Id go with a mid-size car for your rental. Nothing scream Pacific Northwest like the striking Oregon coastline. Again, thanks for great info and advice. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. After all, seeing some snow can do all of us well. These cities make a great vacation pair with Mount Rainier, Mount St Helens, Cannon Beach and a lot more to see . Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! The best place to visit in the city is the Seaside Promenade, a boardwalk that runs along the Pacific Ocean. If you see an error, please contact me. Im not sure there are many good airports to leave a rental car in the region youre suggesting you may end up driving into L.A. to do so and to fly home. Just wondering about restrictions? When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. On your stop here, be sure to walk out along the pier and keep an eye out for surfers working the breaks along the beach. If I were youI would do a leisurely drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego. Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air offers numerous daily flights between Portland Airport (PDX) and Sea-Tac Airport (SEA) or Paine Field (PAE), and if you book in advance, you can usually snag a great fare. Booking this trip for late Oct. Id like to fly in ( from East Coast) somewhere north of San Fran. You can take the same route back to downtown Seattle. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along CA-1. Also, we were thinking with the additional days to do a detour over to Yosemite. I hope you have a great trip! This will take you through Nehalem County Park and eventually to the coast. Mountain Route. I havent been to Monterey but its high on my list! 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. Am planning to do a 10 day PCH drive in August. Unfortunately, you cant climb the lighthouse steps as it has been closed for restoration since 2001. I plan to rent a car in Los Angeles in the summer and make a similar journey, Hello! Seattle and Portland, as the top two Pacific Northwest cities, are often compared. Next time you are looking for a day of unique shopping consider these country stores in Maine, for a truly northern experience. You can sit in the beautiful picnicking area of the park, enjoy your picnic, and watch ferries come and go. Whidbey Island is one of the best road trips from Seattle and can easily be covered in a single day. Related Read: The 10 Best Scenic Drives in Washington. 4 The Long Way Around Through Idaho and Nevada. Great content here, thank you! Youll still be at the mercy of traffic, but if you want to leave the driving to someone else, hop aboard one of numerous buses shuttling between Portland and Seattle. You can take a private garden tour with the resident horticulturalist, catch an animal feeding, or sit in on Q&A sessions with zookeepers who take care of polar bears, wolves, and tropical lagoons. If youre considering a drive down (or up) the western coast of the U.S., look no further. A post shared by Elliot McGucken 45EPIC (@elliotmcgucken). We are from FL and east coast and know very little about west coast, so this is great!! find more stops. Its a small detail, but totally uncalifornian to say the PCH. Thanks for the great ideas! The flight time is usually a quick 45 minutes, but when you factor in transfers between the two airports, its probably just as long as other options listed above. However, if youre hoping for a little more adventure, theres a longer and more scenic Portland to Seattle road trip route that takes you through some of the most interesting areas along the coast. Best of all, theres no cell service so theyll have to look around to see them . If you will drive back to Denver from Seattle, you will spend 48 hours behind the wheel just to get there and back. Thanks for your comment, Terri! Cruise across the lake's sapphire waters, kayak or join a whitewater rafting trip. Wifey and I did the PCH trip a while ago, shortly after we got married. The weather in Seattle in winter can be cold and overcast. If you would like a customized itinerary, I offer that for a fee to help cover the time it takes me to put those tips together. We took this trip several years ago. I live near one of the ferries going here, so I am lucky to be able to visit the area often. The ideia is to have a West Coast Beer Route drive. Note: Due to heavy rainfall in California in January 2023, California Highway 1 is closed around Ragged Point; this means you will not be able to do a complete route down the Pacific Coast and will instead divert inland from Monterey to San Simeon (southbound). The only places you can fly would be Crescent City but itll require changing through San Francisco anyway. Relaxing in a secluded cabin deep in the woods under a starlit sky is one of the best experiences you can have in Oregon. Thanks for your comment . As this post is over 6,000 words long, I typically dont provide extra additional itinerary services for free. Plus you can cruise up to areas like Bow-Edison and enjoy some tasty eats and local shopping. There are 4 daily trains from Portland to Seattle. Your website is very helpful. Bob's Java Jive is a terrific spot to stop to have a beer with the locals, too. Though I have visited a few cities in California over the years, I (we) are looking forward to that California coastal drive. Are you a fan of the City of Roses or the Emerald Cityor both? Youd need to fly into. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Return west to U.S. 101 and turn south. Have a great drive! Thank you so much for creating this itinerary! Would it be worth it to continue to San Diego then back to LA? Thanks for reading, Teena! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! For the California portion, I recommend September & October! I know a lot of people would probably prefer the one hour flight from San Francisco to Portland as opposed to the ten hour drive but we didn't want to miss all of the beauty that lies between. We want to spend 5 days for PCH and not sure where to fly in or out of. Hoping to do this mid Sept 2020. Congrats on the trip, Michael! 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. We are from Ohio. Seattle to San Diego Road Trip: Route Options. Your number one stop is Garden of the Gods. Do you have any recommendations or modifications while traveling with kids. Travelling from Australia and would like to spend 3 weeks driving around . Washington State Road 4 / Highway 101. Thats right folks, West Seattle, uou really cant go wrong with a cruise on Alki because youll get to see stunning views of the Sound, Olympics and downtown. If your PCH road trip includes the Olympic Peninsula, follow U.S. 101 west and then north along the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula toward Port Angeles. Sorry, I could not get past it, and I may not even be correct, but I truly loved this page. There are, however, a few options further west along Silver Lake and in Castle Rock that are still close enough to the monument for a quick hike or sunrise photo safari. Glad this was helpful! Tillamook, Oregon sits on the Highway 101, a few miles inland from the sea. Cross the Columbia River and enter Washington. 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. Seaquest State Park is an urban park covering 475 acres of a natural island along a mile of the lakeshore. Regarding openings, Im sorry but I cant keep up with all of the places and changing restrictions in the various counties and states. It looks so cute! Drive safely! Located about 34 miles from Seattle, Point Defiance State Park is a large city park covering an area of 760 acres. Theres a nice public parking area near a lake that overlooks the Washington State Capital building. Heres one more spectacular spot to drive in the city. Here are some different starting/ending points for a PCH road trip: As you can see, you have options! Here are the best ways to get from Portland to Seattle so you can explore both and decide for yourself which city comes out on top. Day 2 Portland, OR. When not wandering the world and running Global Grasshopper, youll find me walking my rescued Greek street dog in leafy South West London, strolling around the Brighton Lanes on random day trips, hunting for photogenic landscapes or daydreaming about my favourite places; Havana, Copenhagen, Italy, Laos, California and the surreally beautiful landscapes of a wintry Iceland. Its mostly side trips places where youll have divert from the most direct route until you reach Seattle. Youll also find a lot of luxurious resorts near the lake, including Silver Cove RV Resort, Streeters Resort, Silverlake Resort, and Mt. My wife and I are planning an 18 day trip in the coming months to fly into San Diego and then make the drive up to Seattle. While driving southbound, youll approach Marshall first. Amazing, Melanii! The tower is decorated with artwork chronologically depicting the regions history. Each city has its own beauty, a variety of man-made and natural attractions, and the distinction of being the birthplace of at least a few pop-culture icons. Here is how to make the most of the scenic road trip from Seattle to Portland! When you picture the Pacific Coast Highway, its Big Sur that comes to mind. Chinquel, nice to hear from you! From the coast, youll wind up to the mouth of the Columbia River, along its southern shore, and finally, cross into Washington on your way to Mount Saint Helens. I appreciate you taking the time to answer everyones questions. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south on CA-1, the Pacific Coast Highway. I mapped it here so you can see the option to add in Crater Lake and what youll miss: https://goo.gl/maps/2A4GYTKnBcADVdRw5. 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. Very glad to help, and I hope you have a great trip! I recently discovered Mendocino on a weekend trip and fell in love with the small town. If you want to experience the Pacific Northwest mountains in winter, the Grand Pacific Northwest Road Trip is a great option. Soak In The Scenic Panorama Of Astoria, Oregon. We help you get the most out of your city and focus on the easy-to-miss details so that youre always in the know. It sounds like youll have an awesome trip, and happy early birthday to him! Ive put together some tips on how to choose the right car for the PCH, but in short, I recommend an automatic car with a low center of gravity but skip the convertible! Rainier National Park. Located on the Pacific side of the Olympic Peninsula, Hoh Rainforest qualifies as a rainforest due to the amount of precipitation that occurs each year. Feel free to pop into one of several breweries to wet your whistle along the way. Then wake up early the next morning to get to Pike Place Market to watch the fish-tossers or grab some freshly baked scones and coffees and take a stroll along the water. Id like to make a 10 day trip with a couple days in San Francisco and San Diego. Mount Rainier has been a bucket-list challenge for mountaineers for hundreds of years; the first recorded climb on the mountain didnt happen until 1870. I was reading for the road trip from Seattle to San Diego. I love all the details and recommendations! Traveling by train from Portland to Seattle usually takes around 3 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Cascades train can make the trip in 3 hours and 25 minutes. The first leg of the trip was relatively short thanks to us . The Pacific Coast Highway is located in the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon, and California. Valerie, First off, congratulations on your recent wedding! Im assuiming youve read the whole post, as I do cover a 7-day suggested itinerary, and cover overnight stops along the Oregon coast. I dont remember providing that advice but off the top of my head, I wouldnt go bigger than a Tesla Model X (swoon! Im planning a trip for end of this year most probably the California part only. The big complex has two aquariums, a zoo, and several botanical gardens. How long does it take to get from Portland to Seattle? Thanks for reading, Angel! I will definitely use all the info youve provided. Were on day 2 of our 8-day PCH Tour.and its great to have your help! riverine, estuarine, or the Nisqually Reach nearshore. 