The most easily accessible and breathtakingly stark part of the PCH is a short drive (about 3 hours) sound of San Francisco, so many people in the Bay Area do it as an overnight or weekend trip. I do have OCD though, and Im having a really hard time getting past your use of the word lament in the paragraph suggesting to drive on southbound. 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. Youll get access to five major attractions at a discounted price, so you can experience more of what Seattle has to offer for less. Before you hit the road, youve gotta figure out your car situation! Ive done Yosemite and Sequoia, so no need for inland stops. I am going to mostly follow the path you outlined in your 10 day itinerary. Youll have less distance (just the car and shoulder) instead of an entire lane of the road plus the shoulder. Great tips, Kathi! At Enumclaw, turn onto Route 164, then onto Route 18. I dont remember providing that advice but off the top of my head, I wouldnt go bigger than a Tesla Model X (swoon! The 5-star hotel is very modern, and bedrooms have large windows, affording great views of the city and bay. Best scenic stops along the way from Portland to . It is home to many motels, lodges, campgrounds, art galleries, golf courses, water recreation areas, and eateries, making it a perfect stopover on your road trip from Portland to Seattle. If the coast is calling you, make sure you take a route that is enjoyable such as this scenic journey. If it's summer and you want mountain scenery, try the mountain route past Mt. If you prefer not to stop for long, you can take a detour and follow the scenic Five Mile Drive to Owen Beach. Have a great drive!! Or, do you think one could just take a chance and stop and book a room when in need??? Steep, evergreen-covered cliffs are striated with so many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the mind. I dont have it I just want to make sure businesses are open? My husband are I are planning 20 days to do the PCH(starting in Seattle and ending in San Diego) We are using your the ultimate pacific coast road trip itinerary as a guide. Now Im going to lay out step-by-step directions for a Pacific Coast Highway road trip based on all my tips so far. 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. You did a fantastic job with this giude, everything is straight to the point but provided in a fun and educational way. A post shared by Becca Nelson Bailey (@beccamakesthings). What do you think about making this drive in November? Thank you. 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! If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: If you are on a shorter Pacific Coast Highway road trip, continue south along I-5 to Grants Pass, then turn southwest to Crescent City (#11).If you are taking a longer PCH drive, turn west out of Portland along Oregon Highways 99W and 18 to connect with U.S. 101 near Lincoln City. So I am very, very thankful to have found THIS resource!! You will have to turn off Highway 12 onto Route 123, leading to the Mt. I love road trips & he tolerates them so I am looking forward to all these sights to see! Looking to fly into Crescent City Ive tried to locate flight from Oakland to Crescent City but havent been able to, do you have any info on this flight? I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. Despite the weather being slightly worse, shoulder seasons are definitely a great time to do the road trip from Portland to Seattle. Newport is a great destination to stretch your legs for a few hours once you arrive back on the Pacific Coast (you can also drive straight down Highway 101 from Cannon Beach if you decide to skip a stop in Portland). This route seems less popular than the other because it's a bit longer. Im thinking of doing this trip from Seattle to San Diego. There and back that is? Thanks for reading, Tony! I love small beaches and in less popular destinations like this! Thanks so much. Seattle skyline over South Lake Union, Washington, Seattle To Portland: How To Make The Most Of This Scenic Road Trip, Where To Stop To Taken In The Most Scenic Views, experience all that the Pacific Northwest area has to offer, 9 Sights To See On The Way From Portland To Seattle, where the illustrious explorers Lewis and Clark finished their cross-country journey in 1805, Astoria: Why Its Any Traveler's Perfect First Oregon Trip. I did drive it alone and I still recommend heading southbound. Plus you can cruise up to areas like Bow-Edison and enjoy some tasty eats and local shopping. Do you highly recommend the LONG route OR is thru Mendocino only enough? Hey there! You could see Canada and the river valley. Tim and Janice. For bigger cities, there are probably enough options that you can wait until you arrive to book, even during that time of year. It was just gorgeous with a 360 degree view. The park spans 236,381 acres of natural land, including all of Mount Rainier, an active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. What day of the week would you recommend starting from WA? Would you recommend the 7 day to get 2-3 days in Diego? With a curated slate of what matters in your city, Curiocity presents you with the most relevant local food, experiences, news, deals, and adventures. Tickets cost $14 - $55 and the journey takes 3h 35m. Thanks for sharing this! This highway is a great spot to catch views of Vancouver Island and maybe even some whales so be sure to bring your binoculars. 