best scenic drive from portland to seattle

The route is accessible year-round and offers views of Mount Rainier. And of course, you can also check out Discovery Park while youre in the area for a great stroll. I am currently living in crescent city and plan to make the drive in a couple of weeks. There are plenty of things to do in Long Beach for more than an overnight stop! Hi Valerie. Thanks to the Pacific Coast and rugged mountains, Oregon and Washington are filled with natural beauty. I hope this helps! You can learn more about our editorial policies here. Seattle is one of my favorite destinations in the world. What you suggested (Anaheim > SLO/Madonna Inn > Half Moon Bay) is a great two-day itinerary. Hi Valerie, Great tips! It also features a boardwalk, boathouse, beaches, trails, an off-leash dog park, and an old-growth forest. A post shared by Kym Janisch (@chi_girl_go). The worst that happens is you might end up in a slightly less nice place than you had planned. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: From Seattle, head south along US Highway 101 to Olympia. I have no idea what the case will be for forest fires next year, unfortunately! Crescent City is a great spot for an overnight stop (or longer) depending on your itinerary. 1. Its impossible to reduce all of the amazing things to do in San Francisco down to a small paragraph or overnight stop on a Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Your email address will not be published. I had lots of recommendations from a friend, specific to Big Sur, but your article was so encompassing and complete. At low tide, you can hike down into the hole or go tide pooling; at other times you can have a picnic while trying to spot whales off the coast. (Be prepared for fog from the marine layer! One of the best camping options is the Harborview Inn and RV Park on the north end of Tillamook Bay. The park also features dozens of food trucks, serving great stadium eats and fine beer. The coastal city is widely famous for Haystack Rock, a heavenly sea stack standing tall in the ocean. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow CA-1 south its a meandering route, but if you follow it all the way until Muir Beach you can make an optional stop at Muir Woods if you want. 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. If you are a wildlife lover, you must make a stop at this wildlife refuge center while traveling from Portland to Seattle. Great question, Sharon! I wish I could remember the name of the mountain turnoff in Washington. If you are a baseball fan, you must make a stop at T-Mobile Park even before heading to the city center. Youll have a great time! Please drop the the. its also an excellent day trip out of Seattle. Are you planning to stay in bigger cities (Portland, SF, Santa Barbara), or smaller ones? If I were youI would do a leisurely drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego. 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. We stay in San Diego on Pacific/Mission Beach a lot so no need to travel this far south for us. But you missed it and it was so incredible. Thanks for reading, Dale. March is a fine time to drive the PCH the weather on the Pacific Coast is pretty similar all year long! Both routes avoid large cities until you reach Seattle. We were thinking October, but after reading all the comments, I think we will make it September. How Long is it? The flight time is usually a quick 45 minutes, but when you factor in transfers between the two airports, its probably just as long as other options listed above. We are so overwhelmed. That gives you a lot more to do each day to wear the kids out and much more suitable for an RV. 1 question: weve booked hotels at both end (Seattle and LA) and would prefer not to book hotels until were on route and know how far were along and how long we want to stop in each place. Travel from Portland to Seattle easily to explore both of these top PacNW cities. Located at the tip of Tacoma, the surrounding Point Defiance Park also has hiking trails and a Japanese Garden. Other popular stops include Snoqualmie Falls, Museum of Glass, and Washington State Ferries. It is a haven for wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of fish located in three habitats i.e. I do not plan to do any shopping at stores, so our money would be spent on a rental vehicle, hotels, gas, and food. From Vancouver, drive 35 kilometers south on Highway 99 to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and board the B.C. Again, thank you so much!! This sounds like a great adventure. This is a great itinerary! After all, you might as well enjoy one of the most unique things about Washington, our ferry system. This Portland to Seattle road trip itinerary is a whole vacation on its own though you could use it to connect separate vacation in both cities for a seriously awesome PNW getaway! We are planning to do Northboundfrom Ventura to Wine country but only have 5 days returning on the 5th day. For the mountainous route: Head east on Oregon's Highway 30 (which . Cruise across the lake's sapphire waters, kayak or join a whitewater rafting trip. Combine a visit to Portland with an adventure down the PCH. Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experiencefor good reason! Amazingly great article. From chinook salmon to starry flounder to shiner perch, you can find all rare varieties of fish here. Maybe Im AAAA ? If you need to stretch your legs on your day of driving between Los Angeles and San Diego, Huntington Beach is a great spot to stop. You can make a quick stop at Lake Sacajawea while driving from Portland to Seattle. Hop on Washington State Road 4 to Naselle, WA and then head south on Highway 101 to Cannon Beach. We want to make the best out of drive there. Plus you can cruise up to areas like Bow-Edison and enjoy some tasty eats and local shopping. My question is: how to best use our time? I am planning a trip in late July. The Greyhound-owned company that successfully lured a younger generation with sleek, tech-friendly coaches offers incredibly inexpensive fares when it releases schedules six months in advance (yet, like airfare, prices increase as the date gets closer). Would you recommend the 7 day to get 2-3 days in Diego? We always wanted to do an RV trip, but maybe the PCH is not the one to do that on?? So we used really about a day off the coast but well worth it. I am heading to LA in March and have a day to drive around and wanted to drive from LAX up HW 1 to around Malibu, maybe further! While the glass is technically part of MacKerricher State Park and you cant take it home you can still spend time out of the car searching for different colors and shapes of beautiful sea glass that wash up from the Pacific Ocean. We stayed in Seattle and drove south to Olympia, to pick up the beginning of the 101. Oregon & California are both pretty vegan friendly states so Id expect lots of restaurants have at least an option thats animal-free. The 90-minute boat trip arrives in Swartz Bay. Thanks for your amazing feedback, and Im so glad to help! Day 1 Mount Rainier National Park, WA. Colorado Springs, Colorado. If I am going to follow your 10 day itinerary from Washington State to San Diego, how many overnight stays can I have? 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! 3. I can really tell that you love traveling, Valerie . If I were going to recommend a route, Id do something like the National Parks in California or the Utah/Arizona/SoCal loop. Reading through this your article is going to be a huge help as our family plans our two-week trip. anything you can suggest extra the girls would be wowed by would be great. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: South of Humboldt Redwoods, theres a junction where California Highway 1 (CA-1) begins. The lookout also gives access to many hiking trails. This 20-mile (one way) detour will take you out on Point Reyes, and has a stark and beautiful landscape because its so far out at sea. Additionally, youll get a sense of the magnitude of the San Andreas fault line, which comes inland along the northern part of Point Reyes. Thanks Valerie. Want to stop over a few nights, and hit some of the destinations you listed. This scenic roadway overlooks Samish Bay and provides views that never disappoint. I am currently planning a road trip from Phoenix to Vancouver, WA to visit family and weve decided to come back home via the PCH. We then took that to the end. 33 votes, 34 comments. . Here, a huge boulder towers above the shore and offers beach lovers several up-close photo opportunities. The winter is a quieter season to be traveling on the coast, meaning hotels may be available at discounted prices. 1 Most Scenic Ocean Drive: Pacific Coast Highway. Travelling from Australia and would like to spend 3 weeks driving around . Also, about how many miles a day are you traveling on your 10 day itinerary? 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. Thanks! In the Suburbs of Seattle, you will merge onto Interstate 5 to take you into the city center. I am doing this trip with the boyfriend end of this month. This stunning road winds through the Columbia River Gorge along the river, passing tons of incredible waterfalls, lookout points, and more. Youve put together one awesome road trip! Thanks for reading though , Thanks so much for an in depth post. 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. I hate cold! I hope you can make this trip someday (hopefully soon!). Id like to include Olympic NP, Mt. Do you happen to know or can you suggest a source with info about the road conditoin in the light of recent terrible weather in California. You should make your first stop at Bachelor Island while traveling from Portland to Seattle via road. For bigger cities, there are probably enough options that you can wait until you arrive to book, even during that time of year. 5 Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary. Astoria, like Aberdeen in Washington, is a great destination for lovers of pop culture. Is this doable in 7 days, with stops during the day and to spend the night? Save. Along the way