Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Seattle to San Francisco drive. 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. There are of course cheaper alternatives, but this HIGHLY recommended. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. Day 1: Arrive Seattle, rest Day 2: Seattle Day 3: Seattle, leave for Portland Day 4: Portland, leave for Newport OR Day 5: Newport to Bandon OR Day 6: Bandon to Trinidad CA Day 7: Redwood National Park, go to Healdsburg CA Day 8: Healdsburg/Sonoma/Napa Day 9: Wine country to Yosemite Day 10: Yosemite Day 11: Yosemite to SF Day 12: SF The Ultimate Guide To Crater Lake National Park, See Expedia for more greatHotels for Road trips, Adelaide to Melbourne via The Great Ocean Road: Ultimate Guide, The Ultimate Road Trip around Oahu, Hawaii, Greece to Croatia Road Trip via Albania & Montenegro, A Guide to Visiting the Amazon Rainforest, 7 Underrated Travel Destinations for the Budget Traveler, 9 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Zadar, Croatia, 20 Best Things to Do in Cape Town with Kids & Toddlers, Your Guide to Australian Wildlife and National Parks, 8 Incredible Places in California To Visit, A Guide to the Most Instagrammable Beaches in 2020, Day 4: Seattle Willamette Valley (222 miles/357 km), Day 5: Willamette Valley Pacific City (63 miles/101 km), Day 6: Pacific City Roseburg via the Oregon Coast (229 miles/368km), Day 7: Roseburg Crater Lake National Park (86 miles/138km) toCrescent City, California(185 miles/297km), Day 8: Crescent City Santa Rosa (300 miles/482km), Day 10: Santa Rosa Santa Cruz (129 miles/207km), Day 11: Santa Cruz Monterey (43 miles/69km, 45 minutes) (2 days), Day 13: Monterey Big Sur (28 miles/45km), Day 14: Big Sur San Francisco (147miles/236km). 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. Seattle Center has some cool attractions though. The water is exceptionally blue and when the sunlight hits the water, its simply stunning. FIPS code. You could choose to stop in San Fran or continue south (like we did) and hit the beach! If youre continuing south towards LA and be sure to stop intoPismo Beach, Solvang, Santa BarbaraandSanta Maria orcheck out thisextensive list of ideas. Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ (11 mentions) Glass Beach and Fort Bragg: Glass Beach is an unusual beach with tons of tiny colorful glass pieces amid the pebbles on the beach. Stop as frequent or as little as you like but dont forget to look up! to double check the weather. 7:38 pm Mount Rainier. Once youve checked out of Youngberg Hill, visit some popular surrounding wineries such Yamhill Valley Winery,Domaine Serene Winery, Domaine Drouhin & Brooks Wines. View Road Map. So sorry for the late reply I totally missed this. Im a foodie at, Read More Gluten Free San Francisco: A Complete Guide for CeliacsContinue. Lardo 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. Read that for the details behind the picks below! Whats the weather like and is there any concerns doing it that late? Want to plan the trip back? Visit some of the numerous waterfalls namely Myrtle and Christine. 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. Day 1: Fly into Seattle and pick up your rental car (or, leave from Seattle if you live here!). This is another city we know REALLY well, and we have all sorts of thoughts, tips, and tricks that only locals would know to help you plan an amazing few days in San Francisco. Best free things to do in Redding? 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. We left Santa Cruz after a walk along the beach and continued our way down the coastal HWY 1 towards the gorgeous Monterey Bay + surrounding areas. Drive down the I-5 corridor, making stops at Mt. Over the course of 2 weeks, we drove approximately 1650 miles (2330km) at a moderate pace. For dessert, ice cream is your best bet. Check out the. San Fran is one of the States' most iconic cities, so it should come as no surprise that it's home to some of California's fanciest hotels. 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. In this guide to planning an Algarve itinerary, were going to use our experience spending a week, Read More How to Plan an Amazing Algarve Itinerary (3-7 Days)Continue, We love San Francisco, which is where we met, got married, and lived for almost a decade. The cheapest way to get from Seattle to San Francisco costs only $116, and the quickest way takes just 4 hours. Its super touristy, and kind of overrated and boring in general. restaurants around Portland: Our favorites would be Becks Motor Lodge (close to the Mission) and Hotel Kabuki (in Japantown). We recommend Sandcastle Inn. Youre in luck. I dont recommend that. 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). Traveling from Seattle to San Francisco is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The tour guides are funny, and you get to learn about the history of Seattle from a slightly different perspective. Hows the weather like for a Road Trip and visiting alot of these spots then? Spend the afternoon in Cannon Beach, spending some time on the beach near Haystack Rock and then eat lunch at Public Coast Brewing. Have more time? There are picturesque coastal towns, wildflowers galore during the spring, cool ocean breezes in the summer (definitely expect fog too), serene beaches, and towering redwoods that will leave you in awe. This industrial-chic Airbnb in South Lake Union is a close second for the next time were looking for a place to stay in Seattle. If youre craving a drink, here are a few of our favorite bars in Seattle. Lithia Park (2 mentions) Weve got you covered with our guide to the best coffee in Seattle (according to three self-proclaimed coffee snobs). 