road trip itinerary seattle to san diego

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How to plan the ultimate seattle to san diego road trip (2024).

The west coast of the United States is one of the most scenic places in the country. From the mountains of Washington to the sandy beaches of California, there’s so much to put on a west coast road trip itinerary. That’s why you’ll love taking a Seattle to San Diego road trip at least once in your life.

I’ve been lucky enough to explore dozens of different destinations from Washington to California in the past few years and go on many fun Seattle road trips . Based on my experience, I decided to compile all of these destinations into a Seattle to San Diego drive that others could follow to explore this side of the country.

This road trip from Seattle to San Diego includes some of my favorite places. Take your time to plan your trip and adjust the stops as needed. You can always skip one or two of these stops if you want to spend more time in a specific city.

Here are some tips for planning your west coast trip, suggested itineraries, and details about each location.

This post has been updated and is accurate as of February 2023.

Table of Contents

Tips for Driving From Seattle to San Diego

Here are a few things to keep in mind before your Seattle to San Diego drive (or a San Diego to Seattle drive).

Seattle to San Diego Road Trip Time

The driving time from Seattle to San Diego if you didn’t stop at all would be about 19 hours , but don’t do that to yourself. You won’t be able to see any of these fun stops along the way, much less have any time to eat or sleep. That’s why this article will show you different ways to break up your drive.

Seattle to San Diego Distance

The distance from Seattle to San Diego is about 1,255 miles if you stick to I-5 (again, not seeing any fun places on the way there). I like to note both time and distance because some people like to say they’ll drive X amount of hours before stopping, while others have a mileage goal to achieve before stopping.

How Many Days Does It Take to Drive From Seattle to San Diego?

Based on the above information, you could do a west coast drive from Seattle in one day, but it’d be pretty miserable. That’s why I recommend breaking it up and doing at least 3 days minimum, if not more. Further down, I have examples of itineraries you can follow to see how you can split up your time.

Which Way to Drive on a West Coast Road Trip From Seattle

If you have the choice, I recommend starting your trip from Seattle and heading south from there. A Seattle to San Diego road trip lets you begin in Washington state, where you can explore mountains and forests, and end up in sunny California.

However, there’s nothing wrong with doing a San Diego to Seattle road trip as well. You can decide and adjust the itinerary based on where you’re starting from.

No matter which way you go, you can decide to do all of these stops or just a few. Read through the recommended ones and pick out the ones that excite you the most.

The Best Time for a Road Trip From San Diego to Seattle

You can do a west coast trip any time of the year, but you should be aware that Washington and Oregon can get the occasional snow in the winter. While this west coast road trip itinerary mainly has you sticking to I-5, there are parts you may be going on less-traveled roads, so be aware it may be icy.

That said, the best time for a west coast road trip is from April to September . You’ll have drier weather during this time and be able to enjoy your stops outside more.

Hotels will be cheaper in the spring and fall, but summer will have better weather, so you’ll have to decide what’s more important.

Looking for the ultimate Seattle travel guide written by a local that tells you all the best places to go and what to see? My new ebook is now live, so  click here  to buy your copy!

Choosing a Rental Car When Driving From Seattle to San Diego

If you need to rent a car for your trip from Seattle to San Diego, you can easily do that in Seattle. There are multiple places to book from, and you can do everything online.

When I did my road trip from Seattle to Yellowstone , I wanted a car that could go on bumpy roads. However, I wasn’t worried about that and knew a standard car would be fine with this trip.

Compare the prices and see what type of car will work best. I recommend getting a medium-sized vehicle so it’s comfortable and can fit down smaller streets and parking spots.

You’ll also want to consider which vehicle will have the best gas mileage (which was important when I did my road trip around Vancouver Island ). Here are several reliable car rental companies to check out for your Seattle to San Diego road trip:

West Coast Road Trip Packing List

Make sure you’re well-prepared for your Seattle to San Diego road trip before you leave. While I have a comprehensive road trip packing list tips post, here are a few essentials I recommend for this trip:

• Emergency roadside kit – If you’re renting a car, you may have roadside assistance that you can call. Otherwise, I recommend throwing in an emergency kit to help with any issues that may come up.
• USB car chargers – Charge your phone and camera while driving so you’re ready to use them when you stop.
• Camera – You don’t miss out on some of the fantastic scenery you’ll see on your road trip from San Diego to Seattle.
• Reusable coffee mug – Don’t waste paper cups every morning, and just bring your reusable ones instead to fill up.
• Snacks – Staying fueled with healthy snacks like trail mix and protein bars will prevent you from crashing.
• Reusable water bottle – Staying hydrated is essential when you travel, but don’t waste dozens of plastic water bottles in the process. Many restaurants and cafes are more than happy to fill up your water bottle.

Some people enjoy taking their road trip a day at a time and seeing where they end up that night. That gives me anxiety personally, so I’ve listed my suggested stops, places to check out, and hotels to stay at.

Need help planning out your road trip? I’ve been using Roadtrippers for years to see exactly how long it’ll take from one point to the next and find new places to add to my itinerary!

Itineraries for a Seattle to San Diego Drive

The best part about going on a Seattle to San Diego road trip is there are many different options as far as where to stop and how long to go. Some people may be visiting this side of the country for the first time and want to go on a Seattle to California road trip for 2 weeks. Others may have less time and want a west coast road trip itinerary for 5 days.

5 Day West Coast Road Trip Itinerary

You can plan to do a Seattle to San Diego road trip itinerary in 5 days, but you’ll be very rushed. While I’ll give a sample itinerary below, you can save a few hours by having Los Angeles be your last stop on your west coast roadtrip from Seattle.

7 Day West Coast Road Trip Itinerary

If you have a full week, you’ll love this itinerary for a 7 day road trip from Seattle. You’ll get to spend several days in Washington, Oregon, and California to see the best of what they have to offer.

10 Day West Coast Road Trip Itinerary

Here’s the breakdown of your 10-day west coast road trip. Some of your drives will be short to the next destination, while others will be a bit longer, but I promise they’re worth it!

14 Day West Coast Road Trip Itinerary

If you’re lucky enough to have time to go on a 2-week west coast road trip from Seattle, you’ll get to stop at some amazing places. Here are my suggested places to visit during your 14 days.

Short on time? Here’s how to compare Seattle and Portland to pick where you want to go.

Seattle to San Diego Road Trip Map

Here’s a visual to see exactly where you’ll be going on this Washington to California road trip.

15 Stops to Make on a Seattle to San Diego Road Trip

Here are 15 places on the west coast that you won’t want to miss. Pick and choose as you wish to make the trip your own!

If you’re starting in Seattle, I recommend spending more than one day since there’s so much to see. There are many day trips from Seattle if you want to extend your trip before you head out.

Things to Do in Seattle

If you just have a day, make sure to stop by Pike Place Market (where you’ll find some of the best gifts from Seattle ). While it may seem like a tourist trap, I still enjoy going there for fresh flowers and produce. While you’re there, check out Le Panier for French macarons and stop by Pike Place Chowder for some delicious seafood chowder.

You can also walk around or take a taxi to see the following tourist attractions:

• Chihuly Garden and Glass
• Space Needle
• MoPOP (Museum of Pop Culture)
• Seattle Aquarium

There’s nothing better than taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island on a sunny summer day in Seattle . You’ll have beautiful views of Puget Sound and can check out the cute little town near the ferry dock. There are plenty of Seattle Instagram spots here to enjoy.

Buying a Seattle CityPASS is a great way to save money on ticket costs, as you’ll be able to see multiple Seattle attractions for one price!

When you return, head to the  Smith Tower for happy hour while watching the sun go down over the city. You can check out my one day in Seattle itinerary for more ideas of how to spend your day in the city or my 3 day Seattle itinerary if you’re staying longer.

There are also many cheap things to do in Seattle if you’re on a budget.

Where to Stay in Seattle

• Hilton Seattle is in the middle of downtown and close to the Space Needle, Westlake Center, and plenty of shopping. (rates start at $87 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Hotel 1000 is a modern hotel with a restaurant and bar, and is centrally located by the piers, Pike Place Market, and the general downtown area. (rates start at $255 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Quiet Seattle Center Condo – This Belltown condo has free parking (a rarity!), a pool, and is within walking distance to places like the Space Needle. (rates start at $155 per night)

2. Gig Harbor

Your next stop on a road trip from Seattle to San Diego is only a short drive from the city. However, you’ll love relaxing in this small town to start your US west coast road trip slowly.

Things to Do in Gig Harbor

If you’re here in time for breakfast, stop at Netshed No 9  for a hearty breakfast with a view of the water. After that, walk around the shops in town and grab a cup of coffee.

The city of Gig Harbor is a great place just to relax and enjoy walking along the waterfront. You can grab food to go from one of the restaurants and enjoy a picnic on a bench. I love nothing more than getting a latte in the morning and walking through town as it slowly opens up.

If you love boutique shopping , there are many places to check out while you’re here. On a sunny day, I recommend taking a boat tour of the area to see the water and learn the history.

For a romantic way to see the area, book a tour with  Gig Harbor Gondola , where you’ll have a friendly gondolier take you down the harbor in an authentic gondola from Italy.

Top off your night with dinner at  Brix 25 before continuing your Seattle to San Diego road trip itinerary.

Where to Stay in Gig Harbor

• Best Western Wesley Inn & Suites is close to downtown, dog-friendly, and includes free breakfast. (rates start at $117 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• The INN at Gig Harbor is near the water, has a fitness center, and offers rooms with jacuzzi tubs in them. (rates start at $128 per night, book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• 42′ Ponderosa Boat – For a really unique stay, book this boat that has two bedrooms and a large sun deck to enjoy. (rates start at $180 per night)

I love using Roadtrippers for all my road trips because they show you all the fun stops to make along the way. You can get $5 off if you sign up with my code BTR5QTP .

3. Olympic National Park

One of the most amazing national parks in Washington is Olympic National Park, so you’ll want to stop here if you have time on your west coast trip.

Things to Do in Olympic National Park

You can soak in a hot tub, walk through a rainforest, and visit the coast in 1 day at Olympic National Park .

There is also a good variety of Olympic National Park hikes to explore, whether you’re looking for a short one to stretch your legs on or a long, challenging hike.

This stop is one of the most scenic ones in nature on your trip, and I recommend stopping here if you’re going on a 10-day west coast road trip. This is a great family-friendly vacation in Washington as well.

If you have time to extend your trip, go on a road trip around the Olympic Peninsula as well.

Where to Stay in Olympic National Park

• Port Angeles Inn  is great if you want to be on the waterfront and near various shops and restaurants in Port Angeles. (rates start at $72 per night; book your room on  Booking.com  or  Hotels.com )
• Lake Cre scent Lodge  is one of the best places to stay if you want to be in the park. (rates start at $139 per night; book your room on  Hotels.com  or read reviews on  TripAdvisor )
• Olympic Peninsula Adventures Base Camp – This two-bedroom home is between Sequim and Port Angeles and is close to many attractions. (rates start at $175 per night)

You could also change up this trip and head east to go on a Seattle to Glacier National Park road trip at this point.

4. Long Beach

You’ll head down the state to the Washington coast next. Visiting Long Beach is a must to add to your west coast road trip itinerary, as it has a lot to offer for a small town on the water. This is one of the longest beaches in the country, so you’ll love adding it to your list of places to see in Washington .

Things to Do in Long Beach

You’ll also get to drive on the beginning of the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway, one of Washington’s best scenic drives . Take a long walk along the beach or take a horseback riding tour of the area. It’s also a great place to  fly a kite , so bring your own or rent one while you’re there.

For a casual lunch, stop by  Pickled Fish , where you can fuel up and view the Pacific Ocean. If you’re in the mood for a pint, head over to  North Jetty Brewing to try some of the local beer.

You can also catch live music at the restaurant at the Adrift Hotel. It’s a fun way to taste local seafood, see a small band, and have a view of the Pacific Ocean as well. You’ll easily see why it’s one of the best weekend getaways from Seattle .

Alternatively, you could visit Ocean Shores instead, which is north of Long Beach and has a beach town charm all its own.

Where to Stay in Long Beach

• Adrift Hotel gives you a view of the water and is right next to the beach. (rates start at $127 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Shelburne Hotel is a cute bed and breakfast on the main street. ( Rates start at $89 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Oceanview Vacation Home – This three-bedroom home sleeps up to nine guests, has a full kitchen, and is only minutes from the beach. (rates start at $250 per night)

Many people haven’t heard of the town of Astoria, yet they’ve seen it many times. It’s been featured in dozens of movies, including  The Goonies, Free Willy,  and more, and there are plenty of things to do in Astoria .

Things to Do in Astoria

Astoria faces Washington and is right on the Columbia River (seeing a theme with places by the water yet?). Walk through the town to see historic buildings and stop by Pier 39  to see the Bumble Bee Cannery Museum, which had a huge impact on the town’s growth.

You’ll love the  Oregon Film Museum if you’re into movies, where you can see old film sets and even pretend you’re in a movie. For wood-fired pizza and local beer, head over to Fort George Brewery .

To watch the sun go down, drive up to the Astoria Column to have a view of the entire city. Stopping in this charming city is one of the best things to do in the Pacific Northwest .

You can also extend this and head to the ocean to embark on an Oregon Coast road trip .

Where to Stay in Astoria

• Hotel Elliott has a rooftop deck, and you’ll be able to walk around to many restaurants and stores without needing to drive. (rates start at $149 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Best Western Astoria Bayfront Hotel is near the water and has a pool and hot tub. (rates start at $119 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Boardwalk Condo – This two-bedroom condo is right on the river and has a dining and living room. (rates start at $295 per night)

6. Portland

I always prefer to visit small cities over larger ones, but Portland’s a fun city to stop in for a day on a Pacific Northwest road trip vacation .

Things to Do in Portland

You’ll have to stop at  Voodoo Donuts  to start the day, as they’re one of the most famous things to do in Portland .

If you love books, head to  Powell’s City of Books , where you could easily spend an hour or two.

There are dozens of  food carts in Portland, so you won’t have to walk far to find one for lunch. Oregon produces some great beer, so stop by a few breweries like Upright Brewing or Ground Breaker Brewing. Head to Von Ebert Brewing for burgers, wings, salads, and more for dinner during Portland in the summer .

If you have time, check out one of the many Portland day trips you can go on in the area or how to spend 3 days in Portland if you’ll be there for a bit.

This is a great part of your trip where you could decide to add on a few days and book a Portland weekend getaway to explore more of the area.

You can also head out on a Portland to San Franciso drive from here, which is particularly pretty during fall in Portland .

Where to Stay in Portland

• Hilton Portland Downtown is conveniently located downtown and there’s even a parking garage to keep your car in (rare in Portland). (rates start at $242 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• AC Hotel   is dog-friendly and has a great location in downtown Portland. (rates start at $127 per night; book your room on  Booking.com  or  Hotels.com )
• Guest Suite With Backyard Oasis – This basement guest suite has on-street parking and is close to the Alberta Arts district. (rates start at $125 per night)

Most people put Portland on their itinerary for a west coast road trip from Seattle for at least a day, but make sure to check out Eugene on the way south on your Seattle to San Diego road trip.

Things to Do in Eugene

Downtown Eugene is full of hip eateries, kid and dog-friendly breweries, and local shops .

During football season, check out a University of Oregon football game for a unique experience if you’re in town . If kids are with you on your trip, they’ll love spending time at the interactive Eugene Children’s Museum . You can also take a stroll along the Willamette River .

• Inn at the 5th is in downtown Eugene near plenty of shops and is right next to a delicious French restaurant. (rates start at $209 per night)
• Residence Inn Eugene Springfield is a great place to stay when you need a place to stay and the basic amenities on your road trip. (rates start at $139 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Cute Art House in Historical Neighborhood – This three-bedroom house is only a few minutes drive from restaurants and breweries. (rates start at $130 per night)

Many people stop in Portland and then keep going to California, but Bend is a place that’s becoming popular for an Oregon vacation. I recommend stopping here for a day during your west coast road trip from Seattle. The area is known for its outdoor activities and beer, so take advantage of both by adding this to your west coast trip itinerary.

Things to Do in Bend

You can go  parasailing, hiking, or canoeing to release pent-up energy from driving.

Bend is also known for its famous  Bend Ale Trail , which features 16 different breweries from the area. While you probably shouldn’t visit all of these in just a day, check out at least a few of them. Some I recommend include  Sunriver Brewing Company or  Boneyard Beer .

For dinner, check out  The Blacksmith to sample local seafood and beef.

Oregon is known for its chain of hotels and restaurants called McMenamins , and I always try to stay in them when I can make due. The rooms are well-decorated, and they have plenty of activities to do. In addition to a restaurant, they also tend to have a bar or two in the hotel.

Where to Stay in Bend

• McMenamins Old St. Francis is a plush place to stay with multiple restaurants and bars on-site. (rates start at $175 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Hampton Inn & Suites is a more affordable place to stay and family-friendly if your kids are with you. (rates start at $154 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Private Cabin in the Woods – This charming cabin has plenty of amenities nearby, like a swimming pool, tennis court, and walking path. (rates start at $170 per night)

Many people stop in Redding on the way down California since it’s right off I-5, but it’s worth exploring the area by adding it to your west coast road trip.

Things to Do in Redding

Head to  Whiskeytown Lake  to go hiking, kayaking, or swimming. There are also many hikes north of Redding in the Shasta Cascade region . Redding is an outdoor lover’s dream with how much there is to do.

When you’re ready for food, head to downtown Redding to  The Mosiac and enjoy seating on their outdoor patio. After, take a walk along the  Sacramento River and see the  Sundial Bridge .

Where to Stay in Redding

• Hilton Garden Inn Redding includes a restaurant on-site and free cookies in the lobby for a snack, plus they’re close to the freeway. (rates start at $115 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Comfort Suites Redding has an indoor pool and a fitness center. (rates start at $93 per night)
• One-Bedroom Home – This small house is great for a quick stop on your road trip and has a deck and patio to enjoy. (rates start at $136 per night)

10. Petaluma

Sonoma and Napa are popular places for wine tasting, but don’t overlook Petaluma on your Seattle to San Diego road trip. This adorable town is in Sonoma County and is much less crowded than Napa Valley. Staying here is also generally more affordable during your road trip from Seattle to San Diego.

Things to Do in Petaluma

There are dozens of wineries to visit in Petaluma and Sonoma County . When you’ve had your share of wine, you can head to downtown Petaluma for dinner or to go shopping in some of the boutique stores. You won’t want to miss this town on your 7 day west coast road trip.

Where to Stay in Petaluma

• Hotel Petaluma is a restored boutique hotel from the 1920s that is in the heart of downtown Petaluma. (rates start at $93 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• This Spanish/Mediterranean Casita is separate from the main home, with an eat-in dining area in the equipped kitchen (rates start at $155 per night)

11. San Francisco

San Francisco is always a fun city to stop in, whether for a day or a few days.

Things to Do in San Francisco

You can visit places like Alcatraz Island to visit a former prison and learn about its history. Fisherman’s Wharf is another fun place to stay by the water and buy seafood when on a Seattle to San Diego road trip.

Some other areas to check out when you’re in San Francisco include:

• Golden Gate Bridge
• Painted Ladies
• Golden Gate Park

If you want to extend your trip, you can always drive over to Tahoe to enjoy all the fun summer activities in Lake Tahoe or the hikes in Tahoe .

Where to Stay in San Francisco

• Bay Bridge Inn is a modern hotel within walking distance of many attractions. (rates start at $88 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• SOMA Park Inn is downtown and has a view of the city. (rates start at $90 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• This 1890s San Francisco Victorian has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and a 6 foot jacuzzi tub. (rates start at $225 per night)

12. Monterey

Monterey is a beautiful city to stop in on your west coast road trip from Seattle on the California coast.

Things to Do in Monterey

Head to  Cannery Row to go wine tasting, have lunch, and enjoy sitting on a bench while watching boats go by.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can go scuba diving in Monterey Bay and see jellyfish, seals, etc. I’ve been diving in many different areas, but this is one of the most scenic ones. There’s a shop right by the water, so you can gear up and walk straight into the water.

For a unique twist on Latin food, stop at  The Haute Enchilada for a meal. You can also take a walk down  Fisherman’s Wharf to sample seafood the local restaurants give out, buy taffy, and stop in the souvenir shops.

You only have a few days left on your west coast road trip itinerary, so you might be a little tired at this point. I suggest taking your time in Monterey to relax and enjoy the beautiful views while you’re here.

Alternatively, Monterey is a great base to go on a Big Sur day trip , so you could spend a day exploring the coast on your road trip from San Diego to Seattle.

Where to Stay in Monterey

• Inn By the Bay Monterey has beautiful views of the ocean and a garden to walk around. (rates start at $151 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Portola Hotel & Spa is a place to indulge by taking advantage of the spa and having a glass of wine while staring at the Pacific Ocean. (rates start at $189 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )

13. Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a crazy city that’s always busy but it’s still worth a stop on a Seattle to San Diego road trip. Trying to drive in Los Angeles can be tough with how crowded it is, but I do recommend spending a day exploring it.

Things to Do in Los Angeles

My favorite breakfast there is an acai bowl , which you can find at dozens of different health shops around the city. After that, head over to Venice Beach to hang out on the beach and people-watch. I love seeing some locals skateboarding or doing yoga on the beach.

One of the best places in the area to go for a hike is  Runyon Canyon . You’ll have a great view of the city and probably run into a few celebrities on this popular route. This is a great spot to get out any energy you may have from sitting in the car.

At night, head to  Griffith Observatory to watch the stars to end the night. You’ll love this part of your west coast trip itinerary and a popular stop on a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco .

If you have time and want to extend your trip, you can easily do a day trip to Joshua Tree from Los Angeles.

I also recommend heading down to visit Huntington Beach for surf, sun, and delicious seafood.

Where to Stay in Los Angeles

• Ramada Plaza by Wyndham West Hollywood Hotel & Suites is an Art Deco hotel with a restaurant and pool. (rates start at $159 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles is in central LA, has a pool, and is near some of the hippest restaurants in the city. (rates start at $179 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• This city condo is a one-bedroom loft that has free parking and a rooftop pool. (rates start at $177 per night)

14. Temecula

There’s no reason to go to crowded Napa when you can enjoy the beauty of Temecula Valley. You’ll enjoy spending a day relaxing as your road trip starts to come to an end.

Things to Do in Temecula

Spend a few hours at  Robert Renzoni sampling local wine and having lunch outdoors during your Seattle to San Diego road trip.

Head to downtown Temecula to browse the shops, such as the  Temecula Lavender Co. and  Old Town Sweet Shop . Stop by Crush and Brew  for dinner and then head to the speakeasy in the back for a specialty cocktail.

Where to Stay in Temecula

• Hampton Inn & Suites Temecula is close to the freeway and only five minutes from downtown. (rates start at $113 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Rancho California Inn Temecula is an affordable place to stay with an outdoor pool. (rates start at $65 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Perfect for a couple, this farm stay “glamping” experience boasts a kitchenette, deck and free access to the entire farm and animals. (rates start at $235 per night)

15. San Diego

After you’re done exploring Temecula, it’s time to head to your final destination – San Diego. You may need to get to the airport at this point, and you can likely drive straight there to return your car when driving from Seattle to San Diego.

However, there are plenty of things to do in San Diego if you have more time.

Things to Do in San Diego

Head to  La Jolla  to relax on the beach or kayak in the ocean. I rented a kayak when I was here and went out with my brother to explore the water, which was a bit windy in the afternoon. You might want to go. in the morning for less of a breeze/waves.

Head to the  Pacific Beach  neighborhood at night to check out the nightlife. There are plenty of restaurants near the beach, such as the Pacific Beach Fish Shop or  Amplified Ale Works Kitchen + Beer Garden . Head to PB Ale House for a nightcap and to celebrate your road trip from Seattle to California!

Where to Stay in San Diego

• Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown is in a great location downtown and close to plenty of restaurants and bars. (rates start at $120 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• Wyndham San Diego Bayside has a fitness center and outdoor pool. (rates start at $135 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com )
• This high-end condo sleeps 4 with a fully stocked kitchen, WiFi and more. (rates start at $159 per night) 

By now, you should have a good idea of what you want to put on your itinerary. You’ll see some amazing parts of this coast, whether you take a Seattle to San Diego road trip or a San Diego to Seattle road trip.

Marissa Pedersen

Marissa is a Seattle local who's obsessed with exploring all things Pacific Northwest, especially hiking, road trips, and national parks. She's been to hundreds of places all over the region and started this website to help others discover the beauty of the area and create their own trips.

6 thoughts on “ How to Plan the Ultimate Seattle to San Diego Road Trip (2024) ”

This post is giving me some serious wanderlust. Great post with all the places to visit.

Your Day 3 – Day 7 are places I’d love to include in our next trip!

I stayed in Astoria last year for the first time! It prompted me to watch The Goonies (which I had never seen before!) and we enjoyed the quaint town. I think I need to head to Gig Harbor to explore!

We drove from Redding to Monterey along Highway 1, and it was beautiful! We love road tripping through the West Coast!

Oh gosh, this post is making me crave a road trip! Great post!

You should go on one, even if it’s short!

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The Best Seattle to San Diego Road Trip

San Diego is known for its laid-back beach vibes and unbeatable weather, making it one of the best destinations in California. The road trip from Seattle to San Diego is a scenic journey through lush forests and rugged coastlines to sun-drenched deserts and bustling cities on the Pacific Coast.

[/strong]You can do this 1,520-mile road trip from Seattle to San Diego in 29 hours. On the way, you can visit Cannon Beach, Redwood National and State Parks, Bodega Bay, San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Malibu and Los Angeles.[/strong]

This is the ultimate drive for anyone wanting to explore this world-famous region on the stunning West Coast. Read on below to learn more about our recommended routes, where to stop overnight, the best time to travel, and the best things to see and do along the way.

Where is San Diego and how far is a road trip from Seattle?

This epic road trip takes you from the bustling tech hub of Seattle to the sun-soaked shores of San Diego. You have two distinct routes to choose from: the Sacramento Route, taking you through the heart of California, or the scenic Pacific Coast Highway Route, which offers unparalleled ocean views and coastal charm.

This journey is perfect for those who appreciate the blend of urban exploration, majestic natural wonders, and the serene beauty of the Pacific coastline. Along the way, you can enjoy detours to national parks, vineyards, and iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Hollywood.

The Sacramento Route takes you through the heart of the Pacific Northwest and California. You'll travel 1,340 miles with around 21 hours of driving.

The scenic Pacific Coast Highway Route covers 1,520 miles with 29 hours on the road. On the way, you'll drive along the beautiful coasts of Oregon and California.

To fully enjoy the scenic beauty and attractions along the way, allow at least 5 days for the Sacramento Route and 8 days for the Pacific Coast Highway Route. This way, you'll have time to enjoy all the wonders and attractions along the way.

How long is the road trip from Seattle to San Diego, and how many days will it take?

What is the best road trip route from seattle to san diego.

There is no best route for an amazing road trip to San Diego from Seattle. That being said, this is how our two routes stack up against each other, looking at some factors that might influence your decision.

Driving from Seattle to San Diego via Sacramento

The Sacramento Route from Seattle to San Diego will take you from the lush landscapes of Washington State and California through cities, forests, mountains, and iconic landmarks.

You'll travel along Interstate 5 (I-5), a straightforward and well-maintained interstate. Aside from traffic and the occasional fog near San Francisco, you'll have largely stress-free driving conditions.

From the majestic vistas of the Columbia River Gorge near Portland to the awe-inspiring sights of Mount Shasta and the Golden Gate Bridge in Northern California, each segment of the journey is beautiful.

You'll have plenty of facilities along the way, like gas stations and restaurants. On top of that, you'll enjoy an array of activities and attractions, including historic destinations, theme parks, and charming cities and towns.

Driving from Seattle to San Diego via The Pacific Coast Highway

The Pacific Coast Highway Route is a scenic drive that stretches along the American West Coast. You'll enjoy an incredible blend of ocean vistas, coastal towns, and natural wonders along the way.

The driving experience on the Pacific Coast Highway is both challenging and rewarding. You'll drive through diverse terrains, from the rugged cliffs of the Oregon Coast to the serene beauty of California's Big Sur.

The scenery along this route is truly majestic. Each turn reveals another breathtaking view and a continuous stream of picturesque beaches, dense redwood forests, and coastal bluffs.

While bustling cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles have many luxurious accommodations and culinary delights, smaller towns like Carmel-by-the-Sea and Santa Barbara offer cozy inns and local seafood spots.

However, some stretches might have fewer amenities, particularly in more secluded areas like Big Sur. Traffic on the Pacific Coast Highway can vary, with some sections experiencing plenty of congestion.

If you are traveling on the Pacific Coast Highway, keep in mind that this highway can be prone to landslides, especially in the Big Sur area, and check for road closures before you travel.

Driving Route from Seattle to San Diego

To help you prepare for your ultimate drive from Seattle to San Diego, we've included a summary of each route below. It is always a good idea to consult GPS for step-by-step instructions.

Driving the Sacramento Route

From Seattle, set out on I-5 South, guiding you south through the evergreen beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Your journey quickly brings you past Tacoma. Continuing on I-5, you'll enter Portland, Oregon. Here, don't miss the Portland Japanese Garden and the Portland Saturday Market.

As you proceed, you'll pass the Willamette Valley wine region. Eugene is your next major stop, famous for the University of Oregon's campus and its historic downtown. Venturing into Southern Oregon, consider a side trip to Crater Lake National Park by taking OR-138 east from Roseburg.

Crossing into California, you'll drive near Mount Shasta and the surrounding Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Further south, I-5 leads you directly into Sacramento, California's capital.

From Sacramento, continue on I-5 south to San Francisco, with a potential scenic detour along US-101 to cross the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

Leaving San Francisco, rejoin I-5 through San Jose and continue into the agricultural heartland of California's Central Valley, heading towards Bakersfield.

