6 days to drive from Seattle wa to oceanside ca
Apr 16th, 2015, 02:25 AM
#1
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6 days to drive from Seattle wa to oceanside ca
What would be the best route and things to see. We love waterfalls, senic beaches, & small towns. We will be traveling May 22 through May 28. Thought we would spend the 22 in Seattle.
Apr 16th, 2015, 03:08 AM
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First, how many hours do you want to drive per day? Is there anything you really want to see in Oregon or Washington? And are you mostly planning to do drive by sightseeing, or do you plan to take a day or two to see specific places along the way? I.e. Do you want to sightsee in Portland or SF or hike in Redwoods NP?
I ask because usually I'd suggest oregon 101 for beaches and small towns, but you may already be planning to take part or all of Highway 1 in California. In that case, I 5 might be best for going through Wa and oregon- it's fastest, but not really scenic. Or maybe if you've done highway 1 before, you'll want to spend some extra time in WA and OR, and stick to I5 in CA. Route will really be determined by priorities.
Also, if it's raining in OR or WA then (very likely) I'd probably stick to the inland routes and only take the scenic routes if you get a clear day.
Waterfalls that I can think of not too far out way from the WA portion of I5:
Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie also qualifies as a cute small town.
Multonomah: very popular, beautiful waterfall. Good for a quick stop to stretch your legs, and very popular with tourists.
I do the drive from Seattle to Coos Bay fairly often; my favorite small town (I5 route) is probably Woodland, WA. Lots of places I like along the coast, but I don't know if you have time to stop. If you had to choose an overnight spot in Oregon along I5, I'd choose Salem as I've eaten at some truly delicious restaurants there. But Medford would be a better choice if you do very little (or no) sightseeing between there and Seattle.
I ask because usually I'd suggest oregon 101 for beaches and small towns, but you may already be planning to take part or all of Highway 1 in California. In that case, I 5 might be best for going through Wa and oregon- it's fastest, but not really scenic. Or maybe if you've done highway 1 before, you'll want to spend some extra time in WA and OR, and stick to I5 in CA. Route will really be determined by priorities.
Also, if it's raining in OR or WA then (very likely) I'd probably stick to the inland routes and only take the scenic routes if you get a clear day.
Waterfalls that I can think of not too far out way from the WA portion of I5:
Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie also qualifies as a cute small town.
Multonomah: very popular, beautiful waterfall. Good for a quick stop to stretch your legs, and very popular with tourists.
I do the drive from Seattle to Coos Bay fairly often; my favorite small town (I5 route) is probably Woodland, WA. Lots of places I like along the coast, but I don't know if you have time to stop. If you had to choose an overnight spot in Oregon along I5, I'd choose Salem as I've eaten at some truly delicious restaurants there. But Medford would be a better choice if you do very little (or no) sightseeing between there and Seattle.
Apr 16th, 2015, 06:59 AM
#3
How many people? Your car or a one way rental?
If only 2 people and a rental car, I'd consider the train to Portland and rent a car there to see Multnomah Falls and Cannon Beach Oregon. Return the car and then take the Coast Starlight to Sacramento and then rent another car. At least it would be an in state one way rental.
If only 2 people and a rental car, I'd consider the train to Portland and rent a car there to see Multnomah Falls and Cannon Beach Oregon. Return the car and then take the Coast Starlight to Sacramento and then rent another car. At least it would be an in state one way rental.
Apr 19th, 2015, 10:16 AM
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Well, OK, you have at least 1200 miles to cover, so you do have to make some steady progress, but perhaps you leave Seattle, and head toward Mount Rainier where you maybe visit Paradise...and then head back toward interstate 5, toward Portland, Oregon (IF there is time... you might add a side trip east along the Columbia River, depending upon how much time is needed later)
From Portland, you head toward the Oregon coast, and maybe even drive the whole length of it (a potential side trip being a considerable one toward Crater Lake, Oregon.
