They remembered my mum right away and we chatted with them about their lives. This route never strays from the interstate, so aside from some highly recommended detours, the drive is extremely straightforward and beginner-friendly. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. Rainier and Mt. Dont miss our guide to the coolest hotels in San Francisco for more suggestions. You can also enjoy a lazy beach stroll down Trinidad State Beach, or soak in the breezy coastal views at Patricks Point State Park. To go a level deeper, take this awesome guided tour of Pike Place with a Local Chef. If you're planning a road trip to San Francisco, you can research locations to stop along the way. Simply use this as a guideline! Agreed! Here are our favorite places to visit at these locations. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. One thing to keep in mind along this route is that the coast can be rather windy, potentially making the drive difficult (not to mention less scenic) on a rainy day - be sure to keep close tabs on the weather and plan your stops accordingly. 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). Discovery Park: Get yourself ready for some longer hikes with an easy stroll out to the western edge of Seattle, where youll find yourself face-to-face with the Pacific Ocean. Now, its time to discover the best restaurants from Seattle to San Francisco. Best free things to do in Ashland (Oregon)? Airbnb: Weve stayed in a bunch of Airbnbs in Portland on our numerous trips over the years. San Francisco To Seattle: The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary - TheTravel Weve made this trip in one straight shot in just 12 hours when taking I-5. Explore Capitol Hill: Our favorite! From here, drive to Mendocino (not the most interesting drive, to be honest). And if you know Seattle well, please help your fellow Click the blue button below. Traveling from Seattle to San Francisco is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. 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! Heres what we recommend. 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. Instagram: @just.globetrotting & @justcreative, Just Globetrotting | Jacob & Emily Cass. Hungry? If youre really feeling it, why not take a helicopter to Post Ranch Inn (a very fancy resort) in a helicopter, starting at $4000! With that in mind, you may want to avoid the drive in the winter if you don't want your access to these landmarks to be significantly limited. Both of which have large hotel chains and some hostels. Driving from Seattle to San Francisco - Cheap Road Trip. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 7 Best Hotels On The Way To San Francisco From Seattle section. See here for our top things to do in San Francisco. Be prepared for the overwhelming choice of flavours! Add anything that looks interesting! Thank you so much for posting this and with such fabulous photos! Dont forget to stop at the iconicBixby Bridge (40 minutes from Monterey). 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. Have you done this road trip before? International Rose Test Garden (20 mentions) Past Dunnigan, hop onto Interstate 505 and either follow it south to Vacaville or detour to Sacramento. 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. This industrial-chic Airbnb in South Lake Union is a close second for the next time were looking for a place to stay in Seattle. This tree is HUGE but in fact, not even the largest! stay for about 1 hour. Finish the day with dinner at Lilians Italian Kitchen and ice cream from Mariannes Ice Cream. If youre driving from San Francisco to Seattle, the opposite direction that this guide is written for, then all you need to do is reverse the order of stops. No Seattle to San Francisco road trip would be complete without making a stop in the weird and lovable city of Portland. Inn at Cape Kiwandahasgorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and deluxe rooms OR Surf & Sand Inn, a cosy motel in the centre of the city, perfect for a one night stop. And our favorite spots to drink, whether youre looking for a flight of craft beer or a $20 cocktail (were joking kind of). Saint Helens. As far as the location goes, this is one of the best-situated hotels in the city - close to both the Golden Gate and San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridges, St. Regis is the perfect pivot to San Francisco's main attractions as well as the neighboring cities. 7:38 pm Mount Rainier. Were going to California in mid October, and thought since were already flying in from outside US, maybe we should do our long wished-for seattle-SF trip. We recommend Sandcastle Inn. Read that if you want the details beyond some of our recommendations. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. Parking is a nightmare in Nob Hill, which is the neighborhood we used to call home, so Id recommend avoiding that area. and answers related to San Francisco. Find pet-friendly stops. Check out the. Your email address will not be published. To visit all of these areas, we recommend taking the first exit to Monterey off the freeway and work your way around. Stop at the Good Life Cafe: If youre going to be in Mendocino in the morning, stop over at the Good Life Cafe for breakfast and a cup of coffee. Rainier National Park (the Paradise Side), More Time? Pok Pok Restaurant Here are some fun things to do in Eugene. On top of being located in the most action-packed part of Portland, this hotel is extremely generously priced - coupled with the incredible amenities, this easily makes The Duniway the best hotel in the entire region. This is your best bet if you only have 3-5 days, since youre on I-5 basically the whole way (and theres plenty to do and see along the way). So sorry for the late reply I totally missed this. What is your favorite restaurant in Redding? This 807-mile drive will take you to some of the best spots in the Pacific Northwest. Dont forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. Can you take us too? First, at Lake Crescent to hike to Marymere Falls. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Hood River. Visiting in July for 5 days with my boyfriend, where and what must we do? drive for about 1.5 hours, 9:37 am Ashland (Oregon) The drive's signature stops include the cities of Portland and Sacramento, Mt. travelers and answer their questions about Seattle! Its super touristy, and kind of overrated and boring in general. 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. Spend some time on the coast and check out the things to do in Monterey. Hood, Bend, and Crater Lake, which will take significantly more time than the other two options. Well, thats it for us! Dont miss these! If you're planning a road trip to San Francisco, you can research locations to stop along the way. 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. Lithia Park (2 mentions) Here is a quick rundown of our favorite areas and places to stay. day 2 driving 6.5 hours. Is there anything else you think we should have done, or not done? Distance from Seattle to San Francisco: approximately 575 miles. So if youre looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco, keep reading! Union Square is where youll find a lot of shopping options & Mission District has a lot of greats bars and restaurants to explore. Road Trip from Seattle to San Francisco | Enterprise Rent-A-Car Photo Credit: Bigstock. Here we list three of them. Sightseeing in Napa? If youre looking for the best gluten free restaurants in San Francisco, Ive got you covered. San Francisco To Seattle Road Trip: Top Routes & 5 Stops Along the Way Finally, you can drive down Howland Hill Road, which is mostly unpaved but well-maintained road traversing a magnificent redwood forest. open-ended. Its the most direct route. The best resource on neighborhoods, areas, The Best Road Trip from Seattle to San Francisco - Marriott Bonvoy Traveler Its an incredible conglomeration of neighborhoods, all with their own unique style and vibe. 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. Voodoo Doughnuts . From here, you can either take the coastal highway HWY 1 or the HWY 101 directly to Santa Rosa for the night OR if you feel as though you can continue driving, drive to Santa Cruz. After charging your batteries at the bar and Jackrabbit Restaurant, you can burn some calories at the incredible fitness area before heading into town. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:00 pmdrive for about 1 hour, 2:04 pm Redding It's worth parking at the toll plaza ( here on Google Maps) to get some nice pictures of the bridge. Planning a Trip to Mount Rainier National Park? on Amazon that will make travel fun for them. Youre in luck. I was excited to have the opportunity to follow this road for 6 days starting from Seattle and ending up in San Francisco. Hop onto Interstate 5 straight out of Seattle and make your way to Portland, passing Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. You wont regret it. Hood, Willamette, and Siuslaw National Forests, and Redwood National and State Parks. The Willamette Valley is home to some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and youll find more than 500 wineries surrounding this region. St. Helens to check out Johnston Ridge, which gives you an amazing view of the volcano and destruction it wrought on the surrounding landscape. Frankie and Jos and Molly Moons for awesome local ice cream (Frankie and Jos is 100% gluten free and vegan!). Its packed full of interesting spots to stop in, whether youre looking for vegan ice cream or a unique boutique selling who knows what. Drive time (to Eureka): 5 hours / 245 miles. Today, an island called Wizard Island juts up from beneath the surface of the water. Apr 3rd, 2010 10:39 PM. Explore a route and we'll find the best locations to keep you charged along the way and upon arrival. Answer 1 of 8: Hi everybody, My family and I are planning a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle for next summer. The 808 miles of the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes around 12 hours and 47 mins of driving without stops. Capitol Cider for a huge selection of Pacific Northwest ciders and a 100% gluten free kitchen. Roseburg. The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary (2022) Second at Rialto Beach to do the hike out to Hole in the Wall (one of our favorite hikes in Olympic National Park). If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Seattle to San Francisco road trip. Within the cone of that volcano, called Mount Mazama, is a stunningly blue body of water called Crater Lake. or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. One of our favourite road trips to date is the Garden Route drive in South Africa, our honeymoon along the coast of Oahu, Hawaii & The Great Ocean Road in Australia but driving the down the west coast of America was yet another road trip to remember. We will be in de US for about 4 weeks. Advice to avoid snowy road conditions from SF to Seattle (January). Seattle to San Francisco road trip planner Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Seattle to San Francisco. Mount Shasta (California) (9 answers) The best things to see and do between Seattle and San Francisco. Rainier National Park is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Heres what we recommend doing when you stop here during your road trip. Limited time in Napa, help with my itinerary! Have more time? San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip: A Trip to The Pacific Northwest + More Planning to drive from Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road? Oh! 