Both areas have roughly the same number of wineries, but Sonomas are spread over twice the land, ultimately making it feel way less crowded. Spend the next day hoping from waterfall to waterfall, as there are lots to pick from today! If you want something a bit different, consider a seaplane tour which will provide you aerial views of all of Seattles most iconic sites (think the Space Needle and such). Promise. Next: Every Wine Aficionado Needs To Visit These Napa Valley Vineyards, Gabi is a travel writer passionate about nature, geographical wonders, various cuisines, writing, and living life to the fullest. Plan would be to fly into Seattle and out from SF. National Park Inn is open year round, while Paradise Inn only operates between mid-May through early-October. In May the many waterfalls along the Gorge walls will be at their best, full of water from melting. I like to search. The 960-mile road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes 20 hours 30 minutes. Day 5, 6 and 7. : The first of numerous lighthouses on our list, and this one just happens to be the brightest light on the Oregon coast and most photographed in the whole state. Might be easiest to save this map and bookmark this page to have handy for future reference. However, our proposed itinerary has been designed to enable visiting all the cool attractions along the way, especially small charming towns along the coastline. Mendocino is designated as a Historic Preservation District with lots of historic mansions and other attractions as well as homely diners and cute inns. I guesssss you could do both, but thatll add another hour or two to your driving time. Doesnt get much better than that! And those photos youve seen of all the colorful sea glass on the beach? We recommend spending the time at the Redwoods National Park the most famous local attraction and home of the worlds tallest trees. Plan accordingly and bring snacks! Once you are done walking, head back to the city for a dinner and finish the day in Portland at one of the numerous restaurants. Due to many cold months, Portland has great coffee culture as well as numerous microbreweries. The Three Capes Scenic Drive takes us south from Oceanside on our drive from Seattle to San Francisco on 101. Most wineries dont mind if you have a look around and relax for a bit, even if youre not ordering a flight or doing a tasting. This place is particularly known for its Glass beach which is sadly almost gone due to numerous visitors taking pieces of this beach back home with them. On your San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip, you'll pass plenty of beauty spots. Youll find dozens and dozens of vineyards dotting the area, from small, family run wineries to ridiculously large name box-brands (think Mondavi or Chandon), each with their own flare. Thankfully there are numerous options outside the park in nearby communities, including Packwood, Lewis County, and Mineral Lake. After the tour and quick cheese bites, head to Oceanside to admire the scenic Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge three large and six small rocky islands located about a half-mile offshore. Redwood National Park - Trinidad 3. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Oregon Maritime Museum gives you a chance to visit historic steam-powered sternwheel ship-assist tugboat. We have already seen many redwoods along the way, so this time it is totally up to you whether youd like to make many stops or simply drive through. : This is a popular whale watching site and displays an intriguing geology. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Today is the final day of our trip the day we cross the Golden Gate Bridge into The City by the Bay. Other spots we looked at included. Try to leave early, as there will be a 4-hour journey to Crescent City our final stop for the day. If you are not up for the challenge, consider stopping at Cape Lookout Viewpoint for some great photos of the ocean. Hit the road and head south to Portland for the next fun day. Look no further-a multi-day drive from San Francisco to Seattle is calling your name! Day 6: Drive from Brookings to Yachats - this will give you time to explore some of the Oregon Coast such as Samuel boardman scenic byway, (101), Gold Beach, Bandon, and Florence (giant sand dunes). On the drive to Mendo, dont miss Patricks Saltwater Taffy, Wild Flour Bread, a quick stop in the spooky town of Jenner, Salt Point State Park, and the Point Arena Lighthouse (my favorite!). Looking to check something off your bucket list? The straight drive from San Francisco to Seattle is 808 miles and takes about 14 hours. The complete drive around the lake is 33 miles, which is completely paved and easily drivable in the summer months, with tons of scenic overlooks to view and ooh and awe at! , Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: california, crater lake, lassen national park, mendocino, napa, oregon, portland, road trip, san francisco, Seattle, Washington, Your email address will not be published. Otherwise, Evergreen Inn & Suites Portland offer good rates, although you might have to drive in order to see the main attractions. No visit to Northern California is complete without sipping some of the good stuff (wine, duh) in either Napa Valley or Sonoma (both excellent and similar choices). , but dont blame me if you cant get into your pants the next day. While the futuristic