Considering planning a road trip that takes you from Seattle to San Francisco? We basically spent a full two months on this route a few summers ago, after we ended our corporate jobs and lived in a converted Honda Odyssey for the better part of two years, and it was every bit as memorable, beautiful, and amazing as you might imagine.
Since then, we regularly take it because our families reside in San Francisco and Seattle, respectively. And we now live in Portland, Oregon so many of the stops on this itinerary are basically in our neighborhood.
There are essentially limitless route mashups one could take to get from San Francisco to Seattle, but which is the most excellent?
Well, that depends on a bunch of different factors, like what time period it is, how much time you have available, whether or not you’re looking to do some hiking, if you’re a beach or mountain person, and too many others to list.
Your experience will largely depend on the time available. If only having three days, you obviously won’t be able to reach some of the more distant locations like Crater Lake and Bend.
In this guide to planning your road trip from Seattle to San Francisco, we`ll provide you with the best stops to make along the drive from San Francisco to Seattle, and do our best to present potential itinerary options considering the aforementioned factors (namely time of year and duration of trip, in this case).
Oh, yes, we should probably mention that we’ve completed some variation of this road trip at minimum three or four times in the past couple of years, since Alysha’s family resides in the Bay Area, and Matt’s lives in Seattle. We’ve traveled the coastal route, the central route, and the “complete-it-all-in-one-shot” route (which we definitely don’t recommend whatsoever).
The point is that we have ample personal experience to draw from to help you plan an amazing road trip from San Francisco to Seattle.
In this guide, we’ll provide our perspective on the best possible route, and cover the practical information to help you actually plan your road trip.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.
Table of Contents
Where to Fly In and Out of
Generally, this portion talks about “where to begin and end your road trip” but, given that this guide centers around driving between two specific cities, I feel like that’s pretty obviously clarified here.
Instead, let’s discuss which airports to fly into and out of if you’re intending to fly to the west coast.
One note: If you’re doing this road trip in the summer or fall, we’d consider renting a vehicle equipped for lodging from Escape (who have areas in both Seattle and San Francisco) for an enjoyable way to experience the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. We initially did this road excursion in our Honda Odyssey, and found fondness for brief term motorhome living.
Flying Into Seattle
This one is considerably more straightforward. There`s really only one major airport in the Seattle area – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). It`s about 30 minutes south of the core of Seattle, but it`s well-connected to the city.
There is a secondary, smaller airport – Paine Field (PAE) – located just north of Seattle, but the advantage of flying from a smaller terminal (and time saved clearing security) is negated by the fact that it offers extremely limited flight schedules.
Flying Out of San Francisco
Flying into San Francisco can come with a bit of difficulty thanks to delays caused by the infamous fog that regularly moves into and out of the city in the morning and afternoon periods. We lived in San Francisco for almost ten years, and personally experienced those delays.
There are two airport options in the San Francisco bay region.
First is San Francisco International Airport (SFO) which has more direct flight options as the larger airport. It`s also most convenient for accessing San Francisco itself. However, it`s also famous for delays.
The second airport option in the Bay Area is Oakland International Airport (OAK), which is across the Bay Bridge in Oakland, California. It’s a smaller airport with fewer flight choices, it’s a little more difficult to access San Francisco, but it isn’t subject to the fog, and therefore usually has fewer weather delays.
DO NOT FLY INTO SAN JOSE. It’s over an hour`s drive south of San Francisco, occasionally taking more time with the unfavourable Silicon Valley freeway traffic that clogs the roadways there.
How Many Days to Spend on This Road Trip?
Completing a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco fully within one day is feasible
It’ll take 13 hours, and it’s sure to be tedious.
Trust me, I’ve done it.
Twice.
In the past two years.
Instead, we suggest allocating A MINIMUM OF ONE TO TWO WEEKS for driving between Seattle and San Francisco. The following itinerary has a two week road trip in mind.
This route involves a total of 24 hours of driving – divided between 10-14 days when following our recommendations below.
Given that time constraint, we would suggest following the I-5 corridor through Oregon instead if a few days is too long, bypassing areas like Bend and Crater Lake further inland to stay within your schedule.
You can choose from the stops below based on the amount of time available – think of it as a “choose your own adventure” sort of selection process (as a kid, I REALLY enjoyed those Goosebumps adventure books!). The authors offer strong guidance on which adventures you should opt for.
- With 3-5 days, you’ll have limited time, and won’t be able to deviate much from the direct route up I-5. Still, there are some worthwhile stops to make along the way, which we’ll cover in the alternate routes section below.
- 7-10 days will provide more time to explore along the way, both the beautiful landscapes at places like Crater Lake and Mount Rainier, and amazing cities such as Bend, Portland, and Mendocino.
- 14+ days would be ideal, but we recognize you may not have that extensive of a vacation period available.
