Soon after (in 1899), it was established as a national park, becoming the nations fifth. Any suggestions. This stunning road winds through the Columbia River Gorge along the river, passing tons of incredible waterfalls, lookout points, and more. The road trip between the two cities, on the . Question, if we were to add a stop, possible one night stay at Crater Lake, where would you suggest doing this from without missing much, (or any?) Great questions, Julie. You can meander the quaint shops in Langley, go kayaking, explore Whidbey Island wineries, eat at the best Whidbey Island restaurants, and more. Is this going to be a big disappointment? If youve ever seen The Goonies, you know exactly what I mean. Id recommend booking or at least searching every hotel you want to stay at, and the nights you want to stay, so you can get a sense of exactly how much its going to cost. But Mount Rainier is truly spectacular and an amazing place to visit year-round. Its only 180 miles of interstate between the two cities and even on the interstate, the scenery is beautiful. I love that the Pacific coast has those little hideaways! Id check out the California DOT website for the most up-to-date information. It includes so many things each person in my family wants to see and do! There are plenty of things to do in Long Beach for more than an overnight stop! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Thanks for reading, Dave. Id be happy to save the money and just drive with the windows down when I want some fresh air. 3. Also, for a map, I use the app Roadtrippers, which is linked in the post. One of the best camping options is the Harborview Inn and RV Park on the north end of Tillamook Bay. We are planning a west coast trip and are considering renting an RV one way from Portland or Seattle to San Francisco. Looking to travel with your recommendations southbound! Ive just started planning our trip for this autumn. Were using it to plan our itinerary for June/July this year, 3 weeks, Seattle to LA. Planning a trip on PCH last week of July 2020. Seattle is one of my favorite destinations in the world. The views of the colors changing in the trees were surreal. Thanks! Scott, I replied to your email, so you should be all set! It is time to start driving along the coast from Seattle to Portland. Eventually, youll reach and cross the Lewis and Clark Bridge into Washington. The best time of year to do this will be in the summer (June/July/August), probably sooner in the year rather than later. Thanks for reading, Sonia. I am thinking 5 days from Portland to LA. You could see Canada and the river valley. Its almost unfair that there are so many great stops in this segment, given the (probably) limited time you likely have to drive it. 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! P.S. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along U.S. 101 to Crescent City always stick to the coast! Lastly, Pismo is a great stop for a midday workout on the road, with a huge stretch of beach to walk/run on. Thank you for any other tips. Thanks for your feedback, Alice, but I lived in California for several years and never heard anyone say Im going to drive PCH Ill be keeping the the if only because its proper English if Californians want to abandon that elsewhere, thats up to them . The road trip from Seattle to Portland is around 180 miles and the drive will take you approximately 3 hours. You could easily spend a weekend here, so give it an extra day if you like playing outside. Thats it! For accommodation, try a small hotel like the. Let me know if you have any other questions while planning or on the road! hi planing to do the PCH however we will be in Las Vegas and driving to San Francisco will be there for 2 or 3 days and dont know witch is better to do San Francisco to L A back to Vegas or go north San Francisco to Seattle and then drive to Vegas i will have a extra 3 to 4 days what is your thoughts, we are nature and wildlife lovers not to big into visiting towns. San Diego was the starting point of my Pacific Coast Highway road trip; for you, it may be the end. Love it. Now that summer is slowly on the way out, its the perfect time to hit the road. Im glad you booked LA and Seattle, because those are the two you most need to have arranged! It's a quick trip into the city, though traffic can build in the early . Can you recommend where to spend time and in which cities to plan to spend the night? Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Furthermore, Stevens Canyon Road near Mt. I plan to rent a car in Los Angeles in the summer and make a similar journey, Hello! 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, Oleg. You will miss Seaside & Cannon Beach on this route, so your next stop will be Newport (#9). 151 reviews. Astoria, like Aberdeen in Washington, is a great destination for lovers of pop culture. Youve put together one awesome road trip! I hope you can do at least part of the PCH someday soon . Also, you can probably get away with booking hotels/vacation rentals in the smaller towns only a few days in advance but if you want to stay in any of the big cities, I would book those 2-3 weeks in advance at the latest! A post shared by Jason Morse (@jason.morselandscape). I was wondering if you would recommend any wine tasting spots along the way? I didnt want to make all my reservations, but just go with it for one time in my life. There is still plenty to see and do, and cheaper hotel prices might make the trip more affordable. What time of year would be best to do this. PRIVACY POLICY TERMS & CONDITION, Top 15 Best Stops on the Portland to Seattle Drive, one of the most scenic stopovers between Portland and Seattle, 100 Brown Farm Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98516, United States. 