Northern California boasts Mount Shasta, and the Redwood Forest, to consider as you make your way farther south. Surely a stop in San Francisco, (Ideally for a night - or two?) is a wise move...
and perhaps, south of there, you'll have to make tracks while maybe targeting a strategic night/day spent in L.A.
You really don't seem to have that much time to enjoy everything, so further detail is perhaps pointless.
Some of this depends on whether you've ever been to the west coast of the USA before... as San Fran. wouldn't matter so much had you already seen it.
So lets see, you awaken on May 23... get an early start, drive toward Mount Rainier, and around... and then off toward Portland, Oregon for that night. (this is already not enough progress) (so perhaps you forego Portland, for the most part, and drive farther toward the Oregon coast that evening?)
May 24 you awaken in/near Portland, and drive toward the coast, and meander your way south, at coastal speeds. (Tillamook to Coos Bay takes nearly 4 hours, but you keep trudging on, because you have to save time for later activities)
(the whole path of Tillamook to Crescent City, CA is 300 miles, and 6 1/2 hours of DRIVING time... and to do that after awakening in Portland could easily fill the day of the 24th, and then some - but you press-on, because you need to)
So you awaken in/near Crescent City, CA on the 25th, knowing that it is 360 miles and 6 hours of DRIVING TIME between there and San Francisco... and that does NOT include any coastal driving south of Eureka!!!. (add time and miles if you want that)
BUT you do, eventually make it to San Fran on the 25th... now IF San Fran is really important/significant to you, then you maybe dare to schedule two nights there, which leaves you with but a single night between there and Oceanside, which is 470 miles/7 hours of driving time away.
Maybe there is time to have a whimsical visit to Hearst Castle (San Simeon, on the CA coast) on the path south, before targeting some random spot in the L.A. area for your last night, and then further south to Oceanside the next day.
Hope this helps you envision the path...
From Portland, you head toward the Oregon coast, and maybe even drive the whole length of it (a potential side trip being a considerable one toward Crater Lake, Oregon.
Northern California boasts Mount Shasta, and the Redwood Forest, to consider as you make your way farther south. Surely a stop in San Francisco, (Ideally for a night - or two?) is a wise move...
and perhaps, south of there, you'll have to make tracks while maybe targeting a strategic night/day spent in L.A.
You really don't seem to have that much time to enjoy everything, so further detail is perhaps pointless.
Some of this depends on whether you've ever been to the west coast of the USA before... as San Fran. wouldn't matter so much had you already seen it.
So lets see, you awaken on May 23... get an early start, drive toward Mount Rainier, and around... and then off toward Portland, Oregon for that night. (this is already not enough progress) (so perhaps you forego Portland, for the most part, and drive farther toward the Oregon coast that evening?)
May 24 you awaken in/near Portland, and drive toward the coast, and meander your way south, at coastal speeds. (Tillamook to Coos Bay takes nearly 4 hours, but you keep trudging on, because you have to save time for later activities)
(the whole path of Tillamook to Crescent City, CA is 300 miles, and 6 1/2 hours of DRIVING time... and to do that after awakening in Portland could easily fill the day of the 24th, and then some - but you press-on, because you need to)
So you awaken in/near Crescent City, CA on the 25th, knowing that it is 360 miles and 6 hours of DRIVING TIME between there and San Francisco... and that does NOT include any coastal driving south of Eureka!!!. (add time and miles if you want that)
BUT you do, eventually make it to San Fran on the 25th... now IF San Fran is really important/significant to you, then you maybe dare to schedule two nights there, which leaves you with but a single night between there and Oceanside, which is 470 miles/7 hours of driving time away.
Maybe there is time to have a whimsical visit to Hearst Castle (San Simeon, on the CA coast) on the path south, before targeting some random spot in the L.A. area for your last night, and then further south to Oceanside the next day.
Hope this helps you envision the path...
