Thanks for your amazing feedback, and Im so glad to help! With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. Should we go down the coast only (plus say Portland & Crater Lk), or head inland given how much time we have? Anyway, we are looking to do the very same drive. Appreciate you sharing your experience and advice. I also agree that Point Reyes (and the lighthouse) is spectacular and my top place to go when in North Ca. Hi Valerie, Great tips! Such a thorough guide! Thinking approximately 250 miles a day. Where: State Route 11. Now I want to take a trip there from San Diego to the Canadian border while sitting on a Honda Goldwing trike. We always wanted to do an RV trip, but maybe the PCH is not the one to do that on?? Would you have any other suggestions since I am using 4 more days and not going south to Sa Diego and strarting in Vancouver? If you take I-5 South, it's the most direct route, and it will take you about 10 hours to get there. Id recommend booking or at least searching every hotel you want to stay at, and the nights you want to stay, so you can get a sense of exactly how much its going to cost. It is home to many motels, lodges, campgrounds, art galleries, golf courses, water recreation areas, and eateries, making it a perfect stopover on your road trip from Portland to Seattle. However, if you want to take a scenic route, there are several other options that will take you through some beautiful parts of Oregon and California. Address: 1250 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134, United States. If I am going to follow your 10 day itinerary from Washington State to San Diego, how many overnight stays can I have? Im a lover of US Road Trips, deserted beaches bathed in warm glow of a sunset, Cuban mojitos, travel destinations far away from the tourist crowds and all things Scandinavian from cloudberry liquors to Nordic noirs. I hope this helps! My problem is going to be deciding what not to do because Ill only have so much time (and money). This will be a great tool in planning. Sunrise also features miles of trails amidst Mount Fremont, Burroughs Mountain, and Sourdough Ridge. We are planning to stay overnight at the Madonna Inn. Great questions, Julie. So deciding where to stay can be tricky, especially since there are plenty of places to stay along this segment. 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. Tourists will enjoy watching the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, a stunning coastal town, along US Route 30. Many thanks, alex, Alex, unfortunately, this might not be the trip for you. But take your time: Both Olympia (the capital) and Tacoma (home of the Museum of Glass) are worth a stop. This means traffic shouldn't be a problem anywhere along the route. Question, if we were to add a stop, possible one night stay at Crater Lake, where would you suggest doing this from without missing much, (or any?) Instagram. Explore trails by hiking and biking around the area or go kayaking or surfing with whales and seals. All you have to do is take a cruise down Magnolia Boulevard. The fastest route is via the I-5 N highway, which takes you through some of the most beautiful areas of the Pacific Northwest. If you're heading up north you can't go wrong with a cruise on Chuckanut Drive. I especially appreciate your links to stays and dine. Sorry, but theres no way to do the drive to Seattle and back along the PCH in just 7 days. I am thinking 5 days from Portland to LA. Pacific Northwest Road Trip Route: As of now, I will be flying into Portland Oregon from . From the perspective of California Highway 1, it might seem like just a few buildings alongside the road. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. From camping to hiking Mount St Helens offers all types of outdoor adventures. Crater lake was amazing!! Looking forward to follow your tips. You wont have as much time to spend in each city, or to take a few of the long drives, but youll see it all in a short span of time. Five days to drive down the Pacific Coast is absolutely doable! Route 8 will lead you directly into Olympia, where you will need to merge with Interstate 5. (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!). Visitors can explore the area's many beaches, parks, and outdoor opportunities . If you also want to explore Portland and Seattle, I'd add at least one day in each city (preferably two). This was more expensive than a round-trip rental, but I didnt want to drive the Pacific Coast Highway both ways! The worst that happens is you might end up in a slightly less nice place than you had planned. We then took that to the end. 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. If you have some more time, head to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Want more? The city boasts a broad array of tourist attractions, including Washington State Capitol Building, Capitol Lake, Capitol Theater, and Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Thanks for your comment, Manny. 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. You did a fantastic job with this giude, everything is straight to the point but provided in a fun and educational way. Aretta, thanks for your comment! Once inPortland, its easy to spend a few days exploring; I have been to Portland repeatedly and there are so many experiences that can more than fill a stop on your road trip. stay overnight at Radisson Hotel Bloomington By Mall of America. I had a question regarding travel to California present time as in next week(August 14, 2021). Which Direction to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway? What are the reasons you really never got to enjoy using a convertible car? Be sure to stop at Nicks Cove in Marshall, CA for a meal or Hog Island Oyster if you love oysters! We are so overwhelmed. 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! This is my idea of an itinerary but I need to cut out one of these days or consolidate one since I really only have 8 days. Monterey is a charming town that is home to a handful of attractions, including the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, the historic Cannery Row, and the scenic 17-Mile Drive, which winds along the coast and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The park has about 10 miles of trails, including an ADA accessible trail, two 5-mile drive loops, and a ferry dock and playground. I love Portland and San Diego. The driving distance between Seattle and Portland is about 2 hours and 40 minutes. And other than his military time at Ft Lewis many years ago, we have never lived nor toured the west coast at all. The coastal route outline is suitable for a road trip all year round. I am planning for this roadtrip this December- starting from Dec 25th. Day 1 Mount Rainier National Park, WA. Thanks for your feedback, Alice, but I lived in California for several years and never heard anyone say Im going to drive PCH Ill be keeping the the if only because its proper English if Californians want to abandon that elsewhere, thats up to them . Posts: 10,966. This first segment is about 114 miles and has two-and-a-half hours of driving if you do it all at once. 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). 1. Wonderful trip sharing you made. Related Read:9 Best Hikes in Washington State for Epic Outdoor Adventures. Have a great trip! Crater Lake National Park is located in southern Oregon, about 8 hours south of Seattle and a little more than 4 hours south of Portland. 