be done in 3-5 hours, depending on your skills and physical shape. 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! You can even take a buggy or ATV tour of the dunes! This place is particularly known for its Glass beach which is sadly almost gone due to numerous visitors taking pieces of this beach back home with them. Re: San Francisco to Seattle. If AirBnBs not your thing, check out the super cute and modestly priced Hill House Inn, Joshua Grindle Inn, and Agate Cove Inn. Lady Bird Johnson Grove is a must-see spot if you have limited time. Fun fact: Oregon residents, who wish to support Crater Lake national park, can order Crater lake license plates for their vehicles at some extra fee! *EXTRA ADD-ON: STOP #10 >> can go directly to Mt. (preferably two if you want to do all the things). If all of this sounds too familiar (didnt we already see those things in Newport, Oregon? 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. San Francisco To Seattle Road Trip: Top Routes & 5 Stops Along the Way Portland Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums on the west coast with a large collection of Native American and Asian art. Theres a whole long list of. Not sure the best way to see everything (without zig zagging around the city)? 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. Required fields are marked *. If you had to choose between Napa and Sonoma, which one would you? Bandon, Oregon 4. Crater lake is the deepest lake in the United States 594m at its deepest point. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: November 2, 2022california crater lake lassen national park mendocino napa oregon portland road trip san francisco Seattle Washington. Rainier). 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. Not I, thats for sure! Favorites include Rattlesnake Ledge, Thunder Knob Trail Hike at. Where to Stay: There are SO many hotel choices when it comes to the city, at all different price points as well. The amount of land spread between the wineries. Seattle To San Fran: What To Do During This Epic Road Trip While the town is wickedly small (youll see what I mean), the surrounding area completely makes up for it. Skyline Trail is one of the best day hikes from Paradise. 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. Looking for a top hotel recommendation? First of all, youll probably want to spend the morning and early afternoon in Cannon Beach since you most likely arrived at night the previous day. Thankfully there are numerous options outside the park in nearby communities, including, You always hear about the gloominess and rain, never the sunshine and green space. Seattleites, your secrets out! 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. Your pick wine or coastline. Please let us know what your main interests are. Spend the night in Pacific city or drive further south to Lincoln City (23 miles) for more affordable options, such as Americas Best Inn Lincoln City 3* or Westshore Oceanfront 3*. Crater Lake Lodge actually overlooks the lake, while The Cabins at Mazama Village are located a few miles south. Looking for more sweets and treats? The state park also has a campground with over a hundred sites for tents and RVs without hookups. 6. Wear or pack your bathing suit, but beware, the falls are chilly year-round, even in the 100 degree F scorching heat! Another stop worth embracing is the picturesque wine region of Sonoma. Take advantage of Skyscanner, you guys! 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. Rainier national park. Consider heading to Olympic National Park, Vancouver, and/or Vancouver Island up North, or Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, and the southern California coastlinedown south. On your way to San Francisco, you'll pass through iconic cities such as Portland, Eugene, Redding, and Santa Rosa. The drive's signature stops include the cities of Portland and Sacramento, Mt. Better yet, go at sunset if you want to see something spectacular. San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip: A Trip to The Pacific Northwest + More HAYSTACK ROCK, enough said. With several stops on their way, allowing them to see the beautiful nature, relaxed beach towns, busy cities, and unique attractions, commuters will experience a once-In-a-lifetime adventure that they have never gone through before. Also, as the name suggests, theres a hollow rock formation shaped like a huge punch bowl. We will want to leave San Fran about 3:30 on Wed . With an early-morning flight booked well in advance, it's possible. However, we believe that Shasta Lake is one of the most stunning spots in California to visit.. Not a wino? Later (or the following morning), head to Castle Lake Road to get fantastic views of Mount Shasta with the city beneath it. 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). Probably all the same: both here and there. Seattle vs. San Francisco for Vacation - Which one is better? . Seattle to San Francisco: Tips for a Highway 101 Road Trip - DIY Playbook Drive past Netarts all the way to Cape Lookout. Yachats shore is rough and rugged shores due to volcano lava flows forming black basalt rock. #noshame. 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. Once you get to the Coos Bay area, plan on spending the rest of the day on the Cape Arago Beach Loop. Spend the next day hoping from waterfall to waterfall, as there are lots to pick from today! Moreover, a visitor must issue a travel insurance policy to cover themselves in case of incidents. Therefore, we will list the 3 best museums and let you decide which one youd like to visit first thing in the morning. Time to start making your way to the coast, because were heading north on the PCH towards Mendocino and Fort Bragg! We decided to stay at The Best Western Anderson Inn and at less than $100 a night (inclusive of free breakfast! Portland is the largest city in Oregon. Have lunch at one of Oceanside cafes before you continue to the next adventure Three Capes Scenic Drive. For more sea glass you may want to visit the Sea Glass Museum. You can either make a well-deserved detour to wine country (and lets face it, get your wine on), or. 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). MADE IT to the last stop on this San Francisco to Seattle road trip itinerary! 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! Thankfully there are numerous options outside the park in nearby communities, including Packwood, Lewis County, and Mineral Lake. Learn how your comment data is processed. I strongly encourage you to go up during both daytime and at night as you get totally different aspects of the city this way. