Drive from San Fran to Portland or Seattle in winter
Jun 21st, 2016, 05:20 PM
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Drive from San Fran to Portland or Seattle in winter
Hi, I am planning on being in San Fran with family (we are Australian with 2 kids, 10 & 12) after Xmas visiting friends, then a few days in Santa Rosa visiting family.
After Santa Rosa we were thinking of driving up to Portland or Seattle as we have driven San Fran to LA a couple of times and this looks like another fantastic drive.
Kids are good travellers and 3-4 hours of driving is no issue whatsoever for them, but being kids they need to carrot at the end of the drive to look forward to.
The scenery on this drive looks quite spectacular as do some of the towns, but are there any good attractions/drawcards for kids on this route?
The Boeing factory in Seattle is one we are keen on at the end of the drive
We have about 4, perhaps 5 days, then plan to fly from Seattle to Kelowna (Canada) to go skiing on 4 or 5 Jan 2017
After Santa Rosa we were thinking of driving up to Portland or Seattle as we have driven San Fran to LA a couple of times and this looks like another fantastic drive.
Kids are good travellers and 3-4 hours of driving is no issue whatsoever for them, but being kids they need to carrot at the end of the drive to look forward to.
The scenery on this drive looks quite spectacular as do some of the towns, but are there any good attractions/drawcards for kids on this route?
The Boeing factory in Seattle is one we are keen on at the end of the drive
We have about 4, perhaps 5 days, then plan to fly from Seattle to Kelowna (Canada) to go skiing on 4 or 5 Jan 2017
Jun 21st, 2016, 06:07 PM
#2
Sorry -- but in late Dec/early Jan you can'y rely in the weather. Heavy rain on the coast and heavy snow over I-5 are each totally possible . . . or not. The problem is you won'y know which it is until a day or two before your trip.
So your best option is flying up to either Portland OR Seattle.
So your best option is flying up to either Portland OR Seattle.
Jun 21st, 2016, 06:13 PM
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I'm wondering what route you're looking at. I can't speak for the California portion of the interstate, but I5 from Oregon to Seattle is really not what I'd consider spectacular. Tedious and occasionally nerve wracking.
And 101 really depends on the weather. Some years it's awesome in the winter, but if it's bad weather, I don't enjoy driving it at all. A lot of the kid draws on the coast are dependent on weather as well.
Maybe...I'd almost consider making it a train adventure unless it's the coast you want to see. Then the train is both carrot and transportation- and the other kid draws could be focused on the cities. You can always daytrip from Portland to the coast if it's good weather when you are there.
And 101 really depends on the weather. Some years it's awesome in the winter, but if it's bad weather, I don't enjoy driving it at all. A lot of the kid draws on the coast are dependent on weather as well.
Maybe...I'd almost consider making it a train adventure unless it's the coast you want to see. Then the train is both carrot and transportation- and the other kid draws could be focused on the cities. You can always daytrip from Portland to the coast if it's good weather when you are there.
Jun 21st, 2016, 09:26 PM
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Thanks marvelousmouse, train is certainly an option we'd consider but have yet to look into it and where we might be able to stop along the way
Driving in winter does not concern me at all nor does the weather
Driving in winter does not concern me at all nor does the weather
Jun 21st, 2016, 11:07 PM
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I'm not usually worried about driving in snowy conditions either, but I agree with Janisj on this one...
If you do choose to do it, I highly recommend building a few extra days into your itinerary and being flexible. Mostly thinking about your kids here. An easy summertime "3-4 hour drive" can turn into a twice as long, grueling experience, around Christmas time. You just never know until that day, and that's not how I prefer to spend my holidays. This wasn't an icy winter- but it was definitely a snowy winter, and where it wasn't snowing, it was raining. Torrential downpour. I've got pretty good winter driving skills, but there comes a time that you shouldn't be on the road at all unless it's an emergency
The good news is that everything except New Year's Eve is pretty much wide open hotel wise- and usually pretty affordable. So if you have to pull over, you'll find room at the inn
If you are in a city for New Years, that's one you want to book early. Hotel prices in Seattle easily triple and places do sell out!
In Portland: omsi, Powells Bookstore. Powells is altogether amazing but the kids section especially is out of this world.
On the coast: Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria is kid friendly. Newport Aquarium. Stop at Ft Stevens to see the remains of the Iredale- that's a kid favorite.
In Seattle: Christmas train display at the armory. Pacific Science Center, EMP/Scifi museum. Pike Place Market, maybe the underground tour (I can't remember if that has reduced hours in winter). Magic Mouse toy store. Look up light/holiday shows...some run into January. My favorites are Vandusen Gardens and the fairy houses at the conservatory in Vancouver, but you probably don't have time to go up to Vancouver.
Also- if you are in a city for New Years, check to see if it has children's first night (NYE celebration for kids) I think Portland and Seattle both do.