As you approach Southern California, I-5 takes you through the diverse landscapes and bustling cities of Los Angeles County. For a coastal approach to San Diego, you will merge onto Pacific Coast Highway and make your way to your destination.

Driving the Pacific Coast Highway Route

From Seattle, head south on I-5 towards Olympia. Here, a quick merge onto US-101 steers you towards the Pacific coastline. Continue on US-101 as it winds along the Washington and Oregon coastlines, providing stunning ocean views and access to quaint coastal towns.

Further south, US-101 will take you through iconic Cannon Beach, where Haystack Rock stands off shore. As you venture deeper into Oregon, the route passes through Tillamook, home to the famous Tillamook Creamery.

Crossing into California, US-101 transitions into the Redwood Highway, winding through the awe-inspiring Redwood National and State Parks. Here, a side trip on Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway offers the ultimate redwood experience.

Approaching San Francisco, the route takes you across the Golden Gate Bridge and into the beautiful city of San Francisco. Leaving San Francisco, continue on the Pacific Coast Highway as it hugs the coastline, unveiling the rugged beauty of California's coast.

Further south, PCH meanders through the artsy town of Carmel-by-the-Sea and past the kelp-rich waters of Monterey Bay. Taking a detour on 17-Mile Drive, you'll see Pebble Beach and the Lone Cypress.

Further south, you'll drive along Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur, one of the most striking destinations in California. Here, you'll drive along cliffs and redwood forests, looking down at the glimmering Pacific Ocean.

As Pacific Coast Highway continues, you'll drive through Morro Bay and then San Luis Obispo. From here, continue south to Santa Barbara and Ventura.

From here, hug the shore and drive through Malibu, Los Angeles and then Huntington Beach to reach San Diego.

Where to stop overnight on a road trip between Seattle and San Diego

While it's possible to drive straight from Seattle to San Diego in a matter of days, doing so would mean bypassing the wonderful sights along the way. To make the most out of your journey, we've included our top stops below.

Stunning views in Shasta Lake

In the heart of Northern California, Shasta Lake is an idyllic stopover on the Sacramento Route 9 hours and 30 minutes into the journey. Known as the jewel of Northern California, it's known for crystal-clear waters, scenic vistas, and abundant recreational activities.

The first must-visit place nearby is the Shasta Dam, one of the largest dams in the United States. This engineering marvel offers guided tours and spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Another noteworthy spot is the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, which surrounds the lake, offering endless opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping.

For your accommodation, the Inn at Shasta Lake is an exceptional choice . You can look forward to unwinding by the fireplace or enjoying the tranquil beauty of the deck for a peaceful retreat after your long drive.

The hotel offers a complimentary hot breakfast, with the option of dining in the privacy of your suite, the dining room, or on the deck if the weather is just right.

Each suite has a secluded outdoor patio, perfect for relaxing while watching butterflies and hummingbirds in the gardens. You'll also love the hotel's wonderful amenities and modern comforts.

Near the Inn, you'll find the Lake Shasta Caverns, a geological wonder filled with intricate limestone formations and breathtaking underground chambers. Also nearby, the Bailey Cove Trail offers stunning views of Shasta Lake, along with a peaceful hike through the forest.

An oceanside retreat in Monterey

Monterey, California, is famous for its marine life, stunning ocean views, and, of course, its mouth-watering fresh seafood. Nestled close to Pacific Grove, Carmel-By-the-Sea and Big Sur, Monterey is a great stopover on the Pacific Coast Highway Route.

Monterey is a paradise for nature lovers, offering some of the best whale watching in the world and housing the renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Another must-do is the 17-Mile Drive, where you can soak in breathtaking coastal landscapes and perhaps even squeeze in a round of golf at one of the Peninsula's world-famous courses.

In the heart of Cannery Row, the luxurious Spindrift Inn is your serene beachfront escape in Monterey. Its beautiful guest rooms blend coastal elegance with a hint of romance.

You'll love the hotel's continental breakfast to start your day. The Inn's floor-to-ceiling windows offer unparalleled views of McAbee Beach and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

In the evenings, venture downstairs to Angel's Share lounge, where you can indulge in unique barrel-aged bottled cocktails and more.

Just a short stroll or drive from the Spindrift Inn, you'll find the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, just 1.2 miles away. Further, at 2.1 miles, don't miss the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary.

Our favorite place to stay in San Diego

In San Diego, we recommend staying at the spectacular Inn at Sunset Cliffs . Nestled directly on the Pacific Ocean's edge, this beachfront hotel is a stone's throw from the laid-back vibes of Ocean Beach and Sunset Cliffs Beach.

Imagine starting your day with yoga on a sun-drenched terrace, diving into a seasonal outdoor pool with ocean views, or exploring the nearby iconic natural rock formations, The Arch, and Kahuna Reef tide pools.

You can enjoy surfing, boating, sailing, and swimming near the inn right at your doorstep. And when the day winds down, SeaWorld San Diego is close by for an evening of marine life exploration.

Every element of your stay, from the cozy rooms to the fitness classes and the proximity to San Diego's top spots, like Ocean Beach's vast sands and Sunset Cliffs' dramatic views, is designed to enhance your beachfront getaway.

Best time to travel from Seattle to San Diego on a road trip

Traveling the Sacramento Route and the Pacific Coast Highway Route on this Seattle to San Diego road trip will be beautiful no matter when you drive. However, each season has its challenges and highlights.

Traveling to San Diego from Seattle in summer

The inland Sacramento Route will be hot the entire way in summer. The similar applies to the Pacific Coast Highway Route, but the fresh ocean breeze will make the heat of the summer much more pleasant. However, the coastal fog can bring cooler, gray skies, though it typically clears by afternoon.

Summer also marks the peak tourist season, leading to crowds and higher prices. Key events include the California State Fair in Sacramento in July and the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach in July and August.

Traveling to San Diego from Seattle in winter

Winter introduces rainier conditions in the north and mild, occasionally rainy weather in Southern California. Despite the less crowded roads, snow in higher elevations like the Siskiyou Mountains can affect travel.

Events like the Palm Springs International Film Festival and peak whale-watching season make winter a fun time to drive.

Along the Pacific Coast Highway Route, winter maintains mild coastal conditions, though rain is more common, particularly in Northern California and Big Sur.

Traveling to San Diego from Seattle in the shoulder seasons

Spring and fall present the best travel conditions for both routes, featuring mild weather, reduced fog, and minimal rain. These seasons showcase the west's natural beauty, from the wildflower blooms in spring to the vivid fall colors.

Spring brings the Big Sur International Marathon in April, while fall is harvest season in Napa Valley and Sonoma. Also in the fall is the Monterey Jazz Festival in September.

The best things to see and do on a road trip from Seattle to San Diego

To help you plan your ultimate drive from Seattle to San Diego, we've included our top destinations we highly recommend that you visit below.

On the Sacramento Route

Tumwater Falls: A picturesque park in Tumwater featuring cascading waterfalls, walking trails, and picnic areas alongside the Deschutes River.

Olympia, Washington: The state capital's downtown area, highlighted by the grand Capitol Building offering tours and panoramic views.

Mount Saint Helens (National Monument and Visitor Center at Castle Rock): Offers educational exhibits and stunning views of the volcano known for its 1980 eruption.

Portland, Oregon: Known for its arts scene, the Rose Test Garden, and the eclectic weekend market.

Salem, Oregon: The state capital featuring historic sites and the Hallie Ford Museum, showcasing regional and Native American art.

Pottsville Historical Museum: Near Grants Pass, this museum displays Oregon's pioneering and logging history, with vintage machinery and artifacts.

Ashland, Oregon: A cultural hub famous for its annual Shakespeare Festival and charming downtown area.

Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument: An ecologically diverse area at the crossroads of the Cascade and Siskiyou mountain ranges, offering hiking and wildlife viewing.

Jelly Belly Factory Tour: Located in Fairfield, this factory tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Jelly Belly candies are made, complete with tastings.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo: An animal theme park offering thrilling rides, animal exhibits, and shows for family entertainment.

Sacramento: The capital city of California is known for its rich history, vibrant cultural scene, and as a hub for politics and farm-to-fork dining.

San Francisco: Known for the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and its historic cable cars.

Bakersfield: This city features country music venues, historic theaters, and museums chronicling local history.

Castaic Lake State Recreation Area: A reservoir in the Sierra Pelona Mountains, popular for fishing, boating, and camping.

Los Angeles: Offers attractions like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory, and the Getty Center.

Newport Beach: Known for its luxurious coastal lifestyle, surfing spots, and the scenic Balboa Peninsula.

Carlsbad: A coastal city offering beautiful beaches, the Flower Fields, and family-friendly attractions.

LEGOLAND California: A theme park in Carlsbad designed especially for children, with interactive LEGO-themed rides and shows.

On the Pacific Coast Highway Route

Cannon Beach: Famous for its iconic Haystack Rock, this stunning coastal town offers wide, sandy beaches and picturesque ocean views.

Tillamook and Tillamook Creamery: A dairy farming hub known for its visitor-friendly creamery, offering tours, tastings, and dairy products.

Newport Historic Bayfront: A vibrant waterfront district with shops, seafood restaurants, and attractions like the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Coos Bay: The largest city on the Oregon Coast, known for its maritime history and the informative museum detailing the region's past.

Redwood National and State Parks: Home to the tallest trees on earth, offering expansive trails, camping, and breathtaking natural beauty.

Eureka: A coastal city with cultural attractions like the art museum and the iconic Victorian Carson Mansion.

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens: A 47-acre property with beautifully landscaped gardens overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

San Francisco: Known for the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and its historic cable cars, offering a rich cultural and sightseeing experience.

Half Moon Bay: A coastal city with a charming downtown, beautiful beaches, and the famous Maverick's surf spot.

Santa Cruz Museum of History and Art: Showcases the rich history and artistic heritage of the Santa Cruz region.

Monterey: Renowned for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and its historic waterfront district.

Carmel-by-the-Sea: A picturesque small town known for its fairy-tale cottages, art galleries, and stunning beaches.

Bixby Creek Bridge and Big Sur: An iconic bridge offering dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged Big Sur coastline.

Pismo Beach: A classic beach town with wide beaches, a pier, and the opportunity for clams digging.

Solvang: A unique Danish village in California, offering European-inspired architecture, bakeries, and cultural attractions.

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California , Oregon , United States , Washington

7 beautiful stops on a seattle to san diego road trip.

Are you looking for a longer drive from Seattle that has some of the best stops on the West Coast? You’ll love doing a Seattle to San Diego road trip – imagine cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway, windows down, playing your favorite songs. This journey takes you through a mix of big cities, small towns, and scenic views in between.

I’ve been all over the country but love driving down the West Coast the most. I’ve done different stretches of this trip multiple times, whether driving from Washington to Oregon or going down to California. You’ll love every part of the drive from Seattle to San Diego, from hiking through the Redwoods to relaxing on the beach and staring at the Pacific Ocean.

I’m about to spill all the details—my top tips, the best stops, and a detailed itinerary to make this road trip a blast. Whether you’re a road trip rookie or a seasoned pro, I’ve got you covered. Get ready to fill up on gas, grab your favorite snacks, and hit the play button on that playlist.

Table of Contents

Tips for a Seattle to San Diego Road Trip

If there’s one thing about road trips, it’s that they can be challenging to plan if you don’t know where to start. Luckily for you, I’ve got some helpful tips and tricks that will let you kickstart your road trip planning on the absolute best foot. Let’s dive right in.

How Long Is the Road Trip From Seattle to San Diego?

If you’re looking for the quickest route, I’d suggest taking the roughly 1,250-mile journey along the I-5 S . In normal traffic conditions, the trip is around 20 hours and 20 minutes long, one way, depending on traffic and how fast you drive.

That said, what’s the point of a road trip if you aren’t making the most of the scenery? The quick route still has some beautiful sites, but nothing beats the Pacific Coast route . This route is significantly longer than the short route, reaching around 1,585 miles along the Pacific Coast highway . This particular drive can bring your journey up to 32 hours .

Remember that these times don’t include the number of stops or breaks you’ll need to take. So, setting aside four to five days for your Seattle to San Diego road trip is the way to go. It lets you enjoy plenty of stops along the route and make the absolute most of your journey.

Read next: Looking for another road trip idea starting in Seattle? Why not consider a fun Seattle to Los Angeles road trip ?

Can You Drive From Seattle to San Diego in One Day?

The answer is yes, but it is not recommended. The direct trip from Seattle to San Diego can take upwards of 20 hours, and that’s taking the shortest route via the I-5 S. It also depends on the number of stops and breaks you take. Plus, you’ll need a second driver in the car with you to take turns behind the wheel.

When’s the Best Time To Do a Seattle to San Diego Road Trip?

An ideal time for any road trip, and not necessarily just one along the Pacific Coast, is the warmer months of spring (March – May) and summer (June – August) . This way, you’ll get the perks of pleasant weather, with highs reaching around 77°F (25°C) in both Seattle and San Diego.

The spring and summer months are best for making use of iconic Pacific Coast nature spots, including beaches, hiking trails, and lush forests. That said, you’ll find that the highway is pretty crowded during the summer in particular, so I’d suggest holding off your trip if the traffic isn’t something you can manage.

But don’t worry — you can embark on this Seattle to San Diego road trip at any time of year, even in the cooler months. Fall (September – November) and winter (December – February) aren’t as busy, so you’d avoid a ton of traffic. Outdoor activities are still on the cards, too, so at the end of the day, your choice comes down to preference.

What To Pack for a Seattle to San Diego Road Trip

A good family road trip checklist is vital for any long drive. So, the smart thing to do is to plan what to pack. Lucky for you, I’ve compiled some packing essentials to include on your trip from Seattle to San Diego:

• Water bottle : It’s essential to stay hydrated on long car rides, so a water bottle is a must.
• Sunscreen : In warmer months, you’ll need to protect your skin from the harsh rays of the sun, so definitely invest in a good, high-SPF sunscreen.
• Comfortable walking shoes : You’ll be making a lot of stops on your road trip, which means a lot of walking. I’d recommend investing in a perfect pair of shoes.
• Camera : Whether you’re taking photos of your family or of the stunning landscapes along your trip, you’ll want a great-quality camera to capture those memories.
• Cooler box : I’d say getting a cooler is a no-brainer. You’ll be able to keep your drinks cold throughout your trip.

Once you’ve got all your essentials lined-up, you’ll need to know how to properly organize your car for a road trip. Don’t worry — I’ve got you covered.

Seattle to San Diego Road Map

Take a look at this map of the route and what your Seattle to San Diego road trip might look like.

7 Stops on a Seattle to San Diego Road Trip

The journey along the Pacific Coast between Seattle and San Diego has no shortage of places to see and things to do, so it’s honestly difficult to decide where to go. I’ve saved you the trouble and picked out some of the best spots just for you. 

Here are seven stops to check out on your road trip, providing a fabulous blend of natural beauty, activities, and excitement in some of the greatest towns and cities .

1. Seattle, WA

The Emerald City, the City of Bridges — whatever you want to call it, Seattle is the perfect starting point for the road trip of your dreams. It’s the largest city in Washington State, and there are plenty of things to do and see to keep you enthralled before starting your trip.

There are plenty of obvious places to visit, like the Space Needle , the Pacific Science Center , the Seattle Art Museum, and Olympic Sculpture Park . These locales are an absolute must, and just to immerse yourself even more, try catching a ride on the Seattle Monorail . 

If you aren’t the type to spend all your time in museums, why not take a trip to some of the city’s best shopping hotspots? Pioneer Square has gorgeous Romanesque-style architecture, supermarkets, and boutique stores. If you’re feeling peckish, the square has some great restaurants, like Luigi’s Italian Eatery & Cantina , to grab a quick bite. 

The moral of the story — Seattle is massive and could take a couple of days to explore on its own, so definitely consider revisiting.

Another fun drive is going on a Seattle to Vegas road trip , that goes through four states.

Get your free road trip packing list here!

2. Newport, OR

Newport, Oregon , around 305 miles (5 hours) away, is a special destination that doesn’t quite get the recognition it deserves. This city is a sea-lover’s paradise, boasting stunning coastline views, beaches, and marine-based activities. 

Starting off, you can take a quick drive across the Yaquina Bay Bridge , taking in the views of the brilliant blue waters from the harbor. If you’re willing, you can walk across it and use the opportunity to catch some epic photos of the stunning architecture. After that, visiting the Newport Historic Bayfront is a must. You can try some great seafood restaurants and markets or even get souvenirs.

Nature lovers should check out the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area , Seal Rock State Park , or the Devil’s Punchbowl rock formation. For indoor activities on your Seattle to San Diego road trip, seeing the Hatfield Marine Science Center or Oregon Coast Aquarium is a good shout.

3. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, OR

The next spot is a 190-mile (3 hours, 51 minutes) drive down and is a total paradise for outdoorsy types. The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is a linear state park that stretches 12 miles along the coast of Oregon. I have to admit, if you don’t enjoy hiking, you’ll be missing out on some of the park’s better spots.

You could spend hours here and not get bored, trying your hand at fishing, catching some sun at the beach, or trekking some of the corridor’s best hiking trails . Don’t forget your camera, too, as the viewpoints are to die for.

I’d suggest taking a peek at some key locations in the park, like House Rock Viewpoint , Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint , Arch Rock , Natural Bridge , and Whaleshead Beach . Each spot sports stunning views and its own unique charm that you don’t want to miss.

If you want a shorter drive, you can do a Seattle to San Francisco road trip instead.

4. Redwood National State Park, CA

Redwood National State Park is one of the most flocked to and talked about state parks along the Pacific Coast, so how could I not include it in this list?

After a good breakfast, drive the 25 miles (30 minutes) and spend the rest of your day getting active and trying some hiking trails through looming redwood forests. Not a fan of walking? You can also rent out some bicycles or take a scenic drive to get a glimpse of the beauty of the natural landscape. 

What’s more is if you’re going on a road trip with a dog , you’ll be able to bring them since the park is pet-friendly. Your pup can accompany you to any designated camping areas, trails, picnic areas, and beaches — as long as they’re leashed.

Make sure to reserve your rental car ahead of time! I love using Discover Cars for my trips.

You can also go on a Yellowstone road trip from Seattle if you want more parks.

5. San Francisco, CA

Next up, around 311 miles (5 hours, 43 minutes) away, is the Golden City — one of the most incredible stops on your trip. I can’t stress enough how busy and full of life San Francisco is. Apart from the more obvious places you need to check out, like the Golden Gate Bridge , Alcatraz Island , or PIER 39 , there’s plenty to explore.

I’d suggest riding on the iconic cable cars in San Fran before heading out to local restaurants to get some grub. Maybe some seafood from Fisherman’s Wharf or a whopper of a burrito from the Mission District . Local breweries are also great for some drinks.

For the rest of the time, you can visit museums and movie filming locations or perhaps the Aquarium of the Bay or San Francisco Zoo . Seriously, you’ll never run out of things to do on your Seattle to San Diego road trip.

6. Los Angeles, CA

If you thought San Francisco was busy, just wait until you visit LA – the city of Angels and the land of Hollywood stars. The trip from San Francisco to LA is a bit longer, at 383 miles (6 hours).

LA screams glamor and stardom; so many things you can do or see are unsurprisingly centered around Hollywood . You can start with a Hollywood sign walking tour or walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame . Other iconic locales include Madame Tussauds or the Grammy Museum . 

You can also try out a Sony Pictures Studio or a celebrity home sightseeing tour . LA is known for its theme parks, most famously Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain .

You could also keep to the coast and visit Santa Monica Beach and Pier , Venice Beach , or Long Beach . Honestly, you’ll never run out of things to get up to.

Looking for more options? Check out the San Francisco to Sequoia National Park road trip or the Joshua Tree road trip from San Francisco .

7. San Diego, CA

After another 120 miles (1 hour, 44 minutes), you’ll arrive at your destination and reap the rewards of your driving efforts. San Diego is known for its stunning beaches, family attractions, and mouthwatering food. 

Now, what exactly can you get up to once you’re there? You can’t go wrong with visiting San Diego’s Little Italy . This neighborhood has some fantastic Italian restaurants, bakeries, and bars. That said, you can find great restaurants across the city that aren’t Italian if you need some variety.

The choices of where to go can be overwhelming, so let’s look at some highlights.

Here are some San Diego must-sees:

• San Diego Zoo – The iconic zoo is found in the lush Balboa Park.
• Cabrillo National Monument – A monument on the Point Loma peninsula overlooking the city. Get those captions for Instagram ready, because this is the perfect place for photos.
• Petco Park – Catch a baseball game or try top-class food and snacks from this impressive stadium’s various restaurants and stalls.
• Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá – A stunning, Spanish-inspired church overlooking the Old Town.
• La Jolla Cove – A quaint, underrated seaside village just 20 minutes from downtown San Diego.

I’ve been using Roadtrippers for years to help me plan out my trips and find fun stops along the way. Use my code “BTR5QTP” for $5 off when you sign up!

4-Day Seattle to San Diego Drive Itinerary

This four-day itinerary is handy if you’re taking my recommended route along the Pacific Coast Highway. It gives you plenty of time to take breaks from driving and admire stunning stops along the way. Plus, it’s easily adjustable to add another day or two.

Day 1: Seattle, WA to Newport, OR

Travel Distance: 5 hours (305 miles)

Make sure to take in the sights of the Emerald City before embarking on your road trip. Check out the Space Needle or visit Kerry Park for an early morning stroll before breakfast. Once you’ve got a good, hearty meal in your system, you can start your drive toward Newport along the I-5 S .

Driving along the coast, you can stop by a few lovely places to recharge, like Astoria , Cannon Beach , or Pacific City . This will allow you to have some snacks, refuel, or simply take a break from driving.

Once you cross into Newport on the Yaquina Bay Bridge , check in to your hotel and spend the rest of your time exploring this seaside paradise. A local seafood restaurant like Georgie’s Beachside Grill is perfect for dinner and ending a long day of travel and exploration.

Where to Stay: La Quinta by Wyndham Newport offers comfy rooms, stunning views, and proximity to the Hatfield Marine Science Center or South Beach State Park (Rates start at $175 per night).

Day 2: Newport, OR to Crescent City, CA

Travel Distance: 4 hours and 45 minutes (231 miles)

To get to Crescent City, you can take the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Veterans Memorial Highway on US-101 .

Between Newport and your next stop, one of the best places to visit is the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. You could easily spend a couple of hours there, just hiking and taking in the scenery, perhaps having a picnic for lunch. From there, you can travel to Crescent City to get to your hotel.

I’d recommend Crescent City for those who don’t want to sleep in Redwood National State Park itself but still want to be a decent distance away to visit it. You could, however, opt for staying in the park overnight if you’d prefer.

Where to Stay: The quaint Hiouchi Motel is great for a quick recharge, providing cozy bedrooms, all the necessary amenities, and gorgeous natural landscapes (Rates start at $110 per night).

Day 3: Crescent City, CA to San Francisco, CA

Travel Distance: 6 hours and 18 minutes (355 miles)

The next stint from Crescent City to San Francisco is a little bit longer, so set aside some time for stops along the way for refueling or road trip snacks . 

You can start your morning with a tasty breakfast and a quick hike through Redwood National State Park if you didn’t get a chance the previous day. Once you’re all set, you can start along US-101 S (for the shortest route) toward your next destination.

I’d recommend making minimal stops and getting to San Francisco as soon as possible since there’s so much to explore and do once you’re there. Trust me, you’ll need all the time you can get.

Once in San Francisco, explore to your heart’s content. Visit places like the Golden Gate Bridge or Golden State Park . Riding a cable car is a treat, and you can grab some late lunch or dinner once all that is done. 

Don’t forget that the nightlife is phenomenal if you don’t mind staying awake during the late hours for some partying and drinks.

Where to Stay: Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf is right by the iconic Fisherman’s Wharf area, with phenomenal decor and amenities, perfect for a relaxing night in San Francisco (Rates start at $122 per night).

Day 4: San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA

Travel Distance: 7 hours and 20 minutes (502 miles)

After waking up bright and early for a San Fran breakfast, you can get ready for the final (and longest) stint of your road trip along I-5 S out of San Francisco . 

Stopping in Los Angeles is highly recommended before you reach San Diego, and you might want to consider extending your itinerary to cater for a full day here. Take in the sights of the Hollywood sign, spend time at Universal Studios , or maybe shop on Rodeo Drive (if you feel like splurging). From there, continue on to San Diego .

Once you cross that threshold to San Diego, congrats! Your road trip is just about done, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to rest. Whether you visit the beach, the world-famous San Diego Zoo , or simply grab some dinner at some amazing restaurants, there’s never a moment to waste.

Want a shorter trip? I also have an itinerary just for the drive from San Francisco to San Diego .

Where to Stay: If you want a mix of high-end contemporary designs and comfort while you’re in the city, consider booking at Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego (Rates start at $213 per night).

You’ll love all these stops on a Seattle to San Diego road trip!

Marissa Pedersen

Marissa is a passionate road trip enthusiast who has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada via car and continues to go on new trips every year to explore more of the country. Her love of road tripping has given her a unique perspective on the best routes, hidden gems, and must-see attractions along the way.

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CS Ginger Travel

Planning the Perfect Road Trip from Seattle to San Diego: 21 Must-See Stops in 2024

PLANNING A ROAD TRIP FROM SEATTLE TO SAN DIEGO?

We’ve got all the info you need! We’ve been traveling together since 2010 and have spent months traveling the West Coast. A road trip from San Diego to Seattle, WA, is a really great trip because there are so many things to see between Seattle and San Diego. Not to mention San Diego and Seattle themselves are both awesome destinations.

The Seattle to San Diego road trip time will be somewhere between 20 to 30 hours to drive, depending on the route you are planning on driving. The Seattle to San Diego road trip distance will total around 1,300 to 1,500 miles.

If you are wanting to follow as much of the coastline and the famous HWY 101 in California, it will take you longer to drive because following the coast is slower, but there are some awesome places to visit and things to see. If you are just looking to get there fast, then you will drive through central California, passing Sacramento, Mt Shasta, Eugene, and Portland before arriving in Seattle.

In this article, you will learn how to plan a road trip from San Diego to Seattle, but we won’t cover much of the drive that goes through Central California because the coastal drive and HWY 101 is a much more entertaining road trip.

You should be able to do the trip in 7 to 10 days, but if you go a little faster, a shorter trip of 5 days would still be alright.

Pacific Coast Route vs The Quick Route 

The Pacific Coast Route and the Quick Route are considerably different, and both can work well depending on your goals for your trip. If you are trying to maximize seeing all the sights, then the Pacific Coast Route is much better than the quick route through central California.

If you only want to see parts of the coast, then you will drive a combination of the two, which can be a great option if you do not have too many days but have a few places you wish to see.

Quickest Route

Renting a Car or Renting an RV 

There are a few different ways to drive this trip. You can rent a car , or you can rent an RV. The experience will be considerably different depending on your choice. The easiest choice would be to rent a car from Discover Cars and stay in pre-determined hotels or short-term rentals like Airbnb or VRBO.

This is the easy route because the coastal cities and HWY 101 are not large roads or areas. They are easier to navigate with a smaller vehicle. You will be able to find parking much easier, and taking a detour is way less stressful in a small vehicle.

▶ BOOK a Rental Car

However, taking an RV can be a really fun experience. There are also a lot of different options when it comes to RVs. There are smaller RVs like camper vans or larger 5th wheels, travel trailers, or motorhomes. If you take an RV, you should plan ahead, so you know where you will be staying. Finding last-minute places to stay can be very stressful and complicated.

A great place to look at renting an RV is through Outdoorsy . We have taken an RV up the Oregon Coast many times and always have an amazing time.

▶ BOOK an RV through Outdoorsy

Sample 8-Day Road Trip from Seattle to San Diego Itinerary 

Day 1: Spend the morning in Seattle at Pike Place Market and the waterfront > drive to Forks, Washington > visit Ruby Beach and hike through the Hoh Rainforest Where to Stay: Woodland Inns Day 2: Drive to Cannon Beach > Hike in Ecola State Park and visit Haystack Rock > Tillamook Creamery Where to Stay: Harbor Inn (or any other of our favorite Cannon Beach hotels ) Day 3: Drive South with stops at Cape Foulweather Viewpoint, Yaquina Head Lighthouse and Cobble Beach, Thor’s Well, the Oregon Dunes, Samuel Boardman Scenic Cooridor > End the day in Crescent City Where to Stay: Oceanview Inn Day 4: Spend the morning admiring the Redwoods and hiking Fern Canyon > Drive to San Francisco > Explore San Francisco in the Evening Where to Stay: Holiday Inn Express Fishermen’s Wharf

Day 5: Drive to Monterey > Visit Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium > Explore Point Lobos and Big Sur Where to Stay: Carmel Valley Lodge & Resort Day 6: Drive to Santa Barbara > Explore the City Where to Stay: Santa Barbara Inn Day 7: Drive to Los Angeles > Explore the City Where to Stay: citizenM Los Angeles Downtown Day 8: Drive to San Diego > Explore the City Where to Stay: The Wayfarer San Diego

Stops on a Roadtrip from Seattle to San Diego

1. seattle .

Where to Stay: Staypineapple Hotel FIVE , or Belltown Inn Camping: Tall Chief RV Resort , Vasa Park and Resort

Eat and Drink: Pike Place Chowder, 8 oz. Burger & Co, Taco Chukis, Bakery Nouveau, or Matt’s in the Market

Highlights:   Seattle Underground Tour , Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Gum Wall, Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, Ferry Ride to Bainbridge Island, and Alki Beach

Related Articles : Things to Do in Seattle with Kids , Seattle Underground Tour

Seattle, Washington, is an incredible city located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The city is known for its vibrant culture, a stunning skyline, and natural beauty. It sits on Puget Sound and is flanked by snow-capped mountains to the east and lush evergreen forests to the west.

