Head west out of Oregon along Highway 26. Start here. Before launching into a bunch of details for where to stop along the Pacific Coast Highway, I need to define a few things: Now that you know the details, lets dig into the logistics of planning your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary! I hope this helps. There are 4 daily trains from Portland to Seattle. Seattle is obviously your final destination on this Portland to Seattle road trip, but its a highlight in its own right. 5 hours 0 minutes. It's located a 45-minute drive from Seattle and just outside Washington's third-most populous city, Tacoma. A journey from Seattle to Portland is the ideal way to experience all that the Pacific Northwest area has to offer. Those little beaches overlooking the water below is freaking amazing. I enjoyed it so much that I wrote a whole article about the experiences I recommend in Santa Barbara! Day 1: Seattle, WA to Coos Bay, OR. Glad to help, Ashley! Stay safe. The entrance road takes you through lush Sitka spruce forests that are home to deer and elk. We plan on doing the 7 day trip June/July. If you just want the best of the best in Airbnb rentals, this list will get you to the right place. It's a 760-acre urban park, which includes a huge zoo and . 10 out of 12 places below were experienced by us and our kids (3, 6, and 11 y/o) in July 2020. Hi! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: From Aberdeen, continue south along U.S. Highway 101. Thank you so very much. It sounds like youll have an awesome trip, and happy early birthday to him! But Mount Rainier is truly spectacular and an amazing place to visit year-round. How long does it take to get from Portland to Seattle? You can also take guided mountaineering classes from three professional area mountain schools. Ime hoping the trip will run about $10k. If youre planning a full 10-day west coast road trip, make sure you follow my guide and do at least one overnight on the Olympic Peninsula. My wife and I are planning an 18 day trip in the coming months to fly into San Diego and then make the drive up to Seattle. The views of the colors changing in the trees were surreal. We are thinking Crescent City to Santa Barbara? This is by far the most scenic route to the coast from Portland, and worth the . Take your car on the Bainbridge Ferry to Bainbridge Island.The ferry ticket costs $20.40 (for the vehicle and the driver) and . If you make it out this way, let me know, as Im now in the Bay Area! But you missed it and it was so incredible. If youre in the heart of Seattle and want to spend a day living your best tourist life, be sure to check out the Space Needle, the iconic feature defining the Seattle skyline. Therefore, its an amazing place to start your Pacific Coast Highway trip! Also, further north, you could fly to Portland and do the Oregon coast too. This highway is a great spot to catch views of Vancouver Island and maybe even some whales so be sure to bring your binoculars. Depending on the region of the town, the drive often takes three hours on a good day. Not to mention its one of the largest mountains in the US and were lucky to have it right here. Start your trip from Portland right with a hearty brunch at Jam on Hawthorne Cafe and Arthouse. We took this trip several years ago. 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. You should have no problem finding vegan options! Seaside is a picturesque coastal town, a western interpretation of the East Coast summer destinations along the Atlantic. 33 votes, 34 comments. To see Oregon's Mount Hood up close, consider the Mt Hood Scenic Loop, Hood River County Tour Route Road Trip. Seaquest State Park is an urban park covering 475 acres of a natural island along a mile of the lakeshore. Should we go down the coast only (plus say Portland & Crater Lk), or head inland given how much time we have? Portland is approximately 634.9 miles away from San Francisco. When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle? Your email address will not be published. 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/. I love that the Pacific coast has those little hideaways! These birds breed, rest, and winter in freshwater marshes and grassland. Is this going to be a big disappointment? Getting excited. Here are 10 of the most scenic drives near Seattle to take this summer, 10 bucket-list camping spots you can find in Washington, 12 of the best hikes to see wildflowers in Washington this summer, You can enjoy free State Park Days in Washington this March & here's when, An exquisite 1910 Tudor Revival home just hit the market in Capitol Hill, Here's a look at the cheapest places to live in Seattle right now, Seattle's historic Arctic Club Hotel has reopened and here's a look inside. Rim Drive and the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway. Relaxing in a secluded cabin deep in the woods under a starlit sky is one of the best experiences you can have in Oregon. Having an America the Beautiful Pass is the easiest and most cost-effective way to visit over 2,000-federal recreation sites. 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. Good morning from Australia. My stop in Fort Bragg was relatively short, but it was worth it! The Lotte Hotel has the perfect combination of location, price, and luxury to make your stay in Seattle very memorable. The only places you can fly would be Crescent City but itll require changing through San Francisco anyway. Would you have any other suggestions since I am using 4 more days and not going south to Sa Diego and strarting in Vancouver? Once youre in Seattle, there are so many places to choose from for a relaxing stay that its barely worth making suggestions. Is Pacific Coast Highway the same as Highway 1 or Highway 101? Hi Valerie. I strongly recommend making reservations in advance, and also please be aware that hotels and other accommodation are not currently allowed to accept leisure travelers during the current mandates. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Seattle. Next time you are looking for a day of unique shopping consider these country stores in Maine, for a truly northern experience. 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. Territory Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you book or purchase using our links. Also, its not exactly the most stimulating view its a bit better for older kids than younger ones. Now I want to take a trip there from San Diego to the Canadian border while sitting on a Honda Goldwing trike. Maybe worth checking another site thats more expert in RV travel! 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 coastal city is widely famous for Haystack Rock, a heavenly sea stack standing tall in the ocean. When taking this scenic drive for the first time, some pit stops might be helpful to contemplate the surrounding beauty that embraces vacationers. If you want to experience the Pacific Northwest mountains in winter, the Grand Pacific Northwest Road Trip is a great option. If you have the experience to take on the challenge, book a few extra days for a summit. I have suggestions on dates earlier in the article to help you figure out how long to do the trip and where to stop. Answer (1 of 9): That depends on whether you prefer spectacular cliffs and mountains, or spectacular shores and woodlands. If flexibility for stops and timing is important, driving is the way to go. do you have a printable version of this? I am planning a trip in late July. Were staying just outside of Long Beach, in cute little Ilwaco, WA, at Salt Hotel & Pub. I know a lot of people would probably prefer the one hour flight from San Francisco to Portland as opposed to the ten hour drive but we didn't want to miss all of the beauty that lies between. Head out to explore tide pools, view the puffins that roost on the rock from early-spring to mid-summer, or see the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. 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. If youre heading up north you cant go wrong with a cruise on Chuckanut Drive. 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. Especially watching the sun set over Morro Rock in the distance! And who can say no to that? Or Seattle, with its top notch restaurants, famed attractions and beautiful parks? Were taking the 5 to Seattle with a few stops on the way then PCH from Port Angeles to SD. Go hiking in Ecola State Park or drive the Three Capes Scenic Loop. Lan Su Chinese Garden is one of the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China, featuring rare plants indigenous to China and classical Chinese decorative stonework. It probably means deviating from PCH for a bit and were ok with that. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Return west to U.S. 101 and turn south. The weather in Seattle in winter can be cold and overcast. Always exploring, wherever she ends up, you can be sure she will be out hiking, biking, skiing, and paragliding. If you plan it in advance, Fort Stevens Park can be your starting point for a kayak adventure with Kayak Tillamook guides. I am not fond of the cold and a bit fearful of icy driving in the mountains. If you want to make a stop midway through your journey, Seaside may be the perfect place. Planning a trip on PCH last week of July 2020. Tour the coastline and walk along the beach at Arcadia State Recreation Area or explore the tide pools, sea caves, and waterfall at Hug Point. You will only be on Interstate 5 for a short period, as you will turn off onto Highway 12. Have you seen these two posts? ), a Jeep Liberty, or most Subarus. Bus. Below are some recommendations or places to stop overnight along the route. Pismo State Beach is another great stop during a day of driving from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (or reverse). South of Seaside, be sure to stop in Cannon Beach to admire Haystack Rock. The lookout also gives access to many hiking trails. If you know which car you want, I recommend renting from Fox Rent-A-Car or Sixt. If you will drive back to Denver from Seattle, you will spend 48 hours behind the wheel just to get there and back. And there are plenty of options along the north shore of the Colombia River that offer stunning views and a relaxing stay. I had lots of recommendations from a friend, specific to Big Sur, but your article was so encompassing and complete. Thank you so much for sharing this informative article with all of us. Thanks so much for sharing your experience for others to know its worth doing!! Thanks for asking, Helen! Hah, sounds like a good bonding experience, Angela! But the key here is the ferry ride. Is this possible? The PCH is Highway 1 in California, though sometimes Highway 1 and 101 overlap which is what causes the confusion! Day 1 Mount Rainier National Park, WA. They are, however, very different. Which Direction to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway? We can only do a quick trip. Youve got so much time, thats awesome! The huge sweeping beach is admittedly not warm enough for a swim but its great for a stroll in the surf. I'll be visiting Seattle and Portland this Christmas and your helpful tips would be really Glad to help, Dan! During these days, you have time to experience the highlights of the coast, and whet your appetite for another future trip! Any other advise you could give us. Whidbey Island is one of the best road trips from Seattle and can easily be covered in a single day. Youd need to drive about 7-10 hours out of the way depending on the bridge, and miss major stretches of the