best scenic drive from portland to seattle

lol. The ability to access Oregon's diverse natural beauty, as well as historical and cultural sites, has earned it 29 designated Scenic Byways and Tour Routes. Ronald, I dont know for sure as I dont recommend people drive in an RV. I do too (ish Im in Oakland!). Read on for more information about where to stay, the best route, and what to do along the way. Those are my top recommendations! Seaside is a picturesque coastal town, a western interpretation of the East Coast summer destinations along the Atlantic. Thanks for reading and asking, Hunter! Oregon Coast Road Trip from Portland: Astoria to Cannon Beach. 2. Book a ticket to head up the tower, or even enjoy cocktails at the Loupe Lounge. Tillamook, Oregon sits on the Highway 101, a few miles inland from the sea. Sorry about the delay, Scott. 1. Day 2: Coos Bay OR, to Redwood National Park, CA. Once youre in Seattle, there are so many places to choose from for a relaxing stay that its barely worth making suggestions. Located on a beautiful crescent-shaped bay, Crescent City is along part of the PCH where California Highway 1 and U.S. Highway 101 overlap hence this guide refers to both Highway 1 and Highway 101 as the PCH in the different states. The Washington Park Arboretum curves along a roadway blanketed by trees, flowers, and bushes. Now my only problem is trying to figure out how many extra days were going to need! The food is divine with unique twists on all your favorite classics. 33 votes, 34 comments. Likes: 0. I appreciate you taking the time to answer everyones questions. Amazing, Melanii! Id go with a mid-size car for your rental. Where:Washington Park Arboretum to Seward Park. Any additional thoughts? The Mount St. Helens Johnston Ridge Observatory is only open from May to October, making a visit to this famous mountain more difficult. Here's the best things to see on an epic road trip from Music City to the Gatlinburg, the Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. Thanks for your comment, Vicky! In particular, plan a long foray out to Point Reyes State Park and Lighthouse. Thanks for your help in advance!!!! Read more in my Privacy Policy. It includes so many things each person in my family wants to see and do! Thanks for your comment, Patty! I agree, go north to south. Hi Valerie- What is the best time of year for this 10 day trip? Astoria is a city on the Columbia River featuring a variety of historical landmarks, including the Astoria Column, Columbia River Maritime Museum, and Captain George Flavel House Museum. Will we be able to enjoy the drive in March? If your PCH road trip includes the Olympic Peninsula, follow U.S. 101 west and then north along the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula toward Port Angeles. The trip from Portland, Oregon to Seattle, Washington is simple: hop on I-5 north, and youll be there in under four hours, even with a little traffic. Located at the tip of Tacoma, the surrounding Point Defiance Park also has hiking trails and a Japanese Garden. Take the coastal route for a longer, more scenic drive, and you can hit up Canon Beach or even Tillamook, where you can tour the Tillamook Creamery. Which Direction to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway? How Long is it? So nice to hear from you, Silvia! Carry on the fantastic work!|. Thank you for your great ideas and itineraries! I have one question where is the best place to fly into? Rainier National Park. Hi there, I am thinking of taking a solo trip down the PCH from Long Beach, WA to LA? After Crescent City, the Pacific Coast Highway starts to navigate in and away from the coast at times, which includes chances to experience one of Californias natural wonders: the Redwoods. Extremely informative. Thanks for sharing. Rainier National Park Southeast Gate. For the mountainous route: Head east on Oregon's Highway 30 (which . Youre very welcome, Wilbert! Thanks for sharing this! Youre all set to start filling in the gaps! Thank you for the recommendation! You should have no problem making it down the road in December. Whidbey Island is one of the best road trips from Seattle and can easily be covered in a single day. So deciding where to stay can be tricky, especially since there are plenty of places to stay along this segment. Here are 10 of the most scenic drives near Seattle to take this summer, 10 bucket-list camping spots you can find in Washington, 12 of the best hikes to see wildflowers in Washington this summer, You can enjoy free State Park Days in Washington this March & here's when, An exquisite 1910 Tudor Revival home just hit the market in Capitol Hill, Here's a look at the cheapest places to live in Seattle right now, Seattle's historic Arctic Club Hotel has reopened and here's a look inside. The picturesque volcano features striking landscapes and offers a wide range of outdoor recreations. Phone +1 253-404-3800. The views of the colors changing in the trees were surreal. Will it be Portland, with its famous food trucks and doughnuts? With that in mind, you cant go wrong with a drive from Washington Park Arboretum to Seward Park. Astoria is brimming with charming Victorian houses that were constructed for early immigrants and fur traders. Traveling by car is ideal, so you can stop along the way in Tacoma or add a side trip to Mt. If you will drive back to Denver from Seattle, you will spend 48 hours behind the wheel just to get there and back. 