Driving trip from SF to Seattle

[utrecht]

The wife and I are planning a big 20th Anniversary vacation in July. We will be taking an Alaskan cruise but we want to start the vacation by flying to SF and driving to Seattle and seeing the sights in between. We will have between 7-10 days for the first leg of the trip.

We've been to SF once before and will probably stay there for 2 days. After that we are wide open for suggestions for things to do and see. We love to do active things so hikes, horseback riding and things like that would be great.

So far the only thing we have planned after heading out of SF is maybe a morning in Muir Woods and an afternoon/evening at a wine tasting in Napa Valley somewhere. We would love to hear everyone's suggestions from there.

 

[Mango1956]

Although the more scenic route from SF north is via Hwy 101, which will eventually lead you to the coast north of Eureka, I would highly recommend a couple of days exploring the Mount Shasta area. It's a favorite of ours for hiking and exploring. This option would necessitate a Hwy 5 route, which runs through the central valley. The coast tends to be foggy in July, which means you won't see a whole lot, so an inland route leading to Mt Shasta might be a better option. Here are a couple of links to explore. One is the definitive guide to hiking the area, and the other is a recommendation for lodging. Stewart Mineral Springs is our go-to spot for staying, and we usually stay in a cabin. You can fall asleep to the sound of Parks Creek, which runs through the property. After your hike on the Pacific Crest trail (Deadfall Lakes trail on the link) you can have a hot mineral soak, wood sauna, and a cold plunge in the pool created by partially damming up the creek. The other trail for first timers might be the Old Ski Bowl trail on the link. You hike on the flanks of Mount Shasta itself, and there are amazing views of northern Calif. Here are the links, and I hope this helps! Stewart Mineral Springs Retreat
Hike Mt. Shasta | Exploring the Mount Shasta Region

 

[Helen]

The Oregon coast is beautiful. From the Shasta area you could cut over to highway 101 and drive north.

Here is a link to some hikes along the Oregon Coast:

Oregon Coast Hikes - Hiking in Portland, Oregon and Washington

If you drive up I-5 and plan to spend some time in the Portland area, let me know and I can recommend some more hikes (or you can poke around the link provided for the Columbia Gorge or Mt. Hood area.)


I think your trip is going to be amazing!

 

[38Chevy454]

You can take Hwy 1 north from SF and go along the coast. Like Hwy 1 to the south goes along the coastline, but a very different coastline, much more rocky and more cliffs. Hwy 101 is on the coast in OR, analogous to Hwy 1 in CA. Another very pretty drive. Hwy 101 in CA is another good choice, but more inland than Hwy 1.

I-5 is boring as can be, stay off that and see the small towns and coastline.

 

[donheff]

If you are going to Muir Woods and then on the wine country, I would recommend staying in Healdsburg in Sonoma and visiting wineries along Dry Creek. Beautiful area and some excellent vineyards. I have biked it a couple of times. And look forward to returning.

 

[martyp]

My second road trip after ERing was to Seattle from the SF Bay Area. Here is my YouTube video (10 minutes) with some scenes from that trip.

 

[Mango1956]

If you are going to Muir Woods and then on the wine country, I would recommend staying in Healdsburg in Sonoma and visiting wineries along Dry Creek. Beautiful area and some excellent vineyards. I have biked it a couple of times. And look forward to returning.

I second this suggestion. Dry Creek would be my choice over Napa. I recommend Truett Hurst winery-small winery-big experience. I used to work with one of the partners. I sent my sister and her daughter there a few years back and it was their favorite among the places they visited.

 

[anethum]

Personally, I like the coastal area north of SF more than the Mt. Shasta area. The coast drive north of SF is gorgeous. There is no need to visit Muir Woods because you will see old growth redwood forests further north which are far more impressive. The Avenue of the Giants section, as well as various segments of Redwood Nat. Park (which is comprised of various California State Parks). One particularly nice but very easy hike is the Lady Bird Johnson Grove trail in Redwood NP. It's only 1.4 miles long but has lots of enormous trees. Of course, there are many much longer hikes available throughout the area. Make sure you fill up the tank before you go north of Fort Bragg, as little is available until you get to Eureka.

Mendocino is a pretty town, albeit quite touristy.

In July, I would urge you to visit Crater Lake NP. It's a pretty drive from Crescent City (CA) up to Crater Lake, which is one of the most gorgeous places you'll ever see. If you do head first to Mt. Shasta area, you can and should still visit Crater Lake as it will be along the route regardless.

The entire coastal area of Oregon is lovely. Portland is a great town, though it's inland.