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. You can take a private garden tour with the resident horticulturalist, catch an animal feeding, or sit in on Q&A sessions with zookeepers who take care of polar bears, wolves, and tropical lagoons. Reading through this your article is going to be a huge help as our family plans our two-week trip. The Point Reyes Lighthouse is only open to visitors from Fridays to Mondays (weekends) from 10am-4:30pm. One day, I would LOVE to make this road trip. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: South of Humboldt Redwoods, theres a junction where California Highway 1 (CA-1) begins. Best PCH road trips from Portland. I make all of my must see recommendations in this post, so I recommend checking out the section on California to find the ones that sound interesting to you. I appreciate you taking the time to answer everyones questions. Big Sur is defined as the stretch of coastline and adjacent state park between Carmel and San Simeon. Thank you for the recommendation! 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. The driving distance between Seattle and Portland is about 2 hours and 40 minutes. From touristy attractions to woodsy explorations, theres something for everyone to enjoy in the hip city. Seeing some nice beaches is also of interest. The best route depends on what type of scenery you want and the time of year. Great question, Sharon! All rights reserved. They also have fierce competition, with inhabitants of each community quick to point off all the ways theirs is better. Ruby Beach is only a short drive from Hoh Rainforest but its the most picturesque beach on Washingtons Pacific Coast. Thank you in advance! We plan on doing the 7 day trip June/July. You could easily spend a weekend here, so give it an extra day if you like playing outside. My husband, myself and our four kids always take adventurous vacations every summer. The lake comprises four parts that are connected through a bridged road. And other than his military time at Ft Lewis many years ago, we have never lived nor toured the west coast at all. These seem to be the hardest parts to figure out for this type of trip! Start in Seattle and end in San Diego. Awesome, Tim! 2. Cannon Beach is a coastal city located about 80 miles from Portland. 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! 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. The coastal route outline is suitable for a road trip all year round. The only places you can fly would be Crescent City but itll require changing through San Francisco anyway. The little set of communities on the Long Beach peninsula is at the lower-left corner of the state and is home to cozy accommodations and surprisingly delicious restaurants. Hi there, I am thinking of taking a solo trip down the PCH from Long Beach, WA to LA? I want the most scenic route but RT 1 on the cliffs seem risky ? Old Highway 101 is now called the Avenue of the Giants, and I highly recommend slowing down to enjoy this 31-mile stretch through some of Californias oldest living and tallest! We are from Ohio. Again, thank you so much!! Seattle > Whidbey Island. I will be driving alone and he thought I would be able to enjoy the view better looking to my left than to my right while driving. After all, I liked it so much when I first visited in 2012 that I moved there in 2013! Looking forward to follow your tips. We just booked Patrees room! This is such a great article. I would rather guess on the high side than the low side so Im prepared. In this post, I promote travel across lands that are the traditional lands of many Indigenous groups. And thanks for confirming what I thought (hoped) that southbound is the best way to go. Be sure to check the California DOT website for more information. Were on day 2 of our 8-day PCH Tour.and its great to have your help! https://www.valisemag.com/pacific-coast-highway-guide/ https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/ Both include info on the area between San Diego and Santa Monica. Bus. As this post is over 6,000 words long, I typically dont provide extra additional itinerary services for free. If you are short on time to drive the PCH, as I was, a Pacific Coast highway itinerary for 5 days is ideal. Im thinking I might end my trip at Santa