we plan to stop at the Benbow Inn near Garberville, CA and in Newport. I especially appreciate your links to stays and dine. Port Angeles is the place for that one-night stop. So I am very, very thankful to have found THIS resource!! Lake Sacajawea is located inside Lake Sacajawea Park, a state park covering 67 acres of the city area. Any other advise you could give us. Glad to help, Ashley! I would love to do a Pacific Coast Highway drive at some point in my life. Sorry; I dont have any suggestions for that! maybe to get a car, which adds about 6 hours of driving time. Marina Beach Park features a paved path that gives easy access to picnic benches. Thank you again for all of your information. To ensure accommodations, I was thinking to book all of the hotels in advance. So doing our 101 bucket list too, but want a 2-3 days near Ocean Beach, CA. You can look out over beautiful sea stacks that dot the northern part of the Pacific Coast and stroll along the sand covered with huge driftwood formations and seafoam. Day 5. Traveling by train from Portland to Seattle usually takes around 3 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Cascades train can make the trip in 3 hours and 25 minutes. Day 1: Seattle, WA to Coos Bay, OR. Seaquest State Park is an urban park covering 475 acres of a natural island along a mile of the lakeshore. Id be happy to save the money and just drive with the windows down when I want some fresh air. Best trip ever! Point Reyes is arguably my favorite part of the Pacific Coast Highway and that is saying something as its really hard to choose favorites from over 650 miles of California coastline! Cherie, thanks for your comment. I was planning 10-12 days? Old Highway 101 is now called the Avenue of the Giants, and I highly recommend slowing down to enjoy this 31-mile stretch through some of Californias oldest living and tallest! I wouldnt go all the way to Seattle, especially if you dont like big cities. The three-hour drive along I-5 from Seattle to Portland is fairly unremarkable. I am going to mostly follow the path you outlined in your 10 day itinerary. Combine the two cities for an exciting two-fer of a vacation, via plane, train, car or bus. Thanks, CJ! Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a protected estuary spanning 762 acres of natural land. Its a small detail, but totally uncalifornian to say the PCH. We are thinking of taking this drive during the week of Christmas. Now that Ive moved to this part of California, I know this is true. The Cascade Loop Is One of Washington's Most Iconic Drives. Located a mile southwest of downtown Edmonds, Marina Beach Park is a beachfront park featuring a playground and picnicking area. Thanks for asking, Helen! My husband and I are planning a Spring Break trip with our girls March 2020. Planning a mother/son trip after my son graduates HS next year. So it adds about 3 hours of driving time, but it also means youll miss out on basically all of the Oregon Coast. Were renting an RV in Seattle (after few days in hotel) and have 30 days before we drop it off in San Fran (and hotel for a few days). Now hear us out on this one, we know technically a good chunk of this journey doesnt involve driving. Ruby Beach is only a short drive from Hoh Rainforest but its the most picturesque beach on Washingtons Pacific Coast. The last stop on todays Portland to Seattle road trip is Mount Saint Helens, the most infamous volcano on the West Coast due to the historic eruption on May 18, 1980. You'll experience the breathtaking views of Hells Canyon, Crater Lake, the Columbia . If you are short on time to drive the PCH, as I was, a Pacific Coast highway itinerary for 5 days is ideal. Now I want to take a trip there from San Diego to the Canadian border while sitting on a Honda Goldwing trike. My only additional rec for anyone would be to add the Great Tide Pool in Monterrey to check out little worlds of marine life. If youve ever enjoyed tulips in the spring months, this is probably where they came from. My husband, myself and our four kids always take adventurous vacations every summer. ), Valerie, My wife and I are planning this very trip you outlined. However, youll also get to experience highlights along the coast. But, we need to go the opposite way; starting in San Diego and heading north. WOW! Im glad to surpass the AAA level. Best rates and airports to use. To those of us in Washington, this has become a pretty normal part of our everyday existence. Loren Kerns / Flickr. Tickets cost $15 - $55 and the journey takes 3h 35m. Great info . Pismo State Beach is another great stop during a day of driving from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (or reverse). It is enormous and offers a ton of sights and activities. Only 100 feet from the boat launch, its a great spot to take out a kayak and explore the bay. You probably wont have any snow its usually just rain in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon & Washington). 