Here are the top seven hotels on the Seattle San Francisco route! Finally, you can drive down Howland Hill Road, which is mostly unpaved but well-maintained road traversing a magnificent redwood forest. Finish the day with dinner at Lilians Italian Kitchen and ice cream from Mariannes Ice Cream. Expect to drive 2-6 hours a day with 1 or 2 longer days. If you're planning a road trip to San Francisco, you can research locations to stop along the way. Looking for more cool hotels? If youre tight on time:Jump directly on HWY 5 South and head forWillamette Valley. Well, thats it for us! We recommend Timber Valley Inn and Suiteswhich is conveniently located directly off HWY 5. Spend the night at the Olema House. There are three awesome places to find ice cream in Seattle. Get our latest blog posts, updates and deals. If youre driving from San Francisco to Seattle, the opposite direction that this guide is written for, then all you need to do is reverse the order of stops. Spend some time on the coast and check out the things to do in Monterey. Read:The Ultimate Guide To Crater Lake National Park. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Hood River. In terms of height, it is one of the tallest lighthouses in the United States and stands at 115 feet. The water is exceptionally blue and when the sunlight hits the water, its simply stunning. There you have it a complete guide to planning a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. Drive through Cape Perpetua (stop at Thors Well and the scenic overlook), Heceta Head Lighthouse, and finally to Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor. However, some unique destinations like Centralia and Washington are also on your road trip. Groups and families should look at this two bedroom gem in the heart of Capitol Hill. San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip Itinerary Advice Mar 29, 2022, 6:53 AM Save We are a couple aged around sixty and looking for some advice on a self drive road trip between San Francisco and Seattle over 10 days from 16th to 26th May. Take your pick! Point Reyes is a long peninsula just north of San Francisco with unforgettable views of the Pacific Ocean and unique wildlife viewing opportunities (Elk!). As you get into November, its going to get more unpredictable. Hike the short and sweet Trinidad Head Trail for amazing coastal views. Still, totally doable in October. Oh! Youll be ready fortonights sleep thats for sure! We began our 2-week west coast road trip in Seattle, Washington. You could very easily extend your time on this route with additional nights in the aforementioned locations. The Hoxton is a super stylish hotel that is one of our favorite hotel chains in the world. westcoastbound. This 807-mile drive will take you to some of the best spots in the Pacific Northwest. However, a new bridge ismeant to be opening in October 2017. Seattle Center has some cool attractions though. The 363 mile Oregon coast has cute towns, beaches and photo ops all along the way. next trip! and was formed by the eruption and collapsing of a volcano, Mount Mazama 7,700 years ago. So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. This road trip is 808 miles and takes about 12 hours and 30 minutes. The rooms at this hotel offer the ideal blend of simple and elegant, and the communal areas are as extravagant as they come. Overall, we think you should choose either the Mission District or Hayes Valley if you have a car. Last, but certainly not least (the opposite, in fact) is to head inland and hit Mt. If you're planning a road trip to San Francisco, you can research locations to stop along the way. Lithia Park (2 mentions) Seattle To San Francisco Road Trip (Day 1 &2) Since Seattle is the starting pointand five days is like a few minutes on this tripone should get to Seattle early enough. Your email address will not be published. It is the seat of King County, Washington. Driving Directions from San Francisco to Seattle The Fastest Route The easiest way to get on the road to Seattle from San Francisco is via Interstate 5. Make your first stop after Crescent City into Jedediah Smith Redwoods National Park. Portland Saturday Market (13 mentions) Planning to drive from Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road? Eugene (16 answers) Read that if you want the details beyond some of our recommendations. We know the city like the back of our hands, and hope we can give you some of the inside knowledge you need to make your trip to Seattle a memorable one. San Fran is one of the States' most iconic cities, so it should come as no surprise that it's home to some of California's fanciest hotels. The road map above shows you the route to take to your destination. The Grill Restaurant offers every type of meal you could possibly think of, all within minutes of your hotel room. Walk the Mendocino Headlands: The Mendocino Headlands State Park on the south side of the town of Mendocino features a great number of easy trails that take you near rugged coastlines, hidden away beaches, and spectacular sea arches. Did you know: If you use the Roadtrippers mobile app, your trips will instantly auto-sync over Ready for navigation and good times! Note: We skip over San Francisco here, and loop back to itbecause our flight leaves from San Francisco+ we have to return our rental car here. From here, cross the Columbia River via Route 30 and continue west until you reach the coast. If you're aiming to spend most of your time at the beach, this might be the best time to do the trip. Not even a little. Limited time in Napa, help with my itinerary! I dont recommend that. 9:00 am start in Seattledrive for about 2.5 hours, 11:43 am Portland Our favorite stops are Espresso Vivace and Victrola Coffee for some of the best coffee in Seattle. One thing to keep in mind along this route is that the coast can be rather windy, potentially making the drive difficult (not to mention less scenic) on a rainy day - be sure to keep close tabs on the weather and plan your stops accordingly. Hood, Bend, and Crater Lake, which will take significantly more time than the other two options. drive for about 41 minutes. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:04 pmdrive for about 3 hours, 6:02 pm Napa Want to plan the trip back? Otherwise, this route is pretty accessible year-round. The 808 miles of the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes around 12 hours and 47 mins of driving without stops. Add anything that looks interesting! Navarro Vineyards and Roederer Estate are our favorites. Seattle Center: I actually dont really recommend you go up to the top of the Space Needle. What is your favorite restaurant in San Francisco. Camping along the way? most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. Rainier National Park is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Finish the drive into San Francisco, stopping in the Marin Headlands at the Golden Gate Bridge to hike down to Kirby Cove and marvel at the beauty of the bridge before driving into the city and to the airport to drop off your rental car (or to your final stop, wherever that might be). FIPS code. By early afternoon, make your way to Pacific City on the Oregon coast for horseback riding, a drink at the Pelican Pub and Brewery and Cape Kiwandato see the second Haystack Rock (the first and most famous one is at Cannon Beach). The central route down I-5, while definitely the quickest, is BORING. Both of which have large hotel chains and some hostels. This coastal adventure is a perfect year-round itinerary. Were going to California in mid October, and thought since were already flying in from outside US, maybe we should do our long wished-for seattle-SF trip. Artesa Vineyards & Winery (9 mentions) United States. Mendocino is a largely unspoiled area of California that has beaches, valleys, and forests. You should also know going in that San Francisco is generally an expensive place to visit expect to pay over $100 a night to stay in the city, and usually much more than that. Drive to Port Angeles, with a stop at Nourish Sequim along the way for a delicious (and gluten free) lunch. Your email address will not be published. If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Seattle to San Francisco journey, you can consider the five restaurants we have chosen. Second at Rialto Beach to do the hike out to Hole in the Wall (one of our favorite hikes in Olympic National Park). The two best hotels in Seattle are actually in South Lake Union, which happens to be between Belltown and Capitol Hill. Its on the south side of Mount Rainier, around 5,400 feet above sea level, featuring colorful wildflower meadows in late summer, evergreen groves, and massive glaciers. Crater Lake National Park is the only National Park in Oregon and whilst it may be slightly off course, we promise you wont regret it! The Society is the best value hotel in Portland, with options from dorm rooms to suites, so you can pick an option that works for your style and budget. Experience the stunning beauty of the Pacific Northwest and Northern California on this luxury journey from Seattle to San Francisco. As for San Francisco itself, there's virtually no wrong time to visit - in the spring and winter, you'll find that a warm jacket is enough to help you deal with the coastal wind, and the otherwise-pricy hotels also tend to bring down their prices these times of year. Roseburg. Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ (11 mentions) This industrial-chic Airbnb in South Lake Union is a close second for the next time were looking for a place to stay in Seattle. Continue along 101 South, stopping at Ruby Beach and Kalaloch, before doing the short walk in the Quinault Rainforest and spending the night at either Kalaloch Lodge on the coast, or Lake Quinault Lodge on the shores of, you guessed it, Lake Quinault. Day 5: Home Stretch! First, at Lake Crescent to hike to Marymere Falls. Crater Lake National Park is an extraordinary park that has a dormant volcano as its crown jewel. This is our pick for a summer road trip. If youre not making the trek inland for Crater Lake, stay on the coast for the night and skip to day 8. Featuring both the ocean and some of the finest parks and forests in the country, this is one of the most legendary itineraries in all of America. Although this route could theoretically be driven in 3 days, a better course of action would be to take at least a couple of weeks to explore both the oceanfront and the countless inland attractions near Highways 1 and 101. We plan (and pay for) all of our own travels, and we use our first hand knowledge to write detailed travel guides to the places we love to help, Heres a guide to the best breweries in Seattle, industrial-chic Airbnb in South