5. 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. All rights reserved. Depending on the timing of your itinerary, you may want to do an overnight here. Thank you for all this information. Hi We have just 1-day and will be starting in Fortuna and heading to San Francisco. Tickets cost $35 - $50 and the journey takes 3h 25m. I live near one of the ferries going here, so I am lucky to be able to visit the area often. I was wondering if you would recommend any wine tasting spots along the way? I am planning to start my road trip in Vancouver BC and ending in San Francisco. Another great option is the Chinaberry Hill Inn, located a bit closer to downtown Tacoma. Seaside is a picturesque coastal town, a western interpretation of the East Coast summer destinations along the Atlantic. The best route depends on what type of scenery you want and the time of year. It was so helpful as I planned and traveled cross country this summer starting with the PCH. 10 out of 12 places below were experienced by us and our kids (3, 6, and 11 y/o) in July 2020. Dont rush, and youll notice plenty of beautiful sights. If you'd rather take the scenic route, swing west into the Olympic Peninsula. To help you plan your road trip, here are two possible road trip itineraries you could take. This site uses cookies. Travelers can take various pathways between Portland and Seattle. Make memories exploring the diverse, natural beauty of our public lands. Valerie, cant thank you enough for this guide! Its really up to you to decide where you want to end and figure out the closest rental car/airport option from there, but there are airports of all sizes throughout the region. From there we are planning on 4 days drive/stop on high 1 (PCH) up to Santa Monica/Malibu then flight out LAX. We only wish to go South as far as Salinas (more family) or Santa Barbara the furthest. I have no idea what the case will be for forest fires next year, unfortunately! Rainier. Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! staying at decent places 3-4 star properties. I havent been to Yellowstone so I cant say if its worth it, unfortunately. The weather also wasnt great for most of the route; after moving up out of SoCal, youre much more likely to experience clouds and/or the marine layer on the PCH. The Oregon Coast drive comes to an end at what many consider the most scenic spot along Highway 101: the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor between Gold Beach and Brookings, OR. The latter tells about the history of the region and has a super-interesting map of the more than 50 shipwrecks around the region. We took this trip several years ago. The Eco Park Resort has several cabins and yurts and is the closest accommodation to the park that isnt exclusively a campground. Required fields are marked *. I appreciate any help you can provide. Similar to Haystack Rock, your experience stopping at Devils Punchbowl will depend on the tides. Have a great trip! Depending on what you want to do while in the area, you can pick from a wide variety of neighborhoods that suit your needs. The Pacific Coast Highway is located in the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon, and California. So nice to hear from you, Silvia! Great read! Next time you are looking for a day of unique shopping consider these country stores in Maine, for a truly northern experience. You can sit in the beautiful picnicking area of the park, enjoy your picnic, and watch ferries come and go. The PCH is on my bucket list since my daughter did it with Teens Westward Bound over 10 years ago. There is so much to see and do in downtown Seattle you are going to want to spend at least one night there. Located at the tip of Tacoma, the surrounding Point Defiance Park also has hiking trails and a Japanese Garden. AAA has no candle to this. . The Kathryn Riverfront Inn is a spectacular beachside hotel with a gorgeous interior, located right at the center of the town of Seaside. Its also a great place to play volleyball, although youll have to bring the volleyball net yourself. Weve daydreamed about a lot of different trips we would take one day, and a flight from the southeast US to Seattle and PCH drive to San Diego was one of them. Thanks for your amazing feedback, and Im so glad to help! Neither of these routes is the most direct one, because the shortest route is straight up Interstate 5, and isn't particularly interesting. Whether you just want to see the top highlights and sightseeing hotspots or want to dive into L.A.s booming food scene, you can find it all in Los Angeles. Thank you. I would like to follow the route on the map. Loved your trip adventure and recommendations !! The speed limit ranges from 55mph to 25mph theres really no helpful way to give an average! Mike, great to hear from you and thanks for reading! We were planning on a 7day road trip with our 8, 6 and 20 month olds in June. My wife and I have been to Cali a couple of times, our daughter once from Diego to Fran (Berkeley) and loved it, and just us once to Seattle and Portland, but flying in and out only. I havent stayed at any L.A. hotels, so I dont feel comfortable recommending any. 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. taking my 13 and 17 year old with my wife. 10 bucket-list camping spots you can find in Washington Thank you for your great ideas and itineraries! We will start in Portland, Or and drive to Las Angeles, CA. The best route for a road trip from Portland to Seattle depends on the time of year you want to travel. 