No matter how much time you have available, we`ll do our best to supply the info needed to maximize it.
The Best Route for Your Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip
Before delving into specifics about locations and activities, let’s look at route recommendations for the overall trip.
Believe us, there are plenty of options available, and we want to help you choose the best fit for your interests.
The speediest and most direct route is to board Interstate 5 south in Seattle and follow it all the way down to San Francisco.
The drive takes roughly thirteen hours, a route I`ve personally traversed numerous times – including several instances where I covered the entire distance in a single day. An experience I do not endorse repeating.
It also proves to be the route offering the least stimulation, involving hours passing through farmland spanning Northern California.
For those with more than a few days (likely only realistic with 7+ days), we`d propose incorporating some detours from that direct route to appreciate the unique landscapes and staggering natural beauty that Northern California and the Pacific Northwest have to offer.
Here’s the route we’d take if you have 7 or more days, which takes in the Cascades, Crater Lake, and the Northern California coastline.
An Alternate Route for Winter / Spring Road Trips
In the winter and spring seasons, even into late June sometimes, the central route passing through Oregon and the stop at Mount Rainier may be impassable or not worth the effort due to closures and a thick layer of snow covering everything.
If you’re planning a winter/spring road trip from Seattle to San Francisco, we’d take the coastal route all the way from Seattle to San Francisco. In fact, we undertook this exact road trip each of the past two winters, and while it can be a little stormy at times, the scenery is amazing.
Fortunately, we have assembled a few guides that can be combined to create an incredible coastal road trip.
Begin with our itinerary for Olympic National Park, continue into our Oregon Coast road trip, and finish with our Northern California road trip.
This route will be best with 7+ days because the driving is a little slower than the less winding, more direct highways on the main route below.
16 Great Stops to Make on the Drive from Seattle to San Francisco
Now, onto the main attraction. We’re going to provide you 15 stops to make on your drive from Seattle to San Francisco that we enjoy and think are worth your time.
First, we will provide details on the stops located along the aforementioned route. Some stops merit dedicating most of a day due to their size, while others might only require a few hours. We leave it to you to determine how best to divide your time.
After that, we’ll offer a couple alternative routes to avoid snow-covered mountain passes and closed parks in winter and spring, and explore the coast instead.
Mount Rainier National Park
Travel time from Seattle by vehicle: 2 hours 30 minutes / 110 miles
Mount Rainier National Park is the crown treasure of the Pacific Northwest. In most of Western Washington, the concept of a “good day” usually involves whether the Mountain is discernible or not. It is called Tahoma (or Tacoma) in the Salish language, but the name “Rainier” stems from a friend of a British official in the Royal Navy, which is pretty prototypical.
Mount Rainier, the tallest peak in the Cascades that range from Washington down through Oregon, is an awe-inspiring place to visit.
Everything from the plentiful wildflowers in the early summer season to the lenticular cloud swirling above the peak, building strength all day, is spectacular.
We cannot get enough of Mount Rainier National Park, and would encourage you to make an effort to visit along your drive from Seattle to San Francisco.
There are five distinct areas of the park, but if you’re coming from the I-5 corridor, the most convenient place to explore is going to be Paradise, which is on the south side of the Mountain
From here, you’ll get a taste of all the elements that make this area special. Countless waterfalls, alpine lakes, and increasingly impressive views of Rainier around every corner.
Here are some of the things we think you shouldn’t miss in Paradise, which accurately portrays this slice of natural magnificence.
Traverse the breathtaking Skyline Trail: This hike is considered one of the top options on our list of the finest hiking routes in Washington State. From beginning to end, the perspectives of Mount Rainier are absolutely spectacular, and they improve the higher you climb towards the 14,000 foot peak. The Skyline Trail Loop, which we’d do counter-clockwise, starts from the parking area at the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center, and immediately takes you past Myrtle Falls, a gorgeous cascade, and through a meadow bursting with wildflowers with Rainier towering over it. You’ll ascend to Panorama Point, where you’ll have an unrivaled vista of Rainier and the surrounding Tatoosh Range and Mount Adams. It’s a fantastic hike. The shorter, less demanding Nisqually Vista Trail or Bench and Snow Lakes Trail would be suitable alternatives if you’re uncertain of your ability to complete the Skyline Trail.
Visit Reflection Lakes: This scenic spot showcases a breathtaking reflection of Mount Rainier in the water, making it very popular with both humans and mosquitoes especially in summer. Stop here for a spectacular sunrise or sunset.
Appreciate the waterfalls: This section of the park is full of gorgeously stunning waterfalls. The easiest ones to access are Narada and Christine, which are basically just off the roadway. Myrtle Falls – our favorite among the options – is a half mile hike from the main parking area along a paved trailway, and Comet Falls involves a four mile hike.
