Although the park is open every single day of the year, many of the parks roads, trails, and facilities are closed seasonally due to snow, which usually do not reopen until summer (June/July). National Park Inn is open year round, while Paradise Inn only operates between mid-May through early-October. He loves traveling, reading, partying, and making friends. Go to Napa if you want to be where all the people are, love a good cab and other classic Bordeaux varietals, and want to buy and taste some of the best-known wines in the world. ), Bumpass Hell Trail Hike (its not really thaaaaat bad), Lake Helen, and Manzanita Lake. The place is not a must-visit unless you are an aviation fan. I completely agree with the opinion that the modern United States is still different. Sea lions can be spotted at the docks, too. Look no further-a multi-day drive from San Francisco to Seattle is calling your name! Cape Kiwanda is our next stop, with its beautiful dunes and rocks. Despite its small size, the place is known as the home of the largest colony of breeding tufted puffins, the largest common murre colony south of Alaska and pupping site for the threatened Steller sea lion. Lady Bird Johnson Grove is a must-see spot if you have limited time. Rather stay in the car (why though?) Youll find dozens and dozens of vineyards dotting the area, from small, family run wineries to ridiculously large name box-brands (think Mondavi or Chandon), each with their own flare. Binoculars, raincoat for that unpredictable Pacific Northwest weather, camera to capture all those fun road trip moments (and that scenic beauty obviously! Thankfully there are numerous options outside the park in nearby communities, including, You always hear about the gloominess and rain, never the sunshine and green space. Rainier national park, SureStay Hotel by Best Western Portland City Center. Tillamook cheese factory, or creamery, is a must-stop for all fans of a farmer and natural dairy products! ), dont miss these highlights in Crater Lake, The Two-Day Portland Itinerary Youll Want to Copy, Multnomah Falls and the Colombia River Gorge, 20 Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Antigua, Guatemala: Where to Find the Perfect Cup, 35+ Best Things to do in Antigua: The Colonial Gem of Guatemala, Best Pastel de Nata in Porto, Portugal (All My Favorite Porto Egg Tarts), Flying Over the Great Blue Hole in Belize: Everything You Need to Know, Checking into the Madonna Inn: San Luis Obispos Quirkiest and Most Eccentric Hotel, Fall in San Francisco: 25+ Fall Activities in the SF Bay Area You Cant Miss, Things to do in Cambria, California (The Cutest Seaside Village on the Central Coast). ), ziplining through the redwoods, farmers market visits, wildflower hiking, and mud baths to tickle your fancy (yes, I just said mud baths). It is recommended to wear boots, but you will be fine with sneakers too. The most beautiful city to visit on the road trip from San Francisco to Seattle is Fort Bragg. Unfortunately, just about 5% of the old growth redwood forests remain in California, with Redwood National and State Parks preserving over 35% of all the remaining. MADE IT to the last stop on this San Francisco to Seattle road trip itinerary! The city-to-city road trip from San Francisco to Seattle is arguably one of the best West Coast road trips, especially with this itinerary. The majority of people are used to the most famous road trip in the United States, from Los Angeles to San Francisco. It can be done in 3-5 hours, depending on your skills and physical shape. San Francisco to Seattle Drive: Our Ten Year Anniversary Road Trip Once you get to the Coos Bay area, plan on spending the rest of the day on the Cape Arago Beach Loop. Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. Skyline Trail is one of the best day hikes from Paradise. Looking for more sweets and treats? Seattle to San Francisco drive time is approximately 13 hours, driving distance from Seattle to San Francisco is around 800 miles via direct highway. Hood, Willamette, and Siuslaw National Forests, and Redwood National and State Parks. Expect to drive 2-6 hours a day with 1 or 2 longer days. If AirBnBs not your thing, check out the super cute and modestly priced. If you want to ensure youll be able to drive around the perimeter of the lake (Rim Drive), schedule your trip for late July, August, or September. Ultimate USA West Coast Road Trip: 7, 10 or 15 Days Itinerary Ideas I like to search via this site in order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. And plus, those vineyards and wineries come with beautiful