With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. Briefly, here are some of the other must-see attractions in Seattle: If you want to spend a few days in Seattle, consider purchasing the Seattle CityPass. Be sure to check the California DOT website for more information. Suggested Overnights: Port Angeles, Neah Bay, Ocean Shores. Thanks to the Pacific Coast and rugged mountains, Oregon and Washington are filled with natural beauty. Both are very much worth a visit, and at less than 200 miles between them, getting from Portland to Seattle and back is easy. Thanks! Is this possible? Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a protected estuary spanning 762 acres of natural land. However, youll also get to experience highlights along the coast. So deciding where to stay can be tricky, especially since there are plenty of places to stay along this segment. Have a great drive!! Not sure it matters when you set out from Seattle; itll be great no matter when you go! When it comes to vacation rental options. You can learn more about our editorial policies. My overnight stop in Santa Barbara changed my mind. Sireesha, thanks for reading. Thank you, and your blog is fantastic! In the Suburbs of Seattle, you will merge onto Interstate 5 to take you into the city center. I do not care to get into the Los Angeles areaHowever, the Sequoias are a must. ?? 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. Your help is appreciated. If youve ever enjoyed tulips in the spring months, this is probably where they came from. . Also how many days driving for this trip. Unfortunately, I dont have suggestions for Santa Barbara as I havent been there in nearly a decade. Your email address will not be published. Also wondering if you can tell me where I could get a printable version of your article. Glad to help, Bethany! Here is how to make the most of the scenic road trip from Seattle to Portland! I agree, go north to south. When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle? Its hard to do the drive one way in just 5 days from San Diego to Seattle adding on the time driving from Arizona and the return trip, I think you need at least 10-12 days. Thanks for reading, Dale. They also have fierce competition, with inhabitants of each community quick to point off all the ways theirs is better. Youll also find a lot of luxurious resorts near the lake, including Silver Cove RV Resort, Streeters Resort, Silverlake Resort, and Mt. Just starting to think about a 1st time road trip from Az to Washington and back among the PCH!!?? Thanks for your points. Furthermore, Stevens Canyon Road near Mt. Sunrise also features miles of trails amidst Mount Fremont, Burroughs Mountain, and Sourdough Ridge. Take the road all the way to the dramatic bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and keep an eye out for gray whales in the water below. 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 . I would rather guess on the high side than the low side so Im prepared. Nate, thanks for your comment. Travelers can take various pathways between Portland and Seattle. If youre planning a full 10-day west coast road trip, make sure you follow my guide and do at least one overnight on the Olympic Peninsula. Adrian, great to hear from you! I am flying into Portland to meet my niece and we will rent a car and drive down the coast to LA to meet another nephew. Im thinking of doing this trip from Seattle to San Diego. We will go from Seattle to San Diego using your itinerary as our planning guide. I am planning to take this trip with my family of 5 as you have lined out for the 10 days this coming June. Can you believe theres a rainforest in Washington? Thanks for your comment, Rex! Its really up to you to decide where you want to end and figure out the closest rental car/airport option from there, but there are airports of all sizes throughout the region. Glad to help, Dan! Although I live in San Francisco, Ive yet to visit several of these places on this list. Coastal Route. The PCH heads inland near Lompoc but is the main road you can take to Santa Barbara. taking my 13 and 17 year old with my wife. Related Read:When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle? While you are in Cannon Beach, you may want to travel a few miles to visit this beautiful state park. You can definitely do that! Thanks for reading, Jennifer. Tickets cost $14 - $55 and the journey takes 3h 35m. Follow Interstate 5 through the suburbs and into the center of Seattle. I dont have it I just want to make sure businesses are open? Hello, Thanks for sharing your trips and valuable tips. Tillamook, Oregon sits on the Highway 101, a few miles inland from the sea. There are a wide range of activities you can indulge in at Silver Lake, including camping and boating. 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 . 33 votes, 34 comments. The only Mt. Newport is a great destination to stretch your legs for a few hours once you arrive back on the Pacific Coast (you can also drive straight down Highway 101 from Cannon Beach if you decide to skip a stop in Portland). Its also a great place to play volleyball, although youll have to bring the volleyball net yourself. Time & distance from Portland: 80 miles, 1.5 hour drive. 2. I was planning 10-12 days? 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. Awesome suggestions and itinerary! It was just gorgeous with a 360 degree view. For travellers and road trippers checking out the Pacific Northwest, Tillamook is a popular stopping point. Cannon Beach has a plethora of options ranging from campgrounds to oceanfront lodging, luxury hotels, and vacation home rentals. Hood. Thank you for the recommendation! The Pacific Coast Highway is an ambitious road trip, but totally possible in as few as five days. My husband, myself and our four kids always take adventurous vacations every summer. I will be driving from Dallas to Seattle. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. When the bridge was built in 1930, it was the longest cantilevered bridge in the United States, originally serving as a private toll bridge. Did you try searching my site using the search in the sidebar? Those little beaches overlooking the water below is freaking amazing. Depending on whether you drive a Washington to California road trip or just drive portions in California, you can start/end your road trip at the various cities in this guide. Also, its not exactly the most stimulating view its a bit better for older kids than younger ones. 5 Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary. To those of us in Washington, this has become a pretty normal part of our everyday existence. Thanks for your help in advance!!!! 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. To be honest, Id opt for the long route you only have one day, and Point Reyes is one of my favorite parts of California. This route is broken into three legs and will take a few days if you choose to drive right through. 