seattle to san francisco road trip map

Let's be friends! Wilda's Grill Seattle To San Fran: What To Do During This Epic Road Trip Redd FIPS code. What is your favorite restaurant in Portland? If you're aiming to spend most of your time at the beach, this might be the best time to do the trip. Spend some time on the coast and check out the things to do in Monterey. Expect to drive 2-6 hours a day with 1 or 2 longer days. Here are some of our favorite things to do. Today, we split time between San Francisco and Seattle. Rainier and Mt. In this guide to planning an Algarve itinerary, were going to use our experience spending a week, Read More How to Plan an Amazing Algarve Itinerary (3-7 Days)Continue, We love San Francisco, which is where we met, got married, and lived for almost a decade. We have selected seven hotels for you. Stay at the Graduate Hotel, a college-themed boutique hotel in the center of Eugene. 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. Arrive in Portland and stay either Kex, the Hotel Grand Stark, or the Jupiter NEXT Hotel (read our full guide on the best places to stay in Portland for more of our recommendations weve been to Portland numerous times and are planning on relocating there at some point in the near future). Cap Hill as we locals call it, is home to the best selection of food, drinks, and coffee in the city. Pacific City. If you dont, either because youve already been or youre just simply not interested, spend that time somewhere else instead. GNIS feature ID. Hey Pontus! Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! Read Next: The 19 Best Airbnbs in Seattle. 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). Let us know, wed love to hear from you! Hopefully youve found the answer you needed elsewhere, but for anyone else wondering what the weather is going to be like in mid-October, youre likely going to get some great fall color, though the weather could be more unpredictable, with rain or even snow. That doesnt mean youre not going to have a great time, though! Crater Lake National Park is an extraordinary park that has a dormant volcano as its crown jewel. Road trips are F-U-N! Featuring both the ocean and some of the finest parks and forests in the country, this is one of the most legendary itineraries in all of America. What is your favorite restaurant in Redding? I (Matt) grew up in Seattle, and lived there for 15+ years before relocating to San Francisco, where I met Alysha, who grew up in the Bay Area. Besides the fact that any coastline drive looks better when the weather is warmer, forests and parks are a defining feature of this road trip. Potato Champion and was formed by the eruption and collapsing of a volcano, Mount Mazama 7,700 years ago. Rainier to Portland, stopping at Mt. Mid July: 1 week with wife and kid - what should we prioritize? International Rose Test Garden (20 mentions) If there was one thing on this whole trip that we really wanted to see, it was Big Sur. because there's an entire community of travelers talking restaurants around Redding: Trinidad: Hike the Trinidad Head trail to enjoy stunning 360-degree panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Here are a few pit stops to consider stopping for. Can you take us too? Yep, the name speaks for itself! Here's the quick answer if you have friends taking shifts as driver so that you can make the entire trip by car without stopping. Second at Rialto Beach to do the hike out to Hole in the Wall (one of our favorite hikes in Olympic National Park). Apr 3rd, 2010 10:39 PM. If you have more than a couple of days to spare, a much more scenic alternative would be to drive along the coast, which would extend your drive by about 8 hours. The hotel is a bit on the expensive side, as you might expect, but if any resort in the area is worthy of its price tag, it's definitely this one. You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving Budget Tip: If Monterey or the surrounding areas are too expensive or unavailable, consider the town Seaside. 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. Youll follow the coastline past sweeping sand beaches (stop at Jenner Beach!). You can pick one of them that suits your taste. In this section, we list the five different restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. A somewhat sleepy, somewhat rowdy college town, home of the University of Oregon, Eugene is quirky, creative, and a fun weekend getaway from Portland. What is your favorite restaurant in Redding? Drive through Cape Perpetua (stop at Thors Well and the scenic overlook), Heceta Head Lighthouse, and finally to Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor. Enter a city to drive through, or find all. This 807-mile drive will take you to some of the best spots in the Pacific Northwest. Finally, you can drive down Howland Hill Road, which is mostly unpaved but well-maintained road traversing a magnificent redwood forest. ad hoc 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). You could choose to stop in San Fran or continue south (like we did) and hit the beach! Here are our favorite places to eat in San Francisco, a city full of amazing food spots. 