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. The lighthouse has been in operation since 1871 and is still in use today. Other foodie things to do besides wine tasting restaurants around Portland: Doing this drive in record time isnt going to be a fun one. In fact, Matt recently did this drive alone. The Hoxton is a super stylish hotel that is one of our favorite hotel chains in the world. The Moxy Hotel is the other choice here its a stylish option thats super central to all the sights in Seattle. Not long after passing Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, drive the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge and pull into San Fran. We began our 2-week west coast road trip in Seattle, Washington. We think the best way to do Portland is to eat and drink your way through the city. Timberline Lodge (12 mentions) Beach Street Inn and Suites. San Francisco. Youll find an array of video games, mini golf, photo booths, laser tag and rides. Make your first stop after Crescent City into Jedediah Smith Redwoods National Park. We have a whole guide to the best places to stay in Seattle to help you find the perfect neighborhood and place to stay. Take your time, drive slowly and stop at every opportunity you can! Tasty N Sons Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers. The first thing we want to get out of the way is that your experience is largely going to be dictated by the amount of time you have. Taking the quickest possible route, the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes 13 hours and spans 810 miles. Theres so much to do and see in San Francisco that you cant possibly tackle it all in just a few days in the city. And for this, 9.00 AM will be late. If you're in the market for the best rooftop view of Portland's architecture, The Duniway Portland is the hotel for you. Bend is situated amid the snow-covered Cascade Mountains and high desert plateaus. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 6:39 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, 8:05 pm Wildlife Safari Next: See how to edit the route Venture further inland and go hiking in Death Valley National Park. Seattle to San Francisco - 7 ways to travel via train, plane - Rome2rio San Francisco is a gluten free paradise, as long as you know where to look. Spend the night at either the Olympic Lodge or a vacation rental along the shores of Lake Sutherland. Click on any question to see answers from the community! Day 4: Get an early start and make a beeline for the California border. It is the seat of King County, Washington. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA. Looking for more cool hotels? Napa Valley (9 mentions) Restaurants in Napa for girls outing? Not sure what to do in Seattle? Shasta? Once youve figured out the number of days you are going to take for this trip, youll have some decisions to make about the best route for you. Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. This section lists our five restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. There are a few places to spend a night in the Big Sur, Glen Oaks,Fernwood Resort,Big Sur River Inn, as well as campsites inPfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Here are a few of our favorite things to do in Seattle. Head out to the Olympic Peninsula by taking the Bainbridge Island Ferry. Visit some of the numerous waterfalls namely Myrtle and Christine. This road tripis suitable for all types of travellers with a little bit of everything; rugged coastlines,world-class wineries, wildlife, bustling cities, Redwood forests, sweeping valleys, accessible hikes and of course, relaxing sandy beaches. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Seattle To San Fran: What To Do During This Epic Road Trip However, a new bridge ismeant to be opening in October 2017. Once youve checked out of Youngberg Hill, visit some popular surrounding wineries such Yamhill Valley Winery,Domaine Serene Winery, Domaine Drouhin & Brooks Wines. stay for about 2 hours and leave at 8:02 pmdrive for about 58 minutes, 9:00 pm arrive in San Franciscostay at Top of the Mark, Elliott from Sheffield asked:Road Trip from SF to Vancouver/Seattle- where are the best places to see? Mid July: 1 week with wife and kid - what should we prioritize? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. By early afternoon, make your way to Pacific City on the Oregon coast for horseback riding, a drink at the Pelican Pub and Brewery and Cape Kiwandato see the second Haystack Rock (the first and most famous one is at Cannon Beach). Itll be a little wet in the winter, but its still passable (unlike some of the roads in central Washington and Oregon, which can get a wee bit sketchy). If you're driving from Seattle WA to San Francisco CA check the weather conditions for a safer trip. Ocean View Inn and Suites. The 960-mile road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes 20 hours 30 minutes. If you road trip San Francisco to Seattle you'll cover at least 807 miles - that's if you do the aforementioned route and go straight down the I-5N. What is your favorite restaurant in Portland? Seattle to San Francisco Luxury Road Trip | All Roads North You can drive straight down I-5, stopping in Portland and Eugene, which is the fastest route. 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. Read our guide to the coolest hotels in Seattle to find the perfect hotel for your style and budget. The Underground Tour: A little quirky and offbeat, kind of like Seattle, the Underground Tour is worth doing while youre in Pioneer Square. Pigeon Point Light Station is a lighthouse located on the coast of northern California near Pescadero. 