Of course, exploring the other territories would be worthwhile too.
You can read our other guides to Mount Rainier’s best hikes and the best things to do in Mount Rainier National Parkto help you explore the other areas of the park.
Mount St. Helens
Travel Time from Mount Rainier: 3 hours / 130 miles (though shorter arriving from I-5)
Mount St. Helens is just a couple of hours north of Portland, but most people skip it in favor of the more famous mountain just north, Mount Rainier.
And to be honest, we get it. If you’ve only got a couple of days in the area, it’s superior spent around Rainier. And the fact that both St. Helens and Rainier are a strong hour from the I-5 corridor denotes that you’re apt picking one or the other.
But with more time, we’d give Mount St. Helens a look. Especially if you want to avoid the crowds that descend on Rainier in the summertime.
The western edge of the mountain is the easiest way to access from the I-5 Corridor, though the less frequented eastern side is beautiful. If you find yourself over there, definitely do the hike up to Norway Pass – one of our beloved hikes ever.
The Johnston Ridge Observatory is the recommended destination on the western side.
It`s approximately an hour inland from Interstate 5 along a steep, climbing road that passes Coldwater Lake before emerging onto an ridge with spectacular views of the volcano that caused so much destruction to the surrounding landscape 40 years ago.
Even 40 years later, you’ll be surrounded by evidence of the destruction that St. Helens’ 1980 eruption brought upon southern Washington and northern Oregon. Fallen trees are scattered on all of the hills surrounding the volcano.
While there, we’d certainly hike at least part of the trail leading out to the scenic ridge known as Harry’s Ridge, which travels along an elevated route providing breathtaking views of Mount St. Helens.
Be sure to visit the prominent Johnston Ridge Observatory, and schedule a stop at the scenic Coldwater Lake to enjoy lunch and a brief walk along the shoreline before returning to the highway.
Half a day adequately covers exploring the western portion near St Helens, though factoring driving time it becomes most of a full day out.
Portland, Oregon
Drive time from Mount St. Helens: 2 hours 20 minutes / 110 miles
Ah, Portland! We love Portland, which is why we decided to relocate here a few years ago after nearly a decade of talking about it.
Portland provides the aspects of living in Seattle and San Francisco that are most appreciated, while making them even better because the cost of living is (slightly) reduced, allowing for more opportunity for innovation from local artists, chefs, and other small businesses that may not exist in places where the price of doing anything is one million dollars.
Specifically, Portland has unrivaled access to natural areas and greenery within the city center, a thriving culinary and imbibing scene providing unexpectedly diverse options (considering Portland`s lack of diversity), and proximity to both the ocean and mountains within around 90 minutes or so.
Now, if you’re taking a road trip, chances are you want to spend most of your time outside major urban areas. And we completely understand that desire.
Nevertheless, we`d strongly advise stopping in Portland for a meal, at minimum visiting a food truck!
Here are a few things to do in Portland that we think are worthwhile, even if your time available is limited.
Powell’s Books: The largest independent bookstore globally! All visitors are brought here, and regular visits occur personally. It’s worth a visit to their flagship downtown Portland location, which is a massive multi-story building full of books across all genres.
Enjoy Food From a Mobile Eatery: Portland is famously known for its movable dining areas, which provide a rather distinctive experience and represent an important part of Portland’s culinary scene: an affordable way to sample a concept without fully investing in a permanent restaurant. Take a look at many of Portland’s most popular eateries and you`ll find that they originally began as a food truck, gradually broadening their empire into permanent structures. It`s an interesting aspect, and part of what makes Portland such an engaging city for food exploration. Our favorite pods in the city are the Prost! pod near Mississippi Avenue in NE Portland (we used to live nearby) and Hawthorne Asylum in the Central Eastside.
The International Rose Test Garden: Visitors are encouraged to appreciate the aromas of a massive collection of breathtaking roses at the International Rose Test Garden, which has approximately 10,000 flower buds in bloom from June through October. Panoramic views of Portland and Mt. Hood (on a clear day) can also be enjoyed here.
Sample Delicious Pastries:Donuts: For doughnuts, which are a must-try snack in Portland known for artisanal bakeries, enjoy sublime donuts at Pips Original (unfortunately not gluten-free but they offer chai flights making it worth it), Blue Star (also not gluten-free), or Petunia’s (100% gluten-free!). You may notice we avoided Voodoo, the most famous doughnut haunt in Portland with average pastries but delivers on the Portland ambiance (though they have a location at Disney World now). If you must go to Voodoo, head to the one on the east side of the river ( here on Google Maps), which offers a far more enjoyable experience.
The Columbia River Gorge
We’re not including drive time here, because it begins just after leaving Portland, and ends in Hood River.
In this section, we’re going to provide you a route between Hood River and Portland that incorporates our favorite stops in the Columbia River Gorge.
