The hotel has private parking, perfect for your road trip. I was wondering if you could suggest a place for stargazing. You probably wont have any snow its usually just rain in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon & Washington). Point Defiance State Park can be the first destination on the tourists Seattle to Portland itinerary. They also offer a complimentary breakfast and free coffee and cookies in the lobby. Follow Highway 12 past Riffe Lake towards Mt. Great tips, Kathi! At this point you should take the exit to CA-1; this is now the Pacific Coast Highway. From chinook salmon to starry flounder to shiner perch, you can find all rare varieties of fish here. Two States Bridge Tour. Were taking the 5 to Seattle with a few stops on the way then PCH from Port Angeles to SD. So with that in mind, here are 10 of the most scenic drives near Seattle to take this summer. It also features a boardwalk, boathouse, beaches, trails, an off-leash dog park, and an old-growth forest. Im nervous go excited. Old Highway 101 is now called the Avenue of the Giants, and I highly recommend slowing down to enjoy this 31-mile stretch through some of Californias oldest living and tallest! Sort of a round trip Oregon adventure. The road winds through overhanging trees for 8 miles, offering beautiful views of the Cascade Mountains in the distance and the waters of Lake Washington. We just did this trip in October 2019, We started in Portland to Cannons beach then headed south on HWY 101. The best place to visit in the city is the Seaside Promenade, a boardwalk that runs along the Pacific Ocean. Crescent City is a great spot for an overnight stop (or longer) depending on your itinerary. Located a mile southwest of downtown Edmonds, Marina Beach Park is a beachfront park featuring a playground and picnicking area. September and October are definitely best for visiting NorCal, so I recommend that time of year too! Awesome, Im hoping to do the PCH and NorCal next summer. Hope to rent a car there? Thanks for reading, Jennifer. Thank you so much for passing on your wisdom and experience. 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. Youll have a great time! Thank you for all this information. I appreciate this guide. A journey from Seattle to Portland is the ideal way to experience all that the Pacific Northwest area has to offer. Thanks for your comment, Pam, but Im a little confused its a 10-day itinerary, so its a 9-night trip. 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. Distance: 361 miles. Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! A couple of reasons: 1. The little set of communities on the Long Beach peninsula is at the lower-left corner of the state and is home to cozy accommodations and surprisingly delicious restaurants. To obtain the greatest perspective of Mount Adams and other Cascade Range summits, including Rainier, tourists can climb 6,400 feet (1950.72 meters) to Sunrise, the highest point reachable by vehicle. Seattle to Portland. Are you planning to stay in bigger cities (Portland, SF, Santa Barbara), or smaller ones? I was wondering if you would recommend any wine tasting spots along the way? PCH bucket list road trip done! 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. Loren Kerns / Flickr. Youre very welcome, Wilbert! Literally. Does that sound reasonable or doable? In Tillamook, pick from any number of hotels or Airbnbs. A scenic drive on Interstate 84 on the Oregon side to Hwy 14 on the Washington side will take you on a beautiful tour along the Columbia River. Sounds like youve got a great plan drive safe! 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. When it comes to vacation rental options. Unlimited stops, edit, share, find recommended places of interest and campgrounds, manage budgets, print or export directions and more. Tourists will enjoy watching the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, a stunning coastal town, along US Route 30. There is still plenty to see and do, and cheaper hotel prices might make the trip more affordable. November should be a good time, but you may experience some days where the Marine Layer rolls in be sure to pack layers in case its cooler/less sunny than expected! 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. They are, however, very different. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head west along U.S. 101 until it turns south along the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Unfortunately, I dont have suggestions for Santa Barbara as I havent been there in nearly a decade. While travelers are here, they may also check out the Coaster Theater, Haystack Gallery, and Les Shirley Park. Which Direction to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway? Great name btw . For travellers and road trippers checking out the Pacific Northwest, Tillamook is a popular stopping point. Travelers can take various pathways between Portland and Seattle. The island lies just between the Lewis River and the Willamette River. The drive from Portland to Seattle is one I've made numerous times. Crater lake was amazing!! Drive time: 2-3.5 hours. Staying in Mount Rainer National Park is a great experience, especially for the convenience of waking up in the park. 7. My husband, myself and our four kids always take adventurous vacations every summer. Prior to retiring I have done the San Francisco to LA 3 times but always by myself. However, if one wants to enjoy most of the attractions along the San . Such a thorough guide! You can meander the quaint shops in Langley, go kayaking, explore Whidbey Island wineries, eat at the best Whidbey Island restaurants, and more. It's titled, Scenic Drive from Seattle to Portland, but the items listed in the text aren't on the route between Seattle and Portland; rather they are detours from it or separate trips out of Portland. Thank you! Those are my top recommendations! 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. What do you think about making this drive in November? Here are some different starting/ending points for a PCH road trip: As you can see, you have options! haha. Lan Su Chinese Garden is a Chinese botanical garden in Northwest Portland. Learn more about our editorial policies, Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Its almost unfair that there are so many great stops in this segment, given the (probably) limited time you likely have to drive it. Do you think we could do it in 7 days?? The 300-mile road trip from Portland to Seattle will take 5 hours to drive. We are planning on a 7 days trip in Dec 2021. Best scenic stops along the way from Portland to . Seaquest State Park is an urban park covering 475 acres of a natural island along a mile of the lakeshore. I can really tell that you love traveling, Valerie . 330 miles. The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. Im at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! It is time to start driving along the coast from Seattle to Portland. 