2 Week Road Trip Itinerary Overview Over the course of 2 weeks, we drove approximately 1650 miles (2330km) at a moderate pace. If you're driving further south, check out this 3 days San Diego itinerary. (1 answer), Marsha-laine asked:Most Scenic Drive Down to San Francisco (2 answers), John asked:Seattle to San Francisco recommend route (1 answer). Wed recommend Rainier if you only have time to visit one. So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. So it is time to explore something new! Thirsty? Time. You could also visit one of the many wineries surrounding the Sonoma County too. This is the one where you can drive your car through actual living redwoods! Route 2: San Francisco to Seattle via 101 N and I-5 N Featuring some of the best road trip attractions in Northern California, including Humboldt County, wine country, beaches, and redwoods Eugene and Portland, Oregon (Tillamook, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Astoria are optional) Olympia in Washington If youre on a budget, check out the Found Hotel. Its like the Society Hotel in Portland in that they have room options that have dorms and shared bathrooms so that you can save a little money in one of the most expensive cities in the country. If you dont, either because youve already been or youre just simply not interested, spend that time somewhere else instead. Although this route could theoretically be driven in 3 days, a better course of action would be to take at least a couple of weeks to explore both the oceanfront and the countless inland attractions near Highways 1 and 101. tdelano. It does cost $8 per car but where else can you drive through a tree? San Francisco to Seattle drive - plan a road trip We lived in San Francisco for almost a decade before quitting our jobs and leaving the city on our year long worldwide adventure. 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. This article shares the 15 top tips that turn your San Francisco trip into an unforgettable journey. Theres no need to rent a car in Seattle, public transport is fairly reliable however if you stay outside of the city, you can still rely on Uber and some public transport. As you get into November, its going to get more unpredictable. Rainier to Portland, stopping at Mt. San Francisco to Seattle Road trip Google Maps San Francisco and Seattle are two eclectic peas in a pod. Grab yourself some lunch from The Picnic Basket or the Surfrider Cafe and enjoy it on the beach whilst people watching and soaking up the sunshine. You wont want to miss our detailed guides to visiting Mount Rainier that are all based on our own personal experience exploring the park. . We plan (and pay for) all of our own travels, and we use our first hand knowledge to write detailed travel guides to the places we love to help YOU plan an amazing trip. Shasta (2 days) Stop 5: Redwood National Park (1-2 days) Stop 6: Crater Lake (2 days) Stop 7: Coos Bay / Southern Oregon Coast (1 day) and leave at 8:38 pm. (17 answers). Nonstop drive: 807 miles or 1299 km Driving time: 12 hours, 32 minutes Just 15 minutes from Monterey, youll find a variety of cheaper hotels. 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. Keep reading. Youll immediately gasp at the size of these Red Wood trees! Seattle To San Francisco Road Trip & Drive (2023 Edition) You could also go the coastal route, but its a bit out of the way if youve only got 3-5 days. To help with the planning of your amazing road trip, check out all the information below for great inspiration, information and things to do along the way. drive for about 41 minutes. Id start in Washington and move south in hopes that you get the last pieces of good weather in the Northwest, but its hard to say what youre going to get at that time of year. The Northern California Coast is considered to be one of the most scenic areas in the entire country, and for many reasons. to each other and sharing tips and advice. How to Plan an Amazing San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip With an early-morning flight booked well in advance, it's possible. The Ultimate San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip I did have a concern though, Im likely doing 2 weeks from October 28th to Nov 11th 2022. This route was intriguing to us because the arrival time was almost 3 hours faster than the Highway 101 alternative, but we decided that this drive was once in a lifetime and we had to take the longer option if it meant we'd be driving the Oregon coast the entire day. Mid July: 1 week with wife and kid - what should we prioritize? The 363 mile Oregon coast has cute towns, beaches and photo ops all along the way. Expect to drive 2-6 hours a day with 1 or 2 longer days. Read Next: 4 Days in San Francisco: A Complete City Guide from a Local. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below. Road Trip Route Planner, Map and Trip Guides | Roadtrippers Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, What an amazing road trip! Crater Lake is the largest lake in the United States (over 1900 ft deep!) In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Seattle to San Francisco. Japanese Gardens (15 mentions) You can pick one of them that suits your taste. (29 answers), Dina from Dallas asked:What are the top 5 can't miss tourist attractions in S.F.? The lighthouse is pretty cool, and is definitely worth the price of admission, which is simply a three mile round trip hike to get to it. looking for a vacation rental or Airbnb? (4 answers), Jd from Australia asked:Advice to avoid snowy road conditions from SF to Seattle (January) (3 answers), Will from Chicago asked:Road Trip on the 101 and 1- what to see on the way to SF from Seattle? As you can tell, Jacob was less than impressed. Best free things to do in Redding? For once, I wasnt the tallest! 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.