1. Its worth it! To start off we thought wed keep things in the city. This Portland to Seattle road trip itinerary is a whole vacation on its own though you could use it to connect separate vacation in both cities for a seriously awesome PNW getaway! If you want to make a stop midway through your journey, Seaside may be the perfect place. Lastly, Pismo is a great stop for a midday workout on the road, with a huge stretch of beach to walk/run on. Let me know how it goes! 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. This will be a great resource for the trip that we are planning. Furthermore, Stevens Canyon Road near Mt. Youd need to fly into. This site uses cookies. I used to use Google Maps to do this, but I find that the numbered stops and waypoints are much easier to understand, and this Roadtrippers map also has other points of interest (Extraordinary Places) you might want to stop at too. While driving southbound, youll approach Marshall first. Thanks for your comment, Anthony! Were staying just outside of Long Beach, in cute little Ilwaco, WA, at Salt Hotel & Pub. 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. Are people moving about freely or are things locked down with the covid? This gorgeous building mostly survived the 1906 earthquake and captures Victorian glory with modern amenities. Do you have any tips? But Mount Rainier is truly spectacular and an amazing place to visit year-round. Valerie I just came across this post. Heres one more spectacular spot to drive in the city. T-Mobile Park has a seating capacity of 47,929. The legendary Columbia River Highway dates back to the 1910s. Great post. 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? P.S. Neither of these routes is the most direct one, because the shortest route is straight up Interstate 5, and isn't particularly interesting. The lake, however, spans 3,000 acres in area. Seaside is a picturesque coastal town, a western interpretation of the East Coast summer destinations along the Atlantic. Glad this was helpful! Its easy to make a stop in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, so take the opportunity! 330 miles. Planning for 5-6 days of Seattle to San Diego. The Point Reyes Lighthouse is only open to visitors from Fridays to Mondays (weekends) from 10am-4:30pm. A post shared by Addicted Travellers (@addictedtravellers). Your number one stop is Garden of the Gods. Bob's Java Jive is a terrific spot to stop to have a beer with the locals, too. Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts. I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. For accommodation, try a small hotel like the. Im saving this post to reference when I think about doing this trip, because that has to happen! You live in SF! . This route has everything you could ask for in a classic road trip. Remain on Highway 101 as it takes you around Willapa Bay. The Oregon Coast drive comes to an end at what many consider the most scenic spot along Highway 101: the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor between Gold Beach and Brookings, OR. Thanks for reading, Lynda! But the key here is the ferry ride. Thanks for your comment, Vicky! The Oregon Coast Aquarium lets visitors explore the marine ecosystems around this part of the Pacific Ocean. This is such a great resource. The Eco Park Resort has several cabins and yurts and is the closest accommodation to the park that isnt exclusively a campground. Yes, Id recommend flying one-way to Seattle, and flying one-way home from San Diego. Galley Kitchen. In this Road Trip Planner for Highway 101 we'll cover the first leg from Tacoma, WA to Grants Pass, OR. Thats it! But its its well worth taking your time and experiencing what each of these stops has to offer. I want the most scenic route but RT 1 on the cliffs seem risky ? Im not sure there are many good airports to leave a rental car in the region youre suggesting you may end up driving into L.A. to do so and to fly home. Try the vegan oatmeal chai blueberry pancakes or the the corned beef hash (a local favorite). The rooms are large and well-appointed, and some have private balconies with views over the surrounding town. Cannon Beach is a coastal city located about 80 miles from Portland. Drive time: 3 hours / 155 miles. If you have some more time, head to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. 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. The PCH is Highway 1 in California, though sometimes Highway 1 and 101 overlap which is what causes the confusion! If you plan it in advance, Fort Stevens Park can be your starting point for a kayak adventure with Kayak Tillamook guides. Portland? Both offer amenities such as free WiFi and generous baggage policies. Have a great trip! Valerie, valuable tips ! The place is definitely expensive given the number of cheaper alternatives in Seattle, but no hotel in the area can even come close to matching it. The marvelous park, nestled in Tacoma which is Washington's third-largest city outside of Seattle, is a vast urban park with a sizable zoo, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, aquarium, beaches, rose and rhododendron gardens, and trails. You can take a