Additionally, there are various hiking routes and lovely, fragrant wildflower meadows in Paradise Overlook, which is 1,000 feet (304.8 meters) lower. The first leg of the trip was relatively short thanks to us . Im going to publish a suggested 7-day PCH guide soon! Ive put together some tips on how to choose the right car for the PCH, but in short, I recommend an automatic car with a low center of gravity but skip the convertible! We would be flying from GA, so I guess I go fling to Seattle, and the book one home for San Diego? Located about 34 miles from Seattle, Point Defiance State Park is a large city park covering an area of 760 acres. Youll still be at the mercy of traffic, but if you want to leave the driving to someone else, hop aboard one of numerous buses shuttling between Portland and Seattle. Hi there, I am desperate to do the road trip next year however, I am not keen on driving over bridges (I am fine on coastal roads/cliff edges), so are there any places that i definitely need to avoid or that you cant get through/past without crossing a bridge? 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. 1. Hi We have just 1-day and will be starting in Fortuna and heading to San Francisco. Thank you, and your blog is fantastic! Steep, evergreen-covered cliffs are striated with so many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the mind. Hood. Thanks for asking! Im sure someone else has asked this but..When is the best time to travel PCH (traveling Southbound through California to San Diego in hopes of warm days and cool(ish) nights)? If they have time, travelers should not miss stopping and perhaps camping at the astonishing Mount Rainier National Park. Long Beach is and always will be one of my favorite destinations in Washington. 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. Be sure to check the California DOT website for more information. Id find an interesting podcast for everyone in the car and have the kids keep an eye out for whales and wildlife. Theres a nice public parking area near a lake that overlooks the Washington State Capital building. lol. However, there are a few options if youre looking for something indoors. You can choose the spots you want to stop at that way . Around the lakes, there is a 3.6 miles long loop trail that can be used for running, hiking, and strolling. P.S. With a curated slate of what matters in your city, Curiocity presents you with the most relevant local food, experiences, news, deals, and adventures. Want to stop over a few nights, and hit some of the destinations you listed. If you decide to drive the PCH, Im happy to give you any tips! Thanks again. Northeastern Rustic LLC, 2761 U.S. Rte 2, Smyrna Mills, ME 04780, USA. Try another? Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Return west to U.S. 101 and turn south. Just starting to think about a 1st time road trip from Az to Washington and back among the PCH!!?? This guide is great, do you have a Google map itinerary to download with the stops? 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). 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. Thank you . Some of the best stops on the Oregon Coast are close to Portland. So we used really about a day off the coast but well worth it. The lake features aquamarine water that is pumped from the Cowlitz River and passes to the south end into the Columbia River. Sitting at 6,035 feet at the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs makes for a great staycation for all ages. Seattle is obviously your final destination on this Portland to Seattle road trip, but its a highlight in its own right. We are planning on a 7 days trip in Dec 2021. We sure cant. Combine the two cities for an exciting two-fer of a vacation, via plane, train, car or bus. From camping to hiking Mount St Helens offers all types of outdoor adventures. And who can say no to that? Related Read:The 10 Best Scenic Drives in Washington. The winter is a quieter season to be traveling on the coast, meaning hotels may be available at discounted prices. Highlights: Des Moines, Omaha, Salt Lake City, Craters of the Moon National Monument, Boise. 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 easy to make a stop in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, so take the opportunity! I was wondering if you could suggest a place for stargazing. 1. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Id like to make a 10 day trip with a couple days in San Francisco and San Diego. I would definitely do some research on inland options Im not as familiar with whats inland though. Mount St Helens is an active stratovolcano located 52 miles northeast of Portland in Skamania County, Washington. I love all the details that you are recommended here. In addition, it serves as a haven for a variety of seabirds and other intertidal creatures like starfish and crabs. I can think off the top of my head that you could do the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Note: Due to heavy rainfall in California in January 2023, California Highway 1 is closed around Ragged Point; this means you will not be able to do a complete route down the Pacific Coast and will instead divert inland from Monterey to San Simeon (southbound). Thanks for sharing this! There are 18 golf courses in the area and an . Whether you just want to see the top highlights and sightseeing hotspots or want to dive into L.A.s booming food scene, you can find it all in Los Angeles. It was just gorgeous with a 360 degree view. 2:48 pm Minneapolis. The road winds through overhanging trees for 8 miles, offering beautiful views of the Cascade Mountains in the distance and the waters of Lake Washington. Thanks so much for this comprehensive look at the PCH. If you have the experience to take on the challenge, book a few extra days for a summit. Follow Interstate 5 north out of Portland alongside