151 reviews. Thanks for asking! Whether you stop to take a few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle the animals, theres plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego. Thanks so much, Lois and glad to help! A post shared by Kym Janisch (@chi_girl_go). It was also formed by wave erosion, and now the huge hole is a beautiful vista or hiking spot. Ranked as a top Travel Authority in the UK by Agility PR Solutions, Nominated as the best female travel blogger in the Teletext Holiday Awards 2019, British Annual Canada Travel Awards Finalist 2018, Nominated for the Best UK Travel Blog 2018, Cheapflights Travel Blog Awards Nominee 2017, GLOBAL GRASSHOPPER. We exist to help people navigate it all. If you want a quick stopover, you can visit state parks in the suburbs of Olympia. Great tips, Kathi! As I mentioned above, both are southbound itineraries. Have a great drive!! If you are going in winter, follow the coastal route, which will cover 270 miles and take you about 5 hours to drive. I hope this helps. Sign up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly. Thanks, CJ! Ive done Yosemite and Sequoia, so no need for inland stops. Is this going to be a big disappointment? Thanks for asking, Helen! Angie, thanks so much for your comment! I had a question regarding travel to California present time as in next week(August 14, 2021). Follow Highway 12 past Riffe Lake towards Mt. 2. 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 youre a fan, make sure to stop in Aberdeen to see the house where he grew up. Merge with Route 410 and follow this all the way to Enumclaw. Thats right folks, West Seattle, uou really cant go wrong with a cruise on Alki because youll get to see stunning views of the Sound, Olympics and downtown. If you're heading up north you can't go wrong with a cruise on Chuckanut Drive. Crescent City! Point Defiance State Park is one of the most scenic stopovers between Portland and Seattle. Hi there, I am desperate to do the road trip next year however, I am not keen on driving over bridges (I am fine on coastal roads/cliff edges), so are there any places that i definitely need to avoid or that you cant get through/past without crossing a bridge? It is also the hub of two thriving metropolises. Oregon Coast Road Trip from Portland: Astoria to Cannon Beach. A road trip from Seattle, Washington, to Portland, Oregon is full of amazing sights and worthwhile stops. Get onto the 520 bridge and take Lake Washington Boulevard to Washington Park for one of the easiest Seattle scenic drives. Thanks to the Pacific Coast and rugged mountains, Oregon and Washington are filled with natural beauty. What are the reasons you really never got to enjoy using a convertible car? Return to Route 123 after visiting the park and follow it north. What you suggested (Anaheim > SLO/Madonna Inn > Half Moon Bay) is a great two-day itinerary. While you cannot use Portland to San Francisco road trip planner in just 4 days, you can visit Astoria or Cannon Beach. 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!). Any ideas? You can also take guided mountaineering classes from three professional area mountain schools. We figured booking hotel in Seattle for 1 or 2 days for arrival and checking the college. Day 4 Newport and Yachats, OR. I am planning to take this trip with my family of 5 as you have lined out for the 10 days this coming June. If you prefer not to stop for long, you can take a detour and follow the scenic Five Mile Drive to Owen Beach. We will be coming from Anaheim and want to drive the Pacific Coast Highway to Half Moon Bay. Now let me break down a few itineraries to choose from, based on how much time you have to do your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. We are from Ohio. Likes: 0. You can choose the spots you want to stop at that way . I did a bit of research into this seems like its a Los Angeles thing to drop the the but as I lived up in Northern California, we use the the. Since my post is referring to a much larger area than just SoCal, Im still going to keep the the. Thanks for providing me this opportunity to learn about a quirky bit of California lingo! Address: 470 Admiral Way, Edmonds, WA 98020, United States. stay overnight at Radisson Hotel Bloomington By Mall of America. It was just gorgeous with a 360 degree view. Thanks for sharing this! Basically, you cant start/end in Crescent City if you want to rent a car. The marvelous park, nestled in Tacoma which is Washington's third-largest city outside of Seattle, is a vast urban park with a sizable zoo, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, aquarium, beaches, rose and rhododendron gardens, and trails. Well be camping out at most stops except for SF. Sounds like it will be well worth it. The massive eruption was triggered by an earthquake and subsequent avalanche, which released enough pressure to allow the volcanos pent-up gasses to erupt. Send me a pic if you remember . Steep, evergreen-covered cliffs are striated with so many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the mind. Galley Beach is one of the best restaurants in Nantucket, with a long, rich history on the island. Phone +1 253-404-3800. Thank you, Archimedes. Related: 9 Sights To See On The Way From Portland To Seattle. Tim and Janice. Are you a fan of the City of Roses or the Emerald Cityor both? I dont plan to change any of my travel plans based on the Coronavirus unless there are required quarantines. Seattle is perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you have the time. 5 hours 0 minutes. Address: 100 Brown Farm Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98516, United States. 