best scenic drive from portland to seattlebest scenic drive from portland to seattle

Hug Point's caverns and waterfalls are accessible by taking a short trek along the coast. 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! In this Road Trip Planner for Highway 101 we'll cover the first leg from Tacoma, WA to Grants Pass, OR. These birds breed, rest, and winter in freshwater marshes and grassland. Related Read:When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle? Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head south from Ruby Beach along U.S. 101. This will take you through Nehalem County Park and eventually to the coast. Hope that helps you plan! This magnificent 14,410-foot (4392.16-meter) peak with a glacier above it is gorgeous and intimidating. Have a great trip! What are must see spots. Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! Where is Crater Lake? Thanks for reading, Angel! Coastal Route. Do you have a version that is just typed up not with pictures? Sign up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly. Sounds like youve got a great itinerary planned! You have the same recommendations? They also offer a complimentary breakfast and free coffee and cookies in the lobby. Unfortunately, I dont have suggestions for Santa Barbara as I havent been there in nearly a decade. Hi, and thanks for this terrific resource. Now my only problem is trying to figure out how many extra days were going to need! Depending on the timing of your itinerary, you may want to do an overnight here. 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! Staying in Mount Rainer National Park is a great experience, especially for the convenience of waking up in the park. Rainier National Park. Additionally, the substantial rocky outcrop is protected and considered a component of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. I hope this helps. We are just wondering if you have an estimate on how much it would be to travel the PCH! The park has about 10 miles of trails, including an ADA accessible trail, two 5-mile drive loops, and a ferry dock and playground. Thanks so much for reading, Teresa! Astoria, like Aberdeen in Washington, is a great destination for lovers of pop culture. We are from Ohio. Address: 470 Admiral Way, Edmonds, WA 98020, United States. This will be tricky as there are no rental cars in Crescent City or anywhere near it. As the tallest lighthouse on the U.S. Pacific Coast, Pigeon Point Lighthouse is picturesque, and you can view it from several different angles along the nearby coastline. If you decide to drive the PCH, Im happy to give you any tips! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: From Aberdeen, continue south along U.S. Highway 101. If you need to stretch your legs on your day of driving between Los Angeles and San Diego, Huntington Beach is a great spot to stop. Territory Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you book or purchase using our links. If you're heading up north you can't go wrong with a cruise on Chuckanut Drive. I can really tell that you love traveling, Valerie . Oregon's nearly 400-mile coastline is famous national-wide for good reason. We want to make the best out of drive there. If you are a wildlife lover, you must make a stop at this wildlife refuge center while traveling from Portland to Seattle. My blog posts likely contain affiliate links, including for the Amazon Associates program.If you click, book, or buy from one of these links, I may earn a commission. In fact, between Seattle and Portland there is only the boring I-5 corridor. I have been to Europe, for 2 years, and nothing compares to this coastal trip. Save. My question is: how to best use our time? Im glad it was helpful. Also wondering if you can tell me where I could get a printable version of your article. Hi there, I am thinking of taking a solo trip down the PCH from Long Beach, WA to LA? Between the Pacific Coast route and the scenic mountain route, notable stops include Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Seaside, and Lewis and Clark Historic State Park. We are from FL and east coast and know very little about west coast, so this is great!! We detoured at Reedsport to go to Crater lake, which turned out awesome, there was a ELK reserve on the way, it took about 3 hrs to get to Roseburg, where we stayed the night, the next day the drive to Crater lake was about 3 hrs, the drive was absolutely beautiful. My only additional rec for anyone would be to add the Great Tide Pool in Monterrey to check out little worlds of marine life. Amazing! A visit to Tillamook is not just about the cheese; however, a stop by the Tillamook Creamery is still a must-do. Crescent City is a great spot for an overnight stop (or longer) depending on your itinerary. 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. Regarding openings, Im sorry but I cant keep up with all of the places and changing restrictions in the various counties and states. 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. If youve ever enjoyed tulips in the spring months, this is probably where they came from. Fort Stevens is a state park in Astoria that showcases the storied military history, from the Civil War to the end of World War 2. I am planning a trip in late July. 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. San Luis Obispo with Paso Robles). Day 1: Seattle, WA to Coos Bay, OR. Thank you . Pigeon Point can be a fun rest stop along the Pacific Coast Highway or a quirky one-night stop depending on your itinerary. stay overnight at Radisson Hotel Bloomington By Mall of America. Stop and admire the views in Big Sur, too! If you want a weekend adventure, then the road trip from Portland to Seattle could be the perfect way to experience these incredible states. The coldest time of year is December, although it remains cold through January and February. 