Its a small detail, but totally uncalifornian to say the PCH. 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. Where: State Route 11. Glad this was helpful! Staying in Mount Rainer National Park is a great experience, especially for the convenience of waking up in the park. Yes, Id recommend flying one-way to Seattle, and flying one-way home from San Diego. These seem to be the hardest parts to figure out for this type of trip! However, I have decided to take a detour east through Columbia River Gorge and Washington State wine country. Mount St Helens is an active stratovolcano located 52 miles northeast of Portland in Skamania County, Washington. Before you head back to Bend, take a scenic car tour around the perimeter of the lake on Rim Drive. You can meander the quaint shops in Langley, go kayaking, explore Whidbey Island wineries, eat at the best Whidbey Island restaurants, and more. You could see Canada and the river valley. From there we are planning on 4 days drive/stop on high 1 (PCH) up to Santa Monica/Malibu then flight out LAX. Furthermore, Stevens Canyon Road near Mt. Number of Days: 3. In this forest, youll find amazing old growth trees and is incredibly verdant. Still figuring it out. Hey there! Greyhound USA also services this route once daily. The weather should be okay but be prepared for coastal fog and chill (as you would experience pretty much all year long!). But its its well worth taking your time and experiencing what each of these stops has to offer. Our cities are ever-evolving and full of exciting, untapped potential. Explore trails by hiking and biking around the area or go kayaking or surfing with whales and seals. Travel on both sides of the river and experience the majestic beauty of the Columbia River Gorge in both Washington and Oregon. And other than his military time at Ft Lewis many years ago, we have never lived nor toured the west coast at all. If youre not sure (or not loyal to any particular car rental company), consider using a tool like Kayak or TripAdvisor to compare a bunch of options (yes, TripAdvisor does rental cars!). I'll cover both scenic routes here, and assume that you want to start at Portland and end up at Seattle. Be sure to check out the remains of the Peter Iredale, a shipwreck that ran ashore in 1906. Mount Rainier has been a bucket-list challenge for mountaineers for hundreds of years; the first recorded climb on the mountain didnt happen until 1870. That gives you a lot more to do each day to wear the kids out and much more suitable for an RV. Aberdeen has one main claim to fame: it was the hometown of Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain. Mountain Route. Seaside is a beautiful resort city located less than 80 miles from Portland. I love that the Pacific coast has those little hideaways! We want to make the best out of drive there. Best rates and airports to use. We both have a lot of vacation all the time, so 10 days or more would be fine. Northeastern Rustic LLC, 2761 U.S. Rte 2, Smyrna Mills, ME 04780, USA. Astoria is brimming with charming Victorian houses that were constructed for early immigrants and fur traders. If you plan it in advance, Fort Stevens Park can be your starting point for a kayak adventure with Kayak Tillamook guides. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head west along U.S. 101 until it turns south along the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula. How long is the Pacific Coast Highway? If not, spend your day exploring the Seattle waterfront to see all of the city from above. I recently discovered Mendocino on a weekend trip and fell in love with the small town. We will start in Portland, Or and drive to Las Angeles, CA. I was a truck driver for 29 years and could not drive that road. If youve ever enjoyed tulips in the spring months, this is probably where they came from. The Pacific Coast Highway runs along two highways: In Washington and Oregon, the best weather of the year happens between June and September. After all, I liked it so much when I first visited in 2012 that I moved there in 2013! Thanks so much. From the perspective of California Highway 1, it might seem like just a few buildings alongside the road. Therefore, its an amazing place to start your Pacific Coast Highway trip! Will it be Portland, with its famous food trucks and doughnuts? Route 1 is fine its twisty turny but its the best route by far. Im driving with our 5 kids (ages 1 -13) and my wife. trees. I had the chance to spend a weekend in Huntington Beach a few years ago and loved the vibe in this surf town. Rainier National Park gates open in winter are the Carbon River entrance and the Nisqually entrance. The Pacific Northwest is probably best-known for its coffee (thanks, Starbucks), followed by its stunning nature, including Mount Rainier, Mount Saint Helens, the Olympic National Rainforest, and miles upon miles or largely unadulterated coastline from the San Juan Islands to Gold Beach. Further along in the Tacoma area, a waterfront stay at the Silver Cloud Hotel and Spa will be a well-deserved treat after a long day or two putting in the miles on foot at the park. 1. 