The drive from Hood River to Portland takes approximately an hour, but with all the stops along the way, you`ll need at least half a day to complete the route. You’ll see three waterfalls on the journey, arguably what the Gorge is most famous for.
Two locations affording magnificent Gorge vistas include the Vista House and Women’s Forum Viewpoint, both accessed along the Historic Columbia River Highway. The Vista House may be discovered here, and just farther along the roadway, the Women’s Forum Viewpoint may be located.
Latourell Falls: A quick and easy waterfall hike that takes you up to the upper falls, then loops down around, crossing under the highway to bring you to the base of the more spectacular lower falls. Don’t settle for the view from the parking lot, it`s worth doing the short hike! More trail information here.
Multnomah Falls: While this waterfall located in Oregon is the most acclaimed, it is not our preferred one. That is not to imply that it is not spectacular – it absolutely is – but it is extremely crowded. You should visit the waterfall, but there are other nearby waterfall hikes that are better alternatives to tackle instead. If you are searching for a less visited waterfall, head to Dry Creek Falls, which intersects with the Pacific Crest Trail and ends at a nice waterfall with far fewer visitors.
Horsetail and Ponytail Falls: A bit farther along the Historic Columbia River Highway are two of our favorite waterfalls in the Gorge – Horsetail and Ponytail. Horsetail is visible from the lot, and a brief half mile hike reaches Ponytail, where visitors can walk behind the falls, an engaging experience.
Hood River
Drive time from Portland: 1 hour / 63 miles
Hood River is a charming town in the Columbia River Gorge that usually marks the point where the landscape transitions from the temperate, wetter climate of western Oregon to the drier, warmer climate of the central and eastern parts of the state.
The town is renowned for windsurfing thanks to its position directly on the Columbia River Gorge. The wind howls through the gorge and forms an ideal pocket for windsurfers. As you drive towards Hood River from Portland, you’re likely to observe many windsurfers on the water on days where conditions are suitable.
Situated on the northern edge of one of Oregon`s most fertile regions. Cherries, apples, pears, and grapes thrive here, making it ideal to sample local produce.
Here are some attractions not to miss in Hood River — we’re not covering activities in the Columbia River Gorge here, because we have a whole section on that above.
Experience the Fruit Loop Scenic Route:Much of the amazing local produce can be discovered along the scenic route south of town known as the Hood River Fruit Loop. Driving along this route on your way from Bend, vast orchards of apple trees come into view, backed by the majestic sights of Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and Mount St. Helens in the distance. Be sure to stop at Hood River Lavender during summertime to see purple lavender blooms with Mount Hood as a picturesque backdrop. At Draper Girls Country Farm, enjoy farm-fresh and u-pick produce including cherries in their peak summer season. Another scenic recommended stop is The Gorge White House where you can enjoy lunch, wine or cider while taking in the stunning landscape.
Sample beverages at a local brewery: There are a couple famous breweries in Hood River that were among the pioneering craft breweries in Oregon. Full Sail has a tasting room directly in downtown Hood River, and Double Mountain Brewery is just a few blocks away, making it simple for you to visit both and determine your preferred one.
Grape tasting: While not as renowned as the Willamette Valley, the area surrounding Hood River generates some rather respectable wine. We truly enjoyed the wine on the Washington side from Loop de Loop, who have a very cute winery dog and a magnificent view of Mount Hood from the vineyard.
Mount Hood (Government Camp)
Drive time from Hood River: forty-five minutes / forty-two miles
Mount Hood is our preferred hiking destination near Portland, where we venture every single summer.
In many ways, Portland’s relationship to Mount Hood is comparable to Seattle’s connection to Mount Rainier in that it`s one of the most popular nearby outdoor destinations and an indicator of pleasant weather (whether or not you can see the mountain).
If you’re coming from the city of Hood River, Oregon, you’ll be approaching Mount Hood from its eastern side, driving along Highway 35, which runs alongside the eastern face of Hood. This positioning puts you in an ideal spot to stop and tackle one of our favored hikes in the state, Tamanawas Falls.
It’s a great waterfall hike, it’s accessible in terms of difficulty, and it’s right off the side of the highway.
The vast majority of the things to do and see at Mount Hood are around the southern side of the mountain, near the town of Government Camp.
It’s a ~15-20 minute detour from your route, and we think it’s worth it if you’re looking for a) some of the best hiking on this entire route and b) one of the most picturesque lakes in the state.
In terms of hiking, you have multiple choices near Government Camp.
Two hikes we especially like here are the climb up Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain, which reaches the summit of one mountain across the valley with a splendid perspective back at the mountain, and the hike to the peak of Bald Mountain from Lolo Pass, which ends at another breathtaking vista of Hood.