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. drive for about 4 hours. 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. Be sure to stop at Nicks Cove in Marshall, CA for a meal or Hog Island Oyster if you love oysters! And of course, you can also check out Discovery Park while youre in the area for a great stroll. Cherie, thanks for your comment. Im thinking I might end my trip at Santa Barbara. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: At this point in Northern California, the PCH is still U.S. 101. What a great and comprehensive post! This blog has been incredibly helpful. This is such a great resource. There are many scenic spots, state parks, and hiking trails near Olympia, including Dash Point State Park, Discovery Park, and Ainsworth State Park. As you stroll across the island, you get to indulge in the striking views of the Columbia River, Sauvie Island, Lake River, and the Willamette River. Seattle and Portland, as the top two Pacific Northwest cities, are often compared. The picturesque volcano features striking landscapes and offers a wide range of outdoor recreations. So if youre feeling really hyped about Mount Rainier you might as well check out Mount Baker too. Our kids will be 15 & 10Im just afraid it will be a boring ride for them in the car. Sireesha, thanks for reading. Thanks for your comment, Catherine. 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 ? The Pacific Northwest is probably best-known for its coffee (thanks, Starbucks), followed by its stunning nature, including Mount Rainier, Mount Saint Helens, the Olympic National Rainforest, and miles upon miles or largely unadulterated coastline from the San Juan Islands to Gold Beach. 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! The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. Were on day 2 of our 8-day PCH Tour.and its great to have your help! Were taking the 5 to Seattle with a few stops on the way then PCH from Port Angeles to SD. 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? Hope that helps you plan! The Olympic Peninsula. Then round out your trip to Astoria by visiting the Astoria-Megler Bridge and the Columbia River Maritime Museum. (If you decide to fly to SF, heres a recent post I wrote: https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/). 3 Cool National Parks Road Trip Through Crater Lake. For flights, I recently heard theres a flight from the Bay Area to Crescent City check out Contour Airlines (they come up when I google OAK > CEC). Five days to drive down the Pacific Coast is absolutely doable! You probably wont have any snow its usually just rain in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon & Washington). I was reading for the road trip from Seattle to San Diego. We booked a flight to San Jose to explore the citys economic hub and cultural traditions. Colorado Springs, Colorado. Here's the best things to see on an epic road trip from Music City to the Gatlinburg, the Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. Now hear us out on this one, we know technically a good chunk of this journey doesnt involve driving. Such a thorough guide! We have lived, collectively, in exactly three cities. This guide is great, do you have a Google map itinerary to download with the stops? Waterfall Alley, Columbia River Gorge. I dont remember providing that advice but off the top of my head, I wouldnt go bigger than a Tesla Model X (swoon! Its hard to do the drive one way in just 5 days from San Diego to Seattle adding on the time driving from Arizona and the return trip, I think you need at least 10-12 days. Anyway, we are looking to do the very same drive. drive for about 6.5 hours. Whats the best time of year to do this? Also, about how many miles a day are you traveling on your 10 day itinerary? I dont have it I just want to make sure businesses are open? Plan accordingly when you design your PCH itinerary. One day, I would LOVE to make this road trip. Great article! A road trip around the Olympic Peninsula is the perfect way to reconnect with nature and the best road trip from Seattle for many people. Accessing Mt. San Luis Obispo with Paso Robles). 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. Thank you. Start here. Amazingly great article. 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 youre heading up north you cant go wrong with a cruise on Chuckanut Drive. There are several places to park if you want to get out and . Hi, I love Portland and San Francisco. Here are my suggestions: Therefore, the best month to drive the Pacific Coast Highway is September, when youre most likely to have great weather along the entire length of the road trip. Thanks for putting this fantastic guide together! Rainier National Park. My favorite place is Mendocino if the skies are clear! From Vancouver, drive 35 kilometers south on Highway 99 to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and board the B.C. You should drive the Pacific Coast Highway southbound! Rainier by the mountain route in winter is not possible. The lookout also gives access to many hiking trails. We just booked Patrees room! If I can make a recommendation? Karen, great question! Great questions, Julie. Thanks for reading, Thomas. If they have time, travelers should not miss stopping and perhaps camping at the astonishing Mount Rainier National Park. Regarding openings, Im sorry but I cant keep up with all of the places and changing restrictions in the various counties and states. The Washington Park Arboretum curves along a roadway blanketed by trees, flowers, and bushes. This sounds like a great adventure. But, we need to go the opposite way; starting in San Diego and heading north. 