The Seattle area is home to a variety of activities and attractions, making it a great destination for those who want to experience the best of the Pacific Northwest. Whether you are looking to explore its many parks or enjoy some of the city’s incredible seafood restaurants, Seattle has something for everyone.

We love that no matter what time of year it is, Seattle is always a fun destination. The summer months are beautiful and a wonderful time to explore the city, but we also love the varied experience of Seattle in January .

2. Olympic Peninsula National Park

Where to Stay: Pacific Inn Motel , Kalaloch Lodge , or Olympic Lodge Camping: Last Chance Camp Equine Rest Stop , Port Angeles Walmart (overnight only)

Eat and Drink: Lake Crescent Lodge Dining Room, Toga’s Soup House Deli & Gourmet, LD’s Woodfire Grill, and Oak Table Cafe

Highlights:  Dungeness Spit, Pane d’Amore Artisan Bakery, Lake Crescent, Sol Duc Falls, Rialto Beach, Ruby Beach, Hoh Rain Forest, and Tree of Life

Related Articles: 16 Best Things to do in Forks, Washington

The Olympic Peninsula is just across the Puget Sound from Seattle and is home to Olympic National Park . The peninsula is a beautiful place to go hiking, camping, and road-tripping. There are so many fun west coast road trip ideas in this part of the coast.

It is a magnificent part of the state and a place we can’t wait to go back to. Even though it is a little bit out of the way, it is one of the best Pacific Coast road trip stops.

3. Cannon Beach

Where to Stay: Inn At Cannon Beach , Hallmark Resort & Spa Cannon Beach , or Surfsand Resort Camping: Nehalem Bay State Park or Cannon Beach RV Resort

Eat and Drink: Cannon Beach Smokehouse, Ecola Seafood Restaurant & Market/Cannon Beach Seafood, Gatsby’s Oceanside Speakeasy & Steakhouse and Tom’s Fish & Chips

Highlights:  Ecola State Park , Crabbing, Tide Pooling, Haystack Rock, Hug Point State Recreation Area, Columbia River Maritime Museum, Downtown Cannon Beach, Bonfires on the Beach

Related Articles:

• Planning the Perfect Oregon Coast Road Trip
• Unique and Fun Things to Do in Cannon Beach
• 12 Best RV Parks Near Cannon Beach, Oregon

The Oregon Coast is one of our favorite places to visit during the summer months, and it is a great place to break up our drive between Washington and California. It is usually too cold to swim in the ocean, but you can still have a lot of fun playing at the beach, especially at Haystack Rock.

The area is a popular destination for many people, especially in the warm summer months. The downtown area is super cute, with great shops. You can also check out Ecola State Park, which is very close to Cannon Beach.

4. Tillamook Cheese Factory

Where to Stay: Pass Through (Stay in Newport)

Eat and Drink: Tillamook Cheese Factory

Highlights:  Garibaldi’s Pier, Tillamook Creamery, Cape Kiwanda, Devils Punchbowl

Related Articles: 30 Best Campsites on the Oregon Coast

The Tillamook Creamery, also known as the Tillamook Cheese Factory, is a really fun stop when traveling down the Oregon Coast. They have great food and ice cream, and we loved getting to see how they make their cheese. The facility is super nice and modern.

The best road trip from San Diego to Seattle would not be complete without a stop a the Tillamook Creamery for a quick road trip snack.

There are also a few places you can stop before and after Tillamook on your way to Newport, Oregon. We definitely recommend stopping by Lincoln City to hike Cascade Head or God’s Thumb. Both showcase some amazing coastal views.

Where to Stay: Inn at Nye Beach , Hallmark Resort Hotel Newport, Oregon , or La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Newport

Eat and Drink: Mo’s Chowder , Chowder Bowl, South Beach Fish Market

Highlights:  Thor’s Well at Cape Perpetua, Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Pacific Maritime Heritage Center

Related Articles: The Best Things to do in Newport, Oregon

Along this stretch from Cannon Beach, until you get into California and Crescent City, you have a few choices to make. You can either make a few quick stops and try to make your way quickly down to California, or you can go slow and check out some of the smaller cities along the Oregon Coast. While these cities are small towns, they offer a lot of adventure if you have the time.

Newport is a fun place with some fun things to explore, like a lighthouse, aquarium, and some other science-type centers that are fun. We enjoy Newport and many other cities throughout the Oregon Coast. Each has something that is a little different that you can explore.

6. Cape Perpetua Lookout 

Where to Stay:  Stay in Florence or Newport

Highlights: Tide pools, Coastal forests, viewpoints, and scenic drive

Related Articles:  Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Thor’s Well

The Cape Perpetua Lookout is a great wildlife area between Newport and Florence, OR. We enjoy tidepools a lot, and it is a good place to get out and stretch your legs if you have been driving for a while.

You can also check out the Visitor Center to learn more about the area. We always stop and see what the rangers in the Visitors Centers can tell us. We gain a lot of good information this way.

7. Florence

Where to Stay: Driftwood Shores Resort and Conference Center , Best Western Pier Point Inn , or Park Motel and Cabins

Eat and Drink: Mo’s Chowder , Los Amigos Burrito, and Novelli’s Crab & Seafood

Highlights:  Crabbing, Sand Master Park, Sand dunes, Old Town Florence, Bob Creek tidepools, and South Jetty Country Park

• 26 Best things to do in Florence, Oregon
• RV Parks Near Florence Oregon

Florence is another city on the Oregon Coast we have traveled to on multiple occasions and enjoy every time we return. The city is very pretty and relaxing. It is also the start of the Oregon Sand Dunes if you are traveling south.

The sand dunes offer some great and unique activities that many people enjoy. You can rent an OHV, or you can go on a tour where a guide will drive you through the dunes and have a fun-filled adventure.

8. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Where to Stay: Best Western Salbasgeon Inn & Suites of Reedsport or Seadrift Motel and RV Park Camping: Horsfall Campground and Staging or Umpqua Sand Camping

Eat and Drink: Double D’s On The Rocks , Sol De Mexico, Harbor Light Restaurant , and Ocean Garden

Highlights:  Tours, OHV adventures, crabbing, fishing, and hiking

• A Complete Guide to Visiting the Oregon Dunes National Recreation
• 23 Amazing Things to Do in Coos Bay, Oregon

The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is one of Coltin’s favorite places to visit because he loves the sand dunes. As a family, we enjoy the sand dunes, but he could spend days upon days riding OHVs on the dunes, while others might get tired after a day or two.

If you have the time, you should check out the Oregon dunes. They would be a great addition to your Pacific Northwest road trip from San Diego to Seattle.

Whether you visit them in Florence, Oregon, or closer to Winchester Bay or Coos Bay, it is a fun area with some unique activities the family can enjoy.

If you are not wanting to spend time at the sand dunes, your best bet would be to just take a peek at them in Florecene and view them as you pass by heading down to California. They are right along the HWY, and you will see them as you pass.

9. Crescent City

Where to Stay: Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn or Ocean View Inn

Eat and Drink: SeaQuake Brewing , C C Diner & Ice Cream, and Fisherman’s Restaurant

Highlights:  Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor , Cape Sebastian Scenic Corridor near Gold Beach , and Secret Beach

Crescent City is a small coastal city in Northern California located on the Pacific Ocean. It’s situated near the Oregon border and is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore its lush forests, scenic beaches, and rugged coastline.

The area around Crescent City is home to miles of gorgeous trails perfect for hiking and mountain biking, including the Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor near Brookings, OR. Here you can explore old-growth forests, secluded beaches, and sweeping views of ocean and mountains alike.

It is also a good home base if you want to see the surrounding area and the Redwood National and State Park.

10. Redwood National and State Park

Where to Stay: Elk Meadow Cabins , or View Crest Lodge Camping: Patrick’s Point State Park , or Agate Campground

Eat and Drink: Niveen’s Restaurant , Moonstone Grill, EdeBee’s Snack Shack

Highlights:  Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail, Trillium Falls Trail, Gold Bluffs Beach, Fern Canyon, and Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway

This was the area we were most surprised by. For some reason, we had low expectations going in but were blown away by the beauty of these forests.

The Redwoods are a combination of Redwood National and State Parks. It is a wonderful place to spend some time outdoors. If you’re looking for some west coast road trip ideas, definitely include the Redwoods in your itinerary.

11. Point Reyes National Seashore

Where to Stay: Stay in San Francisco or nearby Santa Rosa

Eat and Drink: Not many food options; eat in San Francisco or another nearby city

Highlights:  Visitor Center, Hiking, Point Reyes Lighthouse, Drakes Beach, Alamere Falls and Cypress Tree Tunnel

Point Reyes National Seashore is a breathtaking area located a little way north of San Francisco. It encompasses more than 71,000 acres of rugged cliffs, beaches, forests, and grasslands. This protected area offers a wealth of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, kayaking, and biking.

12. San Francisco

Where to Stay: Marriott Marquis San Francisco , Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square , Hotel Nikko San Francisco or The W San Francisco

Eat and Drink: The Crepe Place , Mandalay Restaurant, Street Restaurant and Bar , and Sotto Mare

Highlights:  Baker Beach, Battery Spencer, Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, Muir Woods, Golden Gate Park, Lands End Hike, Cable Cars, Alcatraz , and Crissy Field

Related Articles: 39 Best Things to do in San Francisco with Kids

San Francisco is an amazing city to visit. There are so many fun things to do and see. The city is very iconic, and if you have not been to the city, you will notice that you have seen many shows and movies that take place in the city.

A few things to keep in mind when traveling through San Francisco are that the city is expensive. It is expensive to stay here, eat and park.

The city is also not set up with lots of room to drive around a big RV. If you do not have a smaller car, you may not want to go too far into the downtown area, but you could park a little further away and then take an Uber or Lyft to check out the sights.

13. Monterey

Where to Stay: InterContinental the Clement Monterey , Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel And Spa On Del Monte Golf Course , or Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

Eat and Drink: Sandbar & Grill, Vivolo’s Chowder House , Chart House, Crepes On The Row Cafe , and Wild Fish Restaurant

Highlights:  Monterey Aquarium, Old Fisherman’s Warf, Delmonte Beach, and Cannery Row

Monterey is a stunning coastal city in Central California that provides jaw-dropping views and unique experiences. Situated just two hours south of San Francisco, Monterey is a prime location for anyone looking to explore the Golden State’s unique culture, wildlife, and landscapes.

The city is way more laid back than San Francisco, so if you don’t want to go into San Francisco but want to visit a beautiful city that is a little bigger than Big Sur, Monterey is a place we enjoy visiting. Another reasonable stop close by could be Carmel-By-The-Sea.

14. Big Sur and Point Lobos

Where to Stay: Ventana Big Sur , or Big Sur Lodge Camping: Big Sur Campground and Cabins or Fernwood Campground

Highlights:  Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park , Andrew Molera State Park, Bixby Creek Bridge, Point Sur State Historic Park

• 25 Amazing Things to Do in Big Sur California
• 9 of the Best Point Lobos Hikes with Amazing Coastal Views

Point Lobos and Big Sur are two of the most stunning coastal areas in California. Point Lobos State Reserve is a gorgeous, rugged expanse of coastline that offers breathtaking views, wildlife sightings, and opportunities for exploration. The reserve is known for its incredible cliffs and lush vegetation, as well as its seals, sea lions, otters, and migrating whales.

Big Sur is an iconic stretch of coast that offers stunning views, redwood forests, and access to the Pacific Ocean. It’s a great place for camping, hiking, fishing, surfing, and more!

The area is also home to some of the best restaurants and lodging in California. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or just some rest and relaxation in nature, Big Sur is the perfect place to go.

15. Santa Barbara

Where to Stay: Kimpton Canary Hotel , Belmond El Encanto , Santa Barbara Inn , or Harbor View Inn

Eat and Drink: Cold Town Tavern, Dune Coffe Roasters, The Paloma Cafe and Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach

Highlights:  Old Mission Santa Barbara, East Beach, State Street Promenade, Santa Barbara Museum of Art and Sterns Wharf

Santa Barbara, California, is a beautiful coastal city located in the Central Coast region of California. Known as the “American Riviera,” it has long been a popular destination for visitors seeking a unique mix of outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and stunning scenery.

Santa Barbara has an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, such as surfing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. There are plentiful beaches, parks, and trails for hiking, biking, and more.

Santa Barbara is also a great place to explore the area’s rich history; there are many historic sites, such as Mission Santa Barbara and El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park.

16. Los Angeles

Where to Stay: USC Hotel , Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza , Hampton Inn Los Angeles/Santa Clarita , or DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles Downtown

Eat and Drink: Bestia , Orsa & Winston, Poppy + Rose , Damian

Highlights:  Universal Studios, Venice Beach, Disneyland, Beaches, Tours, Griffith Observatory

Los Angeles is one of the most vibrant and largest cities in California, located near the Pacific coast. With its temperate climate, diverse population, and many beaches, it’s a popular destination for locals as well as tourists from around the world.

Los Angeles boasts some amazing attractions, such as Universal Studios Hollywood, and Disneyland Park. There are plenty of great places to eat and drink, including the downtown area known as Little Tokyo.

17. La Jolla

Where to Stay: Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa , The Shoal La Jolla Beach , Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines

Eat and Drink: Duke’s La Jolla , Puesto La Jolla, Barbarella Restaurant & Bar , Cody’s La Jolla

Highlights:  Tide Pools, Shopping, Tours, La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Shores Beach

La Jolla is a stunning seaside town located north of San Diego, California. With its warm climate, gorgeous beaches, and beautiful architecture, La Jolla is one of the most sought-after vacation destinations on the West Coast.

The charming beach community of La Jolla offers an array of activities for visitors to enjoy, such as kayaking and paddleboarding.

The town is also home to The Village, a bustling shopping district full of boutique stores and fine dining options. Visitors can also explore the nearby Torrey Pines State Reserve, go whale watching off the coast, or take in spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

18. San Diego

Where to Stay: Samesun Ocean Beach – San Diego , Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Downtown/Bayside , or The Wayfarer San Diego

Eat and Drink: The Fish Market – San Diego , Hodad’s Downtown, Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar – San Diego , Social Tap San Diego

Highlights:  Imperial Beach, Old Town San Diego, Sunset Cliffs, Balboa Park, USS Midway, Cabrillo National Monument

Related Articles: 13 Epic Things to Do in San Diego

San Diego is a major city in Southern California, located on the border of Mexico. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and diverse attractions.

Home to 1.4 million people and comprising an area of around 1,000 square miles, San Diego offers something for everyone. Tourists can explore the historic Gaslamp Quarter, visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo , or spend a day at one of the city’s many beaches.

There are also plenty of attractions for nature lovers, such as Balboa Park and some amazing hikes at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve . No matter what you’re looking for, San Diego has something to offer.

Additional Detour Stops

If you are not able to visit the West Coast very often, there are a couple of really iconic destinations that aren’t directly on the coast but may be worth detouring for, especially if you have more than 10 days to take this trip. They are really beautiful places that will not disappoint you.

19. Mount Rainier National Park

Where to Stay: National Park Inn , Packwood Lodge , Alexander’s Lodge At Mt Rainier , or Crest Trail Lodge

Eat and Drink: Copper Creek Inn, Cabins, and Restaurant , Paradise Village Hotel & Restaurant and Paradise Inn

Highlights:  Hiking, Myrtle Falls, Paradise, Reflection Lake, and Scenic Overlooks

Mount Rainier National Park is a breathtakingly beautiful park located in Washington state. Its main feature is the active stratovolcano, Mount Rainier, which rises 14,411 feet above sea level and is the highest mountain in the contiguous United States outside of the Rocky Mountains.

The park is home to five major rivers and two major lakes, as well as numerous hiking trails, scenic drives, and camping opportunities.

Mount Rainier National Park is popular for its diverse wildlife, alpine meadows, wildflower displays, and volcanic features such as glaciers and hot springs. Visitors can explore the park on foot or by car and take in stunning views of Mount Rainier’s snow-capped peak.

The park also offers ranger-led hikes, interpretative programs, and educational activities to help visitors learn more about the area’s unique ecology.

20. Lake Tahoe

Where to Stay: Marriott Grand Residence Club, Lake Tahoe , Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa , Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa And Casino , or Hotel Azure Tahoe

Eat and Drink: The Loft , Freshies Ohana Restaurant & Bar, Heidi’s Pancake House , Beacon Bar & Grill

Highlights:  Emerald Bay State Park, Palisades Tahoe, Tours, Hiking, Vikingsholm, Magic Fusion Show

Lake Tahoe is one of the most stunning and popular destinations in the United States. Located on the border between California and Nevada, it is a large freshwater lake surrounded by magnificent mountains and lush forests.

With its crystal-clear waters, picturesque views, and year-round recreational activities, it’s an ideal destination for visitors looking to relax and explore the great outdoors.

The area around Lake Tahoe is known for its skiing and snowboarding, although hiking, biking, and camping are also popular activities. Visitors can take boat tours of the lake, go fishing or simply soak up the stunning views from one of the many beachfront resorts or campgrounds.

In addition to all these outdoor activities, the area also boasts some of the best casinos and nightlife in the country.

21. Yosemite National Park

Where to Stay: Yosemite Valley Lodge , Timberlodge Cabin , Ahwahnee Hotel , or Evergreen Lodge

Eat and Drink: Curry Village Pizza Deck, The Mountain Room

Highlights:  Lower Yosemite Falls, Taft Point Hike, Half Dome Village, Sentinel Dome, Tunnel View, Glacier Point, Cooks Meadow Loop

Related Articles: 22 Best Things to Do in Yosemite with Kids

Yosemite National Park , located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, is a natural wonderland of breathtaking beauty. With its majestic granite peaks, lush meadows and forests, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic valleys, Yosemite is one of the world’s most visited parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The park’s most famous attractions include the iconic Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and El Capitan. But there is so much more to explore in Yosemite, from its groves of giant sequoias to its many lakes and meadows.

Visitors can take part in a range of activities here, including camping, hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Best Time to Go on a Road Trip from Seattle to San Diego 

The best time to go on a road trip from Seattle to San Diego would be in the summer or early fall. This is a good time because you will get great temperatures in Seattle, California, Oregon, and the surrounding area.

Starting in Seattle vs. Starting in San Diego 

Your starting point will often vary depending on where you are coming from. If you are closer to Seattle or you are closer to San Diego will make a big difference in where you decide to start.

Another factor to consider is the time of year. The weather in Seattle can get rainy and not as nice during different times of the year. We often travel based on what the temperatures will be at the time we get to different locations. Seattle will be cooler than San Diego so you will want to start in Seattle when it is warmest outside.

Although the weather can be unpredictable, if you follow the typical averages, you have a much better chance of having the weather you are looking for.

FAQ: Road Trip from Seattle to San Diego 

How many days does it take to drive from San Diego to Seattle?

If you are just going to drive without stopping much, you would spend about 2 or 3 days driving because the 1,300+ mile trip would typically take about 25 hours to complete.

This means it would be best to have at least 5 days to do this road trip, but it is recommended that you would have 7 to 10 days available.

You could even take longer if you wanted to detour to a few more stops to places like Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Mt Rainier, or other exciting stops along the way.

Where Should I stop between Seattle and San Diego?

There are so many fun stops between Seattle and San Diego. We have made a complete list of many of our favorite stops. However, a few of our favorites are the Olympic Peninsula, Cannon Beach, Florence, Redwood National and State Parks, Monterey, and Big Sur, just to name a few.

What city is halfway between Seattle and San Diego?

Redding, California, is pretty much the halfway point between San Diego and Seattle; however, it is a little closer to Seattle than San Diego. This is only the halfway point if you are driving through Central California and not following the coast.

If you are following the California coast, the city that is halfway between the two would be around Eureka, California.

How much does it cost to drive from Seattle to San Diego?

The cost of a road trip from Seattle to San Diego will vary significantly depending on where you are staying and what you are driving. If you are driving a vehicle that gets 30 miles per gallon of fuel and your average fuel cost is $4.50, then your trip in just fuel would be about 200 dollars.

However, if you are driving a bigger vehicle, you will probably get about half that making your fuel costs around 400 dollars. Our large motorhome gets about 5 or 6 miles per gallon.

You would then need to add in the cost of food, and lodging, which would typically make your entire trip somewhere in the ballpark of 2,500 dollars or more, not including any activities. This will greatly increase if you are eating at nice restaurants and staying at nice hotels.

Are there tolls when driving from Seattle to San Diego? 

Most of the tolls you will find will be in California, and the majority of those will be in San Francisco. If you avoid San Francisco, you could pretty easily drive from Seattle to San Diego without paying much, if anything, for tolls.

Conclusion: Road Trip from Seattle to San Diego  

We hope you enjoy all these great things to do on a road trip from Seattle to San Diego. There are all places we have been through and enjoyed. We have done them on our west coast road trip, where we took 7 weeks to explore the area.

You are going to love your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. It will be a memorable experience that the family will remember for a lifetime.

Candice Steele is the owner of CS Ginger, a blog that helps travelers explore the United States in their RVs. Since 2017, she and her family have been providing valuable insider tips about travel experiences suitable for families. They love exploring the country in their RV and offer helpful insights to make RVing easy and family-friendly.

10 Comments

Your daily highlights made me laugh! Love the Dramamine highlight for Disneyland. Such an amazing trip! So glad you got to spend this time as a family.

Glad you enjoyed them Madison. Some of us (ahem…Coltin) require a little more Dramamine than others.

Greta post! I’ve yet to explore most of the west coast so this was very helpful. It looks breathtaking!

Oh I hope you can make plans to visit soon. It is such a beautiful part of the country.

This is a dream vacation – I live in LA bit have always wanted to do this trip!

Oh you’re so lucky to live so close to the ocean. We loved our time at the Dockweiler RV Park in LA. I hope you get to travel the coast. It is so beautiful, as you well know!

Wow! This is so detailed! I love all of it, it’s so informative but I am especially excited about San Francisco! I’ve always wanted to go there, now I want to go even more!

Hi Jade! Thanks so much. San Francisco is such a beautiful city to visit. The whole town has such a fun vibe and is just gorgeous! Hope you get to travel there soon.

Thanks for reading Adriane!

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Seattle To San Diego Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide

Traveling from Seattle to San Diego is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA . The 1,255 miles of a road trip from Seattle to San Diego takes around 19 hours and 18 mins of driving without stops.

This article includes 30 top tips that turn your Seattle to San Diego drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Seattle to San Diego, take your coffee and keep reading!

Table of Contents

10 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From Seattle To San Diego

On the way from Seattle to San Diego, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top ten hotels on the Seattle – San Diego route!

• Hotel Murano: Hotel Murano is one of the best hotels where you can stay on a road trip from Seattle to San Diego. Driving from Seattle to Hotel Murano might take around 37 mins . The Hotel Murano is a boutique hotel conveniently located in downtown Tacoma, adjacent to the Tacoma Convention Center and steps from the city’s best museums and restaurants. Chambers Bay, the site of the 2015 US Open, is just minutes away, as is downtown Seattle. The hotel features tasteful accommodations and excellent service. Check the Hotel Murano, one of the best hotels in Tacoma, Washington, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
• Quality Inn & Suites Longview Kelso: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to San Diego from Seattle is Quality Inn & Suites Longview Kelso. Located in Longview, Washington, the hotel is 132 miles away from Seattle, and it would take 2 hours to drive. Quality Inn & Suites is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Longview, offering many amenities to enhance your stay. The rooms include a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator. It is a clean and quiet hotel, plus pets are welcome. If you want to learn more about the Quality Inn & Suites Longview Kelso, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com .
• The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to The Benson Portland Curio Collection by Hilton. The Benson Portland Curio Collection by Hilton is located in Portland, Oregon, it’s 173 miles away from Seattle. You can arrive there in 2 hours and 47 mins of non-stop driving. The hotel is pet-friendly and has a fitness center open 24 hours a day. The room was clean and spacious, and the food was excellent. Check Hilton’s TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of The Benson Portland Curio Collection for more information.
• Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn: If you are taking the road trip from Seattle to San Diego, Salem, Oregon, it is must have a place you should visit. Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn is one of the best hotels in town. It is Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn, 221 miles from Seattle, and it would take 3 hours and 30 mins to drive. Each room has a mini fridge that is ideal for drinks and snacks. The hotel was spotless. The room was large and spacious, with updated decor. If you need more info about the price and availability of Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
• Hampton Inn Eugene: Our next hotel is Hampton Inn Eugene, Eugene, Oregon. It will take 4 hours, and 32 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Seattle. The facility is excellent, with all the amenities one would need. The bed was very comfortable, the towels were soft, and they had an extra blanket and pillow in the closet. The breakfast bar had a waffle maker with toppings, and there were lots of toppings for the oatmeal. Eugene, Oregon attractions include boating, fishing, water sports, performing arts, snow skiing, hiking, golf, and the Autzen Stadium – home of the Oregon Ducks. Check the Hampton Inn Eugene on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Hampton Inn Eugene for reviews, prices, and availability.
• Rodeway Inn Medford: Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Seattle to San Diego is Rodeway Inn Medford. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel in Medford, Oregon, within 6 hours and 59 mins drive from Seattle. The Rodeway Inn Medford is a quiet motel that offers a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator in the rooms. The motel is easy to stay connected during your stay as free wifi is offered to guests. Plus, guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast, which has made this a popular choice among travelers visiting Medford. For guests with a vehicle, free parking is available at the motel. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com .
• Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo: Another hotel that deserves to be on the list is Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo. It’s located in Sacramento, California, 754 miles from Seattle. You can arrive there within 11 hours and 45 mins of car drive. The staff at the front desk was excellent. They were very friendly and helpful. The room was reasonably comfortable. There was plenty of water pressure in the shower, and the hot water came immediately. The breakfast was also perfect. You can check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo if you need further information.
• Hilton Stockton: Located in Stockton, California, Hilton Stockton is another hotel where you can stay on the Seattle to San Diego road trip. Hilton Stockton is 796 miles from Seattle and will take 12 hours and 21 mins of non-stop driving. Our rooms offer complimentary wifi, in-room mini-refrigerators, HDTVs, and large work desks for your convenience. They are also clean and fresh for your comfort. Our location is also perfect for taking a walk for lunch or dinner. You would also find it very quiet and comfortable. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Hilton Stockton for more information.
• The Prospect Hollywood: As we approach the end of our list, another hotel we would like to introduce to you is The Prospect Hollywood hotel. The Prospect Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, is 1,129 miles from Seattle, and you can arrive there with 17 hours and 18 mins of non-stop driving. Walking distance to The Hollywood Bowl is a significant benefit. I stayed at the hotel after an evening at the Greek Theatre. The rooms were lovely and very quiet. The staff was friendly and helpful. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of The Prospect Hollywood for more information about the Prospect Hollywood hotel.
• Courtyard San Diego Airport/Liberty Station: The last hotel we recommend you stay at on the road trip from Seattle to San Diego is the Courtyard San Diego Airport/Liberty Station hotel. You can arrive at Courtyard San Diego Airport/Liberty Station, San Diego, California, after 19 hours and 19 mins of non-stop driving and 1,129 miles of the road trip from Seattle. This hotel was clean, comfortable, and in a great location. The room was a little small, but it was nicely furnished and had a mini fridge, which was appreciated. It would have been nice if the fridge had kept our drinks colder, but overall we were pleased with our stay. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Courtyard San Diego Airport/Liberty Station for more information.

In this part, we explained ten different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Seattle to San Diego. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. It will help people who will take the same Seattle to San Diego route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from Seattle to San Diego. We have ten restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

10 Best Restaurants On The Seattle To San Diego Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Seattle to San Diego road trip. In this section, we list the ten different restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Seattle to San Diego. Stay hungry and enjoy!