1. Would it be worth it to continue to San Diego then back to LA? of the PCH? The Astoria Column is a towering monument with murals representing the rich history and culture of the city. The ideia is to have a West Coast Beer Route drive. The three-hour drive along I-5 from Seattle to Portland is fairly unremarkable. P.S. Youd need to drive about 7-10 hours out of the way depending on the bridge, and miss major stretches of the road . They should keep an eye out for a variety of possibilities to veer off I-5 and then back on it as they travel between the splendid Seattle and the awesome Portland. The reason I recommend doing your Pacific Coast Highway road trip north to south is that youll be on the coastal side of the road. Not to mention its one of the largest mountains in the US and were lucky to have it right here. Hello, Thanks for sharing your trips and valuable tips. Thanks for your comment, Victoria! You can make a quick stop at Lake Sacajawea while driving from Portland to Seattle. Seattle is perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you have the time. Relaxing in a secluded cabin deep in the woods under a starlit sky is one of the best experiences you can have in Oregon. A post shared by Jason Morse (@jason.morselandscape). Sitting at 6,035 feet at the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs makes for a great staycation for all ages. Both offer amenities such as free WiFi and generous baggage policies. We exist to help people navigate it all. In smaller towns though, Id recommend committing to those earlier you may find you have nowhere to stay and have to drive on another 100+ miles at some parts! Unfortunately, you cant climb the lighthouse steps as it has been closed for restoration since 2001. Yes, we intend to stay a couple of nights in Portland and 2 or 3 in San Francisco but well probably look for hotels on the outskirts and travel in to the cities by car or public transport each day. A post shared by Elliot McGucken 45EPIC (@elliotmcgucken). If youve ever seen The Goonies, you know exactly what I mean. You can also attend music concerts at the park. Does that sound reasonable or doable? Im planning on doing the PCH from Seattle to SF next Sept. (We did SF to SD in 2019). Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along CA-1. The jagged coastline, infinite blue water, sunny days, gorgeous sunsets these are just a few of the reasons California Highway 1 became a popular route in the first place! We only wish to go South as far as Salinas (more family) or Santa Barbara the furthest. The garden also has a tea shop where light snacks are available for purchase. Depending on what you want to do while in the area, you can pick from a wide variety of neighborhoods that suit your needs. There are no reasonable alternatives for some of the routes like the one across Bixby Canyon Bridge (shown above). I hope you had a great drive, Mindy! It was also formed by wave erosion, and now the huge hole is a beautiful vista or hiking spot. 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA. 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. Despite the weather being slightly worse, shoulder seasons are definitely a great time to do the road trip from Portland to Seattle. If you want a quick stopover, you can visit state parks in the suburbs of Olympia. Thanks for the great ideas! 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. Sounds like youve got a great plan drive safe! I appreciate your asking for clarification! Youll get access to five major attractions at a discounted price, so you can experience more of what Seattle has to offer for less. For the mountainous route: Head east on Oregon's Highway 30 (which . Re: Scenic drive from Seattle to Portland, Oregon. The shortest way from Seattle to Crater Lake is 6.5 hours, but because of the regular traffic in Seattle and Portland, it could easily take 8 hours. Drive time: 3 hours / 155 miles. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south on CA-1, the Pacific Coast Highway. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: At this point in Northern California, the PCH is still U.S. 101. Have a great trip!! In the city, the San Francisco CityPass is a good option its super helpful for getting around and seeing the citys top sights. Tim and Janice. This will take you through Nehalem County Park and eventually to the coast. I want the most scenic route but RT 1 on the cliffs seem risky ? Great article! Sorry about the delay, Scott. https://www.valisemag.com/pacific-coast-highway-guide/ https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/ Both include info on the area between San Diego and Santa Monica. Would love to do the northern parts of PCH though I loved Portland and Seattle, but would like to see more of the coastal regions! 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. You can look out over beautiful sea stacks that dot the northern part of the Pacific Coast and stroll along the sand covered with huge driftwood formations and seafoam. This scenic roadway overlooks Samish Bay and provides views that never disappoint. Let me know if you have any other questions while planning or on the road! If you want to make your road trip truly magnificent, you must spend a few hours here before continuing your journey to Seattle. You can find out more information about the data we collect on our Privacy Policy page. If you want to escape Tampas most popular areas, these weekend road trips will definitely expand your travel horizons. Those are my top recommendations! These seem to be the hardest parts to figure out for this type of trip! Very nicely done thanks ever so much !! However I actively lament that I was on the wrong side of the road in the present tense (as in, if you ask me today, I still lament it); I didnt really realize I was on the wrong side until after my trip was over and its not like you can change your route once you start! Thanks. We were thinking October, but after reading all the comments, I think we will make it September. I have a question in regards to your amazing experiences and my hopes to travel the PCH with my older kids. The road trip between the two cities, on the . Depending on the region of the town, the drive often takes three hours on a good day. distance from Seattle: ~1 hr and 15 mins | driving directions (with ferry) | driving directions (without ferry, which is ~2.5 hrs) | best for: excellent seafood and wineries. Pismo State Beach is another great stop during a day of driving from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (or reverse). A road trip implies a trip between two destinations with some (generally unplanned) stops along the way, whereas a trip between point A and point B with a specific timeline in mind is more a trip by car than a "road trip.". Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south on U.S. Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast to Newport. From there we are planning on 4 days drive/stop on high 1 (PCH) up to Santa Monica/Malibu then flight out LAX. There are very few things more beautiful than the Skagit Valley. The huge sweeping beach is admittedly not warm enough for a swim but its great for a stroll in the surf. Im planning a trip for end of this year most probably the California part only. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is also home to over 20,000 birds belonging to 275 different migrating species. 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