Driving from Seattle to San Francisco
Feb 22nd, 2011, 09:26 AM
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Driving from Seattle to San Francisco
Hi, I asked earlier how to spend 17 days in North America and got all kinds of great ideas. I think I have now come to some sort of conclusion about what I want to do. Ironically, it'll probably be the idea I had from the very start...
So, Helsinki > Chicago > Seattle and then rent a car to drive down to SF.
Is two nights in Seattle enough, to at least get something out of the time spent there?
And then the drive. I have marked a couple of places on the map and typed them into Google Maps (how on earth did we even survive before google?!) to get some sort of reference about distances and hours. With this very early itinerary I get 1070 miles and almost precisely 24h, which leads me to believe I could do it in 4-5 days (?). I don't plan to stop everywhere, and when I do, just for the night or for some half hour- an hour of sightseeing.
This is what I have: Seattle > Mt Rainier > Portland > Cannon Beach > Lincoln City > Newport > Florence > Crescent City > Eureka > Mendocino > Point Reyes > drive into SF over the Golden Gate.
What I want to see is at least the beaches and the redwoods. I guess I've got that covered quite well with my list (?). But is there something else I'm missing? Something I definitely should look up and add to the itinerary? Also, I'm very interested in everything Native American (in fact, going to go back to university to study cultural anthropology next year, majoring in northern and native american cultures), so is there something of interest I would want to see within that context?
My trip starts September 23rd and ends October 11th. I plan on staying 4 nights in Chicago, the rest is still open for debate. But lets say 2 nights in Seattle and one in Portland. And then I still have 11 nights left. Preferably at least four of those would be in SF. So I actually have "lots" of time between Portland and SF... Or, more than I thought I would...
So, Helsinki > Chicago > Seattle and then rent a car to drive down to SF.
Is two nights in Seattle enough, to at least get something out of the time spent there?
And then the drive. I have marked a couple of places on the map and typed them into Google Maps (how on earth did we even survive before google?!) to get some sort of reference about distances and hours. With this very early itinerary I get 1070 miles and almost precisely 24h, which leads me to believe I could do it in 4-5 days (?). I don't plan to stop everywhere, and when I do, just for the night or for some half hour- an hour of sightseeing.
This is what I have: Seattle > Mt Rainier > Portland > Cannon Beach > Lincoln City > Newport > Florence > Crescent City > Eureka > Mendocino > Point Reyes > drive into SF over the Golden Gate.
What I want to see is at least the beaches and the redwoods. I guess I've got that covered quite well with my list (?). But is there something else I'm missing? Something I definitely should look up and add to the itinerary? Also, I'm very interested in everything Native American (in fact, going to go back to university to study cultural anthropology next year, majoring in northern and native american cultures), so is there something of interest I would want to see within that context?
My trip starts September 23rd and ends October 11th. I plan on staying 4 nights in Chicago, the rest is still open for debate. But lets say 2 nights in Seattle and one in Portland. And then I still have 11 nights left. Preferably at least four of those would be in SF. So I actually have "lots" of time between Portland and SF... Or, more than I thought I would...
Feb 22nd, 2011, 09:54 AM
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Personally, I would suggest a little more time in Seattle, but thats because of how much I enjoyed it...
Snoqualmie Falls, Space Needle, Air & Space Museum (still my favorite Air museum), cruise on the Sound. There is a lot you can do...
Snoqualmie Falls, Space Needle, Air & Space Museum (still my favorite Air museum), cruise on the Sound. There is a lot you can do...
Feb 22nd, 2011, 10:18 AM
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Thank you for your response. I haven't looked into what Seattle has to offer just yet, and well, I have no idea what there is to see and so on, 
. I have heard some great things about said city though, so I could add at least another night.
. I have heard some great things about said city though, so I could add at least another night.
