Continue south, heading to Tillamook Creamery for ice cream and a fun cheese-making tour. Here are a few pit stops to consider stopping for. Within the cone of that volcano, called Mount Mazama, is a stunningly blue body of water called Crater Lake. westcoastbound. Grab a freshly baked bagel from Los Bagels,a crepe from Renatas Creperie and Espresso oran ice cream from Arcata Scoop(or all of the above!). Spend some time on the coast and check out the things to do in Monterey. This is the one where you can drive your car through actual living redwoods! to each other and sharing tips and advice. Its a no frills option, with great value rooms with modern amenities. Traveling with a dog or cat? Just 15 minutes from Monterey, youll find a variety of cheaper hotels. Seattle and San Francisco are the two cities in the world that we have, collectively, called home. Crescent City. We are looking to plan this exact trip this summer and Im so happy to find your blog! As you can tell, Jacob was less than impressed. Head out to the Olympic Peninsula by taking the Bainbridge Island Ferry. Potato Champion 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. Remember, like you, people planning a San Francisco road trip need your opinion. If you're in the mood for something more extravagant, you can enjoy a cocktail in the Lobby Lounge before taking a dip in the gigantic swimming pool. Artsy area with fun little shops Its a beautiful place to visit while on your road trip. Redding (11 answers) Voodoo Doughnuts I (Matt) grew up in Seattle, and lived there for 15+ years before relocating to San Francisco, where I met Alysha, who grew up in the Bay Area. Day 5: If you missed any of the redwoods above, double back and make sure to catch them. So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. Wait, wheres Fishermans Wharf on this list? Limited time in Napa, help with my itinerary! We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from Seattle to San Francisco as enjoyable as possible. 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. Finish the drive into San Francisco, stopping in the Marin Headlands at the Golden Gate Bridge to hike down to Kirby Cove and marvel at the beauty of the bridge before driving into the city and to the airport to drop off your rental car (or to your final stop, wherever that might be). restaurants around Napa: The best resource on neighborhoods, areas, We have a whole guide on the best places to stay in San Francisco that is well worth a read if youre looking for more detail from people who ACTUALLY lived in the city for almost a decade. Japanese Gardens (15 mentions) Sounds interesting right? Lardo stay for about 1 hour and leave at 10:37 amdrive for about 1.5 hours, 12:00 pm Mount Shasta (California) 9:00 am start in Seattledrive for about 2.5 hours, 11:43 am Portland www .seattle .gov. Where to stay on the San Francisco to Seattle drive? Day 6: Continue your coastal journey by heading to Point Reyes National Seashore, another one of our favorite spots in California (and 30 minutes from where Alysha grew up). After the volcano erupted around 8,000 years ago, the collapsed summit eventually stored enough water to create the lake. Shasta? 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Wildlife Safari (3 mentions) We recommend avoiding flying out of San Jose (SJO), which is two hours south of San Francisco, because roads to get there are prone to heavy traffic that will make it an even longer journey. It will help people who will take the same Seattle to San Francisco route. Rainier National Park is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Make sure you check road conditions Whats the weather like and is there any concerns doing it that late? Limited time in Napa, help with my itinerary! 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. Crater Lake is the largest lake in the United States (over 1900 ft deep!) Get ready for a day of tree exploring! If you're driving from Seattle WA to San Francisco CA check the weather conditions for a safer trip. A road trip through the Pacific Northwest and Northern California is equally epic, but with less traffic. Ashland is a cool little town known for hosting the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Continue south past Willamette and Umpqua National Forests before pulling into Medford. This tree is HUGE but in fact, not even the largest! We have lived, collectively, in exactly three cities. One of our all-time favourite things to eat! Best free things to do in Ashland (Oregon)? Drive time (to Eureka): 5 hours / 245 miles. Waking up to an unprecedented view of the city's marvelous architecture is one of the best ways to start your day, and St Regis' incredible suites let you do just that. The day we had been waiting for! Nonstop drive: 807 miles or 1299 km Driving time: 12 hours, 32 minutes Traveling from Seattle to San Francisco is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. Find all the transport options for your trip from Seattle to San Francisco right here. This seaside town has one of the most historic boardwalks in the state. However, travel is about, Read More Gluten Free Boston: A Complete Guide for CeliacsContinue, Zion National Park is one of our favorite national parks in the United States, with its surprisingly lush, green canyon juxtaposed with towering red rock walls, and the blue-green hues of the winding Virgin River. First, at Lake Crescent to hike to Marymere Falls. Today is a long but good day of driving. (20 answers), Valerie from Los Angeles asked:What is your favorite restaurant in San Francisco? Find pet-friendly stops. United States. We basically spent a full two months on this route last summer, and it was every bit as memorable, beautiful, and amazing as you might imagine. 