kebs41

We are renting a car in Seattle on May 18 and driving to San Francisco. We need to be in San Fran by May 19!!! Help. What's the best way to get there and still possibly see something along the way?

Tomsd

You ain't going to see a whole lot that you can't see from the Freeway/I-5. On the way south - you could do a few things - which would take a couple of hours:

1, While it's only about 2 and a half hours into your long journey - take I 84 east of Portland to see the waterfalls along the Gorge. You could drive around Mt. Hood - and then down hiway 97 to see Crater Lake - and then get back on the Freeway by Ashland, or driving through Klamath Falls, and by Mt. Shasta to get back on the freeway by Weed, CA.

2. Stop off at a winery along the way - you will be pretty much traversling the Williamette Valley - from Portland south to Eugene - but make sure the drier only has a glass or so of vino. There are also some wineries close to the freeway around Roseburg/Southernlin.

3. Drive into Crater Lake from near Roseburg - along the scenic North Umpqua River - and from there - back down to the freeway through Ashland, or hiway 97 down to Weed. etc.

4. Stop for a picnic lunch by Mt. Shasta.

5. Step on it - cause you are probably running late.

What time do you have to be in San Frncisco on the 19th?

starrs

What time to you pick the car up and when do you need to be there? My #1 choice would be Crater Lake.

tomfuller

Tomsd: As much as I love Rt. 138 from Roseburg to Diamond Lake Junction, the north entrance to Crater Lake will NOT be open before July 1. There is still several feet of snow in some parts of the park. (It was snowing on a few miles of 138 & 230 last Wednesday 4/18 on the way to Medford)
If you wanted to see a National Park turn off I-5 near Grants Pass onto US 199 and go through Redwood NP in Del Norte county California. Whether you continue south on US 101 or cut back over to I-5 depends on how late you can be getting into SF.
Why Seattle instead of Portland?

happytrailstoyou

Seattle to San Francisco on I-5 is 800 miles and 14 hours of driving without pit stops. There will be no time for a detour to Crater Lake.

Seattle-Coos Bay-Eureka-San Francisco is 900 miles and 17 hours of driving. On this route you will have great ocean views from Port Orford to Eureka (during daylight hours).

HTTY

kebs41

Thanks for your replies so far everyone. Being from Canada, we're used to LONG driving days, so no worries there.
We get into Seattle at 7:00 a.m. on the 18th and need to be in San Francisco by 3:00 on the 19th.

janisj

"We get into Seattle at 7:00 a.m. on the 18th and need to be in San Francisco by 3:00 on the 19th.

Then why on earth are you flying into Seattle and not SF? Two drivers could drive it straight through w/ just stops for fast food/gas. But you certainly won't have time for ANY detours/picnics.

Tomsd

It will be a long, very scenic drive. If you can add Crater Lake - that would be a huge bonus (Ashland is a very cute/nearby town where you could have a fun lunch/dinner) - and driving close by Mt Shasta is also awe-inspiring.

Tomsd

And good point Tomf: Actually - you could even stop overnight in Ashland - and be back on the I-5 early - and straight shot - six hours later you are in SF, well before the 3 PM time you need to be there. http://tinyurl.com/7ayr292

starrs

"Then why on earth are you flying into Seattle and not SF?"

Why on earth does it matter? kebs doesn't mind long driving days and lots of people PLAN that drive on purpose. Perhaps the time frame they needed to get to San Francisco changed.

I agree with the toms - and you'll enjoy the scenery along the way. I gave my parents tickets and they flew into Seattle, we went over to Victoria and then drove to Banff. When they dropped me off at the airport in Calgary I had a nice little return route planned for them. They tossed it in the back somewhere and just took off. When they returned the van in Seattle they had put 6000 miles on it. They drove to see things JUST to see things. Flying into Seattle gives the OP a chance to see a gorgeous part of the country. Why second guess that?

Bobmrg

I've made it from Seattle to the Bay area in 14 hours but there was no time to do anything other than eat and refuel. I originally typed "eat and get gas," but then I realized it is a great straight line for a comedian.)

starrs

What am I missing here? Day 1 - 7 am to 7pm = 12 hours. Day 2 - 7 am to 3 pm = 8 hours. Total "daylight" hours to travel = 20 hours. 14 hour drive. 6 hours to see something along the way.

Help me out here folks. How is that NOT a doable drive? Many of us do similar road trips.

kebs41

Thanks starrs for your replies!!!
I've driven from my home town in Canada 18 hours east in one day and 12 hours the next to get to Montreal. No big deal. Long driving does not bother Canadians at all.