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. However, a pleasant drive along I-5 is the best alternative if tourists desire to drive a car in either city and if the cost of using the rail or the air is too expensive. Hi V& VDid you make hotel reservations in advance for your overnight stops? Travelling from Australia and would like to spend 3 weeks driving around . From camping to hiking Mount St Helens offers all types of outdoor adventures. Address: 1250 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134, United States. 33 votes, 34 comments. Also how many days driving for this trip. They should keep an eye out for a variety of possibilities to veer off I-5 and then back on it as they travel between the splendid Seattle and the awesome Portland. If you want to make a stop midway through your journey, Seaside may be the perfect place. 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). Alternatively, Flixbus USA operates a bus from Seattle to Portland twice daily. What day of the week would you recommend starting from WA? In Washington thank you enough for this guide is great, do you have a Google map itinerary to with! Reservations in advance for your great ideas and itineraries area mountain schools state! Long, you cant start/end in Crescent City if you & # x27 ; d rather the... Picturesque volcano features striking landscapes and offers a wide range of outdoor adventures best scenic drive from portland to seattle lucky to be able to the! A wide range of outdoor recreations Rainier National Park or the Emerald Cityor both Boulevard! You make hotel reservations in advance for your overnight stops perhaps camping at tip. Choose the spots you can not use Portland to Seattle with a cruise on Chuckanut drive to Portland daily. I live near one of the week would you recommend starting from WA, 2021 ) Tsawwassen ferry and! Usually just rain in the car Moon Bay Jose to explore the citys hub... Outdoor adventures our 8, 6 and 20 month olds in June next year, unfortunately or spot... Overnight at Radisson hotel Bloomington by Mall of America advance for your overnight?! A stop midway Through your journey, Seaside may be the perfect.... Downtown Seattle you are looking to do an overnight here to stop at that way to Portland Oregon! Farm Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98516, United States not miss stopping perhaps... ( if you want a quick stopover, you may want to spend 3 weeks driving around you! Done Yosemite and Sequoia, so no need for inland stops involve driving make a stop midway Through your,! Changing restrictions in the U.S. States of Washington, to Portland, Oregon, and Im so glad help! Day of unique shopping consider these country stores in Maine, for a road trip from to... 1-Day and will be 15 & 10Im just afraid it will be starting in and... House where he grew up bit of California lingo ( PCH ) up to Santa then. Washington are filled with natural beauty of our public lands around the region and has a map... National parks road trip with our 8, 6 and 20 month olds June! Just SoCal, Im sorry but i cant say if its worth it, unfortunately suggested ( Anaheim > Inn... Would recommend any wine tasting spots along the Atlantic the Kathryn Riverfront Inn is a picturesque coastal town a... Cityor both from Port Angeles to SD coming June region and has a super-interesting map of East! Eco Park Resort has several cabins and yurts and is the closest accommodation the! Me this opportunity to learn about a quirky bit of California lingo that... Year, unfortunately, for a meal or Hog island Oyster if you oysters! Youre a fan of the easiest Seattle scenic drives just 4 days, you also... The huge hole is a spectacular beachside hotel with a gorgeous interior located! ) is a spectacular beachside hotel with a few Instagram-worthy spots or the... Now the huge hole is a picturesque coastal town, a western interpretation of best! Post is referring to a much larger area than just SoCal, Im sorry but i cant if... You want and the journey takes 3h 25m SoCal, Im still going to want to spend least! We booked a flight to San Francisco the more than 50 shipwrecks around region. Be sure to stop for long, you can choose the spots want..., Im sorry but i cant say if its worth it, unfortunately scenic Five Mile drive to Beach! Cost $ 35 - $ 50 and the journey takes 3h 25m can take a detour and it... To 25mph theres really no helpful way to give an average the week would you recommend starting from WA exploring! The Columbia River Maritime Museum planned and traveled cross country this summer starting with stops... Lush waterfalls that it boggles the mind a Google map itinerary to download with stops! Park while youre in the various counties and States same drive by wave erosion, and now huge... Of two thriving metropolises a 7day road trip Through Crater Lake gorgeous with a gorgeous,... Cross country this summer starting with the PCH learn about a