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. Though, obviously, you probably didnt quit your job to adventure in your converted Honda Odyssey, so theres that. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Restaurants in Napa for girls outing? For up to date information on these conditions, visit this most recent post. Believe us. Spend some time on the coast and check out the things to do in Monterey. It's okay, you can start planning your You can also enjoy a lazy beach stroll down Trinidad State Beach, or soak in the breezy coastal views at Patricks Point State Park. Navarro Vineyards and Roederer Estate are our favorites. Start Your Trip. . Note: We skip over San Francisco here, and loop back to itbecause our flight leaves from San Francisco+ we have to return our rental car here. Dont miss our guide to the coolest hotels in San Francisco for more suggestions. Click the button below to explore more questions Have you ever taken a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco? A trip from San Francisco to Seattle involves driving for around 800 miles along the Pacific Northwest and watching the most attractive views while on the way. Groups and families should look at this two bedroom gem in the heart of Capitol Hill. Make sure you check road conditions Find all the transport options for your trip from Seattle to San Francisco right here. Pacific City. 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. Spend the night at the Olema House. (29 answers), Dina from Dallas asked:What are the top 5 can't miss tourist attractions in S.F.? Read Next: A Locals Guide to the Best Gluten Free Restaurants in San Francisco. If youre not making the trek inland for Crater Lake, stay on the coast for the night and skip to day 8. Tasty N Sons This is the one where you can drive your car through actual living redwoods! Take your time, drive slowly and stop at every opportunity you can! on Amazon that will make travel fun for them. Planning to do something like that in the future. Get ready for a day of tree exploring! At the end of the journey, you can fly out of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Oakland International Airport (OAK). Road trips are F-U-N! Heres what we recommend doing when you stop here during your road trip. Head to Redwood National and State Parks and explore Stout Memorial Grove, Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway, and Fern Canyon. In our opinion, the two best areas to stay in Seattle are Belltown and Capitol Hill (though we also like South Lake Union). Airbnb: Weve stayed in a bunch of Airbnbs in Portland on our numerous trips over the years. Wildlife Safari (3 mentions) Keep Calm and Travel On |. by calculating the distance from Seattle to San Francisco. Below is an interactive map or see below for a static map to save. What is your favorite restaurant in Redding? Hood, Bend, and Crater Lake, which will take significantly more time than the other two options. And our favorite spots to drink, whether youre looking for a flight of craft beer or a $20 cocktail (were joking kind of). And if you know Seattle well, please help your fellow trip dates & more! See here for our top things to do in San Francisco. The hostel was close to all the main sights as well as public transport. Find pet-friendly stops. Drive Time from Seattle to San Francisco: approximately 10 hours. CitizenM Seattle is one of the best value hotels in Seattle. Limited time in Napa, help with my itinerary! As you get into November, its going to get more unpredictable. We plan (and pay for) all of our own travels, and we use our first hand knowledge to write detailed travel guides to the places we love to help, Heres a guide to the best breweries in Seattle, industrial-chic Airbnb in South Lake Union, How to Plan an Unforgettable Day Trip to Mount Rainier From Seattle, Where to Stay near Mount Rainier National Park: A Complete Guide, The Best Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park: A Helpful Hiking Guide. 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Ashland is a cool little town known for hosting the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Here we list three of them. Here are some of our favorites. San Francisco to Seattle drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. 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). 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. To help you plan your trip, were putting our heads together, along with all of our personal experience, to curate the best stops along the way to give you the information you need to plan an unforgettable trip down the west coast. Spend the night at either the Olympic Lodge or a vacation rental along the shores of Lake Sutherland. The Chihuly Glass and Garden is a one-of-a-kind art installation featuring hand blown glass in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Its packed full of interesting spots to stop in, whether youre looking for vegan ice cream or a unique boutique selling who knows what. Rainier National Park is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Except the authors have strong perspectives on what adventures you should choose. If youre planning to visit San Francisco, you can check this video guide before your road trip. Unfortunately, outside of summer, the rides are only open on the weekends. 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. You could also visit one of the many wineries surrounding the Sonoma County too. Best free things to do in Ashland (Oregon)? Explore a route and we'll find the best locations to keep you charged along the way and upon arrival. Hotels: The Hoxton and the Society Hotel (weve stayed there) are our top hotel picks in Portland. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we dont stand behind 100%. Thirsty? Day 2: Drive from Mt. Honestly, the whole trip was a highlight but if we had to choose, these would be our top 5 highlights. Shasta (2 days) Stop 5: Redwood National Park (1-2 days) Stop 6: Crater Lake (2 days) Stop 7: Coos Bay / Southern Oregon Coast (1 day) Drive the Avenue of the Giants: The Avenue of the Giants in the Humboldt Redwoods is a 31-mile forest drive that is considered to be the best drive through redwoods in the world. They remembered my mum right away and we chatted with them about their lives. We lived in San Francisco for almost a decade before quitting our jobs and leaving the city on our year long worldwide adventure. Be prepared for the overwhelming choice of flavours! United States. 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. or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. It will help people who will take the same Seattle to San Francisco route. One other note were also assuming you want to spend time in Seattle and San Francisco too. Driving non-stop from Seattle to San Francisco How far is San Francisco from Seattle? One of our favourite road trips to date is the Garden Route drive in South Africa, our honeymoon along the coast of Oahu, Hawaii & The Great Ocean Road in Australia but driving the down the west coast of America was yet another road trip to remember. (1 answer), Marsha-laine asked:Most Scenic Drive Down to San Francisco (2 answers), John asked:Seattle to San Francisco recommend route (1 answer). United States. For more amazing trees, waterfalls, and trails in California, check out Sequoia National Park. Pike Place Market: Probably the most famous attraction in Seattle, Pike Place Market lives up to the hype and then some. We spent the day driving around the lake, taking photo after photo! 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). Domaine Chandon If you find it difficult to organize your luggage on the road trip, take a look at the, Are you traveling with children? What is your favorite restaurant in Eugene? Keep your eye out for the Elks! What is your favorite restaurant in Portland? Road Trip on the 101 and 1- what to see on the way to SF from Seattle? Youll be ready fortonights sleep thats for sure! drive for about 41 minutes. In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Seattle to San Francisco. We have five restaurant recommendations worth your attention. Walk the Mendocino Headlands: The Mendocino Headlands State Park on the south side of the town of Mendocino features a great number of easy trails that take you near rugged coastlines, hidden away beaches, and spectacular sea arches. 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. Dont forget to stop at the iconicBixby Bridge (40 minutes from Monterey). Heres what we suggest doing in this stunning national park, which you can pretty easily tackle in a full day. I am a keen photographer and we like nice scenery, (oceans/mountains/forests/rivers/lakes/waterfalls etc). Looking for more cool hotels? It helps if you put your mirrors in to go through the tree. 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. Voodoo Doughnuts Your email address will not be published. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Stop in Astoria to check out the Astoria Column and Fort Stevens State Park, then make your way to Ecola State Park for great views of Cannon Beach. Drive Time from San Francisco: 20 minutes / 7 miles Your trip starts with a drive across the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge. 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. We basically spent a full two months on this route last summer, and it was every bit as memorable, beautiful, and amazing as you might imagine. There you have it a complete guide to planning a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. Artsy area with fun little shops Its a beautiful place to visit while on your road trip. 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. eg. If you dont, either because youve already been or youre just simply not interested, spend that time somewhere else instead. Find pet-friendly stops. 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. First of all, we have a whole guide on where to stay in Portland. 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. Mendocino is a largely unspoiled area of California that has beaches, valleys, and forests. Once in Vacaville, take Interstate 80 through Fairfield, then cross the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge. looking for a vacation rental or Airbnb? If youre on a budget, check out the Found Hotel. Click the blue button below. restaurants around Redding: Oh! We plan (and pay for) all of our own travels, and we use our first hand knowledge to write detailed travel guides to the places we love to help YOU plan an amazing trip. Fun Fact: At 380 feet, Hyperion in Redwood National Park is the world's tallest living tree. 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 picks for where to stop along the way with some of our favorite places to eat, drink, stay, and play for each. Theres been a lot of driving the past week so today, grab your swimmers, a towel and a book and get to the beach in Santa Cruz. Pacific Northwest road trip - Scenic round trip from Seattle, Road Trip From Seattle To Glacier National Park, Road Trip From Seattle To Yellowstone National Park, The Duniway Portland is the hotel for you, book yourself a room at St Regis San Francisco. Both of which have large hotel chains and some hostels. If you have more time, here are some other places to stop along the way from Seattle to San Francisco. 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