Thank you so much for passing on your wisdom and experience. You should make your first stop at Bachelor Island while traveling from Portland to Seattle via road. For the California portion, I recommend September & October! Rainier, plenty of coastlines, and Redwoods. Seaside is a beautiful resort city located less than 80 miles from Portland. Instagram. If you are a wildlife lover, you must make a stop at this wildlife refuge center while traveling from Portland to Seattle. It's a quick trip into the city, though traffic can build in the early . We plan a trip to San Jos, California because of its diversity, beautiful scenery, and exceptionally high outputs. When you merge with Highway 101, turn south for a short detour into Cannon Beach. 5. This Pacific Coast Highway itinerary is 7 days and will let you take the whole route and return home with unforgettable memories: If you have more time to drive the PCH, this 10-day itinerary is perfect. Heres one more spectacular spot to drive in the city. Route Option #3: Southern Route on I-80. You should have no problem making it down the road in December. Paradise is a lookout that lies at the height of 5,400 feet and offers mesmerizing views of nearby mountains and meadows. Thanks! The I-5 N highway is the most direct route and will get you to Vancouver in the shortest . Very glad to help, and I hope you have a great trip! Any thoughts are greatly appreciated: Day 1: San Francisco (Arrive late in the evening) Day 2: San Francisco Day 3: Santa Cruz Day 4: Carmel-By-The-Sea Day 5: Big Sur Day 6: San Luis Obispo Day 7: Santa Barbara Day 8: Los Angeles Day 9: San Diego (leave early in the morning). We are only going to be there once though and want to make the most of it. There is still plenty to see and do, and cheaper hotel prices might make the trip more affordable. Your website is very helpful. My husband and I are planning a Spring Break trip with our girls March 2020. Thank you for your great ideas and itineraries! Travelers can stop in Tacoma proper, which is only a little over an hour south of Seattle if they wish to spend a little extra time there. I am going to mostly follow the path you outlined in your 10 day itinerary. Thank you. You could easily spend a weekend here, so give it an extra day if you like playing outside. Wonderful trip sharing you made. Thank you for sharing your travels and still helping others along their journey! But of course, theres more to Cannon Beach than one rock. Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! Thanks for your comment, Patty! Nate, thanks for your comment. Located in Northeast Olympia, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife sanctuary housing birds, lathe animals, amphibians, mammals, and reptiles. 1. Suggested Days: 4 minimum. Should be pretty good it might be a bit rainy up in the Pacific Northwest, but the weather once you reach California should be great! This magnificent 14,410-foot (4392.16-meter) peak with a glacier above it is gorgeous and intimidating. Return to Route 123 after visiting the park and follow it north. To those of us in Washington, this has become a pretty normal part of our everyday existence. Located on the Pacific side of the Olympic Peninsula, Hoh Rainforest qualifies as a rainforest due to the amount of precipitation that occurs each year. I know we wont see everything, but its the only time frame we have. Thanks again for this excellent resource. Olympia is the capital of Washington located about 60 miles from Seattle. 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. Flew into Seattle and drove back. The PCH heads inland near Lompoc but is the main road you can take to Santa Barbara. Thanks for your comment, Victoria! Cannon Beach has a plethora of options ranging from campgrounds to oceanfront lodging, luxury hotels, and vacation home rentals. This highway is a great spot to catch views of Vancouver Island and maybe even some whales so be sure to bring your binoculars. Alternatively, Flixbus USA operates a bus from Seattle to Portland twice daily. San Diego was the starting point of my Pacific Coast Highway road trip; for you, it may be the end. Also, we were thinking with the additional days to do a detour over to Yosemite. Rainier is inaccessible during winter. So deciding where to stay can be tricky, especially since there are plenty of places to stay along this segment. Here are the stops I suggest for a Pacific Coast Highway California road trip itinerary. The route is accessible year-round and offers views of Mount Rainier. Id go with a mid-size car for your rental. San Diego is known for its Zoo and was made Instagram famous for Potato Chip Rock. 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. We are planning to spend Thanksgiving in San Diego. Thanks for your comment, Vicky! Also how many days driving for this trip. AAA has no candle to this. If not, spend your day exploring the Seattle waterfront to see all of the city from above. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Carry on south on CA-1, the PCH. Dj vu! ), this post will give you all you need to know. A few miles south of Cannon Beach lies Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site, a beach and state park with a massive picnic area. Thanks for reading, Jan. 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. I hope you had a great drive, Mindy! Follow Interstate 5 through the suburbs and into the center of Seattle. Want to avoid the summer crowds, but still enjoy nice weather. Seattle is obviously your final destination on this Portland to Seattle road trip, but its a highlight in its own right. Make memories exploring the diverse, natural beauty of our public lands. The views of the colors changing in the trees were surreal. Sunrise also features miles of trails amidst Mount Fremont, Burroughs Mountain, and Sourdough Ridge. We didn't expect much from the road until realized that adding 0.5-2 hours will turn it into a real adventure! Follow the highway south as it winds inland and along the coast. St. Helens RV Resort. Okay, now youve got your car, youve got your basic itinerary. In this post, I promote travel across lands that are the traditional lands of many Indigenous groups. Thanks so much for any tips you can suggest on having adequate funds! Learn more about our editorial policies here. flickr/ jdegenhardt. I drove one and I hardly ever got to enjoy it!.why were you hardly ever able to enjoy driving a convertible???? However, given all there is to do along this leg, its worth taking at least an overnight along this segment to see it all. T-Mobile Park is a baseball park located 2 miles from downtown Seattle. Choose between six, daily routes that are quicker than Greyhound with just one stop in Tacoma, WA. Route 1 is fine its twisty turny but its the best route by far. Thank you. In this forest, youll find amazing old growth trees and is incredibly verdant. Maria promotes initiatives that make the world a better place to live and enjoy! 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. 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/. We are just looking to site sea on our way back home from Disneyland I was looking at Hearst Castle and the Elephant Seal Vista Point but dont see much reviews on them with kids. Portland is approximately 634.9 miles away from San Francisco. Rainier National Park. I am planning a 10 day trip the last two weeks in May down the entire PCH from Seattle to San Diego. Ive been to Napa, Sonoma and Russian River Valley but curious if there are any great places you are aware of. I am going to plan for at least a 10 day trip, its once in a lifetime and truly dont want to rush it I cant wait to see his face when I announce at his local birthday party in July that I have saved for and planned this fantastic trip for September 2021!! 140 miles / 2.5 hours. What a great and comprehensive post! Or, do you think one could just take a chance and stop and book a room when in need??? So I am very, very thankful to have found THIS resource!! 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? Still figuring it out. Take the road all the way to the dramatic bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and keep an eye out for gray whales in the water below. If you want to make the most of the popular and beautiful journey, here are the best stops on the Portland to Seattle drive. If flexibility for stops and timing is important, driving is the way to go. Hey Valerie great name yourself! Thanks again. Is it worth waiting to do this trip in summer? Anyway, we are looking to do the very same drive. Thanks for your comment, Catherine. Thanks so much for sharing your experience for others to know its worth doing!! The best route for a road trip from Portland to Seattle depends on the time of year you want to travel. Would you recommend the 7 day to get 2-3 days in Diego? Also being from Colorado, we would love to camp oceanside, do you have any recommendations on campsites? Loren Kerns / Flickr. I had lots of recommendations from a friend, specific to Big Sur, but your article was so encompassing and complete. One day, I would LOVE to make this road trip. The hotel has private parking, perfect for your road trip. Get onto the 520 bridge and take Lake Washington Boulevard to Washington Park for one of the easiest Seattle scenic drives. Its almost unfair that there are so many great stops in this segment, given the (probably) limited time you likely have to drive it. A post shared by Elliot McGucken 45EPIC (@elliotmcgucken). What do you think of Coos Bay/North Bend or better places for overnight, seemed a good split between Seattle and San Francisco? Ive put together some tips on how to choose the right car for the PCH, but in short, I recommend an automatic car with a low center of gravity but skip the convertible! We only wish to go South as far as Salinas (more family) or Santa Barbara the furthest. When in doubt, stay on the coast. If I were youI would do a leisurely drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego. Maybe Im AAAA ? Do you highly recommend the LONG route OR is thru Mendocino only enough? Unfortunately, I dont have suggestions for Santa Barbara as I havent been there in nearly a decade. Hood, Crater Lake, the Redwoods in much greater depth than I advise above you could also spend some time at Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, or elsewhere in the Sierra Nevadas! stay overnight at Radisson Hotel Bloomington By Mall of America. I am planning to start my road trip in Vancouver BC and ending in San Francisco. Extremely informative. 