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. Its super touristy, and kind of overrated and boring in general. Read our road, Discover hidden gems & the hot spots of Oahu, from hiking trails to beautiful beaches., See the places we stopped on our road trip from Greece to Croatia, going via, This was everything I needed! You wont regret it. We usually prefer Airbnb for stays longer than a day or two, and Seattle has some awesome Airbnb options. If youre only going to do it once, do it right. There are so many places to stop and it all depends on the time you have as well as your interests. Visiting in July for 5 days with my boyfriend, where and what must we do? The hotel is a bit on the expensive side, as you might expect, but if any resort in the area is worthy of its price tag, it's definitely this one. It's worth parking at the toll plaza ( here on Google Maps) to get some nice pictures of the bridge. 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. Explore a route and we'll find the best locations to keep you charged along the way and upon arrival. Im a foodie at, Read More Gluten Free San Francisco: A Complete Guide for CeliacsContinue. If you're planning a road trip to San Francisco, you can research locations to stop along the way. Psst! questions about Redding: The travelplan so far. 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! Its in Union Square, which honestly kinda sucks, but its affordable and stylish. Have you done this road trip before? Your email address will not be published. or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. Morimoto Monterey Bay > Pacific Grove > 17 Mile Drive > Pebble Beach > Carmel-by-the-sea > Point Lobos > Monterey (or Seaside to sleep). With limited time between three and five days youre going to want to stick to I-5. Continue south, stopping in Humboldt Redwoods State Park to drive the Avenue of the Giants, one of the most scenic drives in all of California. That could be more time than you have. 4. We love this stylish Airbnb in Capitol Hill, which is perfect for traveling couples. Unfortunately, outside of summer, the rides are only open on the weekends. Here are some options for where to stay in Seattle whether you prefer staying in hotels or in an Airbnb. Sure, its cool to see the sea lions at Pier 39, but we think you can find better things to do with your time in San Francisco. Trippy members suggest Ike's Place, which was mentioned 23 times. If youre lucky, you may spot the local bald eagles. One of the liveliest, most accessible neighbourhoods. Navarro Vineyards and Roederer Estate are our favorites. Can you hike on Mt. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 5 Best Restaurants On The Way From Seattle To San Francisco. Hood River Hotel is a close second. You can toggle between map views using the buttons above. Life is all about the journey, not the destination! (were probably gonna do a 10-14 day trip). Spend the night at either the Olympic Lodge or a vacation rental along the shores of Lake Sutherland. Airbnb: Weve stayed in a bunch of Airbnbs in Portland on our numerous trips over the years. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:00 pmdrive for about 1 hour, 2:04 pm Redding . For us, we stayed with a friend we met in Chile 2 years ago (travel is awesome!) Taking the quickest possible route, the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes 13 hours and spans 810 miles. Read Next: A Locals Guide to the Best Gluten Free Restaurants in San Francisco. Click the blue button below. The best things to see and do between Seattle and San Francisco. Heres what we recommend. 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. 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. The road trio from Seattle to San Francisco is full of incredible activities and experiences. San Francisco. (17 answers). The tallest trees on the planet are on full display in the Redwoods National and State Parks. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. There are picturesque coastal towns, wildflowers galore during the spring, cool ocean breezes in the summer (definitely expect fog too), serene beaches, and towering redwoods that will leave you in awe. Visiting in July for 5 days with my boyfriend, where and what must we do? Download this app. 53-63000. 