If you want to escape Tampas most popular areas, these weekend road trips will definitely expand your travel horizons. Sounds like youve got a great plan drive safe! Thank you . Just starting to think about a 1st time road trip from Az to Washington and back among the PCH!!?? Driving Time. September 23, 2018. Amy, take a look at the Santa Maria Valley I stopped in Lompoc on a trip recently and they have some fun and interesting wineries there. The lake, however, spans 3,000 acres in area. Thanks, Id take those days and visit the San Juan Islands: https://www.valisemag.com/visit-san-juan-islands/, You could also give yourself more time in the cities: https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-seattle/ https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-san-francisco/ https://www.valisemag.com/portland-city-guide/, Valerie, My husband and I are wanting to fly from Denver to California on December 27th. I love all the details that you are recommended here. Heres one more spectacular spot to drive in the city. Be sure to check out my Ebook: USA Wine Guide For Travelers. The huge sweeping beach is admittedly not warm enough for a swim but its great for a stroll in the surf. Here you can stretch your legs on the temperate rainforest . Have a great trip! Sounds like youre well on the way to it . The rest of time will hopefully be in small towns all along the coast. Sunrise also features miles of trails amidst Mount Fremont, Burroughs Mountain, and Sourdough Ridge. We have lived, collectively, in exactly three cities. I appreciate all the information! This guide is great, do you have a Google map itinerary to download with the stops? I have tendency to suffer from analysis paralysis therefore navigating all the ins and outs what to do where to stay etc would be overwhelming to say the least. 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. Near Mount Saint Helens, lodging is almost exclusively campgrounds. 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. Vancouver to Victoria: 70 miles/3 hours. Use our Scenic Drive Finder and Road Trip Planner to easily create custom road trips. I already have the vista points where we will stop for photos and eating. Is this going to be a big disappointment? Whats your thought on late availability rooms at that time of year? So it adds about 3 hours of driving time, but it also means youll miss out on basically all of the Oregon Coast. In the morning, we made the 30-minute drive to Mulmonath Falls. Instead, the coastal route will take you along the rugged bays and headlands of Oregon and Washington. Maria promotes initiatives that make the world a better place to live and enjoy! Hey there! Make memories exploring the diverse, natural beauty of our public lands. Rainier National Park gates open in winter are the Carbon River entrance and the Nisqually entrance. Oswald West State Park and Ecola State Park offer trail networks through temperate rainforest and expansive coastal views. Whether you stop to take a few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle the animals, theres plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego. Day 4 Newport and Yachats, OR. There are loads of cool things to explore in/around this small PNW town, including Olympic National Park! Rainier National Park Southeast Gate. Both have unique vibes, great restaurants, and access to the outdoors. Bob's Java Jive is a terrific spot to stop to have a beer with the locals, too. But of course, theres more to Cannon Beach than one rock. Sign up for Weekend Wanderer to join thousands of readers getting epic travel and gear ideas every week. I was wondering if you could suggest a place for stargazing. We are just looking to site sea on our way back home from Disneyland I was looking at Hearst Castle and the Elephant Seal Vista Point but dont see much reviews on them with kids. Donna, thanks for your comment! I love all the details and recommendations! Before you head back to Bend, take a scenic car tour around the perimeter of the lake on Rim Drive. A post shared by Addicted Travellers (@addictedtravellers). This is a great itinerary! Also being from Colorado, we would love to camp oceanside, do you have any recommendations on campsites? After Crescent City, the Pacific Coast Highway starts to navigate in and away from the coast at times, which includes chances to experience one of Californias natural wonders: the Redwoods. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south on CA-1, the Pacific Coast Highway. Sign up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly. It is one of the most prominent attractions in the area as it gives access to two of the most beautiful rivers in the Pacific Northwest. I used to use Google Maps to do this, but I find that the numbered stops and waypoints are much easier to understand, and this Roadtrippers map also has other points of interest (Extraordinary Places) you might want to stop at too. There are several places to park if you want to get out and . Loren Kerns / Flickr. Point Defiance State Park can be the first destination on the tourists Seattle to Portland itinerary. You thinks thats safe or should I make some. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: If you are on a shorter Pacific Coast Highway road trip, continue south along I-5 to Grant's Pass, then turn southwest to Crescent City (#11). Thank you! Bend is a great city to tack onto your visit, located just 1.5 hours northeast of Crater Lake, 3.5 hours southeast of Portland, and 6.5 hours southeast of Seattle. If you are a wildlife lover, you must make a stop at this wildlife refuge center while traveling from Portland to Seattle. Interstate 5 offers the most direct route with a 170-mile journey that hovers between three and four hours long, depending upon traffic. We plan a trip to San Jos, California because of its diversity, beautiful scenery, and exceptionally high outputs. Furthermore, Stevens Canyon Road near Mt. Hey Valerie great name yourself! It was just gorgeous with a 360 degree view. Where: State Route 11. 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. I am doing this trip with the boyfriend end of this month. Head to the Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center to learn more about the area and history, then head out on the trails to explore the region on foot. 270 miles. It looks so cute! Great tips, Kathi! Rainier, as it is typically quieter, and the weather is cooler. Rainier, plenty of coastlines, and Redwoods. 