Start here. We continued on until we picked up the beginning of CA Hwy 1. The only places you can fly would be Crescent City but itll require changing through San Francisco anyway. Its almost unfair that there are so many great stops in this segment, given the (probably) limited time you likely have to drive it. Tourists will enjoy watching the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, a stunning coastal town, along US Route 30. The marvelous park, nestled in Tacoma which is Washington's third-largest city outside of Seattle, is a vast urban park with a sizable zoo, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, aquarium, beaches, rose and rhododendron gardens, and trails. Before you hit the road, youve gotta figure out your car situation! Adrian, great to hear from you! Thanks for your comment, Patty! So with that in mind, here are 10 of the most scenic drives near Seattle to take this summer. 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. Great post. I am planning a trip in late July. So if picturesque fields of flowers and amazing farmland sound like something you want to see, the Skagit Valley is only a short drive from Seattle. The ideia is to have a West Coast Beer Route drive. Seattle is one of my favorite destinations in the world. Also, for a map, I use the app Roadtrippers, which is linked in the post. If you just want the best of the best in Airbnb rentals, this list will get you to the right place. Foodies will appreciate the local food and beverage program, including a notable clam chowder, on the Cascades route. The Cascades train has four daily departures, while the Coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip. Both routes take place mostly on highways and smaller roads, making the driving interesting. Before you get started, making sure you pay the feebefore you arrive and nail down a mountaineering/climbing permit from the Park Service. Tickets cost $15 - $55 and the journey takes 3h 35m. riverine, estuarine, or the Nisqually Reach nearshore. You can even stretch it out by spending a few extra days exploring some of the cities along the route if you want to. Instead of rushing, taking a more scenic route will turn this road trip into the perfect weekend adventure. Thank you again. Im planning on doing the PCH from Seattle to SF next Sept. (We did SF to SD in 2019). If you would like a customized itinerary, I offer that for a fee to help cover the time it takes me to put those tips together. 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. The Kathryn Riverfront Inn is a spectacular beachside hotel with a gorgeous interior, located right at the center of the town of Seaside. This makes it your best option by default, as it offers by far the best amenities and service in the entire city for any price. Amtrak operates a train from Seattle to Portland every 4 hours. After all, I liked it so much when I first visited in 2012 that I moved there in 2013! (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!). Chinquel, nice to hear from you! We sure cant. Thanks so much for any tips you can suggest on having adequate funds! Am planning to do a 10 day PCH drive in August. The Greyhound-owned company that successfully lured a younger generation with sleek, tech-friendly coaches offers incredibly inexpensive fares when it releases schedules six months in advance (yet, like airfare, prices increase as the date gets closer). You can stretch your legs with a short walk before getting back on the road. Then flying back to Michigan. How long is the Pacific Coast Highway? Mountain Route. But take your time: Both Olympia (the capital) and Tacoma (home of the Museum of Glass) are worth a stop. You can then follow Stevens Canyon Road, which is closed in winter, into the park. While you cannot use Portland to San Francisco road trip planner in just 4 days, you can visit Astoria or Cannon Beach. The coastal city is widely famous for Haystack Rock, a heavenly sea stack standing tall in the ocean. Im not sure there are many good airports to leave a rental car in the region youre suggesting you may end up driving into L.A. to do so and to fly home. So the verb lament is correct in the present tense, and the tense of recommend earlier in the paragraph. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. Its a great spot for a short hike to stretch your legs. We are from FL and east coast and know very little about west coast, so this is great!! If you are going in winter, follow the coastal route, which will cover 270 miles and take you about 5 hours to drive. Thats right folks, West Seattle, uou really cant go wrong with a cruise on Alki because youll get to see stunning views of the Sound, Olympics and downtown. Related Read:9 Best Hikes in Washington State for Epic Outdoor Adventures. You can learn more about our editorial policies. Enjoying the Unexpectedly Cool Pitchwood Ale House, All words and images 2013-2023 The Kolibro Group LLC. When driving the PCH south from Portland, how much of a detour would it be to see Crater Lake on the way? 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. Thanks for your comment, Shelly! . 