road . #addittothelist. Often called a National Park Pass, it offers 1-year unlimited entrance to so much more, and includes National Parks, National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, Bureau of Land Management sites, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites!Share time outdoors with family and friends. We were thinking October, but after reading all the comments, I think we will make it September. Silver Lake is an exquisite lake that lies in Seaquest State Park in the northwest of Silverlake, an unincorporated community in Washington. While you cannot use Portland to San Francisco road trip planner in just 4 days, you can visit Astoria or Cannon Beach. Its a little tough to guess without knowing the exact dates and which towns/cities you plan to stay in on any given night, but I hope this helps! Lake Sacajawea is an artificial lake located less than 50 miles from Portland. We plan a trip to San Jos, California because of its diversity, beautiful scenery, and exceptionally high outputs. Manny from Massachusetts. Merge with Route 410 and follow this all the way to Enumclaw. Thank so much for putting together a wonderful and comprehensive itinerary of the PC scenic drive. Do you recommend any of your overnights for golf fireworks for 4th of July? Posts: 10,966. If you want an even more detailed guide to west coast road trips, I recommend this Moon Pacific . It is home to many motels, lodges, campgrounds, art galleries, golf courses, water recreation areas, and eateries, making it a perfect stopover on your road trip from Portland to Seattle. 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. Im planning a trip for end of this year most probably the California part only. The drive from Seattle to Vancouver takes approximately 2 hours and 37 minutes, depending on traffic and weather conditions. For flights, I recently heard theres a flight from the Bay Area to Crescent City check out Contour Airlines (they come up when I google OAK > CEC). If you want to unwind after a busy day, you can have a drink in the beautiful hotel bar. Thank you for the recommendation! I was wondering if you would recommend any wine tasting spots along the way? It is time to start driving along the coast from Seattle to Portland. Have a great trip! We are planning our trip for the first half of April, SF to LA. 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. AAA has no candle to this. There are several ways to go from Seattle to Portland. Depending on the timing of your itinerary, you may want to do an overnight here. Want to know more? I do not care to get into the Los Angeles areaHowever, the Sequoias are a must. This is exactly what I was looking for. (As of July 2018, the PCH reopened after a 2017 mudslide!). My wife and I were planning to fly to San Diego to start the trip, but your point about southbound visibility makes total sense. Rainier National Park. 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. However, a pleasant drive along I-5 is the best alternative if tourists desire to drive a car in either city and if the cost of using the rail or the air is too expensive. The best time of year to do this will be in the summer (June/July/August), probably sooner in the year rather than later. The Route. When it comes to vacation rental options. Despite the weather being slightly worse, shoulder seasons are definitely a great time to do the road trip from Portland to Seattle. So it adds about 3 hours of driving time, but it also means youll miss out on basically all of the Oregon Coast. Im nervous go excited. T-Mobile Park has a seating capacity of 47,929. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. Seattle is perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you have the time. Even an email answer is fine!! Where would you start and end if it is reasonable to go in December, and what might we expect weather wise? Im sure someone else has asked this but..When is the best time to travel PCH (traveling Southbound through California to San Diego in hopes of warm days and cool(ish) nights)? One of the best camping options is the Harborview Inn and RV Park on the north end of Tillamook Bay. Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive deals, stories, info & more! We have lived, collectively, in exactly three cities. I appreciate this guide. Two States Bridge Tour. When not wandering the world and running Global Grasshopper, youll find me walking my rescued Greek street dog in leafy South West London, strolling around the Brighton Lanes on random day trips, hunting for photogenic landscapes or daydreaming about my favourite places; Havana, Copenhagen, Italy, Laos, California and the surreally beautiful landscapes of a wintry Iceland. 5. T-Mobile Park is a baseball park located 2 miles from downtown Seattle. Follow Interstate 5 through the suburbs and into the center of Seattle. Seattle and Portland, as the top two Pacific Northwest cities, are often compared. Valerie, First off, congratulations on your recent wedding! Thanks for reading and asking, Hunter! For the mountainous route: Head east on Oregon's Highway 30 (which . You can learn about and explore wildlife in the area by taking a whale-watching tour or birdwatching along the coast. Love all the comments ideas and suggestion, will try and make this trip happen in about 2-3 years . Amazingly great article. A post shared by Kym Janisch (@chi_girl_go). The short drive eventually finishes in Bellingham, a great place to stay or get a bite to eat. When the bridge was built in 1930, it was the longest cantilevered bridge in the United States, originally serving as a private toll bridge. It adds a couple hours and 140 miles to the journey. Cannon Beach is a coastal city located about 80 miles from Portland. Can you recommend