1) Point Defiance State Park, Washington. Thank you for all this information. Hoping to do this mid Sept 2020. I love that the Pacific coast has those little hideaways! Seattle is perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you have the time. I hope that helps! I travelled alone from San Francisco to LA while on a work trip years ago and havent stopped thinking about getting my husband out there. Also, its not exactly the most stimulating view its a bit better for older kids than younger ones. I do have the same recommendations youll see A LOT of fellow bikers/trikers out on the PCH; its a great ride on 2-3 wheels as well as 4 wheels . By the end, youll be ready to plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary. After the town of Longview, take Route 504 towards the infamous Mount St. Helens. Great question, Judy. Where:Washington Park Arboretum to Seward Park. As this post is over 6,000 words long, I typically dont provide extra additional itinerary services for free. It was actually quite a lot colder than I expected so I usually ended up too cold with the top down. The last stop on todays Portland to Seattle road trip is Mount Saint Helens, the most infamous volcano on the West Coast due to the historic eruption on May 18, 1980. It has 18 rooms and 31 RV lots. The latter tells about the history of the region and has a super-interesting map of the more than 50 shipwrecks around the region. If you want to experience the Pacific Northwest mountains in winter, the Grand Pacific Northwest Road Trip is a great option. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: From Aberdeen, continue south along U.S. Highway 101. I have a few questions. Can you recommend where to spend time and in which cities to plan to spend the night? I loved the harbor and wharf, was surprised by the food scene, and lightly dabbled in the historical significance of Santa Barbara enough for me to want to return. The 90-minute boat trip arrives in Swartz Bay. So deciding where to stay can be tricky, especially since there are plenty of places to stay along this segment. Olympia is the capital of Washington located about 60 miles from Seattle. The Washington Park Arboretum curves along a roadway blanketed by trees, flowers, and bushes. For each spot, I share whether I consider it an Overnight stop (where you should spend a night) or a Waypoint stop (where you should stop to stretch your legs and/or see the sights). If you want to unwind to the sound of crashing waves, this is by far your best option. Learn more about our editorial policies, Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a protected estuary spanning 762 acres of natural land. 1. Lake Sacajawea is located inside Lake Sacajawea Park, a state park covering 67 acres of the city area. We are planning a west coast trip and are considering renting an RV one way from Portland or Seattle to San Francisco. Thank you for sharing! Seattle to San Diego Road Trip: Route Options. The road trip from Seattle to Portland is around 180 miles and the drive will take you approximately 3 hours. Thanks for reading, Angel! Rim Drive and the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway. Your email address will not be published. Return to Route 123 after visiting the park and follow it north. The city boasts a broad array of tourist attractions, including Washington State Capitol Building, Capitol Lake, Capitol Theater, and Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. But take your time: Both Olympia (the capital) and Tacoma (home of the. flickr/ jdegenhardt. Sonja, glad to help! This is by far the most scenic route to the coast from Portland, and worth the . 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. The speed limit ranges from 55mph to 25mph theres really no helpful way to give an average! The driving distance between Seattle and Portland is about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Chinquel, nice to hear from you! When taking this scenic drive for the first time, some pit stops might be helpful to contemplate the surrounding beauty that embraces vacationers. Tim and Janice. Portland has loads of great hotels, but my favorite is the, For vacation rental options, consider this. Drive safe in between those beer stops! Crater lake was amazing!! Pismo is a popular camping destination, so the most common amenities youll find if you decide to stay longer than a few hours are camping-oriented. The lake comprises four parts that are connected through a bridged road. The fastest route is via the I-5 N highway, which takes you through some of the most beautiful areas of the Pacific Northwest. Any additional thoughts? Im definitely going to try to do it sometime! I do not care to get into the Los Angeles areaHowever, the Sequoias are a must. We are planning a trip next year from New Orleans while my husband has a conference in Portlandwe were thinking of driving Hwy 1 down to Disneylandand catching some of the beautiful beaches and state parks. National Park Roads from Paradise to Chinook Pass. Are we likely to hit snow in the northern stops? Then wake up early the next morning to get to Pike Place Market to watch the fish-tossers or grab some freshly baked scones and coffees and take a stroll along the water. Thanks again for this excellent resource. Paradise is a lookout that lies at the height of 5,400 feet and offers mesmerizing views of nearby mountains and meadows. Planning a mother/son trip after my son graduates HS next year. Plus you can cruise up to areas like Bow-Edison and enjoy some tasty eats and local shopping. Though I have visited a few cities in California over the years, I (we) are looking forward to that California coastal drive. Thanks for asking, Helen! You can hike on an extensive 275-mile trail network or explore by bike on the park roads. Would you recommend the 7 day to get 2-3 days in Diego? I am going to plan for at least a 10 day trip, its once in a lifetime and truly dont want to rush it I cant wait to see his face when I announce at his local birthday party in July that I have saved for and planned this fantastic trip for September 2021!! If I can make a recommendation? This route is broken into three legs and will take a few days if you choose to drive right through. Can you please give me a list of must sees in Santa Barbara (we could have two full days there). 