Will it be Portland, with its famous food trucks and doughnuts? Those little beaches overlooking the water below is freaking amazing. Travelers can stop in Tacoma proper, which is only a little over an hour south of Seattle if they wish to spend a little extra time there. Just one small thing, its not the PCH, its just PCH. 2:48 pm Minneapolis. You can look out over beautiful sea stacks that dot the northern part of the Pacific Coast and stroll along the sand covered with huge driftwood formations and seafoam. Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experiencefor good reason! 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. Before you head back to Bend, take a scenic car tour around the perimeter of the lake on Rim Drive. do you have a printable version of this? I would like to follow the route on the map. Do you happen to know or can you suggest a source with info about the road conditoin in the light of recent terrible weather in California. 2 Most Direct Seattle to San Diego Road Trip: I-5. I am planning a trip for next year, saving and researching. 5 Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary. Did you try searching my site using the search in the sidebar? Pacific Coast Highway Directions: From Seattle, head south along US Highway 101 to Olympia. Prior to retiring I have done the San Francisco to LA 3 times but always by myself. What are must see spots. The drive from Portland to Seattle is one I've made numerous times. Steep, evergreen-covered cliffs are striated with so many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the mind. skip Santa Cruz, skip San Francisco Day 2 and just hit the highway) OR if you had a suggestion on swapping out one of the spots with a different one (ex. The lookout also gives access to many hiking trails. Thank you for sharing. Rainier, which will take about 7 hours and cover 330 miles. If you're driving directly from Portland to Seattle by car the journey is around 173 miles or 278 km will take around 2 hours 40 mins via I-5 N. Although, for many of us, there is nothing to beat taking a car and driving a route, stopping where you please, and going off the beaten track. Port Angeles is the place for that one-night stop. The weather should be okay but be prepared for coastal fog and chill (as you would experience pretty much all year long!). Ive never been to CA and I know the prices are high. The mountain route will take you past the famous Mount St. Helens and into the spectacular Mt. Furthermore, Stevens Canyon Road near Mt. Further along the coast, you can book a stay at any of the campgrounds in the numerous state parks. You can choose the spots you want to stop at that way . The first leg of the trip was relatively short thanks to us . For the most scenic (and slow) route, drivers can veer to the coastline and hop the cities there. As you stroll across the island, you get to indulge in the striking views of the Columbia River, Sauvie Island, Lake River, and the Willamette River. A post shared by Becca Nelson Bailey (@beccamakesthings). The flight time is usually a quick 45 minutes, but when you factor in transfers between the two airports, its probably just as long as other options listed above. Thanks for your comment, Kathy! Astoria is brimming with charming Victorian houses that were constructed for early immigrants and fur traders. By the end, youll be ready to plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary. Would be every much appriciate if you can provide tips and recomendattions where to stop, what to see/do and eat the drive on high 1 from San Diego to Santa Monica. 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. Id look at September as an ideal time to catch autumn colors in the Pacific Northwest but admittedly its hard to predict since this part of the country isnt known for the same leaf colors as New England. And there are plenty of options along the north shore of the Colombia River that offer stunning views and a relaxing stay. Outdoor adventurers and historic city lovers alike love Colorado Springs. Address: 100 Brown Farm Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98516, United States. Los Angeles is the last major city on my list of Pacific Coast Highway stops, and though I have a guide to spending one day in L.A., you can and should spend as much time as you like. Im planning on doing the PCH from Seattle to SF next Sept. (We did SF to SD in 2019). While staying in Cannon Beach we have planned day trips to Astoria and Long Beach and maybe an inland drive to McMinnvile, for some wine tasting. Crater lake was amazing!! While the glass is technically part of MacKerricher State Park and you cant take it home you can still spend time out of the car searching for different colors and shapes of beautiful sea glass that wash up from the Pacific Ocean. Its a very winding cliff-side road and doing it in an RV is going to be laboriously slow and probably make you a bit nervous at times. I live in Florida and have never been to the pacific coast. You can also take guided mountaineering classes from three professional area mountain schools. As far as prices go, this hotel is right down the middle in terms of Seaside resorts. ), Valerie, My wife and I are planning this very trip you outlined. These birds breed, rest, and winter in freshwater marshes and grassland. That route looks good have you input all the drive times in Google to confirm that you want to be on the road that much each day? Thanks for reading, Kay. Love it. Both have way more to explore once you stop or pull off the road. flickr/ Maciek Lulko. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. The rest of time will hopefully be in small towns all along the coast. Hello Valerie & Valise, I love this trip information on, it is so amazingly helpful. The jagged coastline, infinite blue water, sunny days, gorgeous sunsets these are just a few of the reasons California Highway 1 became a popular route in the first place! Thanks for your comment, Anthony! Thanks for your help in advance!!!! I didnt want to make all my reservations, but just go with it for one time in my life. Theres a link to that at the end of the post. We didn't expect much from the road until realized that adding 0.5-2 hours will turn it into a real adventure! It opened in the 1920s as a clam shack but has transformed into a premier . I started this site to share my travel stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips. Send me a pic if you remember . Seaquest State Park is an urban park covering 475 acres of a natural island along a mile of the lakeshore. I lived for 15 years in Alaska, as well as four years each in California and Washington. A road trip from Portland to Seattle is short but mighty. If you are a baseball fan, you must make a stop at T-Mobile Park even before heading to the city center. I am beginning to plan a family trip and loved all the recommendations. taking my 13 and 17 year old with my wife. If I am going to follow your 10 day itinerary from Washington State to San Diego, how many overnight stays can I have? From Vancouver, drive 35 kilometers south on Highway 99 to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and board the B.C. By Niki Stojnic. Tillamook, Oregon sits on the Highway 101, a few miles inland from the sea. Travelers can take various pathways between Portland and Seattle. There are loads of cool things to explore in/around this small PNW town, including Olympic National Park! As I mentioned above, both are southbound itineraries. My husband and I plan to do this trip in June. Im glad to surpass the AAA level. The Astoria Column is a towering monument with murals representing the rich history and culture of the city. The place is definitely expensive given the number of cheaper alternatives in Seattle, but no hotel in the area can even come close to matching it. Am interested in your upcoming 7 day itinerary of PCH. T-Mobile Park has a seating capacity of 47,929. Greyhound USA also services this route once daily. distance from Seattle: ~1 hr and 15 mins | driving directions (with ferry) | driving directions (without ferry, which is ~2.5 hrs) | best for: excellent seafood and wineries. The Pacific Coast Highway is an ambitious road trip, but totally possible in as few as five days. St. Helens RV Resort. I plan to rent a car in Los Angeles in the summer and make a similar journey, Hello! Its easy to make a stop in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, so take the opportunity! Thank you. Distance: 361 miles. Once youre in Seattle, there are so many places to choose from for a relaxing stay that its barely worth making suggestions. Id go with a mid-size car for your rental. We stayed in Seattle and drove south to Olympia, to pick up the beginning of the 101. You will have to turn off Highway 12 onto Route 123, leading to the Mt. We want a mix of National/State Parks, cities, and coasts. If you are going in winter, follow the coastal route, which will cover 270 miles and take you about 5 hours to drive. Youre very welcome, and have a great road trip!! Hey there! I love Portland and San Diego. If you're pressed for time, make Cannon Beach your top priority. Any ideas? AND, I did it in November in a PT Cruiser with the top down.all bundled up with the heat on full..but man, what a view! My best advice is to take a look at the app Roadtrippers and start plugging in where you might want to go to get a sense of travel time then you can decide whats must-do, what extra you have time for, and what needs to be cut.I hope that helps! If youre planning a full 10-day west coast road trip, make sure you follow my guide and do at least one overnight on the Olympic Peninsula. With a curated slate of what matters in your city, Curiocity presents you with the most relevant local food, experiences, news, deals, and adventures. My husband, myself and our four kids always take adventurous vacations every summer. One of the most famous sea stacks on the U.S. Pacific Coast, Haystack Rock is picture perfect while you stretch your legs. I love to do a Pacific Coast Highway drive at some point in my life. Loved your trip adventure and recommendations !! Yes, we intend to stay a couple of nights in Portland and 2 or 3 in San Francisco but well probably look for hotels on the outskirts and travel in to the cities by car or public transport each day. You could do this road-trip in as little as five days, but I recommend taking at least seven or maybe 10 if you have the time! I want the most scenic route but RT 1 on the cliffs seem risky ? Maybe worth checking another site thats more expert in RV travel! Can you believe theres a rainforest in Washington? Great content here, thank you! Hello Valerie; my family and i are thinking about a trip from northern CA to San Diego along the coast. After driving across the famous Columbia River bridge, stop and give yourself a self-guided tour of popular Goonies spots in Oregons northwest-most town. They also have a