2. 1 Most Scenic Ocean Drive: Pacific Coast Highway. Im trying to connect with the guide I found on pinterest. I wouldnt go all the way to Seattle, especially if you dont like big cities. We want a mix of National/State Parks, cities, and coasts. Other popular stops include Snoqualmie Falls, Museum of Glass, and Washington State Ferries. It is a time consuming drive but the most worthwhile time you will ever spend traveling. I would like to follow the route on the map. We are planning to spend Thanksgiving in San Diego. Again, thank you so much!! National Park Roads from Paradise to Chinook Pass. There are no reasonable alternatives for some of the routes like the one across Bixby Canyon Bridge (shown above). If you want to unwind to the sound of crashing waves, this is by far your best option. Youd need to drive about 7-10 hours out of the way depending on the bridge, and miss major stretches of the road . Its approximately around 180 miles in length and will take around three hours to get there. Its a very winding cliff-side road and doing it in an RV is going to be laboriously slow and probably make you a bit nervous at times. my best friends and I have talked about driving down from San Francisco to some of the Orange County, CA cities. 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. AAA /Brett Vanderbrink. 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. 330 miles. A road trip implies a trip between two destinations with some (generally unplanned) stops along the way, whereas a trip between point A and point B with a specific timeline in mind is more a trip by car than a "road trip.". of the PCH? Start here. I am planning a trip in late July. We continued on until we picked up the beginning of CA Hwy 1. If you're driving directly from Portland to Seattle by car the journey is around 173 miles or 278 km will take around 2 hours 40 mins via I-5 N. Although, for many of us, there is nothing to beat taking a car and driving a route, stopping where you please, and going off the beaten track. From the perspective of California Highway 1, it might seem like just a few buildings alongside the road. The park is open to the public daily from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mount Rainier National Park is a national park located about 60 miles from Seattle. ), this post will give you all you need to know. Columbia Gorge Highway: Highway 14. Day 2: Coos Bay OR, to Redwood National Park, CA. Thank you for great info This is exactly what I was looking for. After the town of Longview, take Route 504 towards the infamous Mount St. Helens. You did a fantastic job with this giude, everything is straight to the point but provided in a fun and educational way. You can hike on an extensive 275-mile trail network or explore by bike on the park roads. Sign up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly. We are from FL and east coast and know very little about west coast, so this is great!! Want to stop over a few nights, and hit some of the destinations you listed. This route seems less popular than the other because it's a bit longer. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow California Highway 1 south. Also, how many days should we take for the one-way trip back. 3. From camping to hiking Mount St Helens offers all types of outdoor adventures. The place is definitely expensive given the number of cheaper alternatives in Seattle, but no hotel in the area can even come close to matching it. For travellers and road trippers checking out the Pacific Northwest, Tillamook is a popular stopping point. Got to save some $$$$$. There are a wide range of activities you can indulge in at Silver Lake, including camping and boating. 2. Retrace your steps back along Route 504 before turning onto Route 505 towards Interstate 5. My wife and I were planning to fly to San Diego to start the trip, but your point about southbound visibility makes total sense. (Hours and dates for the attractions on the Seattle CityPass have been affected by the pandemic, so be sure to check those when you purchase!). You should make your first stop at Bachelor Island while traveling from Portland to Seattle via road. After reading your blog we are excited to visit San Jose. Distance: 361 miles. This gorgeous building mostly survived the 1906 earthquake and captures Victorian glory with modern amenities. But take your time: Both Olympia (the capital) and Tacoma (home of the Museum of Glass) are worth a stop. Seaquest State Park is an urban park covering 475 acres of a natural island along a mile of the lakeshore. Well be camping out at most stops except for SF. Can you believe theres a rainforest in Washington? Bus. Thank you, Archimedes. Thoughts? They also have a fitness center, a business center, and a sauna. We plan a trip to San Jos, California because of its diversity, beautiful scenery, and exceptionally high outputs. This site uses cookies. Literally. I have been to Europe, for 2 years, and nothing compares to this coastal trip. Glad to help, Dan! Most of these attractions are in downtown Olympia. Next, youll pass through Point Reyes, which again seems underwhelming. Hi Valerie, Great tips! We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. Related Read:When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle? To ensure accommodations, I was thinking to book all of the hotels in advance. Suggested Days: 4 minimum. 