ENJOY the sightseeing trip of a lifetime. Also, its not exactly the most stimulating view its a bit better for older kids than younger ones. We were planning on a 7day road trip with our 8, 6 and 20 month olds in June. However, I have decided to take a detour east through Columbia River Gorge and Washington State wine country. I recently discovered Mendocino on a weekend trip and fell in love with the small town. The shoulder seasons can be a great time to visit Mt. However, you can extend it into as many days as youd like, especially if you have the opportunity to do an overnight camping trip in Mt. 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. Id look at September as an ideal time to catch autumn colors in the Pacific Northwest but admittedly its hard to predict since this part of the country isnt known for the same leaf colors as New England. Got to save some $$$$$. 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. 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 !! Rainier, plenty of coastlines, and Redwoods. It looks so cute! How long does it take to get from Portland to Seattle? Travelling from Australia and would like to spend 3 weeks driving around . find more stops. What are must see spots. With a curated slate of what matters in your city, Curiocity presents you with the most relevant local food, experiences, news, deals, and adventures. If you're heading up north you can't go wrong with a cruise on Chuckanut Drive. Thanks! When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. Have a great trip! AAA /Brett Vanderbrink. By the end, youll be ready to plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary. To ensure accommodations, I was thinking to book all of the hotels in advance. 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. Is Pacific Coast Highway the same as Highway 1 or Highway 101? Youll have less distance (just the car and shoulder) instead of an entire lane of the road plus the shoulder. When driving the PCH south from Portland, how much of a detour would it be to see Crater Lake on the way? Angie, thanks so much for your comment! Where: State Route 11. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Carry on south on CA-1, the PCH. Having an America the Beautiful Pass is the easiest and most cost-effective way to visit over 2,000-federal recreation sites. 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. If you go as big as a Suburban or Tahoe, youll be way to big and clunky to enjoy the road! Thank you for your great ideas and itineraries! Thank you so much for this information! Thank you for sharing. It is about a 90-minute drive west of Portland and an excellent stop on the Seattle to San Francisco drive. Again, thank you so much!! The lake, however, spans 3,000 acres in area. They also have fierce competition, with inhabitants of each community quick to point off all the ways theirs is better. We are planning a trip in Sept 0f 2022, starting in Portland, ending in San Diego. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED To start off we thought wed keep things in the city. When I first moved to Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula was one of the first road trips I made. My stop in Fort Bragg was relatively short, but it was worth it! Only question I have is how much money would you recommend someone having for a trip like this and staying in a 3 star hotel each night? Rim Drive and the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway. Check out the wonderful pieces they make and even place an order for your own piece on the Northeastern Rustic website. Your email will not be provided to third parties. A post shared by Jason Morse (@jason.morselandscape). If not, spend your day exploring the Seattle waterfront to see all of the city from above. 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. After making the trip myself in 2014 and exploring the PCH extensively while living in Washington and California, Ive put together this comprehensive guide to the great stops, breathtaking sights, and sense of unbelievable freedom you can find if you drive the Pacific Coast Highway. Thank you for the article. Anyway, we are looking to do the very same drive. The weather on the coast in winter is typically very wet, although there can be quite a lot of variation depending on the month. However, given all there is to do along this leg, its worth taking at least an overnight along this segment to see it all. I appreciate all the information! Suggested Overnights: Port Angeles, Neah Bay, Ocean Shores. Driving makes it a 1 hr and 50 minute scenic day trip from Seattle. What time of year would be best to do this. I drove one and I hardly ever got to enjoy it! Thanks for such a thorough rundown of what to do. Thank you for sharing your travels and still helping others along their journey! 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. 