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Make sure to check out the rose garden if its open and the Zoo. It is also worth stopping at Crescent city to visit Redwood National and State Parks. From almost 600 feet up, you get unparalleled views of the Seattle skyline as well as the Puget sound. 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). 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. Check out lodging in, Had enough of the trees and craving some 1,940+ foot deep lake time? - a national park or lake such as Yosemite, Lake Tahoe - redwoods - some of the coastal drive - ideally no more than 4 hours driving on a leg However, our proposed itinerary has been designed to enable visiting all the cool attractions along the way, especially small charming towns along the coastline. Head out to the Olympic Peninsula by taking the Bainbridge Island Ferry. Seattle is split between tons of different neighborhoods, each with their own distinct flare and character. Seattle We could come up with many combinations. 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. Its more of a mixture of rocks, sea glass, and sand. Read Next: Two Perfect Days in Crater Lake, Oregon. Promise me you wont miss a day or two in Californias wine country (preferably two if you want to do all the things). If you get hungry, Rim Village Caf will offer hot drinks and snacks. Yes, parts of this area reek, but youll quickly see why after taking note to the bubbling mud pots and steaming sulphuric vents. There are tons of great accomodation options in both Napa and Sonoma. Once you are finished with the hike, relax and have lunch at Paradise Inn lunch room. I recommend spending a few days here, as the city is weird, wacky, and downright wonderful. Rainier throughout your hike. This museum is especially great for families with kids. Be sure to dress appropriately, as there WILL be snow on the mountain no matter what time of year you visit. ), Be sure to check out my Ultimate Road Trip Packing Guide; everything you can possibly think of for any long road trip! Visitor? Yes, you read that right the EARTH! Visiting the Falls requires a 1.3 km hike, including some stairs to climb. Enjoy donuts, coffee, beer, and hanging with hipsters? Try Off-Roading In The Mojave Desert. Majestic. You can see the falls from the parking area or take a short mile loop to get more views up close. Newport, Oregon 5. USA West Coast Road Trip Itinerary: Seattle to San Francisco This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. I agree Olympic NP is absolutely amazing! Tillamook cheese factory, or creamery, is a must-stop for all fans of a farmer and natural dairy products! Youll know when youre getting close youll smell the sulphur! : Dont miss the Spouting Horn, an exploding salt water geyser, and Thors Well, a gaping pit with violent waves crashing in every direction that ultimately fall into a hole, just as weird and wonderful as it sounds. If you enjoy quiet walks and being alone with nature, this park may be for you! If youre itching to get out of the city, or just need to burn off a few of those delicious-donut-calories, go on a hike! I picked out some glass for the photos guilty! I bet youll find a great deal! Youre in luck, because today is alllll about those ancient giants. Visit the Cape Perpetua for scenic views of the ocean. Three days in the city is the perfect amount of time for any first-time visitor to San Francisco. Trust me, snow does not melt 14,410 feet above sea level. 14+ days would be best, but we also know that you might not have that kind of vacation time to burn. Promise. Worth mentioning so you dont forget to account for the cost of a rental car when following this San Francisco to Seattle itinerary! Marvel at the unusual multi-colored soil, and watch the boiling pools of water. Sure, the bed and breakfasts look cozy, but they come with a hefty price tag. The quicker, more direct route along the I-5 is still a hefty 807-mile drive. Search for the best car rental prices here, my favorite things to do in San Francisco, Pacific Coast Highway all my favorite stops here! You'll get stunning views of the bridge at Conzelman road. 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. WIth that being said, please appreciate the park and leave no human trace behind. Related: Road Trip Patagonia: Driving Scenic Ruta 40 From Esquel To Bariloche. 20 Best Stops on the San Francisco to Seattle Drive 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. Note that visitors are not allowed on Shell Island due to the large abundance of wildlife. Catch a ferry from Pier 33 to what once was the most secure prison on the west coast! San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip: Where to stop and what to see! 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). Youll still fall in love with Napa and/or Sonoma I promise. some of the most notorious criminals spent their time here. Next, people usually stop in Tillamook to have ice cream and for cheese tasting. Where to Stay: 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. National Park Inn is open year round, while Paradise Inn only operates between mid-May through early-October. Seattle to San Francisco road trip is one of the best ways to explore three different states while traveling through various climate zones. No words truly capture that feeling you get staring up at it. Mendocino is designated as a Historic Preservation District with lots of historic mansions and other attractions as well as homely diners and cute inns. The place is perfect for whale watching and great photo opportunities. *** Want to extend your trip even further?! Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. Other moderately priced options include: Pretend to be a hipster for a few days and book yourself a room at the. Trust me, its hard to describe those views. 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. ), Bumpass Hell Trail Hike (its not really thaaaaat bad), Lake Helen, and Manzanita Lake. 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? People can go on hiking trips in Sausalito, learn about the natural habitat and the preserved seashore, among other activities. 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. However, there are things to do and to explore in Tillamook itself! If AirBnBs not your thing, check out the super cute and modestly priced. 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). 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. The city is known for being eco-friendly with numerous parks, bike paths, and outdoor areas. This 1200 feet above sea level trail is often in the clouds but nevertheless very scenic and bright!