Multi-Day (5-10) Roadtrip Seattle to San Francisco

Days 1-3: Seattle

Seattle is a lot of fun and the transportation is easy to get anywhere you want. I suggest staying in Belltown, know for it's hip vibe. It is very convenient to most tourist attractions. Depending on your preferences, I suggest visiting the Arboretum, Pike Place Market, Public Market Center, Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Olympic Scuplture park and going kayaking with the whales.

Day 1 - go to Pike Place Market and Seattle Center. Pike Place Market is considered the "soul of Seattle". Founded in 1907, it spans nine historic acres, a place to shop, visit and eat. Definitely grab a coffee at Anchorhead Coffee. As a foodie, I highly recommend a Pike Place Market Food Tour. It is worth a picture at the Gum Wall and to stop by The Flying Fish.

Then on to the Olympic Scultpure Park, an outdoor art installation on the water. The perfect stop prior to going to Seattle Center. In this area, of course there is the Space Needle. Up to you if you want to do that. I recommend Coffee at Caffee Vita (KEXP) which has phenomenal coffee and it also an operating radio station. There is also the Museum of Pop Culture, the Pacific Science Center (known for its interactive exhibits), and the Chihuly Gardens and Glass. This is a beautiful museum, all a tribute to Dale Chihuly. Absolutely amazing! Do not miss the Glasshouse.

Then, head to Kerry Park which offers a great view of the city and some amazing sunsets.

Day 2 - Explore Capitol Hill and Fremont. In Capitol Hill, you are surrounded by some renowned coffee shops. There is Victrola Coffee Roasters, Analog Coffee, and the Starbucks Reserve Roastery (if you want a little history). Don't forget to stop in Atulea if you want tea, matcha or bubble tea. Next is the Elliott Bay Book Company, it's a fun multilevel bookstore. Stop by Oddfellows Cafe for lunch. Molly Moon's and Frankie & Jo's are in this area if you like a really good ice cream. Now Fremont, a few square blocks across the Fremont Drawbridge. This small area is loaded with bars, restaurants and boutiques. Make sure to see the stone sculpture under the Aurora Bridge, the infamous Freemont Troll. Take a chocolate tour at Theo Chocolate. Plan for a beautiful sunset at Gasworks Park. Go to Fremont Canal Park and hop on the Burke Gillman trail heading southeast to Gasworks Park. This park is known for its view and its huge structures throughout.

Day 3 - You can go kayaking with the whales and explore Bainbridge island. You can also take the Bainbridge Island Ferry and go to Olympic Peninsula. Or, you can walk and enjoy Discovery Park. This is a complete day. If you have time, you might want to explore Ballard. End the day, back near Pike Market, and enjoy a Beneath the Streets tour.

Where to Eat:

Go to Patio Cielo, the Lookout, Piroshky Piroshky (the BEST Russian pastries), Le Pichet, Maiz, Le Panier, Pike Place Chowder. The Pink Door is pasta and a burlesque show if you want something different.

Where to Stay:

I suggest Hyatt Regency Seattle, or Paramount Hotel or Kimpton Palladian Hotel or The Edgewater

Day 4 Mount Rainier

If you want Bend or Crater Lake, those are worth it, but they are interior and will add days to the journey. So, now the roadtrip is more of a 7-10 day journey. You also need to decide if you want time in Portland and/or Bend. If you do, drive I5, but you will miss coastal routes. Now that your decision has been made, off to Mt Rainier National Park. (WARNING – check ahead because even in May/June that might not be accessible due to weather)

Mount Rainier National Park is the crown jewel of the Northwest. It is the tallest peak in the Cascades and awe-inspiring to visit. Heading to Paradise (about 2.5-3 hours from Seattle) gives you a convenient taste of Mount Rainier's majestic beauty. Here you will find good hiking and waterfalls. Take an easy nature course, like Skyline Trail (and walk it counter clockwise) and you will see Myrtle Falls and meadows with Rainier looming over. Nisqually Vista Trail is shorter and easier. Reflection Lake is pretty, and if you have time, well worth the visit.

TIP - when you are in this area, mosquitoes are abundant.

Eat at Paradise Inn Lunch Room. Make this a stop and then head on to Portland.