Space Needle is an obvious choice, the observation deck just cant be beat. - a national park or lake such as Yosemite, Lake Tahoe - redwoods - some of the coastal drive - ideally no more than 4 hours driving on a leg And for this, 9.00 AM will be late. After lunch (hopefully of freshly caught crustaceans), your route south connects the jutting headlands of the Three Capes Scenic Loop and winds through green pastures, small beach towns, sand dunes and . Avenue of the Giants is a 31-mile portion of old Highway 101 running through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. With several stops on their way, allowing them to see the beautiful nature, relaxed beach towns, busy cities, and unique attractions, commuters will experience a once-In-a-lifetime adventure that they have never gone through before. Dont plan on visiting them all, as you definitely wont have time on this San Francisco to Seattle road trip, and to be honest, feature similar things (yes, those redwoods). Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Catch a ferry from Pier 33 to what once was the most secure prison on the west coast! Sign up for itinerary inspiration, travel tips, and more! Read More: Seven of Seattles Top Tourist Attractions, Where to Eat all the Noms in Seattle, Seattle Seaplane Experience, Seattle Tourist City Guide. Check out lodging in Crescent City, Arcata, and Trinidad. : The perfect stop for a late lunch, depending on how much exploring/sand-duning you did earlier. For more sea glass you may want to visit the Sea Glass Museum. Yachats is at one of the most beautiful parts of Oregon Coast. As much as we loved San Fran, getting there was just as gorgeous (if not even more so). And thankfully, Portland is less than two hours from the coast! Since SFO is a major international airport, and a hub for many airlines, you can easily find cheap airfare within the states. Thanks! Check out. Ready for some redwoods? Be sure to check out my 3-day San Francisco itinerary. Once you arrive, get ready for some small-town nature fun. The iconic Napa Valley in California is the most famous stop on the San Francisco to Seattle road trip. Stretch your legs on a short walk within the Cape Arago State Park, where steep trails will lead you to a secluded cove with tidepools and fossils. 2-day Route 66 Las Vegas to Grand Canyon itinerary, hiking ideas in Mt. This is a great beach to watch the sunset! Youre in luck, because next up on this San Francisco to Seattle road trip itinerary is. No words truly capture that feeling you get staring up at it. Feeding wild animals is a big no-no, and can actually do way more harm than good. This 1200 feet above sea level trail is often in the clouds but nevertheless very scenic and bright! Youll still fall in love with Napa and/or Sonoma I promise. Any suggestions on the must sees (or what to save for another trip) so we can fit it in? I highly encourage you to make it to the famed Cannon Beach on this day (if you arent splitting the drive up), which you can check out tomorrow morning (dont worry about making it here before dark). Youre in luck, because next up on this San Francisco to Seattle road trip itinerary is Crater Lake National Park, one of the deepest lakes in the USA and quite possibly the most pristine on Earth! You always hear about the gloominess and rain, never the sunshine and green space. Many people wonder what the best stops from San Francisco to Seattle are, and there are plenty. Another stop worth embracing is the picturesque wine region of Sonoma. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Stop by Baker Beach, Crissy Field, and/or the Marin Headlands for my favorite views of the Golden Gate (more Golden Gate Bridge photo spots here). This museum is especially great for families with kids. Make a short detour to meet friendly owners and taste their wines while being educated about each wine and how to drink them. That mountain sure is something. If youll be following this itinerary and heading north (without driving the direct 15+ hours back to San Francisco), youll want to book two one-way tickets. Moreover, visiting the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum would be a good idea when in Willamette Valley. The best part about the Redwoods National Park is the possibility to drive through the park rather than taking long walks. Paradise is located just 2h 30 min from Seattle and is a great base for a day hike in the mountains. Yachats other name is the gem of the Oregon coast, and there is a good reason for that. Since youll probably be pressed on time during this San Francisco to Seattle road trip, itll be difficult to plan your day in Mt. Stop 2: Napa Valley (2 Nights) Stop 3: Redwood Forests (2 Nights) Stop 4: Optional Coastal Stops. ), Jupiter Hotel (retro chic), and Hotel Eastlund (boutique design). Youll also find scuba diving here as well! And once you get back, you can definitely say you earned your donut/s. Psst check out the recommended Portland hotels above, and book an extra night if youre totally feeling this day trip. Rainier. Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. 