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. Hop onto Interstate 5 straight out of Seattle and make your way to Portland, passing Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Visit some of the numerous waterfalls namely Myrtle and Christine. The Best Road Trip from Seattle to San Francisco By Jess Moss That Pacific Coast Highway route from San Francisco to Los Angeles gets all the attention, but it's not the only West Coast drive that should be on your map. So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. Here are the top seven hotels on the Seattle San Francisco route! . Here are some of our favorite things to do in Hood River. It is the seat of King County, Washington. The two best hotels in Seattle are actually in South Lake Union, which happens to be between Belltown and Capitol Hill. If youre on a budget, check out the Found Hotel. How Many Days to Spend on This Road Trip? San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip Itinerary Advice Stop in at Rocky Point Restaurant for a cocktail and then head to California Market at Pacifics Edge for lunch with sweeping views of the ocean. Take your time, drive slowly and stop at every opportunity you can! If youre driving from San Francisco to Seattle, the opposite direction that this guide is written for, then all you need to do is reverse the order of stops. Spend the night at either the Olympic Lodge or a vacation rental along the shores of Lake Sutherland. You wont want to miss our detailed guides to visiting Mount Rainier that are all based on our own personal experience exploring the park. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. San Francisco to Seattle Road trip | Indie Campers Were going to California in mid October, and thought since were already flying in from outside US, maybe we should do our long wished-for seattle-SF trip. Driving down from Seattle to San Francisco will give you a plethora of stunning natural landscapes to explore. And roads at Mount Rainier NP close sometime in early November, which is another reason to start in Washington if youre planning on going to Rainier. 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. Santa Cruz. In this section, we list the five different restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. Well, thats it for us! Believe us. Explore a route and we'll find the best locations to keep you charged along the way and upon arrival. With that in mind, you may want to avoid the drive in the winter if you don't want your access to these landmarks to be significantly limited. No Seattle to San Francisco road trip would be complete without making a stop in the weird and lovable city of Portland. Our travel philosophy, in general, is eat-walk-drink-walk-eat-repeat. And Portland is an amazing place to do that. The Paradise side of Mt. Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip Itinerary Help - Fodor's questions about Napa: Thanks for all the info happy travels . Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up. Morimoto Read Next: The 19 Best Airbnbs in Seattle. Rainier. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Seattle to San Francisco. 9:19 pm arrive in Seattle. Here is a quick rundown of our favorite areas and places to stay. Roseburg. 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. Let's be friends! Get the reverse directions for a West Coast road trip starting in Seattle or San Francisco? Still, totally doable in October. Recently, we have chosen to put down roots in Portland, Oregon, and look forward to exploring even more of the Pacific Northwest (Matt grew up in Seattle, so he knows it well). Make sure you check road conditions day 2 driving 6.5 hours. questions about Mount Shasta (California): Road Trip from SF to Vancouver/Seattle- where are the best places to see? Limited time in Napa, help with my itinerary! 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. Id start in Washington and move south in hopes that you get the last pieces of good weather in the Northwest, but its hard to say what youre going to get at that time of year. If you're driving from Seattle WA to San Francisco CA check the weather conditions for a safer trip. Sign up receive our monthly newsletter with updates and new in-depth guides. Best Car for This Road Trip: Convertible or SUV. A somewhat sleepy, somewhat rowdy college town, home of the University of Oregon, Eugene is quirky, creative, and a fun weekend getaway from Portland. Otherwise, this route is pretty accessible year-round. Driving from Seattle to San Francisco - Cheap Road Trip. The western side of Mt. Pok Pok Restaurant If you dont already live in the Seattle area, then you can fly in and rent a car to take the Seattle to San Francisco drive. Drive Time from Seattle to San Francisco: approximately 10 hours. Day 1: Fly into Seattle and pick up your rental car (or, leave from Seattle if you live here!). Other Stops on the Drive from Seattle to San Francisco, How to Plan an Amazing Algarve Itinerary (3-7 Days), Where to Stay in San Francisco: A Locals Complete Guide, Gluten Free Boston: A Complete Guide for Celiacs, Where to Stay in Zion National Park: Best Hotels + B&Bs, How to Plan an Amazing Grand Canyon Itinerary (2 Days), Gluten Free San Francisco: A Complete Guide for Celiacs. We have listed seven hotels, five restaurants, and three places to visit on the way. Have more time? Best free things to do in Ashland (Oregon)? If youre not making the trek inland for Crater Lake, stay on the coast for the night and skip to day 8. Did you know: If you use the Roadtrippers mobile app, your trips will instantly auto-sync over Ready for navigation and good times! Drive From Seattle To San Francisco - Drive Weather The 808 miles of the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes around 12 hours and 47 mins of driving without stops. It's okay, you can start planning your Fun Fact: At 380 feet, Hyperion in Redwood National Park is the world's tallest living tree. We loved this modern guesthouse right off of Hawthorne Blvd (the best street in Portland) and this cozy apartment in the hip Alberta Arts District, which is a cool spot to base yourself. If you're driving further south, check out this 3 days San Diego itinerary. Instead, whatever route you decide to take in Oregon, we definitely recommend cutting over to the gorgeous California coast to meet up with Highway 101 and the iconic Highway 1 to end your road trip with a bang. Answer 1 of 8: Hi everybody, My family and I are planning a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle for next summer. 