Apr 21st, 2015, 05:28 AM
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To Northwestmale. Thank you for your input. After 3 days in Oceanside we will spend a week in Newport Beach. We will be able to see some of the CA coast during that time. We have been to San Francisco before. We would really like to see the waterfalls around Portland OR but just wondering on the time frame. I understand traveling the OR coast is very slow. What would be the best place to go over to the coast from I 5? I am thinking we might get to Seattle a day earlier in the beginning of our trip and travel toward Portland on May 22. I want to see as much as possible with some time to stop and enjoy it.
Apr 21st, 2015, 08:00 AM
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Dan Francisco to Oceanside will take longer than 7 hours. There is usually traffic... any day of the week. Please leave at least 10 hours. Install the sigalert app in your phone and use it!! Hopefully that will help you... I would also recommend having an old fashioned paper map from AAA with you!
Apr 21st, 2015, 07:55 PM
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OK, just the omission of San Fran alone will give you more 'room' to explore on the way down.
With that in mind, it is indeed a good idea to get to Portland, and then go east for a round-trip to see some amount of The Columbia Gorge... and then Multnomah Falls in there somewhere... and back-track to Portland, and then over to the coast.
Given the time you have, I think you can cover most of the Oregon coast, now that you need not save time for San Fran.
The new variable is just selecting for yourself a point to switch inland toward Interstate 5 in Northern California.
(or, IF Crater Lake is at all of interest, then go east from the coast somewhere in Central-ish Oregon, cover Crater Lake, and then maybe go out the back door there and down to meet I-5 at Weed, California)
OR it could even be a Oregon Coast-Crater Lake-California Coast path, IF you so choose.
(IF instead of my earlier-mentioned 2 nights in San Fran, you invest that time in the Portland area, you can easily do the side trip to the Columbia Gorge, and then head for the Oregon coast in the northern part of the state).
You could even add a 100-mile round-trip detour off of I-5 in Washington to go and visit Mount St. Helens.
So lemme try again:
Arrive Portland May 22
Awaken in Portland on May 23 and plan the day around a round-trip drive east, perhaps as far as The Dalles, Oregon...
Then, depending upon whether you have heightened interest in Portland city sights, maybe consider driving toward the coast that night, to awaken perhaps near to Cannon Beach, Oregon on May 24.
THEN drive down the Oregon coast, having long previously determined whether you care about Crater Lake... but perhaps you reach California, not far from the Redwoods for your next night.
Cut inland toward Sacramento well before you get near San Fran, and then continue southward...
*** You'd have to allow time for Mount Rainier and/or Mount St. Helens between Seattle & Portland, IF interested.
With that in mind, it is indeed a good idea to get to Portland, and then go east for a round-trip to see some amount of The Columbia Gorge... and then Multnomah Falls in there somewhere... and back-track to Portland, and then over to the coast.
Given the time you have, I think you can cover most of the Oregon coast, now that you need not save time for San Fran.
The new variable is just selecting for yourself a point to switch inland toward Interstate 5 in Northern California.
(or, IF Crater Lake is at all of interest, then go east from the coast somewhere in Central-ish Oregon, cover Crater Lake, and then maybe go out the back door there and down to meet I-5 at Weed, California)
OR it could even be a Oregon Coast-Crater Lake-California Coast path, IF you so choose.
(IF instead of my earlier-mentioned 2 nights in San Fran, you invest that time in the Portland area, you can easily do the side trip to the Columbia Gorge, and then head for the Oregon coast in the northern part of the state).
You could even add a 100-mile round-trip detour off of I-5 in Washington to go and visit Mount St. Helens.
So lemme try again:
Arrive Portland May 22
Awaken in Portland on May 23 and plan the day around a round-trip drive east, perhaps as far as The Dalles, Oregon...
Then, depending upon whether you have heightened interest in Portland city sights, maybe consider driving toward the coast that night, to awaken perhaps near to Cannon Beach, Oregon on May 24.
