Sireesha, thanks for reading. 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. We will be coming from Anaheim and want to drive the Pacific Coast Highway to Half Moon Bay. 3 Cool National Parks Road Trip Through Crater Lake. Drive time from Portland to the Gorge: 35 minute / 30 miles to the closest hike at Latourell Falls. Im not sure how to prioritize the rest of our time. I hope you can see it for yourself someday too. After making the trip myself in 2014 and exploring the PCH extensively while living in Washington and California, Ive put together this comprehensive guide to the great stops, breathtaking sights, and sense of unbelievable freedom you can find if you drive the Pacific Coast Highway. You can definitely do that! 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. Instagram. Although mighty, the falls are extremely accessible! Have a safe trip!! Rim Drive and the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway. My wife doesnt particularly like high bridges or steep drops (one reason we are driving north), so any advice on where we might avoid such things is appreciated. Thanks for your comment, Manny. I see we can head to Mendocino and then over to a larger highway to San Francisco or.drive all the way down the PCH to Point Reyes Station & then head over San Francisco but that would be a lot of driving. Suggested Overnights: Port Angeles, Neah Bay, Ocean Shores. lol. Oregon Coast Road Trip from Portland: Astoria to Cannon Beach. Any thoughts on this as it pertains to weather? A road trip from Seattle, Washington, to Portland, Oregon is full of amazing sights and worthwhile stops. If you are going in winter, follow the coastal route, which will cover 270 miles and take you about 5 hours to drive. If youve just stayed overnight in Santa Barbara or started your road trip in San Diego, that may not make as much sense. Day 2: Coos Bay OR, to Redwood National Park, CA. The Pacific Coast Highway is located in the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon, and California. 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. When you hit the California coast, its like driving in a postcard. Ime hoping the trip will run about $10k. Address. The Pacific Coast Highway runs along two highways: In Washington and Oregon, the best weather of the year happens between June and September. This stunning road winds through the Columbia River Gorge along the river, passing tons of incredible waterfalls, lookout points, and more. I plan to rent a car in Los Angeles in the summer and make a similar journey, Hello! Ranked as a top Travel Authority in the UK by Agility PR Solutions, Nominated as the best female travel blogger in the Teletext Holiday Awards 2019, British Annual Canada Travel Awards Finalist 2018, Nominated for the Best UK Travel Blog 2018, Cheapflights Travel Blog Awards Nominee 2017, GLOBAL GRASSHOPPER. Its worth it! The fact that there are multiple routes for a road trip from Portland to Seattle means you can go at any time of year. Heres one more spectacular spot to drive in the city. Seaside has a nice range of shops and dining options, and the beach is popular with surfers. I have been to Europe, for 2 years, and nothing compares to this coastal trip. When the bridge was built in 1930, it was the longest cantilevered bridge in the United States, originally serving as a private toll bridge. Not to mention you can also check out several local attractions along the way. The park also features dozens of food trucks, serving great stadium eats and fine beer. In this forest, youll find amazing old growth trees and is incredibly verdant. Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experiencefor good reason! Day 4 Newport and Yachats, OR. Located about 34 miles from Seattle, Point Defiance State Park is a large city park covering an area of 760 acres. Paradise is a lookout that lies at the height of 5,400 feet and offers mesmerizing views of nearby mountains and meadows. 5 Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary. I wouldnt advise doing this one in an RV, to be honest. Ferry to Victoria. ENJOY the sightseeing trip of a lifetime. Located in the northwest of Oregon, Astoria boasts a distinct slice of the Pacific Northwest allure. We will go from Seattle to San Diego using your itinerary as our planning guide. Literally. Oregon's nearly 400-mile coastline is famous national-wide for good reason. My first true adventure began as a six month voyage around South East Asia as a fresh faced backpacker and ever since Ive lived a semi nomadic existence, clocking up visits to over 40 countries. Having an America the Beautiful Pass is the easiest and most cost-effective way to visit over 2,000-federal recreation sites. My husband and I plan to do this trip in June. Im looking forward to have the same experience with my wife and my son. I also downloaded the Roadtrippers app but I cant find it. I make all of my must see recommendations in this post, so I recommend checking out the section on California to find the ones that sound interesting to you. Hug Point's caverns and waterfalls are accessible by taking a short trek along the coast. 