• Olive Branch Cafe, Tacoma: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the road trip from Seattle to San Diego with Olive Branch Cafe, Tacoma. Olive Branch Cafe is located in Tacoma, Washington, 32.4 miles from Seattle. It would take 36 mins of driving. The food was delicious, and the service was excellent. I enjoyed the Tuna Curry sandwich and tomato soup the most, but they also have excellent tea options. For more information about Olive Branch Cafe, Tacoma, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Olive Branch Cafe, Tacoma.
• The Office 842: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to San Diego from Seattle is The Office 842. Located in Longview, Washington, Office 842 is 127 miles from Seattle and would take 2 hours of driving. This is a great place to get creative and delicious drinks. The pesto pita with wedge salad was excellent. The service was quick and efficient. If you want to learn more about The Office 842, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .
• Mediterranean Exploration Company: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is the Mediterranean Exploration Company. It will take 2 hours and 45 mins of car drive to take 173 miles from Seattle to Mediterranean Exploration Company, Portland, Oregon. The outdoor seating was excellent, and the food was good. I enjoyed the hummus, labneh, and short ribs. You can check Mediterranean Exploration Company on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information .
• Word Of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro: Word Of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Salem, Oregon. The food was excellent, with scratch-made slices of bread and freezer jam. The eggs were cooked perfectly. The welcoming atmosphere may cause you to double-check if you are at the right place, but please go inside – you won’t be disappointed. The blueberry pancakes are both delicious and ample. Word Of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro is 220 miles away from Seattle, and it would take 3 hours and 33 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Word Of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .
• King Estate Winery: If you enjoy dining, King Estate Winery would be an excellent choice in Eugene, Oregon. It’s 306 miles from Seattle and would take 4 hours and 56 mins of car driving. We enjoyed a lovely afternoon on the terrace with delightful weather and delicious food. The smoked Champoeg chicken was perfect. We highly recommend King Estate if you enjoy fine dining. If you want to learn more about the King Estate Winery, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .
• Kaleidoscope Pizzeria & Pub: Another restaurant we recommend you visit on the road trip from Seattle to San Diego is Kaleidoscope Pizzeria & Pub, Medford, Oregon. It will take 6 hours and 56 mins of driving to reach Kaleidoscope Pizzeria & Pub from Seattle. This restaurant is famous for its pizza, salads, calzone, and various plates of pasta. It also offers vegetarian and gluten-free options. For more information about Kaleidoscope Pizzeria & Pub, you can check the restaurant’s TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages.
• The Waterboy, Sacramento: Ranked seventh on our list, The Waterboy, Sacramento appeals to those who want to turn their San Diego vacation into a memorable experience. It is located in Sacramento, California, 754 miles from Seattle, and it’ll take 11 hours and 45 minutes to drive. The food was delicious, the service attentive, and the experience extraordinary. The New York Steak and Mahi Mahi were both outstanding, and the desserts were fantastic. We enjoyed our meal on the patio outside. If you want to learn more about The Waterboy, Sacramento, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .
• Dave Wongs: King Estate Winery is an excellent restaurant that is 795 miles away from Seattle. King Estate Winery is located in Eugene, Oregon, and you can reach there after 12 hours and 20 mins of car driving. The menu had a lot of variety, and the staff was very accommodating in seating us on the patio to avoid an hour-long wait. The food was also excellent. If you want to discover the menu and more information about Dave Wongs, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .
• Brent’s Deli Northridge: Eating is serious business. Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who take this job seriously is Brent’s Deli Northridge, Los Angeles, California. It is 1,123 miles from Seattle and would take around 17 hours and 17 mins of car driving. Brent’s Deli was established in 1967 and has earned acclaim for its mile-high Reuben sandwich. This delicatessen offers everything you want: a pleasant atmosphere, spaciousness, and comfortable booths. You can visit the official TripAdvisor and Google Maps pages of Brent’s Deli Northridge for detailed information.
• Oceana Coastal Kitchen: The last restaurant on our list is Oceana Coastal Kitchen. Remember, our ranking in the list is based on distance. So, the fact that Oceana Coastal Kitchen is last on the list does not mean that it is the worst restaurant. Oceana Coastal Kitchen is 1,250 miles from Seattle, and it would take 19 hours and 19 mins to drive. The restaurant offers a memorable bayfront dining experience at an iconic Pacific Beach hideaway. They offer top-notch service with great food and drinks. Various seafood items are available, including fantastic sushi. If you want to learn more about Oceana Coastal Kitchen, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .

This section lists our ten restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from Seattle to San Diego. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 1,255 miles journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a San Diego road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Seattle to San Diego. Keep reading.

10 Places To Visit On The Seattle To San Diego Drive

A unique experience awaits you in San Diego. However, on your road trip, there are also some unique destinations, like Tacoma and Washington. We want to explain the top ten destinations we recommend on the San Diego route.

• Museum of Glass: Museum of Glass will be the first destination we recommend you stop by on your Seattle to San Diego road trip. Located in Tacoma, Washington, the Museum of Glass is 32.9 miles away from Seattle, and it would take 37 mins to drive. The Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum is an international center for contemporary art with a sustained focus on glass. You can experience the live glassblowing demonstration there. It’s incredible to see how it can be creative people with glass. If you want to learn more about the Museum of Glass, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website .
• Lake Sacajawea Park: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Washington, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop by on the Seattle to San Diego route. It’s 128 miles from Seattle and will take about 2 hours of driving. This lake is quite lengthy and provides lovely views. You can find parking along its shores in many areas. The lake is also home to a picturesque city park with playgrounds, a walking/running path, and picnic areas. Be sure to take a detour to see the Japanese Garden and the Rhododendron Garden while in the area. If you want to learn more about Lake Sacajawea Park, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website .
• International Rose Test Garden: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Seattle to San Diego is Portland, Oregon. And if you’ll visit Portland, Oregon, we suggest you visit International Rose Test Garden. You can arrive International Rose Test Garden after 2 hours and 51 mins of driving. The oldest official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States boasts more than 8,000 roses. The Portland Rose Garden is an extraordinary and unique place. This garden has different types of roses and is a vast garden. Some parts are lovely; you can sit and enjoy nature, read, or have a coffee there. Never leave Portland without a visit to the Portland Rose Garden. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of the International Rose Test Garden for more information.
• Enchanted Forest Theme Park: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Enchanted Forest Theme Park, Salem, Oregon, on the Seattle to San Diego road trip. Enchanted Forest Theme Park is 227 miles from Seattle, and you can arrive there after the 3 hours and 36 mins of drive. A theme park located in the forests of Oregon with many hands-on activities. The log ride, the haunted house, and the water show were perfect. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Enchanted Forest Theme Park before going there.
• Cascades Raptor Center: Located in Eugene, Oregon, Cascades Raptor Center ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the road trip from Seattle to San Diego. You must take 4 hours and 38 mins of driving to arrive at Cascades Raptor Center. Forty resident birds representing 30 native species are displayed at this center, including owls, falcons, hawks, and bald and golden eagles. Seeing these animals up close was impressive, and the staff was helpful and friendly. This was a worthwhile stop. If you want to learn more about Cascades Raptor Center, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website .
• Rogue River: Another attraction you can visit on the road trip from Seattle to San Diego is Rogue River, Medford, Oregon. Rogue River is 393 miles from Seattle, and it would take 6 hours and 12 mins to drive. The Rogue River, located in Southern Oregon, is an excellent area for fishing. This river has a rich natural and war history. To get the ultimate experience, visitors should stay in cabins and small towns in the area. You can check their TripAdvisor page or official website for more information about Rogue River .
• Old Sacramento: You can visit many destinations on your Seattle to San Diego journey. One of these destinations is Old Sacramento, located in Sacramento, California. You can arrive at Old Sacramento after 11 hours and 40 mins of driving. This historic area of restored buildings, museums, and novelty shops is a great place to spend a day. With its well-preserved buildings and variety of shops, there is something for everyone. In addition, the restaurants and cafes are perfect for taking a break and enjoying the view of the river. If you want to read the reviews of previous visitors about Old Sacramento, you can visit Old Sacramento’s TripAdvisor page or their website .
• Historic Bob Hope Theatre: As we near the end of our list of the top 10 best places to visit on the road trip from Seattle to San Diego, it would be unfair not to mention Historic Bob Hope Theatre. Historic Bob Hope Theatre locates in Stockton, California, 800 miles from Seattle, and it takes 12 hours, and 25 mins drive from Seattle to get there. The Bob Hope Theatre, known to some locals as “The Fox,” is an exciting entertainment destination and a beautifully restored piece of Stockton’s history. If you get the chance to go to an event or even movie night at the Fox, you will be very impressed with the magnificence of the building. It was restored several years ago to its former glory, so you can see what movie houses were like in the 20s and 30s. If you want to learn more about Historic Bob Hope Theatre, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website .
• Griffith Observatory: Now, we would like to introduce you to another vibrant restaurant on the San Diego trip. Located in Los Angeles, California, Griffith Observatory is 1,133 miles from Seattle, and it would take 17 hours and 28 mins to drive. The Observatory is located on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. It offers a planetarium, exhibits, public telescopes, a cafe, a bookstore, and some of the best views of the Los Angeles basin. If you want to learn more about Griffith Observatory, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website .
• USS Midway Museum: We have come to the end of our list. Our latest destination is USS Midway Museum in San Diego, California. To reach USS Midway Museum, which is 1,256 miles away from Seattle, you must take 19 hours and 21 mins car journey from Seattle. The USS Midway Museum is located in downtown San Diego and is America’s longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century. The interactive museum spans several decades of information and history and is an unforgettable adventure for the entire family. Guests have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the 225,000 young men who served on Midway. We spent 4 hours there and still didn’t see everything – it’s fascinating to catch a glimpse from someone from the 40s right next to someone from the 80s. We suggest you check USS Midway Museum’s TripAdvisor and official website for more information about the place.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Seattle to San Diego

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Seattle to San Diego drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Seattle To San Diego?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the Seattle to San Diego road trip takes approximately 19 hours and 18 mins to drive. Therefore, the driving distance between Seattle to San Diego is 1,255 miles.
• If you want to make the Seattle to San Diego road trip by bike , the time you spend on the road will be four days and 15 hours .
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Seattle-San Diego route, you will have to walk for 17 days and 2 hours .

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Seattle To San Diego?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to San Diego. You can visit Tacoma, Washington; Longview, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Salem, Oregon; Eugene, Oregon; Medford, Oregon; Sacramento, California; Stockton, California; Los Angeles, California; San Diego, California, on the road. Here we list ten places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on the Seattle to San Diego journey, you can check the 10 Best Places To Visit On The Way From Seattle To San Diego part.

• Museum of Glass: 32.9 miles / 37 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,224 miles / 18 hours and 48 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Lake Sacajawea Park: 128 miles / 2 hours to drive from Seattle | 1,131 miles / 17 hours and 24 mins of driving to San Diego.
• International Rose Test Garden: 174 miles / 2 hours and 51 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,084 miles / 16 hours and 43 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Enchanted Forest Theme Park: 227 miles / 3 hours and 36 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,029 miles / 15 hours and 47 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Cascades Raptor Center: 291 miles / 4 hours and 38 mins to drive from Seattle | 977 miles / 15 hours of driving to San Diego.
• Rogue River: 393 miles / 6 hours and 12 mins to drive from Seattle | 866 miles / 13 hours and 22 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Old Sacramento: 752 miles / 11 hours and 40 mins to drive from Seattle | 504 miles / 7 hours and 42 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Historic Bob Hope Theatre: 800 miles / 12 hours and 25 mins to drive from Seattle | 457 miles / 7 hours and 0 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Griffith Observatory: 1,133 miles / 17 hours and 28 mins to drive from Seattle | 128 miles / 2 hours and 12 mins of driving to San Diego.
• USS Midway Museum: 1,256 miles / 19 hours and 21 mins to drive from Seattle | 1.4 miles / 10 mins of driving to San Diego.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From Seattle To San Diego?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from Seattle to San Diego. We have selected ten hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 10 Best Hotels On The Way To San Diego From Seattle section.

• Hotel Murano: 33.2 miles / 37 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,225 miles / 18 hours and 49 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Quality Inn & Suites Longview Kelso: 132 miles / 2 hours to drive from Seattle | 1,130 miles / 17 hours and 21 mins of driving to San Diego.
• The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton: 173 miles / 2 hours and 47 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,083 miles / 16 hours and 40 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn: 221 miles / 3 hours and 30 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,036 miles / 15 hours and 53 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Hampton Inn Eugene: 286 miles / 4 hours and 32 mins to drive from Seattle | 981 miles / 15 hours of driving to San Diego.
• Rodeway Inn Medford: 448 miles / 6 hours and 59 mins to drive from Seattle | 810 miles / 12 hours and 29 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo: 754 miles / 11 hours and 45 mins to drive from Seattle | 507 miles / 7 hours and 45 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Hilton Stockton: 796 miles / 12 hours and 21 mins to drive from Seattle | 461 miles / 7 hours of driving to San Diego.
• The Prospect Hollywood: 1,129 miles / 17 hours and 18 mins to drive from Seattle | 127 miles / 2 hours of driving to San Diego.
• Courtyard San Diego Airport/Liberty Station: 1,253 miles / 19 hours and 19 mins to drive from Seattle | 5.3 miles / 13 mins of driving to San Diego.

Where To Eat Between Seattle to San Diego?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Seattle to San Diego drive, you can consider the ten restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 10 Best Restaurants On The Way From Seattle To San Diego .

• Olive Branch Cafe, Tacoma: 32.4 miles / 36 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,224 miles / 18 hours and 47 mins of driving to San Diego.
• The Office 842: 127 miles / 2 hours to drive from Seattle | 1,131 miles / 17 hours and 25 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Mediterranean Exploration Company: 173 miles / 2 hours and 45 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,083 miles / 16 hours and 39 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Word Of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro: 220 miles / 3 hours and 33 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,037 miles / 15 hours and 56 mins of driving to San Diego.
• King Estate Winery: 306 miles / 4 hours and 56 mins to drive from Seattle | 956 miles / 14 hours and 48 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Kaleidoscope Pizzeria & Pub: 445 miles / 6 hours and 56 mins to drive from Seattle | 813 miles / 12 hours and 32 mins of driving to San Diego.
• The Waterboy, Sacramento: 754 miles / 11 hours and 45 mins to drive from Seattle | 505 miles / 7 hours and 46 mins of driving to San Diego.
• Dave Wongs: 795 miles / 12 hours and 20 mins to drive from Seattle | 460 miles / 7 hours of driving to San Diego.
• Brent’s Deli Northridge: 1,123 miles / 17 hours and 17 mins to drive from Seattle | 150 miles / 2 hours and 30 mins of driving to San Diego.

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Seattle to San Diego. We have listed ten hotels, ten restaurants, and ten places to visit on the Seattle to San Diego drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from Seattle to San Diego as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken a road trip from Seattle to San Diego? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Seattle to San Diego and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.

Video: San Diego Road Trip – Travel Guide

In this video, you can find a detailed travel guide to San Diego.

Other Road Trips Worth Your Attention

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Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary – Seattle to San Diego

Updated: Jan 4, 2023

A Pacific Coast Highway road trip – arguably one of America’s most iconic road trips. So many have dreams of driving alongside the coast in a drop top convertible with the sun beaming on your face. In the current COVID world, an epic 3-state, socially-distanced road trip was the perfect way to quench my thirst of the travel that I’ve been missing in our new world.

First let me start by saying, I completed this trip in 8 days, but I would suggest adding another 2-3 days to shorten some of the drive times.

Day 1: Seattle, WA

Space Needle in Seattle, CJ's Eatery - Photo credit: Ronda Wright.

What a cool city! The downtown area was lively with people out and about. Make sure you spend time at Pike’s Market. Even at night, it’s pretty active and has several restaurants in the area. You also have to make the obligatory trip to the Space Needle.

Where to Stay:

Hyatt Regency Seattle is a beautiful hotel right in the downtown area, and you can easily walk to several restaurants and bars. The rooms are very spacious and super comfortable.

Where to Eat:

Check out CJ’s Eatery for breakfast. It’s a few minutes away from Pike’s Market so you don’t have to worry about the long lines to be seated. The chicken sausage was fantastic, and their mimosas pack a punch so be careful!

Day 2: Olympic National Park (Hoh Rainforest, Ruby Beach) & Long Beach, WA

Olympic National Park, Breakfast at Benson’s By The Beach - Photo Credit: Ronda Wright.

Did you realize that Washington state has a rainforest? Honestly, I did not know this before I started planning my trip! Hoh Rainforest is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the US and you should definitely make a stop here and do a hike. The sights are unreal – just make sure you get there early as they are currently metering the number of cars entering due to COVID. Ruby Beach is only a few minutes from the entrance to Hoh Rainforest. Yes, it’s worth the stop and make sure you take your camera!

Boardwalk Cottages in Long Beach blew my mind. These cute cottages had everything that you needed for a short stay – microwave, fridge, plates, silverware, and napkins. These cottages are only about 2 blocks from the beach…and did I mention they bring you fresh pastries in the morning from a local bakery?

I had the best bacon that I can ever remember eating at Benson’s By The Beach. This restaurant in Long Beach is forever on my list for it’s amazing, thick cut bacon and the largest pancakes I’ve ever eaten. And the pancakes were the perfect consistency…not so thick that you’re about to choke and not too thin that you can’t taste anything. Make sure you check out Benson’s By The Beach for breakfast!

Day 3: Astoria, Cannon Beach & Newport, OR

Astoria, OR, Cannon Beach - Photo Credit: John McKnight, Ronda Wright

If you’re an 80’s baby (or older), then you remember The Goonies. This classic was filmed in Astoria, Oregon…and oddly enough, as you drive through the city, it still has the same small, storybook feel to it. Tip: the best view of the Astoria-Megler bridge is from behind the Holiday Inn.

Cannon Beach is a must-stop for your list. Not only is the beach itself beautiful with formations like Haystack Rock but, the city itself is filled with boutique shops, galleries, and restaurants. While heading south, make sure you stop to see Devil’s Punchbowl at Otter Rock Marine Reserve.

I was not planning to stop in Newport, but my stomach had other plans. The Bay Street pier of Newport is full of local shops and restaurants – it’s a great place to stretch your legs with a nice walk and grab some grub while you’re in the area.

I found Clearwater Restaurant while walking along the pier in Newport. Again, this location was not on my list, but the seafood was so fresh and tasty. Try the seafood pasta if you’re in the area.

Day 4: Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Glass Beach, Mendocino, CA

Glass Beach, Fort Bragg, CA, Dinner at 5200 Restaurant & Lounge - Photo Credit: Ronda Wright.

As you leave Oregon and head into California, what do you start to see? The Redwoods! These trees are breathtaking and really give you perspective on just how small and finite we are as people. Humboldt Redwoods State Park has several trails that you can take which gives you up close views of these phenoms. Tip: If you’re trying to closely manage your time, drive through the Avenue of Giants and walk one of the trails directly from the main road.

One of my favorite stops along the road trip was to Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, CA. This beach is known for the glass pieces that wash up on the shore, but I was most fascinated with the natural, rocky terrain and how close I could get to what felt like the end of the world. Make sure Glass Beach is a stop that you include on your PCH road trip!

I stayed at Heritage House Resort & Spa right outside of Mendocino. This property felt like the set from a movie – it’s located right on the coast, so your views are literally of waves crashing against the coastline. The rooms were gorgeous and provided for absolute privacy to make you feel like you were in your own oasis. I certainly will go back to Heritage House for a longer stay.

Inside The Heritage House resort is 5200 Restaurant and Lounge. When we were visiting, they were still serving a limited menu, but the tacos and burgers were great! They hit the spot after a long day on the road.

Day 5: San Francisco, CA

Golden Gate Bridge - Photo Credit: John McKnight.

San Francisco is always a good time. It’s my favorite US city and, every time I go back, I love it even more. While in San Francisco, make sure you hop on a trolley car and ride down to Fisherman’s Wharf to enjoy the piers. If you have the time, visit Alcatraz or go sailing in the bay. If you’re short on time, park your car and just walk around Nob Hill or Embarcadero.

Hotel Adagio was a great resting spot for the night. It’s in the perfect location right in the heart of the bustle and only a few blocks away from the train and trolley line. The hotel rooms are well-appointed, the staff is awesome, and there are several bars, restaurants, and major retail shopping within a 5 min walk of the hotel.

I love eating seafood in San Francisco so, this time I had dinner at Pier Market Seafood Restaurant. I don’t know what special tricks they did when preparing my salmon, but I almost ordered a second piece when I finished eating it because it was so good. I know that makes me sound greedy, but hey, it is what it is!

Day 6: Big Sur & Santa Barbara, CA

Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, CA, Breakfast at Scarlett Begonia, Santa Barbara, CA - Photo Credit: Ronda Wright.

Leaving San Francisco and continuing south will bring you through Big Sur. The coastline in this area is so picturesque. Make sure you take your time and explore in this area. Another “must-do” on any Pacific Coast Highway road trip is enjoying the view of Bixby Creek Bridge. Tip: stop at the Castle Rock Lookout Point to get the best view of the bridge and sea together.

The next stop was in Santa Barbara, and I fell in love! I think I could live there! Santa Barbara has just the right amount of calm and chill with a strong dash of “it’s a vibe”. It was so easy to feel comfortable there and just enjoy this beautiful coastal city.

Hotel Milo Santa Barbara is directly across the street from the beach. The property has several courtyards with sitting areas and firepits. They definitely set this hotel up to maximize the great weather and beach views.

I had the BEST French toast in life at Scarlett Begonia in Santa Barbara. Tres leches, fresh strawberries, whipped mascarpone, and sliced almonds – it all tasted heavenly!

Day 7: Venice Beach and Los Angeles, CA

Venice Beach, CA; The Wayfarer Downtown Los Angeles - Photo Credit: Ronda Wright

Making it to Venice Beach and strolling along the boardwalk was so much fun. You could easily stay here all day enjoying the beach, watching the skaters, and seeing what tricks the street ballers are going to pull that day. The random folks I met along Venice Beach was the best part of the day.

Los Angeles is another area where you could easily spend a week exploring. Depending on the amount of time that you have and your interests, build some time in your trip to visit Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Griffith Observatory, Paramount Pictures, or Sunset Boulevard.

During my time in Los Angeles, I stayed at The Wayfarer Downtown Los Angeles. Like Hotel Adagio, its central location (a few blocks from Staples Center) was perfect for venturing out by foot to explore the city. The interior design of the hotel was also unique and modern.

What to Eat:

Believe it or not, my best meal in Los Angeles was at Venice Beach at El Huarique Venice. This Peruvian restaurant is right on the boardwalk and has THE BEST rotisserie chicken that I’ve ever had…and the rice and beans just set it off! That meal felt like I was back at home in the country on a Sunday afternoon! When you go to Venice Beach, you absolutely must try out El Huarique.

Day 8: San Diego, CA

Sunset on the pier in San Diego, CA - Photo Credit: Ronda Wright.

The last stop on my Pacific Coast Highway road trip was San Diego. It felt more like a family city with lots of green space and wide-open beaches. The area near the pier was very lively with lots of people out and about at restaurants and bars. I will definitely return to San Diego to see more of this city.

So yes…I went from the Canada/US border all the way to the US/Mexico border. It was a week full of breathtaking moments that I can’t wait to relive again!

Hey, I'm Ronda Wright 👋🏽

I’m the founder of The Wright Getaway. I love all things travel and helping other people experience the world.

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Seattle to San Diego: An Epic 3-Week Road Trip on US Route 101

Ever since I was a teenager, road trips have held a special place in my heart. In some ways that’s kinda surprising, given my first exposure to this great travel tradition was half a dozen family members crammed into a Toyota van for our annual holiday pilgrimage.

Yup, for at least seven excruciating hours each way that bloody van rocked, swayed, and groaned its way through the New Zealand countryside every year. Up mountains and down valleys it went, interrupted only by the regular stops to let my sister leave the contents of her stomach on the side of the road. She wasn’t the greatest of travellers…

Despite that early introduction, for many years a mate and I had talked about doing The Great American Road Trip. We didn’t really know what that was, exactly, but we knew we wanted to do it. Somewhere along the line one of us picked up a copy of Road Trip USA , a guide to touring the US away from the Interstates, and it became a sort of talisman for the next few years.

We’d talked about doing the old Route 66 forever, but for reasons that escape me now we eventually decided that Route 101 would be a better choice.

It totally was.

Now the thing with a trip like this — at least as far as my mate and I were concerned — is that it was all about the clichés. When you’ve been watching road trip movies and US television as long as we had, well, there were a lot of classic moments that we had to recreate.

For that reason, we’d originally planned to buy a classic car from the 60’s (yes, my friend is a mechanic – he’d need to be) and enjoy a leisurely cruise south in between breakdowns.

After looking at the prices, discovering the insurance hassles, and knowing we’d need to sell it in just a day or two at the end, we realised it’d be about the same money, and a lot less grief, to just hire a new Mustang convertible instead.

Once we realised it came in red, the choice was made. A Mustang it just had to be.

In the spirit of all great road trips, our preparation was awesomely inadequate. We had guidebooks for half of the states we wanted to cover, and a couple of basic driving maps that didn’t even include Arizona.

We’d mapped out a few of the major highlights we wanted to see, and that was the extent of it. Perfect planning, in other words, for three weeks and 3500 miles of driving a rental car in a foreign country on the wrong side of the road.

We picked up the car at Seattle Airport. After a couple of laps around the parking lot trying not to run into other vehicles, and cuing up the first cliche of the trip (“ Born in the USA ” on the car stereo), it was time to hit the road north.

North, you say? No, we weren’t lost after the first turn — we’d just decided to take a tour of the Boeing Factory in Everett before we headed off. There’s only one word to describe this place: HUGE . Seriously huge. It’s the largest building in the world by volume, and it shows. I’m not a plane geek at all, but it was a seriously impressive tour.

The following day we started the trip for real in a typical Seattle drizzle, quickly clearing traffic on the I-5 en-route to our first stop.  Mount St Helens had been threatening to erupt for several days but the visitor centre was still open at that point, so we had to take the detour to check it out.

With all the mist and smoke in the area, plus scarred landscape from the massive eruption in 1980, it was an eerie countryside to drive through. Not eerie enough to prevent a local cop from emerging from the bushes to give us our first (and last) speeding ticket of the trip, however. Four miles an hour over the speed limit, with nobody else in sight. Hmm.

We crossed state lines and joined Highway 101 for the first time, staying that night in a little town called Seaside . It was indeed beside the sea, which was far and away its most redeeming feature.

Find discounted hotels in Seaside .

The next day we continued south, and other than a stop in Tillamook to take a tour of the cheese factory (yeah, seriously…), we seemed to spend a lot of time looking at wood. As it were.

There are lots of trees in Oregon, apparently, and most of them seemed to be on the backs of the trucks in front of us. There was a brief comedy interlude, however, as we debated whether to stop at one of the tiny townships along the route. After all, it was pretty tempting to say that we’d spent the night in Beaver.

After a long day staring at logs and a short night being stared at by locals, we decided perhaps a change of scene was called for. In other words, we were both keen to find somewhere to go for a beer that didn’t resemble a scene from Deliverance .

Rather than stopping at Newport, then, with a hasty look at the map we turned inland and continued on to Eugene , a university town with a funny name.

Find discounted hotels in Eugene .

It was mid-week, and as we wandered from one empty pub to another that evening, we wondered if we’d taken a couple of hundred mile detour for no good reason. With the infamous call of ‘we’ll just try one more place and call it a night’, however, we finally discovered the bar where every student in the town was hanging out.

It was packed. The music was pumping. The beer was flowing. It was a fantastic place to end the evening. And … I totally can’t remember the name of it. Sorry about that.

We stayed on the I-5 the following day, with a leisurely top-down cruise through the mountains to Grants Pass , a surprisingly bustling little place. The weather was lovely, the views were equally as good, and it just generally seemed to be a really nice town to stop for the day. And so we did.

Find discounted hotels in Grants Pass

It was an early one that night, since there was a lot of driving to be done the next day, but I didn’t mind a bit.  We were heading for California, baby, and the first stop would be the Redwood Forests . Exciting!

We entered the Golden State the following morning, and with it the road trip really felt like it had begun. Our time in Washington and Oregon had been enjoyable, but when you’re living the dream in a convertible Mustang, well, you really just have to be in California to do it.

With the top down, some rockin’ tunes disturbing the serenity, and some of the tallest trees on the planet crowding the roadside, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that we were having the time of our lives. This, my friends, is what a road trip is all about.

I couldn’t get enough of the redwoods. The namesake national park is just a stunningly beautiful place to spend a few hours walking the trails and marvelling at these giants of nature. Totally incredible.

We found time for yet another tragically clichéd moment a little further down the road, of course, with the (in)famous drive-through tree on the equally famous Avenue of Giants. It’s a cliché of epic proportions, but at least it made for some fun photos.

To be honest it was worth stopping for the exceptional array of crap in the gift shop alone. I somehow escaped with just a few postcards, but a couple of families we saw didn’t get off anywhere near as lightly. How I’ll survive without my replica plastic drive-through tree and matching key ring, I do not know.

Time was marching on, however, and we still had a long way to go. The driving for the rest of the day was fantastic, with lots of coastal scenery and even more big trees to gaze at instead of keeping an eye on the road.

By this stage we’d decided when picking a small town to stop for the night, decent accommodation superseded anything the guidebook writer may have hallucinated about entertainment or attractions, so Fort Bragg was our destination.

Find discounted hotels in Fort Bragg

True to form, the nightlife was terrible but the beds were comfortable. Mission accomplished, I guess. The following day we were headed for our first big city since leaving Seattle, and one of the places I was seriously looking forward to:  San Francisco.

We left Fort Bragg with the top up and the heater on. That famous Northern California coastal summer fog was making its presence well and truly felt. Within a few miles, though, the road dipped inland and the weather improved dramatically. The rest of the drive that day was classic road trip material, basking in the glorious sunshine as we drove through beautiful forests and attractive little towns.

San Francisco

Sadly the good weather didn’t last, and as we neared San Francisco, the fog rolled back in with a vengeance. From jackets to T-shirts and back again in the space of 150 miles. Fun. Never fear, however — bad weather was never going to be enough to stop us from cranking out the biggest cliché of the trip to date. No mean feat, I must say.

Hit play on the video below, sit back, and just imagine driving across the Golden Gate bridge with the top down and this song coming out of all six speakers. Oh yes, we really did.

There was some sort of dream being lived there alright. We’d actually already walked the length of the bridge and back by that stage and despite the fog obscuring the view of pretty much anything, it was still a worthwhile experience.

Find discounted hotels in San Francisco

After navigating the highs and lows of San Francisco’s streets, we tracked down our hostel, found a dubious carpark to leave the mighty Mustang, and started exploring. The YHA was very close to Union Square and its myriad attractions (including more homeless people than I’d seen in a very long time), so we explored downtown and enjoyed a few cleansing ales that night. And then a few more.

The following day was a full on tourist extravaganza — checking out China Town, riding the cable car from Market St to Fisherman’s Wharf (and cracking up at the running commentary from the conductor,) and the highlight of the day, taking the boat over to Alcatraz .

Even with the sun out I found myself shivering regularly. Whether it was the cold wind howling around the crumbling prison, or the thought of anyone spending decades in those damp, spartan cells, I don’t know. The recorded commentary was surprisingly interesting, and having the freedom to explore much of the dilapidated jail and support buildings was great.

Visitor numbers are limited by the capacity of the boats to carry them. That often means you won’t get a spot if you just show up on the day to buy a ticket, but it also meant we never felt particularly crowded anywhere on the island.

If you’d prefer a guided tour of Alcatraz (and other San Francisco highlights), you’ve got dozens of different options .