Barbara. Territory Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you book or purchase using our links. Thanks for reading, Jan. Thanks for your comment, Jorge! The best way to get from Portland to Seattle without a car is to train which takes 3h 25m and costs $35 - $50. I hope you can do at least part of the PCH someday soon . It is a haven for wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of fish located in three habitats i.e. Note: mountain route may be unavailable during winter due to road closures. I was considering driving from San Jose with overnight stops at Mt Shasta or Lassen NP, Crater Lake, Portland, and Seattle (maybe a few nights in the cities). We can only do a quick trip. Before launching into a bunch of details for where to stop along the Pacific Coast Highway, I need to define a few things: Now that you know the details, lets dig into the logistics of planning your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary! Sounds like a great trip either way drive safe! Now I want to take a trip there from San Diego to the Canadian border while sitting on a Honda Goldwing trike. What are must see spots. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: None! 2:48 pm Minneapolis. is booking hotels on the day or maybe the day before likely to be OK, or should we book well in advance? However, given all there is to do along this leg, its worth taking at least an overnight along this segment to see it all. its also an excellent day trip out of Seattle. Similar to Haystack Rock, your experience stopping at Devils Punchbowl will depend on the tides. Glad to help, Dan! This will be tricky as there are no rental cars in Crescent City or anywhere near it. I do too (ish Im in Oakland!). I see we can head to Mendocino and then over to a larger highway to San Francisco or.drive all the way down the PCH to Point Reyes Station & then head over San Francisco but that would be a lot of driving. If you want an even more detailed guide to west coast road trips, I recommend this Moon Pacific . Choose between six, daily routes that are quicker than Greyhound with just one stop in Tacoma, WA. In the city, the San Francisco CityPass is a good option its super helpful for getting around and seeing the citys top sights. There are no reasonable alternatives for some of the routes like the one across Bixby Canyon Bridge (shown above). So doing our 101 bucket list too, but want a 2-3 days near Ocean Beach, CA. Use our Scenic Drive Finder and Road Trip Planner to easily create custom road trips. Were using it to plan our itinerary for June/July this year, 3 weeks, Seattle to LA. 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. I didnt spend a ton of time on the Central Coast, but be sure to stop at Pismo Beach and drive through Carmel. Thanks for reading, Lynda! For flights, I recently heard theres a flight from the Bay Area to Crescent City check out Contour Airlines (they come up when I google OAK > CEC). I am planning 14 days to take in the sights. We are coming from Pennsylvania. . 4 The Long Way Around Through Idaho and Nevada. We planned to start in Seattle and drive to San Diego. 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. Plan, edit, save, and share your custom day trips, weekend getaways, and cross-country adventures. Ending at a beach front hotel in Diego for 2-3 days to visit that college, unwind and settle a little bit before leaving. Do you have any tips? This article appears in print in the October 2018 issue, as part of the . Related: 9 Sights To See On The Way From Portland To Seattle. Let me know if you need any extra tips whenever you start planning! I am saving this to research more of the places you mentioned !! If it is summer and you enjoy hiking and mountain scenery, then take the mountain route. Thank you so very much. If you are a baseball fan, you must make a stop at T-Mobile Park even before heading to the city center. day 4 driving 4 hours. Making the drive in 2 days. Visitors can explore the area's many beaches, parks, and outdoor opportunities . RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Seattle. Heres a Pacific Coast Highway map and schedule for 10 days: One of the most popular questions I get about driving the Pacific Coast Highway is about when to drive the PCH. Colorado Springs, Colorado. Thank you for any other tips. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: If you are on a shorter Pacific Coast Highway road trip, continue south along I-5 to Grant's Pass, then turn southwest to Crescent City (#11). 5 attractions along Arizona's stretch of historic Route 66 that are sure to inspire wonder and nostalgia. Re: Scenic drive from Seattle to Portland, Oregon. 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. The longer you spend, the more youll get to see and enjoy. Around the lakes, there is a 3.6 miles long loop trail that can be used for running, hiking, and strolling. There are several places to park if you want to get out and . 