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. Though I cant say the same for the also-famous but largely uninspired gum wall, which is downright disgusting if you really stop to think about it. If youre anything like us, by now you may be sick of trees and slightly hungry so pull off the highway and stop into Arcata for lunch. questions about Napa: Sign up receive our monthly newsletter with updates and new in-depth guides. Spend the afternoon in Cannon Beach, spending some time on the beach near Haystack Rock and then eat lunch at Public Coast Brewing. Explore Capitol Hill: Our favorite! Stay at the Graduate Hotel, a college-themed boutique hotel in the center of Eugene. Best coffee shops in Portland For more information about the best places on the Seattle to San Francisco journey, you can check the 3 Best Places To Visit On The Way From Seattle To San Francisco part. So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. The MoPop is a must for music and culture lovers, with tons of unique and fascinating exhibits about music and pop culture you wont find anywhere else in the world. Drive down the I-5 corridor, making stops at Mt. Miles and miles of rugged, unspoiled coastline that hugs the oceans edge. Click on any question to see answers from the community! The views are cool (check out Kerry Park nearby for the best views in Seattle), but its expensive and kind of uninspiring. drive for about 41 minutes. 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. Cap Hill as we locals call it, is home to the best selection of food, drinks, and coffee in the city. on Amazon that will make travel fun for them. If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Seattle to San Francisco journey, you can consider the five restaurants we have chosen. You could very easily extend your time on this route with additional nights in the aforementioned locations. He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip. The Society is the best value hotel in Portland, with options from dorm rooms to suites, so you can pick an option that works for your style and budget. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA. So sorry for the late reply I totally missed this. What is your favorite restaurant in Portland? Youll want to stay in a hotel, since youll only be in town for a night, and it should probably be the Society Hotel in Bingen, the sister hotel to the one in Portland (which weve stayed at and loved). You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Hood, Bend, and Crater Lake, which will take significantly more time than the other two options. Best free things to do in Redding? This road trip is 808 miles and takes about 12 hours and 30 minutes. Our favorites would be Becks Motor Lodge (close to the Mission) and Hotel Kabuki (in Japantown). Recently, we have chosen to put down roots in Portland, Oregon, and look forward to exploring even more of the Pacific Northwest (Matt grew up in Seattle, so he knows it well). The water is exceptionally blue and when the sunlight hits the water, its simply stunning. Especially on the weekdays. Once in Vacaville, take Interstate 80 through Fairfield, then cross the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge. Stay hungry and enjoy! Thank you so much for posting this and with such fabulous photos! 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. Sightseeing in Napa? Stop by Rachels Ginger Beer, Beechers Cheese (their flagship cheese is one of my top three all time favorites), and Ellenos Frozen Greek Yogurt while youre there. and was formed by the eruption and collapsing of a volcano, Mount Mazama 7,700 years ago. You can roam the vineyards, taste plenty of wines and relax while overlooking acres of grapes. 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. And we dont recommend it. These hotels are listed below. Its on the south side of Mount Rainier, around 5,400 feet above sea level, featuring colorful wildflower meadows in late summer, evergreen groves, and massive glaciers. Instagram: @just.globetrotting & @justcreative, Just Globetrotting | Jacob & Emily Cass. Note: We skip over San Francisco here, and loop back to itbecause our flight leaves from San Francisco+ we have to return our rental car here. Domaine Carneros (14 mentions) From there, visit Klamath and Shasta-Trinity national Forests, and consider doing an optional detour to Lassen National Forest. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. And for this, 9.00 AM will be late. This is a 31 mile scenic stretch of road that runs through the Red Wood Forest parallel to the highway. The 808 miles of the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes around 12 hours and 47 mins of driving without stops. Spend the afternoon and evening in Mendocino, exploring Fort Bragg and the town of Mendocino. Stop at Redwoods National and State Parks: Seeing the redwoods is a must when youre in Northern California. These are some of the best resorts this incredible itinerary has to offer: Oregon's largest city is the most logical place to spend a weekend on your road trip from Seattle to San Francisco, especially if you're driving the interstate route. Theres nothing worse than being 100 miles from the nearest toilet! Planning a trip in your Tesla? Overall, we think you should choose either the Mission District or Hayes Valley if you have a car. Drive Time from San Francisco: 20 minutes / 7 miles Your trip starts with a drive across the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge. 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. Drive to Port Angeles, with a stop at Nourish Sequim along the way for a delicious (and gluten free) lunch. We have five restaurant recommendations worth your attention. Before we go on to give you our 2-week itinerary, please note that there is no right or wrong way to do this trip. The Pacific Science Center is a great stop for kids, with interactive exhibits that make for a perfect rainy day activity in Seattle. The central route down I-5, while definitely the quickest, is BORING. Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. Here are our favorite things to do in Point Reyes National Seashore. Day 1: Seattle, Washington (3 days) Day 4: Seattle - Willamette Valley (222 miles/357 km) Day 5: Willamette Valley - Pacific City (63 miles/101 km) eat at Voodoo Doughnuts Do the Skyline Trail (6 miles, moderately difficult), one of the best hikes in Washington State, to get up close and personal with the Mountain (note that you wont be able to do this in the winter, but its still worth visiting Rainier). Yep, the name speaks for itself! Today, an island called Wizard Island juts up from beneath the surface of the water. We have selected seven hotels for you. We loved this modern guesthouse right off of Hawthorne Blvd (the best street in Portland) and this cozy apartment in the hip Alberta Arts District, which is a cool spot to base yourself. CitizenM Seattle is one of the best value hotels in Seattle. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. This 807-mile drive will take you to some of the best spots in the Pacific Northwest. For example, in the Marina youll run into bar-hopping twentysomethings who just moved out of the fraternity, while the Outer Sunset is basically a, Read More Where to Stay in San Francisco: A Locals Complete GuideContinue, Lets get this out of the way at the top Boston is definitely not the best city for gluten free foodies in the United States. We wouldnt recommend spending the night here instead, continue south to Portland for the night, which is just a couple of hours south. Required fields are marked *. McMinnville. Advice to avoid snowy road conditions from SF to Seattle (January). Its just outside of downtown Hood River, on the Washington side. What makes summer an appealing time to visit The Golden City are the mild climate and the abundance of amazing events. We have a whole guide to the best places to stay in Seattle to help you find the perfect neighborhood and place to stay. This route has a total of 24 hours of driving split up between 10-14 days when you follow our recommendations below. The best road trip route from Seattle to San Francisco is definitely the coastal one - while taking the interstate can also take you to some incredible places, nothing can match the combination of the Pacific Coast to the west and the chain of parks and forests to the east. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Hood River. Lithia Park (2 mentions) 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. next trip! Past Dunnigan, hop onto Interstate 505 and either follow it south to Vacaville or detour to Sacramento. A unique experience awaits you in San Francisco. Mendocino is a largely unspoiled area of California that has beaches, valleys, and forests. Keep your eye out for the Elks! Both are cool cities, and you could do a day trip into the beautiful wilderness just outside either citys limits. You wont want to miss our detailed guides to visiting Mount Rainier that are all based on our own personal experience exploring the park. And our favorite spots to drink, whether youre looking for a flight of craft beer or a $20 cocktail (were joking kind of). Here we list three of them. Day 4: Get an early start and make a beeline for the California border. Featuring both the ocean and some of the finest parks and forests in the country, this is one of the most legendary itineraries in all of America. On the way from Seattle to San Francisco, you may want to stay at some points on the way. You can also see most people recommend as the best amount of time to visit. What is your favorite restaurant in Portland? Expect to drive 2-6 hours a day with 1 or 2 longer days. The only thing to watch out for weather-wise is snow on the Siskyou Pass and the rest of southern Oregon in the winter months. Jessica from asked:Best seafood restaurant in S.F.? Keep Calm and Travel On |. 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. It's okay, you can start planning your With an early-morning flight booked well in advance, it's possible. If you find it difficult to organize your luggage on the road trip, take a look at the, Are you traveling with children? For once, I wasnt the tallest! Recommended car for this road trip: Large SUV. Though, obviously, you probably didnt quit your job to adventure in your converted Honda Odyssey, so theres that. Surprisingly, there are no rivers or flowing water that enters the lake, the water simply comes from rain and the melting of snow making it one of the cleanest and clearest bodies of water in the world. Choosing which vineyards to visit can be rather overwhelming, so we strongly recommend spending at least a night at one of the magnificent Bed and Breakfasts to get the full experience. Seattle Center: I actually dont really recommend you go up to the top of the Space Needle. From here, cross the Columbia River via Route 30 and continue west until you reach the coast. Want more awesome west coast travel guides to inspire your next trip, and empower you with all the information you need to plan it? Post-activity, eat some fresh, local oysters at Hog Island and some local cheese at Cowgirl Creamery.

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seattle to san francisco road trip map