After an all too brief couple of days in San Francisco, it was yet again time to depart early the next morning. As we headed out over the Bay Bridge, I had a chance to think about my short visit to the city. I definitely liked the place, but I’d expected to love it.

With a bit more time and much better weather, I probably would have. It did seem like the kind of place that grows on you the longer you stay. Guess I’ll just have to head back and find out some day.

Yosemite National Park

The highlights were flowing thick and fast by now — we were on our way to Yosemite National Park ! Like most of this trip, we decided to go there on a whim, and a great whim it was. The slog through the San Francisco suburbs was congested and unremarkable, but as soon as we left the main highway, things got much better. As usual.

I love driving on winding mountain roads at the best of times but in a convertible and with views like that? If I could have bottled that feeling and sold it, I’d be a millionaire by now.

We’d picked our accommodation solely on the basis it was the only hostel in the area, which is why I was so blown away by the awesomeness of Yosemite Bug . I’m putting it out there, this is probably the best hostel I’ve ever stayed at.

Gorgeous surroundings (it’s right on the edge of the national park), delicious food and cold beer in the cafe, immaculate dorms and private rooms, a BBQ pit, wi-fi, spa treatments… it’s an absolute winner.  These guys could totally take advantage of their isolation, and provide a really crap experience knowing you don’t have any other budget options. Instead, they’ve put together something rather amazing.

The park itself lived up to its billing, from tumbling waterfalls and grassy meadows to towering sequoia groves, and a massive granite slab named El Capitan .

It would have been good to have the time and equipment to spend a week trekking around Yosemite Valley, but even a day spent on some of the shorter hikes was well worth it. Coming from New Zealand it takes a lot to impress me in a national park, but Yosemite totally managed it.

Another early start, another long drive, and more stunning scenery the next day. Sensing a theme yet? I know I was. We stayed the night in Monteray , a thriving town making the most of its popularity by opening a million gift shops and overcharging for everything. Despite that, it’s still a nice place to wander around for an afternoon. Not that we had much choice, as our hostel didn’t open until 5pm .

Find discounted hotels in Monteray

As if we hadn’t had enough visual overload during the previous few days, our route the next morning took us through Big Sur . It’s known as one of the best drives in the United States, and it wasn’t hard to see why. Hugging the coastline for around 100 miles, the road climbs from sea level to 1000+ feet countless times as it winds through the Santa Lucia mountains.

We found ourselves pulling over every few minutes for yet another photo of the crashing seas and deserted beaches far below. Blessed as we were with blue skies and bright sunshine yet again, I could happily have driven that road for days.

By this stage, though, we were around half way through our trip, and the long driving days were starting to take their toll. Lucky, then, that my mate had a cousin living in Lompoc , with an RV parked out the front of the house!  We’d passed enough of the damn things in the last week or two, so it seemed only appropriate to put our feet up for a few days and stay in one.

We explored the surrounding area each day, and drank a lot of beer each night. One of the particular highlights was the top-down drive through Santa Barbara to the LA outskirts and back, with tragic 80’s rock blasting from our speakers. Well, a highlight for us, at least, if not anyone we drove past.

Eventually the beer drinking had to end, or at least change location, and we struck inland once more. A little later than planned, admittedly, after missing the turnoff just outside LA.

We were headed for the gleaming lights of Las Vegas – but before that, there was a whole lot of nothing. An enormous bunch of nothing, in fact. Wow, was driving through the desert dull or what? Put it this way, when a truck in front of us flicked up a rock and smashed a huge crack in our windscreen, we actually welcomed the diversion.

Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon

Vegas itself was just nuts. There’s no better way to describe it. I’m sure I wasn’t really the target market for Sin City, being a stinky backpacker on a budget with no real interest in gambling. Even so, wandering the strip, winning (occasionally) at the casinos, and just being immersed in the ridiculous neon excess of the place was an experience not to be missed.

Find discounted hotels in Las Vegas

I swear, though, I couldn’t get Queen’s “ We Will Rock You “ out of my head for months. The musical was playing in Vegas at the time and that damn song was blasted out of loudspeakers every few minutes. I still shudder at the memory.

We were blown away by the sheer scale of the Hoover Dam as we crossed into Arizona the next day. It’s one seriously impressive piece of engineering. There was no time to stop however , since we were bound for the biggest attraction of all on this trip. The Grand Canyon .

The funny thing about it is that for a hole in the ground that can be seen from outer space, it kinda, well, sneaks up on you. I know that sounds ridiculous, but the landscape is so flat, it really does. You’re driving down the road, watching the signs count down the miles until you end up in the car park, wondering how far you need to walk from there.

Jumping out of the car, you wander forward a few paces, and all of a sudden the ground falls away in front of you and you suddenly realise that one of the world’s most amazing natural wonders is right there . It’s hard to explain but trust me, when you go there yourself, you’ll see what I mean.

We hiked down a dusty trail from the South Rim to one of the rest stops and back, a trip of around two and a half hours in the heat. It would have been incredible to spend a night camping on the canyon floor, but those typically needed to be booked months in advance, well before we even knew we were doing this road trip at all. Oh well.

To make up for it we made a spur of the moment decision to catch the last helicopter ride of the day, with a discount thrown in for good measure

If the views from the trail were magnificent, flying above and deep into the canyon was a spectacle beyond words. It’s the only helicopter ride I’ve ever taken, and I can think of nowhere else I’d rather have done so. It wasn’t especially cheap even with the discount, but I figured the chances of getting back there any time soon were pretty slim. Money well spent indeed.

After a night in nearby Williams (highlight: the world’s largest and most vile bread roll) we spent a long day on the road to San Diego as we neared the end of our journey. The YHA hostel there wasn’t the cleanest, but it was close to the beach and had a free BBQ one night. Good enough for us.

Other than a half day trip across the Mexican border to the very unpleasant tourist trap of Tijuana, we spent most of our last couple of days with sand between our toes and beer in our hands. There had been a huge amount of driving over the previous weeks, and as incredible as it had been, it was time for a well-earned rest.

Find discounted hotels in San Diego

Dropping the car off at LAX a few hours before our flight home, we reflected on the most amazing road trip we’d ever done. The odometer read 3443 miles from start to finish, through rain and sun, forests and mountains, sprawling cities and deserted back country roads.

It was an experience like no other, and made me appreciate the incredible diversity of even that relatively small part of a huge country. All in all, it was a mind-blowing three weeks.

Would I drive Highway 101 again? You’d better believe it. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Only in a red convertible Mustang, of course.

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32 Comments

What an amazing adventure. I’ve driven from Vancouver down to Seattle (which I loved) and all the way across California. However, I’d love to do all the bits in between. Thanks for the post:)

No problem, pleased you enjoyed it! I’m busy writing the second chapter as we speak. 😉

I used to live in San Fran and did some of this drive once…so beautiful up there! I really want to do a huge USA road trip.

It’s just stunning – I have to say that of all the driving we did during those few weeks, the stretch between Grants Pass and Fort Bragg was definitely one of my favourites…

That looks like an amazing trip! I grew up on Hwy 101 (that was my address!) so you likely drove right by my old home on your way to SF. I haven’t done the entire 101 since I was a kid, but it’s def on the list of adventures to venture out on soon.

And love the convertible idea. Now that’s doing it right!

Heh, great address! The convertible was kind of a snap decision, and totally the right one … even if we were a bit tired, or the scenery wasn’t particularly great right where we were, or the weather wasn’t perfect, there was something about getting into a convertible that put a smile on our faces every single day!

Sounds fantastic! I’ve always wanted to do a road trip, but I’ll probably do a South African one long before I manage to make my way to the US.

Hey there’s nothing wrong with a South African road trip – I totally loved the smallish one that I did there a couple of years ago and would jump at the chance to do a much longer one! There’s a lot less chance of seeing an elephant on the 101, I have to say…

The 101 is stunning!! Especially south of San Francisco 🙂

Absolutely – it’s gorgeous! Big Sur in particular is just incredible…

I love road trips too. I’ve only ever done them for the weekend and oddly enough only to US destinations but sometimes the US can be foreign and exotic to a Canadian 🙂

Foreign and exotic, but with far inferior bacon…

Love a road trip too!

I also did a drive down the California coast a few years back in a red convertible. I forgot a hat so by the end of the first day my face was fried! Ah well, in the end the amazing scenery was well worth a bit of peeley skin.

So glad you enjoyed Yosemite. It’s our favorite place in the world 🙂 and we’re so lucky to live close enough to visit it in the weekend if we want to.

Highway 101 is our neighborhood since we live in the Bay Area and have relatives living in LA and Santa Barbara. We’ve done this drive countless times. It is a very pretty drive. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.

Being able to visit Yosemite for the weekend would be AMAZING! Awesome 🙂

I rarely drive the 101–or drive at all, as I hate it and prefer the plane/train in California–but you have inspired me! I need to rent a Mustang and do exactly this after Australia. While I’ve been to a few of the places you mentioned, I’m still shocked at what I’ve missed. Great photos!

Yay!!! Do it, you’ll totally love it! 🙂

Sounds absolutely awesome! Yosemite and the Grand Canyon are also on my must-see lists. And I’m starting to think the way you did it is definitely the way to do it – I know my husband will love the idea of a red convertible Mustang 🙂

And so he should! I reckon if you’re gonna do a trip like this, do it in style! Road tripping in a Taurus just doesn’t have the same ring to it…

You’re so right. I actually did do this drive in my ’98 Taurus after high school. Not nearly as cool haha

Ok so. I LOOOOOVE this post. For several reasons.

A) because it involves the United States of America, a country I like. B) because it involves the 101, a highway I don’t particular enjoy on a regular basis, but the fact that you correctly identified it as THE 101 and since it runs through one of the places I call home, I like it. C) because it involves roadtrips. which I love.

That being said. I have a few comments about your “journey.” I commend you for making this trek. Not many people really listen to us Americans when we say that America is best seen from behind the wheel. Great choice with the west coast drive, also, it’s one of my favorites – though, I’ve got some better routes for you and maybe I’ll take you on ’em one day.

I’m watching commercials on TV right now and there’s some hot blonde singing country music on a straight to DVD release and I think you’d enjoy it. That is all.

Hmm, I don’t really know where to start with this.

Perhaps I’ll just ask for a copy of the hot blonde country singer DVD for my birthday and be done with it.

Overall though, I think you may have accidentally complimented me – so if so, awesome, thanks!

If not, then pretend we never had this conversation.

Also, no one under the age of 40 knows what “chips” is. Grow younger or run a disclaimer with your blog “Only OLD people will understand cultural references in this post.”

That aside. I’m so proud of you guys for going so far off the beaten track for the big hole in the ground. HOLY SHIT. Grand Canyon. It’s like. No matter how many post cards or pictures or google image searches you do to look at it, it’s like you walk up to that ledge and your jaw drops. It actually fecking drops. I remember maybe even gasping. I definitely remember standing there with my mom and my girlfriend just staring in awe. I have yet to see any natural structure anywhere in the world that floored me like that big gigantic hole.

Such a big hole. So much stuff could fit in there.

I still love you Abbey. Even if this is the 300th time you’ve called me old this week.

Yeah the canyon was ok, I guess…..

You’re right about the hole, too. You could fit an awful lot in there, and wouldn’t even have to force it.

We are considering this drive (Big Sur south to L.A.) in the spring and can’t wait to see all that gorgeous coast line!

Congrats on the drive!

Thanks! You should definitely do that trip – although I loved the whole thing, that part of it was particularly wonderful … right up until the LA outskirts, anyway! 😉

I’m thinking of doing a road trip this summer instead of Burning Man and though I now live in Seattle, I used to live on the Oregon Coast in Lincoln City and I feel the same way you do about Seaside.. I don’t know if you hit them, but Arch Cape is really pretty, just south of Cannon Beach, Manzanita is also super quaint and cute, and Pacific City has a great little pub, the Pelican, where I used to work before I moved up to Seattle 17 yrs ago.. Good beer if you’re ever back in the area and great views of the beach. Also good for whale watching. I haven’t been thru the redwoods since I was little on a trip w/ my parents and I’m thinking I might make that part of this upcoming summer trip. I love that stupid tree you can drive through. 😉 Thanks!

Hi David I did twice us 101 in 2 different seasons, spring & summer and liked the spring more. I believe that US101 from Olympia WA to San Diego CA is the most underrated road trip in the world ,to me is the best if you take it as whole . By the way ( in my opinion) you missed the best part of US 101 which is Organ Coast.

Wish you all the best and be safe around the world.

I will cover that! Will do that part. SF to San Diego is fun. Never did from WA. That’s the plan. I did do the cross country SF to Fort Lauderdale, FL and then up to Washington DC.

I’m planning on a road-trip in Oregon and just had the idea of a convertible – hence coming across your blog. I think I’m gonna do it! I like the idea of getting into a convertible every day 🙂

Awesome stuff. I love your sense of humor! I just did an awesome road trip to the mighty 5 Utah National Parks, plus Grand Canyon, Page AZ & Monument Valley. It was an amazing trip. I am 60 & a solo traveling female who loves exploring new places. I know you have already been to some of these mentions, but definitely check the rest out when you come back to Southwest USA. Going to Albuquerque’s Hot Air Balloon Festival this year, & will also include some cool road trip stops to White Sands NP, Carlsbad Caverns, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Mesa Verde NP & Bandelier NM. Love my USA National Parks & Monuments! As always, thanks for sharing!

We make that trip 3 or 4 times a year. We love it.

Seattle to San Diego: driving the Pacific Coast

Driving along the West Coast

I’ve been to the West Coast multiple times before but it was only single trips to major cities, flying from London or Chicago. Visiting smaller places was in my bucket list of things to do and, in summer 2023, I decided to check that box driving all the way from Seattle to San Diego in a 20 days journey along the Pacific coast, crossing Washington State, Oregon and California.

You can either click here to get to the daily posts with all sort on additional info about my trip – where I stayed, what I ate, what I saw – or here if you want to read all the daily postcards in one go. Or just keep scrolling.

The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the world, a bucket list experience that takes you through 3 different States: Washington to California via Oregon. In a Seattle to San Diego drive you’ll pass small charming hamlets and stop in some of the largest metropolis on the planet. You’ll hike in forest with some of the tallest trees in the world and walk through beautiful wineries, you’ll see the raging ocean from high cliffs and you’ll sunbath on white sandy beaches.

Planning a West Coast Roadtrip

Once again I’ve decided to plan the trip around my birthday. Being a significant one, I wanted to celebrate it in a spectacular way: with a mind-blowing wine tasting experience in Napa. Departure and arrivals were all planned around that day.

I started doing my researches around May, planning on an excel file all the ideal stops, trying to calculate how long would have taken me to go from point A to point B etc. Also since the company I work for has offices in multiple locations along the pacific coast, I thought to spend a couple of days in each of these places, to extend the duration of my trip and maybe catch up with some colleagues. The decision complicated the planning quite a bit cause I had to be sure to be in either these office location on a school day. Also while speaking to a friend living in Seattle, she recommended to drive first north, all around the Olympic Peninsula loop, before heading South towards Oregon.

I didn’t buy any map or special apps this time and I’ve relied entirely on Google Map which, aside from a couple of misunderstanding, has been more than reliable in my Seattle to San Diego drive.

How Long is a road trip from San Diego to Seattle?

Going on a straight line mostly on the Pacific Coast Highway (meaning the US 101 in Washington, Oregon, and parts of California and the Highway 1 in California) going from Seattle to San Diego means driving for about 1,500 miles. My itinerary was much longer, 2,414 miles to be exact, due to a number of diversions along the route.

How many days does it takes to drive from Seattle to San Diego?

I read articles from people claiming you can drive from Seattle to San Diego it in as little as 5 days. And it is true. You can actually drive all the way in 48 hours if you want. But is it worth? It took me 20 days including a few multi-days stop in a few places. Driving every day would have taken me about a week less or so probably. But that would have been a waste cause driving down the West Coast you bump into magnificent cities and some of the most incredible natural places on Earth that are worth visiting properly.

My twenty days itinerary on a West Coast road trip

I Flew to Seattle on June 18, picked up my car at SEATAC and drove to Seattle, Freemont where I spent the night out with some friends. From there this was the itinerary of my Seattle to San Diego road trip (A description, map and general information are in each daily post):

• Day 1: Sea-Tac WA to Seattle WA

Day 2: Seattle WA to Port Angeles WA

Day 3: port angeles, wa to astoria, or.

• Day 4: Astoria, OR to Florence OR
• Day 5: Florence, OR to Crescent City, CA
• Day 6: Crescent City, CA to Fortuna CA
• Day 7, 8 and 9: Fortuna CA to Napa CA
• Day 10 and 11: Napa CA to San Francisco CA
• Day 12: San Francisco, CA to Monterey, CA
• Day 13: Monterey, CA to King City, CA
• Day 14: King City, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
• Day 15: San Luis Obispo, CA to Carpinteria, CA
• Day 16-17-18: Carpinteria, CA to Los Angeles, CA
• Day 19-20: Los Angeles CA to San Diego CA

Where do you stay when driving the from Seattle to San Diego?

As usual I stayed mostly in motels, partly to safe costs, partly cause in certain location there were no alternatives, partly cause motels are pretty cool and iconic. A couple of exceptions were in the largest cities where I stayed in hotels downtown. Accommodation I used in my Seattle to San Diego road trip are mentioned in each daily post .

How many miles do you need to drive every day and for how many hours

As I said before, including the detour to Napa, I drove 2,414 miles in total. The longest leg was Fortuna to Napa (250 miles) the shortest Napa to San Francisco (50 miles). Considering stops for pictures, gas, food you might expect to stay on the road for anything between 3 and 8h a day.

How much does it cost to drive from Seattle to San Diego?

As I said this was a special birthday hence I didn’t want to be too cheap in my choices. Including everything for this road trip from Seattle to San Diego I spent about $4,700 excluding the (very expensive but 100% worth) wine tasting in Napa, food, drinks and gas. Anyhow, here is how:

• $11.20 (yes that’s eleven dollars and twenty cents!) for the flight from Chicago to Seattle and from San Diego back to Chicago thank to my Sky Miles Delta points
• $1,868 to rent the car in Seattle and return it in Los Angeles – including full insurance
• $154 to rent the convertible in Los Angeles and return it in San Diego – including full insurance
• $2,696 in lodging. The cheapest accommodation was in Crescent City ($81.40/night) the most expensive in Los Angeles ($205/night)

What type of car is best to drive from Los Angeles to San Diego?

For a Seattle to San Diego drive I recommend a midsize car for a number of reasons:

First of all the weather. Aside from Southern California it is very likely that you might get some days of not-so-good weather. Driving along the coast I had cloudy, misty weather pretty much every day till LA. Whenever I was moving inland magically the sky was opening up and the sun was shining but most of the time you’ll be on the coast where the weather can be unpredictable.

Second: a Seattle to San Diego road trip is a long, long drive. You want to be as comfortable as possible to avoid back and neck-pain especially if you decide to drive like I did on some unpaved roads. The more stable the car the better it is

Last but not least: the cost. Unless you want to drive all the way back to Seattle (or to San Diego depending where you pick up the car) you’ll need a one-way-rental for your road trip from Seattle to San Diego. And that’s expensive for any car. With a convertible the rental price will go up the roof.

But I get it: driving roof down, with the wind in your hair, pretending to be a movie super-star is a dreamy feeling. I had it too. What I did was to compromise: I rented a midsize (a Chevvy Malibu) in Seattle and I drove it all the way to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles I switched to a convertible for the very last leg of my trip to satisfy my ego.

Pro tip: renting the car at the airport – and returning it at the airport – might be much cheaper (plus you have much more options) than renting it downtown.

Can you drive from Seattle to San Diego with an electric car?

I didn’t but yes, a Seattle to San Diego road trip can be done on an electric car. You just need a little bit of additional planning to find an EV charger, but along the route you’ll find tons of opportunities to do so. Tesla Superchargers and fast-charging networks such as Electrify America and ChargePoint are available and common especially in California.

Postcards from the Pacific Coast

Day 1: sea-tac to seattle..

Sea-Tac Airport to Seattle is not exactly a road-trip. More a 17 miles easy morning commute but it was the first 17 miles I drove since last year trip to Key West, hence I count it in.

The inclement weather seems a familiar constant in the first couple of days of these US road-trips. A tornado in 2021. Thunderstorms in 2022. Light rain today. Progress, I say.

Seattle: pine trees, lushly vegetation, majestic clouds, oysters for lunch, a dinner with one of my favorite out of state Chicagoan, the discovery of Fremont, one (two) for the road in an incredible dive bar, lots of coffee to keep me functioning after today’s brutally early morning flight. The reassuring, unmistakable shape of the Space Needle.

And, while sipping (yet another) coffee at KEXP, I keep asking myself how in the early 90s a relatively small city situated in the northwesternmost corner of this country, happened to be the undisputed birthplace of that incredible music scene I grew up with. Go figure.

Note to self: never book a flight departing before 8am. Ever fucking again.

Day 2: Seattle to Port Angeles.

Started the day pretty early, a bit hungover, to get to the ferry terminal, leaving behind a cloudy, lightly raining Seattle.

The wind on the boat, a strong black coffee a crucially necessary, cheesy bacon and egg muffin took good care of me. The tricks you learn in London, huh?

The  ferry to Bainbridge Island was a pleasant, almost fun, 40 minute ride through a mostly sunny and calm Elliot Bay: shiny waters, blue sky and lushly vegetation: it’s the Emerald City for a reason after all.

After a quick stop in the pretty postcard-like charming village of Poulsbo, today’s leg headed north, towards the neither pretty nor charming city of Port Angeles, completing the first half of the Olympic peninsula loop.

As much as the city seemed gloomy and unappealing, the oysters were fresh, the smoked salmon chowder exceptional, the crab stuffed halibut excellent and the Washington’s wine pairing on point. Sold.

Can’t go much farther north than this. From tomorrow onwards it will be a long drive south.

Another early morning meant driving the first part of today’s 336 miles in misty, foggy weather with white clouds still sleeping in the valleys and majestic conifers guarding both sides of the road.

A few miles after Forks, I took a break from the 101 highway loop, heading towards the Hoh rainforest for a longer than expected easy hike among trees covered with clumps of hanging moss, stuck there silently hugging each other for thousands of  year. Kinda romantic.

Back to the coast right after leaving the rocks and driftwood of Ruby beach, it was heavy rain for about an hour followed by a sunny and smooth solitary ride, highway hopping between the 101, 109 and 105. Whatever closer to the ocean.

Ending the day entering Oregon while ticking off another place from my bucket list of roads I wanted to drive in this country: the iconic 4 miles long Astoria-Megler Bridge. Beers now.

– “That’s what I said. You always contradict me. I was right. I knew it. It was about the history of Astoria, and, these are the rejects.”

– “Kind of like us, Mike, the Goonies”

Day 4: Astoria to Florence

I took it easy in the morning, hanging around a buzzing and sunny Astoria to check a couple of Goonies locations out before leaving town to spend a little time chilling on Cannon Beach (“Hey you guuuys!”).

In total it was a smooth 207 miles drive – in and out, up and down, the Oregon coast, taking any possible chance to leave the Highway 101 and drive at my own pace – ended with a crab cake and a glass of Willamette Valley Pinot by the water in  Florence.

I am starting seeing a pattern here: trees – ugly coastal cities – trees – breathtaking viewpoints – trees – white, wild, long beaches – more trees – pretty coastal cities. Shuffle and repeat.

Randomly add fresh seafood, west coast IPAs and outstanding PNW wine and you get the picture.

Tomorrow it will be California already.

Day 5: Florence to Crescent City

Today’s ride gave me little opportunities to leave the, mostly sunny, highway 101. When that happened, a thick and stubborn fog covering the coast made reaching most of the viewpoints a pointless exercise.

The one stop for lunch, to rest my already painful neck and take the PNW oysters final score to an honest 24 units, was definitely more meaningful.

229  pretty uneventful straight-as-it-gets miles, but the last 16: entering cloudy northern California meant my first encounter with the redwoods and a 45 or so minutes spectacular drive on an unpaved narrow road, zigzagging between incredible trees to reach the Stout Grove trail. The 2-mile-long, Converse-friendly hike spent with my open-mouthed face constantly looking up might have further compromised my neck stability, but boy: it was totally worth the pain.

Nothing 6 more oysters and a West Coast beer flight or two can’t fix.

Day 6: Crescent City to Fortuna.

It was drizzling when I took off in the morning: a mystic and cool experience under the redwoods umbrella at first, a scary and uncomfortable drive on the uncovered bald edge of the Northern California hills, engulfed in brumous, hazy fog right after.

The two-hour hike at Prairie Creek helped me relax and confirmed my now forever-changed benchmark of what a tall tree is. Or what tall means, in general.

Size  matters but my favorites were those Freddy Krueger’s finger-like trees, coming out of planet Earth covered in moss, giving the universe an unapologetic finger. Damn poetic.

Pursuing my goal of driving as little on the highways as possible, I took an inland diversion on a 36-mile partly unpaved scenic county road: another super fun and satisfying drive, rewarded with beautiful sunny weather on the eastern side of the national park.

The last stretch, back to the coast and to the clouds, was longer than expected, thanks to a couple of avoidable misunderstandings with the mighty GPS.

Note to self:

– Hugging a tree is a romantic thing to do.

– Hugging a tree with a white hoodie is a stupid thing to do.

Day 7, 8 and 9: Fortuna to Napa.

I started the day with a final farewell to the redwoods, driving along the Avenue of Giants, a 32-mile-long empty road: roof open, jazz on, and trees on both sides giving me their own version of a guard of honor. I didn’t get streamers and confetti at the end, but that’s ok.

California State Route 1 towards wine country was nerve-wracking, foggy and curvy at first. It became relaxing, sunny and smooth the further south I went: the more  yellow the vegetation, the bluer the sky, the smaller the pines.

Once on the Sonoma Coast, I took a slight detour back north to get to the top of the Silverado Trail and from there all the way down south through Napa Valley’s wineries. Another bucket list drive crossed off my list.

3 nights in Napa final score: 1 rosé, 4 white, 24 different red wines shared among 4 wine tasting experiences – one of which was a 10am, 90-minute mind-blowing masterclass in a beautiful winery in the heart of the valley -, 12 more oysters and all the cheese.

Today marks my 50th birthday on planet Earth. Feat:

Playing “bocce” with the old folks as a kid, studying at the art institute, struggling to get through uni. The nights in the bookshop and the dj sets at Bloom with all its magical creatures. Becoming Takeshi. Buying an apartment I never lived in. That roller-coaster of coincidences that made me leave and everything that has happened since: my sis that doesn’t know it but she started it all, the encounters, all the travels, my niece who is now a teenager, the regular Skype calls with my parents. Heaps of live music, a pandemic, one fucking Brexit, a green card. Countless deadly, wonderful hangovers. A job I still love, 3 companies I am grateful for, 3 cities I adore. Beautiful people who left my everyday life, beautiful people who keep appearing in my everyday life. A few tears, way more laughter, tons of bloody emotions.

Raising another glass of cab: and happy fucking birthday to me, kids.

Day 10 and 11: Napa to San Francisco

The northern Cali cloudy morning weather tried hard to upgrade into a sunny day before unavoidably giving up right after Richardson Bay when the San Francisco-friendly usual misty-morning-tick-as-fuck-fog took over.

One of the shortest leg of this road trip. 50 quick miles to get to the “The City” plus an additional 30 miles spent driving around San Francisco, ‘cause navigating through its fascinating neighborhoods is like being a  supporting act in a 70s movie. Since parking on these steep streets ain’t an easy job if I don’t get an Oscar nomination this year, well, the system is rigged.

Call it serendipity. I took a wrong turn while walking back from the office. And Harlan Records happened: a cocktails bar that looks like a records store that looks like a jazz music venue, that looks like a cocktail bar. And it is all of those things. But better.

I had 2 old fashioned, before texting my doctor in Chicago: “there is no 2 without 3” he said (quote).

The dude abides. I had 4 just to be on the safe side…

Lombard Street: done.

Golden Gate Bridge: done.

Day 12: San Francisco to Monterey

Another relatively short leg, 139 miles of uneventful and almost anonymous driving, mostly along the coast on the Cabrillo Highway portion of the California State Route 1, or on smaller and less crowded streets sandwiched between the highway and the Pacific Ocean.

After spending most of the morning drive complaining about the first real traffic I encountered in this road trip and about the once again disappointing weather, things got a  bit better: the clouds stuck around a bit longer, almost teasing me – sunny and blue sky a few miles inland on my left, cloudy and gray over my head and over the ocean coast – but the traffic magically evaporated right after San Francisco’s city borders, allowing for another easy drive south.

In Santa Cruz, they took turns: the traffic came back but the clouds were sucked away, replaced by a glorious blue sky and, finally, a mini heat wave, warming up my old bones and my car.

The further south I got, the more cities with Spanish-sounding names, the more comfortable the temperature, and the larger the number of surfers.

Entering Monterey, traffic and gray sky reached an agreement to come back in full mode to my utter disappointment.

Note: tacos y Negra Modelo till San Diego.

Day 13: Monterey, CA to King City

Preamble: Last winter, part of Highway 1 collapsed in a few points due to particularly nasty weather hitting this region. As of today, coming from Monterey, the furthest south you can get is to the hamlet of Lucia.

I started the morning procrastinating on leaving town, hoping for the fog and clouds to finally leave me alone. But after an hour or so of wandering along the pointlessly scenic 17-Mile Drive between a gray Monterey and an even  grayer Carmel-by-the-Sea, I gave up, taking my chances and moving towards the Big Sur.

A 130-mile (65*2) psychedelic round trip, driving up and down the rugged and steep stretch of this crazy part of the Californian coastline, a nightmare for every seasoned weatherman. One turn: spring. Another one: November. Another one: spring again. Randomly repeat ad nauseam. I guess that’s what time traveling must feel like.