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. San Francisco. westcoastbound. Looking for the best coffee in a city known for amazing coffee? We loved this modern guesthouse right off of Hawthorne Blvd (the best street in Portland) and this cozy apartment in the hip Alberta Arts District, which is a cool spot to base yourself. We left Santa Cruz after a walk along the beach and continued our way down the coastal HWY 1 towards the gorgeous Monterey Bay + surrounding areas. You could also go the coastal route, but its a bit out of the way if youve only got 3-5 days. As for San Francisco itself, there's virtually no wrong time to visit - in the spring and winter, you'll find that a warm jacket is enough to help you deal with the coastal wind, and the otherwise-pricy hotels also tend to bring down their prices these times of year. In the guide below, well give you our favorite stops to make on a Seattle to San Francisco road trip, along with logistics and sample itineraries to help you plan the perfect adventure. Sleep in Ashford just outside the park entrance at Paradise Village. Mendocino is a largely unspoiled area of California that has beaches, valleys, and forests. Get our latest blog posts, updates and deals. If youre tight on time:Jump directly on HWY 5 South and head forWillamette Valley. We will be in de US for about 4 weeks. The 960-mile road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes 20 hours 30 minutes. 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. If you find it difficult to organize your luggage on the road trip, take a look at the, Are you traveling with children? Break the budget! Sightseeing in Napa? I dont recommend that. The Chihuly Glass and Garden is a one-of-a-kind art installation featuring hand blown glass in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Portland (246 answers) Visiting both cities is a must if you're in the area and doing so in an RV is particularly beneficial as you get to see some excellent sights along the way. Keep reading. If you're driving further south, check out this 3 days San Diego itinerary. Dont forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. Road Trip from San Francisco to Seattle - Napa and Inland Tour The Paradise side of Mt. We spent the past two years traveling, which included 18 national parks here in the United States, and an extended trip to Europe. Best free things to do in Redding? We recommend Sandcastle Inn. Tasty N Sons McMinnville. Doing this drive in record time isnt going to be a fun one. 53-63000. Rather random? day 2 driving 6.5 hours. These hotels are listed below. After half a day here, we made our way down HWY 199 through some interesting towns, en route to Crescent City on HWY 101. Need some recommendations on somewhere to get food? Shasta? The 808 miles of the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes around 12 hours and 47 mins of driving without stops. Other Stops on the Drive from Seattle to San Francisco, How to Plan an Amazing Algarve Itinerary (3-7 Days), Where to Stay in San Francisco: A Locals Complete Guide, Gluten Free Boston: A Complete Guide for Celiacs, Where to Stay in Zion National Park: Best Hotels + B&Bs, How to Plan an Amazing Grand Canyon Itinerary (2 Days), Gluten Free San Francisco: A Complete Guide for Celiacs. If its on (or even if its not), you should stop in Ashland. A road trip along New York state's Women's Heritage Trail, 9 stops on a Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail road trip, A cross-country road trip to U.S. presidential libraries, A road trip to filming locations featured in 'The Goonies', The top things to do on an Extraterrestrial Highway road trip, Pay Tribute and Reflect at These US Monuments and Memorials. It does cost $8 per car but where else can you drive through a tree? Within the cone of that volcano, called Mount Mazama, is a stunningly blue body of water called Crater Lake. Third stop is the Hoh Rainforest, which is a spectacular example of the temperate rainforests that call this part of the country home. Here are the top seven hotels on the Seattle San Francisco route! Especially on the weekdays. Hood, Willamette, and Siuslaw National Forests, and Redwood National and State Parks. Photo Credit: Bigstock. Find out how many days in San Francisco to stay. Have you done this road trip before? Read that for the details behind the picks below! Youre in for a treat full of pristine beaches, crystal-clear turquoise water, and charming small towns dotting Portugals southern coast. . 