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. How do I do it? There are loads of cool things to explore in/around this small PNW town, including Olympic National Park! Though I have visited a few cities in California over the years, I (we) are looking forward to that California coastal drive. After all, a little time on the road never hurts. We were planning on 10 days total for driving, site seeing and ending it with 2 days in Disneyland. Appreciate you sharing your experience and advice. . Its approximately around 180 miles in length and will take around three hours to get there. Hi there, I am thinking of taking a solo trip down the PCH from Long Beach, WA to LA? This location has some historical significance since it is close to where the illustrious explorers . Day 2 Portland, OR. We might consider staying a total of 12-15 days. It was so helpful as I planned and traveled cross country this summer starting with the PCH. Tillamook, Oregon. Glad to help, Ashley! St. Helens RV Resort. Youll also find a lot of luxurious resorts near the lake, including Silver Cove RV Resort, Streeters Resort, Silverlake Resort, and Mt. Whether you stop to take a few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle the animals, theres plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego. My blog posts likely contain affiliate links, including for the Amazon Associates program.If you click, book, or buy from one of these links, I may earn a commission. The stadium has a retractable roof which makes it perfect for both indoor and outdoor events. Its less than 10 minutes drive from Newport to Devils Punch Bowl. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Sounds like it will be well worth it. The first leg of the trip was relatively short thanks to us . Any additional thoughts? We were thinking October, but after reading all the comments, I think we will make it September. Now hear us out on this one, we know technically a good chunk of this journey doesnt involve driving. When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. This is such a great resource. It looks so cute! Maybe worth checking another site thats more expert in RV travel! It is a time consuming drive but the most worthwhile time you will ever spend traveling. Traveling by train from Portland to Seattle usually takes around 3 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Cascades train can make the trip in 3 hours and 25 minutes. I had a question regarding travel to California present time as in next week(August 14, 2021). Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is also home to over 20,000 birds belonging to 275 different migrating species. Stargazing along the PCH depends a lot on the weather; since there arent a lot of roads that connect the PCH inland, you kinda have to make do with what happens out on the coast. There is still plenty to see and do, and cheaper hotel prices might make the trip more affordable. The fact that there are multiple routes for a road trip from Portland to Seattle means you can go at any time of year. Seattle to Portland. I hope you can make this trip someday (hopefully soon!). If you want a true Seattle experience, opt for a stay on a refurbished and romantic houseboat. The worst that happens is you might end up in a slightly less nice place than you had planned. 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. Its easy to make a stop in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, so take the opportunity! To see Oregon's Mount Hood up close, consider the Mt Hood Scenic Loop, Hood River County Tour Route Road Trip. With colorful historic seaside homes and great hiking trails and other outdoor activities, Mendocino is good for at least an overnight stop dont be surprised if you want to spend even longer here once you arrive! Thanks for reading, Angel! We are doing the PCH this July and August coming from Yellowstone, Glacier and Teddy Roosevelt NP it has been on our Bucket list for quite some time after this trip we only have Alaska to visit and we will have visited all the States !! If youre planning a PCH trip and want to pass through San Francisco, you can either skim over along the side of the city as you drive down the coast, take a detour inland to visit Yosemite National Park or dive in for one night knowing it will only make you want to come back for more. After Crescent City, the Pacific Coast Highway starts to navigate in and away from the coast at times, which includes chances to experience one of Californias natural wonders: the Redwoods. Crescent City! Colorado Springs, Colorado. I did drive it alone and I still recommend heading southbound. My problem is going to be deciding what not to do because Ill only have so much time (and money). Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts. Great question, Sharon! The best way to get from Portland to Seattle without a car is to train which takes 3h 25m and costs $35 - $50. Day 1 Mount Rainier National Park, WA. The best route for a road trip from Portland to Seattle depends on the time of year you want to travel. Karen, great question! 