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. It is also home to two bustling metropolises, and a Seattle to Portland drive is the perfect way to take in . During these days, you have time to experience the highlights of the coast, and whet your appetite for another future trip! Feel free to comment back here if you have questions while planning your trip . The coldest time of year is December, although it remains cold through January and February. The island lies just between the Lewis River and the Willamette River. Thank you. Just one small thing, its not the PCH, its just PCH. Have a great trip!! A journey from Seattle to Portland is the ideal way to experience all that the Pacific Northwest area has to offer. Sonja, glad to help! day 4 driving 4 hours. 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. anything you can suggest extra the girls would be wowed by would be great. (If you decide to fly to SF, heres a recent post I wrote: https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/). We are so overwhelmed. Great question, Sharon! Starting at San Francisco ending San Diego. Good morning from Australia. Amy, take a look at the Santa Maria Valley I stopped in Lompoc on a trip recently and they have some fun and interesting wineries there. Related read: 25 Stunning Hikes on the Oregon Coast. You could easily spend a weekend here, so give it an extra day if you like playing outside. After all, I liked it so much when I first visited in 2012 that I moved there in 2013! We are planning to do Northboundfrom Ventura to Wine country but only have 5 days returning on the 5th day. The suggested route below zigzags a bit and adds quite a bit of distance. Your email address will not be published. Planning for 5-6 days of Seattle to San Diego. Segment 1: Portland to Cannon Beach Area We are thinking of taking this drive during the week of Christmas. Ive just started planning our trip for this autumn. The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. 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. Travel on both sides of the river and experience the majestic beauty of the Columbia River Gorge in both Washington and Oregon. The coastal route outline is suitable for a road trip all year round. Colorado Springs, Colorado. Its also a great place to play volleyball, although youll have to bring the volleyball net yourself. Such a thorough guide! Start your visit here at the Astoria Column, a 125-foot-tall tower with a 164-step narrow spiral staircase leading to amazing views of the city and waterfront. Washington Park Arboretum to Seward Park. Thanks for your comment, Anthony! I had the chance to spend a weekend in Huntington Beach a few years ago and loved the vibe in this surf town. Address. We are thinking of late September of 2022 doing a two week drive from north to south. Ill have to stop at these places, Thinking about a pch trip from San frans to LA.. suggestions on where to stop and how many days, I have this post that will help you plan your trip: https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/, Hi Valerie I am looking for a 1 day coastal trip from Anaheim back to San Francisco with 4 kids ranging from Teen to toddler. 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. Hey Valerie great name yourself! The total distance is about 1,500 miles! Should be pretty good it might be a bit rainy up in the Pacific Northwest, but the weather once you reach California should be great! Any ideas? Also, for a map, I use the app Roadtrippers, which is linked in the post. Hey there! I am planning a road-trip with my husband along the Pacific coast. Both offer amenities such as free WiFi and generous baggage policies. Great question So Crater Lake is pretty far inland. To help you plan your road trip, here are two possible road trip itineraries you could take. From touristy attractions to woodsy explorations, theres something for everyone to enjoy in the hip city. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Steep, evergreen-covered cliffs are striated with so many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the mind. Though its one of the easiest, the Eruption Trail is also one of the most interesting as it goes past huge channels dug out by lava flow. Can you believe theres a rainforest in Washington? This Pacific Coast Highway itinerary is 7 days and will let you take the whole route and return home with unforgettable memories: If you have more time to drive the PCH, this 10-day itinerary is perfect. Thanks for reading, Dale. Im glad you booked LA and Seattle, because those are the two you most need to have arranged! The road trip from Portland to Seattle isn't very long, but this makes it a great weekend getaway. The park is open to the public daily from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mount Rainier National Park is a national park located about 60 miles from Seattle. From Ventura. You'll still be at the mercy of .

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