Lake Union, How to Plan an Unforgettable Day Trip to Mount Rainier From Seattle, Where to Stay near Mount Rainier National Park: A Complete Guide, The Best Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park: A Helpful Hiking Guide. There are many excellent hotels during your Seattle to San Francisco road trip. It's one of the most spectacular road trips in the USA. questions about Ashland (Oregon): Cap Hill as we locals call it, is home to the best selection of food, drinks, and coffee in the city. Heres what we recommend. restaurants around Redding: There are only a few petrol/gas stations in Big Sur and they charge far more! Rainier as early as possible (if youre flying in, youll want to book an early flight!). Jump back on the 101 and head south to check out the Big Tree (look out for all the parked cars). The hike out to Cascade Head near Lincoln City is worth it if you have the time, otherwise continue on to spend the night in Newport at the wonderful Inn at Nye Beach. A unique experience awaits you in San Francisco. Head out to the Olympic Peninsula by taking the Bainbridge Island Ferry. Artsy area with fun little shops Glass Beach and Fort Bragg: Glass Beach is an unusual beach with tons of tiny colorful glass pieces amid the pebbles on the beach. Early November is when the weather really starts to turn. Stay charged anywhere you go, with access to our global charging networks. ad hoc When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. If you are driving north to south and plan to do the Big Sur, fill your petrol/gas up in either Monterey or Carmel. We lived in San Francisco for almost a decade before quitting our jobs and leaving the city on our year long worldwide adventure. Shasta (2 days) Stop 5: Redwood National Park (1-2 days) Stop 6: Crater Lake (2 days) Stop 7: Coos Bay / Southern Oregon Coast (1 day) The hotel is a bit on the expensive side, as you might expect, but if any resort in the area is worthy of its price tag, it's definitely this one. Powell's City of Books (17 mentions) The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary (2022) Visiting both cities is a must if you're in the area and doing so in an RV is particularly beneficial as you get to see some excellent sights along the way. San Francisco's hottest season is usually the fall, when the temperatures peak at around 70 degrees and there are plenty of residual tourists left over from the summer. If you have more time, here are some other places to stop along the way from Seattle to San Francisco. Its a good stopping point on the way down to Bend from Portland. Worth the Time Investment 4. Is there anything else you think we should have done, or not done? Here are some of our favorites. If youre planning to visit San Francisco, you can check this video guide before your road trip. I have regularly done the Seattle to San Francisco drive (and the San Francisco to Seattle drive, too), including one time where I did it all in one daysolo. No matter the time of year, one of the prettiest drives in the country is from Seattle to San Francisco, making a Seattle to San Francisco road trip the perfect drive for a long weekend or as part of a lengthier expedition. Are you going straight to a hotel, or Itll be a little wet in the winter, but its still passable (unlike some of the roads in central Washington and Oregon, which can get a wee bit sketchy). day 2 driving 6.5 hours. They remembered my mum right away and we chatted with them about their lives. If youre coming from somewhere too far away to drive to Seattle, then youll want to fly into Seattle Tacoma Intl Airport (SEA). After the volcano erupted around 8,000 years ago, the collapsed summit eventually stored enough water to create the lake. Heres what we recommend doing when you stop here during your road trip. 1. Pok Pok Restaurant You can also visit the town of Fort Bragg, which has plenty of experiences to offer, both adventure-wise and when it comes to eating and drinking. Keep your eye out for the Elks! Dont forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. This seaside town has one of the most historic boardwalks in the state. Get coffee at Noble Coffee Roasters, and lunch in Ashland (and catch a show, if thats your thing) before heading over the Siskyou Pass into California. It helps if you put your mirrors in to go through the tree. Monterey Bay > Pacific Grove > 17 Mile Drive > Pebble Beach > Carmel-by-the-sea > Point Lobos > Monterey (or Seaside to sleep). If you dont, either because youve already been or youre just simply not interested, spend that time somewhere else instead. questions about Portland: Below is an interactive map or see below for a static map to save. Its a no frills option, with great value rooms with modern amenities. And for this, 9.00 AM will be late. I was excited to have the opportunity to follow this road for 6 days starting from Seattle and ending up in San Francisco. Best free things to do in Ashland (Oregon)? McMinnville. . It was so special to see where my mum spent her years here and I was very fortunate they were still there to meet me! Trippy is where We left Santa Cruz after a walk along the beach and continued our way down the coastal HWY 1 towards the gorgeous Monterey Bay + surrounding areas. You could also visit one of the many wineries surrounding the Sonoma County too. We are looking to plan this exact trip this summer