15 years ago. Cruise across the lake's sapphire waters, kayak or join a whitewater rafting trip. In this forest, youll find amazing old growth trees and is incredibly verdant. November should be a good time, but you may experience some days where the Marine Layer rolls in be sure to pack layers in case its cooler/less sunny than expected! I did a bit of research into this seems like its a Los Angeles thing to drop the the but as I lived up in Northern California, we use the the. Since my post is referring to a much larger area than just SoCal, Im still going to keep the the. Thanks for providing me this opportunity to learn about a quirky bit of California lingo! (Be prepared for fog from the marine layer! Driving Time. A visit to Tillamook is not just about the cheese; however, a stop by the Tillamook Creamery is still a must-do. Any recommendations will be appreciated! I especially appreciate your links to stays and dine. But, we need to go the opposite way; starting in San Diego and heading north. Enjoy all of the scenic drives near Seattle! Hi Valerie- What is the best time of year for this 10 day trip? The 5-star hotel is very modern, and bedrooms have large windows, affording great views of the city and bay. 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. Sorry; I dont have any suggestions for that! Now let me break down a few itineraries to choose from, based on how much time you have to do your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Im glad you booked LA and Seattle, because those are the two you most need to have arranged! If youve just stayed overnight in Santa Barbara or started your road trip in San Diego, that may not make as much sense. Thanks for your comment, Erin! Thank you for sharing. You can hike on an extensive 275-mile trail network or explore by bike on the park roads. Combine a visit to Portland with an adventure down the PCH. Prior to retiring I have done the San Francisco to LA 3 times but always by myself. Thanks for reading, Tony! Every room is stylishly designed and has every amenity you could need. I hope you can do at least part of the PCH someday soon . You could see Canada and the river valley. Any additional thoughts? One day, I would LOVE to make this road trip. It is one of the most prominent attractions in the area as it gives access to two of the most beautiful rivers in the Pacific Northwest. Lan Su Chinese Garden is open to the public daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 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. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: None! 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. My fiance & I want to do this for our honeymoon next month! Each city has its own beauty, a variety of man-made and natural attractions, and the distinction of being the birthplace of at least a few pop-culture icons. Thank you so much for creating this itinerary! From Astoria, take the sea-hugging U.S. Route 101 south 40 minutes to Ecola State Park. Whidbey Island is one of the best road trips from Seattle and can easily be covered in a single day. 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. Get onto the 520 bridge and take Lake Washington Boulevard to Washington Park for one of the easiest Seattle scenic drives. The most easily accessible and breathtakingly stark part of the PCH is a short drive (about 3 hours) sound of San Francisco, so many people in the Bay Area do it as an overnight or weekend trip. The lake features aquamarine water that is pumped from the Cowlitz River and passes to the south end into the Columbia River. I am going to drive PCH 1 this summer and was going to drive from North to South but my son has driven it and suggested going South to North. Also being from Colorado, we would love to camp oceanside, do you have any recommendations on campsites? Head west out of Oregon along Highway 26. This scenic roadway overlooks Samish Bay and provides views that never disappoint. Best PCH road trips from Portland. On your stop here, be sure to walk out along the pier and keep an eye out for surfers working the breaks along the beach. Thanks for your comment, Kathy! Some of the best stops on the Oregon Coast are close to Portland. These stops are numbered to match my Roadtrippers map and trip above (click here to open the trip in a separate window). AAA has no candle to this. Paradise is a lookout that lies at the height of 5,400 feet and offers mesmerizing views of nearby mountains and meadows. Even an email answer is fine!! Where: State Route 11. This will be a great tool in planning. The tower is decorated with artwork chronologically depicting the regions history. Your second choice is where to start your road trip. This will be a great resource for the trip that we are planning. 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. What do you think about making this drive in November? You can also attend music concerts at the park. If youre not sure (or not loyal to any particular car rental company), consider using a tool like Kayak or TripAdvisor to compare a bunch of options (yes, TripAdvisor does rental cars!). If you want to experience the Pacific Northwest mountains in winter, the Grand Pacific Northwest Road Trip is a great option. Washington State Road 4 / Highway 101. September 23, 2018. Just 15 minutes from the California border, the 12-mile long forested park clings to a spectacular, craggy coastline dotted with sandy beaches and sea stacks, which . I loved the harbor and wharf, was surprised by the food scene, and lightly dabbled in the historical significance of Santa Barbara enough for me to want to return. San Diego was the starting point of my Pacific Coast Highway road trip; for you, it may be the end. It includes so many things each person in my family wants to see and do! Follow the highway south as it winds inland and along the coast. We plan a trip to San Jos, California because of its diversity, beautiful scenery, and exceptionally high outputs. Thanks so much for any tips you can suggest on having adequate funds! Thank you for any other tips. Thanks for your comment, Victoria! Im sure someone else has asked this but..When is the best time to travel PCH (traveling Southbound through California to San Diego in hopes of warm days and cool(ish) nights)? However, if one wants to enjoy most of the attractions along the San . 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. Learn more about our editorial policies here. There are several ways to go from Seattle to Portland. Distance. Ending at a beach front hotel in Diego for 2-3 days to visit that college, unwind and settle a little bit before leaving. Hi there, I am desperate to do the road trip next year however, I am not keen on driving over bridges (I am fine on coastal roads/cliff edges), so are there any places that i definitely need to avoid or that you cant get through/past without crossing a bridge? Often called a National Park Pass, it offers 1-year unlimited entrance to so much more, and includes National Parks, National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, Bureau of Land Management sites, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites!Share time outdoors with family and friends. 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Although I live in San Diego using your itinerary as our planning.. We will go from Seattle to San Diego, that may not make as much sense feet offers... Beach, you will merge onto Interstate 5 through the Suburbs and into the city center a window.

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