ramezf

Me and my family are coming to San Francisco for 6 nights then heading to Seattle. I checked Google and the trip by Car is like 11 hours. I don't mind long drives but I think my kids and wife might. So I'm thinking to stop in a city in between.

What do you suggest a city to visit that is good for tourist ?

Also, Do you suggest to visit a sight-seen during the trip to visit?

Thanks in Advance

Gardyloo

Welcome to Fodor's!

San Francisco to Seattle includes some of North America's best scenery, so rushing through it seems a shame. And eleven hours is laughable; I don't think I've ever made it in less than 12 or 13, and that was with two people driving, both with a healthy disregard for speed limits.

If possible, make it at least a 3-day drive via the coast most of the way.

Day 1 - SF to Eureka/Trinidad/Crescent City via the redwoods.
Day 2 - Redwoods to Yachats or Newport, Oregon
Day 3 - Oregon coast to Seattle via Portland.

If you absolutely need to make it in two days, then -

Day 1 - SF to Grants Pass or Roseburg, Oregon
Day 2 - Grants Pass/Roseburg to Seattle

The coast (option 1) is infinitely more pleasant than the I-5 route (2).

What time of year will this be?

tomfuller

Cut the SF stay back to 5 nights and then visit Crater Lake National Park staying at the Prospect Hotel if you can't get lodging at the Crater Lake Lodge.
If you'd rather do the coast, Gardyloo's 3 day plan is great.
I use MapQuest instead of Google for a more accurate estimate on driving time.
If you go with Crater Lake, exit by the north entrance and go west on 138 into Roseburg to get to I-5.
If you wanted to avoid dropping off a San Francisco based rental car in Seattle, you could take the Amtrak Coast Starlight from Emeryville (San Francisco) north overnight to either Portland or Seattle.
Depending on how much touring you are doing outside the cities, you could take the train to Eugene Oregon and rent a car there and see some of Oregon on the way to Seattle.
The northbound Coast Starlight gets to Eugene about 12:30PM.

sunbum1944

Along I-5 I think the nicest place to stop is Ashland, but that still gives you a long drive to Seattle, so I suggest Eugene.

There is a Holiday Inn Express right of the freeway with a decent restaurant, other fast food restaurants close by.

It will still be 5-6 Hours to Seattle depending on traffic in Portland and Seattle area.

janisj

That will be one hellacious drive straight through w/ just one stop.

UNLESS you are willing to break it into at least 3 or more day trip -- done drive. Fly from SFO to SeaTac since you wouldn't see anything en route anyway.

If you can add a couple of days -- then Gardyloo's itinerary is good. If you stick to this madness -- then Ashland would be the best stop over (but I'm no recommending you do it in two days)

Gardyloo

I like Ashland, but IMO it's not far enough, and assuming the trip's in the summer, lodging prices in Ashland are much higher than Medford or Grants Pass because of the Shakespeare people.

janisj

geeze I hate autocorrect. That should say >> . . . at least 3 or more day trip -- don't drive.

janisj

didn't see Gardyloo's post. Yes -- Ashland will be pricey in summer for sure.

Plan on at least a 7 hour, butts-in-seats drive to say Medford because of morning traffic in the Bay Area. Not fun.

I still say break it up and do a scenic trip up the coast or fly . . .

sludick

I could not imagine attempting that drive in one go. And of course 11 hours is fiction. MapQuest says more like 14 hours (13h50m) not counting any stops whatsoever or traffic slowdowns - unlikely scenario for sure. Even 2 days would be a long drive on unscenic I-5.

Add a cushion for heavy traffic congestion at places like the SF Bay Area, Portland, Seattle area, etc.

sludick

And for heaven's sake, let those kids out to pee once in awhile.

ramezf

Thanks All for your good recommendation and sense of humor

I really appreciate that, and I'll consider your advice.

Bobmrg

We have made it as far as Yreka in one long day from the South Seattle area, then made it to the Bay area the next day. Once.

Stopping in Roseburg or Medford/Ashland makes it easier.

kleroux

Its not "me and my family, but "my family and I".. but other than that, I'd vote for Ashland and seeing some theater while you are there........