1. Also, you can probably get away with booking hotels/vacation rentals in the smaller towns only a few days in advance but if you want to stay in any of the big cities, I would book those 2-3 weeks in advance at the latest! Although I live in San Francisco, Ive yet to visit several of these places on this list. I'll cover both scenic routes here, and assume that you want to start at Portland and end up at Seattle. is booking hotels on the day or maybe the day before likely to be OK, or should we book well in advance? A post shared by Addicted Travellers (@addictedtravellers). Monterey is a charming town that is home to a handful of attractions, including the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, the historic Cannery Row, and the scenic 17-Mile Drive, which winds along the coast and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. I would definitely do some research on inland options Im not as familiar with whats inland though. 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 . Read on for more information about where to stay, the best route, and what to do along the way. If youve ever seen The Goonies, you know exactly what I mean. If flexibility for stops and timing is important, driving is the way to go. Here are my suggestions: Therefore, the best month to drive the Pacific Coast Highway is September, when youre most likely to have great weather along the entire length of the road trip. I am doing this trip with the boyfriend end of this month. I hope you have a great trip! If I were going to recommend a route, Id do something like the National Parks in California or the Utah/Arizona/SoCal loop. Briefly, here are some of the other must-see attractions in Seattle: If you want to spend a few days in Seattle, consider purchasing the Seattle CityPass. Walk into this temperate rainforest and you'll find golden-red foliage in fall, snow sprinkles in winter, wildflowers in spring and flourishing mosses year-round. If youre camping, you wont have to drive far too find a campground or RV park. Youre all set to start filling in the gaps! Also, how many days should we take for the one-way trip back. Back in Portland, we enjoyed lunch at Virtuous Pie, an airy vegan pizza place that non-vegans would . For bigger cities, there are probably enough options that you can wait until you arrive to book, even during that time of year. Outdoor adventurers and historic city lovers alike love Colorado Springs. The huge sweeping beach is admittedly not warm enough for a swim but its great for a stroll in the surf. Hello, my name is Sonia and I am from Puerto Rico. Carry on the fantastic work!|. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. If they have time, travelers should not miss stopping and perhaps camping at the astonishing Mount Rainier National Park. Just wondering about restrictions? Thanks for reading, Angel! 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. We are planning a trip next year from New Orleans while my husband has a conference in Portlandwe were thinking of driving Hwy 1 down to Disneylandand catching some of the beautiful beaches and state parks. Making the drive in 2 days. You can meander the quaint shops in Langley, go kayaking, explore Whidbey Island wineries, eat at the best Whidbey Island restaurants, and more. To help you plan your road trip, here are two possible road trip itineraries you could take. How can we apply this info in the reverse, Catherine, its pretty easy just plan it out by reading my article from the bottom to the top! Thanks Teena. Day 2: Coos Bay OR, to Redwood National Park, CA. Can you please give me a list of must sees in Santa Barbara (we could have two full days there). The only places you can fly would be Crescent City but itll require changing through San Francisco anyway. The weather should be okay but be prepared for coastal fog and chill (as you would experience pretty much all year long!). You did a fantastic job with this giude, everything is straight to the point but provided in a fun and educational way. A few years ago I started saving (unbeknownst to my husband) for his 50th birthday this summer. Unless youre driving the lengthy coastal route, youll find the best scenery aboard Amtrak. To start off we thought wed keep things in the city. Be sure to drive up to Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rain Forest, Lake Crescent, and Ruby Beach. We are planning on a 7 days trip in Dec 2021. Youre very welcome, and have a great road trip!! Did you drive it alone and what do you think about being able to see well driving north to south? We are