North of Oregon, you've got a choice given the amount of time you have, between Mt. St. Helens & Mt. Rainier, versus Olympic NP. I like them all.

I've always preferred Sonoma valley to Napa valley.

 

[FIREd]

About Muir Woods... You should probably plan for a bit more than just a morning. Access to the park is tricky as the small parking lot fills up quickly in the early morning, especially during the summer. You may have to park near Hwy 101 and take the shuttle bus.

Since you like hiking, my suggestion is to hike into the park. You could for example park on Panoramic Highway (just above Muir Woods) and hike down into the valley via Ocean View Trail through the beautiful redwoods. Another option with flatter terrain is to park at the larger parking lot in Muir Beach and hike along Redwood Creek.

 

[Mango1956]

I highly recommend Mt. St. Helens. Just to see and appreciate the devestation that happened there. If you do a hike, let it be the "Norway Pass" trail. We saw a herd of bugling elk on the hike, and the views of Spirit Lake and the mountain are fabulous. 4.4 miles roundtrip with 850 elevation gain, so not too strenuous! Norway Pass — Washington Trails Association

 

[Sea Kayaker]

I'm dying to drive south, over the border, and explore ALL the places mentioned here. I'm droolin' as I read the posts here...

 

[Meadbh]

I'm dying to drive south, over the border, and explore ALL the places mentioned here. I'm droolin' as I read the posts here...

You should have gone south last year when the exchange rate was better! Seriously though, it's my favourite part of the US, and it's right down the road.

 

[Brat]

A stay in Portland should include a drive east, up the Columbia River Gorge (I-84 or the Scenic Drive which is the hgy our parents took in the 40s) , stop at Multnomah Falls, check out the fish hatchery at Bonneville Dam, turn south at Hood River, turn east at Hgy 25, take the road up to Timberline Lodge (have dinner there), then back to Portland. This is a loop around Mt. Hood and will take a day. https://www.google.com/search?q=tim...imberline+lodge+summer&revid=513573017&imgdii=_


https://www.google.com/search?q=tim...berline+lodge+interior&revid=513573017&imgdii=_


To drive from San Francisco to Seattle and not stop at Crater Lake National Park or drive at least a portion of the coast highway in Oregon would be a sin. FWIW all beaches in Oregon are public.

Heck, this group could map out a drive that would take weeks..

 

[Helen]

If you are staying in Portland and want a level elevation hike, I would highly recommend Silver Falls State Park. It is about 1.5 hours south east of Portland. The hike is a 7 mile walk that takes you to 10 waterfalls. At least two of them you will walk behind the falls with the water thundering down in front of you. It will feel good in July - you will get sprayed.

The photos on this website don't do it justice:

Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department: Silver Falls State Park

 

[rodi]

I used to live in Bellingham and had family in San Diego - I did quite a few drive trips - where the drive was lingering and fun.

I'm glad you're giving good time to do this. I think people think that because SF is considered "Northern CA" - it is close to the Oregon border. In fact it is a significant drive from SF till you cross into Oregon.

My favorite way to do the trip is to drive along the coast from SF north. When you're barely out of the city - stop at Muir Woods Nat'l Park... It's a small park - but truly magical and wonderful. I also like Bodega Bay (although I swear every restaurant there is a rip off.)

Once you're in Oregon you have options... You can continue along the coast - which is really pretty... or you can cut over to Grants Pass then up to Crater Lake, over to Bend, over by Mt Hood then into Portland.

Be sure to leave a few days to enjoy Seattle and it's environs... I love that city.

 

[photoguy]

When we drove to Portland from the bay area we hit Lassen np, crater lake and john day fossil beds. Lassen and john day might be a little out of the way though.

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[Chuckanut]

It's a bit out of the way, but if you have never seen a mountain with its side blown out, Mt. Saint Helens is quite a site.

 

[Brat]

And to watch her blow was quite a show.

Crater Lake was formed by similar action, Native Americans told stories of a huge explosive eruption. Mount Mazama and Crater Lake: Growth and Destruction of a Cascades Volcano .

There is another Native American story about the natural history of the NW: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_the_Gods_(land_bridge) .

The Rocky Mountains were formed by uplift, the Cascade and the Siskiyou mountains by volcanic action. They are still active down deep.

 

[haha]

It's a pretty drive, but I am not into drives so my ideas would be out of touch. In the last 10 years or so I doubt I have gone beyond a 5 mile radius of my home, other than to get to the airport or my hip surgeon in Renton. If I ever get tired of exploring the near universe, maybe this will change, but I will not hold my breath!


