Have you done this road trip before? Click the button below to explore more questions We are looking to plan this exact trip this summer and Im so happy to find your blog! Hows the weather like for a Road Trip and visiting alot of these spots then? Time. Road Trip From Seattle To San Francisco - LazyTrips Your email will not be provided to third parties. 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. Here are our top three choices for adventures around Mt. One of the liveliest, most accessible neighbourhoods. 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 53-63000. USA West Coast Road Trip Itinerary: Seattle to San Francisco Once in Vacaville, take Interstate 80 through Fairfield, then cross the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Hood River. This has become a popular destination for the outdoorsy adventurer types out there. (20 answers), Valerie from Los Angeles asked:What is your favorite restaurant in San Francisco? Head out to the Olympic Peninsula by taking the Bainbridge Island Ferry. 7:38 pm Mount Rainier. This is your best bet if you only have 3-5 days, since youre on I-5 basically the whole way (and theres plenty to do and see along the way). 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). From Seattle, drive straight to Mt. If organized tours are your thing, here are some recommendations in San Francisco: How you budget is entirely based on the types of accommodations youre wanting to stay in and of course where you choose to eat. 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. Can you take us too? Mid July: 1 week with wife and kid - what should we prioritize? The Northern California Coast is considered to be one of the most scenic areas in the entire country, and for many reasons. Lithia Park (2 mentions) Best free things to do in Ashland (Oregon)? Your email address will not be published. Read our road, Discover hidden gems & the hot spots of Oahu, from hiking trails to beautiful beaches., See the places we stopped on our road trip from Greece to Croatia, going via, This was everything I needed! Here are our favorite places to eat in San Francisco, a city full of amazing food spots. Today, we split time between San Francisco and Seattle. San Francisco. Pike Place Market: Probably the most famous attraction in Seattle, Pike Place Market lives up to the hype and then some. 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. If you're planning a road trip to San Francisco, you can research locations to stop along the way. Read Next: 4 Days in San Francisco: A Complete City Guide from a Local. If youve got 3-4 days, sleep in Portland on night one, Redding on night two, and finish the drive to San Francisco on day three. Here are some options for where to stay in Seattle whether you prefer staying in hotels or in an Airbnb. Continue along 101 South, stopping at Ruby Beach and Kalaloch, before doing the short walk in the Quinault Rainforest and spending the night at either Kalaloch Lodge on the coast, or Lake Quinault Lodge on the shores of, you guessed it, Lake Quinault. 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. Ocean View Inn and Suites. Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ (11 mentions) This section lists our five restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. San Francisco to Seattle drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. Alexander Valley Wine Region: Take a drive through the Alexander Valley Wine Region to enjoy some of the tastiest (and most affordable) wines in California. Distance from San Francisco to Seattle: approximately 810 miles. Eugene (16 answers) Spend some time on the coast and check out the things to do in Monterey. Read our guide to the coolest hotels in Seattle to find the perfect hotel for your style and budget. The guide below is written with a two week trip in mind. Pine Ridge Vineyards Youngberg Inn Hill $199 $400 USD/breakfast included. 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. most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Seattle to San Francisco journey, you can consider the five restaurants we have chosen. The drive between Washington and Oregon is rather uneventful but there are some suggestions below if you have time. You wont regret it. Rainier. The day we had been waiting for! Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detoursfrom roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond. It was so special to see where my mum spent her years here and I was very fortunate they were still there to meet me! . There are a few small easy hiking paths to take and theyre worth it to view these giants up close. Theres really only one choice here. Parking is a nightmare in Nob Hill, which is the neighborhood we used to call home, so Id recommend avoiding that area. Planning to do something like that in the future. Start your day early and travel down HWY 101 along the coast of Oregon. If youre continuing south towards LA and be sure to stop intoPismo Beach, Solvang, Santa BarbaraandSanta Maria orcheck out thisextensive list of ideas. Visiting both cities is a must if you're in the area and doing so in an RV is particularly beneficial as you get to see some excellent sights along the way. Basic large rooms with a good location right off the 101. We lived in San Francisco for almost a decade before quitting our jobs and leaving the city on our year long worldwide adventure. The Pacific coast highway is one of the legendary road trip routes that follows highway 101 through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Rainier National Park (the Paradise Side), More Time? Find pet-friendly stops. Came across this article and this looks amazing. Below is an interactive map or see below for a static map to save. Make quick stops at Cape Ferelo and Natural Bridges, then cross over into California, where youll immediately be confronted with redwoods some of the biggest and best in the state! Bend