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. Weve made this trip in one straight shot in just 12 hours when taking I-5. You can choose from the stops below based on how much time you have to spend think of it as a choose your own adventure sort of thing (used to LOVE those Goosebumps books!). Theres really only one choice here. Planning to do something like that in the future. Anyway, walk through the market and check out the vendors selling everything from candied nuts to flowers, and of course, the flying salmon. We have lived, collectively, in exactly three cities. Keep your eye out for the Elks! San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip: A Trip to The Pacific Northwest + More If youre planning on doing this drive in the winter, avoid snow and tricky road conditions by going the coastal route on the famous Highway 101, which is amazing in its own right. Today, an island called Wizard Island juts up from beneath the surface of the water. 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. Overall, we think you should choose either the Mission District or Hayes Valley if you have a car. There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to San Francisco. Would it be too cold in Washington/Oregon? Day 3: Continue south along the coast of Washington, crossing into Oregon after a quick stop at Cape Disappointment. If organized tours are your thing, here are some recommendations in San Francisco: How you budget is entirely based on the types of accommodations youre wanting to stay in and of course where you choose to eat. and leave at 8:38 pm. San Francisco To Seattle: The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary - TheTravel Drive time (to Eureka): 5 hours / 245 miles. Road Trip from Seattle to San Francisco | Enterprise Rent-A-Car To go a level deeper, take this awesome guided tour of Pike Place with a Local Chef. For something a little more low-key, you can also enjoy a yoga class or even try wine tasting. Visit some of the numerous waterfalls namely Myrtle and Christine. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. The Northern California Coast is considered to be one of the most scenic areas in the entire country, and for many reasons. Artesa Vineyards & Winery (9 mentions) Hotels: The Hoxton and the Society Hotel (weve stayed there) are our top hotel picks in Portland. Seattle to San Francisco RV Road Trip Guide (+ RV Rental) - RVshare Road Trip on the 101 and 1- what to see on the way to SF from Seattle? Waking up to an unprecedented view of the city's marvelous architecture is one of the best ways to start your day, and St Regis' incredible suites let you do just that. trip dates & more! There are picturesque coastal towns, wildflowers galore during the spring, cool ocean breezes in the summer (definitely expect fog too), serene beaches, and towering redwoods that will leave you in awe. Here are a few estimates of what to expect. What is your favorite restaurant in Eugene? San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip Itinerary Advice Read our guide to the 14 coolest hotels in Portland for more awesome hotels in Portland. Stop in at Rocky Point Restaurant for a cocktail and then head to California Market at Pacifics Edge for lunch with sweeping views of the ocean. The best resource on neighborhoods, areas, For once, I wasnt the tallest! Drive Time from San Francisco: 20 minutes / 7 miles Your trip starts with a drive across the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge. Here are some of our favorites. Thanks for all the info happy travels . Once in Vacaville, take Interstate 80 through Fairfield, then cross the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge. Please also note that due to a giant landslide in May of 2017, a whole section of the Big Sur is inaccessible from the South, and you cannot travel the whole route. 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. The drive's signature stops include the cities of Portland and Sacramento, Mt. Planning a trip in your Tesla? Seattle is one (Matt lived there for 15+ years), San Francisco is the second (we met and lived there for juuuust shy of a decade), and Alysha also lived in Santa Barbara in college. In fact, Matt recently did this drive alone. Add anything that looks interesting! The Best Route for Your Seattle to San Francisco Drive, The Best Stops to Make on a Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip, Mt. Other foodie things to do besides wine tasting It was so special to see where my mum spent her years here and I was very fortunate they were still there to meet me! Though I cant say the same for the also-famous but largely uninspired gum wall, which is downright disgusting if you really stop to think about it. questions about Napa: Day 1: Arrive Seattle, rest Day 2: Seattle Day 3: Seattle, leave for Portland Day 4: Portland, leave for Newport OR Day 5: Newport to Bandon OR Day 6: Bandon to Trinidad CA Day 7: Redwood National Park, go to Healdsburg CA Day 8: Healdsburg/Sonoma/Napa Day 9: Wine country to Yosemite Day 10: Yosemite Day 11: Yosemite to SF Day 12: SF If you're looking to have some fun, nothing can beat the relaxing view from the terrace, especially when it's coupled with an incredible live performance by top-of-the-line musicians. 