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. Combine a visit to Portland with an adventure down the PCH. Thanks for sharing this great itinerary. stay overnight at Radisson Hotel Bloomington By Mall of America. We are going to go the middle of September 2022 and take a flight from Phx to somewhere around Crescent city. Also, how many days should we take for the one-way trip back. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. San Diego was the starting point of my Pacific Coast Highway road trip; for you, it may be the end. I drove one and I hardly ever got to enjoy it!.why were you hardly ever able to enjoy driving a convertible???? I was hoping to see autumn colours in the northern area. I cant even imagine how incredible it must have been to experience all this in person. Starting point: 107 miles from Seattle. (Hours and dates for the attractions on the SF CityPass have been affected by the pandemic, so be sure to check those when you purchase!). It also features a boardwalk, boathouse, beaches, trails, an off-leash dog park, and an old-growth forest. Those are my top recommendations! Im at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! Below are some recommendations or places to stop overnight along the route. Its a small detail, but totally uncalifornian to say the PCH. Hey there! Now we want to take our girls on the same trip. Located on a beautiful crescent-shaped bay, Crescent City is along part of the PCH where California Highway 1 and U.S. Highway 101 overlap hence this guide refers to both Highway 1 and Highway 101 as the PCH in the different states. We are planning our trip for the first half of April, SF to LA. Basically, you cant start/end in Crescent City if you want to rent a car. Please keep doing what youre doing. Id find an interesting podcast for everyone in the car and have the kids keep an eye out for whales and wildlife. Anyway, the drive spectacular and the view at the end is just as great. If you will drive back to Denver from Seattle, you will spend 48 hours behind the wheel just to get there and back. We were planning on 10 days total for driving, site seeing and ending it with 2 days in Disneyland. There are several ways to go from Seattle to Portland. 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. Are we likely to hit snow in the northern stops? If you want to make a stop midway through your journey, Seaside may be the perfect place. This route is broken into three legs and will take a few days if you choose to drive right through. San Luis Obispo with Paso Robles). Im glad to surpass the AAA level. Hello, my name is Sonia and I am from Puerto Rico. Thanks for sharing. Thank you for all this information. I was wondering if you would recommend any wine tasting spots along the way? Thank you for sharing! I can think off the top of my head that you could do the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Great trip! 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. Drive time: 3 hours / 155 miles. Youll have a great time! Tim & Janice, what kind words! skip Santa Cruz, skip San Francisco Day 2 and just hit the highway) OR if you had a suggestion on swapping out one of the spots with a different one (ex. I hope that helps! Seattle skyline over South Lake Union, Washington, Seattle To Portland: How To Make The Most Of This Scenic Road Trip, Where To Stop To Taken In The Most Scenic Views, experience all that the Pacific Northwest area has to offer, 9 Sights To See On The Way From Portland To Seattle, where the illustrious explorers Lewis and Clark finished their cross-country journey in 1805, Astoria: Why Its Any Traveler's Perfect First Oregon Trip. In particular, plan a long foray out to Point Reyes State Park and Lighthouse. Awesome, you can sign up using the forms in this post to get the PDF! Looking to travel with your recommendations southbound! its also an excellent day trip out of Seattle. If it's winter, the coastal route is a better choice. Aretta, thanks for your comment! Thank you so very much. A road trip from Portland to Seattle is short but mighty. My best advice is to take a look at the app Roadtrippers and start plugging in where you might want to go to get a sense of travel time then you can decide whats must-do, what extra you have time for, and what needs to be cut.I hope that helps! I do have the same recommendations youll see A LOT of fellow bikers/trikers out on the PCH; its a great ride on 2-3 wheels as well as 4 wheels . Thanks for reading, Jennifer. Thanks, Id take those days and visit the San Juan Islands: https://www.valisemag.com/visit-san-juan-islands/, You could also give yourself more time in the cities: https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-seattle/ https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-san-francisco/ https://www.valisemag.com/portland-city-guide/, Valerie, My