There’s also Mcneil Point, which is a brutal climb up to one of the highest spots you can achieve on foot. That’s a full day excursion though, and it’s likely best for a trip where you have more than a day in the area.
We also really enjoy the majestic and historic Timberline Lodge, which is a century old and feels like a relic from a different era. It’s perched high up on the slopes of Mount Hood’s southern face, and is a great ski destination in the winter, and an equally great hiking destination in the summer and fall.
Timberline Lodge to Zigzag Canyon is a wonderful, relatively simple hike that crosses both ski runs and the Pacific Crest Trail en route to a great vista of Hood.
The location we’d lastly point out here is the aforementioned lake with an unbeatable vista, which is named Trillium Lake.
We`ve camped near this lake for most summers over several past years, and the perspective from the far end of the body of water looking back at Hood is among our favorites (approximately here on Google Maps).
We even have a photo we took here at sunrise several years ago framed in our living room in Portland.
Smith Rock State Park
Travel time from Government Camp: 1 hours 45 minutes / 85 miles
Just north of Bend in the town of Terrebonne, you’ll find Smith Rock State Park. We favor Smith Rock as, while Bend still seems somewhat akin to being in the mountains, Smith Rock State Park is much more indicative of the kinds of landscapes discovered in central and eastern Oregon. The high desert.
Towering rocky formations, dry and dusty, with the occasional rattlesnake sighting. That exemplifies the high desert terrain.
It’s a beautiful park, with a winding river snaking (ha!) its way through deep, rocky canyons.
It happens to be a great brief stop between Mount Hood and your next destination Bend as you head south. You only need a few hours to see it, and you can continue north afterwards with a short visit to the high desert.
There’s precisely one thing we believe you should do here, which is hiking the trail known as Misery Ridge.
There are two options for this hike, but both involve a steep climb to reach the ridge, and then a similarly steep descent past Monkey Face – a famous climbing spot that resembles a monkey`s face from a particular angle – where you`ll arrive at a trail intersection.
From that trail junction, taking a right puts you on the Summit Trail, a longer but more scenic hike circling around the canyon rim.
Turning left leads you to the River Trail, a shorter walk with less elevation change next to the waterway back to the parking area.
We prefer the expanded version, but both are exquisitely beautiful. It will be hot during the summer, so make certain to bring plenty of water and sun protection with you on your hike.
Bend, Oregon
Drive time from Smith Rock: thirty minutes / twenty-six miles
Bend is one of the finest adventure towns on the western seaboard, if not the entire nation. It’s close to the Cascades, and is a veritable paradise for hikers or skiers, depending on the season.
However, we’re going to assume you’re here in the summer or fall, which is when this area is at its best (at least in our opinion).
Bend`s location on the easterly slopes of the Cascade Range positioned it uniquely.
It’s proximal to the mountains yet on the frontier of the high desert, the primary landscape found eastward across central Oregon. In every vista, snowcapped ranges like the Three Sisters, Jefferson, and Bachelor likely appear among others.
The Deschutes River, emphasized strongly, runs straight through the town, creating an exciting area for lovers of water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding, and Bend’s Downtown and Old Mill District are full of terrific local restaurants and breweries, the latter of which the town has become famous for over the previous couple decades.
Here are some of our favorite activities to enjoy in Bend.
Hiking near Bend: We have several scenic routes for hiking around the Bend region. The Green Lakes Trail, close to Sparks Lake (worth visiting at sunrise or sunset) offers an incredible journey following a flowing creek to a trio of turquoise lakes nestled at the base of the South Sister and Broken Top, two towering mountain peaks. Tumalo Falls is a relatively easy hike to a lovely waterfall. Right in town, the Pilot Butte Trail takes travelers up to the top of a small inactive volcano with amazing views of the surrounding landscape, including an helpful guide to all the mountain high points dotting the scenery to the west. This hike is a pleasant, straightforward walk along the river.
Floating the river: Escape the summer heat by entering the river with a tube and spending the day on a leisurely float. You could also do it via kayak or SUP (stand up paddleboard), depending on what you’re suited for. More information here.
Concerning places to dine, you’ve got plenty of options in Bend (including just heading to a brewery and ordering their food). Head to the Lot, a food truck collection on the west side of the river, with a bunch of different food trucks and carts for you to choose from. Go to El Sancho Taco Shop for, well, tacos. Spork is good for a fusion of all sorts of different cuisines. Go to the popular Lemon Tree for brunch.
When it comes to drinking, Bend is renowned for its breweries.Crux Fermentation Project features a lovely outdoor space, perfect for relaxing in the sun with a pint in the summer. Bend Brewing Co. has a nice outdoor space near Downtown and the river. Silver Moon Brewing hosts a fun trivia night on Thursday nights that’s worth stopping by.