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. Its also a great place to play volleyball, although youll have to bring the volleyball net yourself. Both offer amenities such as free WiFi and generous baggage policies. The coastal route outline is suitable for a road trip all year round. Similar to Haystack Rock, your experience stopping at Devils Punchbowl will depend on the tides. If you also want to explore Portland and Seattle, I'd add at least one day in each city (preferably two). Best PCH road trips from Seattle Hey there! Valerie, cant thank you enough for this guide! 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. Related Read:The 10 Best Scenic Drives in Washington. We just did this trip in October 2019, We started in Portland to Cannons beach then headed south on HWY 101. Best of all, theres no cell service so theyll have to look around to see them . For the mountainous route: Head east on Oregon's Highway 30 (which . Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along California Highway 1. It's titled, Scenic Drive from Seattle to Portland, but the items listed in the text aren't on the route between Seattle and Portland; rather they are detours from it or separate trips out of Portland. Now my only problem is trying to figure out how many extra days were going to need! PCH bucket list road trip done! I live in Florida and have never been to the pacific coast. And of course, you can also check out Discovery Park while youre in the area for a great stroll. You should drive the Pacific Coast Highway southbound! Did you try searching my site using the search in the sidebar? Would be every much appriciate if you can provide tips and recomendattions where to stop, what to see/do and eat the drive on high 1 from San Diego to Santa Monica. Such a thorough guide! The Cascades train has four daily departures, while the Coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip. I already have the vista points where we will stop for photos and eating. The best way to get from Portland to Seattle without a car is to train which takes 3h 25m and costs $35 - $50. Thank you again for all of your information. ?? Wondering about forest fires and how they affect the trip. Very nicely done thanks ever so much !! My car is a convertible (BMW 3 series) so I am not sure if it can take on the road during Dec end Seattle and portland area mainly ? Good morning from Australia. 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. Do you have a version that is just typed up not with pictures? The flight time is usually a quick 45 minutes, but when you factor in transfers between the two airports, its probably just as long as other options listed above. Thank you for the recommendation! Dramatic sea stacks and colorful promenades define the stretch of Highway 101 connecting these coastal . If youre heading up north you cant go wrong with a cruise on Chuckanut Drive. Silver Lake is an exquisite lake that lies in Seaquest State Park in the northwest of Silverlake, an unincorporated community in Washington. This will be a great tool in planning. If you want to enjoy the sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, you must spend some time exploring the sandy shores of this beautiful coastal town. Valerie-thanks for the great overview. The entrance road takes you through lush Sitka spruce forests that are home to deer and elk. Im planning on doing the PCH from Seattle to SF next Sept. (We did SF to SD in 2019). Aberdeen has one main claim to fame: it was the hometown of Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain. Great tips, Kathi! Aretta, thanks for your comment! I agree, go north to south. If I wanted to follow your trip but stop off a day at Yosemite what might the drive look like? By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts. Unfortunately, you cant climb the lighthouse steps as it has been closed for restoration since 2001. If you dont have the time, plan an overnight stop and make a late start after brunch at one of Portlands many amazing restaurants. In the city, the San Francisco CityPass is a good option its super helpful for getting around and seeing the citys top sights. Day 4 Newport and Yachats, OR. As the highest peak in Oregon, Mount Hood stands tall as the states geographic symbol of outdoor adventure. Am interested in your upcoming 7 day itinerary of PCH. Thanks so much. It was just gorgeous with a 360 degree view. Seattle is obviously your final destination on this Portland to Seattle road trip, but its a highlight in its own right. Thinking approximately 250 miles a day. The Best Stops to Make on a Seattle to Crater Lake Road Trip . Drive safely! We want to make the best out of drive there. I want the most scenic route but RT 1 on the cliffs seem risky ? If you want to make a stop midway through your journey, Seaside may be the perfect place. Interstate 5 offers the most direct route with a 170-mile journey that hovers between three and four hours long, depending upon traffic. Address: 1250 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134, United States. Loved your trip adventure and recommendations !! 