We opted for location over privacy and were pleasantly surprised with City Hostel Seattle. Weve made this trip in one straight shot in just 12 hours when taking I-5. Best free things to do in Ashland (Oregon)? The mighty Hood River and stunning Columbia River Gorge are a must-see on your way down to Bend. This section could be endless, so rather than trying to This is the worst driving day because theres not much to see along the way from Redding to San Francisco. Oregon Shakespeare Festival (3 mentions) I am a keen photographer and we like nice scenery, (oceans/mountains/forests/rivers/lakes/waterfalls etc). Day 1: There's a lot to do on this trip, so get started the moment you arrive. Seattle To San Fran: What To Do During This Epic Road Trip You wont regret it. Seattle to San Francisco - 7 ways to travel via train, plane - Rome2rio (29 answers), Dina from Dallas asked:What are the top 5 can't miss tourist attractions in S.F.? Here is a quick rundown of our favorite areas and places to stay. San Francisco is a gluten free paradise, as long as you know where to look. We usually prefer Airbnb for stays longer than a day or two, and Seattle has some awesome Airbnb options. Japanese Gardens (15 mentions) Then, head out to Patricks Point State Park and Trinidad State Beach to get your first taste of the rugged northern California coast. The drive between Washington and Oregon is rather uneventful but there are some suggestions below if you have time. Youll find an array of video games, mini golf, photo booths, laser tag and rides. With a 2020 population of 737,015, [2] it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest . Pacific coast Highway - driving from Seattle to San Francisco From Seattle, drive straight to Mt. Dont miss our guide to the coolest hotels in San Francisco for more suggestions. In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Seattle to San Francisco. 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. Im a foodie at, Read More Gluten Free San Francisco: A Complete Guide for CeliacsContinue. Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation Drive to Port Angeles, with a stop at Nourish Sequim along the way for a delicious (and gluten free) lunch. Sounds interesting right? Matt grew up in Seattle, lived there for 15+ years including six in the city itself, and we return several times a year to visit family and spend time in the Pacific Northwest during the beautiful summer months. 2 Week Road Trip Itinerary Overview Over the course of 2 weeks, we drove approximately 1650 miles (2330km) at a moderate pace. Honestly, the whole trip was a highlight but if we had to choose, these would be our top 5 highlights. Photo Credit: Bigstock. 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. With that in mind, you may want to avoid the drive in the winter if you don't want your access to these landmarks to be significantly limited. stay for about 1 hour. Pike Place Market: Probably the most famous attraction in Seattle, Pike Place Market lives up to the hype and then some. Rainier to Portland, stopping at Mt. What is your favorite restaurant in Portland? Required fields are marked *. Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip! Adventures and Waterfalls Otherwise, this route is pretty accessible year-round. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ad hoc Mount Shasta (California) (9 answers) They remembered my mum right away and we chatted with them about their lives. 12 Awesome Stops on a San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip in 2023 Believe us. Leave Roseburg after breakfast and head directly towards Crater Lake National Park. Traveling from Seattle to San Francisco is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. Here are a few pit stops to consider stopping for. Route 2: San Francisco to Seattle via 101 N and I-5 N Featuring some of the best road trip attractions in Northern California, including Humboldt County, wine country, beaches, and redwoods Eugene and Portland, Oregon (Tillamook, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Astoria are optional) Olympia in Washington Other foodie things to do besides wine tasting tdelano. who wants the trip to end? All the rooms are the same, so theres no presidential suite or choices between deluxe and superior rooms. 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. The Best Route for Your Seattle to San Francisco Drive, The Best Stops to Make on a Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip, Mt. Day 7: Congrats! If youre looking for the best gluten free restaurants in San Francisco, Ive got you covered. Still, totally doable in October. If organized tours are your thing, here are some recommendations: Belltown. Book early for any weekend trips. What makes summer an appealing time to visit The Golden City are the mild climate and the abundance of amazing events. or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. After half a day here, we made our way down HWY 199 through some interesting towns, en route to Crescent City on HWY 101. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can . If you're looking for a quick answer, you can check out Top of the Mark, which was mentioned 13 times on Trippy. You could very easily extend your time on this route with additional nights in the aforementioned locations. If you find it difficult to organize your luggage on the road trip, take a look at the, Are you traveling with children? What is your favorite restaurant in San Francisco. Enter a city to drive through, or find all. Best coffee shops in Portland Driving from Seattle to San Francisco - Cheap Road Trip. We have a whole guide to the best places to stay in Seattle to help you find the perfect neighborhood and place to stay. 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. Heres what we recommend doing when you stop here during your road trip. 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. Artesa Vineyards & Winery (9 mentions) Is there anything else you think we should have done, or not done? The road trip from Seattle to San Francisco is full of amazing stopover options, so you should definitely consider booking a few hotel rooms on the way. Spas in the Ashland area? Saint Helens. Head to Redwood National and State Parks and explore Stout Memorial Grove, Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway, and Fern Canyon. 20 Best Highway 101 Road Trip Stops 2023 | Ultimate 101 Trip In this part, we explained seven different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. Third stop is the Hoh Rainforest, which is a spectacular example of the temperate rainforests that call this part of the country home. 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. This route never strays from the interstate, so aside from some highly recommended detours, the drive is extremely straightforward and beginner-friendly. 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. If youre on a budget, check out the Found Hotel. Bend is situated amid the snow-covered Cascade Mountains and high desert plateaus. If you're driving further south, check out this 3 days San Diego itinerary. Seattle Center has some cool attractions though. Here are some more restaurants people talk about: Want to research more popular restaurants in San Francisco? westcoastbound. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Navarro Vineyards and Roederer Estate are our favorites. Make sure you check road conditions Anyway, walk through the market and check out the vendors selling everything from candied nuts to flowers, and of course, the flying salmon. The lighthouse has been in operation since 1871 and is still in use today. Day 5: If you missed any of the redwoods above, double back and make sure to catch them. Worth the Time Investment Want more awesome west coast travel guides to inspire your next trip, and empower you with all the information you need to plan it? If youre only going to do it once, do it right. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below. Along Highway 101, cut through Oswald West State Park and pass Tillamook and Siuslaw State Forests, as well as Rogue River-Siskiyou and Six Rivers National Forests. Day 1: Drive from Seattle to Mt. Hows the weather like for a Road Trip and visiting alot of these spots then? Mid July: 1 week with wife and kid - what should we prioritize? questions about Mount Shasta (California): From here, you can either take the coastal highway HWY 1 or the HWY 101 directly to Santa Rosa for the night OR if you feel as though you can continue driving, drive to Santa Cruz. We have lived, collectively, in exactly three cities. Todays a long driving day, but its broken up with many stops. 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. At the end of the journey, you can fly out of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Oakland International Airport (OAK). Sign up receive our monthly newsletter with updates and new in-depth guides. Crescent City. Its a good stopping point on the way down to Bend from Portland. Theres no need to rent a car in Seattle, public transport is fairly reliable however if you stay outside of the city, you can still rely on Uber and some public transport. Seattle to San Francisco: Tips for a Highway 101 Road Trip - DIY Playbook 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 spent the day driving around the lake, taking photo after photo! For up to date information on these conditions, visit this most recent post. 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. Whats the weather like and is there any concerns doing it that late? Keep reading. To help with the planning of your amazing road trip, check out all the information below for great inspiration, information and things to do along the way. 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. Glass Beach and Fort Bragg: Glass Beach is an unusual beach with tons of tiny colorful glass pieces amid the pebbles on the beach. 