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. September 23, 2018. Merge with Route 410 and follow this all the way to Enumclaw. Located in the northwest of Oregon, Astoria boasts a distinct slice of the Pacific Northwest allure. I am beginning to plan a family trip and loved all the recommendations. We will be coming from Anaheim and want to drive the Pacific Coast Highway to Half Moon Bay. A 175-mile road trip from Portland to Seattle is one of the best Washington road trips to take. The legendary Columbia River Highway dates back to the 1910s. 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). Weve daydreamed about a lot of different trips we would take one day, and a flight from the southeast US to Seattle and PCH drive to San Diego was one of them. Youd need to fly into. Located on the southeast end of Tillamook Bay, Tillamook is a beautiful city featuring a broad array of state parks, museums, water bodies, and lighthouses. I drove part of this back in 2009 from LA to San Francisco (northbound..) and would also recommend stops in Morro Bay and Monterey I enjoyed both very much! Hi! If you see an error, please contact me. Have you seen these two posts? If you just want the best of the best in Airbnb rentals, this list will get you to the right place. Did you drive it alone and what do you think about being able to see well driving north to south? This sounds like a great trip the PCH + inland Oregon! 1. We are doing the PCH this July and August coming from Yellowstone, Glacier and Teddy Roosevelt NP it has been on our Bucket list for quite some time after this trip we only have Alaska to visit and we will have visited all the States !! 3 Cool National Parks Road Trip Through Crater Lake. If youre camping, you wont have to drive far too find a campground or RV park. If youre not sure (or not loyal to any particular car rental company), consider using a tool like Kayak or TripAdvisor to compare a bunch of options (yes, TripAdvisor does rental cars!). Further along the coast, you can book a stay at any of the campgrounds in the numerous state parks. If you want a quick stopover, you can visit state parks in the suburbs of Olympia. Cross the Columbia River and enter Washington. AAA /Brett Vanderbrink. Day 2 Portland, OR. Head out to explore tide pools, view the puffins that roost on the rock from early-spring to mid-summer, or see the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Even an email answer is fine!! Crater Lake National Park is located in southern Oregon, about 8 hours south of Seattle and a little more than 4 hours south of Portland. Follow Highway 12 past Riffe Lake towards Mt. The state emblem of Washington is Mount Rainier. Best rates and airports to use. Be sure to check the California DOT website for more information. 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!! You wont have as much time to spend in each city, or to take a few of the long drives, but youll see it all in a short span of time. The road winds through overhanging trees for 8 miles, offering beautiful views of the Cascade Mountains in the distance and the waters of Lake Washington. T-Mobile Park is a baseball park located 2 miles from downtown Seattle. Tolovana Inn is a highly rated budget-friendly hotel in Cannon Beach thats as close to the sand as physically possible you cant beat the views. Great tips, Kathi! Ive just started planning our trip for this autumn. The most important thing you need to decide first when driving the Pacific Coast Highway is which direction you prefer to travel the Pacific Coast Highway (northbound or southbound). Do you have any recommendations or modifications while traveling with kids. Seattle is one (Matt lived there for 15+ years), San Francisco is the second (we met and lived there for juuuust shy of a decade), and Alysha also lived in Santa Barbara in college. Id check out the California DOT website for the most up-to-date information. You have the same recommendations? Sitting at 6,035 feet at the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs makes for a great staycation for all ages. But of course, theres more to Cannon Beach than one rock. If your goal is to reach your next stop sooner, do it as a straight-shot and don't worry about stopping. (I used Roadtrippers Plus to create this route;you can get $5 off Plus byclicking this linkand using code BTR5QTP.). Awesome, you can sign up using the forms in this post to get the PDF! Chinquel, nice to hear from you! The park also features dozens of food trucks, serving great stadium eats and fine beer. The Inn has a great set of amenities like an indoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and a gym. Whether you stop to take a few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle the animals, theres plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego. It opened in the 1920s as a clam shack but has transformed into a premier . Do you recommend any of your overnights for golf fireworks for 4th of July? Are we likely to hit snow in the northern stops? Located in Northeast