Days 5-6 Portland

This area is really the best of both worlds between Seattle and San Fransico with abundant food and drink and plentiful access to nature. You get quick access to mountains and ocean! You should take a day and explore the city. Downtown doesn't have a lot to offer, try the Northwest District. If you are in Portland on the weekend, you must stop by the PSU Farmers Market.

Day 5 - Go to Powell's Books (oldest independent bookstore in the world). Then on to Washington Park. It is probably easiest to visit the Hoyt Arboretum and then wander over to the International Rose Test Garden, with over 10,000 buds. Hoyt Arboretum is really one big tree nursery with more than 2000 different tree species. Once you have finished exploring here, hop on the free Washington Park shuttle to get to the International Rose Test Garden. After you have explored this area, head back to the Northwest District and grab dinner. Or, as this is your only night, book a dinner cruise.

Day 6 - Try the Underground Shanghai Tunnel tour, this is very fun and informative as to the tunnels beneath the city connecting hotels and taverns to the Willamette River. Take advantage of all of the "mom and pop" shops. The Oregon Museum of Science and History gets great reviews.

After you have had your fill of Portland, head out to Columbia Gorge (30 minutes outside the city), which is amazing and has plenty of waterfalls. The Oregon side has the most waterfalls. The Sasquatch Shuttle stops at many of the main attractions, but you have to get to the pickup area. A short hike is possible to see Latourell Falls, with the trail taking you to both the upper and lower falls. Multnomah Falls is the most popular (i.e. crowded) and so many others are just as spectacular.

TIP: Portland is best in the summer, but check to make sure your accommodations have air conditioning. It can get unprecedented heat. Fall is the other best season. TIP: Leave your car at the hotel and use the Public Transportation to get around. Parking is a problem in Portland. Try the streetcar and/or The MAXX.

Eat: Mothers Bistro and bar, find a Food Cart Pod (try Prost! pod or Hawthorne Asylum). Donuts are a must in Portland. Try Pips Original. This is also the city of Pizza, so have pizza for dinner! Try Life of Pie or Please Louise.

Day 7 Hood River or Tillamook?

You can easily go on to Hood River from here and take advantage of that quaint town and good wine. This sets you up for a nice trip to Crater Lake, but will add time to your itinerary. Or, you can decide to stay coastal, and head to Tillamook, Lincoln City and Crescent City. It is expeditious to choose Hood River to Bend to San Francisco. The coastal drive is beautiful with whales, lookouts and Oregon's famous sand dunes, but you have less options for hotels. You are now a 10 hour drive to San Francisco.

Tillamook & Three Capes Scenic Drive. Take this route, stop at the cheese factory then off to the Three Arch Rocks to see puffins. Grab a bite at Oceanside cafe. Next is Cape Kiwanda for the dunes. From here, I would enjoy the scenery and push on to Crescent City. That puts you in California! In Crescent City stay at the Best Western. See the Trees of Mystery before you leave.

Hood River - Bend option. This is a quaint town known for its windsurfing and fruit. This is a very fertile area for cherries, apples and grapes. Drive the Fruit Loop. You will see amazing views of Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and Mount St. Helens. There are orchards for as far as the eye can see, and lavender farms. Stop at Gorge White House for lunch. Taste the wine in town. If you stay in Hood River, try the Inn at the Gorge or Hood River Hotel. Or you can head on to Bend, 3 hours away. Bend has a fun downtown and is a hiker's paradise. Here you want to plan some nature hikes or floating on the river. You need to explore Downtown and the Old Mill District. Here you can shop and eat at the local restaurants. The Lot is a popular food cart pod.

In Bend, stay at McMenamins Old St Francis School (quirky hotel in 1930's schoolhouse) or Oxford Hotel Bend.

Day 8 Crater Lake and Redwoods

Head off to Crater Lake. Plan to leave early so you have time to tour the lake. There is not much to do here and not really any place to stay, so you will visit and continue on. Crater Lake was formed from the eruption of Mount Mazame 8000 years ago. You can pick a place to stop and enjoy the beauty of the lake. You can drive the Rim Road which is 33 miles long. It gets congested with tourists, so arrive before 9am.

Time for redwoods! Honestly? I'd stop near Redwood National Park, rest up, and see redwoods tomorrow. Today was a lot of driving. There is the Historic Requa Inn near the redwoods.

