MaggieOB

We are planning a sort of last minute trip to the west/northwest coast (from Boston). Our time frame is Oct 24-Nov 4. Can't go any earlier due to work constraints.

Outline is 3 nights in SF at the beginning and 3 nights in Seattle at the end. Planning on 6 nights between SF and Seattle. Like wineries, small towns, the coast, good food and wine. Would like to include Portland OR and the Columbia gorge.

Questions: Is 6 nights too much or too little for this journey? Are 3 nights in Seattle too much? Should we consider reversing the trip and starting in Seattle and ending in SF to get slightly better weather in the northern part of our itinerary? any other thoughts or ideas?

We know this is probably not the ideal time of year but it's what we have and we assume the weather will be no better and no worse than we would find here in Boston in late October.

Thank you for all tips and advice.

NWWanderer

I think that sounds great, and yes, I'd advise going to Seattle first but not really for the reason you suggested. It's actually nicer to drive the coast north to south because then you can pull off 101 (or 1) more easily to see things (and you'll want to, often), and get back on more easily.

I did a roundtrip road trip from Seattle to SF and back this past spring, and enjoyed it tremendously. I took 3 night going down but I'm already very familiar with the Oregon coast so I was mostly focusing on the Northern CA coast (the redwoods and Mendocino). I think 4-5 nights on the coast plus 1-2 in and around Portland (and you can do the gorge as a daytrip from there) would be great.

If you have to choose between more time in SF vs less time in Seattle, then I'd probably spend more time in SF but you could easily find lots to see and do with just 2 full days in Seattle, so no, 3 nights here is not too much.

Gardyloo

I would reverse your route. Three nights in Seattle, then over the Cascades to the Yakima Valley wine area. The weather will be sunny and cool but not wet - quite pleasant in all probability. From there down to the east end of the Columbia Gorge (use US 97 south from Yakima) and west through the Gorge to Portland. Hit the Oregon wineries (Yamhill County) on the way out to the coast, then south on US 101 via the Oregon coast, the Redwoods, and the Napa/Sonoma wine areas for the rest of the way. Six road nights between Seattle and SF using this route should be comfortable. If you find yourself running ahead of schedule, just stay an extra night someplace, or cut over to Calif. SR1 and go from Ft. Bragg down to SF on the coast road as opposed to the freeway.

nickn

I also recommend the coastal route in Oregon. The pretty part is from Cannon Beach to the South all the way up to the CA border.

In case you have to take the I-5, between Portland and the CA border, Ashland is the city that offers food closest to the quality of what you can get in Boston.

easytraveler

Have you been out to the West Coast before?

Two days in San Francisco would not be enough if this is your first time in SF, IMHO.

easytraveler

Sorry, hit the post button too soon.

Meant to add that you need six days to do justic to Gardyloo's itinerary, which would pretty much cover all the points you mentioned in your post.

nanabee

I hope you get to spend a few days in Portland as it is a great city.

I recommend staying at Hotel Monaco in downtown Portland if you can get a room (they have discounts for AAA members).

Visit Pioneer Square, the Pearl District, walk along NW 23rd Street for cool shops and restaurants.

If you like science centers the OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) is one of the best I've been too.

A great art museum is the Portland Art Museum in the downtown area - they always have wonderful shows and a good variety of different styles of art from modern to Dutch masters.

I love this little street area which has cool, funky shops and restaurants called Alberta Street in NorthEast Portland. All of the shops are locally owned no box stores. Love it.

Great restaurants in the Pearl are BlueHour, Ken's Artisan Bakery, Saint Honore Bakery.

Oh and if you love books don't forget to go to Powell's Book Store. It takes up an entire city block and is four stories. They give you maps that are color coded - so you don't get lost and are not able to find your way out!

MaggieOB

Wow---thank you so much for all your great replies. Looks like the north to south route is the one we will choose.

NWWanderer, I had actually thought about the trip in that direction being a little better for the coast road so thank you for confirming---we are big on the pulling over for the "oohs and ahhs".

Gardyloo, thanks for a great itinerary. Easytravler, yes we have been to the West coast before. Have driven from San Diego beyond SF up to Eureka and then home from SF but actually never spent time in SF----strage I know. So perhaps we will add a little more time in SF which we know is fabulous. Nanabee, looks like we need more time in Portland. And Nickn, thanks for the food tip in Ashland---quality food is VERY important to us--along with a good bottle of wine!!

Thank you all so much. I'll keep you posted on final decisions!!