On the way back, right before entering Carmel-by-the-Sea, I took the planned inland alternative route to move south again: an additional 60 miles through Carmel Valley and its unexpectedly stunning ever-changing landscape. Starting green and lush, it progressively got more and more yellowish and barren, with temperatures hitting 43°C (110°F) making me wonder where my reassuring unappreciated and misjudged clouds had gone.

Total Tacos score update: 9

Day 14: King City, CA to San Luis Obispo

I tried to enter the Cabrillo Highway as far north as possible to avoid a long drive back and forth, but it turned out that most of the roads cutting through the Big Sur mountains were closed. Hence, the first possible intersection with Highway 1 was a whopping 50 miles south of the northern point of closure, a mere 3 miles or less from Lucia, where I had to stop yesterday.

Same landscapes, same breathtaking views, but little or no  clouds this time. Less drama, less tragedy, no pathos. It felt wrong.

San Luis Obispo. A pastel-colored mid-sized city right on the border between northern and southern Cali. Sitting outside a taco place (+3) in the historic district: families strolling around, teenagers cycling and laughing out loud, everything is clean, everyone is smiling. Welcome to Hill Valley, A Nice Place To Live.

Nice but not for me. Boy, I am a big city person..

National Geographic moment:

what I said once about sea lions applies to elephant seals too.

– They eat all the fish

– They sunbathe all year round

– They have a nonsensical shape but who cares they are all the same

– They burp all day

– They stink AF

Fucking marvelous animals.

Day 15: San Luis Obispo to Carpinteria

A short and quick-ish 135 miles driven mostly on the CA 1 South, with a couple of unnecessary diversions to get a break from the frenetic fast pacing highway and drive at my own – slow – speed in this first full day drive in Southern Cali, a region that boosts 300+ days of sunshine every year. Not this morning. Not this evening.

The sunny afternoon though, in Santa Barbara, was pleasantly spent strolling between downtown and West  Beach partly betraying my commitment to the holy tacos (+2) for a luscious lobster roll. Fair, I say.

First swim in the Pacific Ocean: aborted. Way too damn cold for my Mediterranean bones expectations.

Day 16-17-18: Carpinteria to Los Angeles

After a compulsory early detour inland to avoid the usual morning coastal mist, I drove most of the 100 miles right along the Pacific Ocean. As I questioned my luck about the once again gray sky and the questionable local radio music choices, I found comfort in hearing the GPS say “to Los Angeles” as if it knew it was a cool city to name.

Once in LA, I returned the car because, like last year, a grand finale deserves something  better than a midsize. But not having a car in the City of Angels is not an easy task. To add a layer of complexity, for the very first time I was not staying in Venice Beach but on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, closer to the office. Iconic? For sure. Walkability score? -10.

The 4th of July was well spent in Venice, where after a refreshing long-awaited swim, I raised a pint to say happy birthday America. And happy birthday Mom.

One sleep to go.

Bucket list items:

– Drive a Chevy Malibu through Malibu: done.

– Be swept away by a 6 feet tall wave and land face down on the beach in front of a Baywatch-like lifeguard, pretending you did it on purpose: done.

Day 19-20: Los Angeles to San Diego

I left the car rental center early, challenging Los Angeles’ infamous morning commute, to get to the furthest western point of another bucket list item: Mulholland Drive. A dreamy and hypnotic road stretching like a snake on the hills above LA. The morning mist might have been responsible for the disappointing lack of views, but it made the drive hazy and magical. David Lynch would have approved.

Right at the end of the road, the sun  came out, this time to stay, making the earlier switch to a convertible finally worthwhile.

A couple of hours later, after a strenuous but victorious fight against the vicious traffic, I reached the Pacific Coast. From there, it was a pleasant, much nicer drive until, approaching San Diego, the same enemy succeeded in delaying my glorious entry into the final destination by a few minutes.

2,414 miles, 48 oysters and 21 tacos since I left Seattle. Roof up. Curtains down. Applause.

And, for the very first time, I miss Chicago.

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Day 8: Daytona Beach FL to Florida City FL

My Green Card Journey

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Seattle To San Diego, A Highway 101 Road Trip

My family just went on an amazing adventure! For years, my husband and I have talked about taking a road trip down Highway 101 from Seattle to San Diego.

This is one of those vacations you always talk about taking, but always say “some day it would be nice to do this” and never do it. Well, this year we took it.

We partnered with Allianz Travel Insurance to make sure our adventures were covered, and now, I get to share all about our adventures with you.

While this trip was sponsored in part by Allianz Travel Insurance , all opinions are 100% my own. We are also paying customers of Allianz Travel Insurance.

When planning a big road trip like this, there are a lot of things to consider. From figuring out the best stops and lodging to planning your driving route and budget, I will be sharing it all.

While we took 18 days to do this vacation, I really think it could be done in 10 days or less, with plenty of time to enjoy everything. Part of the reason our vacation was so long is because we did stay in the Disneyland area for a full week.

Here are some of the places we stopped on our vacation:

Day 1-2 Seattle, Washington

Day 2-4 Newport, Oregon

Day 4-6 The Redwoods (Eureka, California)

Day 7-10 Santa Barbara, California (Rancho Oso)

Day 10- 17 Southern California Including:

• San Diego – What To Do With Kids

Day 17-18 Traveling home to Idaho via Nevada and Utah

Along with staying at hotels, our family was hosted by Thousand Trails RV Parks at several locations. We did not take a camper, and it was quite the expierince staying at an RV Resort without a camper or tent.

While our trip took 18 days, looking back, another family could easily do it in 10. That means this trip is pretty feasible for many families.

Be sure to check out all the different posts from our trip above as well as the story highlights on my instagram account .

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The Perfect Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary (25 Stops + 3 Itineraries!)

Post Summary: The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary + All The Stops Along The Way

The Pacific Coast Highway is easily considered to be one of the most iconic road trip routes in the world !

It’s not hard to believe either. From the moody beaches in Washington to the spectacular natural bridges in Southern Oregon to the winding roads of Big Sur, California , there is something new to see around every bend.

Berty and I drove the entire route back in 2017, and have returned to deeply explore sections every year since then!

Because we know this route so well, we wanted to create this comprehensive guide for iconic stops and places to see along the entire length of the Pacific Coast Highway, all 1,700-ish miles between Seattle, Washington and Orange County, California !

In this power, we’ll share the best PCH stops in Washington, Oregon, and California to make your Pacific Coast Highway road trip your most epic trip yet.

Let’s get planning!

Step By Step Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Directions (Download)

Where is the pacific coast highway how long is it.

The Pacific Coast Highway has many names.

You can also recognize it by its abbreviation (PCH), and referred to as the California Coast road trip , Pacific Coast Highway road trip, Route 1, Highway 101 (through Washington and Oregon), or even just Highway 1 (in California).

All names aside, they all lead you down the same road, which is the route that parallels the Pacific Ocean and the western border of the contiguous United States.

The traditional Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) is 655 miles long. The full Pacific Coast Highway (Orange County to Seattle) is just over 1,700 miles.

We’ll be talking about the entire Pacific Coast Highway itinerary in this blog post. (Seattle to Orange County)

Pacific Coast Highway Map, Directions, & Best Times

Which direction to drive the pacific coast highway.

Where should you begin your Pacific Coast Highway itinerary? Northbound or Southbound?

There are two directions to do a Pacific Coast Highway road trip – driving south or driving north! Honestly, both are great options but being from Washington, Berty and I began in Seattle and made our way south.

If you are searching for the best weather conditions, here are pros of each direction:

• Southbound (Seattle to Orange County): Driven during spring break, you can escape the Pacific Northwest rain and enjoy the warmth of Southern California.
• Nortbound (Orange County to Seattle): Driving north will help you escape California’s hot weather in late summer and fall.

Pacific Coast Highway Start and End Points

Traditionally, the Pacific Coast Highway is considered to be the entire Highway 1 of the California Coast. This spans between Capistrano Beach is Orange County to Legget in Nortoerhn California. Highway 1 is 655.84 miles.

However, we like to think of this drive spanning three Pacific Coast states: Washington, Oregon, and California.

The traditional starting point in Washington is Seattle (with a detour through the Olympic National Park). The traditional starting point in California is San Diego .

When To Drive The Pacific Coast Highway

We also began our trip in June, but this trip is good to take any time of year.

If you decided on making it a winter road trip route , that means you’ll have a lot fewer crowds to deal with! Driving along the coast, the weather is more temperate and usually doesn’t get cold enough for snow, so you won’t run into many driving issues.

However, if you’re looking for the “windows-down, sunsets every night” kind of trip, we recommend taking this drive any time between June-September for the best chance of good weather.

Pacific Coast Highway Map

Top Tips For Driving The Pacific Coast Highway

So, how can you plan a Pacific Coast Highway road trip? Here are our suggestions of things to do before your trip:

Plan Your Stops Carefully: Carefully creating an itinerary will help make reserving hotels and activies a LOT easier. However, make sure to leave just a little wiggle room for surprises! Book Accommodations In Advance: The Pacific Coast Highway is a popular road trip route. Once you know your trip dates, plan to book hotels and campgrounds ASAP. We like to split accommodations between car camping and hotels for a good mix. On a budget? Here are 20 car camping hacks to consider. Check Road Closures: Check you route for any major road closures. This actually happens a lot more often than you might think Big Sur often has landslides. Rent a Great Car (or RV!): You can rent a car and book hotels, OR you can rent a campervan and book campgrounds for a budget-friendly trip. Outdoorsy has cool recreation vehicles vans to rent – it’s like Airbnb but for RVs! Decide When To Embark: Determine when to plan your PCH trip and how many days you have. Keep scrolling to the bottom of the post for PCH itinerary examples. Use a Good Navigation App : Good navigation apps make a huge difference. Read our favorite road trip planner apps here. Get a Convertible…or a Harley! If you are driving only a small section of the PCH, rent a fun vehicle! This isn’t mandatory, but it sure is iconic to drive on the highway in one of these cool rides. Ask Great Questions: You’re in the car for a long time. Make sure to have these road trip questions ready to brighten those dull moments. Download Podcasts + Playlists : Download these road trip podcasts and personalized playlists when you have wifi. You’ll thank me later. Pack Your Car With The Essentials: Here’s a list of road trip essentials you need to be packing. Prepare To Stop Frequently: The whole point of driving the Pacific Coast Highway is to take in the sights!

How To Choose a Car For The Pacific Coast Highway

Choosing the right vehicle for your Pacific Coast Highway road trip is probably THE most important decision you will make.

Option 1: Drive Your Own Car Make sure your car has had a tune-up, and its oil changed. It’s worth it to get checked out now, than risk something going wrong mid-way through your trip.

Option 2: Rent a Regular Car Renting a car is a great option for a reliable drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. Personally, we like Avis becuase they have a great rewards program. You can find cheap options

Option 3: Rent a Campervan or RV Renting a campervan is an awesome way to experience a little bit of vanlife. Search for the best campervans at Outdoorsy . Just note, it may be a little tricky to drive a campervan one-way. You may have to return it at your starting point via I-5!

Option 4: Take The Public us (Kind of possible, but not recommended) Yes, it’s possible to cobble together transportation on local transit. You’ll find that you can get around easiest in Southern California and the central Oregon Coast. However, there will be stretches of road with no transporation avaiable, or you may have to leave the coast and venture inland to find a route. It’s cheap yes, but takes quite a bit of pre-planning.

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip On A Budget

Are you hoping to plan a Pacific Coast Highway road trip route on a budget ? Here are some budgeting hacks we like to use to plan a budget PCH trip:

Use The Dyrt To Find Campgrounds: The Dyrt is the largest online campground database. We use the offline campground search feature to find spots on the go (no service needed!). The Dyrt gave us a code for you, our epic reader, to try the pro membership for 30 days free!   Click here to unlock your 30-day free trial . Find Free Campsites: Road tripping around the west coast for years, we’ve learned a thing or two about finding free campsites in the USA . Our guide includes campground searching hacks, backcountry packing guides, and tips on how to find the best camping spots on the PCH. Cook Your Own Meals: Save money on the road by making your own quick & easy camping meals . Manage Money On The Road: Learn how we travel on a budget in the Pacific Northwest .

What To Pack For A Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip

A good Pacific Coast Highway road trip will take you through the rainy gloom of Washington, as well as the sunny beaches of California. This makes packing slighly more challenging – you’ll have to account for tons of variable weather!

Rain Jacket: You’ll need one in Washington and Oregon, especially during winter and spring. Here are our favorite rain jackets to wear in the Pacific Northwest . Light Layers: Once you reach California, it’s nice to have light, packable layers to bring on your day adventures. We like this windbreaker and this colorful fleece for easy layering. Down Jacket: Down jackets are an excellent option for extra warmth, especially when paired with a rain jacket. Get this packable one to save space in your suitcase. Sunglasses: You’ll need some, since you’ll be watchin the sunset every night! Grab this pair of inexpensive but HIGHLY rated sunglasses to knock around on your adventures. Hiking Shoes: Hiking in the PNW for over a decade, we know a thing or two about boots! Read our list on the best hiking boots , to pick the right ones for you. Walking Sandals : From walking around Huntington Pier to strolling around your campsite, walking sandals are essential to your Pacific Coast Highway packing list. Portable Phone Charger: This Goal Zero 24 is the perfect companion to charge your phone on a day trip. Camera: Here’s our guide on how to take smartphone landscape photography, or you can check out the travel photography gear as media professionals. Hiking Clothes: You’ll want to bring these highly-coveted hiking shorts , a day pack , and the 10 hiking essentials .

Here are some posts we’ve written about what to pack for certain parts of the Pacific Coast Highway:

• 5 Essentials to Bring On The Washington Coast
• The Ultimate Packing List For San Francisco
• What To Pack For A Weekend in Los Angeles

The Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops (State By State)

If you’re planning to experience the entire Pacific Coast Highway (including extending it to Oregon and Washington), you probably know that there is an insane amount of beautiful stops to take.

We’re going to break locations down state by state, to give you bite-sized chunks of information for each place.

Each state provides something unique and exciting for your Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary, so read below for location inspiration in Washington, Oregon, and California!

Pacific Coast Highway Stops In Washington

Washington is not all rain and gloom!

While the movies portray this evergreen state in a constant shroud of clouds and moodiness (Thanks, Twilight) , its nothing farther from the truth.

Here, you can find powerful waterfalls, secret coves, and lush green forest, and amazing hikes in every corner of this beautiful state.

Keep on reading to read about some highlights along the Pacific Coast Highway in Washington!

Seattle, Washington

This is where we suggest starting your Pacific Coast Highway road trip.

Seattle is a great place to stock up on all the road trip essentials , grab rental cars, and arrive by plane to stay on your journey on the Pacific Coast Highway. If you’re flying in to begin your journey, you’ll fly into Sattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Have a little bit more time on your hands? Stick around for a few days and try these unique things to do in Seattle , or take these incredible day trips from Seattle .

Fun things to do in Seattle, Washington:

• Visit Pike Place Market
• Go to the first-ever Starbucks Coffee store
• Visit The Museum of Pop Culture
• Watch the sunset at Jose Rizal Park
• See the Space Needle up close at Kerry Park
• Have a bonfire with friends at Golden Gardens Park
• Go to A Husky Football game in the University District

Read More: What To Pack For The Pacific Northwest

Port Angeles

If you are starting in Seattle or Vancouver, chances are you’ll need to take a ferry across the Puget Sound to reach the Olympic Peninsula . It’s also possible to drive around through Olympia, if you don’t want to put your car on the ferry.

From here, you will pass the cities of Sequim and Port Angeles. Before hitting to Pacific Coast Highway, we recommend taking a stop by Lake Crescent for some classic PNW vibes and maybe a quick lunch break too.

If you want to see what the lake looks like from above, test your limits and hike Mount Storm King . The 4.7-mile round trip hike gains over 2,000 feet in elevation, including scrambling up the side of a cliff with the help of a few installed ropes.

This hike isn’t for the faint of heart, but your attempts will be rewarded with experiencing one of the most spectacular places to see in the Olympic Peninsula .

Stay Overnight: Book a stay at The Olympic Lodge in Port Angeles . It’s right in town, and central to other adventures like Hurricane Ridge, Salt Creek, and Lake Crescent.

Sol Duc Falls

Sol Duc Falls is located in the Olympic National Park , and along Highway 101 on your way towards the coast.

It’s a small detour before heading to the ocean. However, the detour is worth every minute! The short trail to Sol Duc Falls leads to one of the most gorgeous waterfalls in Washington state.

If you are wanting a unique place to stay in the Olympic National Park, consider staying at the Sol Duc Hot Springs, a natural pool resort in the park.

Doing this, you can wake up early to visit the falls and beat the crowds!

Cape Flattery

If you’re looking for the most northwest location in the lower 48 United States, you’ve found it at Cape Flattery !

This jaw-dropping piece of coastline is owned by the Makah Tribe. It includes beautiful sea stacks just offshore and expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

If you are planning your Pacific Coast Highway itinerary for epic photo spots, don’t miss this place! You’ll need an entry pass ($10 per vehicle) and you can pick it up at the gas station or grocery store at Neah Bay.

Forks, Washington

La Push Beaches (First, Second, and Third)

You may know these beaches from the movie Twilight but rest assured there are no vampires in sight. (Partly because it’s werewolf territory anyway, DUH) In fact, we’ve seen some of the most incredible sunsets right here on Second Beach.

When visiting, it’s important to note that there are three beaches to choose from. First Beach provides easy and instant beach access, so it’s a popular choice for families.

Second Beach requires a hike on a short trail to reach the beach, and you can also camp on this beach. Second Beach is also the most popular option for its beautiful rock formations and vast shoreline.

Third Beach requires a longer hike and is the least visited of all the beaches.

Any of these Washington beaches you choose, don’t forget to pack these 5 beach essentials!

Read More: La Push Beach + and Beach Camping Tips

Ocean Shores, Washington

Ocean Shores is a quaint little town on the Washington Coast, just north of Grays Harbor.

Here, you will find tons of vacation rental homes, small seafood restaurants, and tons of beach activities. Berty and I came with our friends last summer and opted to rent motorbikes on the beach, eat our weight in crab, and explore the jetty!

Restaurants to try in Ocean Shores:

• Murphy’s Candy & Ice Cream Shop
• Galway Bay Irish Pub
• Ocean Beach Roasters and Bistro
• Oyhut Bay Bistro

Want more beach fun on the Washington Coast? Check out Ruby Beach and Rialto Beach !

Read More: 7 Fun Things To Do In Ocean Shores, Washington

Pierce County Area (Gig Harbor, Tacoma, and Puyallup)

If you’re looking to spend a little extra for a comfortable room and some great food, spend some time exploring Gig Harbor and boating around the South Puget Sound . You will be able to spot wildlife all around you, whether it’s jellyfish or a pod of orcas!

Some of our favorite cities in Pierce County to explore: Puyallup (Washington State Fair), Tacoma, and Gig Harbor!

Mount Rainier National Park

Take your journey slightly inland to explore Mount Rainier National Park. Here, you can test your limits and backpack up to the summit (training required!) or simply take a nice stroll at the base of the mountain like on Nisqually Loop Trail .

Mount Rainier is best explored if you spend 2-3 days in the park! There are so many different areas to cover (Paradise Area and Sunrise Area are the most popular), so give yourself time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors here in the Pacific Northwest.

Most Popular Activities To Do At Mount Rainier:

• Hike the Grove of the Patriarchs Trail
• See Silver Falls
• Hike the Skyline Divide Trail
• Visit the Longmire Museum

Cape Disappointment State Park

Cape Disappointment is located in the far southwestern corner of Washington State. Here, you can discover miles of trails, play on the beaches, and maybe even spot an orca offshore!

For a memorable photo opportunity on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip, take the trail down to Deadman’s Cove and capture this hidden beach at sunset!

Read More: Cape Disappointment + Deadman’s Cove

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Stops In Oregon

The Oregon Coast itself is worthy of its own road trip but lucky you – you get to see it all and more!

We’re sharing all the best stops along this part of the Pacific Coast Highway and what you can expect in this beautiful state.

Not enough time for the whole thing? Take an Oregon Coast Road Trip instead!

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is a family and dog-friendly beach located 1.5 hours west of Portland. Here, you can explore the many quaint seaside shops, take a walk on the beach, and explore the many tide pools.

There are many services available here, so it’s a great stop for camping, resting, or even getting a seaside Airbnb! (By the way, y ou can get $40 off your first reservation at this link! )

Read More: Spending The Day At Cannon Beach

Cape Kiwanda

Cape Kiwanda  is a popular beach on the Oregon Coast. Here, you can walk along the beach and enjoy Pacific City’s own “Haystack Rock”, or climb the nearby sand dunes to discover incredible views, coves, and rock formations!

Too busy for you? Venture just a 5-minute drive south to Bob Straub State Park, where you can walk along the less-traveled and peaceful beachfront.

The area of Oregon can be rainy and cloudy year-round, but if you’re lucky you can experience one of its gorgeous sunsets (that is if the weather cooperates!). Make sure to pack a rain jacket!

Read More:  10 Epic Adventures To Take Aroun Cape Kiwanda

God’s Thumb Hike, Lincoln City

The hike to God’s Thumb is a moderately difficult hike along the Oregon Coast. A 4.6-mile round trip hike will bring you to a curved landscape on an oceanside cliff. 

It gets its name “God’s Thumb” because it slightly resembles a thumb… but we think it kind of looks like a soft-serve ice cream swirl!

Located in Lincoln City, Oregon , this is a perfect place to get out of the car, stretch your legs, and see a beautiful area of the Oregon Coast.

Read More: Hike To God’s Thumb in Lincoln City On The Oregon Coast

Devil’s Punchbowl

Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area is a perfect stop on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Here, you can experience the power of the ocean slamming and swirling into a carved-out bowl.

From the top, you can see down inside the “punchbowl”. During high tide, the waves swirl and crash around inside, but during low tide, you can walk down on the beach and explore inside.

Stay a while for a roadside picnic, to explore tide pools, or climb around on the rocks on the shore.

Thor’s Well

Thor’s Well in another one of the Oregon Coast’s amazing natural phenomena. You can experience the most dramatic sights at high tide, but beware – it’s the most dangerous time to visit too.

Similar to the Spouting Horn in Kauai , this sinkhole looks like water is just draining into a huge abyss, but it’s actually a natural rock tube that sucks and shoots water our according to the adjacent waves.

Don’t get too close to it though, it pushes and pulls water with a powerful force , meaning if you get too close you risk being swept off your feet into the hole!

This area is located just south of the Cape Perpetua Visitor’s Cente r, with lots of wheelchair accessible walkways AND walk-at-your-own-risk paths too.

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is an amazing spot on the Pacific Coast Highway, and probably home to one of the best photo spots on the PCH!

For a quick side trip, take the drive up to Cape Perpetua Lookout , where you can see the Oregon Coast meet the winding highway below. It’s an incredible view – make sure to bring your camera!

This is also a great stop for some camping on the Oregon Coast, as well as exploring the many ocean features and scenic trails in the area.

Read More: 10 Epic Things To Do In Cape Perpetua Area Of The Oregon Coast

(Bonus Side Trip!) Umpqua Hot Springs + Toketee Falls

Got an extra day to spare?

Since you’re already in Oregon, consider taking a side trip east to the Cascade Mountains. The Umpqua National Forest has a lot to see, but it’s shining stars have got to be Toketee Falls and the Umpqua Hot Springs.

Both of the trails to Toketee Falls and Umpqua Hot Springs are nearby one another, short, and easy to follow.

They can be accomplished in a morning or afternoon trip. If you haven’t visited a Pacific Northwest hot springs  yet, this is the perfect chance to do it!

We would suggest that you Visit Toketee Falls first, so you can save your soak for last!

Read More: 5 Essential Tips For Soaking at Upmqua Hot Springs

Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor

Of all the stops on the Oregon Coast, Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor is a MUST visit. Offshore rock formations, dramatic cliffs, and crashing waves make this place a magical stop on the Pacific Coast Highway.

To fully experience this area, we suggest scheduling your visit for sunset. The sun sets over the Pacific Ocean, and on a clear day the skies light up with beautiful colors. Don’t forget to stop at other iconic spots in the park including Secret Beach, Natural Bridges, Arch Rock, and Indian Sands Trail!

Located on the Southern Oregon Coast , Samuel H Boardman spans around 10-miles of rugged, scenic coastline. There are many hikes to choose from around Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor . Take some time to explore a few (many trails are short) , and pick your favorite spots for sunset.

Pacific Coast Highway Stops In California

Congratulations! You’ve made it to California!

This is technically the beginning of the official Pacific Coast Highway (also called Highway 1) , but we all know you’ve put in too many miles on your car and see too much epic-ness for it to be just starting.

While you’ll be encountering a lot more sunshine in this section of the road trip, the Northern California coast can be a little temperamental! Don’t put away your rain coast just yet.

California road trip stops on the Pacific Coast Highway are some of the most breathtaking and beautiful areas of the whole trip. Read on to discover where to go and what to see below in the sunshine state.

Redwood National and State Parks

If your Pacific Coast Highway road rrip is taking you southbound, your first California stop will be at the Redwood National and State Parks.

The Redwoods are known for their spectacularly tall and beautiful trees. Furthermore, this area is home to some of the tallest trees on earth!

There are several scenic drives to take here, but the prettiest Northern California drives are through the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (the scenic route) and the Avenue of The Giants at Humbolt Redwoods State Park. For a lot of stops and viewpoints of the ocean, consider stopping at Patrick’s Point State Park !

Read More: 10 Things To Do In The Redwood National Park

Fern Canyon

Wait, did we just travel through time? You’re not far off if you felt like you just stepped foot into Jurassic Park. In fact, scenes from the movie were filmed right here in Fern Canyon!

Fern Canyon Trail in the Redwoods is a very short route – just 1.1-miles to revel in the 50-foot tall fern-covered walls and lush surrounding forest. The hike is easy, but getting there is a different story. The trip requires a few creek crossings and winding, narrow dirt roads to reach the trailhead. We’ve got everything you need to know about Fern Canyon right here !

Black Sand Beach

Have you been looking at thos e famous black sand beaches in Iceland ? Get a taste of the beauty (without the price of a plane ticket) and come visit a look-alike on the California Coast.

Shelter Cove is a little town located in the King Range National Conversation Area. Here, there are craggy coastlines, dramatic scenery, and a black sand beach. The waves are tall and powerful here.

Warning: The road is winding and treacherous, which can be dangerous in bad weather.

This is also an extremely out-of-the-way detour, with one route going in and out from the beach. Make sure to have a full tank of gas, and be prepared to drive on narrow roads and near tall cliff edges!

Read More:   How To Get To California’s Iconic Black Sands Beach

Point Reyes National Seashore

Love the California beach? Explore the Point Reyes National Seashore , a protected coastline of rolling pastures, historic landmarks, and even a secret docked ship!

Start your journey in the town of Inverness, where you can stock up on food, gas, and even camping gear if you choose to spend the night in one of their many campgrounds .

Some of the best things to do in Point Reyes National Seashore are visiting the historic lighthouse (make sure to pay attention to its hours of operation! ), driving down the canopy of Cypress trees , and even whale watching if you come at the right time of year!

Read More: Spending The Day At Point Reyes National Seashore

Bolinas Ridge

If you have a scheduled stop in San Francisco on your Pacific Coast Highway itinerary, make sure to make a sunset stop just north of the city , on Bolinas Ridge .

This area of golden, glimmering rolling hills is located on the edge of Mount Tamalpais State Park in Marin County, California.

Our favorite scenic road to drive is Ridgecrest Boulevard , which includes pullouts ever so often to quickly park your car and enjoy the beautiful and consistent sunsets on this piece of the California coast.

Read More: A Golden Sunset At Bolinas Ridge

Mount Tamalpais

Keep the spirit of adventure alive , even in a bustling city like San Francisco !

If you’ve got a pit stop in the Golden City, journey just north of the Golden Gate Bridge and experience Mount Tamalpais State Park for a quick break from city life.

Here, you can take many amazing trails with stunning views of big city buildings across the bay. Some of our favorite trails for city views are the East Peak Hike  (to a stone lookout tower) and the Verna Dunshee Trail. 

Going when it’s cold outside? Read our San Francisco Winter Packing List .

Read More: 10 Adventurous Things To Do Outside of San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge

No trip along the Pacific Coast Highway is complete without seeing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge!

On either side of the bridge, there are several incredible viewpoints to check out. Some of the best places to view the Golden Gate Bridge are from Battery Spencer, Kirby Cove, and the North Vista Point.

Remember: The Golden Gate Bridge is a toll bridge . Motorcycles and regular cars will get through and be billed $8.00 to the address your car is registered at.

San Francisco, California

If you’ve been driving southbound on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip, San Francisco will be the first large city you will encounter. 

Here, you can experience many iconic and famous landmarks. Here are some places to see while in San Francisco :

• See the sunrise at the Golden Gate Bridge
• Visit Fisherman’s Wharf
• Stop By The Painted Ladies
• Wander through the neighborhoods and see the beautiful Victorian-era houses

Need a place to stay in San Francisco? Click here and get $40 off your first booking on Airbnb!

Shark Fin Cove

Click here to see more amazing pictures from our visit to Shark Fin Cove.

Shark Fin Cove is a beautiful California coast beach located south of San Francisco – in Davenport, California. It’s named for its rock formation just off the shore that resembling a shark’s top fin. 

You aren’t able to see this cove from the road, which makes finding access a little difficult . There are no signs indicating the location, so you must rely on Google Maps to help guide to you the parking lot off the California Coast Highway 1.

This place provides absolutely stunning views from above AND below. Start your visit at the top and walk along the trails near the cliffs (but be careful!). Finally, climb down into the cove via a steep trail to find beach access.

On a weekday, it’s very likely you will get this beach all to yourself! 