Day 9 Redwoods to Mendocino

Now we are ready for redwoods. Take Howland Hill Road to literally drive through the redwoods. It is a 10-mile road that used to be for stagecoaches. Another good drive is Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway. If you want to hike amongst the redwoods, Stout Memorial Grove is a beautiful short hike. This is where they filmed Return of the Jedi. There is also Fern Canyon, with an abundance of ferns and redwoods. If you are up for it, head to the Avenue of the Giants, 31 miles of gorgeous redwoods.

Day 10 Mendocino

Continue your coastal journey, Highway 1, onto Mendocino, you will go through Glass Beach and Fort Bragg. Stop at Eggheads for a fun breakfast or lunch, it is a "Wizard of Oz" themed restaurant. Glass Beach, in Fort Bragg, is worth a looksee. This beach earns it's name from the abundance of sea glass.

Mendocino is worth a stop to hike the short Mendocino Trail, which will take you to bluffs where the Big River meets the bay. You can also go inland a bit, if you want, for some wine tasting in Anderson Valley. As you are making your beautiful coastal drive towards Point Reyes, there are many cute places to stop, such as Bodega Bay, Wright's Beach or Jenner Beach. In Point Reyes, there are great oysters, if you are hungry. Try Hog Island Oyster Co. I would also suggest Cowgirl Creamery for their famous cheese and/or Bovine Bakery for a pastry. Bodega Bay has some great seafood to eat, and you can frequently see whales by Point Reyes Lighthouse.

If you choose to stay in Mendocino, stay at Sea Rock Inn or Headlands Inn

You are now about 2 hours from San Francisco.

Day 11-13

San Francisco! So many things to do. The good news, if you want, you basically no longer need your car. If you rented, turn it in and use mass transit to get around. Again, parking can be a challenge. Take advantage of the Hop On Hop Off tours, ride the cable car.

Right before you cross the Golden Gate Bridge, pull over and snap some photos.

Day 1 - Take the Hop On Hop Off tours and make sure to stop by the Ferry Building. This is full of all kinds of food an drink. Use the bus or the F train to get to Fisherman's Wharf and Ghiradelli Square. At the wharf, this is where you should take a ferry to Alcatraz (research this to be sure to take the tour that lands on Alcatraz, not just drives around it) I suggest Alcatraz City Cruises.

After you explore this landmark, walk on over to Ghiradelli Square. From here, walk over to the Powell/Hyde cable car stop. You can ride the famous cable car all the way to Union Square. There is a stop for Lombard Street which is worth it, to see the quirky turns. Continue on the cable through Russian Hill and Nob Hill. Stroll around Union Square, with ample opportunity for food and shopping. From here it is easy to walk on through the Dragon Gate on into Chinatown. This is a good stop for dinner. Or, you can continue on to North Beach. A fun nighttime adventure in North Beach is the "Dear San Francisco" at Club Fugazi. This is an ode to San Francisco with high energy and acrobatics.

Day 2 - Head to Alamo Square to see the famous Victorian Houses, also known as the Painted Ladies. From here, you have a choice. You can walk to Hayes Valley or to Haight-Ashbury. If you choose Hayes Valley, this is full of independent shops and restaurants. If you choose Haight-Ashbury, you will enter the hippie zone of San Francisco's past. There are lots of shops and restaurants here as well. In the evening, head on over to The Mission and Valencia Street. This has lots of hip shops, bars and restaurants. You will find fantastic Mexican food. You can walk from Hayes Valley, or hop a bus. If you don't want to head to The Mission, this is a good night to take a Sunset cruise. There are also wine tasting cruises.

Stay: Hotel 1550 or Bayhill Inn or Stanyan Park Hotel or The Marker.

General Tips:

• If flying to Seattle, look into the Star Pass for easier commute and transportation
• There is also the SEA Spot Saver to skip the TSA line at Seattle Airport
• Save money and time, skip the Space Needle and Seattle Great Wheel. If you want a view, there are better recommendations.
• There are large homeless encampments near Pioneer Square. If that makes you uncomfortable, avoid this area.
• Buy the Priority Wine Pass. Good all along the west coast for discounts at wineries.
• A military ID gets you a discounted entrance, if not free, to all state parks.
• Check if running the “permit system” to see redwoods.
• Be mindful to stay on Highway 1 – GPS will frequently try to take you off it for faster arrival.
• All of the major towns have great trams, public transportation.
• In San Francisco, there are several FREE self-guided walking tours if you look online.