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. Id find an interesting podcast for everyone in the car and have the kids keep an eye out for whales and wildlife. Have a safe trip!! Glad to help, Nancy, and thanks for reading! Combine the two cities for an exciting two-fer of a vacation, via plane, train, car or bus. Big Sur is defined as the stretch of coastline and adjacent state park between Carmel and San Simeon. No matter which you choose, youll enter SF by driving across the Golden Gate Bridge; you can either stay along the coast and drive down Ocean Beach or head east into the city. 151 reviews. Cannon Beach is a perfect spot to wrap up this segment, where iconic Haystack Rock rises out of the ocean as one of Oregons more recognizable landmarks. Have a great trip!! Hi V& VDid you make hotel reservations in advance for your overnight stops? 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. Port Angeles is the place for that one-night stop. Other popular stops include Snoqualmie Falls, Museum of Glass, and Washington State Ferries. Youll also find a lot of luxurious resorts near the lake, including Silver Cove RV Resort, Streeters Resort, Silverlake Resort, and Mt. Popular activities: Whidbey Island is a popular Seattle day trip for people who love food, drink, shops, and hikes. If you are a wildlife lover, you must make a stop at this wildlife refuge center while traveling from Portland to Seattle. Can you share with me how long this should take us?? You probably wont have any snow its usually just rain in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon & Washington). Next time I have a few days off, Ill have to change that! Thank you . Anyway, we are looking to do the very same drive. When you merge with Highway 101, turn south for a short detour into Cannon Beach. Do you have any recommendations or modifications while traveling with kids. The legendary Columbia River Highway dates back to the 1910s. Well be camping out at most stops except for SF. If youre planning a PCH trip and want to pass through San Francisco, you can either skim over along the side of the city as you drive down the coast, take a detour inland to visit Yosemite National Park or dive in for one night knowing it will only make you want to come back for more. 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. It is the home stadium of Seattle Mariners, a professional American baseball team based in Seattle. You can sit in the beautiful picnicking area of the park, enjoy your picnic, and watch ferries come and go. The rest of time will hopefully be in small towns all along the coast. Depending on the region of the town, the drive often takes three hours on a good day. The top stops along the way from Portland to Seattle (with short detours) are Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pike Place Fish Market, and Space Needle. You thinks thats safe or should I make some. It is a time consuming drive but the most worthwhile time you will ever spend traveling. Theres a nice public parking area near a lake that overlooks the Washington State Capital building. Rising 14,410 feet toward the cloudy Pacific Northwest sky, Mount Rainier dominates the landscape in central Washington State. On some byways, you'll drive from the high desert to snowcapped peaks to verdant valleys in one go. Crater lake was amazing!! As the most glaciated peak in the US, Rainer is one of the most enticing mountains for mountaineers. Im thinking I might end my trip at Santa Barbara. 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. How Long is it? A post shared by Manuel Sauceda (@msaucl). Portland is approximately 634.9 miles away from San Francisco. You can also attend music concerts at the park. We are coming from Pennsylvania. 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. There are several places to park if you want to get out and . In a few weeks, we intend to start a 10-ish day loop from San Jose, drive up on the inland route to Seattle, and do a southbound coastal drive. You made it to San Francisco! Also, how many days should we take for the one-way trip back. The Route. This will be a great resource for the trip that we are planning. Or. 1. Its almost unfair that there are so many great stops in this segment, given the (probably) limited time you likely have to drive it. We then headed to San Fran, our ending point. Let me know how it goes! Were renting an RV in Seattle (after few days in hotel) and have 30 days before we drop it off in San Fran (and hotel for a few days). 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). A couple of reasons: 1. Feel free to comment back here if you have questions while planning your trip . 5. Great article. Related read: 25 Stunning Hikes on the Oregon Coast. Most of these attractions are in downtown Olympia.