THEN drive down the Oregon coast, having long previously determined whether you care about Crater Lake... but perhaps you reach California, not far from the Redwoods for your next night.
Cut inland toward Sacramento well before you get near San Fran, and then continue southward...
*** You'd have to allow time for Mount Rainier and/or Mount St. Helens between Seattle & Portland, IF interested.
Apr 22nd, 2015, 04:38 AM
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I don't think we will make time for Mt. St. Helens or Mount Rainier this trip. I would much rather see the Columbia Gorge and waterfalls. Everyone's input has helped me so much. It helps to get info from someone that has been there. I think after time around Portland we will head over to the coast. Someone told me it would be a good idea to spend the night in Vancouver OR after leaving Seattle. What do you think?
Apr 22nd, 2015, 08:43 AM
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They probably suggested Vancouver because it's very close to Portland yet the hotels are significantly cheaper. Sort of the equivalent of staying in the suburbs in other cities. I've stayed in Vancouver for this reason. If you have the money, though, just pick a hotel in downtown Portland and stay there. Or there's the hi hostel in the Hawthorne neighborhood. Vancouver's okay, but Portland is the real destination.
You can drive in Portland- which you would have to do if you stay the night in Vancouver- but it's a great walking and biking city, and that's what I prefer- then you are in the center of the action so to speak. Alternatively- if a hostel doesn't appeal to you and you're planning to drive everywhere anyway, Vancouver is a good place as any to stay.
You can drive in Portland- which you would have to do if you stay the night in Vancouver- but it's a great walking and biking city, and that's what I prefer- then you are in the center of the action so to speak. Alternatively- if a hostel doesn't appeal to you and you're planning to drive everywhere anyway, Vancouver is a good place as any to stay.
Apr 22nd, 2015, 12:38 PM
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When I go to Portland (because I don't have much reason to care, or be picky) I use Priceline.com to land what is ideally a central Portland hotel of 3- or 4-star variety for a reasonable nightly rate, with the noteworthy awareness that parking is often an arm and a leg at such places.
Often the central location is a benefit that offsets the parking charge IF I got the room at a discounted rate.
I recall not long ago booking at The Benson hotel in Portland, and opting for a parking garage not far from Powell's Books as an alternative to the expensive valet parking at the hotel.
At any rate, Vancouver and Portland are so close that it won't be distance or the like which will matter in such a decision. I've also had good Priceline luck with the Hilton in downtown Vancouver, WA.
But IF it's just once... one time only... in the Portland, Oregon area... I would lean toward a central downtown hotel IF you can afford it.
Often the central location is a benefit that offsets the parking charge IF I got the room at a discounted rate.
I recall not long ago booking at The Benson hotel in Portland, and opting for a parking garage not far from Powell's Books as an alternative to the expensive valet parking at the hotel.
At any rate, Vancouver and Portland are so close that it won't be distance or the like which will matter in such a decision. I've also had good Priceline luck with the Hilton in downtown Vancouver, WA.
But IF it's just once... one time only... in the Portland, Oregon area... I would lean toward a central downtown hotel IF you can afford it.
Apr 22nd, 2015, 01:22 PM
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Definitely stay in Portland instead of Vancouver. There are several McMenamin properties all around here, and they are budget friendly. Most of the rooms have the shared baths down the hall, but most of the properties have at least a handful of ensuite rooms. We have stayed at almost every McMenamin property and have never had an issue with the bathrooms down the hall, FWIW. Never had a wait, always clean, etc.
The big hotels in Portland are like other cities where parking fees can really add up. The website www.travelportland.com has packages that include breakfast and parking, but often times the hotels will match those offers if you call and ask.
The big hotels in Portland are like other cities where parking fees can really add up. The website www.travelportland.com has packages that include breakfast and parking, but often times the hotels will match those offers if you call and ask.
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