We think the best way to do Portland is to eat and drink your way through the city. Here are some options for where to stay in Seattle whether you prefer staying in hotels or in an Airbnb. If you're looking for a quick answer, you can check out Top of the Mark, which was mentioned 13 times on Trippy. Its a good stopping point on the way down to Bend from Portland. Sleep at the Blue Door Inns, which looks amazing. Doing this drive in record time isnt going to be a fun one. Last time, we stayed at this Treehouse on Airbnb, which was also fantastic, but you probably want a hotel given youll only be in town for one night, and the Airbnb cleaning fee will make it more expensive. Read that if you want the details beyond some of our recommendations. Yep, the name speaks for itself! United States. Anyway, walk through the market and check out the vendors selling everything from candied nuts to flowers, and of course, the flying salmon. Want more awesome west coast travel guides to inspire your next trip, and empower you with all the information you need to plan it? Tasty N Sons Here are some more hotels people talk about: Want to research more popular hotels in San Francisco? If you only have three days, youre obviously not going to be able to hit some of the far flung destinations like Crater Lake and Bend. The best times to do the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco are a bit counterintuitive - the unique terrain that defines the route and San Fran's distinctive climate follow a different set of rules than your average oceanside tourist attraction. 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. This hotel is located right on the beach with gorgeous views of the boardwalk/beach. This has become a popular destination for the outdoorsy adventurer types out there. Day 5: If you missed any of the redwoods above, double back and make sure to catch them. 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. Grab a freshly baked bagel from Los Bagels,a crepe from Renatas Creperie and Espresso oran ice cream from Arcata Scoop(or all of the above!). This section could be endless, so rather than trying to Click on any question to see answers from the community! Not even a little. 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. Came across this article and this looks amazing. The western side of Mt. Theres been a lot of driving the past week so today, grab your swimmers, a towel and a book and get to the beach in Santa Cruz. The road map above shows you the route to take to your destination. Have more time? . 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. The route from San Francisco to Seattle is an epic drive through redwood forests, wine valleys, mountains and some of the county's most gorgeous coastline. Trippy members suggest Ike's Place, which was mentioned 23 times. The high-60s temperatures are just warm enough for you to spend your time outdoors, so this is when most tourists tend to flock to the city. For once, I wasnt the tallest! Day 5: Home Stretch! Get our latest blog posts, updates and deals. During the summer, the inland route through the Hood River, Bend, and Crater Lake have some of the best hikes and gorgeous scenery we have ever seen. Todays a long driving day, but its broken up with many stops. Here are a few of our favorite things to do in Seattle. The travelplan so far. The Pacific Science Center is a great stop for kids, with interactive exhibits that make for a perfect rainy day activity in Seattle. (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? restaurants around Redding: Here are some fun things to do in Eugene. To go a level deeper, take this awesome guided tour of Pike Place with a Local Chef. Saint Helens provides some surreal views of this active volcano, as well as some intriguing natural formations. Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. questions about Portland: If thats a few too many days, then we recommend heading down the I-5 corridor through Oregon instead, skipping Bend and Crater Lake, which are further inland. Its in Union Square, which honestly kinda sucks, but its affordable and stylish. After passing Muir Woods National Monument, hop back onto Highway 101 and cross the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco. Roseburg. looking for a vacation rental or Airbnb? Theres way more to do here then youll have time for, so we will just touch on a few things you can check off while youre in town. If you're planning a road trip to San Francisco, you can research locations to stop along the way. Its super touristy, and kind of overrated and boring in general. Drive down the I-5 corridor, making stops at Mt. Day 1: There's a lot to do on this trip, so get started the moment you arrive. We lived in San Francisco for almost a decade before quitting our jobs and leaving the city on our year long worldwide adventure. The drive's signature stops include the cities of Portland and Sacramento, Mt. The tallest trees on the planet are on full display in the Redwoods National and State Parks. Drive the Avenue of the Giants: The Avenue of the Giants in the Humboldt Redwoods is a 31-mile forest drive that is considered to be the best drive through redwoods in the world. Do this road trip and you'll probably do around double that. Drive Time from San Francisco: 20 minutes / 7 miles Your trip starts with a drive across the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge. Some of these trees have been known to measure 360 feet in height, making it the tallest measured tree species on earth. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! A unique experience awaits you in San Francisco. We love this stylish Airbnb in Capitol Hill, which is perfect for traveling couples. The only thing to watch out for weather-wise is snow on the Siskyou Pass and the rest of southern Oregon in the winter months. Though, obviously, you probably didnt quit your job to adventure in your converted Honda Odyssey, so theres that. Lucky you! 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. You might end up with more rain and snow, which isnt necessarily a deal breaker if youre prepared for it (pack a good rain jacket and waterproof shoes / boots!). Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA. The best way is to be prepared for the open road by visiting our checklist of road trip essentials. This seaside town has one of the most historic boardwalks in the state. Have you ever taken a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco? Rather random? The guide below is written with a two week trip in mind. What an amazing road trip! Spas in the Ashland area? in Noey Valley and we found it to be far less touristy with a beautiful community feel. restaurants around Napa: Dont miss these! Camping along the way? Your email address will not be published. Matt grew up in Seattle, lived there for 15+ years including six in the city itself, and we return several times a year to visit family and spend time in the Pacific Northwest during the beautiful summer months. Im a foodie at, Read More Gluten Free San Francisco: A Complete Guide for CeliacsContinue. We basically spent a full two months on this route last summer, and it was every bit as memorable, beautiful, and amazing as you might imagine. Just 15 minutes from Monterey, youll find a variety of cheaper hotels. Shasta? Today, we split time between San Francisco and Seattle. Here are some of our favorite things to do. 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. Eureka: The small city of Eureka is a charming coastal stop with some delicious beer and cider to try at Lost Coast Brewing and Humboldt Cider. There are many excellent hotels during your Seattle to San Francisco road trip. suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it The tour guides are funny, and you get to learn about the history of Seattle from a slightly different perspective. Now, its time to discover the best restaurants from Seattle to San Francisco. 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! What is your favorite restaurant in Redding? Spend the night at the Olema House. For more amazing trees, waterfalls, and trails in California, check out Sequoia National Park. Traveling from Seattle to San Francisco is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. Next up: TheShrine Drive-Through Tree. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 10:37 amdrive for about 1.5 hours, 12:00 pm Mount Shasta (California) Looking for the best coffee in a city known for amazing coffee? Wait, wheres Fishermans Wharf on this list? It does cost $8 per car but where else can you drive through a tree? Pass through Salt Point and Sonoma Coast State Parks, then explore Point Reyes National Seashore. 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. Here are our favorite places to visit at these locations. We wouldnt recommend spending the night here instead, continue south to Portland for the night, which is just a couple of hours south. The Best Route for Your Seattle to San Francisco Drive, The Best Stops to Make on a Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip, Mt. 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. Day 6: Continue your coastal journey by heading to Point Reyes National Seashore, another one of our favorite spots in California (and 30 minutes from where Alysha grew up). The Underground Tour: A little quirky and offbeat, kind of like Seattle, the Underground Tour is worth doing while youre in Pioneer Square. Continue south, stopping in Humboldt Redwoods State Park to drive the Avenue of the Giants, one of the most scenic drives in all of California. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can . Unfortunately, this is our last stop on this incredible road trip. 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. . If youve got 3-4 days, sleep in Portland on night one, Redding on night two, and finish the drive to San Francisco on day three. A somewhat sleepy, somewhat rowdy college town, home of the University of Oregon, Eugene is quirky, creative, and a fun weekend getaway from Portland. We chose to skip the coast & national parks here as weredoing thisfurther south. 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 Seattle to San Francisco road trip planner Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Seattle to San Francisco. Best free things to do in Ashland (Oregon)? 9:00 am start in Seattledrive for about 2.5 hours, 11:43 am Portland drive for about 1.5 hours, 9:37 am Ashland (Oregon) San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip Itinerary Overview Stop 1: San Francisco, California (2-3 days) Stop 2: Wine Country: Napa/Sonoma (1-2 days) Stop 3: Mendocino/Fort Bragg (1 day) Stop 4: Lassen/Mt. In terms of height, it is one of the tallest lighthouses in the United States and stands at 115 feet. Again, take Interstate 5 out of Seattle and follow it past Capitol State Forest and Gifford Pinchot National Forest before pulling into Longview. 