If you are interested in Boeing, Evergreen Aviation in McMinnville Oregon may be of interest.It has an indoor water park with a slide that comes out of a Boeing 747 (if I remember right)
Other "carrots" could be lodging. Check out any of the Mcmenamin hotels- all over this area- and I think kids would be pretty mesmerized by those. Great Wolf Lodge along I5 has an indoor water park. In the cities and on the coast that time of year is great because you can afford to stay at great hotels that you'd think twice about paying for in summer.
If you do choose to do it, I highly recommend building a few extra days into your itinerary and being flexible. Mostly thinking about your kids here. An easy summertime "3-4 hour drive" can turn into a twice as long, grueling experience, around Christmas time. You just never know until that day, and that's not how I prefer to spend my holidays. This wasn't an icy winter- but it was definitely a snowy winter, and where it wasn't snowing, it was raining. Torrential downpour. I've got pretty good winter driving skills, but there comes a time that you shouldn't be on the road at all unless it's an emergency
The good news is that everything except New Year's Eve is pretty much wide open hotel wise- and usually pretty affordable. So if you have to pull over, you'll find room at the inn
If you are in a city for New Years, that's one you want to book early. Hotel prices in Seattle easily triple and places do sell out!In Portland: omsi, Powells Bookstore. Powells is altogether amazing but the kids section especially is out of this world.
On the coast: Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria is kid friendly. Newport Aquarium. Stop at Ft Stevens to see the remains of the Iredale- that's a kid favorite.
In Seattle: Christmas train display at the armory. Pacific Science Center, EMP/Scifi museum. Pike Place Market, maybe the underground tour (I can't remember if that has reduced hours in winter). Magic Mouse toy store. Look up light/holiday shows...some run into January. My favorites are Vandusen Gardens and the fairy houses at the conservatory in Vancouver, but you probably don't have time to go up to Vancouver.
Also- if you are in a city for New Years, check to see if it has children's first night (NYE celebration for kids) I think Portland and Seattle both do.
If you are interested in Boeing, Evergreen Aviation in McMinnville Oregon may be of interest.It has an indoor water park with a slide that comes out of a Boeing 747 (if I remember right)
Other "carrots" could be lodging. Check out any of the Mcmenamin hotels- all over this area- and I think kids would be pretty mesmerized by those. Great Wolf Lodge along I5 has an indoor water park. In the cities and on the coast that time of year is great because you can afford to stay at great hotels that you'd think twice about paying for in summer.
Jun 22nd, 2016, 06:34 AM
#8
I really don't mind the drive between northern California or the Bay Area and Portland/Seattle in the winter, but you have to be mindful of the limitations imposed by the time of year.
Route - the coast route is preferable from both weather and scenery/interest perspectives. Starting in Santa Rosa, crossing over to I-5 in the central valley would also end up making the drive nearly as long (in hours) as simply heading north on US 101.
Weather/driving conditions - You'll likely hit rain somewhere around the redwoods if not before, but that's okay - the redwoods are magnificent in any weather, and a drippy/gloomy day is actually a terrific time to see them. The giant trees vanishing into the mist overhead is an amazing sight.
Rain is more likely than not over much of the distance, but the conditions can be quite changeable in December. We get a series of frontal systems blowing in off the Pacific that (typically) will give you a stormy day (magnificent along the Oregon coast) followed by some showery or blustery days with partial clearing after the front passes, then quite often an absolute crystalline sunny day, then the series repeats, usually on 4 - 6 day cycles.
The same rain can and often does fall as snow in the Siskiyou mountains on the California - Oregon border, and the clear days that follow mean the snow turns to ice, which can be very treacherous along the I-5 corridor between Redding and Roseburg. Not. Fun.
Timing and stops - Following the coast the trip to Seattle is roughly 15-16 hours "wheels turning." With 3-4 hours driving per day you can do the math. Of course, in December daylight is very short, and if it's cloudy or rainy it will feel even shorter. If it were me I'd probably look at stops like this:
Route - https://goo.gl/maps/DxzgUaqG4W72
Day 1 - Santa Rosa to Arcata or Trinidad (in the Eureka area) via the Avenue of the Giants redwoods. Dinner at the Samoa Cookhouse - http://samoacookhouse.net/ - fun place.
Day 2 - To Bandon, Oregon. This day will include more redwood groves including Redwood National Park. You might want to visit the Trees of Mystery along the side of the road - kitschy but actually quite fun - https://www.treesofmystery.net/ - but save plenty of time to look at the amazing scenery between the Oregon state line and Port Orford - IMO the best along the Oregon coast. Bandon is the nicest town on the south coast, with some good restaurants in its "old town" at the harbor.
Day 3 - Bandon to Corvallis via Yachats ("ya-hots.") More great coastal scenery from Florence north, especially the lighthouse and beach at Heceta Head. Then turn inland and spend the night around Corvallis, a pleasant university town (Oregon State University).
Day 4 - Corvallis to Portland. You'll need to monitor the weather before planning any excursions around Portland, specifically conditions in the Columbia Gorge east of the city. In December the Gorge can be subject to terrible icy conditions as the cold wind from eastern Oregon and Washington roars down through the Gorge leaving ice on all the roads - just dreadful. On the other hand, if it's not icy, the waterfalls along the Gorge walls, specifically Multnomah Falls, are spectacular in December. A midwinter visit to the Bonneville hatchery near Cascade Locks is also fun - say hello to Herman the Sturgeon - an enormous and ancient fish seen from an underwater viewing room.