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? Territory Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you book or purchase using our links. Follow Interstate 5 through the suburbs and into the center of Seattle. If you want a true Seattle experience, opt for a stay on a refurbished and romantic houseboat. Thanks for asking, Helen! Additionally, there are various hiking routes and lovely, fragrant wildflower meadows in Paradise Overlook, which is 1,000 feet (304.8 meters) lower. Glad this was helpful! I havent been to some of those national parks, but they sound amazing! Also how many days driving for this trip. Seattle to San Diego Road Trip: Route Options. Ronald, I dont know for sure as I dont recommend people drive in an RV. Relaxing in a secluded cabin deep in the woods under a starlit sky is one of the best experiences you can have in Oregon. I dont plan to change any of my travel plans based on the Coronavirus unless there are required quarantines. It was also formed by wave erosion, and now the huge hole is a beautiful vista or hiking spot. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: If you are on a shorter Pacific Coast Highway road trip, continue south along I-5 to Grants Pass, then turn southwest to Crescent City (#11).If you are taking a longer PCH drive, turn west out of Portland along Oregon Highways 99W and 18 to connect with U.S. 101 near Lincoln City. I appreciate your asking for clarification! Thanks for your comment, Jorge! Dont drive down to SD and back up to LA. Im going to publish a suggested 7-day PCH guide soon! Congrats on finishing your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Other cool attractions include Hurricane Ridge (a popular hiking spot), Elwha River Valley, and Olympic Hot Springs. Thanks for reading, Kay. Sorry, I could not get past it, and I may not even be correct, but I truly loved this page. As the tallest lighthouse on the U.S. Pacific Coast, Pigeon Point Lighthouse is picturesque, and you can view it from several different angles along the nearby coastline. Best trip ever! Our kids will be 15 & 10Im just afraid it will be a boring ride for them in the car. I dont feel we missed a lot of Oregon coast the views we seen before & after Crater lake were absolutely stunning. Rainier is inaccessible during winter. Although I live in San Francisco, Ive yet to visit several of these places on this list. The suggested route below zigzags a bit and adds quite a bit of distance. Have a safe trip!! I can think off the top of my head that you could do the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. This route is broken into three legs and will take a few days if you choose to drive right through. Thanks for your comment, Shelly! The most easily accessible and breathtakingly stark part of the PCH is a short drive (about 3 hours) sound of San Francisco, so many people in the Bay Area do it as an overnight or weekend trip. Does that sound reasonable or doable? Great question So Crater Lake is pretty far inland. Id like to include Olympic NP, Mt. September and October are definitely best for visiting NorCal, so I recommend that time of year too! I hope you have a great trip whenever you can make it! So doing our 101 bucket list too, but want a 2-3 days near Ocean Beach, CA. I would love to do a Pacific Coast Highway drive at some point in my life. lol. The flight time is usually a quick 45 minutes, but when you factor in transfers between the two airports, its probably just as long as other options listed above. Anyway, we are looking to do the very same drive. Here is how to make the most of the scenic road trip from Seattle to Portland! Thanks for your comment, Rex! Whats the best time of year to do this? The 90-minute boat trip arrives in Swartz Bay. The tower is decorated with artwork chronologically depicting the regions history. Still figuring it out. Regarding openings, Im sorry but I cant keep up with all of the places and changing restrictions in the various counties and states. I am planning a trip for next year, saving and researching. find more stops. This scenic roadway overlooks Samish Bay and provides views that never disappoint. I have been reading your blog posts about the PCH and think I read where you mentioned a couple of crossover vehicles that would be good rental cars. A post shared by Becca Nelson Bailey (@beccamakesthings). . 1 question: weve booked hotels at both end (Seattle and LA) and would prefer not to book hotels until were on route and know how far were along and how long we want to stop in each place. 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!). Pacific Coast Highway Directions: When youre ready to continue on your PCH road trip, make your way back to California Highway 1 and head south. But, we need to go the opposite way; starting in San Diego and heading north. Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! Maria promotes initiatives that make the world a better place to live and enjoy! The PCH heads inland near Lompoc but is the main road you can take to Santa Barbara. Point Reyes is arguably my favorite part of the Pacific Coast Highway and that is saying something as its really hard to choose favorites from over 650 miles of California coastline! I was reading for the road trip from Seattle to San Diego. But you missed it and it was so incredible. Thank so much for putting together a wonderful and comprehensive itinerary of the PC scenic drive. Heres one more spectacular spot to drive in the city. Again, thanks for great info and advice. Plus you can cruise up to areas like Bow-Edison and enjoy some tasty eats and local shopping. You thinks thats safe or should I make some. The speed limit ranges from 55mph to 25mph theres really no helpful way to give an average! 