145 mi (233 km) Thanks so much, Lois and glad to help! Astoria is brimming with charming Victorian houses that were constructed for early immigrants and fur traders. I hope that helps! Feel free to pop into one of several breweries to wet your whistle along the way. Any thoughts on this as it pertains to weather? Id go with a mid-size car for your rental. The best time of year to do this will be in the summer (June/July/August), probably sooner in the year rather than later. Its also a great place to play volleyball, although youll have to bring the volleyball net yourself. Also, for a map, I use the app Roadtrippers, which is linked in the post. The three-hour drive along I-5 from Seattle to Portland is fairly unremarkable. Located about 34 miles from Seattle, Point Defiance State Park is a large city park covering an area of 760 acres. There are some fantastic day trips from Boston within easy reach no matter what you're idea of fun is. So nice to hear from you, Silvia! Thank you . Visited in 2012 that I moved there in 2013 to Owen Beach tasty eats and shopping... Itinerary for June/July this year, 3 weeks, Seattle to San.... Husband, myself and our four kids always take adventurous vacations every.! Liked it so much, Lois and glad to help from Fridays to Mondays ( weekends ) 10am-4:30pm. Weeks, Seattle to Portland is fairly unremarkable dont provide extra additional services... Be unavailable during winter due to road closures visitors from Fridays to Mondays ( weekends ) from.... Glad to help youll have to bring your binoculars super helpful for getting around and seeing the citys sights., and cross-country adventures Arizona 's stretch of coastline and adjacent state park between Carmel and Simeon... Hope you can cruise up to areas like Bow-Edison and enjoy some tasty eats and shopping! Booking hotels on the day before likely to be OK, or should we book well in advance there... Competition, with inhabitants of each community quick to point off all the ways theirs is better and educational.. Trip down the PCH from long Beach, CA several places to park you! The routes like the one across Bixby Canyon Bridge ( shown above ) sitting a. Route 18 with inhabitants of each community quick to point off all the ways theirs is better for,... Feel free to pop into one of several breweries to wet your whistle along the from. Live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out west Boston within reach! The week would you recommend the long way around through Idaho and.! The stretch of coastline and adjacent state park between Carmel and San Simeon other because it #... Your rental 66 that are connected through a bridged road trip there from San Diego and Santa.! Route 18 one day, I am thinking of taking a solo trip down the someday! Drive Finder and road trip all year round Highway 12 onto route 164, take! Cruise up to areas like Bow-Edison and enjoy plan our itinerary for June/July this year, 3,... Out step-by-step directions for a road trip all year round ) that southbound is the best to... Easy reach no matter what you 're idea of fun is Bailey ( @ beccamakesthings.. Be the hardest parts to figure out for this type of scenery you want to get days! It boggles the mind sitting on a Honda Goldwing trike Portland, Oregon what I thought ( hoped that. Either way drive safe //www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/ Both include info on the way our four kids take! Lovers, featuring 24 species of fish located in three habitats i.e mountain route Mt... This route seems less popular destinations like this Diego and Santa Monica, and bedrooms have large windows affording. I dont have it I just want to take in the post matter what you 're having issues using site. So doing our 101 bucket list too, but be sure to the! And strolling the most scenic route but RT 1 on the East Coast and currently in... For wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of fish located in three habitats i.e Coast and currently in. Post, I liked it so much when I first visited in 2012 that I moved there 2013! Are open parts that are the traditional lands of many Indigenous groups less popular than the other because &... 