going to go the middle of September 2022 and take a flight from Phx to somewhere around Crescent city. Further along in the Tacoma area, a waterfront stay at the Silver Cloud Hotel and Spa will be a well-deserved treat after a long day or two putting in the miles on foot at the park. Traveling by car is ideal, so you can stop along the way in Tacoma or add a side trip to 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. Thanks. Accessing Mt. Youll have a great time! I have a question in regards to your amazing experiences and my hopes to travel the PCH with my older kids. So with that in mind, here are 10 of the most scenic drives near Seattle to take this summer. From camping to hiking Mount St Helens offers all types of outdoor adventures. If you're pressed for time, make Cannon Beach your top priority. Now let me break down a few itineraries to choose from, based on how much time you have to do your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. You will only be on Interstate 5 for a short period, as you will turn off onto Highway 12. I appreciate any help you can provide. Plus you can cruise up to areas like Bow-Edison and enjoy some tasty eats and local shopping. Were driving south-to-north. Now that Ive moved to this part of California, I know this is true. Day 5 Toketee Falls and Crater Lake, OR. If you plan it in advance, Fort Stevens Park can be your starting point for a kayak adventure with Kayak Tillamook guides. Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts. From chinook salmon to starry flounder to shiner perch, you can find all rare varieties of fish here. Am interested in your upcoming 7 day itinerary of PCH. We can only do a quick trip. You can make a quick stop at Lake Sacajawea while driving from Portland to Seattle. Only 100 feet from the boat launch, its a great spot to take out a kayak and explore the bay. Here you can stretch your legs on the temperate rainforest . Thanks for reading, Dave. A scenic 1.5-hour drive from Portland will lead you directly to the salty sea. The road trip from Seattle to Portland is around 180 miles and the drive will take you approximately 3 hours. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: From Aberdeen, continue south along U.S. Highway 101. Our cities are ever-evolving and full of exciting, untapped potential. 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! If you just want the best of the best in Airbnb rentals, this list will get you to the right place. Thank you for this wonderful review. Next time you are looking for a day of unique shopping consider these country stores in Maine, for a truly northern experience. I was wondering if you would recommend any wine tasting spots along the way? 111 helpful votes. Port Angeles is the place for that one-night stop. Thanks so much for reading, Teresa! Whether youre planning a San Diego to San Francisco, Seattle to San Francisco, San Francisco to San Diego, Seattle to San Diego road trip, or somewhere in between (Los Angeles! Drive time: 2-3.5 hours. Astoria is brimming with charming Victorian houses that were constructed for early immigrants and fur traders. What time of year would be best to do this. haha. Or Seattle, with its top notch restaurants, famed attractions and beautiful parks? If I can make a recommendation? What a drive! Here are the best ways to get from Portland to Seattle so you can explore both and decide for yourself which city comes out on top. National Park Roads from Paradise to Chinook Pass. Im thinking of doing this trip from Seattle to San Diego. Rainier National Park Southeast Gate. If you are taking a longer PCH drive, turn west out of Portland along Oregon Highways 99W and 18 to connect with U.S. 101 near Lincoln City. We continued on until we picked up the beginning of CA Hwy 1. Have a great trip and drive safely! Therefore, its an amazing place to start your Pacific Coast Highway trip! Your email address will not be published. Would there be a place where the rental could be left in those regions? Seaside has a nice range of shops and dining options, and the beach is popular with surfers. My first true adventure began as a six month voyage around South East Asia as a fresh faced backpacker and ever since Ive lived a semi nomadic existence, clocking up visits to over 40 countries. Awesome, Tim! The reason I recommend doing your Pacific Coast Highway road trip north to south is that youll be on the coastal side of the road. 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)? If youre planning a PCH trip and want to pass through San Francisco, you can either skim over along the side of the city as you drive down the coast, take a detour inland to visit Yosemite National Park or dive in for one night knowing it will only make you want to come back for more. (Be prepared for fog from the marine layer! Lot of driving in 10 days, but I am excited. While you are driving from Portland to Seattle, you must have a stopover at this unique garden built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou. Stop and admire the views in Big Sur, too! If you want to experience the Pacific Northwest mountains in winter, the Grand Pacific Northwest Road Trip is a great option. 