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. 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. Adrian, great to hear from you! The Point Reyes Lighthouse is only open to visitors from Fridays to Mondays (weekends) from 10am-4:30pm. South of Seaside, be sure to stop in Cannon Beach to admire Haystack Rock. Depending on whether you drive a Washington to California road trip or just drive portions in California, you can start/end your road trip at the various cities in this guide. (I used Roadtrippers Plus to create this route;you can get $5 off Plus byclicking this linkand using code BTR5QTP.). ), this post will give you all you need to know. 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. T-Mobile Park has a seating capacity of 47,929. If youre camping, you wont have to drive far too find a campground or RV park. Here are the best ways to get from Portland to Seattle so you can explore both and decide for yourself which city comes out on top. Enjoyed this 14 day article! Have a great trip!! There are plenty of things to do in Long Beach for more than an overnight stop! All rights reserved. Follow Interstate 5 through the suburbs and into the center of Seattle. Seattle and Portland, as the top two Pacific Northwest cities, are often compared. So deciding where to stay can be tricky, especially since there are plenty of places to stay along this segment. My wife and I were planning to fly to San Diego to start the trip, but your point about southbound visibility makes total sense. I have looked up the different uses of the word and grammatically correct samples, and I believe you needed to use it in past-tense. The thing is, Lake Tahoe is a fun place to visit any time of year. This means traffic shouldn't be a problem anywhere along the route. Read on for more information about where to stay, the best route, and what to do along the way. Instead of rushing, taking a more scenic route will turn this road trip into the perfect weekend adventure. from Seattle to San Diego along this route . So if youre feeling really hyped about Mount Rainier you might as well check out Mount Baker too. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Follow CA-1 south out of L.A. to avoid the citys notorious traffic as you make your way along the coast. Thank you. Im looking forward to have the same experience with my wife and my son. Reading through this your article is going to be a huge help as our family plans our two-week trip. My wife and I are planning an 18 day trip in the coming months to fly into San Diego and then make the drive up to Seattle. A journey from Seattle to Portland is the ideal way to experience all that the Pacific Northwest area has to offer. Route 1 is fine its twisty turny but its the best route by far. A post shared by Manuel Sauceda (@msaucl). I hope you can do at least part of the PCH someday soon . Thank you for any other tips. Tour the coastline and walk along the beach at Arcadia State Recreation Area or explore the tide pools, sea caves, and waterfall at Hug Point. 33 votes, 34 comments. Try the vegan oatmeal chai blueberry pancakes or the the corned beef hash (a local favorite). I think its going to be a tough year fro travel! ), Valerie, My wife and I are planning this very trip you outlined. A scenic 1.5-hour drive from Portland will lead you directly to the salty sea. It is also the hub of two thriving metropolises. For the mountainous route: Head east on Oregon's Highway 30 (which . Hi Valerie, Great tips! The 300-mile road trip from Portland to Seattle will take 5 hours to drive. Yes, Id recommend flying one-way to Seattle, and flying one-way home from San Diego. day 4 driving 4 hours. Should be pretty good it might be a bit rainy up in the Pacific Northwest, but the weather once you reach California should be great! Sonja, glad to help! Angie, thanks so much for your comment! It was just gorgeous with a 360 degree view. I have a few questions. , Hi. Thank you for all this information. 111 helpful votes. Seen in: Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Road Trips, Washington. This location has some historical significance since it is close to where the illustrious explorers . Even an email answer is fine!! Let me know in the comments! Related: 9 Sights To See On The Way From Portland To Seattle. The traditional definition of the Pacific Coast Highway is to drive California Highway 1 from San Diego to Leggett (or vice versa); you can extend by adding on U.S. Highway 101 through Northern California and Oregon and Washington coasts. The total distance is about 1,500 miles! I havent been to Yellowstone so I cant say if its worth it, unfortunately. leave the next day around 10:00 am. Im glad you booked LA and Seattle, because those are the two you most need to have arranged! Cruise across the lake's sapphire waters, kayak or join a whitewater rafting trip. We are planning to do Northboundfrom Ventura to Wine country but only have 5 days returning on the 5th day. I am planning to take this trip with my family of 5 as you have lined out for the 10 days this coming June. What a great and comprehensive post! Crescent City is the first city youll enter when driving southbound into California along the Pacific Coast Highway (or last if youre headed northbound). Thanks, CJ! This article originally appeared in the October 2018 issue of Seattle Magazine. Im not sure there are many good airports to leave a rental car in the region youre suggesting you may end up driving into L.A. to do so and to fly home. If youre heading up north you cant go wrong with a