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 want to explain the top three destinations we recommend on the San Francisco route. I have regularly done the Seattle to San Francisco drive (and the San Francisco to Seattle drive, too), including one time where I did it all in one daysolo. Miles and miles of rugged, unspoiled coastline that hugs the oceans edge. Along Highway 101, cut through Oswald West State Park and pass Tillamook and Siuslaw State Forests, as well as Rogue River-Siskiyou and Six Rivers National Forests. Starting on I-5 south for 90% of . questions about Ashland (Oregon): This would give you a slower paced trip and allow more time to take everything in. We recommend avoiding flying out of San Jose (SJO), which is two hours south of San Francisco, because roads to get there are prone to heavy traffic that will make it an even longer journey. Its the most direct route. Learn how your comment data is processed. Once in Vacaville, take Interstate 80 through Fairfield, then cross the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge. Its one of those places that makes you go I wonder what the first people, Read More How to Plan an Amazing Grand Canyon Itinerary (2 Days)Continue, Wondering if San Francisco is a good place to visit if you need to eat gluten free? Both are cool cities, and you could do a day trip into the beautiful wilderness just outside either citys limits. Both of which have large hotel chains and some hostels. 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 Day 4: Eugene to Ashland. You'll cover three states, at least three national parks, and see sweeping coastal views and no end of charming towns. Here are some of our favorites. USA West Coast Road Trip Itinerary: Seattle to San Francisco After the volcano erupted around 8,000 years ago, the collapsed summit eventually stored enough water to create the lake. Saint Helens. Youngberg Inn Hill $199 $400 USD/breakfast included. Thank you so much for posting this and with such fabulous photos! Doing this drive in record time isnt going to be a fun one. Stay charged anywhere you go, with access to our global charging networks. Potato Champion In terms of height, it is one of the tallest lighthouses in the United States and stands at 115 feet. Trippy is where Except the authors have strong perspectives on what adventures you should choose. As far as the location goes, this is one of the best-situated hotels in the city - close to both the Golden Gate and San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridges, St. Regis is the perfect pivot to San Francisco's main attractions as well as the neighboring cities. Crater Lake is the largest lake in the United States (over 1900 ft deep!) Check out Redwood National and State Parks and Humboldt Redwoods State Park before getting onto Highway 1 and pulling into Mendocino - from there, check out Jackson Demonstration State Forest before continuing south. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. This tree is HUGE but in fact, not even the largest! Were assuming that youre treating your road trip from Seattle to San Francisco as a vacation, and budgeting a week or more so that you can see the best of the west coast along the way. He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip. Seattle Center: I actually dont really recommend you go up to the top of the Space Needle. Drive Time from San Francisco: 20 minutes / 7 miles Your trip starts with a drive across the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge. Here are our top picks for where to stop along the way with some of our favorite places to eat, drink, stay, and play for each. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can . westcoastbound. Saint Helens. As for San Francisco itself, there's virtually no wrong time to visit - in the spring and winter, you'll find that a warm jacket is enough to help you deal with the coastal wind, and the otherwise-pricy hotels also tend to bring down their prices these times of year. 1. What is your favorite restaurant in Redding? Crater Lake National Park is an extraordinary park that has a dormant volcano as its crown jewel. What is your favorite restaurant in San Francisco. What an amazing road trip! Read Next: 4 Days in San Francisco: A Complete City Guide from a Local. You can also enjoy a lazy beach stroll down Trinidad State Beach, or soak in the breezy coastal views at Patricks Point State Park. In this part, we explained seven different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. How far is San Francisco from Seattle - driving distance - Trippy Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post. 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. Or get a full Seattle to San Francisco flight plan. Hike the short and sweet Trinidad Head Trail for amazing coastal views. Planning to drive from Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road? Powell's City of Books (17 mentions) The hostel was close to all the main sights as well as public transport. Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Seattle to San Francisco drive. Todays a long driving day, but its broken up with many stops. Day 5: If you missed any of the redwoods above, double back and make sure to catch them. Stay at the Graduate Hotel, a college-themed boutique hotel in the center of Eugene. If youre anything like us, by now you may be sick of trees and slightly hungry so pull off the highway and stop into Arcata for lunch. Required fields are marked *. Timberline Lodge (12 mentions) This route never strays from the interstate, so aside from some highly recommended detours, the drive is extremely straightforward and beginner-friendly. When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. If you're looking for a quick answer, you can check out Top of the Mark, which was mentioned 13 times on Trippy. Lucky you! Tasty N Sons (17 answers). Its super touristy, and kind of overrated and boring in general. Tip: Stop into Safeway (large grocery store) prior to your arrival and pick up a variety of cheese, meats, crackers and fig jam to create your own charcuterie plate. Not long after passing Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, drive the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge and pull into San Fran. Here are a couple of ways to do this road trip based on your interests and number of days. I was planning a similar trip and I think Im just going to follow your itinerary to a T! The drive will take a few hours, but its gorgeous. The Chihuly Glass and Garden is a one-of-a-kind art installation featuring hand blown glass in all sorts of shapes and sizes. 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 Pacific coast highway is one of the legendary road trip routes that follows highway 101 through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. 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. Here are some excellent hikes you can go on while visiting the best national park in Washington (and one of the best on the west coast). San Francisco to Seattle drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. It's one of the most spectacular road trips in the USA. Here are some options for where to stay in Seattle whether you prefer staying in hotels or in an Airbnb. San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip: A Trip to The Pacific Northwest + More Wed recommend Rainier if you only have time to visit one. Trip Length: Give yourself at least five days for a worthwhile journey. However, some unique destinations like Centralia and Washington are also on your road trip. If youre continuing south towards LA and be sure to stop intoPismo Beach, Solvang, Santa BarbaraandSanta Maria orcheck out thisextensive list of ideas. 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. 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 Frankie and Jos and Molly Moons for awesome local ice cream (Frankie and Jos is 100% gluten free and vegan!). Planning a trip to the Algarve, the gorgeous coastal paradise along the southern edge of Portugal? From there, visit Klamath and Shasta-Trinity national Forests, and consider doing an optional detour to Lassen National Forest. It totally depends on the year. The Drive Weather map shows the next 6 hours of weather forecast, wind, temperatures and radar for the the Seattle to San Francisco drive. 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. Union Square is where youll find a lot of shopping options & Mission District has a lot of greats bars and restaurants to explore. What is your favorite restaurant in Eugene? (19 answers), Julie from Atlanta asked:Best activities for kids (19 answers), Kenneth from Portland asked:Best views in San Francisco? Enter a city to drive through, or find all. There you have it a complete guide to planning a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. Trip (807.8 mi) on Map San Francisco Seattle. Head North back to San Francisco,andexplore the city! Seattle Center has some cool attractions though. Once youve checked out of Youngberg Hill, visit some popular surrounding wineries such Yamhill Valley Winery,Domaine Serene Winery, Domaine Drouhin & Brooks Wines. Can you take us too? Recommended car for this road trip: Large SUV. 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. You could very easily extend your time on this route with additional nights in the aforementioned locations. Traveling with a dog or cat? We love this stylish Airbnb in Capitol Hill, which is perfect for traveling couples. Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip | Roadtrippers Dont forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. These are some of the places people talk about on Trippy: Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions . Rainier and Mt. Book early for any weekend trips. I did have a concern though, Im likely doing 2 weeks from October 28th to Nov 11th 2022. Featuring both the ocean and some of the finest parks and forests in the country, this is one of the most legendary itineraries in all of America. The mighty Hood River and stunning Columbia River Gorge are a must-see on your way down to Bend. 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. Weve made this trip in one straight shot in just 12 hours when taking I-5. Head out to the Olympic Peninsula by taking the Bainbridge Island Ferry. Here are our favorite places to visit at these locations. Click on any question to see answers from the community! For up to date information on these conditions, visit this most recent post. Looking for the best coffee in a city known for amazing coffee? Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip Itinerary. All the rooms are the same, so theres no presidential suite or choices between deluxe and superior rooms. Drive to Port Angeles, with a stop at Nourish Sequim along the way for a delicious (and gluten free) lunch. Sightseeing in Napa? Within the cone of that volcano, called Mount Mazama, is a stunningly blue body of water called Crater Lake. Youre in for a treat full of pristine beaches, crystal-clear turquoise water, and charming small towns dotting Portugals southern coast. You could also go the coastal route, but its a bit out of the way if youve only got 3-5 days. in Noey Valley and we found it to be far less touristy with a beautiful community feel. Ashland (15 mentions) Day 1: There's a lot to do on this trip, so get started the moment you arrive. If you're looking to have some fun, nothing can beat the relaxing view from the terrace, especially when it's coupled with an incredible live performance by top-of-the-line musicians. Ocean View Inn and Suites. We have lived, collectively, in exactly three cities. Searching for an inexpensive and nice inn in Napa area If you're in the market for the best rooftop view of Portland's architecture, The Duniway Portland is the hotel for you. This coastal adventure is a perfect year-round itinerary. Be prepared for the overwhelming choice of flavours! You wont regret it. If youre looking for the best gluten free restaurants in San Francisco, Ive got you covered. Theres really only one choice here. The Best Route for Your Seattle to San Francisco Drive, The Best Stops to Make on a Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip, Mt. And if you know Seattle well, please help your fellow If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Seattle to San Francisco road trip. 