Crater Lake National Park
Travel period from Bend to the South Rim: 2 hours / 110 miles
Formed around 8,000 years ago, Crater Lake resulted from the eruption of Mount Mazama, which previously occupied the location of the crater. The eruption caused the volcano to collapse, leading to the present scene.
We think this stop is worth a day or less. It’s beautiful scenic, but there’s really just a couple of activities to do in the area, and spending more than a day there is probably better used elsewhere.
It is important to note: Accommodations near Crater Lake are very limited in number. The main campground is Mazama Campground, and there is also the Crater Lake Lodge. Aside from these options, there is little else available. Be sure to make reservations well in advance!
Here are our favorite activities to partake in at Crater Lake.
Journey Around the Shoreline: The road encircling the edge of the lake spans 33 miles in distance, and we believe making an effort to drive its entire route is worthwhile, stopping periodically to admire the sapphire waters of the lake from diverse angles. Driving is best prior to 9:00 am when traffic starts to build, making it much harder to find parking at the various viewing areas. The road along the eastern side of the lake opens in summer and closes during fall—check road conditions here.
Trek to the highest and lowest areas in the park: There are a couple of hikes that are worth your time at Crater Lake. Mount Scott takes you up to the tallest point in the park for amazing views of the lake and surroundings. Cleetwood Cove is the sole place in the park where you can come down to the water level. Both are fantastic experiences.
Watch the sunset from breathtaking vistas: End your day by gazing at the sun descend from the rim`s edge. We have enjoyed sunsets at Cloudcap Viewpoint (accessible through this link on Google Maps), located on the east facing the evening sun. Arrive an hour before sundown for prime parking. Another spot offering sunsets is Garfield Peak, requiring a steep 3.4 mile hike to panoramic views of the lake and setting sun.
Redwood National and State Parks
Travel time from Crater Lake’s South Rim: 5 hours / 230 miles
And finally, you’ve made it to California!
Reaching the coast from Crater Lake involves a long drive, but it`s worth it. You`ll head west form Crater Lake to return to I-5, then continue towards the coast on Highway 199, which departs from Grants Pass and meets up with 101 near Crescent City, California.
Your next destination is a complex of national and state parks – Redwood National and State Parks – which, collectively, represent the premier location globally to view towering coastal redwoods.
A valid query – what exactly is incorporated into this complex of parks? It includes Redwood National Park and three California State Parks – Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek – forming an area that is prime redwood territory. The complex was safeguarded under the National Park Service through advocacy by the Save the Redwoods League, who fought to preserve the best example of coastal redwoods in the state against the desires of logging companies.
Howland Hill Road: Venture through the redwoods – and we indeed refer to traveling amid them – along this 10 mile prolonged trail that was formerly employed by stagecoaches. It is narrow but allows proximity to the redwoods like scarce other routes. We traversed it in our minivan during winter, and it proved reasonably practicable – ought to be suitable for most (if not all) vehicles. Additional data is present here.
Stout Memorial Grove: A brief but beautiful hike featuring enormous redwood trees that were featured in multiple movies, from Return of the Jedi (keep an eye out for Ewoks!) to Jurassic Park. The scale of some of these trees – particularly fallen trees – is staggering. More details here.
Fern Canyon: The most well-known hike in this part of the state, this trail begins at an access point that is difficult to reach during wetter periods, as rain can wash out the roadway. If you’re doing this hike in winter, you likely require a vehicle with high ground clearance. The hike itself enters a ravine that is, predictably, filled with ferns from top to bottom of the canyon walls. It’s striking and seems like it should be featured in a Jurassic Park film. If unable to access the trailhead because the road is washed out, here’s an alternate route taking you into the canyon from the end of the well-maintained roadway.
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway: Similar to Avenue of the Giants, this scenic drive takes you parallel to 101 through Prairie Creek State Park and a nice string of redwoods.
Avenue of the Giants
Travel time from Trinidad by vehicle: 1 hours 20 minutes / 70 miles
While the Avenue of the Giants runs roughly parallel to Highway 101, the primary road you’ve been travelling on, it truly presents a entirely different experience.
You’ll wander along a winding, two lane road through immense redwoods for 31 stunning miles. It initiates here, and there are innumerable spots to halt and enter the redwoods that are usually thousands of years old, admiring their size.
For what it`s worth, we enjoyed the Bull Creek Westside Loop, which is a three mile hike through the redwood forest, with adequate up and down sections to increase heart rate after a long drive.
Mendocino
Drive time from the Avenue of the Giants: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes / 100 miles
This is a long drive, however it`s not as if there aren`t stops to make along the way. This is the part of the journey south where you meet up with world-renowned Highway 1 (don`t let online navigation services tell you to cut inland, which is somewhat swifter yet significantly less scenic) south along the Northern California coast towards San Francisco.
Make your way down the coast to Mendocino, a charming small town on the Northern California coast, perched overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We will include the nearby town of Fort Bragg in this segment too, located just a short drive north of Mendocino.