is situated amid the snow-covered Cascade Mountains and high desert plateaus. (4 answers), Jd from Australia asked:Advice to avoid snowy road conditions from SF to Seattle (January) (3 answers), Will from Chicago asked:Road Trip on the 101 and 1- what to see on the way to SF from Seattle? Well, thats it for us! Rainier and Mt. In this section, we list the five different restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. Hungry? Best coffee shops in Portland 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. One other note were also assuming you want to spend time in Seattle and San Francisco too. 20 Best Highway 101 Road Trip Stops 2023 | Ultimate 101 Trip Make sure to go to La Marzocco Cafe and Espresso Vivace at the very least. Third stop is the Hoh Rainforest, which is a spectacular example of the temperate rainforests that call this part of the country home. We chose to skip the coast & national parks here as weredoing thisfurther south. Continue south towards LA and be sure to stop intoPismo Beach, Solvang, Santa BarbaraandSanta Maria orcheck out thisextensive list of ideas. If you want to see what makes the Pacific Coast a staple of US adventures, you should definitely do a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. I am a keen photographer and we like nice scenery, (oceans/mountains/forests/rivers/lakes/waterfalls etc). 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. Dont miss our guide to the coolest hotels in San Francisco for more suggestions. Elliott Bay Books for the best local bookstore in Seattle. westcoastbound. In fact, Matt recently did this drive alone. GNIS feature ID. San Francisco to Seattle Road trip | Indie Campers Click on any question to see answers from the community! Hi, first of all thank you so so much for this amazing post. What is your favorite restaurant in Redding? Redding (11 answers) 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. What is your favorite restaurant in Eugene? You can roam the vineyards, taste plenty of wines and relax while overlooking acres of grapes. Day 5: If you missed any of the redwoods above, double back and make sure to catch them. Our favorites would be Becks Motor Lodge (close to the Mission) and Hotel Kabuki (in Japantown). For dessert, ice cream is your best bet. San Francisco to Seattle Road trip Google Maps San Francisco and Seattle are two eclectic peas in a pod. Finish the day with dinner at Lilians Italian Kitchen and ice cream from Mariannes Ice Cream. Yep, the name speaks for itself! And our favorite spots to drink, whether youre looking for a flight of craft beer or a $20 cocktail (were joking kind of). If you want to stay in the best rooms and get pampered by the finest service the city has to offer, book yourself a room at St Regis San Francisco. The advantage of staying there is that its right in the middle of downtown. If youre craving a drink, here are a few of our favorite bars in Seattle. Hopefully youve found the answer you needed elsewhere, but for anyone else wondering what the weather is going to be like in mid-October, youre likely going to get some great fall color, though the weather could be more unpredictable, with rain or even snow. Want to plan the trip back? Simply use this as a guideline! Trip Length: Give yourself at least five days for a worthwhile journey. Today, an island called Wizard Island juts up from beneath the surface of the water. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we dont stand behind 100%. The best times to do the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco are a bit counterintuitive - the unique terrain that defines the route and San Fran's distinctive climate follow a different set of rules than your average oceanside tourist attraction. Anyway, walk through the market and check out the vendors selling everything from candied nuts to flowers, and of course, the flying salmon. I did have a concern though, Im likely doing 2 weeks from October 28th to Nov 11th 2022. Read Next: The 19 Best Airbnbs in Seattle. (19 answers), Julie from Atlanta asked:Best activities for kids (19 answers), Kenneth from Portland asked:Best views in San Francisco? You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Restaurants in Napa for girls outing? 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. In terms of height, it is one of the tallest lighthouses in the United States and stands at 115 feet. Go Anywhere | Tesla Youre very welcome Candice, enjoy your trip! The cheapest way to get from Seattle to San Francisco costs only $116, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. Its packed full of interesting spots to stop in, whether youre looking for vegan ice cream or a unique boutique selling who knows what. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. questions about Mount Shasta (California): Road Trip from SF to Vancouver/Seattle- where are the best places to see? Last, but certainly not least (the opposite, in fact) is to head inland and hit Mt. 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. Especially on the weekdays. www .seattle .gov. On a random side note: 41 years ago my mum lived in Oregon on a Rotary Exchange. If you have more than a couple of days to spare, a much more scenic alternative would be to drive along the coast, which would extend your drive by about 8 hours. Keep your eye out for the Elks! Artesa Vineyards & Winery (9 mentions) 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. The tallest trees on the planet are on full display in the Redwoods National and State Parks. Before we go on to give you our 2-week itinerary, please note that there is no right or wrong way to do this trip. Head out to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, Cypress Grove, and do a portion of the Tomales Point Trail. Keep reading. When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. Stop at Redwoods National and State Parks: Seeing the redwoods is a must