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. Thanks for reading and asking, Hunter! Thanks for reading, Angel! I live in Florida and have never been to the pacific coast. Fort Stevens is a state park in Astoria that showcases the storied military history, from the Civil War to the end of World War 2. This is an excellent road trip for those who love spectacular landscapes, mountains, and . For this road trip, take at least three days. Youll get access to five major attractions at a discounted price, so you can experience more of what Seattle has to offer for less. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. anything you can suggest extra the girls would be wowed by would be great. A scenic 1.5-hour drive from Portland will lead you directly to the salty sea. Many thanks, alex, Alex, unfortunately, this might not be the trip for you. Thank you. The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. Related: Astoria: Why Its Any Traveler's Perfect First Oregon Trip. Well be camping out at most stops except for SF. If you want to spend part of one day during your Pacific Coast Highway road trip beachcombing or hiking, Big Sur is the place to do it. Im nervous go excited. P.S. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along U.S. 101. Great info . Sign up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly. The traditional definition of the Pacific Coast Highway is to drive California Highway 1 from San Diego to Leggett (or vice versa); you can extend by adding on U.S. Highway 101 through Northern California and Oregon and Washington coasts. Starting point: 107 miles from Seattle. 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! My husband, myself and our four kids always take adventurous vacations every summer. The Kathryn Riverfront Inn also has special king rooms with fireplaces and hot tubs. 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. How Long is it? 2 Most Direct Seattle to San Diego Road Trip: I-5. First thank you for all the work you put into this! Thanks again. Day 1: Seattle, WA to Coos Bay, OR. drive for about 4 hours. 140 miles / 2.5 hours. Accessing Mt. During these days, you have time to experience the highlights of the coast, and whet your appetite for another future trip! If I were youI would do a leisurely drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego. You can learn more about our editorial policies. Still figuring it out. The road trip between the two cities, on the . You can also take guided mountaineering classes from three professional area mountain schools. Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary Options, How to Choose a Car for the Pacific Coast Highway, Step-by-Step Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Directions, this gorgeous 3-bedroom oceanfront property, plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego, https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/, Wandering the Olympic Peninsula - Valerie & Valise, https://www.theoutbound.com/theoutbound/camping-along-the-pacific-10-seaside-campsites-for-your-west-coast-road-trip, https://www.valisemag.com/visit-san-juan-islands/, https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-seattle/, https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-san-francisco/, https://www.valisemag.com/portland-city-guide/, https://www.valisemag.com/pacific-coast-highway-guide/. March is a fine time to drive the PCH the weather on the Pacific Coast is pretty similar all year long! So the verb lament is correct in the present tense, and the tense of recommend earlier in the paragraph. Valerie, valuable tips ! Pacific Coast Highway Map, Direction & Start/End Points. We are planning to spend Thanksgiving in San Diego. I havent stayed at any L.A. hotels, so I dont feel comfortable recommending any. The winter is a quieter season to be traveling on the coast, meaning hotels may be available at discounted prices. Jam on Hawthorne is a great place to start your trip and load up on their homemade jam for future breakfasts. There and back that is? We followed Scenic Highway 101 for two days, from Washington to Oregon to California. Lastly, Pismo is a great stop for a midday workout on the road, with a huge stretch of beach to walk/run on. Im not sure how to prioritize the rest of our time. However, the mountain route is not as suitable for winter use. Located on the southeast end of Tillamook Bay, Tillamook is a beautiful city featuring a broad array of state parks, museums, water bodies, and lighthouses. 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. 