Feb 22nd, 2011, 12:42 PM
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Neah Bay and La Push, on the Washington coast, are towns that may interest you:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neah_Bay,_Washington
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Push,_Washington
The Napa and Sonoma wine growing regions also come to mind:
http://www.napavalley.org/
http://www.sonomavalley.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neah_Bay,_Washington
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Push,_Washington
The Napa and Sonoma wine growing regions also come to mind:
http://www.napavalley.org/
http://www.sonomavalley.com/
Feb 22nd, 2011, 01:31 PM
#7
After Crescent City go back NE on US 199 to Grants Pass Oregon then down I-5 to Medford to Oregon 62 to get to Crater Lake NP.
Drop Eureka-no good view of the ocean there.
Between Crescent City and Grants Pass you can see the Oregon Caves National Monument.
After leaving the south entrance of Crater Lake, go SE on 62 to US 97 and head south on 97 to Weed CA to rejoin I-5.
Since you want to spend several nights in San Francisco, just head down I-5,I-505 and I-80 to the City. Take day trips as far up the coast as you want and perhaps the Sonoma wine country.
You asked about Native Americans. The Klamaths and Modocs lived in South Central Oregon. If you follow 62 and US97 you will be driving through the Winema National Forest. Winema was an Indian Princess of the Klamaths. There is an Indian Casino just north of the intersection of 62 and US 97.
Definately see Point Reyes and Muir Woods on one of your daytrips from San Francisco.
Drop Eureka-no good view of the ocean there.
Between Crescent City and Grants Pass you can see the Oregon Caves National Monument.
After leaving the south entrance of Crater Lake, go SE on 62 to US 97 and head south on 97 to Weed CA to rejoin I-5.
Since you want to spend several nights in San Francisco, just head down I-5,I-505 and I-80 to the City. Take day trips as far up the coast as you want and perhaps the Sonoma wine country.
You asked about Native Americans. The Klamaths and Modocs lived in South Central Oregon. If you follow 62 and US97 you will be driving through the Winema National Forest. Winema was an Indian Princess of the Klamaths. There is an Indian Casino just north of the intersection of 62 and US 97.
Definately see Point Reyes and Muir Woods on one of your daytrips from San Francisco.
Feb 22nd, 2011, 02:16 PM
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happytravelstoyou and spirobulldog: Thank you for those! Right down my alley. Although the heavy Twilight-references may jst keep me away... *laughs*. I truly hope the area around Forks etc isn't swamped with fans? (I'm clearly not one...)
I'll have to take a closer look at the Olympic area for sure. I could do that instead of Portland... I can't have it all, that's for sure and at the moment Portland has less interest-points than the naturey things along the road.
Lolo12: You're right, and I will spend three nights in Seattle. I'll probably arrive after noon the first day, so that would give me two whole days plus the time I have on arrival. I would collect the car at the airport on the third day.
tomfuller: Thank you! I have been thinking about Crater Lake too, if I can squeeze it in or not. I'm not that interested in making day trips from SF, I'll be ditching the car right when I enter the city. So I plan on seeing things near SF before I enter the city streets.
I gather the wine country has some nice scenery, but it's not a must for me, as I'm definitely not into wine. (Blame it on a stupid (and therefore very drunk) teenage-moi... still can't stand the smell of it.)
Counting the days, I want to spend 3-4 days in Chicago, 3 in Seattle and 4 in SF. Which would leave 5, almost 6 days, 5 nights, to the drive. Does that sound at all feasable?
(I'm clearly not one...)I'll have to take a closer look at the Olympic area for sure. I could do that instead of Portland... I can't have it all, that's for sure and at the moment Portland has less interest-points than the naturey things along the road.
Lolo12: You're right, and I will spend three nights in Seattle. I'll probably arrive after noon the first day, so that would give me two whole days plus the time I have on arrival. I would collect the car at the airport on the third day.
tomfuller: Thank you! I have been thinking about Crater Lake too, if I can squeeze it in or not. I'm not that interested in making day trips from SF, I'll be ditching the car right when I enter the city. So I plan on seeing things near SF before I enter the city streets.
I gather the wine country has some nice scenery, but it's not a must for me, as I'm definitely not into wine. (Blame it on a stupid (and therefore very drunk) teenage-moi... still can't stand the smell of it.)