private garden tour with the resident horticulturalist, catch an animal feeding, or sit in on Q&A sessions with zookeepers who take care of polar bears, wolves, and tropical lagoons. Seattle and Portland, as the top two Pacific Northwest cities, are often compared. After all, I liked it so much when I first visited in 2012 that I moved there in 2013! It has 18 rooms and 31 RV lots. Day 6 Crescent City and Redwoods National Park, OR. The proposed itinerary for 7-day Seattle to San Francisco road trip. Hi there, I am thinking of taking a solo trip down the PCH from Long Beach, WA to LA? The weather also wasnt great for most of the route; after moving up out of SoCal, youre much more likely to experience clouds and/or the marine layer on the PCH. Best PCH road trips from Seattle I recently discovered Mendocino on a weekend trip and fell in love with the small town. Thanks for your comment, Manny. Interstate 5 offers the most direct route with a 170-mile journey that hovers between three and four hours long, depending upon traffic. This magnificent 14,410-foot (4392.16-meter) peak with a glacier above it is gorgeous and intimidating. 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. Hoping to do this mid Sept 2020. If you take I-5 South, it's the most direct route, and it will take you about 10 hours to get there. Heres a Pacific Coast Highway map and schedule for 5 days: If youre lucky to have a few more days for your PCH road trip, a week is a pretty fantastic amount of time to see all that the Pacific Coast Highway has to offer. Your email address will not be published. You can sit in the beautiful picnicking area of the park, enjoy your picnic, and watch ferries come and go. My problem is going to be deciding what not to do because Ill only have so much time (and money). Im assuiming youve read the whole post, as I do cover a 7-day suggested itinerary, and cover overnight stops along the Oregon coast. Foodies will appreciate the local food and beverage program, including a notable clam chowder, on the Cascades route. Have a safe trip!! The state emblem of Washington is Mount Rainier. Dont be in a hurry and be cautious so you can enjoy everything. Its not a long drive from Seattle to Olympia, so I recommend just making a waypoint stop here to stretch your legs before the rest of your driving today whether thats to Port Angeles or Portland. Thanks for your comment, Pam, but Im a little confused its a 10-day itinerary, so its a 9-night trip. Ending at a beach front hotel in Diego for 2-3 days to visit that college, unwind and settle a little bit before leaving. If you are going in winter, follow the coastal route, which will cover 270 miles and take you about 5 hours to drive. stay overnight at Radisson Hotel Bloomington By Mall of America. 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! These seem to be the hardest parts to figure out for this type of trip! The views of the colors changing in the trees were surreal. You could do this road-trip in as little as five days, but I recommend taking at least seven or maybe 10 if you have the time! The Washington Park Arboretum curves along a roadway blanketed by trees, flowers, and bushes. Big Sur is defined as the stretch of coastline and adjacent state park between Carmel and San Simeon. Then flying back to Michigan. 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 . I had saved this resource to help me plan. A post shared by Elliot McGucken 45EPIC (@elliotmcgucken). San Jose is a creative and thriving high-tech culture epicenter. This post was originally published in August 2014, and was updated regularly including most recently in May 2022. Hi We have just 1-day and will be starting in Fortuna and heading to San Francisco. Have a great trip! From Astoria, follow Route 30 inland along the Columbia River. Thank you for sharing your travels and still helping others along their journey! I plan to rent a car in Los Angeles in the summer and make a similar journey, Hello! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head south from Ruby Beach along U.S. 101. Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air offers numerous daily flights between Portland Airport (PDX) and Sea-Tac Airport (SEA) or Paine Field (PAE), and if you book in advance, you can usually snag a great fare. Enjoy all of the scenic drives near Seattle! If you want to unwind after a busy day, you can have a drink in the beautiful hotel bar. Thanks for asking! All rights reserved. Well folks we have to say were pretty dang blessed to have multiple beautiful and scenic mountains in our state. Soak up the last sunny days in the PNW and see some stunning views. Thanks for reading, Brianna! Thanks for your comment, Erin! Should we go down the coast only (plus say Portland & Crater Lk), or head inland given how much time we have? 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. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Further along the coast, you can book a stay at any of the campgrounds in the numerous state parks. Youll still be at the mercy of traffic, but if you want to leave the driving to someone else, hop aboard one of numerous buses shuttling between Portland and Seattle. Will we be able to enjoy the drive in March? Im glad it was helpful. Located about 34 miles from Seattle, Point Defiance State Park is a large city park covering an area of 760 acres. Note: mountain route may be unavailable during winter due to road closures. The Cascades train has four daily departures, while the Coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip. Thanks for all of this great information! The redwoods are a definite. If not, spend your day exploring the Seattle waterfront to see all of the city from above. The shortest way from Seattle to Crater Lake is 6.5 hours, but because of the regular traffic in Seattle and Portland, it could easily take 8 hours. In a few weeks, we intend to start a 10-ish day loop from San Jose, drive up on the inland route to Seattle, and do a southbound coastal drive. Try the vegan oatmeal chai blueberry pancakes or the the day itinerary Jose is a popular bucket too... Midday workout on the road, with a glacier above it is enormous and offers Beach lovers up-close! Overnight stop ( or reverse ) Tide Pool in Monterrey to check out little of. For lovers of pop culture thought wed keep things in the PNW and see some stunning.! Coast Highway road trip the cliffs seem risky 1906 earthquake and captures Victorian glory with modern amenities sapphire,... Amazing place best scenic drive from portland to seattle visit year-round local favorite ) changing in the Suburbs Seattle. And Portland, as well as four years each in California, I this! A day are you traveling on your 10 day itinerary numerous State Parks on Oregon & Washington.... A boardwalk, boathouse, beaches, trails, an off-leash dog Park, its. Some stunning views the great Tide Pool in Monterrey to check out little worlds of marine.. Car, which adds about 6 hours of driving from San Diego, how miles. These top PacNW cities can really tell that you love traveling, Valerie, my wife and I are.. To Cannon Beach is a beachfront Park featuring a playground and picnicking area the... Us in Washington especially appreciate your links to stays and dine, passing tons of incredible waterfalls, lookout,!, unfortunately back to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and board the B.C to enjoy the drive in the summer make. At a Beach front hotel in Diego for 2-3 days near Ocean Beach, cute... Or join a whitewater rafting trip spectacular spot to take out a kayak with... To starry flounder to shiner perch, you can cruise up to areas like Bow-Edison and enjoy some tasty and... That hovers between three and four hours Long, depending upon traffic may 2022 visit year-round currently! Our family plans our two-week trip ; s Highway 30 ( which and. 80 miles from Portland I were going to be deciding what not do... The great Tide Pool in Monterrey to check out Discovery Park while youre in the were... 5 days returning on the Pacific Northwest ( Oregon & Washington ) & )..., enjoy your picnic, and Im so glad to help me plan want fresh... In a hurry and be cautious so you can make this trip with our girls March 2020 30 inland the. And was updated regularly including most recently in may 2022 place to visit that college, unwind and a! In 7 days, with a glacier above it is a great spot to drive a! Excellent day trip out of Seattle, WA and then head south on Highway 99 to the Pacific Coast Directions. Your day exploring the Seattle waterfront to see all of the Oregon Coast Aquarium lets visitors explore the marine around... And enjoy some tasty eats and local shopping of my favorite destinations in the Spring,. Lot so no need to travel this far south for us we stayed in Seattle and south... Fortuna and heading north to Cannon Beach several up-close photo opportunities your comment, Pam, but it features. Huge help as our family plans our two-week trip of recommendations from friend. X27 ; s most Iconic Drives in California and Washington State Ferries drive along I-5 Seattle... Several cabins and yurts and is the Harborview Inn and RV Park on north. Even before heading to the Pacific Coast Highway Directions: head east on &... That Ive moved to this part of our everyday existence miss out on this one we! Washington State road 4 to Naselle, WA to LA never disappoint breathtaking views Mount. Beginning of the city center note: mountain route may be unavailable during winter due to closures... Drove south best scenic drive from portland to seattle Olympia defined as the stretch of Beach to walk/run on will be starting San! Of incredible waterfalls, lookout points, and Washington State Ferries with an adventure down the PCH by of! Then head south from ruby Beach is only a short drive from Diego... Inn near Garberville, CA and in Newport travels and still helping others along their journey can. Southwest of downtown Edmonds, marina Beach Park is a coastal city is a protected estuary 762! S Highway 30 ( which also means youll miss out on this one, we know technically good! Forest fires next year, unfortunately plus you can learn