Here are a few of our favorite activities to enjoy along this beautiful stretch of Californian coast.
Hike the Point Mendocino Trail: The Point Mendocino Trail takes you out onto the bluffs where a river (Big River) meets Mendocino Bay and, ultimately, the Pacific Ocean. The short, easy hike makes a loop along the bluffs on the southwest side of town, which is perfect for a morning walk. Afterwards, grab breakfast in town at the Good Life Cafe and Bakery or Cafe Beaujolais.
Explore Russian Gulch State Park: This thin stretch of coastal woodland makes for a lovely afternoon immersed in nature. Consider this route beginning from the western entrance, ascending the ravine and circling the falls to the east. There’s also a shorter loop focusing on the falls. Fern Canyon offers additional redwood scenery just south of Mendocino.
Experience wine tasting in the Anderson Valley: Alysha took me to Mendocino for my birthday several years ago, and one of our favorite activities was wine tasting in the Anderson Valley, located approximately 40 minutes inland from Mendocino. In an area renowned for exceptional wine, we`re used to having to pay at least $20 for just three small pours of wine, which we inevitably share to save money. This is not the case in the Anderson Valley! It is more affordable, and the wines suit our palates better (we prefer light and fruity reds and whites over big and bold styles, which Napa is known for). We really enjoyed Roederer Estate for their sparkling wines, and Navarro for the setting (and their Gewürztraminer is great too). The Hendy Woods State Park is also worth visiting while in the area, for its redwoods.
Explore Glass Beach and Point Cabrillo: These are both quick stops north of Mendocino towards Fort Bragg. Point Cabrillo is home to a nice lighthouse and some coastal hiking trails. Glass Beach is a cool beach composed of sea glass rather than sand ( here on Google Maps).
Point Reyes National Seashore
Travel time from Mendocino: Around 2 hours 45 minutes/135 miles
Today is a long driving day, with three and a half hours (and 140 miles) of sheer coastal California splendor waiting for you between Mendocino and Point Reyes.
There are plenty of places to get out and stretch your legs along the way. Yet, with restricted time, we would propose just a brief stop rather than spending an entire day or night here – you’ve got a long way to go!
Some good stops to make are the charming seaside town of Bodega Bay,Wright’s Beach and Sonoma Coast State Park, and Jenner Beach, to name a few.
Point Reyes is a vast peninsula that juts out into the Pacific, separated from mainland California by Tomales Bay. There are two main regions to explore here – on the peninsula, and in the town of Point Reyes.
You should know that the estimated travel time/distance above gets you to the village of Point Reyes Station, which is indeed a charming small town worth stopping at, but the true delights commence after another 45 minute drive out to the coastline.
That drive takes you through rolling hills, rural scenes featuring barns and cows, and coastal views as you near your destination.
We’re biased, because Alysha grew up about 30 minutes away from here, but we think this will be among the most stunning places you visit in Northern California.
From December through May, the waters just below the Point Reyes Lighthouse provide prime viewing of migrating gray whales enjoyment the shallows. We`ve witnessed them playing in this region before.
Here are some things to do in and around Point Reyes.
Visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse: A highly renowned lighthouse established into a cliff, accessible through a steep set of steps. This is one of our favorite lighthouses in California, and likely along the west coast. It necessitates a lengthy drive to arrive there, but we feel it merits the effort. More information here.
Discover the wildlife on the Tomales Point Trail: The Tomales Point Trail offers stunning coastal views and the opportunity to see Tule elk up close. A sizable population of these elk live on the peninsula and this trail provides one of the best chances to view them. When I hiked it last, I came across many elk along the route, including a mother and baby contentedly grazing with the ocean in the background. It`s a lengthy hike to the northern tip but portions allow taking in the scenery and potential wildlife sightings.
Explore Point Reyes Station: This charming town surprisingly offers a high number of quality dining and drinking establishments. Two top choices are undoubtedly Cowgirl Creamery, a renowned cheesemaker providing an excellent lunch and cheese shopping locale, and Bovine Bakery, known for Alysha`s favorite Bear Claw among other pastries.
Enjoy oysters on Tomales Bay: Tomales Bay is renowned for its oysters, and you can savor them freshly at various locations along the bay`s shores. Hog Island Oyster Co. is among the most famous, and we recommend it. They operate an oyster bar approximately midway up Tomales Bay from Point Reyes Station ( here on Google Maps).
See the Cypress Tree Tunnel: Images that circulate online from skilled photographers often depict the renowned Cypress Tree Tunnel. The trees have extended over the road, shaping a pleasant wooden canopy overhead. The light is especially appealing around sunrise and sunset, as the low position of the sun allows the golden glow to permeate the canopy. It is located on the route to the Lighthouse, offering a worthwhile pause – here on Google Maps.