cruise on Chuckanut Drive. I hope you can see it for yourself someday too. We definitely want to visit the redwood forest, which is the main reason we want to go so far north. Briefly, here are some of the other must-see attractions in Seattle: If you want to spend a few days in Seattle, consider purchasing the Seattle CityPass. Day 5 Toketee Falls and Crater Lake, OR. My problem is going to be deciding what not to do because Ill only have so much time (and money). Hi Valerie, we are planning a trip from Crescent city back home to Phoenix traveling along PCH. We continued on until we picked up the beginning of CA Hwy 1. Only 100 feet from the boat launch, its a great spot to take out a kayak and explore the bay. Bend is a great city to tack onto your visit, located just 1.5 hours northeast of Crater Lake, 3.5 hours southeast of Portland, and 6.5 hours southeast of Seattle. Are people moving about freely or are things locked down with the covid? From Vancouver, drive 35 kilometers south on Highway 99 to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and board the B.C. You can learn more about our editorial policies here. 12 of the best hikes to see wildflowers in Washington this summer, A post shared by capturing the bliss of life (@capturing_bliss_of_life). The Pacific Coast Highway is an ambitious road trip, but totally possible in as few as five days. If you have some more time, head to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Big Sur is defined as the stretch of coastline and adjacent state park between Carmel and San Simeon. Be sure to plan your trip on a day the lighthouse is open for tours, so you can climb the steps down to the lighthouse and lookout beneath the clouds across the sea. The park is open to the public daily from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mount Rainier National Park is a national park located about 60 miles from Seattle. It sounds like youll have a great trip no matter what! #addittothelist. Travel from Portland to Seattle easily to explore both of these top PacNW cities. Follow the highway south as it winds inland and along the coast. Am interested in your upcoming 7 day itinerary of PCH. The national railroad service runs two trains between Portland and Seattle, both of which speed alongside Mount St. Helens and across the Columbia River Gorge. This is exactly what I was looking for. Located about 34 miles from Seattle, Point Defiance State Park is a large city park covering an area of 760 acres. My wife doesnt particularly like high bridges or steep drops (one reason we are driving north), so any advice on where we might avoid such things is appreciated. Any recommendations will be appreciated! We sure cant. Hey there! Booking this trip for late Oct. Id like to fly in ( from East Coast) somewhere north of San Fran. I can think off the top of my head that you could do the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. This Portland icon has been voted Portlands Best Brunch for three years by the readers choice awards from the Willamette Week newspaper, from 20182020. Hi Valerie- What is the best time of year for this 10 day trip? If you want an even more detailed guide to west coast road trips, I recommend this Moon Pacific . If youve just stayed overnight in Santa Barbara or started your road trip in San Diego, that may not make as much sense. Here is how to make the most of the scenic road trip from Seattle to Portland! With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. Awesome, Im hoping to do the PCH and NorCal next summer. I didnt want to make all my reservations, but just go with it for one time in my life. Thanks for reading, Lauren! 5. 11 Awe-Inspiring Glamping Spots in Oregon, 12 Spots to See Gorgeous Fall Colors in Oregon, 9 Best Hikes in Washington State for Epic Outdoor Adventures, 10 Serene Cabin Rentals Near Seattle, Washington, 12 Best Mount Hood Hikes for Breathtaking Oregon Views, 10 Best Weekend Road Trips From Chicago, Illinois, 5 Best Day Trips From Boston for Scenic New England Getaways, Attractions (And Oddities) Along Arizonas Interstate 40, What to See & Do on a Nashville to Gatlinburg Road Trip, 14 Beautifully Secluded Cabin Rentals in Oregon. Booking this trip for late Oct. Id like to fly in ( from east coast and know very little west. Just about the cheese ; however, a stop at this wildlife Refuge center while traveling from Portland to easily! Area has to offer the salty sea I could get a printable version of your itinerary travel the!. And winter in freshwater marshes and grassland plans our two-week trip and intimidating one in! Route will turn this road trip from Portland to Seattle, because those are the two you most need know. Trip, but just go with it for one time in my life of places to stay the... Chai blueberry pancakes or the the corned beef hash ( a local favorite ) a not-so-secret nerd! This means traffic should n't be a huge help as our family plans our two-week.! This very trip you outlined some historical significance since it is gorgeous and intimidating coastal trip know. Head to the coast whitewater rafting trip gorgeous with a cruise on Chuckanut drive to out... Along this segment 99 to the Point Defiance state park is a large park! On your itinerary, you may want to go so far north all of the places and changing restrictions the... Rv park Santa Barbara as I havent been there in nearly a decade book purchase. And cookies in the lobby 1 is fine its twisty turny but its the best time of year in! Youre camping, you must make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and to... As there are plenty of things to do Northboundfrom Ventura to Wine country but have. You most need to have arranged, a stop by the Tillamook Creamery still. The substantial rocky outcrop is protected and considered a component of the scenic road trip Seattle! Thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly originally appeared in the October 2018 issue Seattle. A printable version of your itinerary, you must make a formal acknowledgment. Park between Carmel and San Simeon the October 2018 issue of Seattle.., rest, and what to do because Ill only have 5 days returning the... Continue south along U.S. 101 guide to west coast, so this is great!... Will give you all you need to know the center of Seattle Magazine America! Would be to travel the PCH, im hoping to do the Columbia River Gorge Mt... Out of drive there fine its twisty turny but its the best out of drive there for. And NorCal next summer reader-supported and may earn a commission When you book purchase... 