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. questions about Mount Shasta (California): Road Trip from SF to Vancouver/Seattle- where are the best places to see? 2015 Seattle, San Francisco, and Sierra - cross-country-trips.com Were Matt and Alysha, the two endlessly curious travelers behind this site. We are looking to plan this exact trip this summer and Im so happy to find your blog! Well, thats it for us! The Pacific Science Center is a great stop for kids, with interactive exhibits that make for a perfect rainy day activity in Seattle. Market Street Steakhouse Road Map from San Francisco to Seattle Youll immediately gasp at the size of these Red Wood trees! Here are our favorite places to visit at these locations. This luxury coastal road trip will take you from Seattle and the forested islands of Washington's Puget Sound to San Francisco and the towering redwoods of Northern California. The Ultimate Guide To Crater Lake National Park, See Expedia for more greatHotels for Road trips, Adelaide to Melbourne via The Great Ocean Road: Ultimate Guide, The Ultimate Road Trip around Oahu, Hawaii, Greece to Croatia Road Trip via Albania & Montenegro, A Guide to Visiting the Amazon Rainforest, 7 Underrated Travel Destinations for the Budget Traveler, 9 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Zadar, Croatia, 20 Best Things to Do in Cape Town with Kids & Toddlers, Your Guide to Australian Wildlife and National Parks, 8 Incredible Places in California To Visit, A Guide to the Most Instagrammable Beaches in 2020, Day 4: Seattle Willamette Valley (222 miles/357 km), Day 5: Willamette Valley Pacific City (63 miles/101 km), Day 6: Pacific City Roseburg via the Oregon Coast (229 miles/368km), Day 7: Roseburg Crater Lake National Park (86 miles/138km) toCrescent City, California(185 miles/297km), Day 8: Crescent City Santa Rosa (300 miles/482km), Day 10: Santa Rosa Santa Cruz (129 miles/207km), Day 11: Santa Cruz Monterey (43 miles/69km, 45 minutes) (2 days), Day 13: Monterey Big Sur (28 miles/45km), Day 14: Big Sur San Francisco (147miles/236km). Youre very welcome Candice, enjoy your trip! From here, cross the Columbia River via Route 30 and continue west until you reach the coast. Navarro Vineyards and Roederer Estate are our favorites. Spend the afternoon and evening in Mendocino, exploring Fort Bragg and the town of Mendocino. If youre lucky, you may spot the local bald eagles. See here for our top things to do in San Francisco. Road Trip From Seattle To San Francisco - LazyTrips Capitol Cider for a huge selection of Pacific Northwest ciders and a 100% gluten free kitchen. There are many excellent hotels during your Seattle to San Francisco road trip. Rainier as early as possible (if youre flying in, youll want to book an early flight!). I have experience of roadtrips only in Finland (where I live) and South Africa (the country I am in love with). And for this, 9.00 AM will be late. If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Seattle to San Francisco journey, you can consider the five restaurants we have chosen. If you have more time, here are some other places to stop along the way from Seattle to San Francisco. 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. 3029 Spirit Lake Highway, Castle Rock, WA, US, 13515 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Milwaukie, OR, US, 4303 Sardine Creek L Fork Road, Gold Hill, OR, US, The Embarcadero And Beach St, San Francisco, CA, US. 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. Head out to the Olympic Peninsula by taking the Bainbridge Island Ferry. We began our 2-week west coast road trip in Seattle, Washington. What is your favorite restaurant in Portland? This hotel is located right on the beach with gorgeous views of the boardwalk/beach. Here are some options for where to stay in Seattle whether you prefer staying in hotels or in an Airbnb. Time. The rooms at this hotel offer the ideal blend of simple and elegant, and the communal areas are as extravagant as they come. 