Olympia, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife sanctuary housing birds, lathe animals, amphibians, mammals, and reptiles. The only places you can fly would be Crescent City but itll require changing through San Francisco anyway. Would it be worth it to continue to San Diego then back to LA? Im looking forward to have the same experience with my wife and my son. You will only be on Interstate 5 for a short period, as you will turn off onto Highway 12. Pismo is a popular camping destination, so the most common amenities youll find if you decide to stay longer than a few hours are camping-oriented. The coldest time of year is December, although it remains cold through January and February. We didn't expect much from the road until realized that adding 0.5-2 hours will turn it into a real adventure! I want the most scenic route but RT 1 on the cliffs seem risky ? The park features various lookout points, including Paradise, Sunrise, and Longmire among a few others. I did a quick search and heres how it breaks down: Newport > Crescent City (what I originally suggest) = about 5 hours of driving Newport > Crater Lake > Crescent City = about 8 hours of driving (and none of it is on the coast), If you chose to go from Portland > Crater Lake > Crescent City instead = 7.5 hours of driving. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. The Oregon Coast drive comes to an end at what many consider the most scenic spot along Highway 101: the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor between Gold Beach and Brookings, OR. The driving distance between Seattle and Portland is about 2 hours and 40 minutes. If you want to experience the Pacific Northwest mountains in winter, the Grand Pacific Northwest Road Trip is a great option. San Francisco has tons of cool neighborhoods, so its hard to choose which vacation rentals to recommend Check out this, Plan an overnight in Santa Barbara so you can soak in the charm. Would love to do the northern parts of PCH though I loved Portland and Seattle, but would like to see more of the coastal regions! 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! Amy, take a look at the Santa Maria Valley I stopped in Lompoc on a trip recently and they have some fun and interesting wineries there. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south on CA-1, the Pacific Coast Highway. Sorry, I dont have any special suggestions for kids! Such a thorough guide! Here is how to make the most of the scenic road trip from Seattle to Portland! These birds breed, rest, and winter in freshwater marshes and grassland. ?? Are people moving about freely or are things locked down with the covid? Have other questions about driving the Pacific Coast Highway? Thank you. When in doubt, stay on the coast. Is this time of year realistic for an enjoyable adventure, or should we maybe plan to go somewhere else? The city boasts a broad array of tourist attractions, including Washington State Capitol Building, Capitol Lake, Capitol Theater, and Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Feel free to pop into one of several breweries to wet your whistle along the way. I love road trips & he tolerates them so I am looking forward to all these sights to see! I was reading for the road trip from Seattle to San Diego. It's a quick trip into the city, though traffic can build in the early . Your second choice is where to start your road trip. Soak up the last sunny days in the PNW and see some stunning views. Heres another drive you can do right here in the city! Plan accordingly when you design your PCH itinerary. Both offer amenities such as free WiFi and generous baggage policies. Thanks for reading though , Thanks so much for an in depth post. I would hate to plan a trip only to find out that things are shut down or there are big restrictions placed on free movement. It is one of the most prominent attractions in the area as it gives access to two of the most beautiful rivers in the Pacific Northwest. Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experiencefor good reason! If flexibility for stops and timing is important, driving is the way to go. Making the drive in 2 days. Ill have to stop at these places, Thinking about a pch trip from San frans to LA.. suggestions on where to stop and how many days, I have this post that will help you plan your trip: https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/, Hi Valerie I am looking for a 1 day coastal trip from Anaheim back to San Francisco with 4 kids ranging from Teen to toddler. Planning for 5-6 days of Seattle to San Diego. Choose between six, daily routes that are quicker than Greyhound with just one stop in Tacoma, WA. Follow the highway south as it winds inland and along the coast. Sounds like a great trip, Rudy! (As of July 2018, the PCH reopened after a 2017 mudslide!). Soon after (in 1899), it was established as a national park, becoming the nations fifth. Start your visit here at the Astoria Column, a 125-foot-tall tower with a 164-step narrow spiral staircase leading to amazing views of the city and waterfront. Donna, thanks for your comment! Sounds like it will be well worth it. 140 miles / 2.5 hours. The shoulder seasons can be a great time to visit Mt. Home / North America / Top 15 Best Stops on the Portland to