and Im so happy to find your blog! Again, take Interstate 5 out of Seattle and follow it past Capitol State Forest and Gifford Pinchot National Forest before pulling into Longview. San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip Itinerary Overview Stop 1: San Francisco, California (2-3 days) Stop 2: Wine Country: Napa/Sonoma (1-2 days) Stop 3: Mendocino/Fort Bragg (1 day) Stop 4: Lassen/Mt. Book early for any weekend trips. Beach Street Inn and Suites. Our travel philosophy, in general, is eat-walk-drink-walk-eat-repeat. And Portland is an amazing place to do that. Youll want to stay in a hotel, since youll only be in town for a night, and it should probably be the Society Hotel in Bingen, the sister hotel to the one in Portland (which weve stayed at and loved). Potato Champion Weve got you covered with our guide to the best coffee in Seattle (according to three self-proclaimed coffee snobs). The best road trip route from Seattle to San Francisco is definitely the coastal one - while taking the interstate can also take you to some incredible places, nothing can match the combination of the Pacific Coast to the west and the chain of parks and forests to the east. Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers. Hood River Hotel is a close second. Leave Roseburg after breakfast and head directly towards Crater Lake National Park. Once youve checked out of Youngberg Hill, visit some popular surrounding wineries such Yamhill Valley Winery,Domaine Serene Winery, Domaine Drouhin & Brooks Wines. Airbnb: Weve stayed in a bunch of Airbnbs in Portland on our numerous trips over the years. Required fields are marked *. Sounds interesting right? 53-63000. After passing Muir Woods National Monument, hop back onto Highway 101 and cross the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco. We will be in de US for about 4 weeks. Hows the weather like for a Road Trip and visiting alot of these spots then? Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation Yep, the name speaks for itself! (19 answers), Julie from Atlanta asked:Best activities for kids (19 answers), Kenneth from Portland asked:Best views in San Francisco? 1512650 [9] Website. The MoPop is a must for music and culture lovers, with tons of unique and fascinating exhibits about music and pop culture you wont find anywhere else in the world. Id start in Washington and move south in hopes that you get the last pieces of good weather in the Northwest, but its hard to say what youre going to get at that time of year. All the rooms are the same, so theres no presidential suite or choices between deluxe and superior rooms. Discovery Park: Get yourself ready for some longer hikes with an easy stroll out to the western edge of Seattle, where youll find yourself face-to-face with the Pacific Ocean. stay at Ace Hotel. Its packed full of interesting spots to stop in, whether youre looking for vegan ice cream or a unique boutique selling who knows what. Miles and miles of rugged, unspoiled coastline that hugs the oceans edge. Fun Fact: At 380 feet, Hyperion in Redwood National Park is the world's tallest living tree. Instagram: @just.globetrotting & @justcreative, Just Globetrotting | Jacob & Emily Cass. Hood River also makes a great overnight stay, with plenty to do and see to occupy a day of your time. To help you plan your trip, were putting our heads together, along with all of our personal experience, to curate the best stops along the way to give you the information you need to plan an unforgettable trip down the west coast. After charging your batteries at the bar and Jackrabbit Restaurant, you can burn some calories at the incredible fitness area before heading into town. These hotels are listed below. You'll cover three states, at least three national parks, and see sweeping coastal views and no end of charming towns. The Northern California Coast is considered to be one of the most scenic areas in the entire country, and for many reasons. Searching for an inexpensive and nice inn in Napa area Road trips are F-U-N! . This article shares the 15 top tips that turn your San Francisco trip into an unforgettable journey. Once you're up, you can kick off your morning with a visit to the amazing Remede Spa. He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip. Here is a quick rundown of our favorite areas and places to stay. You made it to San Francisco! If you want to see what makes the Pacific Coast a staple of US adventures, you should definitely do a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. Just 15 minutes from Monterey, youll find a variety of cheaper hotels. 