Day 5 - Portland to Seattle. Three or four hours of blah freeway driving and you're done.
I've done this drive, or variations on it, numerous times in the winter, and I find it quite enjoyable. People have different experiences of course.
Route - the coast route is preferable from both weather and scenery/interest perspectives. Starting in Santa Rosa, crossing over to I-5 in the central valley would also end up making the drive nearly as long (in hours) as simply heading north on US 101.
Weather/driving conditions - You'll likely hit rain somewhere around the redwoods if not before, but that's okay - the redwoods are magnificent in any weather, and a drippy/gloomy day is actually a terrific time to see them. The giant trees vanishing into the mist overhead is an amazing sight.
Rain is more likely than not over much of the distance, but the conditions can be quite changeable in December. We get a series of frontal systems blowing in off the Pacific that (typically) will give you a stormy day (magnificent along the Oregon coast) followed by some showery or blustery days with partial clearing after the front passes, then quite often an absolute crystalline sunny day, then the series repeats, usually on 4 - 6 day cycles.
The same rain can and often does fall as snow in the Siskiyou mountains on the California - Oregon border, and the clear days that follow mean the snow turns to ice, which can be very treacherous along the I-5 corridor between Redding and Roseburg. Not. Fun.
Timing and stops - Following the coast the trip to Seattle is roughly 15-16 hours "wheels turning." With 3-4 hours driving per day you can do the math. Of course, in December daylight is very short, and if it's cloudy or rainy it will feel even shorter. If it were me I'd probably look at stops like this:
Route - https://goo.gl/maps/DxzgUaqG4W72
Day 1 - Santa Rosa to Arcata or Trinidad (in the Eureka area) via the Avenue of the Giants redwoods. Dinner at the Samoa Cookhouse - http://samoacookhouse.net/ - fun place.
Day 2 - To Bandon, Oregon. This day will include more redwood groves including Redwood National Park. You might want to visit the Trees of Mystery along the side of the road - kitschy but actually quite fun - https://www.treesofmystery.net/ - but save plenty of time to look at the amazing scenery between the Oregon state line and Port Orford - IMO the best along the Oregon coast. Bandon is the nicest town on the south coast, with some good restaurants in its "old town" at the harbor.
Day 3 - Bandon to Corvallis via Yachats ("ya-hots.") More great coastal scenery from Florence north, especially the lighthouse and beach at Heceta Head. Then turn inland and spend the night around Corvallis, a pleasant university town (Oregon State University).
Day 4 - Corvallis to Portland. You'll need to monitor the weather before planning any excursions around Portland, specifically conditions in the Columbia Gorge east of the city. In December the Gorge can be subject to terrible icy conditions as the cold wind from eastern Oregon and Washington roars down through the Gorge leaving ice on all the roads - just dreadful. On the other hand, if it's not icy, the waterfalls along the Gorge walls, specifically Multnomah Falls, are spectacular in December. A midwinter visit to the Bonneville hatchery near Cascade Locks is also fun - say hello to Herman the Sturgeon - an enormous and ancient fish seen from an underwater viewing room.
Day 5 - Portland to Seattle. Three or four hours of blah freeway driving and you're done.
I've done this drive, or variations on it, numerous times in the winter, and I find it quite enjoyable. People have different experiences of course.
Jun 22nd, 2016, 03:27 PM
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Thanks for the comprehensive notes and advice marvelousmouse and Gardyloo, certainly food for thought.
I'll look into all in a bit more detail and weigh up pro and con, and might look at train options too but obviously loose a lot of flexibility this way.
We can always fall back on flying up, but it seems a missed opportunity as it may be a while before we are back in region and have the time available.
I had looked at Mcmenamin hotels website and they look like a fun option, certainly more interesting than big chain options.
Cheers..
I'll look into all in a bit more detail and weigh up pro and con, and might look at train options too but obviously loose a lot of flexibility this way.
We can always fall back on flying up, but it seems a missed opportunity as it may be a while before we are back in region and have the time available.
I had looked at Mcmenamin hotels website and they look like a fun option, certainly more interesting than big chain options.
Cheers..
Jun 26th, 2016, 11:59 AM
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IF I-5 were "closed by snow", you would simply drive up the coast, and such an unlikely scenario should have minimal impact on planning ahead from this far out.
It might be worth mention that Portland tends to have worse winters than Seattle does, despite their relative north/south positions.
The most probable scenario, though, will be steady grey skies and rain through much of any planned road trip toward the north from San Fran through western Oregon and Washington. Clear weather would just be a "bonus".
It might be worth mention that Portland tends to have worse winters than Seattle does, despite their relative north/south positions.
The most probable scenario, though, will be steady grey skies and rain through much of any planned road trip toward the north from San Fran through western Oregon and Washington. Clear weather would just be a "bonus".
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