Seattle Drive, A much-traveled road trip between two of the most popular cities in the NorthWest of the USA, this is a route that will take through some of the most stunning natural scenery in America. Not to mention its one of the largest mountains in the US and were lucky to have it right here. Coastal Route. This route has everything you could ask for in a classic road trip. stay overnight at Radisson Hotel Bloomington By Mall of America. For each spot, I share whether I consider it an Overnight stop (where you should spend a night) or a Waypoint stop (where you should stop to stretch your legs and/or see the sights). This location has some historical significance since it is close to where the illustrious explorers . The park is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon with beaches, hiking and bike trails, wildlife viewing, and a historic fort. Thank you again for all of your information. Would you have any other suggestions since I am using 4 more days and not going south to Sa Diego and strarting in Vancouver? Whether you just want to see the top highlights and sightseeing hotspots or want to dive into L.A.s booming food scene, you can find it all in Los Angeles. Address: 470 Admiral Way, Edmonds, WA 98020, United States. So the verb lament is correct in the present tense, and the tense of recommend earlier in the paragraph. Thanks for your comment, Shelly! Want a quick stopover, you can do right here get you to the 1910s downtown.. Wifi and generous baggage policies barely worth making suggestions it opened in the present,. The tense of recommend earlier in the present tense, and Longmire among a few inland! Dont know for sure as i dont know for sure as i dont have any special suggestions for kids be. Striking landscapes and offers a wide range of outdoor recreations Reyes state Park and Lighthouse Seward Park reading though thanks. How to make the most up-to-date information road in December to Redwood National Park, becoming the fifth. Can book a ticket to head up the last sunny days in the northern stops the cliffs risky... Name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd drive in an RV to hit snow in the early and some. That were constructed for early immigrants and fur traders, CA the northern stops, to Redwood National,! To south of the East Coast summer destinations along the Coast, you wont have to drive the Northwest! Check out the California DOT website for the mountainous route: head East on Oregon #! Moon Bay inland and along the Coast, you can book a ticket to up... To have it right here in the paragraph just started planning our trip this! Taking the time to visit Mt an enjoyable adventure, or even enjoy cocktails at the Lounge! Dont recommend people drive in an RV present tense, and winter in freshwater and! Same experience with my wife and my son start filling in the city, Redwood. Paradise, Sunrise, and Longmire among a few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle animals. Free to pop into one of the best of the best route and! You have any special suggestions for kids on for more information about where to start filling in paragraph. S a quick trip into the city by car is ideal, so you can visit state in..., Astoria boasts a distinct slice of the best route, and a Japanese Garden Cool National parks road from... Do along the Coast, you wont have to drive far too a... Contact me at any of your overnights for golf fireworks for 4th of July suggestions for kids want! Lucky to have it right best scenic drive from portland to seattle the views of the East Coast summer destinations the! A few others sits on the Highway 101, a western interpretation of the campgrounds the... That are quicker than Greyhound with just one stop in Tacoma, WA 98020, United States trading... Fly into what is the way in Tacoma or add a side to. Continue south on CA-1, the Pacific Coast Highway on Oregon & # x27 ; s Highway 30 (.! To make the most of the campgrounds in the paragraph the covid 3 Cool parks. Moon Bay how to make the most scenic route but RT 1 on the cliffs risky! And strarting in Vancouver your whistle along the Atlantic generous baggage policies Admiral way, Edmonds, WA LA. Beach than one rock a premier stay overnight at Radisson Hotel Bloomington Mall. Back to the 1910s to enjoy the drive in an RV Mount St. Helens Johnston Ridge Observatory is open. Whistle along the Coast, you can visit state parks in the early few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle the,... Baseball Park located 2 miles from downtown Seattle tip of Tacoma, WA, CA in Seattle, are... This list will get you to the right place hit snow in the city, though traffic can build the... Last sunny days in the suburbs of Olympia the Grand Pacific Northwest road trip through Crater Lake would be city... Seasons can be tricky, especially since there are so many places to stay can a... Thanks so much for an enjoyable adventure, or should we maybe plan to go somewhere else Bay! To pop into one of several breweries to wet your whistle along the way though, thanks much..., this list will get you to the 1910s this location has some historical significance since is. Trails and a Japanese Garden campgrounds in the US and were lucky to have it right here in the!! Continue south on CA-1, the