Start in Seattle and end in San Diego. Thanks! AAA has no candle to this. This is my idea of an itinerary but I need to cut out one of these days or consolidate one since I really only have 8 days. Great question, Judy. If youre heading up north you cant go wrong with a cruise on Chuckanut Drive. The big complex has two aquariums, a zoo, and several botanical gardens. What a drive! The three-hour drive along I-5 from Seattle to Portland is fairly unremarkable. Well be camping out at most stops except for SF. Theres a nice public parking area near a lake that overlooks the Washington State Capital building. (Be prepared for fog from the marine layer! Where would you start and end if it is reasonable to go in December, and what might we expect weather wise? You will miss Seaside & Cannon Beach on this route, so your next stop will be Newport (#9). I would love to take this vacation but not fall short on money. This stunning road winds through the Columbia River Gorge along the river, passing tons of incredible waterfalls, lookout points, and more. There are some fantastic day trips from Boston within easy reach no matter what you're idea of fun is. If flexibility for stops and timing is important, driving is the way to go. Bob's Java Jive is a terrific spot to stop to have a beer with the locals, too. Literally. 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. Were driving south-to-north. We then took that to the end. We are planning to stay overnight at the Madonna Inn. I have a question in regards to your amazing experiences and my hopes to travel the PCH with my older kids. 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.". If I were youI would do a leisurely drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego. I cant even imagine how incredible it must have been to experience all this in person. I started this site to share my travel stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips. I will be driving from Dallas to Seattle. To start off we thought wed keep things in the city. Id go with a mid-size car for your rental. Unfortunately, I dont have suggestions for Santa Barbara as I havent been there in nearly a decade. Washington State Road 4 / Highway 101. You can meander the quaint shops in Langley, go kayaking, explore Whidbey Island wineries, eat at the best Whidbey Island restaurants, and more. Or, do you think one could just take a chance and stop and book a room when in need??? A post shared by Becca Nelson Bailey (@beccamakesthings). Thanks for your comment, Kathy! March is a fine time to drive the PCH the weather on the Pacific Coast is pretty similar all year long! Now hear us out on this one, we know technically a good chunk of this journey doesnt involve driving. I would like to follow the route on the map. Also, I love your pictures! Again, thank you so much!! Just wondering about restrictions? The proposed itinerary for 7-day Seattle to San Francisco road trip. If you prefer not to stop for long, you can take a detour and follow the scenic Five Mile Drive to Owen Beach. Washington State eventually bought the bridge and renamed the Lewis and Clark Bridge in 1965 in honor of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Ferry to Victoria. 5 attractions along Arizona's stretch of historic Route 66 that are sure to inspire wonder and nostalgia. Yes, we intend to stay a couple of nights in Portland and 2 or 3 in San Francisco but well probably look for hotels on the outskirts and travel in to the cities by car or public transport each day. If you also want to explore Portland and Seattle, I'd add at least one day in each city (preferably two). Do you have a version that is just typed up not with pictures? Our plan (2 people) would be to fly into Seattle, where family is. Im a lover of US Road Trips, deserted beaches bathed in warm glow of a sunset, Cuban mojitos, travel destinations far away from the tourist crowds and all things Scandinavian from cloudberry liquors to Nordic noirs. Sorry, I dont have any special suggestions for kids! Route 1 is fine its twisty turny but its the best route by far. I dont have it I just want to make sure businesses are open? Ive been to Napa, Sonoma and Russian River Valley but curious if there are any great places you are aware of. Or Seattle, with its top notch restaurants, famed attractions and beautiful parks? Thanks so much for any tips you can suggest on having adequate funds! Thank you. Maybe Im AAAA ? Thank you very much for providing a road map! When I drove the PCH, I rented a car and drove it as a one-way rental (meaning I dropped it off in a different city than I picked it up). Related Read: 12 Romantic Getaways in Washington to Take Your Sweetheart. Likes: 0. Great questions, Julie. Also, for a map, I use the app Roadtrippers, which is linked in the post. We might consider staying a total of 12-15 days. You should have no problem making it down the road in December. I appreciate this guide. I have 22 foot van camper are their any length height(9.5 ft) restrictions I am hoping their are amp sites along the way? Phone +1 253-404-3800. Tillamook, Oregon sits on the Highway 101, a few miles inland from the sea. Thanks for reading, Lauren! But, we need to go the opposite way; starting in San Diego and heading north. Check out the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa to add a little pampering to your road trip. Unless youre driving the lengthy coastal route, youll find the best scenery aboard Amtrak. Thanks for your comment, David! P.S. The Cascade Loop Is One of Washington's Most Iconic Drives. From Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument to Seattle with side trips is about 208 miles and will take around four hours when done as a straight shot. From camping to hiking Mount St Helens offers all types of outdoor adventures. Crescent City is a great spot for an overnight stop (or longer) depending on your itinerary. Its mostly side trips places where youll have divert from the most direct route until you reach Seattle. Im glad it was helpful. The picnicking area boasts several picnic tables arranged round in a grassy area. Day 5 Toketee Falls and Crater Lake, OR. 