fitness center, a business center, and a sauna. Olympia is the capital of Washington located about 60 miles from Seattle. We are going to go the middle of September 2022 and take a flight from Phx to somewhere around Crescent city. September 23, 2018. Have a great trip! The speed limit ranges from 55mph to 25mph theres really no helpful way to give an average! You will pass through the Bone River Natural Area Preserve and the town of Raymond. The Mount St. Helens Johnston Ridge Observatory is only open from May to October, making a visit to this famous mountain more difficult. I think once we hit Los Angeles we will just take the I10 home to Phoenix. I recently discovered Mendocino on a weekend trip and fell in love with the small town. Here are the stops I suggest for a Pacific Coast Highway California road trip itinerary. Thanks again for this excellent resource. Kim, December should be a pretty good time, but plan for classic marine layer weather (chilly and cloudy this is whats normal on the Pacific coast!). Be sure to drive up to Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rain Forest, Lake Crescent, and Ruby Beach. (As of July 2018, the PCH reopened after a 2017 mudslide!). Related: 9 Sights To See On The Way From Portland To Seattle. You can also attend music concerts at the park. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: When youre ready to continue on your PCH road trip, make your way back to California Highway 1 and head south. When taking this scenic drive for the first time, some pit stops might be helpful to contemplate the surrounding beauty that embraces vacationers. Cannon Beach is a coastal city located about 80 miles from Portland. Travelling from Australia and would like to spend 3 weeks driving around . Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head south from Ruby Beach along U.S. 101. I have a question in regards to your amazing experiences and my hopes to travel the PCH with my older kids. I know a lot of people would probably prefer the one hour flight from San Francisco to Portland as opposed to the ten hour drive but we didn't want to miss all of the beauty that lies between. Great questions, Julie. Also, you can probably get away with booking hotels/vacation rentals in the smaller towns only a few days in advance but if you want to stay in any of the big cities, I would book those 2-3 weeks in advance at the latest! Here are some different starting/ending points for a PCH road trip: As you can see, you have options! In a few weeks, we intend to start a 10-ish day loop from San Jose, drive up on the inland route to Seattle, and do a southbound coastal drive. Greyhound runs several daily buses with five stops, and tempts passengers with free WiFi, power outlets, and no dreaded middle seats. National Park Roads from Paradise to Chinook Pass. Glad to help, Bethany! Related read: 10 Serene Cabin Rentals Near Seattle, Washington, 12 Romantic Getaways in Washington to Take Your Sweetheart, 10 Marvelously Unique Places to Stay in Washington, The 9 Best Beaches in Oregon to Enjoy the Pacific Vibes. I love all the details and recommendations! A perfect short road trip taking you through some amazing nature with plenty of options to stop and break up the journey. Amazing, Melanii! I was curious about which one you suggest if you were to slim down this itinerary by 1 day (ex. lol. Portland is the only city on this list thatisnton the coast, and its definitely a trip extender if you want to visit Portland while driving the Pacific Coast Highway. Youre all set to start filling in the gaps! Is this possible? Thanks for your amazing feedback, and Im so glad to help! Point Reyes is arguably my favorite part of the Pacific Coast Highway and that is saying something as its really hard to choose favorites from over 650 miles of California coastline! When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. Sounds like a great trip either way drive safe! Its only 180 miles of interstate between the two cities and even on the interstate, the scenery is beautiful. This Pacific Coast Highway itinerary is 7 days and will let you take the whole route and return home with unforgettable memories: If you have more time to drive the PCH, this 10-day itinerary is perfect. Day 6 Crescent City and Redwoods National Park, OR. Most of these attractions are in downtown Olympia. What day of the week would you recommend starting from WA? The lake, however, spans 3,000 acres in area. In the city, the San Francisco CityPass is a good option its super helpful for getting around and seeing the citys top sights. 21 of the world's best cities for coffee lovers, Pacific Northwest road trip - Scenic round trip from Seattle, Road Trip From Seattle To Yellowstone National Park, Road Trip From San Francisco To Portland, Oregon, Note: mountain route may be unavailable during winter due to road closures, The Kathryn Riverfront Inn is a spectacular beachside hotel with a gorgeous interior, The Lotte Hotel has the perfect combination of location, price, and luxury. Its also a great place to play volleyball, although youll have to bring the volleyball net yourself. This scenic roadway overlooks Samish Bay and provides views that never disappoint. Plan, edit, save, and share your custom day trips, weekend getaways, and cross-country adventures. My only additional rec for anyone would be to add the Great Tide Pool in Monterrey to check out little worlds of marine life. 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