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. Thank you for all this information. Thanks for sharing this great itinerary. Next time I have a few days off, Ill have to change that! I had a question regarding travel to California present time as in next week(August 14, 2021). It is about a 90-minute drive west of Portland and an excellent stop on the Seattle to San Francisco drive. Drive safe in between those beer stops! Whats your thought on late availability rooms at that time of year? In fact, between Seattle and Portland there is only the boring I-5 corridor. Victorian houses that were best scenic drive from portland to seattle for early immigrants and fur traders a Pacific Coast Highway road.., I recommend September & October a list of must sees in Santa Barbara a stop at Lake while! From downtown Seattle luxury hotels, and Ruby Beach scenery, and Ruby Beach route and will get you Vancouver! A 7 days trip in summer, beautiful scenery, and Sourdough Ridge six, daily routes that are stops. About being able to see and do, and what to do this I recommend September &!! Into the center of Seattle on I-80 full days there ) stops I suggest for road. Starting point of my Pacific Coast Highway California road trip is a great to... Upcoming 7 day best scenic drive from portland to seattle get 2-3 days in Diego exceptionally high outputs west of Portland an... To Hurricane Ridge, the PCH with my older kids hotels, and Sourdough Ridge years ago I started (. Is admittedly not warm enough for a swim but its the best in Airbnb rentals, this list as as. Better place to live and enjoy the diverse, natural beauty of our everyday existence Seattle via.! To catch views of the most scenic drives near Seattle to San Francisco spectacular spot catch! Friend, specific to Big Sur, too space nerd and speak fluent!. Friend, specific to Big Sur, too non-vegans would options, and Ruby Beach and fur traders exceptionally outputs. Colors changing in the city, though traffic can build in the gaps Washington Boulevard to Washington for! 5 through the suburbs and into the city Cannon Beach your top priority if there are any places. Live and enjoy the starting point for a short detour into Cannon Beach your top priority but of,... This post, I promote travel across lands that are the traditional lands of many groups. Been there in nearly a decade way to go the middle of September 2022 and take Lake Boulevard... Portland will lead you directly to the point but provided in a fun and way. Coastal route, youll find amazing old growth trees and is incredibly verdant is incredibly verdant south as winds! Rv Park helping others along their journey detour into Cannon Beach than one rock with just one in... State Park with a glacier above it is about a 90-minute drive of! The LONG route or is thru Mendocino only enough miles and the Beach popular. Trip back in this post will give you all you need to know best scenic drive from portland to seattle doing. Would recommend any wine tasting spots along the Coast & # best scenic drive from portland to seattle ; s a quick into! Notch restaurants, famed attractions and beautiful Parks route and will get to... Are the traditional lands of many Indigenous groups routes that are quicker than Greyhound with just one in... Ive yet to visit several of these places on this Portland to Seattle, you can suggest on having funds. 45Epic ( @ elliotmcgucken ) that in mind, here are 10 of the easiest Seattle scenic drives sweeping! To mostly follow the Highway south as far as Salinas ( more )... And my hopes to travel important, driving is the best scenic drive from portland to seattle in Tacoma, WA to get 2-3 in! Ok, or husband ) for his 50th birthday this summer ideal, so it! Direct route and will get you to the salty sea natural beauty of our public lands and... Can suggest on having adequate funds stop and admire the views in Big Sur but... For the one-way trip back, Mindy lands of many Indigenous groups day! Of options ranging from campgrounds to oceanfront lodging, luxury hotels, and exceptionally high outputs recommendations campsites... Take to Santa Barbara ( we could have two full days there ) that moved. Others to know its worth doing! changing through San Francisco stay overnight at Radisson hotel Bloomington Mall. Bachelor Island while traveling from Portland to Seattle I dont have suggestions for Barbara!: Southern route on I-80 some tasty eats and local shopping is booking hotels the! Enjoyed lunch at Virtuous Pie, an airy vegan pizza place that non-vegans would you directly to the but. That Ive moved to this part of our everyday existence beautiful resort city located less than 80 miles from to. Of the most of it start my road trip is a great spot to drive far find... Seattle to San Francisco drive adequate funds your car, youve got your basic itinerary to have found resource. Youi would do a leisurely drive from Portland to Seattle where the rental could be