Read More: What To Expect At California’s Shark Fin Cove

Big Sur State Park

When you think of driving down the California Coast , Big Sur is what Pacific Coast Highway dreams are made of. Sunny coastline, winding roads, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful bridges are scattered along 90 miles of this beautiful West Coast drive.

Some of the highlights on this part of the PCH include:

• Pfeiffer Beach
• McWay Falls
• Bixby Creek Bridge
• Pebble Beach
• 17-Mile Drive (Monterey/Pacific Grove)

Pro Tip: A day trip to Big Sur, California is absolutely the most quintessential activity  of any good Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Don’t miss this.

Read More: How To Pull Off A Day Trip To Big Sur, California

(Detour Off Highway 1) Yosemite National Park

While you’re in the area, might as well take a little detour to one of the greatest national parks in America!

Yosemite is home to the tallest waterfall in North America, home to giant Sequoia trees, and has more than 800 miles of trails for hikers to enjoy.

Only have 24 extra hours to spare for Yosemite? Click here for our 24-hour guide to Yosemite National Park.

Pro Tip: If you are hoping to spend a few days in the park, make camping reservations extremely early in advance.

Camping spots generally get full six months before the reservation date. A trip to Yosemite National Park requires a lot of pre-planning.

Los Angeles, California

Another major city on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip will be Los Angeles California. For many going northbound, this is a common starting point (as well as San Diego).

If you’re like us and coming to LA on a southbound Pacific Coast Highway trip, this is a fun pit stop to take a few days and recharge from all that driving.

Again, if you are looking to book a place on Airbnb, click here to get $40 off your first booking!

Here are some fun things to do in Los Angeles:

• Santa Monica Pier + the Amusement Park on the boardwalk.
• Venice Beach
• Griffith Observatory
• The Getty Museum
• Hollywood Boulevard
• Hike to the Hollywood Sign

Read More: How To Spend a Fun Weekend in West Hollywood, California

Orange County, California

Orange County California is just south of the city of Los Angeles. With a slower lifestyle, less traffic, and a lot more beach space, this place is a perfect getaway for sunshine lovers and surfers alike.

There are a few opportunities to camp on the coast, like RV sites in Huntington Beach and tent sites at Crystal Cove State Park. Either way, it’s definitely worth it to spend a few days in Orange County and experience all it has to offer!

Must-see spots to visit in Orange County:

• La Tour (Secret Oceanside Castle in the cliff)
• Huntington Beach (Sur City, USA)
• Newport Beach Harbor and Balboa Island
• Laguna Beach
• Here are our favorite restaurants in Orange County to try!

Looking to travel to the OC on a budget? Check out our list of free things to do in Orange County to have maximum fun, with money still left in your pocket!

Read More: 10 Amazing Outdoor Activities in Orange County, California

San Diego, California

You did it!

San Diego will be the likely the end (or the beginning!) to your Pacific Coast Highway itinerary.

However, it’s still worth visiting for a few days. There are so many amazing things to do in San Diego that this city is an excellent way to kick off or wrap up any Pacific Coast Highway road trip.

Don’t miss out of Torrey Pines State Reserve! This network of outdoor trails have some of the best views in the entire city. Spend some time exploring the trails during sunset for a magical stay in San Diego.

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary Examples

Wondering if you can see all these iconic landmarks in one trip?

To accommodate different trip lengths, we’re sharing some example itineraries for a five-day trip , one-week trip , and two-week trip down the Pacific Coast Highway.

Read below to find your perfect one!

5 Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary

Five days to drive down the Pacific Coast is absolutely doable! During these days, you have time to experience the highlights of the coast, and whet your appetite for another future trip!

• Day 1: Seattle, WA to Coos Bay, OR
• Day 2: Coos Bay OR, to Redwood National Park, CA
• Day 3: Redwood National Park, CA to San Francisco, CA
• Day 4: San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
• Day 5: Los Angeles, CA to San Diego, CA

7 Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary

One week on the Pacific Coast Highway will allow you to see the most iconic locations. One week is great for travelers who want to fit in the entire trip during a school break, or only have so many days to take off of work.

A one-week Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary will allow you to see the highlights without feeling rushed. Here’s an example PCH itinerary:

• Day 1: Seattle WA, to Forks, WA
• Day 2: Forks, WA to Cape Kiwanda, OR
• Day 3: Cape Kiwanda, OR to Redwood State Park, CA
• Day 4: Redwood State Park, CA to San Francisco, CA
• Day 5: San Francisco CA, to Big Sur, CA
• Day 6: Big Sur, CA, to Orange County, CA
• Day 7: Los Angeles, CA to San Diego, CA

10 Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary

Two-week pacific coast highway road trip itinerary.

If you have two weeks to spare, this is the ideal amount of time for a Pacific Coast Highway road trip!

Two weeks gives you ample time to see all the highlights, take some day hikes, and even some off-coast detours like Yosemite or Toketee Falls! You will be able to see everything you want and more, and not feel rushed in your process.

• Day 1: Seattle, WA to Port Angeles, WA
• Day 2: Port Angeles, to Forks, WA
• Day 3: Forks, WA to Astoria, OR
• Day 4: Astoria OR, to Cape Kiwanda, OR
• Day 5:  Cape Kiwanda OR , to Brookings, OR
• Day 6: Brooking OR, to Redwood State Park, CA
• Day 7:  Redwood State Park, CA to Mendocino, CA
• Day 8: Mendocino, CA to San Francisco, CA
• Day 9:  San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA
• Day 10: Santa Cruz, CA to Big Sur, CA
• Day 11:  Big Sur, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
• Day 12: Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA
• Day 13: Los Angeles, CA to San Diego, CA
• Day 14: End in San Diego

Some of our Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Inspiration

Creating this Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary was quite the workload! Lucky for us, this is the kind of work we live for, and it was fun, inspiring, and most of all helpful!

We hope this helps in your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip and makes planning a little bit easier for you.

Here are some of the pins we’ve created to share with our followers on Pinterest. Feel free to save some too for your own inspirational road trip!

Pinterest ( Find us at @themandagies )

Have you taken a pacific coast highway road trip what were some of your favorite stops, ready to plan your own pacific coast highway road trip read these helpful posts:.

8 Steps For Planning A Flawless Weekend Trip

2o Energizing Hikes In The PN W

The Essential 2017 PNW Bucket List

Want more Pacific Coast Highway road trip inspiration? Follow our curated board on Pinterest!

So excited for you guys! My hubby and I did a similar (but quicker, so we didn’t see everything) trip in the summer of 2010 (a LONG time ago!). It was amazing. There is an amazing hike in Redwood National Park (Gold Bluffs Beach Section) that leads down to this secret beach. Even in summer (August) there wasn’t anyone on the trail. We were pretty new to the “planning” travel business so didn’t really plan anything when we went, but this hike was a highlight of our trip. I’m dying to go to the Painted Hills and Hot springs so excited to see what you guys think. Have so much fun!!! We’re secretly living through both of your photographs and blogs dreaming of our move one day back to this beautiful region of the world. We love Ireland, but the PNW truly can’t be beat.

Hi Danielle! I’m so glad you like our photographs and blog! That means so much to us 🙂 I’m so intrigued about the Gold Bluffs Beach Hike in the Redwoods. Now we need to go back and do that one!!!

Road Trip From San Diego To Seattle

This Pacific Coast drive of legendary proportions from San Diego to Seattle will take you past every major coastal attraction in California and Oregon leading up to Emerald City.

The road trip from San Diego to Seattle takes around 30 hours and covers 1500 miles. Be sure to explore Los Angeles, San Jose, and Monterey, stop by Big Sur and Los Padres National Forest, and top it all off with the amazing Mt Rainier National Park.

But how to start? Read on until the end to see what you can look forward to during your road trip, where to stop, and what adventures await you on the way.

How far is Seattle from San Diego and how long will the road trip take?

The road trip from Seattle to San Diego is less of a drive and more of a pilgrimage, clocking in at about 30 hours and spanning some 1500-odd miles. Although there are shortcuts, the be-all-end-all route will have you driving State Route 1 and Highway 101, hardly ever straying from the coast.

This is a contender for the most scenic itinerary in the states, so you should consider devoting at least a couple of weeks to the drive. Just be careful around Big Sur as well as most of Highway 101 - the former is on the narrow side while the latter is riddled with twists and turns.

Another incentive to slow down and enjoy the ride is that there's practically no way to avoid traffic. You'll be passing through or near many major tourist attractions, so make the most of the congestion and make frequent stops to explore.

If you want to shave 10 hours off your trip, you can always take Interstate 5, which runs parallel to the main route. While this route is a bit closer to some great inland attractions, it's hard to recommend it over cruising across the entire West Coast.

Best road trip route from San Diego to Seattle

As far as scenery goes, the best road trip route from San Diego to Seattle is by far the coastal route. The places you can expect to see are unlike anything else in North America, and a relatively quick eastward drive is all that separates you from lots of inland landmarks too.

Road trip route from San Diego to Seattle

Make your way out of San Diego via Interstate 5, passing San Onofre State Beach and Capistrano Beach. Detour to Crystal Cove State Park if you'd like, then cruise through LA and take State Route 1 through Malibu. From Santa Barbara, get onto State Route 154 to drive past Cachuma Lake, then get onto Highway 101.

Pass through Santa Maria and take State Route 1 again at San Luis Obispo. Continue along the coast until you've reached Big Sur - be sure to stop by Julia Pfeiffer Burns and Andrew Molera State Parks.

Further north are Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, closely followed by Marina and Seacliff State Beaches. Drive through Wilder Ranch and Año Nuevo State Parks, then check out the renowned Big Basin Redwoods State Park before making an optional detour to San Jose.

After visiting San Francisco, cross the Golden Gate Bridge and continue following State Route 1 past Point Reyes National Seashore. Drive through Sonoma Coast State Park, and continue going north until you get onto Highway 101, just before Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

Before leaving California, you'll definitely want to make time to visit Redwood National and State Parks, as well as Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

Once you're in Oregon, continue to follow Highway 101 past Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Siuslaw National Forest. Past Clatsop State Forest, take the Astoria-Megler Bridge to get into Washington.

Just north of Artic, head eastward via State Route 107, then follow State Route 8 and Highway 101 to Olympia. From there, take Interstate 5 through Tacoma and to Seattle.

Best places to stop between San Diego and Seattle

With all the driving you'll be doing, it should come as no surprise that there are countless places to stop on your road trip from San Diego to Seattle. You're practically guaranteed to find accommodation near whatever stopping point you have in mind, but if you can help it, consider booking a room at one of the following:

Spend an unforgettable night in Big Sur

About 8 hours of driving from San Diego will take you to one of the trip's highlights, Big Sur. This place offers lots of activities and must-see landmarks for its wandering travelers, like state parks, hiking trails, and of course, awe-inspiring beaches. For the best ocean view on this side of the Pacific, book a room in Ventana Big Sur .

It wouldn't be a stretch to say that this hotel is every bit as majestic as Big Sur itself, what with the incredible Sur House restaurant and Ventana Inn and Spa bathhouse, which features authentic Japanese-style baths. For some added style points, you can relax in a hot tub on the deck or huddle around the indoor fireplace.

Speaking of, the rooms themselves almost seem to blend into the beautiful environment, courtesy of the stylish, wood-heavy designs. For a staggering view of the ocean, grab a pair of binoculars from your room and relax by the window, on the balcony, or on the beautiful patio. Needless to say, that walk-in shower is also a winner!

It should be noted that this is likely the most expensive place to stay in the Big Sur area, but if it's within your budget, it's a once-in-a-lifetime type of stay that'll leave you with some lasting memories.

Stroll along the beaches of Mendocino

In keeping with the massive scope of the trip, you can expect to find a lot of luxurious accommodation around every corner, and the beautiful Mendocino is no exception.

Mendocino is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, and it's probably best known for its incredible redwood forests and botanical gardens. When exploring this place, be sure to book a room at the Agate Cove Inn .

A far cry from your average hotel experience, Agate Cove Inn gives you an unprecedented view of the ocean and an exterior that'll keep you coming back for years to come. Everything you could hope to see in the area, from the Highlight Gallery to the Temple of Kwan Tai, is practically right around the corner.

The rooms, while simple, sport a heavenly aesthetic that'll have you drifting off into sleep within minutes. Besides the cloudy beds and gorgeous fireplace, the highlight of your stay will be waking up to a spectacular window view.

All things considered, this place is quite affordable for how great it is, and that's especially important when you consider that it's conveniently located near the very middle of the route.

Things to see on a road trip from San Diego to Seattle

It would be next to impossible to list all the things there are to see on a road trip from San Diego to Seattle. With that said, these are some of the landmarks you can't afford to miss out on:

• Torrey Pines State Reserve - A stunning collection of oceanside hiking trails and amazing clifftop views.
• Old Mission in Santa Barbara - Dubbed as “Queen of Missions,” this historic church in Santa Barbara is a fascinating landmark with 17th-century artworks, artifacts, and architecture.
• Solvang, California - Boasting more than 120 vineyards, Solvang is a haven for wine aficionados and travelers who want to learn about the art of winemaking and sip delectable wines and craft beers.
• Long Beach - Named for being the longest continuous beach in the US, this is a perfect stop for any and all sea foodies. We recommend visiting Peninsula Beach while here.
• Big Sur - Known for its shores and the Bixby Creek Bridge, this place is a mandatory inclusion for any West Coast photoshoot.
• Carmel-by-the-Sea - An iconic beach city that features quaint architecture and the Scenic Bluff Path.
• Napa and Sonoma Wine Country -These places are considered some of the world's most diverse wine regions.
• Point Reyes Station - Recommended for adventure seekers who love hiking and kayaking; habitat for a variety of bird species.
• Bodega Bay - A quirky place along the Pacific Coast known for its peculiar art galleries and oceanside stores.
• Mendocino - A small village on the Pacific Coast, known for its famous tourist spots like the Glass Beach , Confusion Hill, and Chandelier Drive-Thru.
• Humboldt Redwoods State Park -This park houses the largest old-growth coastal redwood forest in the world.
• Redwoods National and State Parks - Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its oldest trees, this is a popular stop for hikers, fishers, and nature lovers.
• Tillamook County - Home to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, where visitors can learn how this delicacy is made and savor its creaminess in its stores and cafe.
• Cannon Beach - A popular beach destination featured in movies like The Goonies, Twilight, and Point Break.
• Ruby Beach - Named for its red sand and located along the Olympic Peninsula; visitors in this area are required to wear flipflops for protection from the "sand crystals".
• Tillamook State Forest - A gorgeous fishing and hiking spot near the Oregon-Washington border.
• Olympic National Park - A few hours from Seattle, this park offers a view of different natural wonders like glacier-capped mountains, beaches, rain forests, and various animal species.
• Mt Rainier National Park - A snow-capped wonder with arguably the greatest views in all of Washington.

This list only includes some of the must-visit places on your road trip from San Diego to Seattle, but there is a lot more to discover when on your journey. And if you take the I-5 on your way back to California, the Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Park are places to check out too!

Best time to go on a road trip from San Diego to Seattle

Given the sheer number of things there are to see and do, you could do the road trip from San Diego to Seattle any time of year and still have something to do. With that said, the best thing to do would be to plan around the route's highlights on top of the destination.

A summer trip might seem like a no-brainer, given all the beaches and natural landmarks, but be careful of the Pacific Fog - on hot summer mornings, you can expect the Big Sur area to get shrouded in mist, making it harder to drive and sightsee.

On the other hand, there's little to no point in doing this drive in the winter as many of the parks and forests will be inaccessible. Mt Rainier is a great place to do some skiing, but Seattle's temperatures can drop to the mid-30s, making exploration difficult.

Spring can be a solid option on a good year, but it's one of the more unpredictable seasons as far as weather conditions go. Random bursts of wind and rain can put a damper on your time in Seattle, and the rest of the drive doesn't fare much better.

The best time to do the trip is in the fall. The crowds at most of the ocean stops start to thin out before October, and Seattle's prices decline quite rapidly. Add to that the fact that the city's fall temperature is generally in the mid-60s, and you have a time window that's hard to beat.

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The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Planner

Planning to go on the best road trip in the world? You have come to the right place.

Welcome to our ultimate Pacific Coast Highway road trip planner!

We are the #1 resource dedicated to planning a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway. 

Pacific Coast Highway road trip ranks pretty high among bucket list travel experiences – in fact its one of the most scenic drives in the entire world!

Highway 1 is a gorgeous drive along sprawling cities, charming coastal towns, beautiful beaches, majestic forests, and stunning landscapes.

Whether you are planning a trip to California, Oregon, or Washington….

….or planning the ultimate West Coast Road Trip from San Diego to Seattle;

We have multiple Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary recommendations that cover different areas of the West Coast!

That means you can use this as a Washington / Oregon Highway 101 road trip planner or California coastal road trip planner for Highway 1.

This Pacific Coast Highway road trip planner will help you plan your entire trip and cover the following:

• The Best Cities to begin your Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
• Best PCH Itineraries for all types of travelers
• Best Stops / best attractions to visit on the Pacific Coast Highway
• Where to stay along the Pacific Coast Highway
• Best places to eat along the Pacific Coast Highway
• Hidden Gems / Offbeat attractions along the Pacific Coast Highway

This Pacific Coast Highway road trip guide also covers other useful and important information including

• Best time to visit the Pacific Coast
• How much to drive each day along the PCH
• What to pack for Pacific Coast Highway road trip
• How much does a Pacific Coast Highway road trip cost aka Budgeting for your PCH trip

It is quite easy to plan a PCH road trip by yourself using our Highway 1 / Highway 101 trip planners and online booking sites to reserve your flights/rental car/hotels.

Awesome, right? Then let’s start planning your Pacific Highway road trip itinerary now.

Before you begin

As an American, you probably know what goes into planning an epic cross country road trip.

After all, we are pretty road-trip obsessed country!

However, what if you are traveling from abroad and are interested in the Pacific Coast Highway drive itinerary?

You’re in luck – we have many resources to help you plan your trip including information on visas, renting a car, and driving in America.

Our detailed PCH road trip planners will take you step by step through the process of planning your trip:

• The initial steps in planning the Pacific Coast Highway road trip involve: Deciding what part of the PCH will you drive How many days will you devote to the entire trip and When is the best time to visit. Information to help you in deciding these is covered in Step 1: PCH FAQs and Step 2: Best PCH Stops
• You also need to pick a PCH gateway city, decide how will you reach there, and whether you need to rent a car or drive your own. Find information on the best cities to start your PCH Road Trip in Step 3: PCH Gateway Cities
• If you want to see the highlights of central California, specifically Highway 1, then refer to the California coast road trip planner. If you want a Pacific coast trip through PNW, then focus on the Oregon coast and Olympic peninsula. Information on specific Itineraries is covered in Step 4: PCH Itineraries
• Finally, book your trip! Find our recommended hotels, car rental companies, and flight aggregators in Step 5: Book your PCH Road Trip .

Also, don’t forget to join our Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Facebook Page where you can ask questions or share your photos or itinerary with fellow travelers.  Click here to join now . 

Ready to get started? Let’s start planning the ultimate Pacific Coast Highway road trip together! 

Don’t believe us when we say that the PCH road trip is the most beautiful road trip in the world?

Then check out these beautiful photos from the USA West Coast!

Step 1: PCH FAQs

The Pacific Coast Highway is pretty large and rather confusing.

It is essential to understand the PCH before you plan a trip.

Here’s some basic information:

Where does the Pacific Coast Highway start and end?

Wondering where is the Pacific Coast Highway and how long it is? Also, where does the PCH start and end?

One of the things that creates confusion while planning a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is that the road is simply huge.

Plus everybody seems to be talking about a different stretch of the road when they refer to the PCH.

We experienced this several times while planning our first trip to the region. 

The coastal route or the PCH starts at San Diego near the Mexican border and ends near Seattle in the city of Olympia in the Pacific Northwest.

It is not officially named the Pacific Coast Highway but has always been called so since it parallels the Pacific Coast.

The routes to follow for the road trip include Highway 1 in southern and central California and Highway 101 in northern California, Oregon, and Washington.

How long is the Pacific Coast Highway?

Since it goes the entire length of the West Coast, just how long is the Pacific Coast Highway?

The road beginning in San Diego to its end in Olympia, the capital of Washington State is roughly 1700 miles long!

And yes, it really does go parallel to the Pacific Ocean for the most part!

What is the PCH1?

The road officially called the PCH1 is located in California. Its other name is California State Route 1 (SR1) or Highway 1.

Where does Hwy 1 start and end?

The PCH1 drive extends from the I-5 intersection in Orange County, Southern California to Highway 101 intersection near Leggett in Northern California.

Also, the name PCH 1 is interchangeably used with Highway 1 (Hwy 1) or Route 1 or California 1 or SR 1. 

Add to that, certain parts of California PCH 1 near Pismo Beach on Central Coast are known as Cabrillo Highway while a section north of San Francisco is called the Shoreline Highway.

Many times Hwy 1 merges with Hwy 101, creating even more confusion.

This is most noticeable from Pismo Beach to San Luis Obispo and along the Golden Gate Bridge where the two roads merge.

The Hwy also simply disappears and takes street names in San Francisco (19th Avenue) and in Santa Monica (Lincoln Blvd).

If you are planning a trip along this route, then the Highway 1 trip planner will help you discover attractions between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

So how do you ensure you don’t get lost while planning a road trip up PCH?

The easiest way is to ensure that you are following the PCH1 between Monterey and San Luis Obispo in California.

This is the most spectacular stretch that passes through Big Sur and the road here is clearly marked, causing no confusion.

Our California Highway 1 road trip planner will guide you towards the best stops on Highway 1 California in Big Sur including McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Beach.

Which section of the Pacific Coast Highway should you drive?

For first-timers, we recommend driving the California Highway 1 or PCH 1 from San Francisco to Los Angeles for multiple reasons.

This stretch of PCH1 passes through the beautiful Big Sur region.

For many people, Big Sur is the #1 attraction along the route.

Also, the gateway cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco are very well connected and easy to fly in or out after your trip.

One-way car rentals between the two cities are easily available or you also have the option of a loop road trip.

Our San Francisco road trip planner will help you plan your trip to SF, LA, as well as the attractions in between.

Have already been to this part of California Coast? Don’t want to begin in SF? You have many other options to customize the itinerary as you want!

After the PCH 1 ends, you can either drive south along the coast to San Diego or all the way up to Olympic National Park and the Canadian border in the north.

Alternatively, you can also begin the Pacific Coast Highway road trip from San Diego and drive north.

The entire route is scenic and has plenty of attractions.

In northern California you will find beautiful redwood trees while in Oregon, you can see stunning capes and lighthouses as well as unique geological formations.

In Washington, you will find everything from deep blue lakes and dense rainforests to sea stacks and driftwood covered beaches.

And that’s why it is so important to decide which stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway you want to drive before you plan your trip.

Which direction to drive the Pacific Coast Highway?

All right, so you have decided which section of the Pacific Coast Highway you are going to be driving.

You know how much time you have in hand.

So which gateway city do you begin your PCH Road trip?

Is it better to drive north or south on the Pacific Coast Highway?

While many people recommend driving from south to north, our favorite is to drive south.

Yes, you will see the most gorgeous sites first and might end in the chaotic city of Los Angeles but you will be closer to the stunning views plus have easier access to parking lots and pull-outs.

That being said, if you have enough time to savor the trip then the direction won’t really matter much!

When to visit the Pacific Coast Highway?

The best part? You can drive the Pacific Coast Highway year round! 

There are, however, certain times of the year when the PCH road trip is more scenic than others.

Spring is our personal favorite.

You can see wildflowers along the Pacific Coast Highway plus spot wildlife including migrating whales.

The temperature is pleasant for hiking, during the daytime it is neither too hot nor too cold.

An added bonus, the crowds are fewer than in summer or winter holidays.

However, you should skip spring break week, if possible.

Remember: Spring can be too windy and cold but the gorgeous wildflowers tip the scales. 

Our second favorite time of the year for this road trip is from late summer to early fall, just after the schools are in session.

September and October on the coast are mild and sunny.

A pleasant breeze flows from the ocean making hikes more fun.

Wineries along the PCH in Napa, Sonoma, and along the Central Coast have beautiful fall colors and are ready for harvest.

Visitors can enjoy grape stomping at wineries if they time it right.

Winter and summer both have their pros and cons.

In winter, you can whale watch and enjoy the scenic beauty without the fog.

But temperatures, especially for northern California, can be quite chilly.

It can also rain, causing landslides and slippery trails.

The PCH may stay closed for days due to extended storm damage. 

The very end of winter – from mid to late February – is a good time with mild weather and low crowds.

The summer months of June, July, and August can be quite foggy.

Big Sur looks beautiful and dramatic in the fog but the roads can be treacherous for driving.

The fog usually prevails in the morning and evening so you should still have clear blue afternoons.

As you continue south, it can get too hot to hike or stay outdoors for longer times.

Peak tourist times are winter holiday season and summer vacations.

Expect accommodations to fill up faster, potential delays on the road, and full parking lots at major attractions like Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls.

To read more about the best time to visit and see photos in different seasons, read our post When to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway .

How to rent a car for a PCH road trip? Which car should you rent?

The best way to travel Pacific Coast Highway is by car!

Look for one way car rentals unless you plan to do a round trip.

However, one-way rentals can be expensive so factor that in while planning your itinerary.

If you have more time and want to do the Pacific Coast Highway road trip on a budget, then you can definitely return to the original destination to reduce costs.

An SUV is really useful while negotiating the twisting turns of the PCH however, it is also easy to break in into.

Because of that, we prefer a sedan if we are driving with kids and have a lot of luggage in the trunk.

A muscle car or a convertible is also a great option for driving the Pacific Coast Highway.

The coast has stunning views and a top down lets you feel the ocean breeze and enjoy the panorama.

A recently popular option is to rent an RV for the Pacific Coast Highway travel itinerary.

This allows you to enjoy the natural attractions along the coast to the maximum.

How much should you budget for Pacific Coast Highway road trip?

The famous question, how much does it cost to drive the Pacific Coast Highway?! Or what should be your Pacific Coast Highway road trip budget?

In general, we recommend budgeting $200 per person per day including hotel, car, and food for road tripping the Pacific Coast Highway.

That’s why the easiest way to do the trip on a budget is to choose a shorter Pacific Coast Highway trip itinerary.

The fewer number of days on your trip, the fewer the costs.

That said, California, in general, is expensive and we have never been able to go on an extended California trip under $1000 per person including airfare.

You can also consider road tripping the PCH 1 along Oregon or Washington to reduce costs as these states are somewhat cheaper than California.

More Pacific Coast Highway FAQs

To read more Pacific Coast Highway FAQs including the following common doubts, click here .

• Is the Pacific Coast Highway dangerous to drive?
• What should you not miss on the Pacific Coast Highway?
• Which part of California should you visit?
• How long does it take to drive the entire Pacific Coast Highway?

Step 2: Best PCH Stops

If you have decided to visit the most popular part of coastal California:

Begin your Pacific Coast Highway road trip planning by exploring the major attractions and things to do along California’s Hwy 1.

Popular attractions including West Coast lighthouses , waterfalls, state parks, hiking trails, beaches, coastal towns await you on this marvelous drive – and off course the iconic Bixby Bridge!

You can find information about these and other essential attractions in our California Coast trip planner.

Also, explore other stops on Highway 101 in northern California if you have more time.

Here you will find majestic redwood trees and the Redwoods State and National parks.

Road trip the Redwoods Scenic Byway and explore cities like Eureka and Crescent City.

There are also plenty of stunning stops along the Pacific Coast Highway in both Oregon and Washington.

You can read more about the best stops along the PCH here.

This will give you an idea of the most important places to visit and help in planning the trip around your interests.

Step 3: PCH Gateway Cities

Once you have selected your itinerary, you need to select which West Coast cities you can fly into.

While there are many cities on the West Coast, the 5 major ones which make perfect places to begin your PCH road trip are these:

Begin a Pacific Highway trip around the Evergreen State in the Emerald City of Seattle.

Read our post on things to do in Seattle now to plan your trip.

To see Oregon’s dramatic coastline, redwood trees, rock formations, and sand dunes, start a Hwy 101 road trip in Portland.

Read our post on Things to do in Portland now.

San Francisco

San Francisco is our personal favorite to start an epic Pacific Coast road trip.

It also makes an excellent starting destination for California fly drive route planner.

Read our post on things to do in San Francisco now.

Los Angeles

Tinseltown is exciting and glamorous.

It also happens to be cheap to fly into and makes a perfect start to PCH drive.

You can plan a California coastal highway itinerary up or down the coast and have whale of a time.

Read our post on Best Things to do in Los Angeles now.

San Diego is the perfect destination to plan a trip using our SoCal trip planner.

Read our post on Best Things to do in San Diego now.

How to reach the PCH Gateway Cities?

The major airports for road tripping the Pacific Coast Highway 1 in California are San Francisco and Los Angeles.

San Francisco actually has three airports: San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.

You need to research airfares to all three to ensure you are getting the best deal.

Similarly, Los Angeles also has a couple of nearby airports including Long Beach, Burbank, Orange County, etc and is a great California PCH trip start point.

If you are extending your trip along the West Coast, then fly into San Diego, Portland, or Seattle to start your Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary.

Budget airlines that often have great deals to California or the Pacific Northwest include Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Alaska Air, and Southwest.

To get the best flight deals, we recommend booking using flight aggregators like Skyscanner or CheapOair.

Step 4: PCH Itineraries

This is our favorite part of trip planning!

This is also where we can help you the most as we have been planning road trips since the past 12 years.

We recommend that you go through our many itineraries, pick the one that is the best fit, and customize it to suit your needs.

Let’s plan the perfect Pacific Coast Highway road trip ever!

Fly and Drive PCH Itineraries by number of days

Since you will already be driving a lot every day along the PCH we generally recommend fly and drive itineraries.