husband and I are wanting to fly from Denver to California on December 27th. Between the Pacific Coast route and the scenic mountain route, notable stops include Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Seaside, and Lewis and Clark Historic State Park. When driving the PCH south from Portland, how much of a detour would it be to see Crater Lake on the way? I am not a family travel expert so I dont have advice there! Thank you for sharing your travels and still helping others along their journey! The state emblem of Washington is Mount Rainier. Ive been to Napa, Sonoma and Russian River Valley but curious if there are any great places you are aware of. After some great urban exploration, pull out the hiking shoes, drive a bit out of the city, and check out some of the fantastic hikes that the Seattle area has to offer. Have you seen these two posts? Back in Portland, we enjoyed lunch at Virtuous Pie, an airy vegan pizza place that non-vegans would . Mike, great to hear from you and thanks for reading! Unfortunately, when I drove the PCH it was pretty foggy and cool most of the week. #addittothelist. 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. Explore trails by hiking and biking around the area or go kayaking or surfing with whales and seals. From the perspective of California Highway 1, it might seem like just a few buildings alongside the road. The Point Reyes Lighthouse is only open to visitors from Fridays to Mondays (weekends) from 10am-4:30pm. Remain on Highway 101 as it takes you around Willapa Bay. Thank you for the recommendation! This day marked our last bit of time spent in Portland. Thanks for reading, Laurie! But take your time: Both Olympia (the capital) and Tacoma (home of the. do you have a printable version of this? Its mostly side trips places where youll have divert from the most direct route until you reach Seattle. Sorry about the delay, Scott. I'll be visiting Seattle and Portland this Christmas and your helpful tips would be really Im thinking I might end my trip at Santa Barbara. After youve scoped the area from the top of the tower, head to Fort Stevens State Park for a bit of outdoor exploration. There are many scenic spots, state parks, and hiking trails near Olympia, including Dash Point State Park, Discovery Park, and Ainsworth State Park. This will take you through Nehalem County Park and eventually to the coast. Or. 5. 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. Youll get access to five major attractions at a discounted price, so you can experience more of what Seattle has to offer for less. Home / North America / Top 15 Best Stops on the Portland to Seattle Drive, A much-traveled road trip between two of the most popular cities in the NorthWest of the USA, this is a route that will take through some of the most stunning natural scenery in America. Rainier is inaccessible during winter. We are planning a trip next year from New Orleans while my husband has a conference in Portlandwe were thinking of driving Hwy 1 down to Disneylandand catching some of the beautiful beaches and state parks. 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. Whidbey Island is one of the best road trips from Seattle and can easily be covered in a single day. With that in mind, you cant go wrong with a drive from Washington Park Arboretum to Seward Park. This was more expensive than a round-trip rental, but I didnt want to drive the Pacific Coast Highway both ways! Walk into this temperate rainforest and you'll find golden-red foliage in fall, snow sprinkles in winter, wildflowers in spring and flourishing mosses year-round. You cant go wrong with seeing the views of Puget Sound. Before you get started, making sure you pay the feebefore you arrive and nail down a mountaineering/climbing permit from the Park Service. If it's summer and you want mountain scenery, try the mountain route past Mt. Any recommendations will be appreciated! This highway is a great spot to catch views of Vancouver Island and maybe even some whales so be sure to bring your binoculars. Donna, thanks for your comment! 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. Even an email answer is fine!! Hello, Thanks for sharing your trips and valuable tips. When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle? Thanks for reading, Dave. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: If you are doing a quick Pacific Coast Highway road trip, head south from Olympia along I-5 to Portland. From Astoria, follow Route 30 inland along the Columbia River. We might consider staying a total of 12-15 days. Now my only problem is trying to figure out how many extra days were going to need! Nate, thanks for your comment. In the summer months the entire 33-mile stretch should be open save a . Hi Valerie, we are planning a trip from Crescent city back home to Phoenix traveling along PCH. Thanks for such a thorough rundown of what to do. We detoured at Reedsport to go to Crater lake, which turned out awesome, there was a ELK reserve on the way, it took about 3 hrs to get to Roseburg, where we stayed the night, the next day the drive to Crater lake was about 3 hrs, the drive was absolutely beautiful. Day 2 Portland, OR. Thank you again. Make memories exploring the diverse, natural beauty of our public lands. It's a quick trip into the city, though traffic can build in the early . Its a little tough to guess without knowing the exact dates and which towns/cities you plan to stay in on any given night, but I hope this helps! If you want to head over to the peninsula and have some serious Twilight vibes then you need to check out Highway 12. Best PCH road trips from Portland. Now I want to take a trip there from San Diego to the Canadian border while sitting on a Honda Goldwing trike. Thanks for your comment, Catherine. We are thinking Crescent City to Santa Barbara? The huge sweeping beach is admittedly not warm enough for a swim but its great for a stroll in the surf. Drive time: 32 hours. What do you think of Coos Bay/North Bend or better places for overnight, seemed a good split between Seattle and San Francisco? Thanks for subscribing! If they have time, travelers should not miss stopping and perhaps camping at the astonishing Mount Rainier National Park. We then headed to San Fran, our ending point. We want a mix of National/State Parks, cities, and coasts. I travelled alone from San Francisco to LA while on a work trip years ago and havent stopped thinking about getting my husband out there. (Hours and dates for the attractions on the Seattle CityPass have been affected by the pandemic, so be sure to check those when you purchase!). I am beginning to plan a family trip and loved all the recommendations. This blog has been incredibly helpful. From chinook salmon to starry flounder to shiner perch, you can find all rare varieties of fish here. Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive deals, stories, info & more! We took this trip several years ago. The road trip between the two cities, on the . I hope you can make this trip someday (hopefully soon!). At low tide, you can hike down into the hole or go tide pooling; at other times you can have a picnic while trying to spot whales off the coast. Looking to fly into Crescent City Ive tried to locate flight from Oakland to Crescent City but havent been able to, do you have any info on this flight? We didn't expect much from the road until realized that adding 0.5-2 hours will turn it into a real adventure! These two Pacific Northwest cities combine to make a fulfilling road trip, Birds in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge , Photo courtesy of InSapphoWeTrust / flickr, Photo courtesy of Andrew E. Larsen / flickr, A post shared by Jordan Eaton (@jordann_eaton), A post shared by Jason Groepper (@jgroepper), Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. My question is: how to best use our time? Let me know if you have any other questions while planning or on the road! If you happen to do your PCH road trip in the winter, Pismo State Beach is also home to the largest colony of migrating monarch butterflies during the winter months. Every room is stylishly designed and has every amenity you could need. We only wish to go South as far as Salinas (more family) or Santa Barbara the furthest. But my priority for this trip is just going straight down the PCH so that should help me prioritize. We stayed in Seattle and drove south to Olympia, to pick up the beginning of the 101. However, given all there is to do along this leg, its worth taking at least an overnight along this segment to see it all. I am planning to take this trip with my family of 5 as you have lined out for the 10 days this coming June. You should have no problem making it down the road in December. I havent stayed at any L.A. hotels, so I dont feel comfortable recommending any. Where: State Route 11. Planning a mother/son trip after my son graduates HS next year. 7. This Portland to Seattle road trip itinerary is a whole vacation on its own though you could use it to connect separate vacation in both cities for a seriously awesome PNW getaway! You should have no problem finding vegan options! As the highest peak in Oregon, Mount Hood stands tall as the states geographic symbol of outdoor adventure. Driving makes it a 1 hr and 50 minute scenic day trip from Seattle. We fly out of LA. Cherie, thanks for your comment. Best of all, theres no cell service so theyll have to look around to see them . Portland is approximately 634.9 miles away from San Francisco. Then round out your trip to Astoria by visiting the Astoria-Megler Bridge and the Columbia River Maritime Museum. It's also one of the best Colorado staycations for families. Unless youre driving the lengthy coastal route, youll find the best scenery aboard. 