Counting the days, I want to spend 3-4 days in Chicago, 3 in Seattle and 4 in SF. Which would leave 5, almost 6 days, 5 nights, to the drive. Does that sound at all feasable?
Feb 22nd, 2011, 04:51 PM
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Agree with Tomfuller on seeing Crater Lake. Deepest in the US, 7th deepest in the WORLD. Jaw dropping AWESOME blue. Oregon's ONLY National Park. Route change to save some time though; From Grants Pass south on Hwy 5 take Hwy 234 to Hwy 62, saves about 30-45 minutes. Check out and stay at the Prospect Hotel. Historic Hotel Roadhouse B&B and Motel on one property with a great restaurant. Prime Rib is their signature entree and they serve it every night! Only 45 minutes to Crater Lake and one of the nicest places around it. You can get to the lake pretty much year round, but the road around the rim doesn't usually open completely until July 4th.
Feb 22nd, 2011, 06:38 PM
#10
Yes you do not have to go through Medford. Route 234 is a good shortcut to get over to 62 north of Eagle Point.
Maybe you could go west on California Rt. 20 from I-5 from Williams all the way to Fort Bragg and then south on Rt. 1 to get to San Francisco. Point Reyes and Muir Woods are really must sees before you turn in your car.
I'm hoping you know how much your drop off fee will be.
The north entrance to Crater Lake will not be open until July.
Maybe you could go west on California Rt. 20 from I-5 from Williams all the way to Fort Bragg and then south on Rt. 1 to get to San Francisco. Point Reyes and Muir Woods are really must sees before you turn in your car.
I'm hoping you know how much your drop off fee will be.
The north entrance to Crater Lake will not be open until July.
Feb 22nd, 2011, 07:29 PM
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The weather around Crater Lake could be "iffy" in early October and it's kind of out of your way. I'd stick to the coast. The weather (at least in California) is pretty good then.
If you do drive from Crescent City to Eureka, there is a very nice Native American museum at the Trees of Mystery. TOM is just a tourist trap but the museum is quite interesting and is free:
http://www.treesofmystery.net/museum.htm
Oh, and there are a number of Indian casinos in the Eureka area as well.
If you do drive from Crescent City to Eureka, there is a very nice Native American museum at the Trees of Mystery. TOM is just a tourist trap but the museum is quite interesting and is free:
http://www.treesofmystery.net/museum.htm
Oh, and there are a number of Indian casinos in the Eureka area as well.
Feb 22nd, 2011, 09:37 PM
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Crater Lake is a world class attraction and the weather will be perfect at the time you are coming. Stay in Ashland a night. Stay in Yachats rather than Newport and Florence.
In spite of Tom Fuller's pleadings, K falls is Dogtown.
In spite of Tom Fuller's pleadings, K falls is Dogtown.
Feb 23rd, 2011, 06:52 AM
#13
Well of course I'm crushed that you decided not to drive from Chicago out to the west coast, but I suppose I'll recover… 
Let's see if I have this right - 4 nights in Chicago and the start, 4 nights in SF at the end. Or would the 4th day in SF be your going-home day? If you're flying back to Helsinki via Chicago (I'm guessing using American Airlines' new Chicago - Helsinki flights?) then you'll need to leave SF in the morning in order to connect to the evening departure from Chicago - the 2-hour time differential works against you in flying to the east. Anyway, that gives you either 8 or 9 days "net" to explore the west coast.
Everyone's given you great advice, but as you can see there are so many things and places you could visit in this corner of the country that there's no one route that will manage to cover it all. You will need to pick and choose.
So my recommendation is to pick places and landscapes that are distinct to this region, and not places that are similar or reminiscent of ones you can visit in northern Europe. For example, the inland waters of Puget Sound and all the islands in the sound are gorgeous and fairly unique in US terms. For someone from Sweden or Finland, not so much.