However, if you happen to live nearby or have enough time to travel, then you can definitely drive to California and then go on the Pacific Coast Highway road trip. 

You can spend anywhere from 4 days to 10 days on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Here are the highlights of our popular itineraries.

Click the link to read in-depth each itinerary for Pacific Coast Highway.

Pacific Coast Highway 4 day itinerary

The simplest California road trip planner.

If you have only 4 days, then spend one day in San Francisco and see the highlights including the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Alcatraz.

Visit one of the beaches: Ocean Beach, Crissy Field Beach, or Baker Beach are the most popular ones!

The next day, leave early from San Francisco and explore Half Moon Bay and Monterey.

See the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row, visit the sandy beaches of Half Moon Bay, and take some time to explore Santa Cruz or Pebble Beach.

Stay the night in Carmel or Monterey and leave early for Big Sur.

See Bixby Creek Bridge, hike McWay Falls, spend time at San Dollar Beach before reaching San Luis Obispo for the night.

Spend some time to see SLO attractions including Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Historic Downtown, Bubblegum Alley, and the Madonna Inn – a famous hotel with eclectic decor!

Then stop at Santa Barbara. Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains, this coastal city feels very Mediterranean.

Santa Barbara has many attractions including the charming white colonial downtown, Mission Santa Barbara, museums, zoo, and more!

Enjoy shopping or dining at Stearns Wharf or take a whale watching cruise before heading for Los Angeles.

In Los Angeles, visit the Walk of Fame, see Griffith Observatory, and the Hollywood Sign before calling it a day.

You can read this itinerary here for this Highway 1 trip planner. 

Pacific Coast Highway 5 day itinerary

Looking for Pacific Coast Highway itinerary of 5 days?

We would recommend following our 4-day pacific highway 1 itinerary with just a few changes: you can spend the extra day exploring either San Francisco, Big Sur Coast, or Los Angeles.

In San Francisco, use your second day to see Muir Woods, Mission District, Chinatown, and Twin Peaks.

If you chose to stay in Big Sur, then stay at the romantic Ventana Resort or Post Ranch Inn.

Stop at each pull-out and look for wildlife.

Tour the Point Sur Lightstation, photograph the Bixby Bridge, and see the seals at Elephant Seal Rookery in Piedras Blancas.

Make the detour to explore Central Coast’s wine country.

If you chose Los Angeles then the sky is the limit.

You can explore the museums especially the Broad and LACMA or spend a day at Universal or Disney!

If you ask us, we would pick Big Sur over the cities, any day!

You can read about this itinerary in detail here for the 5 Day PCH trip planner. 

Pacific Coast Highway 7 day itinerary

Our favorite! A week is a perfect time to drive this stunning route.

On your first day of California pacific coast highway itinerary 7 days, start at the northern end in Leggett and see those majestic coastal redwoods.

Drive your car through the Chandelier Tree tunnel.

Then eat oysters in Tomales Bay and visit Point Reyes Lighthouse before spending the night in San Francisco.

For the rest of your coast to coast road trip planner, spend 1 day each in San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur, Solvang, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles.

With 7 days in hand, you have enough time to explore Big Sur’s hidden gems such as Henry Miller Memorial Library and Andrew Molera State Park.

View this itinerary now to read all the details of the 7 day Pacific Coast Highway trip planner.

Pacific Coast Highway 10 day itinerary

With 10 days in hand, you have so many options.

One way is to follow the 7- day itinerary but drive all the way down to San Diego to create the ultimate California driving trip planner.

Another is to start in Los Angeles, follow our 7-day itinerary heading north, and explore up to the Avenue of Giants in northern California.

If you love slow travel, then drive from Leggett to Los Angeles but spend time hiking in Point Reyes and Point Lobos, visiting the remote Channel Islands National Park, and touring the wineries of Santa Ynez Valley.

The epic 10 day California road trip for families and RVers.

The ultimate chilled-out California Pacific Coast Highway trip!

You can also do a Northern California road trip from San Francisco for the Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary 10 days.

Or you can drive all the way up to Portland and see the Oregon coast attractions along the way.

You can also visit the Olympic Peninsula on a Pacific Coast Highway 101 road trip in Washington.

To decide which itinerary to choose, click here now . 

If you have less than 4 days

If your Pacific Coast Highway drive time is too long, then you won’t have enough time to enjoy all the attractions on the way.

We would not recommend driving the entire length of the PCH or Highway 1 if you have less than 4 days.

For short weekend trips, consider the below trips in our California road trip route planner.

We also suggestions for PCH day trips in Oregon and Washington.

Best PCH road trips from San Francisco

If you have 3 days or under, then it is not feasible to drive the entire length of PCH.

You can make the drive but will miss out on a lot of attractions.

Instead, consider day trips and weekend getaways along the coast for Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary 3 days.

Our top 3 getaways for Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary 1 day from San Francisco are Point Reyes, Monterey, and Big Sur.

Carmel by the Sea, only a short drive from Monterey and Pebble Beach, is also a great weekend trip from San Fran.

Best PCH road trips from Los Angeles

For day trips and weekend getaways along Hwy 1 from Los Angeles, consider visiting La Jolla, Malibu, Santa Barbara, Solvang, Pismo Beach, or San Luis Obispo.

Or drive south towards San Diego, Newport Beach, and La Jolla.

These destinations are just a few hours away from LA and great to visit.

Visiting Big Sur from Los Angeles is hectic if you have only 2 days but possible with 3 days in hand.

Best PCH road trips from San Diego

You can also road trip up the pacific coast highway from San Diego to Los Angeles or Anaheim.

Enjoy Hollywood or city life in Los Angeles or see Disney and other theme parks in Anaheim.

Relax at Huntington Beach. Or visit Coronado island for a different type of trip.

The San Diego trip planner has many ideas to enjoy the attractions of southern California.

Best PCH road trips from Portland

Combine a visit to Portland with an adventure down the PCH.

While you cannot use Portland to San Francisco road trip planner in just 4 days, you can visit Astoria or Cannon Beach.

Go hiking in Ecola State Park or drive the Three Capes Scenic Loop.

Best PCH road trips from Seattle

There are plenty of PCH trips from the Emerald City.

Drive the Highway 101 south to Tacoma or Olympia.

Or take the ferry to Port Angeles and Olympic peninsula and follow Highway 101 all around the peninsula.

If you have more than 10 days

If you have anywhere around two weeks, we would recommend driving either down to San Diego in the south or driving towards Portland or Seattle in the north from LA or SF.

You can also drive from San Diego to Seattle or vice versa using our west coast road trip planner.  

2 Week West Coast Road Trip Itinerary

2 weeks is the ideal time to go on an epic US West Coast Road trip.

From the Olympic peninsula in Washington to southern California, you can use our border to border coast trip planner to plan the most amazing, once in a lifetime, USA West Coast Road Trip Itinerary.

You can either start in San Diego and drive towards Portland or Seattle or start in the Pacific Northwest and drive south.

The entire drive is over 1700 miles and should be done only if you have 2 weeks or more in hand.

Point to Point PCH Itineraries

You can also plan PCH road trip itinerary depending on your start city and destination rather than days.

Pacific Coast Highway Itineraries by State

San diego to los angeles drive.

Wondering how to plan a trip to California coast between Los Angeles and San Diego?

This California Highway 1 road trip itinerary will take you through stunning beaches of La Jolla, Laguna Beach, and Oceanside.

You can see charming coastal towns and enjoys SoCal’s relaxed vibe.

California Coast Road Trip from LA to SF

This is the ultimate CA road trip planner.

Visit two of California’s biggest cities and visit the natural attractions on the coast including beautiful Big Sur, McWay Falls, and 17 Mile Drive.

This Pacific Highway 1 road trip is our favorite road trip along the West Coast! Read this itinerary now.

Northern California Coast Road Trip

This Highway 101 road trip itinerary in Northern California will take you through giant, majestic redwood trees and the most remote parts of the coast.

From attractions like Point Reyes and Muir Beach to charming cities like Mendocino and Eureka, this itinerary for driving Pacific Coast Highway will leave you spellbound.

See the glass beach at Fort Bragg, tour the famous Point Arena Lighthouse, enjoy hiking at Mendocino State Parks, and drive the Avenue of Giants on this epic PCH itinerary.

Oregon Coast Road Trip Planner

Plan a trip from Brookings in the south to Astoria in the north using our Oregon Highway 101 road trip planner.

Visit attractions such as Cannon Beach, Natural Bridges, and Devil’s Punchbowl on this amazing Oregon Coast Road trip .

Washington Olympic Peninsula Road Trip

Our Highway 101 trip planner in Washington follows the road around the Olympic peninsula.

It can be used to visit attractions such as Ruby Beach, Hoh Rainforest, Hurricane Ridge, Port Angeles, and Seattle. Read this itinerary now .

We would recommend going through our list of Suggested PCH Itineraries and deciding upon an itinerary based on your interests before finalizing your trip.

Pacific Highway Road Trip Map

Looking for map of Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip?

Among our resources, we have plenty of Pacific Coast Highway road trip maps, depending on the section you want to drive.

If you are interested in Big Sur, use the California Highway 1 road trip map.

Use the Northern California road trip map planner to see the redwoods.

Follow Pacific Highway itinerary maps for Oregon or Washington to plan a Pacific Northwest trip.

Be sure to finalize your Pacific Coast Highway Map and print copies before you embark on your trip.

Step 5: Book your PCH Road Trip

And finally we come to the task of booking your PCH vacation.

When to book and plan your PCH trip

In general, we recommend booking your trip at least 6 months in advance, though ideally, earlier is better.

While you can always plan a last-minute PCH road trip, especially if staying nearby, it is not recommended.

This especially applies if you are traveling in peak periods and in the Golden State.

Every California trip planner suggests booking in advance.

As we have experienced, booking hotels closer to the trip can definitely make the trip twice as expensive.

Before booking your trip, we recommend researching destinations and finalizing your Pacific Coast Highway Road trip itinerary.

In some instances, we have booked first and then planned the trip but this can lead to more hectic trips.

Here’s what all you need to book for your trip.

Book flight tickets to the West Coast

For best deals, book your tickets to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, or Seattle by checking on Skyscanner or Google flights.

Book car rental

All major companies have their branches in California.

You can rent from a variety of companies including Hertz, Fox, Enterprise, Dollar, and Thrifty for your trip. 

Book hotel accommodations as per the itinerary

There are a variety of hotels, resorts, and motels for every budget along the PCH.

We have covered the best places to stay along the PCH in detail in this post.

Purchase travel insurance

We recommend getting travel insurance from World Nomads.

Purchase attraction tickets, if any

There are several attractions along the PCH for which you can purchase tickets in advance.

We recommend the advance purchase of tickets for attractions like the Monterey Aquarium, San Francisco museums, etc.

Purchase tours and cruises, if any

You can go on a variety of wildlife watching cruises along the PCH including whale watching, dolphin cruises, etc.

You can also reserve tickets for the Alcatraz cruise prior to your trip. 

Recommended group tours

There are no tour companies that take you the entire length of PCH.

This is very much a self-drive trip.

However, there are companies that will take you to Malibu from Los Angeles or to Monterey from San Francisco.

Also in Monterey, you can take whale watching tours.

Reserve a table at restaurants, if needed

You will find amazing restaurants serving a variety of cuisine along the PCH.

Our favorites are seafood restaurants in Monterey, oysters in Tomales Bay, Mexican food in Mission District of San Francisco, and a variety of cuisines in Los Angeles.

If you like to plan every detail or want to plan for a special meal for birthdays or anniversaries, then you can reserve a table at the hotel of your choice in advance.

Prepare, pack, and go on the best road trip ever!

What other preparations should you make.

If you are traveling internationally then check your passport validity and visa status.

Apply for visas, if necessary.

Also, check whether you need IDP (International Driving Permit).

Other preparation includes print and/or having virtual copies of all maps, itineraries, tickets, and bookings easily accessible on your phone.

Also, budget your trip and convert currency, if needed.

Read below for more detailed information.

Understand internet and phone coverage

You will find that there is extremely poor and at times zero cell coverage along many stretches of the PCH, especially in the Big Sur region.

That’s why we recommend carrying a GPS in addition to your phone as well as saving offline maps on your phone.

You can also get printed maps of PCH1 for the section you are planning to drive.

If you are traveling internationally

The three main areas to take care of if you are traveling internationally include taking care of passports and visas, renting a car and driving in USA, and converting money to USD. 

If you are traveling with kids

Pacific coast highway road trip with kids? Been there, done that!

Our final section of the ultimate Pacific Coast Highway road trip planner.

Did you know that you can drive the Pacific Coast Highway with kids?

The first time we went with our kids was when our daughter was just a 6 months old baby and our son was 3 years old.

We started in San Francisco, cycled the Golden Gate Bridge with the kids, drove through Big Sur, watched the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas rookery near San Simeon, and ended our trip at Anaheim in Disney.

Both the kids loved every bit of it.

Also, most places and businesses in California, Oregon, and Washington and especially along the Pacific Coast Highway are kid-friendly.

When we road tripped, most hotels provided crib or baby cots, all the restaurants had high chairs, and even the wineries had kid-friendly areas.

Throughout our trip, we met friendly people who smiled and waved at our kids.

We always felt welcome wherever we went and felt quite at ease.

Read our post on Best Kid-friendly resorts along the Pacific Coast Highway to book your accommodations.

There are so many things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway road trip that are perfect for the kids.

They will love exploring nature: hike through redwood forests, discover tide pool creatures, play in the sand and on the beach, splash in the water, hike to see waterfalls, whale watch using binoculars, plus spend quality time with the parents.

There are also many kid-friendly attractions on the route including the Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Oceano Dunes Railroad museum, sand dune buggy rentals, whale watching tours, Santa Monica Pier, Disney theme parks, etc.

For more information, read our post on the Best Things to do on the West Coast with kids.

In fact, driving the Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most fun family holiday vacations for families. 

Other things to consider

Stretches of the Pacific Coast Highway can get closed due to storms or landslides or wildfires, so we recommend keeping an eye on the news before your trip and getting travel insurance for just in case anything goes awry.

What should you pack for Pacific Coast Highway road trip?

It can get chilly along the PCH any time of the year, so we recommend packing in layers: long sleeve shirts, short sleeve t-shirts, and tank tops.

Pack long hiking pants for the northern and central coast and shorts for SoCal.

Pack a rain jacket and a sweater for the chilly days.

Take hiking shoes and socks and water shoes for beachcombing.

Pack some heels and a silk blouse for date nights in San Francisco, Monterey, and Los Angeles.

If you plan to drive north towards Portland and Seattle in the winter, then add thermal underwear and a packable jacket.

In summer, take sunglasses, a sunhat, and sunscreen.

Do not forget to pack a camera and binoculars.

Read this before you leave

We have got many excellent resources on planning a Pacific Coast Highway road trip.

We suggest that you browse around the site  – take a look at our PCH Road Trip itineraries , bookmark us for a later visit, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on social media to know more about the Pacific Coast Highway. 

If you need to ask us questions about the trip, then join our Pacific Coast Highway Facebook Community now – it’s the perfect place to ask any itinerary related questions and plan your PCH road trip.

We hope that our Pacific Coast Highway road trip planner helps you in planning an awesome road trip.

Other useful posts to plan your Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip

Pacific Coast Highway 4 day Itinerary PCH 5 day itinerary Pacific Coast Highway 7 day itinerary Pacific Coast Highway 10 Day itinerary All PCH Itineraries Best Places to Stay along the Pacific Coast Highway Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops

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San Diego to Seattle drive

San diego to seattle road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from San Diego to Seattle. If you're planning a road trip to Seattle, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Traveling with a dog or cat? Find pet-friendly stops . Camping along the way? Search for RV campgrounds . Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

10:00 am  start in San Diego drive for about 2 hours

11:57 am   Los Angeles eat at Gjelina stay for about 4 hours and leave at 3:57 pm drive for about 3 hours

day 1 driving ≈ 5 hours find more stops

9:00 am  leave from The Madonna Inn drive for about 4.5 hours

1:44 pm   Sacramento stay for about 1.5 hours and leave at 3:14 pm drive for about 2.5 hours

5:41 pm   Redding stay for about 1 hour and leave at 6:41 pm drive for about 2.5 hours

day 2 driving ≈ 9.5 hours find more stops

9:00 am  leave from Ashland (Oregon) drive for about 3 hours

11:52 am   Eugene stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:52 pm drive for about 2 hours

2:49 pm   Portland stay for about 4 hours and leave at 6:49 pm drive for about 2.5 hours

9:33 pm  arrive in Seattle stay at Ace Hotel

day 3 driving ≈ 7.5 hours find more stops

San Diego to Seattle questions

Where should I stop along the way?

Los Angeles   (648 answers)     Santa Monica Pier   (70 mentions)     Griffith Observatory   (63 mentions)     Venice Beach Boardwalk   (62 mentions)     Abbot Kinney   (56 mentions)     Third Street Promenade   (55 mentions)     restaurants around Los Angeles:         Gjelina         Perch         Bottega Louie         Grand Central Market         Bestia     questions about Los Angeles:         Where are the top 5 places to see a celebrity in L.A.?         What's your favorite burger in L.A?         Free things to do in Los Angeles?         Area an hour away from LAX airport         What are the top 3 beaches in Los Angeles? San Luis Obispo   (125 answers)     Bishop Peak   (4 mentions)     San Luis Obispo Mission   (3 mentions)     California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo   (3 mentions)     Edna Valley   (2 mentions)     F. McLintocks Saloon and Dining House   (2 mentions)     restaurants around San Luis Obispo:         Firestone Grill         Novo Restaurant & Lounge         Bello Mundo         Splash Cafe         Avila Valley Barn     hotels around San Luis Obispo:         The Madonna Inn         Madonna Inn Resort & Spa         Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort         Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa         Seacrest Beach Resort     questions about San Luis Obispo:         What is your favorite restaurant in San Luis Obispo?         Lodging         Exploring SLO in March to scout moving there - what should I check out?         Where to stay outside of San Luis Obispo for Cal Poly graduation Sacramento   (73 answers)     California State Railroad Museum   (6 mentions)     California State Capitol Museum   (3 mentions)     58 Degrees & Holding Co.   (2 mentions)     restaurants around Sacramento:         Ella Dining Room & Bar         Rick's Dessert Diner         Delta King Hotel         The Rind         Mulvaney's B&L     questions about Sacramento:         What is your favorite restaurant in Sacramento?         Things to do and see in Sacramento         Hidden gems in Sacramento?         Me want food in Sacramento!         Question about location for USA Outdoor Nationals Redding   (16 answers)     restaurants around Redding:         Wilda's Grill         Market Street Steakhouse     questions about Redding:         Best free things to do in Redding?         What is your favorite restaurant in Redding? Ashland (Oregon)   (31 answers)     Ashland   (15 mentions)     Oregon Shakespeare Festival   (3 mentions)     Lithia Park   (2 mentions)     questions about Ashland (Oregon):         Best free things to do in Ashland (Oregon)?         Spas in the Ashland area? Eugene   (24 answers)     questions about Eugene:         What is your favorite restaurant in Eugene? Portland   (275 answers)     International Rose Test Garden   (20 mentions)     Powell's City of Books   (17 mentions)     Japanese Gardens   (15 mentions)     Portland Saturday Market   (13 mentions)     Timberline Lodge   (12 mentions)     restaurants around Portland:         Voodoo Doughnuts         Tasty N Sons         Lardo         Potato Champion         Pok Pok Restaurant     questions about Portland:         What is your favorite restaurant in Portland?         Mid July: 1 week with wife and kid - what should we prioritize?         Best coffee shops in Portland         Visiting in July for 5 days with my boyfriend, where and what must we do?         Artsy area with fun little shops

Where's the best place to stay in Seattle?

Are you going straight to a hotel, or looking for a vacation rental or Airbnb?

The best resource on neighborhoods, areas, and hotels is the Trippy page on where to stay in Seattle .

If you're looking for a quick answer, you can check out Ace Hotel , which was mentioned 6 times on Trippy.

Here are some more hotels people talk about:

Want to research more popular hotels in Seattle? Click the blue button below.

Where's the best place to eat in Seattle?

Need some recommendations on somewhere to get food?

Trippy members suggest Serious Pie , which was mentioned 12 times.

Here are some more restaurants people talk about:

Want to research more popular restaurants in Seattle? Click the blue button below.

What are some things to do in Seattle?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

These are some of the places people talk about on Trippy:

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

For example, here are some questions people have asked about Seattle. Click on any question to see answers from the community!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Seattle.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Seattle to San Diego drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from San Diego to Seattle . Or get a full San Diego to Seattle flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world.

And if you know San Diego well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about San Diego!

More info on this route:

road conditions

places to eat

cost to drive

cities along the way

flattest route

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San Diego To Seattle Road Trip Itinerary

Trip itinerary: san diego to seattle road trip.

Day 1: San Diego

Start your road trip in San Diego, where you can enjoy the beautiful beaches, visit attractions like Balboa Park and the USS Midway Museum, and explore the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter.

Day 2: Los Angeles

Continue north to Los Angeles, where you can experience the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, visit famous landmarks like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre, and explore cultural attractions like art museums and vibrant neighborhoods.

Day 3: Santa Barbara

Make a stop in Santa Barbara, known for its picturesque beaches, Spanish architecture, and wine country. Take a leisurely stroll along the beach, visit the historic Santa Barbara Mission, and enjoy the local wineries.

Day 4: Big Sur

Travel along the stunning Big Sur coastline, marveling at the rugged cliffs and pristine beaches. Hike through Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, visit iconic landmarks like Bixby Creek Bridge, and immerse yourself in the serene beauty of nature.

Day 5: San Francisco

Arrive in San Francisco, a city with a unique blend of cultures and iconic attractions. Explore the Golden Gate Bridge, visit Alcatraz Island, and indulge in delicious food at Fisherman's Wharf. Don't miss the chance to ride the historic cable cars and explore vibrant neighborhoods like Chinatown.

Day 6: Napa Valley

Head to Napa Valley, a renowned wine region. Take wine tours, sample exquisite wines, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the rolling hills. Dine at award-winning restaurants and engage in outdoor activities like hot air balloon rides or bike rides through the vineyards.

Day 7: Redwood National Park

Witness the awe-inspiring Redwood National Park, home to towering old-growth redwood trees. Explore the ancient forests, hike through scenic trails, and immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature.

Day 8: Portland

Drive to Portland, a vibrant city known for its arts scene and unique food culture. Explore Powell's City of Books, visit the International Rose Test Garden, and wander through the trendy shops and local breweries. Don't miss the chance to experience the natural wonders of Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge.

Day 9: Seattle

Reach your final destination, Seattle, a dynamic city surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. Explore the famous Pike Place Market, visit the Space Needle, and take a ferry ride to discover the nearby islands. If you have time, venture out to Mount Rainier National Park or Olympic National Park to experience the natural beauty of the region.

Enjoy the diverse attractions and memorable experiences on your San Diego to Seattle road trip!

Recommended Explorations

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Los Angeles

Santa Barbara

San Francisco

Napa Valley

Redwood National Park

Inspired Suggestions

Local events & happenings, music for your journey, tasty picks, stay recommendations, hotel del coronado.

The Queen Mary

The Madonna Inn

McMenamins Kennedy School

The Heathman Hotel

The Edgewater Hotel

San Francisco To Seattle: The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary

• Road trippers can choose between two main routes from San Francisco to Seattle, each with its own advantages and unique views.
• The more direct route follows I-5 and takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving.
• The coastal route along the Pacific Coast Highway is more scenic but takes longer, with a total trip time of approximately 17 hours and 10 minutes.

The majority of people are used to the most famous road trip in the United States, from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Road-tripping individuals will have the chance to behold the unique views on the Pacific Coast Highway in California . With several stops on their way, allowing them to see the beautiful nature, relaxed beach towns, busy cities, and unique attractions, commuters will experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that they have never gone through before.

However, another road trip that allows visitors to the western side of the US to explore the Pacific Northwest is equally attractive to the Los Angeles-San Francisco drive . That journey consists of the Drive from San Francisco to Washington's largest city, Seattle. Many people wonder what the best stops from San Francisco to Seattle are, and there are plenty.

UPDATE: 2023/08/06 02:46 EST BY NICOLE HANSEN

More To Know When Planning A Roadtrip From Boston To San Francisco

There's always more to add to create the perfect road trip itinerary. This article has been updated with additional route details, including maps, stop suggestions, and highlights in California, Oregon, and Washington. Have fun, and be safe!

Related: Road Trip Patagonia: Driving Scenic Ruta 40 From Esquel To Bariloche

Best Routes From San Francisco To Seattle

There are two main routes for a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle, each with its own advantages and unique views.

The more direct route follows I-5, stopping through Redding, California, Portland, Oregon, and Olympia, Washington on its way to Seattle. When venturing along the I-5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving, much of which is through the granite Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. However, if one wants to enjoy most of the attractions along the San Franciso-Seattle road, they must spend at least an extra 5–7 days.

San Francisco to Seattle Via I-5

• Distance: 819 miles
• Time to Drive: ~12 hours 45 minutes
• Recommended Road Trip Time: 5–7 days
• I-5 Road Trip Route Outline: San Francisco, California → Mt. Shasta, California → Ashland, Oregon → Eugene, Oregon → Portland, Oregon → Olympia, Washington → Tacoma, Washington → Seattle, Washington

For a more meandering drive from San Francisco to Seattle, The famous Pacific Coast Highway, the most well-known California road trip, turns into Highway 101 and extends into Oregon and Washington before connecting with Highway 30. Travelers follow Highway 30 until they reach I-5, which returns them to the north-south route until Seattle.

This coastal route from San Francisco to Seattle is arguably the most scenic but does take longer to complete. The entire trip takes approximately 17 hours and 10 minutes non-stop. A coastal road trip from San Francisco to Seattle also demands a slightly longer time frame, taking 7–10 days to fully enjoy.

San Francisco to Seattle Via The Pacific Coast Highway

• Distance: 901 miles
• Time to Drive: ~17 hours 10 minutes
• Recommended Road Trip Time: 7–10 days
• Pacific Coast Highway (California to Washington) Road Trip Route Outline: San Francisco, California → Fort Bragg, California → Crescent City, California → Gold Beach, Oregon → Astoria, Oregon → Olympia, Washington → Tacoma, Washington → Seattle, Washington

Related: 10 Best Routes To Take On The Ultimate Cross-Country Road Trip

Planning For A Drive From San Francisco To Seattle

A trip from San Francisco to Seattle involves driving for 800 or more miles along the Pacific Northwest and watching the most attractive views while on the way. Before hopping onto the automobile, visitors must rent a car from legitimate and affordable sources, such as RentalCars.com , which offers rentals from various car brands. Another better option is to rent a Campervan or an RV from Outdoorsy to make one's life easier regarding accommodation. A crucial step to take is to issue a car insurance policy to hedge against any sudden accidents.

• Cost of a Campervan: depending on its size, a Campervan costs an average of $130 per night to rent.

Top Road Trip Stops In California

The first stop on the San Francisco to Seattle drive is the Town of Sausalito, known for its breathtaking nature and relaxing atmosphere. People can go on hiking trips in Sausalito and learn about the natural habitat and the preserved seashore, among other activities.

Next on the road is the Muir Woods National Monument, which boasts 600-year-old, 246-foot-long redwood trees and diverse wildlife. Another stop worth embracing is the picturesque wine region of Sonoma. The iconic Napa Valley in California is the most famous stop on the San Francisco to Seattle road trip.

Additionally, a lot of visitors head to Domaine Chandon to taste the US's best sparkling wines. People on a high budget go to world-class Michelin-starred restaurants, such as The French Laundry or Auberge Du Soleil, to eat in Napa Valley. The Coast of California offers even more unique stops, perfect for a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle. An artistic stop full of galleries in the coastal town of Mendocino that boasts a gallery in a water tower. The most beautiful city to visit on the road trip from San Francisco to Seattle is Fort Bragg, famous for its Glass Beach in the Noyo Headlands Park, which boasts mesmerizing views of the Pacific Ocean.

Another popular stop is the marvelous Shasta Lake, surrounded by mountains with barren trees that create a magnificent effect with the lake's crystal clear waters and the blue color of the sky. It is also worth stopping at Crescent City to visit Redwood National and State Parks.

Related: Need A Day Trip from Las Vegas? Try Off-Roading In The Mojave Desert

Unique Stops In Oregon And Washington

Visiting Crater Lake National Park is a must when on a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US and was formed by a super-volcanic eruption 7,700 years ago. Next is a stop at the most beautiful waterfall in Oregon, the unique Toketee Falls.

Eugene City, the birthplace of NIKE, is next on the list and is best to visit during summer for hiking trails. Another good stop for hiking is in the city of Bend in Oregon. A gem of the Pacific Northwest is the Willamette Valley, known for its 1300 wineries and vineyards. Additionally, visiting the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum would be a good idea when in Willamette Valley. Flying kites on the beach in Lincoln City, Oregon, is fun during the road trip.

Next, people usually stop in Tillamook to have ice cream and cheese tasting. They can also visit The Tillamook Creamery for free. The jewel of the Pacific Northwest, the city of Portland is a popular stop for nature and hiking lovers and foodies. For those taking the coastal route through Oregon, the port city of Astoria is arguably the best road trip stop in the Pacific Northwest , offering ocean views, hiking trails, and a unique downtown vibe consistent with traveler's favorite Oregon cities.

Next comes Washington in the road trip from San Francisco to Seattle, where most commuters stop at the iconic Mount Rainier National Park and the Gig Harbor for a couple of calming and relaxing days. Washington also has a number of short detours for those looking to get outdoors on their road trip adventure, including nearby Olympic National Park, one of the most beautiful national parks in the US .

Next: Every Wine Aficionado Needs To Visit These Napa Valley Vineyards