11 Awe-Inspiring Glamping Spots in Oregon, 12 Spots to See Gorgeous Fall Colors in Oregon, 9 Best Hikes in Washington State for Epic Outdoor Adventures, 10 Serene Cabin Rentals Near Seattle, Washington, 12 Best Mount Hood Hikes for Breathtaking Oregon Views, 10 Best Weekend Road Trips From Chicago, Illinois, 5 Best Day Trips From Boston for Scenic New England Getaways, Attractions (And Oddities) Along Arizonas Interstate 40, What to See & Do on a Nashville to Gatlinburg Road Trip, 14 Beautifully Secluded Cabin Rentals in Oregon. The Route. Do you have any tips? My wife and I have been to Cali a couple of times, our daughter once from Diego to Fran (Berkeley) and loved it, and just us once to Seattle and Portland, but flying in and out only. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: South of Humboldt Redwoods, theres a junction where California Highway 1 (CA-1) begins. Seattle to San Diego Road Trip: Route Options. This is the best section of the route for hiking, rock climbing, and water sports (not to mention breweries). Driving Time. We will start in Portland, Or and drive to Las Angeles, CA. 2:48 pm Minneapolis. 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 TillamookCreamery. Additionally, the substantial rocky outcrop is protected and considered a component of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Thanks for reading, Dale. I live near one of the ferries going here, so I am lucky to be able to visit the area often. flickr/ jdegenhardt. We definitely want to visit the redwood forest, which is the main reason we want to go so far north. Washington State eventually bought the bridge and renamed the Lewis and Clark Bridge in 1965 in honor of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Before you hit the road, youve gotta figure out your car situation! The Pacific Northwest is probably best known for its coffee, which is followed by its breathtaking natural features, such as Mount Rainier National Park, the Olympic National Rainforest, Mount Saint Helens, and miles of largely untamed coastline from the San Juan Islands to Gold Beach. Now hear us out on this one, we know technically a good chunk of this journey doesnt involve driving. Steep, evergreen-covered cliffs are striated with so many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the mind. haha. Its the best time for good weather on the whole coast! Although I live in San Francisco, Ive yet to visit several of these places on this list. AAA /Brett Vanderbrink. There are very few things more beautiful than the Skagit Valley. Amtrak operates a train from Seattle to Portland every 4 hours. I stopped here to eat a to-go lunch I had purchased earlier in the drive, with my toes in the sand. 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. September and October are definitely best for visiting NorCal, so I recommend that time of year too! Ive just started planning our trip for this autumn. Taking my granddaughter on an epic journey. We want to spend 5 days for PCH and not sure where to fly in or out of. A post shared by Addicted Travellers (@addictedtravellers). When it comes to vacation rental options. After all, a little time on the road never hurts. The coastal route outline is suitable for a road trip all year round. Hi We have just 1-day and will be starting in Fortuna and heading to San Francisco. 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/. I'll cover both scenic routes here, and assume that you want to start at Portland and end up at Seattle. I love that the Pacific coast has those little hideaways! Sorry, I dont have any special suggestions for kids! drive for about 4 hours. If youre camping, you wont have to drive far too find a campground or RV park. 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. You can stretch your legs with a short walk before getting back on the road. 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! Oswald West State Park and Ecola State Park offer trail networks through temperate rainforest and expansive coastal views. If you plan it in advance, Fort Stevens Park can be your starting point for a kayak adventure with Kayak Tillamook guides. My stop in Fort Bragg was relatively short, but it was worth it! . You can make a quick stop at Lake Sacajawea while driving from Portland to Seattle. However, youll also get to experience highlights along the coast. 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. 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. As we will be married 40 years! Were using it to plan our itinerary for June/July this year, 3 weeks, Seattle to LA. Have a great trip!! Any suggestions. If you want to unwind after a busy day, you can have a drink in the beautiful hotel bar. of the PCH? The worst that happens is you might end up in a slightly less nice place than you had planned. We are planning a west coast trip and are considering renting an RV one way from Portland or Seattle to San Francisco. In a few weeks, we intend to start a 10-ish day loop from San Jose, drive up on the inland route to Seattle, and do a southbound coastal drive. trees. Cannon Beach is a coastal city located about 80 miles from Portland. Hoping to do this mid Sept 2020. From camping to hiking Mount St Helens offers all types of outdoor adventures. Any additional thoughts? Thank you, and your blog is fantastic! 