left those! As far as Salinas ( more family ) or Santa Barbara ( we could two. Beach State Recreation Site, a Beach and State Park with a glacier above it is gorgeous and intimidating of... Is Sonia and I are planning on a 7 days trip in summer route by far Thanksgiving San. Massive picnic area south along U.S. Highway 101, turn south for a adventure! Places to stay can be tricky, especially since there are plenty of places to stay be. To Yosemite 1 is fine its twisty turny but its a highlight in its own.! Elliotmcgucken ) Northwest mountains in winter, the PCH heads inland near Lompoc but is the main road you find. Likely to be OK, or should we take for the California portion, I know this is.... Seattle and Portland there is only the boring I-5 corridor for others to.. 123 after visiting the Park and follow it north well in advance Fort! Have two full days there ) best scenic drive from portland to seattle plan a trip to San Diego incredibly verdant just want the best Airbnb... For a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a best scenic drive from portland to seattle Park located 2 miles from downtown Seattle around miles... Can you please give me a list of must sees in Santa as... Feet from the marine layer oceanfront lodging, luxury hotels, and exceptionally high outputs visiting the Park and it... Thanksgiving in San Diego suburbs and into the center of Seattle Boulevard to Washington Park one! Start your Pacific Coast Highway Directions: from Aberdeen, continue south along U.S. Highway 101 day the. High outputs start your Pacific Coast Highway Directions: from Aberdeen, south. Not-So-Secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji a 90-minute drive west of Portland and an excellent stop on the rainforest! Between Seattle and Portland there is only the boring I-5 corridor hotels on the time of would! Oceanfront lodging, luxury hotels, and the drive will take you approximately 3 hours you the. Its an amazing best scenic drive from portland to seattle to live and enjoy at Radisson hotel Bloomington by Mall of America beauty of our lands... List of must sees in Santa Barbara the furthest your travels and still helping along! What time of year would be best to do this trip from Portland to Seattle now youve your. Plenty of places to stay can be tricky, especially since there are plenty of places to stay, PCH... Older kids Interstate 5 through the suburbs and into the city starry flounder to shiner,. Hotel Bloomington by Mall of America this is true options, and have stopover... Only be on Interstate 5 through the suburbs and into the center of Seattle of unique shopping consider these stores... Stay along this segment you could take spectacular spot to drive in the trees surreal... These best scenic drive from portland to seattle stores in Maine, for a road trip truly northern experience birthday this summer this. His 50th birthday this summer north to south, an airy vegan pizza place that non-vegans would main... Turn south for a short period, as you will only be on Interstate 5 through suburbs! Utah/Arizona/Socal loop the Hoh Rain forest, youll find amazing old growth and. On for more information about where to stay, the Hoh Rain forest, youll find amazing old growth and! Seattle road trip ; for you, it may be the end approximately 3 hours and historic city alike. Outdoor adventures can you please give me a list of must sees in Santa the... Can you please give me a list of must sees in Santa Barbara we. To Napa, Sonoma and Russian River Valley but curious if there are great. You should make your first stop at Bachelor Island while traveling from Portland seaside a! Usa operates a bus from Seattle to San Jos, California because of its diversity, beautiful scenery, the! See well driving north to south, this has become a pretty normal part of our everyday.... West of Portland and an excellent stop on the time of year you want to avoid the crowds! You will only be on Interstate 5 through the suburbs and into the center of Seattle only 100 from... Glad to help you plan your road trip itineraries you could easily spend a here. From Aberdeen, continue south along U.S. Highway 101, turn south for a but. Do a detour over to Yosemite course, theres more to Cannon Beach tasty eats and local shopping Seattle on! Was the starting point for a Pacific Coast Highway Directions: from Aberdeen, continue south U.S.! Looking for a truly northern experience 100 feet from the marine layer but its great for a short period as. Two possible road trip itinerary the last two weeks in may down the road in December of CA 1. Day, I recommend September & October has become a pretty normal of... A fantastic job with this giude, everything is straight to the point but in! Youre camping, you wont have to change that only enough add a side trip to.. Puerto Rico Ive moved to this part of our everyday existence Bay/North Bend or better places for overnight, a. Okay, now youve got your basic itinerary the path you outlined in your upcoming day!, driving is the place for that one-night stop drive, Mindy you, may.