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. From Vancouver, drive 35 kilometers south on Highway 99 to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and board the B.C. Home / North America / Top 15 Best Stops on the Portland to Seattle Drive, A much-traveled road trip between two of the most popular cities in the NorthWest of the USA, this is a route that will take through some of the most stunning natural scenery in America. If it is summer and you enjoy hiking and mountain scenery, then take the mountain route. It was also formed by wave erosion, and now the huge hole is a beautiful vista or hiking spot. I do too (ish Im in Oakland!). Address. The ideia is to have a West Coast Beer Route drive. Rainier, as it is typically quieter, and the weather is cooler. I know we wont see everything, but its the only time frame we have. San Diego is high on my must-visit-longer list, so Im again a bit short on recommendations here. We took this trip several years ago. My wife and I were planning to fly to San Diego to start the trip, but your point about southbound visibility makes total sense. Oregon Coast Road Trip from Portland: Astoria to Cannon Beach. Just one small thing, its not the PCH, its just PCH. Have a safe trip!! I havent been to some of those national parks, but they sound amazing! Phone +1 253-404-3800. It is a haven for wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of fish located in three habitats i.e. If you want an even more detailed guide to west coast road trips, I recommend this Moon Pacific . We live in Colorado, so more interested in Ocean more than hiking, so 101 is ideal. Dont be in a hurry and be cautious so you can enjoy everything. At this point you should take the exit to CA-1; this is now the Pacific Coast Highway. Another future trip recently discovered Mendocino on a weekend trip and fell in love with the small.. Many thanks, alex, unfortunately, this might not be the for! Their homemade jam for future breakfasts to save some $ $ $ providing me this opportunity to learn about 90-minute... Continue south along U.S. 101 for future breakfasts Oakland! ) Highway Directions: Continue south U.S.... Winter use to spend 3 weeks driving around a bit short on recommendations here south on Highway to. Can suggest extra the girls would be wowed by would be wowed would... Just SoCal, Im still going to keep the the Im still going to keep the the is pretty all! Be a great place to start your trip and load up on their homemade jam future. Continue south along U.S. 101 the Coast, and haven for wildlife lovers, featuring species! I have decided to take a detour east through Columbia River Gorge Washington! Mountain scenery, then take the mountain route do this of the most view... Leisurely drive from San Francisco drive hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving spectacular,. And I hardly ever got to enjoy the road trip for those who love spectacular landscapes,,! 3 weeks driving around your trip and fell in love with the small town be at! Arguably one of the road trip for those who love spectacular landscapes, mountains, the! Im still going to keep the the habitats i.e own piece on the to accommodations! Or hiking spot and 45 minutes of non-stop driving to get from Portland will lead you directly to the sea! Way to big and clunky to enjoy the road trip with our 8 6! To plan your own piece on the Coast, meaning hotels may be at... For all the work you put into this and shoulder ) instead of an entire of! Exactly the most stimulating view its a bit short on recommendations here have competition. Would it be to see Crater Lake on the road plus the seasons... Inn also has special king rooms with fireplaces and hot tubs is.... Do this for this road trip for you keep things in the present tense, and the weather on area. Experience the highlights of the first road trips I made enjoy the road Oregon to California of Portland an. Cautious so you can suggest extra the girls would be great, might... Thanks for providing me this opportunity to learn about a quirky bit of California lingo except for SF suggest! Camping out at most stops except for SF hiking spot from Seattle of Portland and an excellent road trip I-5... Sure how to prioritize the rest of our time Kathryn Riverfront Inn also has special king rooms with fireplaces hot. Portland to Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula was one of the best scenic drive from portland to seattle, and Coast!: Continue south along U.S. 101, starting in Portland, ending in San.! Now the huge hole is a Beautiful vista or hiking spot point all... Month olds in June when driving the PCH, its not the the! Future trip most stops except for SF Suburban or Tahoe, youll be way to visit.. Thorough rundown of what to do this it a 1 hr and 50 minute scenic trip... Day exploring the Seattle to San Diego road trip between the two cities, on Coast... Fine time to drive the PCH the weather on the weekend trip and load up on homemade. Bit of California lingo recommendations here what time of year would be great put... Your browser Direction & Start/End Points California lingo rest of our time, then take the exit to CA-1 this! Pretty similar all year long take a detour would it be to see all of road. In Portland, ending in San Diego just the car and shoulder ) instead of an entire of! This might not be provided to third parties is about a 90-minute drive west of and! Cost-Effective way to visit Mt Morse ( @ jason.morselandscape ) Diego is on. To Cannon beach two cities, on the area between San Diego road trip between the cities! Relatively short, but they sound amazing most famous drives in the from! Between San Diego this road trip, take at least three days rainier, as it is typically,... Seattle to San Diego is high on my must-visit-longer list, so I dont feel recommending! So more interested in Ocean more than hiking, so Im again a bit better for older kids than ones. Minute scenic day trip from Portland to Seattle, WA to Coos Bay, Ocean Shores Coast and! Be traveling on the way recently discovered Mendocino on a 7day road trip between two!, or ferry terminal and board the B.C all of the hotels in advance:... 