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. We didn't expect much from the road until realized that adding 0.5-2 hours will turn it into a real adventure! I hope this helps! Day 6 Crescent City and Redwoods National Park, OR. my best friends and I have talked about driving down from San Francisco to some of the Orange County, CA cities. Take the road all the way to the dramatic bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and keep an eye out for gray whales in the water below. It depends a lot on how long you plan to make the drive do you know how many days youll be driving? Cannon Beach is a coastal city located about 80 miles from Portland. I have been to Europe, for 2 years, and nothing compares to this coastal trip. Plan accordingly when you design your PCH itinerary. We are thinking of late September of 2022 doing a two week drive from north to south. If you want to spend part of one day during your Pacific Coast Highway road trip beachcombing or hiking, Big Sur is the place to do it. Thanks so much, Lois and glad to help! Want more? (As of July 2018, the PCH reopened after a 2017 mudslide!). I am traveling with my husband, brother and our 4 year old. Carry on the fantastic work!|. Which Direction to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway? Wed like to be flexible so, if we like somewhere we could stay an extra night, or if we need to push on, we could pull the itinerary forward. This gorgeous building mostly survived the 1906 earthquake and captures Victorian glory with modern amenities. Before you get started, making sure you pay the feebefore you arrive and nail down a mountaineering/climbing permit from the Park Service. Having an America the Beautiful Pass is the easiest and most cost-effective way to visit over 2,000-federal recreation sites. 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. Liz is a freelance writer and editor who lives on the road. The I-5 N highway is the most direct route and will get you to Vancouver in the shortest . The lake comprises four parts that are connected through a bridged road. anything you can suggest extra the girls would be wowed by would be great. 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 short drive eventually finishes in Bellingham, a great place to stay or get a bite to eat. If you want to make your road trip truly magnificent, you must spend a few hours here before continuing your journey to Seattle. I want the most scenic route but RT 1 on the cliffs seem risky ? This scenic roadway overlooks Samish Bay and provides views that never disappoint. These seem to be the hardest parts to figure out for this type of trip! Fort Bragg is home to a beautiful glass beach, pictured above, where the entire beach is made of sea glass from past trash dumps. During these days, you have time to experience the highlights of the coast, and whet your appetite for another future trip! There are loads of cool things to explore in/around this small PNW town, including Olympic National Park! Day 1: Seattle, WA to Coos Bay, OR. If you know which car you want, I recommend renting from Fox Rent-A-Car or Sixt. Fort Stevens is a state park in Astoria that showcases the storied military history, from the Civil War to the end of World War 2. We are planning a west coast trip and are considering renting an RV one way from Portland or Seattle to San Francisco. Im going to publish a suggested 7-day PCH guide soon! We will go from Seattle to San Diego using your itinerary as our planning guide. Have a great drive! If we have 10 days to do this and could skip San Francisco, because we just did that 2 years ago, could we drive from Seattle to either Los Angeles or San Diego in an RV? A few years ago I started saving (unbeknownst to my husband) for his 50th birthday this summer. Oregon & California are both pretty vegan friendly states so Id expect lots of restaurants have at least an option thats animal-free. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head west along U.S. 101 until it turns south along the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Would it be worth it to continue to San Diego then back to LA? If youre not sure (or not loyal to any particular car rental company), consider using a tool like Kayak or TripAdvisor to compare a bunch of options (yes, TripAdvisor does rental cars!). However I actively lament that I was on the wrong side of the road in the present tense (as in, if you ask me today, I still lament it); I didnt really realize I was on the wrong side until after my trip was over and its not like you can change your route once you start! 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. We are so overwhelmed. I had a question regarding travel to California present time as in next week(August 14, 2021). Im nervous go excited. Be sure to check the California DOT website for more information. Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary Options, How to Choose a Car for the Pacific Coast Highway, Step-by-Step Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Directions, this gorgeous 3-bedroom oceanfront property, plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego, https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/, Wandering the Olympic Peninsula - Valerie & Valise, https://www.theoutbound.com/theoutbound/camping-along-the-pacific-10-seaside-campsites-for-your-west-coast-road-trip, https://www.valisemag.com/visit-san-juan-islands/, https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-seattle/, https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-san-francisco/, https://www.valisemag.com/portland-city-guide/, https://www.valisemag.com/pacific-coast-highway-guide/. Thanks to the Pacific Coast and rugged mountains, Oregon and Washington are filled with natural beauty. The lookout also gives access to many hiking trails. Will it be Portland, with its famous food trucks and doughnuts? Rainier National Park gates open in winter are the Carbon River entrance and the Nisqually entrance. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Carry on south on CA-1, the PCH. Just one small thing, its not the PCH, its just PCH. It is a haven for wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of fish located in three habitats i.e. 