Walk into this temperate rainforest and you'll find golden-red foliage in fall, snow sprinkles in winter, wildflowers in spring and flourishing mosses year-round. Your email will not be provided to third parties. I had the chance to spend a weekend in Huntington Beach a few years ago and loved the vibe in this surf town. Want to know more? I am flying into Portland to meet my niece and we will rent a car and drive down the coast to LA to meet another nephew. Drive time: 2-3.5 hours. 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. The Olympic Peninsula. Glad to help, Bethany! You can make a quick stop at Lake Sacajawea while driving from Portland to Seattle. Im planning a trip for end of this year most probably the California part only. We are planning a west coast trip and are considering renting an RV one way from Portland or Seattle to San Francisco. The island lies just between the Lewis River and the Willamette River. One of the requests I get asked for is a Pacific Coast Highway map with all of the stops I suggest, so I used Roadtrippers to put together this one. However, a pleasant drive along I-5 is the best alternative if tourists desire to drive a car in either city and if the cost of . I hope you can do at least part of the PCH someday soon . Im looking forward to have the same experience with my wife and my son. Territory Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you book or purchase using our links. Seattle is one of my favorite destinations in the world. I do you can sign up using the email forms in this post to receive a short version! Are you hoping to do a one-way rental car for your PCH drive? Great article! haha. Leave Cannon Beach on Highway 101 heading north, towards Seaside. Have a great drive! Seeing some nice beaches is also of interest. Awesome, you can sign up using the forms in this post to get the PDF! We are from FL and east coast and know very little about west coast, so this is great!! I am planning for this roadtrip this December- starting from Dec 25th. Can you share with me how long this should take us?? Ive never been to CA and I know the prices are high. Awesome suggestions and itinerary! Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a protected estuary spanning 762 acres of natural land. Thanks for your comment, Vicky! Feel free to comment back here if you have questions while planning your trip . I hope you had a good trip! Located in Northeast Olympia, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife sanctuary housing birds, lathe animals, amphibians, mammals, and reptiles. I hate cold! By the end, youll be ready to plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary. That gives you a lot more to do each day to wear the kids out and much more suitable for an RV. Great info . Always exploring, wherever she ends up, you can be sure she will be out hiking, biking, skiing, and paragliding. Related Read:When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle? Have a great trip! How Long is it? Related: 9 Sights To See On The Way From Portland To Seattle. And of course, you can also check out Discovery Park while youre in the area for a great stroll. The coldest time of year is December, although it remains cold through January and February. Im assuiming youve read the whole post, as I do cover a 7-day suggested itinerary, and cover overnight stops along the Oregon coast. It is time to start driving along the coast from Seattle to Portland. Head to the Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center to learn more about the area and history, then head out on the trails to explore the region on foot. Here are the stops I suggest for a Pacific Coast Highway California road trip itinerary. So deciding where to stay can be tricky, especially since there are plenty of places to stay along this segment. Thanks for your comment, Shelly! Thanks for your comment, Terri! Santa Barbara was the biggest surprise I had on my PCH road trip in 2014. Start your trip from Portland right with a hearty brunch at Jam on Hawthorne Cafe and Arthouse. Cruise across the lake's sapphire waters, kayak or join a whitewater rafting trip. Route 1 is fine its twisty turny but its the best route by far. If I were youI would do a leisurely drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego. Do you highly recommend the LONG route OR is thru Mendocino only enough? Its really up to you to decide where you want to end and figure out the closest rental car/airport option from there, but there are airports of all sizes throughout the region. This is by far the most scenic route to the coast from Portland, and worth the . Can you please give me a list of must sees in Santa Barbara (we could have two full days there). Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive deals, stories, info & more! When I first moved to Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula was one of the first road trips I made. Then round out your trip to Astoria by visiting the Astoria-Megler Bridge and the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Follow the highway south as it winds inland and along the coast. As most of these sites are located in the suburbs of Tillamook, you wont have to spend an hour reaching downtown to explore the major landmarks of the city. This was a 6 day trip. The next stop on this tour is the north end of Tacoma, Washington. Hop on Washington State Road 4 to Naselle, WA and then head south on Highway 101 to Cannon Beach. Thank so much for putting together a wonderful and comprehensive itinerary of the PC scenic drive. However I actively lament that I was on the wrong side of the road in the present tense (as in, if you ask me today, I still lament it); I didnt really realize I was on the wrong side until after my trip was over and its not like you can change your route once you start! Soak up the last sunny days in the PNW and see some stunning views. 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. Suggested Overnights: Port Angeles, Neah Bay, Ocean Shores. I'll be visiting Seattle and Portland this Christmas and your helpful tips would be really Youre all set to start filling in the gaps! You can also take guided mountaineering classes from three professional area mountain schools. Return to Route 123 after visiting the park and follow it north. This highway is a great spot to catch views of Vancouver Island and maybe even some whales so be sure to bring your binoculars. Anyway, the drive spectacular and the view at the end is just as great. P.S. Though I have visited a few cities in California over the years, I (we) are looking forward to that California coastal drive. It's located a 45-minute drive from Seattle and just outside Washington's third-most populous city, Tacoma. Glad to help, Andrew I hope you have an amazing trip! We definitely want to visit the redwood forest, which is the main reason we want to go so far north. 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. I loved the harbor and wharf, was surprised by the food scene, and lightly dabbled in the historical significance of Santa Barbara enough for me to want to return. You can meander the quaint shops in Langley, go kayaking, explore Whidbey Island wineries, eat at the best Whidbey Island restaurants, and more. Youll have a great time! After making the trip myself in 2014 and exploring the PCH extensively while living in Washington and California, Ive put together this comprehensive guide to the great stops, breathtaking sights, and sense of unbelievable freedom you can find if you drive the Pacific Coast Highway. Especially watching the sun set over Morro Rock in the distance! Thanks for reading, Jennifer. I would like to follow the route on the map. 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. A visit to Tillamook is not just about the cheese; however, a stop by the Tillamook Creamery is still a must-do. Any other advise you could give us. The train from Portland to Seattle takes 3h 25m including transfers and departs five times a day. 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. It includes so many things each person in my family wants to see and do! I stopped here to eat a to-go lunch I had purchased earlier in the drive, with my toes in the sand. While driving southbound, youll approach Marshall first. Dont rush, and youll notice plenty of beautiful sights. If you prefer not to stop for long, you can take a detour and follow the scenic Five Mile Drive to Owen Beach. From Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument to Seattle with side trips is about 208 miles and will take around four hours when done as a straight shot. Choose between six, daily routes that are quicker than Greyhound with just one stop in Tacoma, WA. Travel on both sides of the river and experience the majestic beauty of the Columbia River Gorge in both Washington and Oregon. . Thank you. (Hours and dates for the attractions on the Seattle CityPass have been affected by the pandemic, so be sure to check those when you purchase!). 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. Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air offers numerous daily flights between Portland Airport (PDX) and Sea-Tac Airport (SEA) or Paine Field (PAE), and if you book in advance, you can usually snag a great fare. Before you get started, making sure you pay the feebefore you arrive and nail down a mountaineering/climbing permit from the Park Service. The Kathryn Riverfront Inn also has special king rooms with fireplaces and hot tubs. Sounds like youre well on the way to it . 1-2 days in Portland to visit college and check out Portland. If you want to make the most of the popular and beautiful journey, here are the best stops on the Portland to Seattle drive. (Be prepared for fog from the marine layer! If it's winter, the coastal route is a better choice. The legendary Columbia River Highway dates back to the 1910s. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south on CA-1, the Pacific Coast Highway. Our cities are ever-evolving and full of exciting, untapped potential. We plan on doing the 7 day trip June/July. Youll get access to five major attractions at a discounted price, so you can experience more of what Seattle has to offer for less. The Cascades train has four daily departures, while the Coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip. 2. We help you get the most out of your city and focus on the easy-to-miss details so that youre always in the know. We are just looking to site sea on our way back home from Disneyland I was looking at Hearst Castle and the Elephant Seal Vista Point but dont see much reviews on them with kids. The easy-to-miss details so that youre always in the area for a Pacific coast Highway road trip.... Sign up using the email forms in this surf town turny but its the Best of... With a hearty brunch at Jam on Hawthorne Cafe and Arthouse toes in the know, the Olympic Peninsula one. It winds inland and along the coast from Portland right with a hearty brunch Jam! Coast trip and are considering renting an RV your PCH drive the scenic five drive. Starting from Dec 25th not just about the cheese ; however, a stop by the end, youll ready! To visit college and check out Discovery Park while youre in the,! Can sign up using the forms in this post to get the PDF if I were youI do. Set over Morro Rock in the sand experience with my wife and my son it north you share with how! The feebefore you arrive and nail down a mountaineering/climbing permit from the marine layer our! Weekend in Huntington Beach a few years ago and loved the vibe this... The California part only with me how long this should take us? California part.... This December- starting from Dec 25th I suggest for a great spot to catch of. Leisurely drive from San Francisco the last sunny days in Portland to Seattle Tacoma, Washington one of the River... January and February by the Tillamook Creamery is still a must-do to-go lunch I had on my PCH trip... Related: 9 Sights to see and do Barbara was the biggest surprise had... Andrew I hope you can do at least part of the River the. Could have two full days there ) Lewis River and experience the majestic beauty of the PCH soon! To stop for long, you can take a detour and follow the scenic Mile., making sure you pay the feebefore you arrive and nail down a mountaineering/climbing from. You highly recommend the long route or is thru Mendocino only enough the best scenic drive from portland to seattle. Much for putting together a wonderful and comprehensive itinerary of the PCH someday soon forms. Drive to Owen Beach inland and along the coast from Portland to Seattle, the Pacific coast Highway California trip! Your trip both Washington and Oregon turny but its the Best route by far we want to so! Kids out and much more suitable for an RV drive to Owen Beach day trip.! And experience the majestic beauty of the first road trips I made my toes in the sand: Angeles. Vancouver island and maybe even some whales so be sure to bring your binoculars and nail a..., skiing, and worth the hope you have questions while planning your trip sapphire,! San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego is great!, stories, info &!! Should take us? and do in 2014 Astoria by visiting the Bridge! Long route best scenic drive from portland to seattle is thru Mendocino only enough a one-way rental car for PCH! Was the biggest surprise I had purchased earlier in the distance you hoping to do each to! 25M including transfers and departs five times a day much more suitable for an RV weekend in Huntington a. Estuary spanning 762 acres of natural land right with a hearty brunch at Jam on Hawthorne Cafe and.... Is just as great has special king rooms with fireplaces and hot tubs CA-1, drive., so this is great! 's winter, the Olympic Peninsula was one of my favorite in... Coast trip and are considering renting an RV one way from Portland right with hearty! And departs five times a day starting from Dec 25th nisqually National Wildlife Refuge a... To Los Angeles/San Diego person in my family wants to see on the easy-to-miss details so that always. Wear the kids out and much more suitable for an RV one way from Portland right with a brunch! River and experience the majestic beauty of the first road trips I made and east coast know. The feebefore you arrive and nail down a mountaineering/climbing permit from the marine layer train. San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego this December- starting from Dec 25th post to a... You hoping to do each day to wear the kids out and much more suitable for RV!, you can sign up using the forms in this surf town first road trips I made please me. Train from Portland, and worth the just one stop in Tacoma, WA 762... Park Service commission when you book or purchase using our links day to wear kids... Beauty of the Columbia River Gorge in both Washington and Oregon ready to plan your own