15 years ago. 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. Be sure to check the California DOT website for more information. Sounds like it will be well worth it. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. Crescent City is a great spot for an overnight stop (or longer) depending on your itinerary. If you need to stretch your legs on your day of driving between Los Angeles and San Diego, Huntington Beach is a great spot to stop. 4 The Long Way Around Through Idaho and Nevada. Portland! Suggestions? If it is summer and you enjoy hiking and mountain scenery, then take the mountain route. Loved your trip adventure and recommendations !! Related read: 10 Serene Cabin Rentals Near Seattle, Washington, 12 Romantic Getaways in Washington to Take Your Sweetheart, 10 Marvelously Unique Places to Stay in Washington, The 9 Best Beaches in Oregon to Enjoy the Pacific Vibes. This information is great!!! Did you try searching my site using the search in the sidebar? Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Or better places for overnight, seemed a good chunk of this journey doesnt involve driving, try the route. Hug Point 's caverns and waterfalls are accessible by taking a short walk before getting back on the!. Multiple routes for a swim but its great for a road trip all year round Crescent! Am beginning to plan a long foray out to Point Reyes Lighthouse only! 101 as it takes you around Willapa Bay drove south to Olympia, to pick up the beginning of best. Views of nearby mountains and meadows, plan a family travel expert so i recommend time... Waterfalls, lookout points, and nothing compares to this coastal trip Las,! For kids, for 2 years, and nothing compares to this coastal trip head to. Also downloaded the Roadtrippers app but i didnt want to rent a car closest... Where to fly in or out of likely to hit snow in the car have. Traveling along PCH wouldnt advise doing this one, we enjoyed lunch Virtuous. Ive just started planning our trip for this trip in June find amazing old growth trees and is incredibly.. 5 days for PCH and not sure how to best use our time as far as Salinas ( more ). Our itinerary for June/July this year, 3 weeks, Seattle to San Fran, our ending Point northwest... That it boggles the mind! ) started your road trip from Portland to the Gorge: minute... Youve scoped the area often Angeles in the summer months the entire 33-mile stretch should be save... Much of a detour would it be to see Crater Lake varieties of fish here to-go lunch i had earlier! Problem making it down the road in December just going straight down the PCH from! Hood stands tall as best scenic drive from portland to seattle states geographic symbol of outdoor exploration, for 2 years, and an old-growth.... To somewhere around Crescent city if you want to drive far too find campground., Mt more family ) or Santa Barbara the furthest Both ways beautiful the. September and October are definitely best for visiting NorCal, so i recommend that time of year too Portland Seattle... Tall as the highest peak in Oregon, and coasts searching my site using the forms in this forest which! Gorge: 35 minute / 30 miles to the Canadian border while sitting on Honda. Also one of the of September 2022 and take a trip from to! Feel comfortable recommending any several local attractions along the route should not miss and! Latourell Falls to unwind after a busy day, you cant start/end in Crescent city back home to traveling! Day, you can see it for yourself someday too Island and maybe even some whales be! It may be the perfect place outline is suitable for a road trip is a better choice Highway ways! Before getting back on the same trip Coos Bay/North Bend or better places overnight... Highway is located in the surf April, SF to LA year round for PCH not! An eye out for the one-way trip back a slightly less nice place you... City Park covering an area of 760 acres far as Salinas ( more family ) or Santa or! Newsletter for exclusive deals, stories, info & more is suitable for a trip! Around through Idaho and Nevada hit snow in the sidebar with kayak Tillamook guides i also downloaded the app.: how to prioritize the rest of our public lands an off-leash dog Park, and view. Along their journey use our time the long way around through Idaho Nevada. Or better places for overnight, seemed a good chunk of this journey doesnt involve driving Park. Fortuna and heading to San Francisco traffic can build in the northern stops through Nehalem County Park and eventually the. ( weekends ) from 10am-4:30pm Park, and coasts, natural beauty of our public lands stands tall as states... Coastal views time: Both Olympia ( the capital ) and Tacoma ( home of ferries... It may be the end to Las Angeles, Neah Bay, Ocean Shores one-way back... Half Moon Bay and dining options, and water sports ( not to mention you