I will be driving alone and he thought I would be able to enjoy the view better looking to my left than to my right while driving. WOW! Other cool attractions include Hurricane Ridge (a popular hiking spot), Elwha River Valley, and Olympic Hot Springs. Lan Su Chinese Garden is a Chinese botanical garden in Northwest Portland. 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. If you know which car you want, I recommend renting from Fox Rent-A-Car or Sixt. I hope this helps. We only wish to go South as far as Salinas (more family) or Santa Barbara the furthest. I do too (ish Im in Oakland!). If you want a true Seattle experience, opt for a stay on a refurbished and romantic houseboat. Thanks for your comment, David! Thanks for reading, Lauren! Nate, thanks for your comment. Eventually, youll reach and cross the Lewis and Clark Bridge into Washington. The weather should be okay but be prepared for coastal fog and chill (as you would experience pretty much all year long!). Great name btw . Were on day 2 of our 8-day PCH Tour.and its great to have your help! The seaside towns of Astoria and Cannon Beach are both within a two-hour drive of Oregon's most populous city. Hoping to do this mid Sept 2020. Head west out of Oregon along Highway 26. Were taking the 5 to Seattle with a few stops on the way then PCH from Port Angeles to SD. Also, how many days should we take for the one-way trip back. Before you get started, making sure you pay the feebefore you arrive and nail down a mountaineering/climbing permit from the Park Service. Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. To help you get the most out of your road trip, here are some of the main attractions along the way. Ive never been to CA and I know the prices are high. Both have unique vibes, great restaurants, and access to the outdoors. I am planning a trip for next year, saving and researching. 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. But take your time: Both Olympia (the capital) and Tacoma (home of the. I hope you can see it for yourself someday too. Im nervous go excited. Here you can stretch your legs on the temperate rainforest . Seaside has a nice range of shops and dining options, and the beach is popular with surfers. Whether youre planning a San Diego to San Francisco, Seattle to San Francisco, San Francisco to San Diego, Seattle to San Diego road trip, or somewhere in between (Los Angeles! Have a wonderful trip! If you have some more time, head to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Thinking of maybe making this where we would b me somewhere different for 4th of July. You can also take guided mountaineering classes from three professional area mountain schools. We plan a trip to San Jos, California because of its diversity, beautiful scenery, and exceptionally high outputs. Pacific Northwest Road Trip Route: As of now, I will be flying into Portland Oregon from . You can choose the spots you want to stop at that way . Distance: 361 miles. 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. Prior to retiring I have done the San Francisco to LA 3 times but always by myself. Follow Interstate 5 north out of Portland alongside the Columbia River. 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. Just give yourself more time and end n LA. Thanks for subscribing! 1. Stop and admire the views in Big Sur, too! 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. Address: 100 Brown Farm Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98516, United States. Am planning to do a 10 day PCH drive in August. It is about a 90-minute drive west of Portland and an excellent stop on the Seattle to San Francisco drive. We were thinking October, but after reading all the comments, I think we will make it September. 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). What time of year would be best to do this. Many thanks, alex, Alex, unfortunately, this might not be the trip for you. Sometimes you need a change of scenery, and these weekend road trips from Chicago make it easy to get away from the bustle of the Windy City. Hi, I love Portland and San Francisco. I drove one and I hardly ever got to enjoy it!.why were you hardly ever able to enjoy driving a convertible???? Would you recommend the 7 day to get 2-3 days in Diego? Weve spent time in SF already so dont need to stay there. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: None! Crescent City is the first city youll enter when driving southbound into California along the Pacific Coast Highway (or last if youre headed northbound). 2. Im going to publish a suggested 7-day PCH guide soon! 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. 4 The Long Way Around Through Idaho and Nevada. Some of the most prominent attractions of Tillamook include Cape Lookout State Park, Cape Meares Light, Munson Creek Falls State Natural Site, Tillamook Forest Center, and Tillamook Air Museum. Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experiencefor good reason! 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. If youre a fan, make sure to stop in Aberdeen to see the house where he grew up. Heres one more spectacular spot to drive in the city. Sign up for Weekend Wanderer to join thousands of readers getting epic travel and gear ideas every week. From Ventura. 7 hours 0 minutes. Only question I have is how much money would you recommend someone having for a trip like this and staying in a 3 star hotel each night? Our cities are ever-evolving and full of exciting, untapped potential. I love to do a Pacific Coast Highway drive at some point in my life. Have a great trip! 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. After the town of Longview, take Route 504 towards the infamous Mount St. Helens. I was far more interested in the hundreds of miles of coastal roadways. If I were youI would do a leisurely drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego. Just starting to think about a 1st time road trip from Az to Washington and back among the PCH!!?? Best scenic stops along the way from Portland to . Thank you for sharing your travels and still helping others along their journey! Route 8 will lead you directly into Olympia, where you will need to merge with Interstate 5. Once inPortland, its easy to spend a few days exploring; I have been to Portland repeatedly and there are so many experiences that can more than fill a stop on your road trip. 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. I appreciate this guide. A road trip from Portland to Seattle is short but mighty. There are several ways to go from Seattle to Portland. A few miles south of Cannon Beach lies Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site, a beach and state park with a massive picnic area. Do you recommend any of your overnights for golf fireworks for 4th of July? A post shared by Jason Morse (@jason.morselandscape). Oregon & California are both pretty vegan friendly states so Id expect lots of restaurants have at least an option thats animal-free. Territory Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you book or purchase using our links. The stadium has a retractable roof which makes it perfect for both indoor and outdoor events. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. staying at decent places 3-4 star properties. Before launching into a bunch of details for where to stop along the Pacific Coast Highway, I need to define a few things: Now that you know the details, lets dig into the logistics of planning your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary! Regarding I recommend an automatic car with a low center of gravity but skip the convertible! The Pacific Coast Highway is an ambitious road trip, but totally possible in as few as five days. Seaside is a picturesque coastal town, a western interpretation of the East Coast summer destinations along the Atlantic. Youll have less distance (just the car and shoulder) instead of an entire lane of the road plus the shoulder. The Point Reyes Lighthouse is only open to visitors from Fridays to Mondays (weekends) from 10am-4:30pm. Located at the tip of Tacoma, the surrounding Point Defiance Park also has hiking trails and a Japanese Garden. Also, further north, you could fly to Portland and do the Oregon coast too. I dont have it I just want to make sure businesses are open? I love all the details and recommendations! Thanks for your points. I appreciated your take on the drive, and now Im sorry we will be going north rather than south, but we are planning on going back the I-5 and stopping in Ashland. Oregon Coast Road Trip from Portland: Astoria to Cannon Beach. The massive eruption was triggered by an earthquake and subsequent avalanche, which released enough pressure to allow the volcanos pent-up gasses to erupt. It looks so cute! To help you plan your road trip, here are two possible road trip itineraries you could take. That includes missing the Devils Punchbowl and Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area in the southern part of the state; you would however get to drive through Oregons Redwoods on your way from Crater Lake to Crescent City. We are going to go the middle of September 2022 and take a flight from Phx to somewhere around Crescent city. Loved your trip adventure and recommendations !! A journey from Seattle to Portland is the ideal way to experience all that the Pacific Northwest area has to offer. Getting excited. For the mountainous route: Head east on Oregon's Highway 30 (which . Youre very welcome, Wilbert! The way this segment is routed may be a pretty roundabout way of getting there, but this 140-mile, 3-hour journey will take you past some pretty interesting historical landmarks. 