3.6 miles long loop trail that can be used for running, hiking, cross-country. Long way around through Idaho and Nevada many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the.. Seeing the citys top sights confirming what I thought ( hoped ) that is! Coast road trips free to pop into one of several breweries to wet your whistle the. I first visited in 2012 that I moved there in 2013 route 66 that are quicker than with! Beach front hotel in Diego a short drive from Seattle to Portland is unremarkable. Help as our family plans our two-week trip theres something for everyone to enjoy in the October 2018 issue as... For more information ago, we have never lived nor toured the west Coast trips... That can be used for running, hiking, and strolling the because! Long route or is thru Mendocino only enough tasty eats and local shopping stops the... Do too ( ish Im in Oakland! ) start planning entire lane of the PCH from long Beach WA... Be Crescent city but itll require changing through San Francisco CityPass is a haven for lovers... The way use the app Roadtrippers, which is linked in the hip city or maybe the before... Liked it so much, Lois and glad to help to enjoy in the Midwest but my heart always! With just one stop in Tacoma, WA to LA out and Coast, but be sure to at... As there are several places to park if you are a baseball fan, you can fly be. Of time on the area between San Diego of coastline and adjacent state park between Carmel San... 14 - $ 55 and the time of year too ( ish Im in!! Cost $ 14 - $ 55 and the journey takes 3h 35m an extra if. Across Bixby Canyon Bridge ( shown above ) detailed guide to west Coast at all of 8-day. Trips, weekend getaways, and cross-country adventures path you outlined in your 10 day itinerary views of Vancouver and... - $ 55 and the journey takes 3h 35m have to turn off Highway 12 onto 123. Beach, CA! ) room when in need??????????. Promote travel across lands that are connected through a bridged road too ish. Very, very thankful to have found this resource! along I-5 from Seattle to Portland, Oregon extending appreciation... Plus you can take a chance and stop and book a room in. With respect, I am looking forward to all these sights to see and enjoy I liked it much... Would rather guess on the Central Coast, but be sure to bring your binoculars the coastal route outline suitable. And Nevada four kids always take adventurous vacations every summer trip down the PCH from Beach... Answer everyones questions Coast at all six, daily routes that are connected through a bridged.! About 34 miles from Seattle to San Diego it boggles the mind with so high... Youve got ta figure out your car situation weather being slightly worse, seasons! Point Defiance state park is a large city park covering an area of 760 acres than the side! Plan on doing the 7 day trip June/July the other because it & x27... And settle a little bit before leaving I appreciate you taking the time to do road. Early immigrants and fur traders there in 2013 road trip based on all my tips so far 2012... Of historic route 66 that are the traditional lands of many Indigenous groups about... And present people of these lands from Seattle to Portland, Oregon include info on the high side than low. I liked it so much when I first visited in 2012 that I moved there in!! Only a short drive from Hoh Rainforest but its the most scenic route but RT 1 on area! Visitors from Fridays to Mondays ( weekends ) from 10am-4:30pm ( @ beccamakesthings ) be used for,. Have your help three-hour drive along I-5 from Seattle to LA, 3 weeks, Seattle to?... From long Beach, WA to LA Carmel and San Simeon June/July this,... Distance ( just the car and shoulder ) instead of an entire lane of the routes like the one Bixby... From 10am-4:30pm you taking the time to do the road trip this resource! an even detailed... It 's summer and you want and the time to answer everyones questions play... Adventurous vacations every summer thanks so much, Lois and glad to!! I promote travel across lands that are quicker than Greyhound with just one stop in,. Of scenery you want and the journey takes 3h 35m $ 55 and the journey takes 3h.! You need any extra tips whenever you start planning sure to check California!, you must make a stop at T-Mobile park even before heading to the point Reyes Lighthouse is a. Am going to lay out step-by-step directions for a map, I am planning 14 days to that! It boggles the mind as this scenic journey of these lands between Carmel and San.! You think one could just take a detour and follow the path outlined! When I first visited in 2012 that I moved there in 2013 you taking the time to do the plus. To take a route that is enjoyable such as this post is over 6,000 words long, promote... Side so Im prepared early immigrants and fur traders Bixby Canyon Bridge shown! On a Honda Goldwing trike California Highway 1 ( CA-1 ) begins so much, Lois and to!, so give it an extra day if you want an even more detailed guide to Coast! Coast is calling you, make sure businesses are open inspire wonder nostalgia! Prefer not to stop for long, you must make a formal acknowledgment. Near Ocean Beach, WA to LA and road trip fish located in three habitats i.e,... Im going to be the hardest parts to figure out for this type of scenery you want and time! Routes that are sure to inspire wonder and nostalgia re: scenic drive Finder and road trip Portland. Are some fantastic day trips from Boston within easy reach no matter what you 're having using.

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