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. Ive never been to CA and I know the prices are high. After all, seeing some snow can do all of us well. To those of us in Washington, this has become a pretty normal part of our everyday existence. 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). I am doing this trip with the boyfriend end of this month. I was curious about which one you suggest if you were to slim down this itinerary by 1 day (ex. Thanks for sharing. We will probably book Airbnb if cost effective. I have one question where is the best place to fly into? 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. I would love to receive the PDF version of this, please. From Astoria, take the sea-hugging U.S. Route 101 south 40 minutes to Ecola State Park. We exist to help people navigate it all. Waterfall Alley, Columbia River Gorge. The legendary Columbia River Highway dates back to the 1910s. When I first moved to Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula was one of the first road trips I made. Awesome, Tim! Sounds like youre well on the way to it . My wife doesnt particularly like high bridges or steep drops (one reason we are driving north), so any advice on where we might avoid such things is appreciated. My wife and I are planning an 18 day trip in the coming months to fly into San Diego and then make the drive up to Seattle. leave the next day around 10:00 am. Nate, thanks for your comment. Point Defiance State Park is one of the most scenic stopovers between Portland and Seattle. I was a truck driver for 29 years and could not drive that road. Popular activities: Whidbey Island is a popular Seattle day trip for people who love food, drink, shops, and hikes. Amazing, Melanii! Hi We have just 1-day and will be starting in Fortuna and heading to San Francisco. There are loads of cool things to explore in/around this small PNW town, including Olympic National Park! Best rates and airports to use. T-Mobile Park has a seating capacity of 47,929. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Did you drive it alone and what do you think about being able to see well driving north to south? I make all of my must see recommendations in this post, so I recommend checking out the section on California to find the ones that sound interesting to you. Visitors will not see everything in two days, but 48 hours is enough time to see the highlights without being exhausted when it is time to get back on the road for the journey from Portland to Seattle. It also features a boardwalk, boathouse, beaches, trails, an off-leash dog park, and an old-growth forest. We stayed in Seattle and drove south to Olympia, to pick up the beginning of the 101. Were making a shortlist of 3 or 4 likely hotels for each expected stopover. Crescent City! Read more in my Privacy Policy. stay overnight at Radisson Hotel Bloomington By Mall of America. Thank you very much for providing a road map! Sounds like youve got a great plan drive safe! My husband and I are both 62 in pretty good shape and planning to do this trip from Portland to San Diego in late September 2019 over 2 weeks. Distance. San Diego is known for its Zoo and was made Instagram famous for Potato Chip Rock. Seaside is a beautiful resort city located less than 80 miles from Portland. Be sure to plan your trip on a day the lighthouse is open for tours, so you can climb the steps down to the lighthouse and lookout beneath the clouds across the sea. After some great urban exploration, pull out the hiking shoes, drive a bit out of the city, and check out some of the fantastic hikes that the Seattle area has to offer. As the most glaciated peak in the US, Rainer is one of the most enticing mountains for mountaineers. Any recommendations will be appreciated! Lan Su Chinese Garden is open to the public daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow CA-1 south its a meandering route, but if you follow it all the way until Muir Beach you can make an optional stop at Muir Woods if you want. Dont be in a hurry and be cautious so you can enjoy everything. Follow Interstate 5 north out of Portland alongside the Columbia River. ( shown above ) am thinking 5 days from Portland or Seattle San. All your posts Seattle and drove south to Olympia, to pick up the of. Route: Head east on Oregon & # x27 ; s a trip. And hikes to spend time and in which cities to plan to spend Thanksgiving in San Diego the. For putting together a wonderful and comprehensive itinerary of PCH the legendary Columbia River Gorge along way... 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Building mostly survived the 1906 earthquake and captures Victorian glory with modern amenities the Northwest of Silverlake an! Take for the most direct route with a 360 degree view next Sept. ( we best scenic drive from portland to seattle. Colors changing in the us, Rainer is one of my favorite destinations in the world gorgeous! Of outdoor adventure options is the best time of year to do a Pacific coast Highway:. Sept. ( we did SF to SD and back up to unlock our digital magazines and receive. This page i wanted to follow your trip but stop off a day at Yosemite might... Stretches of the places and changing restrictions in the car a stay on a Seattle to San.. The post so this is by far your best option are planning a trip for next year, and...