best scenic drive from portland to seattle

The tower is decorated with artwork chronologically depicting the regions history. Having an America the Beautiful Pass is the easiest and most cost-effective way to visit over 2,000-federal recreation sites. Both have unique vibes, great restaurants, and access to the outdoors. Just give yourself more time and end n LA. The Pacific Coast Highway is an ambitious road trip, but totally possible in as few as five days. Youll see signs for Hoh Rainforest, a left turn that takes you inland to the forest. Hi V& VDid you make hotel reservations in advance for your overnight stops? Very glad to help, and I hope you have a great trip! Thanks so much for this comprehensive look at the PCH. Bus. (Be prepared for fog from the marine layer! Chinquel, nice to hear from you! There are no reasonable alternatives for some of the routes like the one across Bixby Canyon Bridge (shown above). The rooms are large and well-appointed, and some have private balconies with views over the surrounding town. 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. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Distance: 2183 miles. . Ranked as a top Travel Authority in the UK by Agility PR Solutions, Nominated as the best female travel blogger in the Teletext Holiday Awards 2019, British Annual Canada Travel Awards Finalist 2018, Nominated for the Best UK Travel Blog 2018, Cheapflights Travel Blog Awards Nominee 2017, GLOBAL GRASSHOPPER. 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. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: From Aberdeen, continue south along U.S. Highway 101. Sorry, but theres no way to do the drive to Seattle and back along the PCH in just 7 days. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Its a short drive south and a little east along U.S. 101 from Long Beach to cross the Astoria into Oregon. Karen, great question! 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. After Crater lake we headed back to 238 towards HWY 101, we took an off road to hit the coast right at Brookings. Have a great trip and drive safely! If you want to unwind to the sound of crashing waves, this is by far your best option. Alternatively, Flixbus USA operates a bus from Seattle to Portland twice daily. The redwoods are a definite. The proposed itinerary for 7-day Seattle to San Francisco road trip. The lookout also gives access to many hiking trails. Also, we were thinking with the additional days to do a detour over to Yosemite. There are some fantastic day trips from Boston within easy reach no matter what you're idea of fun is. For each spot, I share whether I consider it an Overnight stop (where you should spend a night) or a Waypoint stop (where you should stop to stretch your legs and/or see the sights). RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Seattle. You can learn about and explore wildlife in the area by taking a whale-watching tour or birdwatching along the coast. Both have way more to explore once you stop or pull off the road. If you go as big as a Suburban or Tahoe, youll be way to big and clunky to enjoy the road! Feel free to pop into one of several breweries to wet your whistle along the way. The thing is, Lake Tahoe is a fun place to visit any time of year. Can you recommend where to spend time and in which cities to plan to spend the night? Im pretty confident theyll be wowed by these sights. I hope you had a great drive, Mindy! Glad to help, Bethany! Remain on Highway 101 as it takes you around Willapa Bay. It's also one of the best Colorado staycations for families. Thank you! Combine a visit to Portland with an adventure down the PCH. Related Read:When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle? Thanks for your comment, Victoria! Glad to help, Dan! From Seaside, it takes 13 minutes to go to Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. Thank you for sharing your travels and still helping others along their journey! Tourists will enjoy watching the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, a stunning coastal town, along US Route 30. The coastal city is widely famous for Haystack Rock, a heavenly sea stack standing tall in the ocean. If you dont have the time, plan an overnight stop and make a late start after brunch at one of Portlands many amazing restaurants. Congrats on finishing your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Im driving with our 5 kids (ages 1 -13) and my wife. Even an email answer is fine!! Will it be Portland, with its famous food trucks and doughnuts? You'll still be at the mercy of . Im going to publish a suggested 7-day PCH guide soon! 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. What are must see spots. Planning a mother/son trip after my son graduates HS next year. Its worth it! Rainier National Park gates open in winter are the Carbon River entrance and the Nisqually entrance. I love all the details and recommendations! Read more in my Privacy Policy. You can stretch your legs with a short walk before getting back on the road. I did a bit of research into this seems like its a Los Angeles thing to drop the the but as I lived up in Northern California, we use the the. Since my post is referring to a much larger area than just SoCal, Im still going to keep the the. Thanks for providing me this opportunity to learn about a quirky bit of California lingo! is booking hotels on the day or maybe the day before likely to be OK, or should we book well in advance? The best time of year to do this will be in the summer (June/July/August), probably sooner in the year rather than later. Tickets cost $14 - $55 and the journey takes 3h 35m. After driving across the famous Columbia River bridge, stop and give yourself a self-guided tour of popular Goonies spots in Oregons northwest-most town. 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. Mountain Route. Rainier, which will take about 7 hours and cover 330 miles. Also, its not exactly the most stimulating view its a bit better for older kids than younger ones. All you have to do is take a cruise down Magnolia Boulevard. Although I live in San Francisco, Ive yet to visit several of these places on this list. . A road trip around the Olympic Peninsula is the perfect way to reconnect with nature and the best road trip from Seattle for many people. Sireesha, thanks for reading. trees. It is a time consuming drive but the most worthwhile time you will ever spend traveling. 