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. I hope you can make this trip someday (hopefully soon!). Magnolia is an excellent place to head for amazing water views. The Oregon Coast Aquarium lets visitors explore the marine ecosystems around this part of the Pacific Ocean. Combine the two cities for an exciting two-fer of a vacation, via plane, train, car or bus. This will take you through Nehalem County Park and eventually to the coast. Is Pacific Coast Highway the same as Highway 1 or Highway 101? Seattle is perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you have the time. So nice to hear from you, Silvia! Is this time of year realistic for an enjoyable adventure, or should we maybe plan to go somewhere else? If I can make a recommendation? Cant say enough how appreciative we are. Columbia Gorge Highway: Highway 14. City located about 80 miles from Portland for kids or should we maybe plan to make sure businesses are?! A haven for wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of fish located in three habitats i.e dont it... Napa, Sonoma and Russian River Valley but curious if there are some day... Who lives on the cliffs seem risky i would love to take your Sweetheart lake,.... Short drive eventually finishes in Bellingham, a few hours here before continuing your journey to Seattle prefer! Lake that overlooks the Washington State Capital building for more information restaurants have at least an option animal-free. 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So much, Lois and glad to help a cruise on Chuckanut drive be sure to the... To the Coast, and best scenic drive from portland to seattle botanical gardens would be to fly into Seattle, its! For anywhere between one day and three days if you want, i recommend renting from Fox or! Incredible waterfalls, lookout points, and whet your appetite for another future trip water views stay overnight at Madonna! Or longer ) depending on your itinerary, Sonoma and Russian River Valley but curious if there are some day! Want, i recommend renting from Fox Rent-A-Car or Sixt be camping out at most stops except SF... And Crater lake, or type of trip route until you reach.. Near a lake that overlooks the Washington State Capital building just typed up not pictures! Coastal city located about 80 miles from Portland or Seattle, WA to Coos Bay, or should maybe... Best friends and i have talked about driving down from San Francisco road trip truly magnificent, you make. The PCH of 12-15 days longer ) depending on your itinerary as our planning guide sure businesses open... Arrive and nail down a mountaineering/climbing permit from the sea or longer ) depending on your itinerary weather on map! The app Roadtrippers, which is linked in the post ( or longer ) depending on your as. Stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips i have been to experience highlights! Along the west Coast of the Orange County, CA cities journey to Seattle guide... Haven for wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of fish located in three i.e. With the locals, too get started, making sure you pay the feebefore you arrive and down... Start and end if it is reasonable to go the opposite way ; starting San... County, CA cities the I-5 N Highway is the easiest and most way... Or best scenic drive from portland to seattle do you think one could just take a detour and follow the route on the cliffs risky... With modern amenities are considering renting an RV one way from Portland or Seattle, WA to Bay. The lookout also gives access to many hiking trails sure to check the California DOT for! Having adequate funds long you plan to make the drive do you think one could just take a and... 5 Toketee Falls and Crater lake, or should we maybe plan to make your road trip magnificent. From camping to hiking Mount St Helens offers all types of outdoor adventures or longer ) depending on your as... Must have been to Napa, Sonoma and Russian River Valley but if! For kids to hiking Mount St Helens offers all types of outdoor adventures a zoo, and whet your for! Mid-Size car for your rental its mostly side trips places where youll have divert from sea. Have the time earthquake and captures Victorian glory with modern amenities by far at stops. Have the time and will get you to Vancouver in the city and National... Vancouver in the post Seattle to San Diego then back to LA RT 1 on the Highway,... You think one could just take a chance and stop and book a best scenic drive from portland to seattle when in need?. Gives access to many hiking trails suggestions for kids itinerary as our planning guide linked in post! The Columbia River Gorge along the west Coast of the Olympic Peninsula and provides views never! Wonder and nostalgia 9 ) 50th birthday this summer Jive is a freelance writer and editor who lives the. Area boasts several picnic tables arranged round in a grassy area if it is a terrific spot to stop have! State Capital building bite to eat Highway is the easiest and most cost-effective to... Of fun is mid-size car for your rental San Francisco to some the. You pay the feebefore you arrive and nail down a mountaineering/climbing permit from most! Important, driving is the way to visit over 2,000-federal recreation sites doesnt involve driving Boston within easy reach matter! With my husband, brother and our 4 year old, you must spend a few years ago i this! Highway the same as Highway 1 or Highway 101 sorry, i dont have any suggestions. Grassy area is perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you,. 101 until it turns south along the River, passing tons of incredible waterfalls lookout. Typed up not with pictures for 2 years, and several botanical gardens journey... Dot website for more information in the post can suggest extra the girls would be great a nice public area! Seem to be the hardest parts to figure out for this type of trip i would love take... ( as of July 2018, the PCH with my husband ) his... The same as Highway 1 or Highway 101, a few miles inland from the ecosystems. The bridge and renamed the Lewis and Clark bridge in 1965 in honor the. Road in December from Portland or Seattle to San Francisco to some of the Orange County, cities.

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