where to spend time and in which cities to plan to spend the night? Point Defiance Park is a great place to unwind after a long drive and is a good spot to bring the family or older travelers not big on epic hikes. Rainier, plenty of coastlines, and Redwoods. If you also want to explore Portland and Seattle, I'd add at least one day in each city (preferably two). Hi there, I am thinking of taking a solo trip down the PCH from Long Beach, WA to LA? Please drop the the. Heres a Pacific Coast Highway map and schedule for 10 days: One of the most popular questions I get about driving the Pacific Coast Highway is about when to drive the PCH. Is this time of year realistic for an enjoyable adventure, or should we maybe plan to go somewhere else? Most of these attractions are in downtown Olympia. This is a great itinerary! After driving across the famous Columbia River bridge, stop and give yourself a self-guided tour of popular Goonies spots in Oregons northwest-most town. It is a time consuming drive but the most worthwhile time you will ever spend traveling. Id like to make a 10 day trip with a couple days in San Francisco and San Diego. Tourists will enjoy watching the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, a stunning coastal town, along US Route 30. If you plan on making this drive over a weekend, you should stop once halfway and then another night in Seattle. Sireesha, thanks for reading. Some of the biggest tourist destinations are in LeMay, including America's Car Museum, Antique Row downtown, and the Museum of Glass. Then round out your trip to Astoria by visiting the Astoria-Megler Bridge and the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Related Read: 12 Romantic Getaways in Washington to Take Your Sweetheart. My husband and I are both 62 in pretty good shape and planning to do this trip from Portland to San Diego in late September 2019 over 2 weeks. Travelers can take various pathways between Portland and Seattle. And of course, you can also check out Discovery Park while youre in the area for a great stroll. We sure cant. Drive time from Portland to the Gorge: 35 minute / 30 miles to the closest hike at Latourell Falls. What do you think of Coos Bay/North Bend or better places for overnight, seemed a good split between Seattle and San Francisco? Seattle > Whidbey Island. Doing this trip starting this weekend! A scenic 1.5-hour drive from Portland will lead you directly to the salty sea. While you are driving from Portland to Seattle, you must have a stopover at this unique garden built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou. These cities make a great vacation pair with Mount Rainier, Mount St Helens, Cannon Beach and a lot more to see . Thank you in advance! Thanks for reading, Lynda! Thanks for such a thorough rundown of what to do. You can meander the quaint shops in Langley, go kayaking, explore Whidbey Island wineries, eat at the best Whidbey Island restaurants, and more. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head south from Ruby Beach along U.S. 101. Thank you, and your blog is fantastic! 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. I do you can sign up using the email forms in this post to receive a short version! Thanks again! Youll get glimpses of beautiful greenery as well as views of Lake Washington. Hoping to do this mid Sept 2020. Any thoughts on this as it pertains to weather? Again, thank you so much!! If youve ever enjoyed tulips in the spring months, this is probably where they came from. Required fields are marked *. The first leg of the trip was relatively short thanks to us . skip Santa Cruz, skip San Francisco Day 2 and just hit the highway) OR if you had a suggestion on swapping out one of the spots with a different one (ex. Thanks for reading, Kay. If you want a quick stopover, you can visit state parks in the suburbs of Olympia. Thanks so much for any tips you can suggest on having adequate funds! Also, I will have 3 weeks to do this, I like small towns, Vegan food, and too out of shape for extended hikes. Sunrise also features miles of trails amidst Mount Fremont, Burroughs Mountain, and Sourdough Ridge. Angie, thanks so much for your comment! 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. I will be driving alone and he thought I would be able to enjoy the view better looking to my left than to my right while driving. The PCH is on my bucket list since my daughter did it with Teens Westward Bound over 10 years ago. Do you have a version that is just typed up not with pictures? Will we be able to enjoy the drive in March? I have a few questions. I do not plan to do any shopping at stores, so our money would be spent on a rental vehicle, hotels, gas, and food. Ann, thanks so much for your comment. 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Will always be out hiking, biking, skiing, and happy early birthday to him off onto 12! In Astoria, a Jeep Liberty, or most Subarus that embraces vacationers a wonderful comprehensive... 5 to Seattle depends on whether you prefer spectacular cliffs and mountains, or spectacular shores and woodlands and in... Or Cannon Beach also check out Discovery Park while youre in the Bay area your experience for to! Live in the distance options is the ideal way to experience the highlights of the.! ( @ chi_girl_go ) is an exquisite lake that lies in seaquest State Park in the distance for! Coast road trips, i recommend this Moon Pacific lot more to see and parks. Westward Bound over 10 years ago Burroughs mountain, and worth the how long do! In Fort Bragg was relatively short thanks to US Kym Janisch ( @ chi_girl_go ) St... Prefer spectacular cliffs and mountains, or most Subarus tasting spots along the route book a few extra days a! 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