the Columbia River. Heres another drive you can do right here in the city! Seeing some nice beaches is also of interest. The city also boasts other attractions, including the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, and Ecola State Park. This means traffic shouldn't be a problem anywhere along the route. Seen in: Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Road Trips, Washington. Related: Astoria: Why Its Any Traveler's Perfect First Oregon Trip. The most important thing you need to decide first when driving the Pacific Coast Highway is which direction you prefer to travel the Pacific Coast Highway (northbound or southbound). You can even stretch it out by spending a few extra days exploring some of the cities along the route if you want to. The city boasts a broad array of tourist attractions, including Washington State Capitol Building, Capitol Lake, Capitol Theater, and Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. These stops are numbered to match my Roadtrippers map and trip above (click here to open the trip in a separate window). I had a question regarding travel to California present time as in next week(August 14, 2021). Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary Options, How to Choose a Car for the Pacific Coast Highway, Step-by-Step Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Directions, this gorgeous 3-bedroom oceanfront property, plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego, https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/, Wandering the Olympic Peninsula - Valerie & Valise, https://www.theoutbound.com/theoutbound/camping-along-the-pacific-10-seaside-campsites-for-your-west-coast-road-trip, https://www.valisemag.com/visit-san-juan-islands/, https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-seattle/, https://www.valisemag.com/3-days-san-francisco/, https://www.valisemag.com/portland-city-guide/, https://www.valisemag.com/pacific-coast-highway-guide/. Maria promotes initiatives that make the world a better place to live and enjoy! I had lots of recommendations from a friend, specific to Big Sur, but your article was so encompassing and complete. However, I have decided to take a detour east through Columbia River Gorge and Washington State wine country. Magnolia is an excellent place to head for amazing water views. I am currently living in crescent city and plan to make the drive in a couple of weeks. Amy, take a look at the Santa Maria Valley I stopped in Lompoc on a trip recently and they have some fun and interesting wineries there. This article originally appeared in the October 2018 issue of Seattle Magazine. A scenic drive on Interstate 84 on the Oregon side to Hwy 14 on the Washington side will take you on a beautiful tour along the Columbia River. Thanks for reading, Lauren! We are going to go the middle of September 2022 and take a flight from Phx to somewhere around Crescent city. You did a fantastic job with this giude, everything is straight to the point but provided in a fun and educational way. This Portland to Seattle road trip itinerary is a whole vacation on its own though you could use it to connect separate vacation in both cities for a seriously awesome PNW getaway! 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. The Eco Park Resort has several cabins and yurts and is the closest accommodation to the park that isnt exclusively a campground. Seattle > Whidbey Island. 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? I appreciate all the information! My wife and I (with our dog) are driving from Pismo Beach to Cannon Beach and staying at a beach house there. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. 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. You absolutely nailed it. You can then follow Stevens Canyon Road, which is closed in winter, into the park. Is this going to be a big disappointment? To maximize your . We are planning our trip for the first half of April, SF to LA. I have a question in regards to your amazing experiences and my hopes to travel the PCH with my older kids. The I-5 N highway is the most direct route and will get you to Vancouver in the shortest . Eileen, thanks for your comment, and for reading! Thanks for your comment, Archimedes. Please drop the the. I am doing this trip with the boyfriend end of this month. After Crescent City, the Pacific Coast Highway starts to navigate in and away from the coast at times, which includes chances to experience one of Californias natural wonders: the Redwoods. The only places you can fly would be Crescent City but itll require changing through San Francisco anyway. You could see Canada and the river valley. I was hoping to see autumn colours in the northern area. Now hear us out on this one, we know technically a good chunk of this journey doesnt involve driving. Hello Valerie & Valise, I love this trip information on, it is so amazingly helpful. The lookout also gives access to many hiking trails. . My car is a convertible (BMW 3 series) so I am not sure if it can take on the road during Dec end Seattle and portland area mainly ? What type of car would you rent for 4 of us? Lake Sacajawea is located inside Lake Sacajawea Park, a state park covering 67 acres of the city area. 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. At the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs makes for a great for..., we know technically a good chunk of this journey doesnt involve.! Job with this giude, everything is straight to the Point but provided a. Via plane, train, car or bus, offers and partner promotions miles of... Encompassing and complete and staying at a Beach house there acres of the best stops the. I-5 N Highway is the closest accommodation to the Park used really about a 1st road! Are close to Portland there are a few options if youre looking for something indoors for San Diego have. And an a 1st time road trip, but your article was so encompassing complete. A question regarding travel to California present time as in next week ( August 14, 2021.... Route and will get you to Vancouver in the car and have the kids keep an eye for... Our trip for the first leg of the trip in Dec 2021, offers and partner promotions through Columbia.... Everything is straight to the Point but provided in a couple of weeks your comment, and State. But itll require changing through San Francisco anyway close to Portland from Phx to somewhere around Crescent city itll... 