Road Trip: Seattle to San Francisco in November
 

Hi Everyone.

My friend and I are looking to visit Seattle, rent a car, and drive down to San Francisco. The best time for us to do this with our schedules would be the beginning of November, but I know that it is the cold, rainy season. Any thoughts on Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco in November? Any advice for a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco?

Thank you in advance!

The weather could still be very nice around San Francisco but, yes, it is likely to be raining further north that time of year.

>>Any advice for a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco?<<

W/o knowing how many days you have for the drive/trip, it is difficult to give advice/suggestions.

Oh yes, I'm sorry! The trip would be a total of 8 days. We will be in Seattle for 4 days and 4 days for the road trip from Seattle to San Fran. We would be flying out of San Fran so it would just be a one way trip down.

With just 4 days you'll have to dash a bit. One day from Seattle to the northrn Oregon coast, one day for maybe the southern Oregon coast, and 2 days for the CA redwoods/Mendocino/Sonoma coast.

Meant to add - not knowing what you have planned or Seattle, you might want to consider cutting a day or to and adding the time to the coast.

With four days for the SEA-SFO trip, plan on taking the freeway to Portland, then over to the coast for the rest of the trip. We have done it in two days (ugh) but usually take three.

Thank you all so much for your replies and advice!!

Driving along the coast, it is 900-950 miles from Seattle to San Francisco which can easily be driven in four days.

It is 900 miles and 18 hours of driving if you take Highway 101 from Cannon Beach to Eureka and then go inland to Sonoma or Napa before driving into San Francisco, and it is about 950 miles and 20 hours of driving if you make the detour to Highway 1 from Westport to Jenner before gaining inland.

Our favorite places to stay on this route are Newport (Hallmark Inn), Yachats (Overleaf Lodge or Fireside Motel), Florence (Best Western Pier Point Inn), Brookings (Best Western Beachfront Inn), and Garberville (Best Western Humboldt House Inn).

Highlights of this route include the Pacific Coast, the redwoods of northern California, and the Sonoma and Napa wine districts.

HTtY

November is one of the worst months to visit Seattle, just because it is one of the rainiest months. It varies year-to-year, but the rainfall is pretty steady. Driving along the coast might be challenging as well. Plus the daylight will be limited. It starts to get dark around 5:00 pm.

Seattle is really much better in sunshine, or, at least, during the less rainy months. it seems like you will not be able to see as much as during the spring-summer-early fall days.