And our favorite spots to drink, whether youre looking for a flight of craft beer or a $20 cocktail (were joking kind of). Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detoursfrom roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond. 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. Here are our favorite things to do in Point Reyes National Seashore. Continue to Eugene, where you should try the wild fermented, locally harvested cider at Wildcraft Cider and head up to Skinner Butte for a nice view of Eugene. Do this road trip and you'll probably do around double that. After the volcano erupted around 8,000 years ago, the collapsed summit eventually stored enough water to create the lake. 1. stay for about 2 hours and leave at 8:02 pmdrive for about 58 minutes, 9:00 pm arrive in San Franciscostay at Top of the Mark, Elliott from Sheffield asked:Road Trip from SF to Vancouver/Seattle- where are the best places to see? Its in Union Square, which honestly kinda sucks, but its affordable and stylish. Still, totally doable in October. Our favorites would be Becks Motor Lodge (close to the Mission) and Hotel Kabuki (in Japantown). (19 answers), Julie from Atlanta asked:Best activities for kids (19 answers), Kenneth from Portland asked:Best views in San Francisco? Theres not a lot going on in Roseburg, but we used this as a stopover to break up the drive en route to Crater Lake National Park the following morning. 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. We recommend Sandcastle Inn. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This route never strays from the interstate, so aside from some highly recommended detours, the drive is extremely straightforward and beginner-friendly. 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. The lighthouse has been in operation since 1871 and is still in use today. Jessica from asked:Best seafood restaurant in S.F.? We will be in de US for about 4 weeks. Get out and explore Portland, particularly the areas east of the river along Hawthorne and Division St. Day 3: Drive from Portland to Eugene, stopping at Silver Falls State Park to do the Trail of the Ten Falls (truly spectacular) and then refueling in Salem, the capital of Oregon, at Bigwig Donuts (100% gluten free donut holes, fried to order). See here for our top things to do in San Francisco. Elliott Bay Books for the best local bookstore in Seattle. Looking to promote your product, hotel or service? To go a level deeper, take this awesome guided tour of Pike Place with a Local Chef. Limited time in Napa, help with my itinerary! First, at Lake Crescent to hike to Marymere Falls. Restaurants in Napa for girls outing? 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. Agreed! Navarro Vineyards and Roederer Estate are our favorites. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. Dont miss these! Before we go on to give you our 2-week itinerary, please note that there is no right or wrong way to do this trip. This tree is HUGE but in fact, not even the largest! These are some of the places people talk about on Trippy: Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions Continue south past Willamette and Umpqua National Forests before pulling into Medford. If organized tours are your thing, here are some recommendations: Belltown. Day 4: Get an early start and make a beeline for the California border. Mid July: 1 week with wife and kid - what should we prioritize? Were Matt and Alysha, the two endlessly curious travelers behind this site. Explore a route and we'll find the best locations to keep you charged along the way and upon arrival. Mileage: It's 808 miles from Seattle to San Francisco. Redd Beach Street Inn and Suites. The Drive Weather map shows the next 6 hours of weather forecast, wind, temperatures and radar for the the Seattle to San Francisco drive. Day 1: Fly into Seattle and pick up your rental car (or, leave from Seattle if you live here!). We have five restaurant recommendations worth your attention. Portland (246 answers) 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. 53-63000. Hotels: The Hoxton and the Society Hotel (weve stayed there) are our top hotel picks in Portland. The Underground Tour: A little quirky and offbeat, kind of like Seattle, the Underground Tour is worth doing while youre in Pioneer Square. 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. 2 Week Road Trip Itinerary Overview Over the course of 2 weeks, we drove approximately 1650 miles (2330km) at a moderate pace. restaurants around Redding: Trip Length: Give yourself at least five days for a worthwhile journey. If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Seattle to San Francisco road trip. Click the blue button below. For more amazing trees, waterfalls, and trails in California, check out Sequoia National Park. San Francisco to Seattle Road trip Google Maps San Francisco and Seattle are two eclectic peas in a pod. If you are flying into San Francisco International Airport and road-tripping north, you can simply hop on US Highway 101 N. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the Traveling with a dog or cat? US California 20 18:25 941 mi $145 Take This Trip Share Featured Trip Guides Created by Roadtrippers - July 21st 2016 Seattle 1 4.5 2000 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA, US The Palladian Hotel FastBook $$$ 1 2 4.5 85 Pike St, Seattle, WA, US Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ (11 mentions) Start your day early and travel down HWY 101 along the coast of Oregon. For us, we stayed with a friend we met in Chile 2 years ago (travel is awesome!) Dont miss our guide to the coolest hotels in San Francisco for more suggestions. From Seattle, drive straight to Mt. Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation Have you done this road trip before? Once in Vacaville, take Interstate 80 through Fairfield, then cross the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge. 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. In our opinion, the two best areas to stay in Seattle are Belltown and Capitol Hill (though we also like South Lake Union). Looking for the best coffee in a city known for amazing coffee? To visit all of these areas, we recommend taking the first exit to Monterey off the freeway and work your way around. 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. A somewhat sleepy, somewhat rowdy college town, home of the University of Oregon, Eugene is quirky, creative, and a fun weekend getaway from Portland. This is the worst driving day because theres not much to see along the way from Redding to San Francisco. Planning to drive from Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road? who wants the trip to end? Then, head out to Patricks Point State Park and Trinidad State Beach to get your first taste of the rugged northern California coast. Post-activity, eat some fresh, local oysters at Hog Island and some local cheese at Cowgirl Creamery. In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Seattle to San Francisco. What is there not to love about snacks, blasting music, beautiful scenery and your own schedule! Make your first stop after Crescent City into Jedediah Smith Redwoods National Park. Continue along 101 South, stopping at Ruby Beach and Kalaloch, before doing the short walk in the Quinault Rainforest and spending the night at either Kalaloch Lodge on the coast, or Lake Quinault Lodge on the shores of, you guessed it, Lake Quinault. Theres really only one choice here. Searching for an inexpensive and nice inn in Napa area This route was intriguing to us because the arrival time was almost 3 hours faster than the Highway 101 alternative, but we decided that this drive was once in a lifetime and we had to take the longer option if it meant we'd be driving the Oregon coast the entire day. Shasta? Pigeon Point Light Station is a lighthouse located on the coast of northern California near Pescadero. Day 7: Congrats! This industrial-chic Airbnb in South Lake Union is a close second for the next time were looking for a place to stay in Seattle. There are so many places to stop and it all depends on the time you have as well as your interests. Choosing which vineyards to visit can be rather overwhelming, so we strongly recommend spending at least a night at one of the magnificent Bed and Breakfasts to get the full experience. If you road trip San Francisco to Seattle you'll cover at least 807 miles - that's if you do the aforementioned route and go straight down the I-5N. Weve got you covered with our guide to the best coffee in Seattle (according to three self-proclaimed coffee snobs). 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. Day 2: Drive the Pacific Coast of Olympic National Park, making three stops along the way. Saint Helens. Long road trips = the need for bathroom stops! 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. The road map above shows you the route to take to your destination. Sleep in Ashford just outside the park entrance at Paradise Village. It's worth parking at the toll plaza ( here on Google Maps) to get some nice pictures of the bridge. International Rose Test Garden (20 mentions) Shasta (2 days) Stop 5: Redwood National Park (1-2 days) Stop 6: Crater Lake (2 days) Stop 7: Coos Bay / Southern Oregon Coast (1 day) Mendocino is a largely unspoiled area of California that has beaches, valleys, and forests. We usually prefer Airbnb for stays longer than a day or two, and Seattle has some awesome Airbnb options. On the way from Seattle to San Francisco, you may want to stay at some points on the way. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:04 pmdrive for about 3 hours, 6:02 pm Napa travelers and answer their questions about Seattle! Your email address will not be published. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Your email will not be provided to third parties. You can also hike Trillium Falls to see beautiful trillium flowers dotting the groundcover, as well as impressive redwoods and a small waterfall. Spend some time on the coast and check out the things to do in Monterey. Oregon Shakespeare Festival (3 mentions) Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Seattle to San Francisco drive. Sleep at the Graduate Hotel or the Inn at the Fifth, both in downtown Eugene. Its on the south side of Mount Rainier, around 5,400 feet above sea level, featuring colorful wildflower meadows in late summer, evergreen groves, and massive glaciers. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Seattle to San Francisco. restaurants around Napa: Taking the quickest possible route, the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes 13 hours and spans 810 miles. Ashland is a cool little town known for hosting the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. McMinnville. Dont forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. Oxbow Public Market (6 mentions) Your email address will not be published. Leave Roseburg after breakfast and head directly towards Crater Lake National Park. We are a family of 4 with two older children (19,16) who love nature and hiking. Hiking the Skyline Trail: Is This the Best Hike in the Entire State? Route 2: San Francisco to Seattle via 101 N and I-5 N Featuring some of the best road trip attractions in Northern California, including Humboldt County, wine country, beaches, and redwoods Eugene and Portland, Oregon (Tillamook, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Astoria are optional) Olympia in Washington This article shares the 15 top tips that turn your San Francisco trip into an unforgettable journey. Next: See how to edit the route Its only 3 hours though, and you can stop in Berkeley or Oakland on your way into the city if youre looking for somewhere to grab lunch. From here, cross the Columbia River via Route 30 and continue west until you reach the coast. Road Trip on the 101 and 1- what to see on the way to SF from Seattle? In fact, Matt recently did this drive alone. Aug 19th, 2009 08:02 AM. Hood, Bend, and Crater Lake, which will take significantly more time than the other two options. Make sure you check road conditions Sleep at the Blue Door Inns, which looks amazing. Worth the Time Investment Best free things to do in Ashland (Oregon)? Expect to drive2-6 hours a day with 1 or 2 longer days. Read that for the details behind the picks below! Traveling from Seattle to San Francisco is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The hike out to Cascade Head near Lincoln City is worth it if you have the time, otherwise continue on to spend the night in Newport at the wonderful Inn at Nye Beach. Are you going straight to a hotel, or The two best hotels in Seattle are actually in South Lake Union, which happens to be between Belltown and Capitol Hill. Todays a long driving day, but its broken up with many stops. day 2 driving 6.5 hours. Alexander Valley Wine Region: Take a drive through the Alexander Valley Wine Region to enjoy some of the tastiest (and most affordable) wines in California. The Moxy Hotel is the other choice here its a stylish option thats super central to all the sights in Seattle. Pine Ridge Vineyards Stop as frequent or as little as you like but dont forget to look up! Today is a long but good day of driving. Artsy area with fun little shops It is the seat of King County, Washington. If you're in the mood for something more extravagant, you can enjoy a cocktail in the Lobby Lounge before taking a dip in the gigantic swimming pool. 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. It's okay, you can start planning your Your email address will not be published. This is another city we know REALLY well, and we have all sorts of thoughts, tips, and tricks that only locals would know to help you plan an amazing few days in San Francisco. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below. San Francisco. 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. In this part, we explained seven different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. 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. Its a beautiful place to visit while on your road trip. Tasty N Sons Best Car for This Road Trip: Convertible or SUV. Be prepared for the overwhelming choice of flavours! Hop onto Interstate 5 straight out of Seattle and make your way to Portland, passing Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Trippy is where Trippy members suggest Ike's Place, which was mentioned 23 times. 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. You could also go the coastal route, but its a bit out of the way if youve only got 3-5 days. 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. Best coffee shops in Portland The hostel was close to all the main sights as well as public transport. No matter the time of year, one of the prettiest drives in the country is from Seattle to San Francisco, making a Seattle to San Francisco road trip the perfect drive for a long weekend or as part of a lengthier expedition. If you're driving from Seattle WA to San Francisco CA check the weather conditions for a safer trip. If youre lucky, you may spot the local bald eagles. Finally, you can drive down Howland Hill Road, which is mostly unpaved but well-maintained road traversing a magnificent redwood forest. So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You could also drive down the coast, which is gorgeous, and would be our choice if youre making the trip outside of the summer months. Stop in Astoria to check out the Astoria Column and Fort Stevens State Park, then make your way to Ecola State Park for great views of Cannon Beach. Or get a full Seattle to San Francisco flight plan. What is your favorite restaurant in Eugene? 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. In terms of height, it is one of the tallest lighthouses in the United States and stands at 115 feet. During our brief stop, we took a trip down memory lane on behalf of her and went and visited her old host family an adorable couplewho arenow 90 and 93 years old! Here are a couple of ways to do this road trip based on your interests and number of days. Add anything that looks interesting! Read:The Ultimate Guide To Crater Lake National Park. questions about Redding: First of all, we have a whole guide on where to stay in Portland. This seaside town has one of the most historic boardwalks in the state. Here are some of our favorites. Hows the weather like for a Road Trip and visiting alot of these spots then? This road tripis suitable for all types of travellers with a little bit of everything; rugged coastlines,world-class wineries, wildlife, bustling cities, Redwood forests, sweeping valleys, accessible hikes and of course, relaxing sandy beaches. There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to San Francisco. The water is exceptionally blue and when the sunlight hits the water, its simply stunning. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Starting on I-5 south for 90% of . Crater Lake is the largest lake in the United States (over 1900 ft deep!) The best way is to be prepared for the open road by visiting our checklist of road trip essentials. United States. Overall, we think you should choose either the Mission District or Hayes Valley if you have a car. Other foodie things to do besides wine tasting The 808 miles of the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes around 12 hours and 47 mins of driving without stops. Drive through Cape Perpetua (stop at Thors Well and the scenic overlook), Heceta Head Lighthouse, and finally to Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor. drive for about 1.5 hours, 9:37 am Ashland (Oregon) If you want to always have your drink with you on the road trip, discover the latest, Video: San Francisco Road Trip 10 Things to Do, 7 Best Hotels On The Way From Seattle To San Francisco, 5 Best Restaurants On The Way To San Francisco From Seattle, 3 Places To Visit On The Way From Seattle To San Francisco, 7 Best Hotels On The Way To San Francisco From Seattle, 5 Best Restaurants On The Way From Seattle To San Francisco, Seattle To Tucson Road Trip: The Beautiful Route, Seattle To Zion National Park Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide, Oregon To San Francisco Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide, Denver To Yellowstone Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide, Denver To Mount Rushmore Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide, With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately, If you want to make the Seattle to San Francisco road trip by. The guide below is written with a two week trip in mind. Psst! Day 1: Seattle, Washington (3 days) Day 4: Seattle - Willamette Valley (222 miles/357 km) Day 5: Willamette Valley - Pacific City (63 miles/101 km) 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. This route has a total of 24 hours of driving split up between 10-14 days when you follow our recommendations below. Driving down from Seattle to San Francisco will give you a plethora of stunning natural landscapes to explore. 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. Here are our favorite places to visit at these locations. What is your favorite restaurant in Portland? Hood River Hotel is a close second. Here are some more hotels people talk about: Want to research more popular hotels in San Francisco? The travelplan so far. What an amazing road trip! Saint Helens provides some surreal views of this active volcano, as well as some intriguing natural formations. The lighthouse is pretty cool, and is definitely worth the price of admission, which is simply a three mile round trip hike to get to it. Well, thats it for us! Make sure to go to La Marzocco Cafe and Espresso Vivace at the very least. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Especially on the weekdays. There are three awesome places to find ice cream in Seattle. Find all the transport options for your trip from Seattle to San Francisco right here. Want more awesome west coast travel guides to inspire your next trip, and empower you with all the information you need to plan it? Again, take Interstate 5 out of Seattle and follow it past Capitol State Forest and Gifford Pinchot National Forest before pulling into Longview. If there's no coastal fog obscuring it, which there probably is. The central route down I-5, while definitely the quickest, is BORING. Here are a few pit stops to consider stopping for. (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? It will help people who will take the same Seattle to San Francisco route. For more information about the best places on the Seattle to San Francisco journey, you can check the 3 Best Places To Visit On The Way From Seattle To San Francisco part. The Hoxton is a super stylish hotel that is one of our favorite hotel chains in the world. Read: An Extensive Guide to Seattle. However, some unique destinations like Centralia and Washington are also on your road trip. The drive's signature stops include the cities of Portland and Sacramento, Mt. So it is time to explore something new! you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, Saint Helens. We have lived, collectively, in exactly three cities. However, travel is about, Read More Gluten Free Boston: A Complete Guide for CeliacsContinue, Zion National Park is one of our favorite national parks in the United States, with its surprisingly lush, green canyon juxtaposed with towering red rock walls, and the blue-green hues of the winding Virgin River. Just 15 minutes from Monterey, youll find a variety of cheaper hotels. Get ready for a day of tree exploring! Here are some options for where to stay in Seattle whether you prefer staying in hotels or in an Airbnb. What is your favorite restaurant in Redding? Learn how your comment data is processed. Who would have thought trees could be so fascinating? Check out the. Head to Redwood National and State Parks and explore Stout Memorial Grove, Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway, and Fern Canyon. or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. This section could be endless, so rather than trying to Youre very welcome Candice, enjoy your trip! Grab yourself some lunch from The Picnic Basket or the Surfrider Cafe and enjoy it on the beach whilst people watching and soaking up the sunshine. Here are a few of our favorite restaurants in Seattle, in no particular order. Drive down the I-5 corridor, making stops at Mt. He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.