7 hours 0 minutes. You should have no problem making it down the road in December. Both have unique vibes, great restaurants, and access to the outdoors. I hope you have an amazing time! When in doubt, stay on the coast. When the bridge was built in 1930, it was the longest cantilevered bridge in the United States, originally serving as a private toll bridge. If youre in the heart of Seattle and want to spend a day living your best tourist life, be sure to check out the Space Needle, the iconic feature defining the Seattle skyline. Not to mention its one of the largest mountains in the US and were lucky to have it right here. 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? The park is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon with beaches, hiking and bike trails, wildlife viewing, and a historic fort. Follow the highway south as it winds inland and along the coast. 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). Take the coastal route for a longer, more scenic drive, and you can hit up Canon Beach or even Tillamook, where you can tour the Tillamook Creamery. Cannon Beach has a plethora of options ranging from campgrounds to oceanfront lodging, luxury hotels, and vacation home rentals. Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary Options, How to Choose a Car for the Pacific Coast Highway, Step-by-Step Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Directions, this gorgeous 3-bedroom oceanfront property, plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego, https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/, Wandering the Olympic Peninsula - Valerie & Valise, https://www.theoutbound.com/theoutbound/camping-along-the-pacific-10-seaside-campsites-for-your-west-coast-road-trip, https://www.valisemag.com/visit-san-juan-islands/, https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-seattle/, https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-san-francisco/, https://www.valisemag.com/portland-city-guide/, https://www.valisemag.com/pacific-coast-highway-guide/. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: If you are doing a quick Pacific Coast Highway road trip, head south from Olympia along I-5 to Portland. Seeing some nice beaches is also of interest. I dont feel we missed a lot of Oregon coast the views we seen before & after Crater lake were absolutely stunning. 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. 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. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated: Day 1: San Francisco (Arrive late in the evening) Day 2: San Francisco Day 3: Santa Cruz Day 4: Carmel-By-The-Sea Day 5: Big Sur Day 6: San Luis Obispo Day 7: Santa Barbara Day 8: Los Angeles Day 9: San Diego (leave early in the morning). A post shared by Kym Janisch (@chi_girl_go). Nope, headed northbound is not a bad way to go its actually the way I went on my first drive! If you will drive back to Denver from Seattle, you will spend 48 hours behind the wheel just to get there and back. 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. The road trip between the two cities, on the . 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. Sign up for Weekend Wanderer to join thousands of readers getting epic travel and gear ideas every week. Weve spent time in SF already so dont need to stay there. This was a 6 day trip. We stayed in Seattle and drove south to Olympia, to pick up the beginning of the 101. Sounds like it will be well worth it. The only places you can fly would be Crescent City but itll require changing through San Francisco anyway. Planning a mother/son trip after my son graduates HS next year. San Francisco has tons of cool neighborhoods, so its hard to choose which vacation rentals to recommend Check out this, Plan an overnight in Santa Barbara so you can soak in the charm. Im thinking of a four day road trip for easter next year but thinking along the lines of vegas to grand canyon and so. Thanks for reading, Laurie! Im assuiming youve read the whole post, as I do cover a 7-day suggested itinerary, and cover overnight stops along the Oregon coast. You will then reach the Chehalis River. My problem is going to be deciding what not to do because Ill only have so much time (and money). Alternatively, Flixbus USA operates a bus from Seattle to Portland twice daily. You absolutely nailed it. Thanks so much from a couple of Canucks! Lastly, Pismo is a great stop for a midday workout on the road, with a huge stretch of beach to walk/run on. Thank you! Northeastern Rustic LLC, 2761 U.S. Rte 2, Smyrna Mills, ME 04780, USA. Dont be in a hurry and be cautious so you can enjoy everything. Planning a trip on PCH last week of July 2020. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Are we likely to hit snow in the northern stops? Thoughts? If you're heading up north you can't go wrong with a cruise on Chuckanut Drive. Territory Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you book or purchase using our links. 10 bucket-list camping spots you can find in Washington Cherie, thanks for your comment. Thank you. But even the most straight-shot . Where is Crater Lake? It's also one of the best Colorado staycations for families. 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. By the end, youll be ready to plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary. This scenic roadway overlooks Samish Bay and provides views that never disappoint. Make memories exploring the diverse, natural beauty of our public lands. The Pacific Northwest is probably best-known for its coffee (thanks, Starbucks), followed by its stunning nature, including Mount Rainier, Mount Saint Helens, the Olympic National Rainforest, and miles upon miles or largely unadulterated coastline from the San Juan Islands to Gold Beach. However, be vigilant for early snowfall that could affect the roads. Have a great trip! What is the average speed on the 101? I have suggestions on dates earlier in the article to help you figure out how long to do the trip and where to stop. The Cascades train has four daily departures, while the Coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip. Stop and admire the views in Big Sur, too! The turn-out for Ruby Beach occurs right as the highway reaches the Pacific coast. Follow Interstate 5 north out of Portland alongside the Columbia River. Additionally, the substantial rocky outcrop is protected and considered a component of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Thinking approximately 250 miles a day. You can make a quick stop at Lake Sacajawea while driving from Portland to Seattle. If you plan on making this drive over a weekend, you should stop once halfway and then another night in Seattle. The stadium has a retractable roof which makes it perfect for both indoor and outdoor events. 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. Let me know if you have any other questions while planning or on the road! Even an email answer is fine!! Next, youll pass through Point Reyes, which again seems underwhelming. You thinks thats safe or should I make some. Thanks for your help in advance!!!! 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