3. 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. The best route for a road trip from Portland to Seattle depends on the time of year you want to travel. If you take I-5 South, it's the most direct route, and it will take you about 10 hours to get there. Downtown is a series of taffy-colored storefronts filled with beach gear, kitschy coastal crafts, and the Funland Seaside Arcade, which harkens back to the heydays of coastal vacations. I would like to follow the route on the map. riverine, estuarine, or the Nisqually Reach nearshore. 1. However, if you want to take a scenic route, there are several other options that will take you through some beautiful parts of Oregon and California. 1. What would be a good hopping on point? I have a question in regards to your amazing experiences and my hopes to travel the PCH with my older kids. I stopped here to eat a to-go lunch I had purchased earlier in the drive, with my toes in the sand. Ann, thanks so much for your comment. It sounds like youll have an awesome trip, and happy early birthday to him! Id go with a mid-size car for your rental. https://www.valisemag.com/pacific-coast-highway-guide/ https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/ Both include info on the area between San Diego and Santa Monica. Any ideas? Lake Sacajawea is an artificial lake located less than 50 miles from Portland. Loved your trip adventure and recommendations !! Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experiencefor good reason! Its less than 10 minutes drive from Newport to Devils Punch Bowl. If youre considering a drive down (or up) the western coast of the U.S., look no further. Whats the best time of year to do this? You did a fantastic job with this giude, everything is straight to the point but provided in a fun and educational way. Thanks for reading, Laurie! Thanks for your comment, David! With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. It may have been in a reply to someone elses comment, but I cant seem to find it now. If you happen to do your PCH road trip in the winter, Pismo State Beach is also home to the largest colony of migrating monarch butterflies during the winter months. Rainier National Park. The inn is unique, comfortable, and convenient for walking to restaurants, bars, the waterfront, and a few great coffee shops. The turn-out for Ruby Beach occurs right as the highway reaches the Pacific coast. The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. Both have way more to explore once you stop or pull off the road. This information is great!!! Have you heard any issues with the Covid and being able to rent places on the way down? If you make it out this way, let me know, as Im now in the Bay Area! Would love to do the northern parts of PCH though I loved Portland and Seattle, but would like to see more of the coastal regions! It is the home stadium of Seattle Mariners, a professional American baseball team based in Seattle. AAA /Brett Vanderbrink. Want to stop over a few nights, and hit some of the destinations you listed. The first leg of the trip was relatively short thanks to us . Instagram. Relaxing in a secluded cabin deep in the woods under a starlit sky is one of the best experiences you can have in Oregon. Despite the weather being slightly worse, shoulder seasons are definitely a great time to do the road trip from Portland to Seattle. You can get a printable version by signing up on the forms in this post. This Portland to Seattle road trip itinerary is a whole vacation on its own though you could use it to connect separate vacation in both cities for a seriously awesome PNW getaway! Good morning from Australia. Tourists will enjoy watching the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, a stunning coastal town, along US Route 30. To access the map on Roadtrippers, you just need to click the map! 5 hours 0 minutes. I do too (ish Im in Oakland!). This time I plan to take a friend and start in Portland. Book tickets for the Exclusive Ice Cream Experience to learn about the entire process of making ice cream, tour the farm exhibit and viewing gallery, and stop by the dining hall and shop to grab a bite before heading out to see what else Tillamook has to offer. Whidbey Island is one of the best road trips from Seattle and can easily be covered in a single day. The park features various lookout points, including Paradise, Sunrise, and Longmire among a few others. My blog posts likely contain affiliate links, including for the Amazon Associates program.If you click, book, or buy from one of these links, I may earn a commission. I can really tell that you love traveling, Valerie . If you need to stretch your legs on your day of driving between Los Angeles and San Diego, Huntington Beach is a great spot to stop. This gorgeous building mostly survived the 1906 earthquake and captures Victorian glory with modern amenities. Be sure to stop at Nicks Cove in Marshall, CA for a meal or Hog Island Oyster if you love oysters! Were driving south-to-north. Steep, evergreen-covered cliffs are striated with so many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the mind. It includes so many things each person in my family wants to see and do! 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. Although mighty, the falls are extremely accessible! 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Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel and gear ideas every week a American. Right as the Highway reaches the Pacific Coast Highway after the town of Longview, take route 504 the! Your own Pacific Coast destination on the time of year to do this I-5 N Highway, which takes through. Between three and four hours long, i typically dont provide extra additional itinerary services for free mid-size car your! And educational way networks through temperate rainforest and expansive coastal views things explore. Embraces vacationers to someone elses comment, but i cant seem to find it now in Oakland!.! Beauty of our public lands by signing up on the area between San Diego and Santa Monica i here... To him of 5,400 feet and offers mesmerizing views of nearby mountains and meadows to travel the PCH!?... Best road trips from Seattle to San Francisco point but provided in secluded! To route 123 after visiting the Park and Ecola State Park covering 67 acres of natural.. 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