7:38 pm Mount Rainier. on Amazon that will make travel fun for them. We recommend avoiding flying out of San Jose (SJO), which is two hours south of San Francisco, because roads to get there are prone to heavy traffic that will make it an even longer journey. Lardo San Francisco. Grab a freshly baked bagel from Los Bagels,a crepe from Renatas Creperie and Espresso oran ice cream from Arcata Scoop(or all of the above!). Unfortunately, this is our last stop on this incredible road trip. If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Seattle to San Francisco road trip. Other foodie things to do besides wine tasting If youre planning on doing this drive in the winter, avoid snow and tricky road conditions by going the coastal route on the famous Highway 101, which is amazing in its own right. questions about Mount Shasta (California): Looking for the best coffee in a city known for amazing coffee? Ashland is a cool little town known for hosting the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. On a random side note: 41 years ago my mum lived in Oregon on a Rotary Exchange. For more information about the best places on the Seattle to San Francisco journey, you can check the 3 Best Places To Visit On The Way From Seattle To San Francisco part. stay overnight and leave the next day around 8:00 am, 8:00 am leave from Wildlife Safari The Willamette Valley is home to some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and youll find more than 500 wineries surrounding this region. Traveling from Seattle to San Francisco is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. Then, head out to Patricks Point State Park and Trinidad State Beach to get your first taste of the rugged northern California coast. Remember, like you, people planning a San Francisco road trip need your opinion. The 808 miles of the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes around 12 hours and 47 mins of driving without stops. Parking is a nightmare in Nob Hill, which is the neighborhood we used to call home, so Id recommend avoiding that area. At the end of the journey, you can fly out of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Oakland International Airport (OAK). We plan (and pay for) all of our own travels, and we use our first hand knowledge to write detailed travel guides to the places we love to help YOU plan an amazing trip. Third stop is the Hoh Rainforest, which is a spectacular example of the temperate rainforests that call this part of the country home. If youre craving a drink, here are a few of our favorite bars in Seattle. Bend is situated amid the snow-covered Cascade Mountains and high desert plateaus. Head to Redwood National and State Parks and explore Stout Memorial Grove, Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway, and Fern Canyon. What is there not to love about snacks, blasting music, beautiful scenery and your own schedule! One other note were also assuming you want to spend time in Seattle and San Francisco too. Continue to Eugene, where you should try the wild fermented, locally harvested cider at Wildcraft Cider and head up to Skinner Butte for a nice view of Eugene. suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it Crescent City. With a fourth day, wed add Rainier (with a stop in Eugene between Portland and Redding). We basically spent a full two months on this route last summer, and it was every bit as memorable, beautiful, and amazing as you might imagine. The route from San Francisco to Seattle is an epic drive through redwood forests, wine valleys, mountains and some of the county's most gorgeous coastline. . Day 1: Arrive Seattle, rest Day 2: Seattle Day 3: Seattle, leave for Portland Day 4: Portland, leave for Newport OR Day 5: Newport to Bandon OR Day 6: Bandon to Trinidad CA Day 7: Redwood National Park, go to Healdsburg CA Day 8: Healdsburg/Sonoma/Napa Day 9: Wine country to Yosemite Day 10: Yosemite Day 11: Yosemite to SF Day 12: SF Make sure to go to La Marzocco Cafe and Espresso Vivace at the very least. You can also enjoy a lazy beach stroll down Trinidad State Beach, or soak in the breezy coastal views at Patricks Point State Park. For us, we stayed with a friend we met in Chile 2 years ago (travel is awesome!) to each other and sharing tips and advice. Here are some options for where to stay in Seattle whether you prefer staying in hotels or in an Airbnb. Breakfast was included, it was clean and surrounded by shops, places to eat and gas stations. If organized tours are your thing, here are some recommendations in San Francisco: How you budget is entirely based on the types of accommodations youre wanting to stay in and of course where you choose to eat. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Read Next: 4 Days in San Francisco: A Complete City Guide from a Local. Were Matt and Alysha, the two endlessly curious travelers behind this site. Before we go on to give you our 2-week itinerary, please note that there is no right or wrong way to do this trip. The Pacific Science Center is a great stop for kids, with interactive exhibits that make for a perfect rainy day activity in Seattle. Do this road trip and you'll probably do around double that. eat at Voodoo Doughnuts Here are our top three choices for adventures around Mt. There are a few small easy hiking paths to take and theyre worth it to view these giants up close. Required fields are marked *. Here are our favorite places to visit at these locations. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Stop in Astoria to check out the Astoria Column and Fort Stevens State Park, then make your way to Ecola State Park for great views of Cannon Beach. Driving non-stop from Seattle to San Francisco How far is San Francisco from Seattle? Make sure you check road conditions (4 answers), Jd from Australia asked:Advice to avoid snowy road conditions from SF to Seattle (January) (3 answers), Will from Chicago asked:Road Trip on the 101 and 1- what to see on the way to SF from Seattle? I have experience of roadtrips only in Finland (where I live) and South Africa (the country I am in love with). Starting on I-5 south for 90% of . We have selected seven hotels for you.