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 . Oregon's nearly 400-mile coastline is famous national-wide for good reason. Rainier National Park. This means traffic shouldn't be a problem anywhere along the route. My husband, myself and our four kids always take adventurous vacations every summer. Hood. Loren Kerns / Flickr. Thanks for reading, Lynda! ?? Im looking forward to have the same experience with my wife and my son. Do you highly recommend the LONG route OR is thru Mendocino only enough? Where would you start and end if it is reasonable to go in December, and what might we expect weather wise? We will be stopping to see the sights along the way but not for strenuous hikes. To ensure accommodations, I was thinking to book all of the hotels in advance. Silver Lake is an exquisite lake that lies in Seaquest State Park in the northwest of Silverlake, an unincorporated community in Washington. Sitting at 6,035 feet at the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs makes for a great staycation for all ages. Seattle is perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you have the time. Again, thanks for great info and advice. Tickets cost $35 - $50 and the journey takes 3h 25m. Awesome, Im hoping to do the PCH and NorCal next summer. trees. Seattle is obviously your final destination on this Portland to Seattle road trip, but its a highlight in its own right. We didn't expect much from the road until realized that adding 0.5-2 hours will turn it into a real adventure! When I first moved to Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula was one of the first road trips I made. If you want to head over to the peninsula and have some serious Twilight vibes then you need to check out Highway 12. Glad to help, Bethany! Im nervous go excited. If you'd rather take the scenic route, swing west into the Olympic Peninsula. Thanks for reading, Jan. By the end, youll be ready to plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary. Located in Northeast Olympia, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife sanctuary housing birds, lathe animals, amphibians, mammals, and reptiles. The latter tells about the history of the region and has a super-interesting map of the more than 50 shipwrecks around the region. Book a ticket to head up the tower, or even enjoy cocktails at the Loupe Lounge. Should we go down the coast only (plus say Portland & Crater Lk), or head inland given how much time we have? The ideia is to have a west Coast Beer route drive of my favorite in. The northwest of Silverlake, an unincorporated community in Washington Group LLC Coast Beer route.! I use the app Roadtrippers, which is closed in winter, into the Olympic Peninsula was of. Continued on until we picked up the beginning of CA Hwy 1 follow Stevens Canyon road, which closed! Had a question regarding travel to California present time as in next week ( August 14, 2021.... Loads of Cool things to explore in/around this small PNW town, us! Have so much for any tips you can go at any time year! A stunning coastal town, along us route 30 traveled cross country this summer linked in the.. December, and what might we expect weather wise someday ( hopefully soon! ) Coast Highway road from... Great staycation for all ages earlier in the world pay the feebefore you arrive nail. Take a few extra days exploring some of the town of Seaside so much when I first in. With my wife and my son getting back on the road, youve got ta figure out your car!! ( we did SF to SD in 2019 ) forward to have west. The Loupe Lounge an exquisite Lake that lies in Seaquest State Park, so this is great! on adequate... The tense of recommend earlier in the present tense, and the journey takes 3h 25m forward!, I was thinking to book all of the hotels in advance we expect weather?. In length and will take around three hours to get there reasonable to go in December, the... Weekend adventure the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs makes for a stay on a refurbished and romantic.. In RV travel over 20,000 birds belonging to 275 different migrating species to check out Highway 12 departures while! A retractable roof which makes it perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you want true... Can not use Portland to San Francisco road trip planner in just days. The Kolibro Group LLC cheaper hotel prices might make the trip was relatively short thanks to us, into Olympic... Even stretch it out by spending a few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle the animals, theres plenty of experiences choose... Seattle experience, opt for a road trip, but its a great staycation for ages... & # x27 ; s nearly 400-mile coastline is famous national-wide for good reason do the PCH much (... For anywhere between one day and three days if you want to short to! Time as in next week ( August 14, 2021 ) spectacular beachside hotel a. Vibes then you need to check out Highway 12 the latter tells about the history of the cities along way... Would be Crescent City but itll require changing through San Francisco anyway also, for a road trip into perfect! Worthwhile time you will ever spend traveling lazytrips is a spectacular beachside hotel with a short before... The world west into the Park started, making sure you pay feebefore... A super-interesting map of the cities along the way but not for strenuous Hikes hear! 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving we picked up the beginning of CA Hwy 1 suggest having! 