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, Heres a guide to the best breweries in Seattle, industrial-chic Airbnb in South Lake Union, How to Plan an Unforgettable Day Trip to Mount Rainier From Seattle, Where to Stay near Mount Rainier National Park: A Complete Guide, The Best Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park: A Helpful Hiking Guide. Be prepared for the overwhelming choice of flavours! Napa (85 answers) The hostel was close to all the main sights as well as public transport. One of our all-time favourite things to eat! questions about Mount Shasta (California): Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detoursfrom roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond. Its a no frills option, with great value rooms with modern amenities. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the There are so many places to stop and it all depends on the time you have as well as your interests. One other note were also assuming you want to spend time in Seattle and San Francisco too. USA West Coast Road Trip Itinerary: Seattle to San Francisco Planning a trip to the Algarve, the gorgeous coastal paradise along the southern edge of Portugal? Monterey Bay > Pacific Grove > 17 Mile Drive > Pebble Beach > Carmel-by-the-sea > Point Lobos > Monterey (or Seaside to sleep). Union Square is where youll find a lot of shopping options & Mission District has a lot of greats bars and restaurants to explore. Mileage: It's 808 miles from Seattle to San Francisco. At the end of the journey, you can fly out of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Oakland International Airport (OAK). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 10:37 amdrive for about 1.5 hours, 12:00 pm Mount Shasta (California) We know the city like the back of our hands, and hope we can give you some of the inside knowledge you need to make your trip to Seattle a memorable one. Venture further inland and go hiking in Death Valley National Park. Hows the weather like for a Road Trip and visiting alot of these spots then? Below is an interactive map or see below for a static map to save. Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip - Skyscanner Get coffee at Noble Coffee Roasters, and lunch in Ashland (and catch a show, if thats your thing) before heading over the Siskyou Pass into California. Seattle and San Francisco are the two cities in the world that we have, collectively, called home. 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. 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. stay at Ace Hotel. Past Dunnigan, hop onto Interstate 505 and either follow it south to Vacaville or detour to Sacramento. Day 7: Congrats! tdelano. How Many Days to Spend on This Road Trip? Not sure what to do in Seattle? So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. Searching for an inexpensive and nice inn in Napa area stay for about 1 hour and leave at 6:39 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, 8:05 pm Wildlife Safari If youre only going to do it once, do it right. When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. Read that if you want the details beyond some of our recommendations. The guide below is written with a two week trip in mind. After the volcano erupted around 8,000 years ago, the collapsed summit eventually stored enough water to create the lake. Drive to Port Angeles, with a stop at Nourish Sequim along the way for a delicious (and gluten free) lunch. If you want to be in with all the tourist action, North Beach, right by the famousFishermans Wharf is your best bet but be prepared, it is touristy and expensive! Heres what we suggest doing in this stunning national park, which you can pretty easily tackle in a full day. The advantage of staying there is that its right in the middle of downtown. As you get into November, its going to get more unpredictable. Unfortunately, outside of summer, the rides are only open on the weekends. This is the worst driving day because theres not much to see along the way from Redding to San Francisco. Read Next: 4 Days in San Francisco: A Complete City Guide from a Local. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Stay hungry and enjoy! Here are some more restaurants people talk about: Want to research more popular restaurants in San Francisco? With limited time between three and five days youre going to want to stick to I-5. Saint Helens provides some surreal views of this active volcano, as well as some intriguing natural formations. 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. The Hoxton is a super stylish hotel that is one of our favorite hotel chains in the world. Morimoto Looking for more cool hotels? San Francisco to Seattle drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. So it is time to explore something new! How to Plan an Amazing San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip San Francisco to Seattle Road trip | Indie Campers If you're driving from Seattle WA to San Francisco CA check the weather conditions for a safer trip. With a fourth day, wed add Rainier (with a stop in Eugene between Portland and Redding). who wants the trip to end?