So - if it was me - I'd try to plan a route that will allow you to experience those distinct places in as much diversity as possible, consistent with not wearing you out. We don't know (and maybe you don't either) what kind of car-touring person you are. Many Europeans blanch at the idea of driving 8 or 9 hours in a day; for most Westerners it's old hat. Given the time of year you're coming, 8 or 9 hours would be a practical limit unless you like driving in the dark or twilight.
Anyway, I'd suggest you find a way to include several distinctive and "don't-miss" features in your drive. The following route would include them, and I think still be responsive to your priorities.
Day 1 - Leave Seattle and drive south to Mount Rainier. (Oh, by the way, do NOT collect a rental car at the airport - the taxes and fees charged are much higher than if you collect the car at one of the rental offices in the city center.) Visit the Paradise visitor center, then continue east on US Hwy 12 over the crest of the Cascade range to Yakima. Continue south on US 97 to the town of Goldendale, near the Columbia River. Goldendale isn't much of a place, but it's okay for an overnight stop, or you could continue to the area around Maryhill, on the river, or even to The Dalles, Oregon. The reason for this drive is to allow you to see Mount Rainier without a lengthy return to the Interstate 5 freeway followed by a boring drive into Portland. By crossing the mountains on US 12 you'll have some first-rate mountain scenery (probably a lot of autumn color) followed by the high desert/Old West experience of US 97 through the Yakama Indian reservation and over Satus Pass. Too many visitors to this region fail to see the incredible change of environment one gets by crossing from the "wet" side of the Cascades to the "dry side.
Day 2 - Start at Goldendale/Maryhill/The Dalles and drive west (preferably on the Washington side of the river) down to Hood River. If there's time, stop at the Maryhill Museum (www.maryhillmuseum.org) for a surprising blast of culture along the way. From Hood River or Cascade Locks, follow the "historic" Columbia Gorge highway through the Columbia Gorge, stopping at various scenic turnouts and waterfalls en route. Stop at the fish hatchery at Bonneville Dam to see sturgeon that look like something escaped from Jurassic Park. Spend the night in Portland, or possibly at one of the McMenamin brothers' funky hotels, maybe the Edgefield in Troutdale, or the Kennedy School in Portland itself. www.mcmenamins.com
Days 3 and 4 could be used in two alternate scenarios.
3A - Drive from Portland east on US 26 to Mount Hood; visit Timberline Lodge. Then continue east to the junction with US 97 and go south on US 97 to Crater Lake, hopefully in time to do a loop around the lake rim right around sunset (or if not, first thing the next morning.) Overnight at Crater Lake or nearby,
4A - Drive from Crater Lake to the coast via Oregon 138 and Oregon 142. Your target for the night is the town of Bandon.
OR…
3B - Drive from Portland to Astoria via the north bank of the Columbia River (a historic and scenic drive) then cross the (awesome) mouth of the river on US 101. Stop in Cannon Beach for a look-around, but then continue south to Yachats.
4B. Continue down the coast, stopping at various scenic points (Heceta Head, the sand dunes near Florence, etc.) until you get to Bandon.
Day 5 - Hang out in Bandon.
Day 6 - Bandon to Eureka/Ferndale. Leave early so that you have maximum time in the Redwoods. Make friends with Ewoks. Have dinner at the Samoa Cookhouse so you can tell your friends you've been to Samoa. www.samoacookhouse.net
Day 7 - Eureka/Ferndale to Mendocino via US 101 and Calif. Hwy 1.
Day 8 - Mendocino to SF.
The "A" alternative (Crater Lake) will involve more driving, but at your time of year it might be more attractive - in the autumn the coast can be wet and US 101 can be a little tiring in the rain. There's less chance of poor weather east of the Cascades, but of course no guarantees.
The Crater Lake alternative misses the north and central coastal areas of Oregon. Just my opinion, but skipping those areas is not a huge tragedy; the rocky coastal scene from Bandon south to the California border is quite spectacular as it is.