9:19 pm arrive in Seattle. Thank). Staying near the airport has some advantages you can return the rental car at the airport and visit all SF attractions via Uber or public transport AND you will be staying close to the Airport for your return flight. If youve never visited the city before and/or have ample time to explore, check out my favorite things to do in San Francisco (Ive listed out all my favorite tourist attractions, big city views, restaurants, and oh so much more). First things first, if youre not a resident of San Francisco, youll of course need to get yourself there. Looking for a top hotel recommendation? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. ), Bumpass Hell Trail Hike (its not really thaaaaat bad), Lake Helen, and. Related: Road Trip Patagonia: Driving Scenic Ruta 40 From Esquel To Bariloche. Keep in mind that this route includes toll roads. stay for about 1 hour. Taking the quicker route can get you there in about 12 hours without stops or major traffic, and while the more scenic route is harder to predict, a good estimate would be over 20 hours. Burney Falls State Park. Seattle To San Francisco Road Trip (Day 1 &2) Since Seattle is the starting pointand five days is like a few minutes on this tripone should get to Seattle early enough. I agree Olympic NP is absolutely amazing! Newport, Oregon 5. Tip: Good hotels for the relatively acceptable price can be found near the International Airport, for example, Hotel 1550 SFO Airport West and Bayhill Inn. Visit the Cape Perpetua for scenic views of the ocean. With quiet seaside coves, bustling beach towns, and secluded hideaways, you wont want to miss the beauty that is Oregon. MADE IT to the last stop on this San Francisco to Seattle road trip itinerary! Long road trips can get boring, so consider printing out these 100 fun Questions for a Road trip. The museum used to be one of the top US private World War II aircraft collections. If youre lucky enough to find yourself a super clear city day, the views of the bridge cant be beat- although many claim shes just as beautiful in the fog (hey there, #karlthefog yes, we named the form of precipitation!). Craving some ice cream? Search for the best car rental prices here, my favorite things to do in San Francisco, Pacific Coast Highway all my favorite stops here! Get close to harbor seals, sea lions, seabirds, sharks, turtles in this amazing, 25-year-old aquarium. Visitor? Visiting Crater Lake National Park is a must when on a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle. See Sundial Bridge. Settle in for the night, as we have a full day to explore this beautiful city tomorrow! Get one last look at Crater Lake, then hit the road; its time to make our way to the Oregon coast! Read your head at El Dorado Hotel (breezy rooms with a wine bar), MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa (warm and sophisticated), or Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn (spa with mineral baths). Mount Rainier is most definitely a landmark in Washingtons landscape. A few other Seattle suggestions for your few days in the city: take a harbor tour along the Puget Sound for unbeatable city and water views, check out the madness of the Museum of Pop Culture (formerly the EMP Museum), take photos at Olympic Sculpture Park, eat everything at Pike Place Market, visit the gum wall and the first Starbucks, and stuff your face with all the noms throughout the city. Read More: One Day in Mount Rainier from Seattle. Trust me, snow does not melt 14,410 feet above sea level. Crater Lake Lodge actually overlooks the lake, while The Cabins at Mazama Village are located a few miles south. and leave at 8:38 pm. Psst check out the recommended Portland hotels above, and book an extra night if youre totally feeling this day trip. Stay at an AirBnB directly in the forest (with star gazing opportunities at night) and you wont be disappointed. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. You need to choose! Expect to drive 2-6 hours a day with 1 or 2 longer days. If you are up for a short hike, head to YaXaik Trail (1.15 mile long). If you follow this San Francisco to Seattle road trip itinerary, I can promise that youll discover more rugged nature, towering trees, glistening lakes, and tasty wine than you thought possible along the way. , Seattle has a lot to offer. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The south trail will take you to a variety of sea life, whereas the north offers offshore colonies of seals and sea lions (closed March-June to protect the baby seal pups!) (in the super cute Nob Hill) if quirky boutique hotels are more your thing. Located a little north of San Francisco, Sonoma is composed of small and picturesque towns such as Healdsburg, Guerneville (the best option to a night of party) and Forestville. Youll still fall in love with Napa and/or Sonoma I promise. Before hopping onto the automobile, visitors must rent a car from legitimate and affordable sources, such as RentalCars.com, which offers rentals of various car brands. ), we couldnt have been more pleased. Take a ferry to historic Alcatraz Island and admire the San Francisco skyline from Twin Peaks. And plus, those vineyards and wineries come with beautiful grounds, lush rolling hills, and boast fantastic views of the area my favorites for non-drinkers here! A few recommended stops between Coos Bay and Cannon Beach, where well be ending the drive today. Bandon, Oregon 4. Wear or pack your bathing suit, but beware, the falls are chilly year-round, even in the 100 degree F scorching heat! Doesnt get much better than that! Dedicate Day 1 to a full exploration of the national park, and dont miss Sulphur Works, Emerald Lake (an absolute dream!