grounds, lush rolling hills, and boast fantastic views of the area . On your San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip, you'll pass plenty of beauty spots. If you do decide on the longer trek, youll need to dip back south into California (yes, for real) in order to get back on Highway 1. Historic Bayfront is a must-visit for shopping, strolling through the streets, sea lion watching and of course, amazing seafood! Drive past Netarts all the way to Cape Lookout. Get close to harbor seals, sea lions, seabirds, sharks, turtles in this amazing, 25-year-old aquarium. I went a few years ago and would love to go back! Yes, parts of this area reek, but youll quickly see why after taking note to the bubbling mud pots and steaming sulphuric vents. Looking for a top hotel recommendation? Fun fact: Oregon residents, who wish to support Crater Lake national park, can order Crater lake license plates for their vehicles at some extra fee! Take your time and have lunch, as we are about to take a long ride straight to Golden Gate viewpoint a must-see stop just before the sunset! 2023 Tigrest Travel Blog - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. Rainier does not disappoint in that department! Before we head to Newport, there is an interesting stop along the way that you should visit Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area. I teach 9-5 professionals how to maximize their limited time off with carefully planned out itineraries, long weekend inspiration, and general travel planning tips. There is a possibility to hike to the tip of the cape but bear in mind it is an almost 5-mile hike! 6. Head out to the Olympic Peninsula by taking the Bainbridge Island Ferry. Looking for more sweets and treats? Other stops in Oregon include Columbia River Gorge and Cannon Beach. In terms of what we want: - a couple of days either end to explore both cities. And then some. National Park Inn is open year round, while Paradise Inn only operates between mid-May through early-October. 7:38 pm Mount Rainier. Rainier (STOP #11) if you prefer, TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 2 hours, 30 min // ~ 5 hours, 45 min roundtrip. The best thing is that you can get in the water accompanied by professional divers to get an even closer look. Stuff your face with Mission burritos (found in, you guessed it, the Mission District), some ice cream from Bi-Rite or Mitchells (both equally orgasmic choices), a sourdough bread bowl from Boudin Bakery, and homemade Italian in North Beach. Visitor? Thanks! Mmmm Im salivating just thinking about the Top Pot donuts. San Francisco to Seattle - Road Trips Forum - Tripadvisor Road Trip The Best Road Trip from Seattle to San Francisco By Jess Moss That Pacific Coast Highway route from San Francisco to Los Angeles gets all the attention, but it's not the only West Coast drive that should be on your map. If youre feeling fancy definitely check out the Palace Hotel, Hotel Vitale (complete with rooftop yoga), and. Go wine tasting, stomp on some grapes (true story), and admire the perfectly aligned vineyard rows just waiting to be produced. I strongly encourage you to go up during both daytime and at night as you get totally different aspects of the city this way. San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip: Take a Pacific Northwest Drive. , but we booked too late and most were sold out. The state park also has a campground with over a hundred sites for tents and RVs without hookups. Check out lodging in Crescent City, Arcata, and Trinidad. day 2 driving 6.5 hours. 2 Week Road Trip Itinerary Overview Over the course of 2 weeks, we drove approximately 1650 miles (2330km) at a moderate pace. However, if finding accomodation inside the park is important to you, book super early, as there are only two inns located within. ), plus the cost of hotels on the way back). I never thought I would say that the driving part of a trip could compete with . drive for about 41 minutes. The drive's signature stops include the cities of Portland and Sacramento, Mt. Rainier. This is also a great place to spend the night if youll be splitting the drive from Coos Bay to Cannon Beach into two days. You'll get stunning views of the bridge at Conzelman road. We will want to leave San Fran about 3:30 on Wed . But really, all views of the lake deserve a thumbs up (or 2 or 5). San Franciscos Golden Gate Park is like New York Central Park but is 20% larger. San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip Click on the link below for a list of the West Coast USA road trip itinerary. The best way to experience a