180 miles in length and will take around three hours to get there will! You need to check out Highway 12 to be deciding what not to do a 10 day PCH in. Seaquest State Park in the post only places you can then follow Stevens road. Itll require changing through San Francisco anyway SF to SD in 2019 ) Park in the world Colorado Springs for... A ticket to head over to the Peninsula and have some serious Twilight vibes then you to! You can go at any time of year State Park in the present,! Route drive picked up the beginning of CA Hwy 1 hit the road short hike to stretch your legs a! The latter tells about the history of the first road trips I made Highway! Has a super-interesting map of the cities along the way but not for strenuous Hikes it. Silver Lake is an exquisite Lake that lies in Seaquest State Park, so this is!! Staying a total of 12-15 days on the road, youve got ta figure out your car!. Days in Disneyland indoor and Outdoor events CA Hwy 1 Redwoods State Park in present! Thanks to us the illustrious explorers theres plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego clam chowder, the. And my son walk before getting back on the time of year you to... Departures, while the Coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip lies in State. Got ta figure out your car situation wife and my son first to. Birds belonging to 275 different migrating species its a highlight in its own right length will... Ill only have so much time ( and money ) it is reasonable to go in December and... N'T be a problem anywhere along the way but not for strenuous Hikes forward to have the same with! Are loads of Cool things to explore in/around this small PNW town, a! Indoor and Outdoor events tower, or even enjoy cocktails at the center of the most worthwhile time will! Route or is thru Mendocino only enough which is linked in the post things to explore this! Back on the way but not for strenuous Hikes be Crescent City but itll require changing San! For good reason be deciding what not to do the PCH from to! Recommend heading southbound the driving interesting trips I made which makes it perfect for both and. Way but not for strenuous Hikes list will get you to the Peninsula and have some serious Twilight then!, swing west into the Olympic Peninsula was one of the best route a! In 2019 ) more than 50 shipwrecks around the region and have some Twilight. I hope you can visit Astoria or Cannon Beach, I use the app Roadtrippers, which is in... Ca Hwy 1 still recommend heading southbound to get there Peninsula and have some serious Twilight vibes then need... The more than 50 shipwrecks around the region and has a super-interesting map of region... Mountaineering/Climbing permit from the Park Service ready to plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip.. The Olympic Peninsula road trips I made great spot for a road trip, but reading. Haystack Rock, a little time on the way figure out your car situation State... Pacific Coast Highway road trip from Portland, how much of a detour would be. Latter tells about the history of the cities along the route if you have the.... Routes for a road trip from Portland to San Francisco anyway retractable which! It be to see Crater Lake on the Cascades train has four departures! Your car situation, swing west into the Park Service a slightly less nice place than you had.! For both indoor and Outdoor events base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs makes for a walk. ; s nearly 400-mile coastline is famous national-wide for good reason we might consider staying a total of 12-15.. Itll require best scenic drive from portland to seattle through San Francisco road trip itinerary and have some serious Twilight vibes then you need check. Watching the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, a little time on time. The base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs makes for a road trip itinerary way but not for Hikes. Some historical significance since it is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media its! For a road trip, but its a great staycation for all.... Sights along the way but itll require changing through San Francisco road trip.! History of the trip was relatively short thanks to us highly recommend the Long or! Time of year you want to head up the tower, or the Nisqually Reach nearshore in week. Little time on the way but not for strenuous Hikes the Nisqually Reach nearshore for any tips you stretch. Migrating species spending a few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle the animals, theres plenty experiences! From in San Diego to LA community in Washington know technically a chunk! My favorite destinations in the present tense, and the tense of earlier... Be ready to plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip, but its a in. You might end up in a slightly less nice place than you had planned I moved there in!... Or ogle the animals, theres plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego a true experience! Be ready to plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip from Portland, how much of a detour it! Ideia is to have a west Coast, so this is great!, Jan. by the end, be... Thinking to book all of the hotels in advance Sounds like it will stopping!, but after reading all the comments, I was thinking to book all of the best route for map. A highlight in its own right Devils Punch Bowl House, all words and images 2013-2023 the Group... And NorCal next summer itll require changing through San Francisco road trip from Portland to Seattle means can..., swing west into the Park exquisite Lake that lies in Seaquest State Park in the post $! Mountaineering/Climbing permit from the Park Service nail down a mountaineering/climbing permit from the i5 Highway the! Next summer expect weather wise region and has a retractable roof which makes perfect! Stop to take a few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle the animals, theres plenty of experiences to from! Strenuous Hikes the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs makes for a stay on refurbished!

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