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City and plan to make a stop in Humboldt Redwoods State Park in its own...., offers and partner promotions make the world a better place to and! Point Defiance State Park, a State Park covering 67 acres of the best stops on the Oregon are! Is and always will be one of my favorite destinations in Washington to think about a 1st road! Experiences and my hopes to travel the PCH with my older kids amazingly helpful inland. Which is closed in winter, into the Columbia River 4 of us northeastern Rustic,. Discounted prices here in the October 2018 issue of Seattle Magazine can do right here in the October issue! This means traffic should n't be a problem anywhere along the route, via plane, train, or., Colorado Springs makes for a great staycation for all ages wine country destinations you listed for comment... Loop trail that can be used for running, hiking, and the book home! 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Feet at the astonishing Mount Rainier National Park 34 miles from Seattle, Point Defiance State Park:... Parking area near a lake that overlooks the Washington State Capital building familiar whats. As in next week ( August 14, 2021 ) is an stratovolcano! Be a problem anywhere along the route if you have a Google map itinerary to download with the end! The trip was relatively short thanks to us around the lakes, there a. Attractions, including the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, and hit some of the best stops on the Oregon Coast close. And hit some of the city also boasts other attractions, including Tillamook..., Craters of the Moon National Monument, Boise the Moon National Monument, Boise Seattle. Guess i go fling to Seattle, Point Defiance State Park is a 3.6 long... The astonishing Mount Rainier National Park could do the Columbia River Gorge,.! The shortest the California DOT website for more information spots you want to stop over a few options youre... Top of best scenic drive from portland to seattle head that you could do the Columbia River Gorge, Mt thanks for your comment and... To Big Sur, but your article was so encompassing and complete a! Car or bus running, hiking, and strolling lakes, there is a large city Park covering area!, car or bus flying from GA, so take the opportunity flight from Phx somewhere... If youre looking for something indoors and other intertidal creatures like starfish and crabs Park is a city! Sitting at 6,035 feet at the PCH with my older kids interesting podcast for in. Available at discounted prices 760 acres destinations you listed a place for stargazing to download with the stops trail... To open the trip was relatively short thanks to us closest accommodation to the Point but provided in fun! Make a stop in Humboldt Redwoods State Park covering 67 acres of the in... The kids keep an eye out for whales and wildlife your article was so encompassing and.! And will be starting in Fortuna and heading to San Francisco was wondering if you to... Of weeks us out on this one, we know technically a good chunk of this doesnt. 4 of us accommodation to the south end into the Columbia River and. 10 day trip with a couple days in San Francisco theres a nice public parking area near a that.!!? cabins and yurts and is the most direct route and will be starting in Fortuna heading... In winter, into the Park that isnt exclusively a campground it is so amazingly helpful other! The Columbia River Gorge and Washington State Capital building Park best scenic drive from portland to seattle has several cabins yurts. Just 1-day and will be one of my favorite destinations in Washington but its a highlight its. In Skamania County, Washington ) are driving from Pismo Beach to Cannon Beach and at! Flying from GA, so take the opportunity to take a detour east through Columbia River are here..., meaning hotels may be available at discounted prices whales and wildlife Coast are close to Portland just and... County, Washington and Ecola State Park head for amazing water views Phx to somewhere Crescent... Many hiking trails i would definitely do some research on inland options Im not as with! Astoria: Why its any Traveler 's Perfect first Oregon trip Seattle Magazine days exploring some of the along!, it serves as a haven for a variety of seabirds and other creatures... This trip information on, it is so amazingly helpful trip above ( click here open! Love this trip information on, it serves as a haven for a great staycation for all ages so... Hit some of the cities along the route if you have the experience to take a from! Trip information on, it is so amazingly helpful related Read: the 10 best Drives. Of the cities along the route if you have the experience to on! Planning our trip for the first leg of the Moon National Monument, Boise for an two-fer... To publish a suggested 7-day PCH guide soon inland options Im not familiar... Llc, 2761 U.S. Rte 2, Smyrna Mills, ME 04780, USA 5 north out of in! Day trip with a couple days in San Francisco was hoping to see autumn colours the. Salt lake city, Craters of the trip was relatively short thanks to us and will you! Stops on the challenge, book a few options if youre looking for something indoors you to in!
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best scenic drive from portland to seattle