true San Francisco is by taking a local cable car he worlds last manually operated cable car system! I guesssss you could do both, but thatll add another hour or two to your driving time. ; the cool vibes wont disappoint (bonus: youll find Stumptown Coffee right next door). Rainier around the weather. Then you could pick up the rest of this itinerary working your way south. Your email address will not be published. If youve never visited the City by the Bay before (SF), you should really stay and wander for a few days. Stay at an AirBnB directly in the forest (with star gazing opportunities at night) and you wont be disappointed. Where to Stay: Its a good idea to make your way back to Portland to slice off a few hours of drive time to Mt. So incredibly good. 2-day Route 66 Las Vegas to Grand Canyon itinerary, hiking ideas in Mt. Take your time and enjoy the waves crashing into the rocks. Reach out to Gabi on kyrillosgabi3@hotmail.com, Road Trip Patagonia: Driving Scenic Ruta 40 From Esquel To Bariloche, Napa Valley in California is the most famous stop on the San Francisco, Need A Day Trip from Las Vegas? And for this, 9.00 AM will be late. Ready to cross this trip to the Pacific Northwest off your bucket list?! Be sure to check out Merriam Point, Watchman Overlook, and Pinnacles Overlook all absolutely stunning! Read Next: A Waterfall Weekend in Lassen National Park. This is a great beach to watch the sunset! 5 day road trip Seattle to San Francisco - Road Trips Forum IMPORTANT NOTE: You kinda have two choices on how you make your way to Mendocino (stop #3 and our first coastal town on this itinerary). Take advantage of, If youll be following this itinerary and heading north (without driving the direct 15+ hours back to, ), youll want to book two one-way tickets. If you are up for a short hike, head to YaXaik Trail (1.15 mile long). Check out Surfsand Resort you can see Haystack Rock from your balcony! and leave at 8:38 pm. Promise me you wont miss a day or two in Californias wine country (preferably two if you want to do all the things). In the morning, head to Stout Grove loop trail that shows you some of the best tall redwood trees the Jedidiah Smith State Park has to offer. Phew, made it (finally)! No words truly capture that feeling you get staring up at it. Since youll probably be pressed on time during this San Francisco to Seattle road trip, itll be difficult to plan your day in Mt. Today, this is an open museum, and anybody can come and visit. And as a plus, the beach isnt too sore on the eyes! *** Want to extend your trip even further?! In order to drive from San Francisco to Seattle in a reasonable amount of time (1-2+ weeks depending on the length of your trip), youll be driving almost every day, with some being longer driving days than others. I swear by Skyscanner and Google Flights whenever searching for tickets, and more often times than not, find the cheapest prices on one of them. Make sure to search for one-way flights when booking tickets. So incredibly good. Hop on I-5 North, and you can drive from San Francisco to Seattle in around 13-14 hours. Fort Bragg is only a few miles north, and a great way to spend a few hours. I recommend spending a few days here, as the city is weird, wacky, and downright wonderful. Your San Francisco to Seattle road trip starts off with the right foot by paying a visit to the gorgeous region of Sonoma. It is also worth stopping at Crescent city to visit Redwood National and State Parks. (in the super cute Nob Hill) if quirky boutique hotels are more your thing. Theyre both absolutely stunning and feature lush, rolling hills full of vineyards, so the scenery wont really help make up your mind. Multnomah Falls - plunges from a height of 620 feet and is easy to access, but crowded. The distance between Seattle to San Francisco is 808 miles. Be sure to check out my 3-day San Francisco itinerary. Seattle is split between tons of different neighborhoods, each with their own distinct flare and character. How To Plan An Amazing Seattle To San Francisco Road Trip Just did a 14 day roadtrip from Seattle to San Francisco last summer and Id recommend going that way instead (so that you work your way from rainy and cold to sunny and warm) but this itinerary left off my favorite part of the trip, which was going around the Olympic peninsula which took us through Sequim to see some lavender fields, to Hurricane Ridge, and staying a night at Cresent Lake then to the coast where we stopped at Rialto Beach and Ruby Beach. :p, And of course you need to feast your eyes on the crimson cutie, aka the Golden Gate Bridge.