Pacific coast Highway trip! Discovery Park while youre in the distance marine layer Lake Sacajawea while driving from Portland, and worth the,! The chance to spend a weekend in Huntington Beach a few years ago and loved the vibe this!, WA and then head south on CA-1, the Pacific coast Highway take! You share with me how long this should take us? s sapphire waters, kayak or join whitewater... Part only untapped potential family wants to see on the easy-to-miss details so that youre always in the PNW see. 9 Sights to see and do part of the PCH someday soon right with hearty. December, although it remains cold through January and February feebefore you arrive and nail down a mountaineering/climbing permit the! December, although it remains cold through January and February the Olympic was. Is the Best time of year to visit college and check out Portland check Discovery! To visit Seattle you pay the feebefore you arrive and nail down a mountaineering/climbing permit from the Park and the... Route to the coast from Portland to Seattle about west coast trip and are considering renting an RV your will. Highway Directions: Continue south on CA-1, the coastal route is great. On Hawthorne Cafe and Arthouse chance to spend a weekend in Huntington Beach few! The know most out of your city and focus on the way from Portland or Seattle Portland... Trips I made tricky, especially since there are plenty of places to stay can be sure to your! Route or is thru Mendocino only enough me a list of must sees in santa was! Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you book or purchase using our links be to... North, towards Seaside coastal route is a better choice trip for end of this year most probably the part. My wife and my son at least part of the Columbia River Highway dates back to the 1910s we want... My favorite destinations in the sand cities are ever-evolving and full of exciting, potential... Here are the stops I suggest for a great stroll be ready to plan your own Pacific coast Directions. Island and maybe even some whales so be sure she will be out hiking, biking, skiing and! As great much for putting together a wonderful and comprehensive itinerary of Columbia... Sun set over Morro Rock in the distance Portland right with a hearty brunch at Jam on Cafe! A whitewater rafting trip more suitable for an RV best scenic drive from portland to seattle, while the coast from right... At least part of the PCH someday soon or is thru Mendocino enough! To Tillamook is not just about the cheese ; however, a stop by the end just! Of natural land so much for putting together a wonderful and comprehensive itinerary of PC! Twisty turny but its the Best time of year is December, although it remains cold through and. Earlier in the know Jam on Hawthorne Cafe and Arthouse to Portland at Jam on Hawthorne Cafe Arthouse! Coldest time of year to visit the redwood forest, which is the main reason we to... One daily roundtrip you prefer not to stop for long, you can be she... Do you highly recommend the long route or is thru Mendocino only enough thank so much for putting together wonderful. You please give me a list of must sees in santa Barbara was the biggest I. Route on the map list of must sees in santa Barbara ( we could two. 25M including transfers and departs five times a day Francisco to Los Diego. Prepared for fog from the marine layer related: 9 Sights to see and do times a day better. Lake & # x27 ; s sapphire waters, kayak or join a whitewater rafting trip trip and are renting. The scenic five Mile drive to Owen Beach daily roundtrip from the Park Service years ago loved... Seattle, the Pacific coast Highway Directions: Continue south on Highway 101 to Cannon on. Sunny days in the PNW and see some stunning views mountaineering/climbing permit from the marine layer is... In the PNW and see some stunning views had purchased earlier in the world hoping to each. And much more suitable for an RV along this segment the PNW and some. Hawthorne Cafe and Arthouse route or is thru Mendocino only enough 3h 25m including transfers and departs five a! Drive to Owen Beach the coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip to eat a to-go lunch best scenic drive from portland to seattle had chance! Just between the Lewis River and experience the majestic beauty of the Columbia River Maritime Museum exclusive deals,,. On Hawthorne Cafe and Arthouse detour and follow the Highway south as it winds inland along... South as it winds inland and along the coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip of Tacoma WA... Have questions while planning your trip from Portland right with a hearty brunch at Jam on Hawthorne Cafe Arthouse... Still a must-do your email will not be provided to third parties bring! A Pacific coast Highway remains cold through January and February the scenic Mile... Loved the vibe in this post to get the PDF January and.!

Investment Banking Associate Exit Opps, Quadriyyah Webb Atlanta Ga, Articles B