Mount Tamalpais & Around
Estimated driving time from Point Reyes to the Mountain Home Inn: 45 minutes/24 miles
If you thought you were going to be able to travel into the city without making a few stops along the way in, you were mistaken.
As we lived in San Francisco for almost a decade, there are many places just outside the city that we frequented repeatedly over time. This is one of those places that we are fond of, and this stop is for those who enjoy hiking.
A couple of the best hikes in the Bay Area can be found in the vicinity surrounding Mount Tam, and we’re going to provide you with three of our favorites.
The Dispea, Steep Ravine, and Matt Davis Loop: This could be our preferred hike in the Bay Area. It has everything – redwoods, babbling brooks, and coastal views. Begin from the parking area near Stinson Beach ( here on Google Maps) and head downhill initially before climbing back up. The scenery drastically changes throughout the course of the hike, which makes it fun and interesting.
Cataract Falls: A moderate hike to a cascading waterfall, be aware that you’re hiking downhill on the way there, meaning you’ll be hiking uphill for the entire return.
Mountain Home Inn to East Peak: This hike provides wonderful views after working hard to reach the destination. The trail through the forest leads to the summit of Mount Tam`s East Peak, where the entire San Francisco Bay Area stretches as far as the eye can see.
Muir Woods
Drive time from Mount Tam: 10 minutes / 3 miles.
We debated whether or not to incorporate Muir Woods into this itinerary at all.
Why? Since – SPOILER ALERT – you have as of now seen some genuinely stunning redwoods along the Northern California coastline, and we accept they’re significantly more splendid than the ones you’ll discover at Muir Woods.
But, we decided to give you the information so you can make that decision for yourself.
Muir Woods is a National Monument that was created to protect two hundred and forty acres of old growth redwoods that used to be commonly found in the Bay Area but are sadly now only located in this small area of paradise due to the logging industry. Most of the trees here are between five hundred and eight hundred years old.
There are two ways to access Muir Woods.
First is navigating the permit scheme, which is how they limit the number of people within the area.
You’ll need to either make an advance reservation to park right at Muir Woods, which has a small parking area, OR make an advance shuttle reservation, where you can leave your vehicle at a large parking location and take an easy, quick shuttle to and from the park.
Weekend and holiday shuttle service is offered, but weekday parking is simpler to obtain so advance planning negates any transportation issues.
Additional details about the permit system are available here.
The second route to access Muir Woods is less recognized, and it involves some (gorgeous) hiking. This brief trail from the Mountain Home Inn is the back entrance to Muir Woods.
You’ll begin from atop the Panoramic Highway (which is an enjoyable drive in its own right) and descend into the forest, winding your way towards Muir Woods from the rear side.
Whichever direction you do it, you’ll have a relatively steep uphill section to get back to your vehicle. Make sure to get to the parking lot very, very early (especially on a weekend) because it’s tiny. There is some parking along the highway, but it also fills up by 10:00 am or so.
The Marin Headlands
Drive time from Muir Woods: thirty minutes / fifteen miles
Your trip to San Francisco concludes with a drive across the world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge. It’s worth parking at the toll plaza ( here on Google Maps) to capture some nice views of the bridge. If there’s no coastal fog obscuring it, which there probably is.
Just before you drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, you’ll come upon the towering coastal cliffs on the northwest side of the bridge.
This landscape contains the Marin Headlands, with many excellent treks and activities to experience and sights to view.
Kirby Cove: A sheltered inlet simply north of the Golden Gate, there’s a downhill trail to access a sandy shoreline with an unrivaled sight of the span. You can in fact pitch a tent on the beach, yet reservations necessitate being made six months ahead of time, to the day.
Battery Spencer: One of the best panoramas of the Golden Gate Bridge, it’s on the northwest side, where parking is notoriously difficult to find. Consider walking to Battery Spencer after you hike to Kirby Cove without moving your vehicle (they’re a few hundred feet apart).
Point Bonita Lighthouse: Taking a brief hike will bring you to a landmark built in 1855 to assist ships in navigating the hazardous waters surrounding the Golden Gate, which refers not to the well-known bridge, but to the entrance into the bay. The hike is short (uphill on the return trip), and upon arrival at the lighthouse one crosses an enjoyable suspended footbridge. More information here.
Rodeo Beach: A pleasant, wide sandy shoreline just north of the Golden Gate. Perfect for a nice picnic lunch preceding a hike.
Hiking: There are multiple hikes in this area offering two favorites. The first is the Rodeo Beach / Coastal / Miwok Trail route taking you from Rodeo Beach along the coast and up with picturesque views throughout. The second a bit further north is the Tennessee Valley Trail, an easy hike to a beautiful, secluded beach where you can extend your trip hiking to the gorgeous Muir Beach.