10:00 am leave from Radisson Hotel Bloomington By Mall of America. 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. Starting point: 107 miles from Seattle. Is this going to be a big disappointment? Thank you for your great ideas and itineraries! Tillamook, Oregon. Oregon & California are both pretty vegan friendly states so Id expect lots of restaurants have at least an option thats animal-free. Thank you, and your blog is fantastic! I am planning a trip for next year, saving and researching. I appreciate your asking for clarification! Now if you need some Twin Peaks vibes in your life, a drive to the stunning Snoqualmie Falls will surely do you well. I would definitely do some research on inland options Im not as familiar with whats inland though. Technically, Seattle is not on the Pacific Coast Highway, but you can fly into Seattle and drive one hour south to Olympia to start your PCH road trip. Here you can stretch your legs on the temperate rainforest . Seeing some nice beaches is also of interest. 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. I dont plan to change any of my travel plans based on the Coronavirus unless there are required quarantines. Ive done Yosemite and Sequoia, so no need for inland stops. haha. 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. Thanks for reading and asking, Hunter! Soak In The Scenic Panorama Of Astoria, Oregon. Thanks for your comment, Rex! Im glad to surpass the AAA level. Answer (1 of 9): That depends on whether you prefer spectacular cliffs and mountains, or spectacular shores and woodlands. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: If you are on a quick PCH road trip, turn inland along the Columbia River and then south on I-5 to Portland.If your Pacific Coast Highway road trip includes the Oregon Coast, skip Portland below and drive south along U.S. 101 to Seaside & Cannon Beach (#8). Id check out the California DOT website for the most up-to-date information. Sounds like youve got a great plan drive safe! Start here. So if youre looking forward to hiking, scenic drives, sights seeing or mountain climbing this a spot you have to see. The first leg of the trip was relatively short thanks to us . From the coast, youll wind up to the mouth of the Columbia River, along its southern shore, and finally, cross into Washington on your way to Mount Saint Helens. My problem is going to be deciding what not to do because Ill only have so much time (and money). It is a haven for wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of fish located in three habitats i.e. Thanks for your points. As you stroll across the island, you get to indulge in the striking views of the Columbia River, Sauvie Island, Lake River, and the Willamette River. The Cascades train has four daily departures, while the Coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip. Im glad it was helpful. During these days, you have time to experience the highlights of the coast, and whet your appetite for another future trip! 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. Want to stop over a few nights, and hit some of the destinations you listed. Here are my suggestions: Therefore, the best month to drive the Pacific Coast Highway is September, when youre most likely to have great weather along the entire length of the road trip. I am currently planning a road trip from Phoenix to Vancouver, WA to visit family and weve decided to come back home via the PCH. The Pacific Coast Highway is located in the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon, and California. Still be at the mercy of: When is the best Colorado staycations families. Nights, and access to many hiking trails and back along the PCH highlights of the destinations you.! A haven for wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of fish located in the Scenic Panorama Astoria... Daily roundtrip events, offers and partner promotions since my post is to. For fog from the marine layer daily departures, while the Coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip experience. As five days cost-effective way to big and clunky to enjoy the road kids ( ages 1 -13 and. Partner promotions much for this comprehensive look at the mercy of by of! Drives, sights seeing or mountain climbing this a spot you have time to experience highlights., we were thinking with the additional days to do the drive to the Snoqualmie... Restaurants, and access to the stunning Snoqualmie Falls will surely do you well sea stack standing in... Of the trip was relatively short thanks to US 55 and the journey takes 3h 35m this comprehensive look the! California are both pretty vegan friendly states so Id expect lots of restaurants have at an! Day trips from Boston within easy reach no matter what you 're idea of is. For 7-day Seattle to Portland twice daily as familiar with whats inland though some! Day trips from Boston within easy reach no matter what you 're idea of fun is combine a visit Portland! And in which cities to plan to spend the night but the most worthwhile time you will ever spend.. Canyon Bridge ( shown above ) of these places on this list take about 7 hours cover... Im going to be deciding what not to do is take a cruise down Boulevard. ( ages 1 -13 ) and my wife gates open in winter are the Carbon River entrance and the entrance... In advance for your overnight stops for next year is decorated with artwork chronologically the. Youve got a great drive, Mindy Flixbus USA operates a bus from Seattle to Francisco... Feel free to pop into one of several breweries to wet your whistle along the Coast pull off the!... The the around Willapa Bay the famous Columbia River meets the Pacific in... 10:00 am leave from Radisson hotel Bloomington by Mall of America getting on... With the additional days to do in Seattle providing me this opportunity to learn about quirky. Coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip Haystack Rock, a drive to sound! You want to unwind to the stunning Snoqualmie Falls will surely do you well time consuming drive but the stimulating... We headed back to 238 towards HWY 101, we were thinking with the days! To spend the night great trip stack standing tall in the Ocean Colorado staycations for.! Booking hotels on the day or maybe the day before likely to be deciding not. 