Ha

 

[grasshopper]

A stop at Point Reyes Station and a 1/2 day of kayaking at Blue Waters Kayaking, Point Reyes California, Tomales Bay Sea Kayaking and Hiking Tours, Biking, Multi-Sport Adventures, San Francisco, Oysters, Sea of Cortez, Baja, Mexico, Kayaking, Bioluminescence and Whale Watching - Blue Waters Kayaking in Point may get you in an Alaskan adventure cruise.

 

[mpeirce]

Depending on how much (or little) you like to drive - and what car you are renting, I'd recommend the drive up Highway 1 to Medicino after seeing Napa.

Anyway, the drive can be quite breathtaking and the stopping a few times to walk along the isolated beaches is something you'd remember for a long time.

Book a room at nice B&B or small inn in Medicino, there are many excellent ones to choose from.

If you are especially lucky, there will be fog out on the ocean and it'll be clear inland so you drive in and out of it. It's magical.

 

[martyp]

If you want to explore the wine country you might consider a night in Calistoga. Great restaurants and access to the northern parts of the wine country. I've stayed at Indian Springs resort for the past 15 yrs.

Indian Springs | Calistoga Hotels | Indian Springs Resort & Spa : Indian Springs Calistoga

 

[urn2bfree]

I second the notion that Muir Woods is more trouble than it is worth FOR YOU because you will be driving right into the heart of Redwood National and State Parks farther north. If you are Frank Lloyd Wright architecture fans -- a brief side trip to the Marin County civic center in San Rafael would be worth your while. We had a fantastic Middle Eastern lunch at the Falafel Hut on the main strip in San Rafael.

Beware of the little gas station in Mendocino ( the only one for quite a few miles) which does not have any visible prices on the pump or posted anywhere. They gouge the hell out of you...$6.50 a gallon over the summer!!
Now you will have access to lots of Redwood spotting farther north but if you find yourself needing to use Highway 128 (Navarro River State Park) near Mendocino - do it...it was a kick because it has an eleven mile long "tunnel" through a Redwood forest down to the sea...(or away from the sea if you go that direction). It is pretty cool to just drive and drive and see nothing but Redwoods...I think you will have a similar opportunity in Humboldt County. i believe there is a 10 mile stretch up north near the main Redwoods Parks area...(Newton Drury Parkway)


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[EastWest Gal]

In addition to all that has been suggested, I spent most of my childhood vacation time camping in the areas your trip will cover, so here are a few more suggestions:

Northern CA/southern OR: Jedediah Smith State Park near Crescent City is very accessible. Plenty of redwoods and it's easy walking. It was a favorite camping spot for us growing up. Another coastal spot that is very interesting is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area looks like the Sahara Desert, but there are also lakes, etc. Inland, Mt. Shasta and Mt Lassen are interesting. One can hike to the top of Mt Lassen, weather permitting--it was easy when I was 12, and even my parents who were smokers made it to the top. Lassen Park has many different sites. The volcano erupted in 1914 so there is a lot of fascinating volcanic geography in the area.

In southern Oregon there's Crater Lake, which is a short but very winding drive from Medford. It's a must see to believe place.

Ashland's Shakespeare festival is one of the best anywhere. The outdoor Tudor style Elizabethan Theater is exquisite, and it's located on the edge of Lithia Park which is a gorgeous park that starts downtown and goes up to the edge of town. The park is beautifully lit at night when you walk through after the performances. There are many bed and breakfast places in Ashland.

If you want to see a place that will make you think civilization doesn't exist, then consider driving through the Trinity Alps. The road is a bear though, and not much in the way of gas stations.

WA: Near Seattle the Ballard locks connecting Puget sound to Lake Union, and there are fish ladders where you can see the salmon jump during spawning season, mostly in June. If you do the Space Needle, lunch in the restaurant isn't outrageous, or it wasn't the last time I was there and the view changes as the restaurant rotates. Tacoma has the Museum of Glass, where you can watch artists and students make glass works of art. It's surprisingly interesting. The Olympic national park is beautiful with great hiking trails, but a bit out of the way.

You could spend a lifetime in the area and never see all of it. Good luck choosing.

Also the best weather is late summer early autumn for the coastal regions, especially up north. Often it's quite rainy in June in Washington. And there's no point in seeing the famed Oregon coast when it's fogged in.


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[utrecht]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We wont have time to do everything listed here but it all sounds awesome. We are researching the suggestions now to see which things we can fit in. I think we will definitely skip Muir Woods since we will be heading towards redwood country. We will also go to Sonoma Valley for a wine tasting instead of Napa. My brother is in the wine business and he suggested the same thing.