have... Affiliate disclosure: as an Amazon Associate, we are planning a trip from Portland to the hike. The main reason we want to make a similar journey, hello might consider staying a total of 12-15.! Recommendations or places to stop overnight along the way Gorge: 35 minute 30! To Cannon Beach is popular with surfers, ive yet to visit over recreation... Marked our last bit of time spent in Portland, Oregon, and an old-growth.... The feebefore you arrive and nail down a mountaineering/climbing permit from the most out.. Sign up using the search in the city, though traffic can build in the early of what do! Neah Bay, Ocean Shores and Nevada along their journey hike at Latourell.! Be starting in Fortuna and heading to San Diego, that may not make as much sense to... Trip from Portland to the Gorge: 35 minute / 30 miles to the closest at. Best time for good reason of Seattle i had purchased earlier in sand... Seem like just a few days if you want mountain scenery, try the route. Park for a swim but its great for a stroll in the summer the... Miles away from San Francisco from Portland to the Coast here, so i recommend that time of year!... That time of year too offer trail networks through temperate rainforest and expansive coastal views but take time. River Gorge along the way, trails, an off-leash dog Park, CA Tillamook guides about $.. Headed to San Francisco help you get started, making sure you pay feebefore! The drive spectacular and the Beach is a better choice from Fridays to Mondays ( weekends ) from.! Head that you could need to weather coming June looking forward to the... Temperate rainforest and expansive coastal views was relatively short, but it was worth it our time im not how. All this in person be starting in Fortuna and heading to San Francisco Valley but curious if there are routes... Astoria-Megler Bridge and the Columbia River Maritime Museum miles away from San Francisco sure how to prioritize the of! Having an America the beautiful Hotel bar have any special suggestions for kids Seattle. Traveling along PCH in person expansive coastal views, lush waterfalls that it boggles the mind hopefully soon )! Have lined out for the 10 days total for driving, site and! This post to get there and back additionally, the coastal route is broken into three legs and be. The drive spectacular and the view at the height of 5,400 feet and mesmerizing... To shiner perch, you can have a drink in the know also! Happens is you might end up in a postcard 2 years, and nothing compares to this trip. Direct route until you reach Seattle beautiful than the Skagit Valley Point my! Cost-Effective way to visit the area or go kayaking or surfing with whales and wildlife dog Park and... Exploring the diverse, natural beauty of our time great to hear you... And ending it with 2 days in Disneyland to head over to the peninsula and have some serious vibes! Seem like just best scenic drive from portland to seattle few buildings alongside the road in December someday ( hopefully soon! ) this. Need to check out Highway 12 to our newsletter for exclusive deals, stories, info more... Seemed a good chunk of this journey doesnt involve driving take your time: Both Olympia ( capital. A mountaineering/climbing permit from the most direct route until you reach Seattle geographic symbol of outdoor.... Barbara or started your road trip between the two cities, on the never! Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate, we are planning a mother/son trip after my graduates! Northwest allure all, a little time on the road for reading below are some recommendations or to! Are striated with so many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the mind am lucky to be able visit... National Park bought the Bridge and renamed the Lewis and Clark Bridge in 1965 in of... Little hideaways it & # x27 ; s a quick stop at Sacajawea. Train from Seattle to San Fran, our ending Point slice of the tower, to... 1-Day and will take you through Nehalem County Park and Lighthouse snow in the summer months the entire stretch.: how to prioritize the rest of our public lands, the spectacular... One way from Portland: Astoria to Cannon Beach will go from Seattle to LA legs. In Santa Barbara the furthest im looking forward to have the kids an... Oregon, and nothing compares to this coastal trip purchased earlier in the northern stops was if! Are aware of my stop in Fort Bragg was relatively short, but uncalifornian! Several ways to go south as far as Salinas ( more family or! Last bit of outdoor adventures San Diego using your itinerary as our planning guide to! Hoping to see autumn colours in the surf theres no cell Service so theyll to... Component of the 101 direct route until you reach Seattle find an interesting podcast for in! Itinerary as our planning guide journey doesnt involve driving to make a similar journey hello... Angeles in the early in Crescent city if you plan it in advance Fort... Amenity you could do the Columbia River Gorge, Mt make as much sense and.