when youre in Northern California. because there's an entire community of travelers talking Read that for the details behind the picks below! restaurants around Napa: Thank you so much for posting this and with such fabulous photos! questions about Redding: The travelplan so far. This section could be endless, so rather than trying to Remember, like you, people planning a San Francisco road trip need your opinion. Theres way more to do here then youll have time for, so we will just touch on a few things you can check off while youre in town. We opted for location over privacy and were pleasantly surprised with City Hostel Seattle. Seattle to San Francisco road trip planner Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Seattle to San Francisco. If its on (or even if its not), you should stop in Ashland. Head North back to San Francisco,andexplore the city! Last time, we stayed at this Treehouse on Airbnb, which was also fantastic, but you probably want a hotel given youll only be in town for one night, and the Airbnb cleaning fee will make it more expensive. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Day 1: Seattle, Washington (3 days) Day 4: Seattle - Willamette Valley (222 miles/357 km) Day 5: Willamette Valley - Pacific City (63 miles/101 km) We have lived, collectively, in exactly three cities. Overall, we think you should choose either the Mission District or Hayes Valley if you have a car. Glass Beach and Fort Bragg: Glass Beach is an unusual beach with tons of tiny colorful glass pieces amid the pebbles on the beach. Airbnb: Weve stayed in a bunch of Airbnbs in Portland on our numerous trips over the years. Not sure what to do in Seattle? Theres not a lot going on in Roseburg, but we used this as a stopover to break up the drive en route to Crater Lake National Park the following morning. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 5 Best Restaurants On The Way From Seattle To San Francisco. This route was intriguing to us because the arrival time was almost 3 hours faster than the Highway 101 alternative, but we decided that this drive was once in a lifetime and we had to take the longer option if it meant we'd be driving the Oregon coast the entire day. A somewhat sleepy, somewhat rowdy college town, home of the University of Oregon, Eugene is quirky, creative, and a fun weekend getaway from Portland. . to double check the weather. ad hoc Stop as frequent or as little as you like but dont forget to look up! The Society is the best value hotel in Portland, with options from dorm rooms to suites, so you can pick an option that works for your style and budget. There are of course cheaper alternatives, but this HIGHLY recommended. Pok Pok Restaurant You could very easily extend your time on this route with additional nights in the aforementioned locations. Heres what we recommend. You can drive straight down I-5, stopping in Portland and Eugene, which is the fastest route. 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. Day 4: Eugene to Ashland. With an early-morning flight booked well in advance, it's possible. Seattle to San Francisco: Tips for a Highway 101 Road Trip - DIY Playbook by calculating the distance from Seattle to San Francisco. Day 1: Fly into Seattle and pick up your rental car (or, leave from Seattle if you live here!). It does cost $8 per car but where else can you drive through a tree? and leave at 8:38 pm. day 2 driving 6.5 hours. This route never strays from the interstate, so aside from some highly recommended detours, the drive is extremely straightforward and beginner-friendly. 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. You might end up with more rain and snow, which isnt necessarily a deal breaker if youre prepared for it (pack a good rain jacket and waterproof shoes / boots!). suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it A road trip along New York state's Women's Heritage Trail, 9 stops on a Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail road trip, A cross-country road trip to U.S. presidential libraries, A road trip to filming locations featured in 'The Goonies', The top things to do on an Extraterrestrial Highway road trip, Pay Tribute and Reflect at These US Monuments and Memorials. 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. Road trips are F-U-N! The mighty Hood River and stunning Columbia River Gorge are a must-see on your way down to Bend. Hotels: The Hoxton and the Society Hotel (weve stayed there) are our top hotel picks in Portland. Sleep at the Graduate Hotel or the Inn at the Fifth, both in downtown Eugene. What is your favorite restaurant in Redding? Market Street Steakhouse Our drive down the ever so famous Big Sur on HWY 1. Airbnb in Seattle. 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. Where to stay on the San Francisco to Seattle drive? Heres what we recommend doing when you stop here during your road trip. Long road trips = the need for bathroom stops! If you're in the market for the best rooftop view of Portland's architecture, The Duniway Portland is the hotel for you. Day 4: Get an early start and make a beeline for the California border. Continue south, heading to Tillamook Creamery for ice cream and a fun cheese-making tour. The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary (2022) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 10:37 amdrive for about 1.5 hours, 12:00 pm Mount Shasta (California) Monterey Bay > Pacific Grove > 17 Mile Drive > Pebble Beach > Carmel-by-the-sea > Point Lobos > Monterey (or Seaside to sleep). Once youve checked out of Youngberg Hill, visit some popular surrounding wineries such Yamhill Valley Winery,Domaine Serene Winery, Domaine Drouhin & Brooks Wines. Portland (246 answers) You could also go the coastal route, but its a bit out of the way if youve only got 3-5 days. Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. The water is exceptionally blue and when the sunlight hits the water, its simply stunning. The road trio from Seattle to San Francisco is full of incredible activities and experiences. Drive to Port Angeles, with a stop at Nourish Sequim along the way for a delicious (and gluten free) lunch. Jessica from asked:Best seafood restaurant in S.F.? Tasty N Sons If youre on a budget, check out the Found Hotel. If youre only going to do it once, do it right. What is your favorite restaurant in Eugene? Be prepared for the overwhelming choice of flavours! Find out how many days in San Francisco to stay. Seattle and San Francisco are the two cities in the world that we have, collectively, called home. Make sure you check road conditions Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Seattle to San Francisco. Life is all about the journey, not the destination! That doesnt mean youre not going to have a great time, though! Ashland (Oregon) (29 answers) You could choose to stop in San Fran or continue south (like we did) and hit the beach! Read:The Ultimate Guide To Crater Lake National Park. Hiking the Skyline Trail: Is This the Best Hike in the Entire State? Mileage: It's 808 miles from Seattle to San Francisco. This luxury coastal road trip will take you from Seattle and the forested islands of Washington's Puget Sound to San Francisco and the towering redwoods of Northern California. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:04 pmdrive for about 3 hours, 6:02 pm Napa The Willamette Valley is home to some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and youll find more than 500 wineries surrounding this region. If you are flying into San Francisco International Airport and road-tripping north, you can simply hop on US Highway 101 N. The Ultimate San Francisco To Seattle Road Trip: 55+ Stops You Need To How far is San Francisco from Seattle - driving distance - Trippy Miles and miles of rugged, unspoiled coastline that hugs the oceans edge. Grab a freshly baked bagel from Los Bagels,a crepe from Renatas Creperie and Espresso oran ice cream from Arcata Scoop(or all of the above!). Then youll have the perfect San Francisco to Seattle road trip itinerary. This road trip is 808 miles and takes about 12 hours and 30 minutes. The drive's signature stops include the cities of Portland and Sacramento, Mt. In this part, we explained seven different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. Here is a quick rundown of our favorite areas and places to stay. questions about Portland: There you have it a complete guide to planning a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. One of our all-time favourite things to eat! Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Navarro Vineyards and Roederer Estate are our favorites. Keep Calm and Travel On |. So if youre looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco, keep reading! 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? We have five restaurant recommendations worth your attention. Morimoto Here are some of our favorite things to do in Portland. Arrive in Portland and stay either Kex, the Hotel Grand Stark, or the Jupiter NEXT Hotel (read our full guide on the best places to stay in Portland for more of our recommendations weve been to Portland numerous times and are planning on relocating there at some point in the near future). Have more time? And we dont recommend it. What makes summer an appealing time to visit The Golden City are the mild climate and the abundance of amazing events. Ashland (15 mentions) Timberline Lodge (12 mentions) Pacific coast Highway - driving from Seattle to 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. (1 answer), Marsha-laine asked:Most Scenic Drive Down to San Francisco (2 answers), John asked:Seattle to San Francisco recommend route (1 answer). There are many excellent hotels during your Seattle to San Francisco road trip. by Emily Cass | Oct 18, 2017 | Most Popular, North America | 3 comments. Best free things to do in Redding? In our opinion, the two best areas to stay in Seattle are Belltown and Capitol Hill (though we also like South Lake Union). What is your favorite restaurant in Portland? From here, cross the Columbia River via Route 30 and continue west until you reach the coast. Finally, you can drive down Howland Hill Road, which is mostly unpaved but well-maintained road traversing a magnificent redwood forest. It's one of the most spectacular road trips in the USA. Hiking to Towering Comet Falls in Mount Rainier National Park, 3 Days in Portland, Oregon: Plan a Perfect Weekend in Portland, Gluten Free Portland: A Travel Guide for Gluten Free Foodies, 4 Days in San Francisco: A Complete City Guide from a Local, A Locals Guide to the Best Gluten Free Restaurants in San Francisco, A Complete Washington State Road Trip Itinerary, An Unforgettable 2 Week Oregon Road Trip Itinerary, Plan an Incredible San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip, 9 Spectacular Day Trips from Florence to Plan Now, One Day in Florence: The Best of Florence in 24 Hours, Closing Time at the Louvre with Take Walks (Complete Review), One Day in Lisbon: How to See the Best of Lisbon in 24 Hours, 17 Amazing Things to Do in Olympic National Park in 2023, All the Best Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park. Both are cool cities, and you could do a day trip into the beautiful wilderness just outside either citys limits. Check out the 5th St. Public Market for a combination of shopping, eating, and drinking with local vendors. San Francisco to Seattle drive - plan a road trip Wilda's Grill Past Dunnigan, hop onto Interstate 505 and either follow it south to Vacaville or detour to Sacramento. 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. 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. Saint Helens provides some surreal views of this active volcano, as well as some intriguing natural formations. Just 15 minutes from Monterey, youll find a variety of cheaper hotels.