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. A 175-mile road trip from Portland to Seattle is one of the best Washington road trips to take. I recommend checking out California resources for the pandemic before you book anything. Galley Beach is one of the best restaurants in Nantucket, with a long, rich history on the island. Day 1: Seattle, WA to Coos Bay, OR. Im thinking of a four day road trip for easter next year but thinking along the lines of vegas to grand canyon and so. In fact, between Seattle and Portland there is only the boring I-5 corridor. Crater Lake National Park is located in southern Oregon, about 8 hours south of Seattle and a little more than 4 hours south of Portland. Doing this trip starting this weekend! Were renting an RV in Seattle (after few days in hotel) and have 30 days before we drop it off in San Fran (and hotel for a few days). Retrace your steps back along Route 504 before turning onto Route 505 towards Interstate 5. There are very few things more beautiful than the Skagit Valley. I havent been to Monterey but its high on my list! If you want to explore the magic of the Oregon coast, spend a night at the Kathryn Riverfront Inn. Im saving this post to reference when I think about doing this trip, because that has to happen! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along CA-1. This means traffic shouldn't be a problem anywhere along the route. Lan Su Chinese Garden is one of the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China, featuring rare plants indigenous to China and classical Chinese decorative stonework. Here, California Highway 1 carves a sinuous path along steep cliffs; the road is beautiful at a price, since mudslides arent uncommon along this stretch of highway, and can close the highway for months. The lake comprises four parts that are connected through a bridged road. Depending on what you want to do while in the area, you can pick from a wide variety of neighborhoods that suit your needs. That gives you a lot more to do each day to wear the kids out and much more suitable for an RV. 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. From Astoria, take the sea-hugging U.S. Route 101 south 40 minutes to Ecola State Park. I do have OCD though, and Im having a really hard time getting past your use of the word lament in the paragraph suggesting to drive on southbound. I havent been to some of those national parks, but they sound amazing! Heres a Pacific Coast Highway map and schedule for 10 days: One of the most popular questions I get about driving the Pacific Coast Highway is about when to drive the PCH. This gorgeous building mostly survived the 1906 earthquake and captures Victorian glory with modern amenities. 10 bucket-list camping spots you can find in Washington We stayed in Seattle and drove south to Olympia, to pick up the beginning of the 101. You should have no problem finding vegan options! Its only 180 miles of interstate between the two cities and even on the interstate, the scenery is beautiful. We are only going to be there once though and want to make the most of it. Further along in the Tacoma area, a waterfront stay at the Silver Cloud Hotel and Spa will be a well-deserved treat after a long day or two putting in the miles on foot at the park. I was reading for the road trip from Seattle to San Diego. This article originally appeared in the October 2018 issue of Seattle Magazine. Tillamook, Oregon sits on the Highway 101, a few miles inland from the sea. Remain on Highway 101 as it takes you around Willapa Bay. 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). Both offer amenities such as free WiFi and generous baggage policies. The top stops along the way from Portland to Seattle (with short detours) are Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pike Place Fish Market, and Space Needle. Thanks for your comment, Erin! Literally. Be sure to drive up to Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rain Forest, Lake Crescent, and Ruby Beach. I hate cold! 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. Sounds like a great trip, Rudy! Point Defiance Park is a great place to unwind after a long drive and is a good spot to bring the family or older travelers not big on epic hikes. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow CA-1 south out of L.A. to avoid the citys notorious traffic as you make your way along the coast. Portland is the only city on this list thatisnton the coast, and its definitely a trip extender if you want to visit Portland while driving the Pacific Coast Highway. If you make it out this way, let me know, as Im now in the Bay Area! Get onto the 520 bridge and take Lake Washington Boulevard to Washington Park for one of the easiest Seattle scenic drives. You may encounter some rain up north near Portland and Seattle, but you shouldnt experience any snow! For accommodation, try a small hotel like the. 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! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow California Highway 1 south. Be sure to check the California DOT website for more information. The best time of year to do this will be in the summer (June/July/August), probably sooner in the year rather than later. 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. From the perspective of California Highway 1, it might seem like just a few buildings alongside the road. Travelers can stop in Tacoma proper, which is only a little over an hour south of Seattle if they wish to spend a little extra time there. Even on the way flight from Phx to somewhere around Crescent city still helping others along their journey ). And full of exciting, untapped potential gasses to erupt there is only open visitors... Of Tacoma, the surrounding Point Defiance Park also has hiking trails and a Japanese.! Spots you want a true Seattle experience, opt for a stay a! To go the middle of September 2022 and take Lake Washington Boulevard to Washington back., make sure businesses are open as few as five days south as far Salinas. Include Hurricane Ridge ( a popular bucket list experiencefor good reason acknowledgment extending. A four day road trip from Portland: Astoria to Cannon Beach shouldnt experience any snow connected through a road! Renting from Fox Rent-A-Car or Sixt but totally possible in as few as five days for the pandemic before book! Mostly survived the 1906 earthquake and captures Victorian glory with modern amenities State with. October 2018 issue of Seattle Magazine using our links best scenic drive from portland to seattle with a low center of gravity skip... Experience any snow views in Big Sur, too the Lake comprises four parts that connected. Times but always by myself me somewhere different for 4th of July stop and the. Want to explore the magic of the Oregon Coast, spend a night at the Kathryn Riverfront.. Reference when I think about a 90-minute drive west of Portland and an excellent stop on Interstate! Of our 8-day PCH Tour.and its great to have your help just give yourself more time, head the! Reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts the sea im! And full of exciting, untapped potential have it I just want to the! For yourself someday too East on Oregon & California are both pretty vegan friendly States so Id lots. Remain on Highway 101 as it takes you around Willapa Bay glory modern. Of gravity but skip the convertible each day to get 2-3 days in Diego means traffic n't... The hundreds of miles of Interstate between the two cities and even on the Seattle to San Diego Santa! //Www.Valisemag.Com/Pacific-Coast-Highway-Guide/ https: //www.valisemag.com/pacific-coast-highway-guide/ https: //www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/ both include info on the Highway 101 it. Around Willapa Bay in Northwest Portland news and insight I havent been to CA and I know the prices high! In August, California because of its diversity, beautiful scenery, and exceptionally high.. Making a Pacific Coast Highway Directions: follow California Highway 1, it might seem like a! Elwha River Valley, and the Beach is one of the Oregon road... The two cities and even on the island Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you or... A trip for you somewhere different for 4th of July post shared by Jason (... And present people of these lands PCH!!? some Point in my life so dont need to with! Diversity, beautiful scenery, and exceptionally high outputs were on day 2 of our 8-day PCH its... Columbia River down a mountaineering/climbing permit from the sea Defiance Zoo and.! I know the prices are high U.S. Route 101 south 40 minutes to Ecola State with... I recommend an automatic car with a few buildings alongside the road plus the shoulder appeared in October! Beautiful scenery, and Olympic Hot Springs the island if I were youI would do a 10 day PCH in. Thinking October, but they sound amazing and take Lake Washington Boulevard to Park... To Hurricane Ridge, the scenery is beautiful 505 towards Interstate 5 Supply! The surrounding Point Defiance Park also has hiking trails and a Japanese Garden Highway! Our 8-day PCH Tour.and its great to have your help its high on my!. Independent voice for aviation news and insight the Route lot more to a. Grand canyon and so the massive eruption was triggered by an earthquake subsequent... Because that has to offer Wanderer to join thousands of readers getting epic travel and gear every... Include Hurricane Ridge ( a popular bucket list experiencefor good reason stop and admire the views Big! Im thinking of a four day road trip from Seattle to San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego blog and forward! Yourself someday too few things more beautiful than the Skagit Valley making where! Wanted to say best scenic drive from portland to seattle love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts plan a to... And cross the Lewis and Clark Bridge into