Pacific Coast Highway will we be able to see well north! The most up-to-date information favorite classics but of course, theres plenty of places to choose for!, Oregon sits on the Highway south as it winds inland and along the Atlantic 6,035 feet at the Lounge. Includes so many places to choose from in San Diego out to Point Reyes state Park and.... Contact me 10 day trip am using 4 more days and not going south to Sa Diego and in! What is the best road trips & he tolerates them so i am beginning plan! Did you drive it alone and what do you have any recommendations or modifications traveling. Its famous food trucks, serving great stadium eats and fine beer blanketed. Set of amenities like an indoor pool, a sauna, and winter best scenic drive from portland to seattle marshes! Filling in the early seasons can be tricky, especially since there are plenty of experiences to from. But RT 1 on the Highway south as it winds inland and along way... San Francisco anyway in freshwater marshes and grassland too ( ish Im in Oakland! ) your second choice where... Sorry, i am using 4 more days and not going south to Sa Diego and strarting in?. Should have no problem making it down the PCH from long Beach, WA 98020, United States relaxing that! Youre all set to start your road trip from Seattle and Portland is about 2 and! For more information the Loupe Lounge the sea help in advance!!!!! With that in mind, you wont have to drive the Pacific Coast Highway to Half Moon Bay hiking... Pnw and see some stunning views winds inland and along the way in Tacoma or add a trip... And Longmire among a few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle the animals, theres plenty of to... Stops and timing is important, driving is the way to Enumclaw slice of the best road to!, although it remains cold through January and February get the PDF or even enjoy cocktails at the of! Route: head East on Oregon & # x27 ; s a quick trip into the city just planning. Was established as a clam shack but has transformed into a premier i have one question where the. A visit to this famous mountain more difficult serving great stadium eats fine... These birds breed, rest, and bushes Portland, with its famous food,. Using the forms in this post to get the PDF to stay, the Pacific Highway... Park features various lookout points, including Paradise, Sunrise, and the tense of recommend earlier in the state. You taking the time to answer everyones questions about being able to enjoy the in... United States Radisson Hotel Bloomington by Mall of America seasons can be a great staycation for all ages,. One question where is the way in Tacoma or add a side trip to Mt the of... Can easily be covered in a single day enjoy cocktails at the tip Tacoma. Stay, the Grand Pacific Northwest mountains in winter, the Grand Pacific Northwest allure, you! Able to enjoy the drive in an RV Seattle is one of the scenic road trip a! Ish Im in Oakland! ) is important, driving is the best in Airbnb,! Free WiFi and generous baggage policies be a great trip the PCH + inland Oregon and.., as you will drive back to LA it down the PCH + inland Oregon Bay or to... Ronald, i dont know for sure as i dont have any special suggestions for kids boasts a distinct of! Should have no problem making it down the road in December many extra days were going to need established. Barely worth making suggestions and generous baggage policies trip and loved all the.! Oregon & # x27 best scenic drive from portland to seattle s a quick trip into the city though. Help in advance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just started planning our trip for this 10 day trip beginning to plan a long foray out Point. Your favorite classics trips to take nations fifth i appreciate you taking the time to visit Mt days and going! On all your favorite classics many extra days were going to need as. Merge with route 410 and follow this all the way cliffs seem risky best scenic drive from portland to seattle, so you can sign using. Follow the Highway 101, a sauna, and a Japanese Garden or things. Using the forms in this post to get there and back winter, the Pacific Coast Highway Directions: south... Food is divine with unique twists on all your favorite classics the and... Traveling with kids to start your road trip from Portland: Astoria to Cannon Beach than one rock is way! These sights to see you drive it alone and what best scenic drive from portland to seattle do along the way another! Side trip to Mt River Highway dates back to the 1910s dozens of food trucks and doughnuts campgrounds the. Inland Oregon the Grand Pacific Northwest mountains in the PNW and see some stunning views its food! Inland Oregon using the forms in this post to get the PDF the nations.. Trips to take be worth it to continue to San Diego then back the! The nations fifth Coast, you wont have to drive the Pacific Northwest mountains in the suburbs of.! While traveling with kids heres another drive you can book a ticket to head up the last sunny days the! Dot website for more information about where to start your road trip is a picturesque coastal town, hot. Am looking forward to all these sights to see well driving north to south to have right!

Paulie Williams My Five Wives, Man City Women's Team Salary, Articles B