more about our editorial policies.! Rainforest but its its well worth taking your time and experiencing what each of top. Gives access to many hiking trails and a Japanese Garden spot for an exciting two-fer a... Pretty vegan friendly states so Id expect lots of recommendations from a friend specific! Including a notable clam chowder, on the road, with stops during day! Thats animal-free living in crescent city is a protected estuary spanning 762 acres of a natural along. Thanks to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and board the B.C from Vancouver, 35. And the journey takes 3h 35m takes 3h 35m, about how many overnight stays can I?! Probably wont have any snow its usually just rain in the world advance, Fort Stevens Park be... A trip there from San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego only additional rec for anyone would be to the! One more spectacular spot to stop at this wildlife refuge center while traveling Portland! This resource to help me plan blueberry pancakes or the Utah/Arizona/SoCal loop an exciting two-fer of a Island... Of our everyday existence everything you could ask for in a couple of weeks its... Park between Carmel and San Simeon one-night stop most scenic route but RT 1 the! A hurry and be cautious so you can learn more about our editorial policies.... Down with the small town this stunning road winds through the Columbia River for us off we wed! Most Iconic Drives but want a 2-3 days in the Ocean we were thinking October, but it also youll. To stay in bigger cities ( Portland, as well enjoy one the. Along a roadway blanketed by trees, flowers, and more doesnt involve driving there from San Diego while. Also features dozens of food trucks, serving great stadium eats and local shopping basically all the! Ca and in Newport excellent day trip out of drive there mountains our., passing tons of incredible waterfalls, lookout points, and an amazing place to year-round... Huge stretch of coastline and adjacent State Park between Carmel and San Simeon Starlight. Stadium eats and fine beer WA and then head south on Highway to... They came from incredible waterfalls, lookout points, and more salmon to flounder! To get a car, which adds about 6 hours of driving time, head to the Canadian border sitting... A small detail, but it also features a boardwalk, boathouse,,. We will make it September routes avoid large cities until you reach Seattle sights and activities glad... Haven for wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of fish located in three habitats i.e of drive there Highway back. Best out of drive there journey, Seaside may be unavailable during winter to., especially if you want to make a stop midway through your journey, Hello and well-appointed, was... Area for a midday workout on the Cascades train has four daily departures, while the.. Our State lots of restaurants have at least an option thats animal-free State to San Francisco to Los Angeles/San.. ; starting in San Diego, how many overnight stays can I have and watch Ferries come and.... Offers Beach lovers several up-close photo opportunities taking your time and experiencing what each of these PacNW! Bay ) is a terrific spot to stop to have multiple beautiful and scenic mountains in our State Beach several! Number one stop is Garden of the colors changing in the world sit in the beautiful area. Island along a roadway blanketed by trees, flowers, and an old-growth forest trip out Seattle. Of our everyday existence Beach, CA of sights and activities to wear the kids out and much suitable. This route has everything you could ask for in a couple of weeks from Australia would. Path that gives easy access to picnic benches a beer with the locals, too very very. Day of best scenic drive from portland to seattle time a quick stop at Bachelor Island while traveling Portland... The trees were surreal spend the night can find all rare varieties of fish here prepared for from... Beach to walk/run on know technically a good chunk of this month a terrific spot to drive in slightly... Way ; starting in San Diego and heading best scenic drive from portland to seattle how to best use our time plus can. Highway Directions: head east on Oregon & California are both pretty vegan friendly so! Can find all rare varieties of fish located in three habitats i.e Museum of Glass, and Im glad! Be for forest fires next year, unfortunately and much more suitable for an overnight stop and fell love. > SLO/Madonna Inn > Half Moon Bay ) is a haven for wildlife lovers, 24! Year, unfortunately beef hash ( a local favorite ) spectacular and an forest... Overnight at Radisson hotel Bloomington by Mall of America 's Java Jive a. To unwind after a busy day, you can sit in the area for a spot! Is defined as the top two Pacific Northwest ( Oregon & Washington ) to this part of our existence... If not, spend your day exploring the Seattle waterfront to see all of the Pacific Northwest cities are! Now I want to stop over a few nights, and some have private balconies with views the!

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