I was just wondering if it's worth going on the 101 for a few hours of nice scenery along the way or if we should just stick to the interstate.

I know that the OR coast is supposed to be awesome and wanted a few tips of where to get on the 101 and what to see as we drive by.
Thanks everyone for weighing in on this one!

spirobulldog

There is no way I would drive that in one day and expect to see anything other than Mt. Rainier, St. Helens, and Hood from the car.

I realize there are two groups of people. Some look at this and say no big deal, others just shake there head. I'm shaking my head category. I thought the first thing that janisj thought-why not just fly to SF to start with.

I think Crater Lake sticks out in my mind as my favorite thing we did in our 2 week trip in Oregon a couple of summers ago. But in May would it be the best if the rim road isn't open?
Columbia Gorge is great and it probably wouldn't be to far off interestate for a few hours.

Now, one other thing to think about. Airlines routinely get delayed. Is it an absolute MUST to be in SF on the 19th? then you may have a problem if your plane is delayed a half a day.

janisj

"Thanks starrs for your replies!!!"

Maybe ask starrs how many times she has driven from Seattle to California?? Some of us have actually done it a time or two.

The drive is humanly possible, sightseeing and detours to to the coast . . . nope.

Tomsd

There is that annoying echo again. Stars - liked your post, and it was a good review of the facts. Probably would be good to switch drivers during the journey.

cferrb

I have driven by myself from Seattle to Berkeley in a day. It was a long day, and I picked up a hitchhiker (don't ask) who helped with the driving, but we did it, in one day.

So, it sounds like the OP has one full day, then until 3 p.m. the following day. If it were me, I probably would not be trying to get too far off Highway 5, which then leaves the question of what is on Highway 5.

My immediate first thought is Portland. We fell in love with the Pittock Mansion http://pittockmansion.org/ last time we were there. My husband and son loved the interior, my daughter and I just meandered down the hillside through the trees. Powells Books is a hoot, there are places to eat and it's just kind of fun.

My second thought is Turtle Bay in Redding. We visited here a lot when our kids were smaller; you definitely want to do some research to see whether you are interested as adults.

Then there is Sacramento. Old Town is touristy but fun, and there is an amazing train museum. Plus, you can visit Sutter's Fort and explore California's gold country history.

If wineries interest you but you don't want to get too far off the beaten track in Oregon there are also wineries in the Lodi area.

These can all get really hot in the summer.

Gardyloo

One thing is that landing at 7 AM does not mean you're on the road at 7 AM. More like 8 - 8:30, but no mind.

I agree that you have plenty of daylight to make the trip into something more interesting than a death march.

Head south on I-5 from the airport. Just north of Vancouver (WA) turn onto I-205, which is the eastern bypass around Portland.

When you get to the Oregon side of the Columbia River, take I-84 east about 15 miles and stop for lunch at Multnomah Falls, which in mid-May ought to be spectacular with spring runoff.

If you don't mind a long day, then on the way back to I-205 you can take the historic Gorge highway (which runs along the ridge - look for "Crown Point") - which will add maybe 20 min. to the ride back to I-205. It's worth it - http://gardyloo.us/20100509_5a.jpg

Then south on I-205 to its merge with I-5, then place right foot on gas pedal and push.

A few hours later you'll be in Grants Pass, where you can make a command decision.

If you still feel fresh, turn west on US 199 toward Crescent City. This will take you over to the coast, but via some quite spectacular Redwood groves. Spend the night in Crescent City (no beauty contest winner, but convenient.) Then an early rise the next morning and a drive through the main Redwood groves (take the "Avenue of the Giants" side road and visit the Big Tree and/or Founders Grove - just stunning.) Then back in the car and through Eureka to SF. If you need to be in SF by 3 you will need a very early start from Crescent City; it's around 5 hours' drive from Eureka into the city, and CC to Eureka is 90 min, so you do the math. You could alternatively catch the Redwood groves at the end of the previous day (quite beautiful in the gloaming) and spend the night in Eureka, making the next day quite easy.

The second alternative at Grants Pass is NOT to turn onto US 199, but to keep going straight and spend the night in Ashland. Ashland has a lot of accommodation owing to the ongoing Oregon Shakespeare Festival which put the town on the map. The outdoor theater won't be open until June, but there will be a full slate of performances in the indoor venues in Ashland, and the quality of the performances is very high indeed, so if you're theater buffs, that's a great alternative after a long day. http://www.osfashland.org/index.aspx

Next day it's a fairly easy freeway drive into SF; I'd still get an early start.

So you can choose.

sludick

Loved your post, Gardyloo!

starrs

Me too!