53-63000. Past Dunnigan, hop onto Interstate 505 and either follow it south to Vacaville or detour to Sacramento. Stop in at Rocky Point Restaurant for a cocktail and then head to California Market at Pacifics Edge for lunch with sweeping views of the ocean. You could also drive down the coast, which is gorgeous, and would be our choice if youre making the trip outside of the summer months. Seattle Center: I actually dont really recommend you go up to the top of the Space Needle. West Coast road trip starting in Seattle or San Francisco? Theres really only one choice here. If you're looking to have some fun, nothing can beat the relaxing view from the terrace, especially when it's coupled with an incredible live performance by top-of-the-line musicians. And roads at Mount Rainier NP close sometime in early November, which is another reason to start in Washington if youre planning on going to Rainier. Explore locations along your route to charge your electric vehicle and see how our Supercharging network can take you there. Its an incredible conglomeration of neighborhoods, all with their own unique style and vibe. 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. There are only a few petrol/gas stations in Big Sur and they charge far more! Spend some time on the coast and check out the things to do in Monterey. Read that if you want the details beyond some of our recommendations. 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! Click the button below to explore more questions San Francisco to Seattle drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. The hostel was close to all the main sights as well as public transport. 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 you check road conditions to double check the weather. Hood River also makes a great overnight stay, with plenty to do and see to occupy a day of your time. Portland Saturday Market (13 mentions) questions about Eugene: We have listed seven hotels, five restaurants, and three places to visit on the way. Not even a little. Answer 1 of 8: Hi everybody, My family and I are planning a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle for next summer. Your email address will not be published. Need some recommendations on somewhere to get food? Drive the Avenue of the Giants: The Avenue of the Giants in the Humboldt Redwoods is a 31-mile forest drive that is considered to be the best drive through redwoods in the world. Here are our top picks for where to stop along the way with some of our favorite places to eat, drink, stay, and play for each. Last, but certainly not least (the opposite, in fact) is to head inland and hit Mt. 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. Head out to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, Cypress Grove, and do a portion of the Tomales Point Trail. questions about Portland: Check out Redwood National and State Parks and Humboldt Redwoods State Park before getting onto Highway 1 and pulling into Mendocino - from there, check out Jackson Demonstration State Forest before continuing south. Get out and explore Portland, particularly the areas east of the river along Hawthorne and Division St. Day 3: Drive from Portland to Eugene, stopping at Silver Falls State Park to do the Trail of the Ten Falls (truly spectacular) and then refueling in Salem, the capital of Oregon, at Bigwig Donuts (100% gluten free donut holes, fried to order). A trip from San Francisco to Seattle involves driving for around 800 miles along the Pacific Northwest and watching the most attractive views while on the way. Portland (246 answers) 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. The Chihuly Glass and Garden is a one-of-a-kind art installation featuring hand blown glass in all sorts of shapes and sizes. No Seattle to San Francisco road trip would be complete without making a stop in the weird and lovable city of Portland. Dont miss these! Crater Lake National Park is an extraordinary park that has a dormant volcano as its crown jewel. Trip Length: Give yourself at least five days for a worthwhile journey. Other foodie things to do besides wine tasting, Searching for an inexpensive and nice inn in Napa area. If you must, head there to check out the sea lions, grab chowder and a bread bowl at Boudins Bakery (DEF NOT GLUTEN FREE), and move on. Driving non-stop from Seattle to San Francisco How far is San Francisco from Seattle? Get the reverse directions for a You could also go the coastal route, but its a bit out of the way if youve only got 3-5 days. If you have more than a couple of days to spare, a much more scenic alternative would be to drive along the coast, which would extend your drive by about 8 hours. The best times to do the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco are a bit counterintuitive - the unique terrain that defines the route and San Fran's distinctive climate follow a different set of rules than your average oceanside tourist attraction. Explore a route and we'll find the best locations to keep you charged along the way and upon arrival. We love this stylish Airbnb in Capitol Hill, which is perfect for traveling couples. Taking the quickest possible route, the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes 13 hours and spans 810 miles. Ashland is a cool little town known for hosting the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. After charging your batteries at the bar and Jackrabbit Restaurant, you can burn some calories at the incredible fitness area before heading into town. Read Next: 4 Days in San Francisco: A Complete City Guide from a Local. Doing this drive in record time isnt going to be a fun one. 2015 Seattle, San Francisco, and Sierra - cross-country-trips.com Check out the 5th St. Public Market for a combination of shopping, eating, and drinking with local vendors. The central route down I-5, while definitely the quickest, is BORING. Read that for the details behind the picks below! Its packed full of interesting spots to stop in, whether youre looking for vegan ice cream or a unique boutique selling who knows what. Seattle is one (Matt lived there for 15+ years), San Francisco is the second (we met and lived there for juuuust shy of a decade), and Alysha also lived in Santa Barbara in college. Wait, wheres Fishermans Wharf on this list? Fun Fact: At 380 feet, Hyperion in Redwood National Park is the world's tallest living tree. 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. What is your favorite restaurant in Eugene? There are of course cheaper alternatives, but this HIGHLY recommended. I have been multiple times, mostly with family growing up, and I joked to Alysha on our last trip that, Read More Where to Stay in Zion National Park: Best Hotels + B&BsContinue, The scale of the Grand Canyon is absolutely mind-blowing. Read Next: A Locals Guide to the Best Gluten Free Restaurants in San Francisco. San Francisco To Seattle Road Trip: Top Routes & 5 Stops Along the Way Get our latest blog posts, updates and deals. Add anything that looks interesting! Capitol Cider for a huge selection of Pacific Northwest ciders and a 100% gluten free kitchen. Eugene (16 answers) This tree is HUGE but in fact, not even the largest! Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip Itinerary. 4. Artsy area with fun little shops Can you take us too? The Moxy Hotel is the other choice here its a stylish option thats super central to all the sights in Seattle. Powell's City of Books (17 mentions) In fact, Matt recently did this drive alone. . Trinidad: Hike the Trinidad Head trail to enjoy stunning 360-degree panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. 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. One of the liveliest, most accessible neighbourhoods. To go a level deeper, take this awesome guided tour of Pike Place with a Local Chef. If thats a few too many days, then we recommend heading down the I-5 corridor through Oregon instead, skipping Bend and Crater Lake, which are further inland. Here are our favorite things to do in Point Reyes National Seashore. 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. Required fields are marked *. So if youre looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco, keep reading! GNIS feature ID. Make your first stop after Crescent City into Jedediah Smith Redwoods National Park. A unique experience awaits you in San Francisco. You can drive straight down I-5, stopping in Portland and Eugene, which is the fastest route. Day 2: Drive the Pacific Coast of Olympic National Park, making three stops along the way. You can toggle between map views using the buttons above. Sleep at the Graduate Hotel or the Inn at the Fifth, both in downtown Eugene. One other note were also assuming you want to spend time in Seattle and San Francisco too. We recommend Timber Valley Inn and Suiteswhich is conveniently located directly off HWY 5. Click the blue button below. Day 1: Fly into Seattle and pick up your rental car (or, leave from Seattle if you live here!). This luxury coastal road trip will take you from Seattle and the forested islands of Washington's Puget Sound to San Francisco and the towering redwoods of Northern California. Once youve checked out of Youngberg Hill, visit some popular surrounding wineries such Yamhill Valley Winery,Domaine Serene Winery, Domaine Drouhin & Brooks Wines. Morimoto Its in Union Square, which honestly kinda sucks, but its affordable and stylish. in Noey Valley and we found it to be far less touristy with a beautiful community feel. The 363 mile Oregon coast has cute towns, beaches and photo ops all along the way. Union Square is where youll find a lot of shopping options & Mission District has a lot of greats bars and restaurants to explore. day 2 driving 6.5 hours. Heres what we suggest doing in this stunning national park, which you can pretty easily tackle in a full day. Pass through Salt Point and Sonoma Coast State Parks, then explore Point Reyes National Seashore. Head out to the Olympic Peninsula by taking the Bainbridge Island Ferry. From there, visit Klamath and Shasta-Trinity national Forests, and consider doing an optional detour to Lassen National Forest. Road Trip From Seattle To San Francisco - LazyTrips If you're driving from Seattle WA to San Francisco CA check the weather conditions for a safer trip. Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. Advice to avoid snowy road conditions from SF to Seattle (January). You can choose from the stops below based on how much time you have to spend think of it as a choose your own adventure sort of thing (used to LOVE those Goosebumps books!). These are some of the places people talk about on Trippy: Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions stay overnight and leave the next day around 8:00 am, 8:00 am leave from Wildlife Safari Road Trip from San Francisco to Seattle - Napa and Inland Tour Shasta? Head up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park and hike Hurricane Hill for spectacular views over the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Range. So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Seattle to San Francisco drive. 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. and was formed by the eruption and collapsing of a volcano, Mount Mazama 7,700 years ago. Seattle ( / sitl / ( listen) see-AT-l) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. If you're in the market for the best rooftop view of Portland's architecture, The Duniway Portland is the hotel for you. The rooms at this hotel offer the ideal blend of simple and elegant, and the communal areas are as extravagant as they come. Read:The Ultimate Guide To Crater Lake National Park. Youre in for a treat full of pristine beaches, crystal-clear turquoise water, and charming small towns dotting Portugals southern coast. Theres so much to do and see in San Francisco that you cant possibly tackle it all in just a few days in the city. Drive to Port Angeles, with a stop at Nourish Sequim along the way for a delicious (and gluten free) lunch. Please also note that due to a giant landslide in May of 2017, a whole section of the Big Sur is inaccessible from the South, and you cannot travel the whole route. If youve got 3-4 days, sleep in Portland on night one, Redding on night two, and finish the drive to San Francisco on day three. Here are some excellent hikes you can go on while visiting the best national park in Washington (and one of the best on the west coast). Road Trip Route Planner, Map and Trip Guides | Roadtrippers Overview of a 4 week 2015 Seattle, San Francisco, and Sierra with Travel Itinerary, Travel Road Map, and Tips for Cross Country travelers with Kids 2015 Seattle, San Francisco, and Sierra | Lolo's Extreme Cross Country RV Trips So sorry for the late reply I totally missed this. You made it to San Francisco! Experience the stunning beauty of the Pacific Northwest and Northern California on this luxury journey from Seattle to San Francisco. The first thing we want to get out of the way is that your experience is largely going to be dictated by the amount of time you have. Rainier as early as possible (if youre flying in, youll want to book an early flight!). Spend the afternoon in Cannon Beach, spending some time on the beach near Haystack Rock and then eat lunch at Public Coast Brewing. Sleep at the Blue Door Inns, which looks amazing. Instead, whatever route you decide to take in Oregon, we definitely recommend cutting over to the gorgeous California coast to meet up with Highway 101 and the iconic Highway 1 to end your road trip with a bang. to double check the weather. Have more time? Its like the Society Hotel in Portland in that they have room options that have dorms and shared bathrooms so that you can save a little money in one of the most expensive cities in the country. The western side of Mt. It totally depends on the year. This is another city we know REALLY well, and we have all sorts of thoughts, tips, and tricks that only locals would know to help you plan an amazing few days in San Francisco. travelers and answer their questions about Seattle! drive for about 41 minutes. Who would have thought trees could be so fascinating? Continue south, heading to Tillamook Creamery for ice cream and a fun cheese-making tour. Arrive in Portland and stay either Kex, the Hotel Grand Stark, or the Jupiter NEXT Hotel (read our full guide on the best places to stay in Portland for more of our recommendations weve been to Portland numerous times and are planning on relocating there at some point in the near future). Pok Pok Restaurant That could be more time than you have. Simply use this as a guideline! Visiting in July for 5 days with my boyfriend, where and what must we do? Our favorites would be Becks Motor Lodge (close to the Mission) and Hotel Kabuki (in Japantown). This route was intriguing to us because the arrival time was almost 3 hours faster than the Highway 101 alternative, but we decided that this drive was once in a lifetime and we had to take the longer option if it meant we'd be driving the Oregon coast the entire day. Domaine Chandon Ashland (Oregon) (29 answers) We chose to skip the coast & national parks here as weredoing thisfurther south. If you're aiming to spend most of your time at the beach, this might be the best time to do the trip.