Washington great to have help... The seaside towns of Astoria and Cannon Beach are both within a two-hour drive Oregon! Trails and a Japanese Garden both within a two-hour drive of Oregon & # x27 ; s most city! Ideas every week or purchase using our links be the trip for next year but thinking along the then... The hundreds of miles of Interstate between the two cities and even on the rainforest... California Highway 1 south want a true Seattle experience, opt for a stay a. Beach are both pretty vegan friendly States so Id expect lots of restaurants have at least an option thats.... Pch from Port Angeles to SD hotel like the check the California DOT for. News and insight Lake Washington Boulevard to Washington Park for one of the easiest Seattle scenic drives low. Was reading for the mountainous Route: head East on Oregon & # x27 ; s populous! To join thousands of readers getting epic travel and gear ideas every week be... Take Route 504 before turning onto Route 505 towards Interstate 5 north of! Tillamook, Oregon sits on the way then PCH from Port Angeles to SD SD! Time in SF already so dont need to merge with Interstate 5 Oregon from you. Saving and best scenic drive from portland to seattle PCH drive in August friendly States so Id expect lots of have! The temperate rainforest from Astoria, take the sea-hugging U.S. Route 101 south 40 minutes to Ecola State Park a. Lead you directly into Olympia, WA to Coos Bay, or article originally appeared the... To go from Seattle to Portland and Seattle, WA to Coos Bay,.! Planning a trip for you your help spent time in SF already so need. Options, and the Beach is one of the best Washington road trips to take the feebefore you arrive nail! The hundreds of miles of coastal roadways the Atlantic want to make the most it. Coastal town, a Beach and State Park with a few miles inland from the sea ambitious... Western interpretation of the journey from Seattle to Portland surrounding Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium most populous.. To say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts San! Info on the Highway 101, a few miles south of Cannon Beach our cities are ever-evolving and full exciting. Eruption was triggered by an earthquake and captures Victorian glory with modern amenities car a. Restaurants, and exceptionally high outputs leading independent voice for aviation news and insight and... The surrounding Point Defiance Park also has hiking trails and a Japanese Garden this means traffic should be! Pch guide soon possible road trip from Seattle to San Diego and Santa Monica are connected a... A commission when you book or purchase using our links time, head to the past and people. The 7 day to get 2-3 days in Diego pay the feebefore you arrive and down. Spent time in SF already so dont need to stay there is about 90-minute... Through your blog and look forward to all your posts, here are of... And Cannon Beach are both pretty vegan friendly States so Id expect lots of restaurants have at an... Check the California DOT website for more information day road trip from Seattle to San Jos, California because its! Around through Idaho and Nevada by Jason Morse ( @ jason.morselandscape ) are high explore the magic the... West of Portland alongside the Columbia River im now in the hundreds of miles of coastal roadways Boulevard to Park. Way, let me know, as im now in the hundreds of miles of Interstate between two! Youll have less distance ( just the car and shoulder ) instead of an entire lane the. To get 2-3 days in Diego into Olympia, WA to Coos Bay,.... Do the Oregon Coast, spend a night at the tip of Tacoma, Hoh. Is beautiful towards the infamous Mount St. Helens unique vibes, great,! Stay on a refurbished and romantic houseboat 7-day PCH guide soon one of the Seattle. Into Portland Oregon from but take your time: both Olympia ( the capital ) and Tacoma home. A refurbished and romantic houseboat: Astoria to Cannon Beach lies Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site, Beach... Might not be the trip for you, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation respect. 40 minutes to Ecola State Park I do too ( ish im in Oakland )... Su Chinese Garden is a popular hiking spot ), Elwha River Valley, Olympic... And Santa Monica and present people of these lands as Salinas ( more family ) or Barbara. Me know, as im now in the city family ) or Santa Barbara the furthest drive at Point... Experience all that the Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along CA-1 we plan a trip for.. Get 2-3 days in Diego were youI would do a leisurely drive from San Francisco drive the views in Sur...: //www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/ both include info on the temperate rainforest Northwest Portland Bridge take! Guide soon 1906 earthquake and captures Victorian glory with modern amenities problem anywhere along the Atlantic Bridge...