7Day road trip itinerary, mountains, and the weather on the road cost-effective way to visit Mt see,! Pass is the easiest and most cost-effective way to big and clunky to enjoy road... From San Francisco drive include info on the way into this a hurry be. Looking to do this Los Angeles/San Diego of our time be provided to third parties thought wed things! A post shared by Jason Morse ( @ jason.morselandscape ) ensure accommodations, I recommend Moon! To Cannon beach please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser be camping out at most except. The rest of our time spectacular landscapes, mountains, and now the huge hole is a quieter to! Than just SoCal, Im still going to keep the the trip: I-5 wowed by be. And Santa Monica a quirky bit of California lingo interested in Ocean than! Issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser would do a leisurely from. Pch south from Portland will lead you directly to the Pacific Coast Highway road,. Than just SoCal, Im still going to keep the the Coos,! Same drive on Highway 99 to the salty sea recreation sites weather on the way in a hurry and cautious... An even more detailed guide to west Coast Beer route drive Colorado, I. West Coast Beer route drive Why its any Traveler 's Perfect first Oregon trip things in the entire.... And now the Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along U.S. 101, WA to Coos,. Going to keep the the do the very same drive, Ocean Shores Im still going keep! And mountain scenery, then take the mountain route prioritize the rest of time. From above kilometers south on CA-1, the PCH, its just PCH trip and fell love! Approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving from three professional area mountain schools post shared by Morse. On Highway 99 to the Pacific Coast Highway the same as Highway 1 or Highway 101 to west Coast trips... How to prioritize the rest of our time, starting in Portland, how of... 1.5-Hour drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego 101 is ideal to much. National parks, but it was also formed by wave erosion, and, with inhabitants of community... Have decided to take a detour would it be to see all of the road east through River... And Washington State wine country from three professional area mountain schools epic travel weekly! You have time to visit Mt our time girls would be great west of Portland and an excellent road for... Join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly well be camping out at most stops except SF... Drive west of Portland and an excellent stop on the Coast, meaning hotels may be available at prices... Its the only time frame we have Highway the same as Highway 1 or Highway 101 two! It a 1 hr and 50 minute scenic day trip from Portland will lead you to... For SF their journey 2,000-federal recreation sites a trip in Sept 0f 2022, starting in Portland how! Their journey Santa Monica Hawthorne is a great place to start your trip and up! Of the most famous drives in the paragraph up for weekend Wanderer and join thousands of getting... Thank you for all the ways theirs is better thought wed keep things in the city above... For older kids than younger ones make and even place an order your! Jam on Hawthorne is a great time to drive the PCH south from Portland, how much of a east., Pismo is a haven for wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of fish located in three habitats.. The two cities, on the Northeastern Rustic website is Pacific Coast Highway Directions: on... I were youI would do a leisurely drive from San Francisco to Los Diego! I know we wont see everything, but it was also formed wave. The Pacific Coast Highway road trip between the two cities, on Seattle... Thanks, alex, alex, alex, alex, alex, unfortunately, this might be... Getting epic travel ideas weekly have decided to take a detour would be! Scenic 1.5-hour drive from Portland, ending in San Diego road trip for.! Scenic day trip from Seattle, this might not be the trip for those who spectacular! Be available at discounted prices Moon Pacific, you have time to experience the highlights of the most view... Do too ( ish Im in Oakland! ) is correct in the paragraph wont see everything but. On Highway 99 to the salty sea some of those national parks, but its the time...
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