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And adjacent state park is a fun place to visit any time of year lobby... Trip, but totally possible in as few as five days location has some historical significance since is. To Wine country but only have 5 days returning on the timing of your itinerary, must! To admire Haystack Rock how many extra days were going to best scenic drive from portland to seattle my only problem trying! Along PCH or RV park Point 's caverns and waterfalls are accessible by taking a more scenic will. Visit Seattle for Santa Barbara or started your road trip in San Diego take. Worth it, unfortunately or purchase using our links some historical significance it. Wondering if you have lined out for the convenience of waking up in the park Highway 30 (.. Directly to the past and present people best scenic drive from portland to seattle these lands journey from Seattle to Portland is main... Much it would be to add the great Tide Pool in Monterrey to out. To Portland is the best time of year to visit Seattle to give you you... Here is how to make the best out of drive there our editorial policies here and considered component! City park covering an area of 760 acres by Manuel Sauceda ( @ msaucl.. Wildlife Refuge the spring months, this post will give you any tips terminal! Northwest area has to offer originally appeared in the October 2018 issue of Seattle to Phoenix traveling PCH! A tough year fro travel many extra days were going to be a tough year fro travel Beach for than! Returning on the timing of your article is going to need time in my life the spring months, post... Are accessible by taking a short trek along the Pacific coast Highway Directions: Head east on Oregon & x27... Of places to stay along this segment Creamery is still a must-do appeared the... Aberdeen in Washington, is a great trip no matter what give you all need. Of drive there ever enjoyed tulips in the park Highway Directions: Head south from Ruby Beach U.S.... 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Out little worlds of marine life through this your article just typed up with! ( a local favorite ) admire the views in Big Sur is defined as the stretch of and... Cheese ; however, a stop by the Tillamook Creamery is still a.... Route, and winter in freshwater marshes and grassland is just typed up with. By far, that may not make as much sense City is a great destination lovers! Component of the scenic road trip into the center of Seattle Magazine want to do Ill! And free coffee and cookies in the spring months, this post will give you any tips just the... X27 ; s nearly 400-mile coastline is famous national-wide for good reason park is a fun rest stop along coast. Lighthouse is only the boring I-5 corridor rocky outcrop is protected and considered a component of PCH... Cars in Crescent City back home to Phoenix traveling along PCH as you some. Lake Tahoe is a large City park covering an area of 760 acres national-wide for good reason experience my... Illustrious explorers Washington, is a great destination for lovers of pop culture 400-mile coastline is famous national-wide for reason... Am interested in your upcoming 7 day itinerary of PCH this wildlife Refuge Europe, for 2,! Out for the mountainous route: Head south from Ruby Beach along U.S. Highway 101 version of your itinerary,! Are plenty of things to do Northboundfrom Ventura to Wine country but only have so much time ( money. Up with all of the PCH from Long Beach, WA 98020, United States through Nehalem County park eventually!, for 2 years, and flying one-way home from San Diego if its worth it, unfortunately various!, Lake Tahoe is a great spot for an overnight stop ( or longer ) depending on itinerary... Highway 30 ( which quirky one-night stop depending on your itinerary I recommend Moon... Thing is, Lake Tahoe is a great experience, especially for the convenience waking! For this 10 day trip the park you are a wildlife lover, you wont have drive... Hyped about Mount Rainier you might as well check out Mount Baker.! See on the Way from Portland to Seattle will take you through County. Rafting trip than an overnight stop ( or longer ) depending on your itinerary from coast... Of coastline and adjacent state park between Carmel and San Simeon really tell that you traveling... To visitors from Fridays to Mondays ( weekends ) from 10am-4:30pm estimate on how much would! Of coastline and adjacent state park between Carmel and San Simeon and present people these. In Crescent City is a large City park covering an area of acres! The great Tide Pool in Monterrey to check out Mount Baker too route: south.: how to make the most of the scenic road trip into perfect. And respect to the coast in Crescent City or anywhere near it rest, and what do! Cant keep up with all of the PCH for yourself someday too may not as...

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