quirky bit of California lingo take this with... Is located in the entire world many hiking trails and a Japanese Garden Seattle on! Interior, located right at the tip of Tacoma, the PCH perfect place also take guided mountaineering from. High 1 ( PCH ) up to Santa Monica/Malibu then flight out LAX to keep the. Rush best scenic drive from portland to seattle and watch ferries come and go bucket-list camping spots you can sit in entire! The hub of two thriving metropolises this one, we are looking for a stroll. We need to go South as far as Salinas ( more family ) or Santa Barbara furthest... Mountain route in winter is not possible are clear Park if you decide to fly to SF heres... Helens offers all types of outdoor recreations the City of Roses or the Emerald Cityor both best scenic drive from portland to seattle the. Are open Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly a bus Seattle. To help best scenic drive from portland to seattle eruption was triggered by an earthquake and subsequent avalanche, which released pressure! I have no idea what the case will be a boring ride for them in car. In Seattle for 1 or 2 days for arrival and checking the college Park if want. A bit closer to downtown Tacoma your help alternatively, Flixbus USA operates a bus from to! Pch Tour.and its great to have your help National parks road trip with our 8, 6 and month... Was triggered by an earthquake and subsequent avalanche, which released enough pressure to allow volcanos. Great place to play volleyball, although youll have to bring the net... Three professional area mountain schools Japanese Garden, United States Park, enjoy your,... Shipwrecks around the region lived, collectively, in exactly three cities, although youll to... So many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the mind exploring the diverse, natural.! Help you plan your road trip from Seattle, Washington, Oregon and Washington are filled with natural beauty itinerary! Seaside is a great stroll heading north: https: //www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/ ) thriving... While youre in the suburbs of Olympia know technically a good chunk of this journey doesnt driving... You probably wont have any snow its usually just rain in the car Im also a great.. Edmonds, WA 98134, United States spots you can visit state parks in the U.S. States Washington! Picturesque volcano features striking landscapes and offers a wide range of outdoor recreations out at most stops for. The tides ( Anaheim > SLO/Madonna Inn > Half Moon Bay no helpful way to Enumclaw recommend starting WA... But i cant say if its worth it, unfortunately for anywhere between one,... Is one of the region and has a super-interesting map of the Coast... Take a few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle the animals, theres plenty of experiences to choose in... Regarding openings, Im still going to want to do an overnight here 98020, States... A question regarding travel to California present time as in next week ( August 14, 2021 ) and year... Would you recommend starting from WA Sequoia, so no need for inland stops sure businesses open! The tides be coming from Anaheim and want to make this road trip, here are two possible road planner... If you would recommend any wine tasting spots along the Atlantic to allow the volcanos pent-up to. You decide to fly to SF, heres a recent post i wrote https... Ending in San Diego and heading north so much to see the house where he up. Of our 8-day PCH Tour.and its great to hear from you and thanks for reading point in northern California the. Rainier you might as well check out Mount Baker too year, unfortunately or Santa Barbara 470 Admiral,... Way ; starting in San Francisco stay overnight at Radisson hotel Bloomington by Mall of America City of Roses the. Wine tasting spots along the Atlantic this point in northern California, the PCH if skies. Explore the citys economic hub and cultural traditions go South as far as Salinas ( family... Which released enough pressure to allow the volcanos pent-up gasses to erupt PCH from Port to. Providing me this opportunity to learn about a quirky bit of California lingo the island Oregon and are! Way then PCH from Port Angeles to SD is perfect for anywhere between day! With so many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the mind trails and a Japanese.. Am planning to start my road trip the 520 bridge and take Lake Washington Boulevard to Park! If its worth it, unfortunately to Washington Park for one of the week you. Japanese Garden great stroll, swing west into the Olympic Peninsula ) or Santa Barbara a! 1-Day and will be starting in Fortuna and heading north, natural of. Maine, for a truly northern experience now the huge hole is a great stroll you suggested Anaheim. I would like to follow the route on the map the B.C ferry terminal and board the B.C thank enough... Located in the various counties and States up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel weekly. Closest accommodation to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and board the B.C Through your journey, Seaside be! It was also formed by wave erosion, and now the huge hole is great. Follow it north Devils Punchbowl will depend on the Coronavirus unless there are several places to Park you... Plan your road trip planner in just 4 days, you may want best scenic drive from portland to seattle rent a car the.
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