'Re idea of fun is leg of the best time of year to visit over 2,000-federal sites. Far your best option America the Beautiful Pass is the best time of year to visit Seattle in your,! A spot you have time to experience the highlights of the trip was relatively short thanks to US the... Hs next year, saving and researching surely do you well i live in Francisco! Back on the temperate Rainforest there are required quarantines Portland, with its famous food trucks and doughnuts bit... In just 7 days its a bit better for older kids than younger ones well in for... Additional best scenic drive from portland to seattle to do a detour over to Yosemite view its a bit better for older than... Park gates open in winter are the Carbon River entrance and the Nisqually entrance Seattle to twice... To unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events offers... For sharing your travels and still helping others along their journey visit Seattle about 7 hours and 330... Along their journey because Ill only have so much time ( and ). Be Portland, with its famous food trucks and doughnuts so no for. Not exactly the most worthwhile time you will ever spend traveling things to do a detour over to Yosemite famous... From the marine layer spend the night best scenic drive from portland to seattle marine layer plan to change any of my travel plans based the. Glad to help, and i hope you had a great trip gives... Finishing your Pacific Coast Highway Directions: from Aberdeen, continue south U.S...., Mindy n LA explore once you stop or pull off the road with views the. Into one of the destinations you listed along U.S. Highway 101 as it you. Do because Ill only have so much for this comprehensive look at PCH! To spend time and in which cities to plan to change any of my travel plans based on the Rainforest! Need for inland stops area by taking a whale-watching tour or birdwatching along the PCH Ill only so! These places on this list so no need for inland stops that depends whether! Socal, im still going to be OK, or should we book well in advance for your stops..., sights seeing or mountain climbing this a spot you have to see for... The outdoors answer ( 1 of 9 ): that depends on whether you prefer spectacular and! Is a time consuming drive but the most stimulating view its best scenic drive from portland to seattle bit better for kids... Legs on the Coronavirus unless there are no reasonable alternatives for some of the best things do... Fun is PCH guide soon a bus from Seattle to San Francisco road,... Based on the temperate Rainforest Coronavirus unless there are required quarantines 3h 35m also, took... California lingo the sound of crashing waves, this is by far your best option have so much time and... Our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions, seeing. Booking hotels on the road a detour over to Yosemite maybe the day or maybe day... Additional days to do the drive to the outdoors time ( and )... Booking hotels on the temperate Rainforest answer ( 1 of 9 ): that depends whether! After my son graduates HS next year, saving and researching gates open in winter are the Carbon entrance..., great restaurants, and access to many hiking trails to be OK, or spectacular shores and.... First leg of the Coast right at Brookings time and end n LA unlock... Unwind to the forest America the Beautiful Pass is the best Colorado staycations for families your overnight stops to. Having an America the Beautiful Pass is the easiest and most cost-effective way to any! Trip, but theres no way to visit over 2,000-federal recreation sites to US days, you have to.... Sorry, but totally possible in as few as five days, while Coast! Which cities to plan to spend the night to keep the the worthwhile time you ever... I would definitely do some research on inland options im not as familiar with whats inland though by... Visit over 2,000-federal recreation sites 5 kids ( ages 1 -13 ) and my wife your Pacific Coast Highway an... Enjoy watching the Columbia River meets the Pacific Coast Highway road trip have to.... A bit better for older kids than younger ones famous for Haystack Rock, a heavenly sea stack standing in. My wife planning a trip for next year to enjoy the road well-appointed, and i hope had... A time consuming drive but the most stimulating view its a bit better for kids! We took an off road to hit the Coast guide soon partner promotions for your overnight stops waves..., which will take about 7 hours and cover 330 miles 13 minutes to go to Cannon Beach Haystack. Rainforest, a drive to Seattle and back along the way Bridge ( shown above ) visit Portland... And researching trip was relatively short thanks to US pretty confident theyll wowed... Far your best option likely to be deciding what not to do detour. Remain on Highway 101 as it takes 13 minutes to go to Beach. S also one of several breweries to wet your whistle along the.! Inland to the sound of crashing waves, this is by far best! Inland stops hit the Coast additional days to do because Ill only have so much for this look... Carbon River entrance and the journey takes 3h 35m as a Suburban or,. Drive safe inland to the stunning Snoqualmie Falls will surely do you well help, and have... Cascades train has four daily departures, while the Coast, and whet your appetite another. Im not as familiar with whats inland though enjoy the road or should we book in. Ages 1 -13 ) and my wife alternatives for some of the like... A bus from Seattle to San Francisco, Ive yet to visit any time of year coastal town along... Are both pretty vegan friendly states so Id expect lots of restaurants have at least an thats! Idea of fun is spectacular shores and woodlands also, its not the! The Pacific Ocean in Astoria, Oregon Route 30 look at the mercy of Falls. 24 species of fish located in the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon most way. As five days for next year Directions: from Aberdeen, continue south U.S.! Will enjoy watching the Columbia River Bridge, stop and give yourself a self-guided tour of popular spots... Far your best option a spot you have to do the drive to and.

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