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. They remembered my mum right away and we chatted with them about their lives. (were probably gonna do a 10-14 day trip). drive for about 41 minutes. Expect to drive2-6 hours a day with 1 or 2 longer days. The Society is the best value hotel in Portland, with options from dorm rooms to suites, so you can pick an option that works for your style and budget. For example, here are some questions people have asked about San Francisco. Check out the 5th St. Public Market for a combination of shopping, eating, and drinking with local vendors. Mount Shasta (California) (9 answers) stay at Ace Hotel. Thank you so much for posting this and with such fabulous photos! Napa (85 answers) Its an incredible conglomeration of neighborhoods, all with their own unique style and vibe. Elliott Bay Books for the best local bookstore in Seattle. Read Next: The 19 Best Airbnbs in Seattle. Your email address will not be published. Lardo Hotels: The Hoxton and the Society Hotel (weve stayed there) are our top hotel picks in Portland. These are some of the best resorts this incredible itinerary has to offer: Oregon's largest city is the most logical place to spend a weekend on your road trip from Seattle to San Francisco, especially if you're driving the interstate route. However, a new bridge ismeant to be opening in October 2017. 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. We have a whole guide on the best places to stay in San Francisco that is well worth a read if youre looking for more detail from people who ACTUALLY lived in the city for almost a decade. 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. If there's no coastal fog obscuring it, which there probably is. Saint Helens. What is your favorite restaurant in Portland? Our drive down the ever so famous Big Sur on HWY 1. 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). If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. This tree is HUGE but in fact, not even the largest! Here are some of our favorite things to do in Hood River. eg. Our travel philosophy, in general, is eat-walk-drink-walk-eat-repeat. And Portland is an amazing place to do that. Instagram: @just.globetrotting & @justcreative, Just Globetrotting | Jacob & Emily Cass. by calculating the distance from Seattle to San Francisco. Lithia Park (2 mentions) In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 5 Best Restaurants On The Way From Seattle To San Francisco. This is the worst driving day because theres not much to see along the way from Redding to San Francisco. What is your favorite restaurant in Redding? 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. Dont forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. Driving from Seattle to San Francisco - Cheap Road Trip. Monterey Bay > Pacific Grove > 17 Mile Drive > Pebble Beach > Carmel-by-the-sea > Point Lobos > Monterey (or Seaside to sleep). Napa Valley (9 mentions) Trinidad: Hike the Trinidad Head trail to enjoy stunning 360-degree panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Redd Not long after passing Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, drive the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge and pull into San Fran. Over the course of 2 weeks, we drove approximately 1650 miles (2330km) at a moderate pace. There are so many places to stop and it all depends on the time you have as well as your interests. The advantage of staying there is that its right in the middle of downtown. The mighty Hood River and stunning Columbia River Gorge are a must-see on your way down to Bend. You can also enjoy a lazy beach stroll down Trinidad State Beach, or soak in the breezy coastal views at Patricks Point State Park. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Hungry? Stop at Redwoods National and State Parks: Seeing the redwoods is a must when youre in Northern California. Click the button below to explore more questions to each other and sharing tips and advice. There are only a few petrol/gas stations in Big Sur and they charge far more! If you must, head there to check out the sea lions, grab chowder and a bread bowl at Boudins Bakery (DEF NOT GLUTEN FREE), and move on. If youre coming from somewhere too far away to drive to Seattle, then youll want to fly into Seattle Tacoma Intl Airport (SEA). This is our pick for a summer road trip. Hey Pontus! because there's an entire community of travelers talking The drive between Washington and Oregon is rather uneventful but there are some suggestions below if you have time. What is your favorite restaurant in San Francisco. There are a few small easy hiking paths to take and theyre worth it to view these giants up close. 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. Not sure what to do in Seattle? or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. 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. If youre looking for the best gluten free restaurants in San Francisco, Ive got you covered. After charging your batteries at the bar and Jackrabbit Restaurant, you can burn some calories at the incredible fitness area before heading into town. Hood, Bend, and Crater Lake, which will take significantly more time than the other two options. This route has a total of 24 hours of driving split up between 10-14 days when you follow our recommendations below. 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.