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. Rainier National Park (the Paradise Side), More Time? Check out the. In fact, Matt recently did this drive alone. Other foodie things to do besides wine tasting, Searching for an inexpensive and nice inn in Napa area. San Francisco's hottest season is usually the fall, when the temperatures peak at around 70 degrees and there are plenty of residual tourists left over from the summer. With a fourth day, wed add Rainier (with a stop in Eugene between Portland and Redding). Mid July: 1 week with wife and kid - what should we prioritize? Here are a few of our favorite things to do in Seattle. where to stay in San Francisco. If you are driving north to south and plan to do the Big Sur, fill your petrol/gas up in either Monterey or Carmel. Agreed! Its a beautiful place to visit while on your road trip. 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. Heres what we recommend. 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). Its in Union Square, which honestly kinda sucks, but its affordable and stylish. Hotels: The Hoxton and the Society Hotel (weve stayed there) are our top hotel picks in Portland. Market Street Steakhouse A road trip through the Pacific Northwest and Northern California is equally epic, but with less traffic. Jump back on the 101 and head south to check out the Big Tree (look out for all the parked cars). Your email address will not be published. From Seattle, drive straight to Mt. We know the city like the back of our hands, and hope we can give you some of the inside knowledge you need to make your trip to Seattle a memorable one. Sure, its cool to see the sea lions at Pier 39, but we think you can find better things to do with your time in San Francisco. Elliott Bay Books for the best local bookstore in Seattle. 12 Awesome Stops on a San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip in 2023 Hood, Bend, and Crater Lake, which will take significantly more time than the other two options. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Planning to do something like that in the future. San Francisco. 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. 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. Here are a few pit stops to consider stopping for. A unique experience awaits you in San Francisco. 53-63000. 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. For us, we stayed with a friend we met in Chile 2 years ago (travel is awesome!) Day 4: Get an early start and make a beeline for the California border. Standing on the rim of the canyon, youll be staring thousands of feet down into crags and crevices winding through the world-famous chasm that millions of people flock to every year. 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! One thing to keep in mind along this route is that the coast can be rather windy, potentially making the drive difficult (not to mention less scenic) on a rainy day - be sure to keep close tabs on the weather and plan your stops accordingly. Restaurants in Napa for girls outing? restaurants around Redding: Oxbow Public Market (6 mentions) Would it be too cold in Washington/Oregon? That doesnt mean youre not going to have a great time, though! Ashland is a cool little town known for hosting the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. 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. If youre planning on doing this drive in the winter, avoid snow and tricky road conditions by going the coastal route on the famous Highway 101, which is amazing in its own right. Here's the quick answer if you have friends taking shifts as driver so that you can make the entire trip by car without stopping. I have been multiple times, mostly with family growing up, and I joked to Alysha on our last trip that, Read More Where to Stay in Zion National Park: Best Hotels + B&BsContinue, The scale of the Grand Canyon is absolutely mind-blowing. Oh! www .seattle .gov. However a bit unsure about the timing, how is it in mid October there? tdelano. There are three awesome places to find ice cream in Seattle. Lithia Park (2 mentions) So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can roam the vineyards, taste plenty of wines and relax while overlooking acres of grapes. Parking is a nightmare in Nob Hill, which is the neighborhood we used to call home, so Id recommend avoiding that area. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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 best road trip route from Seattle to San Francisco is definitely the coastal one - while taking the interstate can also take you to some incredible places, nothing can match the combination of the Pacific Coast to the west and the chain of parks and forests to the east. Finish the drive into San Francisco, stopping in the Marin Headlands at the Golden Gate Bridge to hike down to Kirby Cove and marvel at the beauty of the bridge before driving into the city and to the airport to drop off your rental car (or to your final stop, wherever that might be). I (Matt) grew up in Seattle, and lived there for 15+ years before relocating to San Francisco, where I met Alysha, who grew up in the Bay Area. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. 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.