I've suggested a day's break from the forced march at Bandon; however if the weather is not good you could easily move the "extra" day south to the Eureka/Ferndale area, and use it for more exploring of the Redwood country, or possibly out to the Lost Coast for some serious storm watching if the weather complies. IMO the Redwoods are at their best in drippy and misty weather - put on a rain jacket and hat, wander off into the woods, and just envelop yourself in this unique environment.
Anyway, that's my version of some route alternatives. Mountains, Indian reservations and Old West scenery, an in-depth tour of one of the great rivers of the West, two or three national parks, rocky coasts, big trees, nice towns, and not much of it especially similar to things you could see in northern Europe.
Let's see if I have this right - 4 nights in Chicago and the start, 4 nights in SF at the end. Or would the 4th day in SF be your going-home day? If you're flying back to Helsinki via Chicago (I'm guessing using American Airlines' new Chicago - Helsinki flights?) then you'll need to leave SF in the morning in order to connect to the evening departure from Chicago - the 2-hour time differential works against you in flying to the east. Anyway, that gives you either 8 or 9 days "net" to explore the west coast.
Everyone's given you great advice, but as you can see there are so many things and places you could visit in this corner of the country that there's no one route that will manage to cover it all. You will need to pick and choose.
So my recommendation is to pick places and landscapes that are distinct to this region, and not places that are similar or reminiscent of ones you can visit in northern Europe. For example, the inland waters of Puget Sound and all the islands in the sound are gorgeous and fairly unique in US terms. For someone from Sweden or Finland, not so much.
So - if it was me - I'd try to plan a route that will allow you to experience those distinct places in as much diversity as possible, consistent with not wearing you out. We don't know (and maybe you don't either) what kind of car-touring person you are. Many Europeans blanch at the idea of driving 8 or 9 hours in a day; for most Westerners it's old hat. Given the time of year you're coming, 8 or 9 hours would be a practical limit unless you like driving in the dark or twilight.
Anyway, I'd suggest you find a way to include several distinctive and "don't-miss" features in your drive. The following route would include them, and I think still be responsive to your priorities.
Day 1 - Leave Seattle and drive south to Mount Rainier. (Oh, by the way, do NOT collect a rental car at the airport - the taxes and fees charged are much higher than if you collect the car at one of the rental offices in the city center.) Visit the Paradise visitor center, then continue east on US Hwy 12 over the crest of the Cascade range to Yakima. Continue south on US 97 to the town of Goldendale, near the Columbia River. Goldendale isn't much of a place, but it's okay for an overnight stop, or you could continue to the area around Maryhill, on the river, or even to The Dalles, Oregon. The reason for this drive is to allow you to see Mount Rainier without a lengthy return to the Interstate 5 freeway followed by a boring drive into Portland. By crossing the mountains on US 12 you'll have some first-rate mountain scenery (probably a lot of autumn color) followed by the high desert/Old West experience of US 97 through the Yakama Indian reservation and over Satus Pass. Too many visitors to this region fail to see the incredible change of environment one gets by crossing from the "wet" side of the Cascades to the "dry side.
Day 2 - Start at Goldendale/Maryhill/The Dalles and drive west (preferably on the Washington side of the river) down to Hood River. If there's time, stop at the Maryhill Museum (www.maryhillmuseum.org) for a surprising blast of culture along the way. From Hood River or Cascade Locks, follow the "historic" Columbia Gorge highway through the Columbia Gorge, stopping at various scenic turnouts and waterfalls en route. Stop at the fish hatchery at Bonneville Dam to see sturgeon that look like something escaped from Jurassic Park. Spend the night in Portland, or possibly at one of the McMenamin brothers' funky hotels, maybe the Edgefield in Troutdale, or the Kennedy School in Portland itself. www.mcmenamins.com
Days 3 and 4 could be used in two alternate scenarios.
3A - Drive from Portland east on US 26 to Mount Hood; visit Timberline Lodge. Then continue east to the junction with US 97 and go south on US 97 to Crater Lake, hopefully in time to do a loop around the lake rim right around sunset (or if not, first thing the next morning.) Overnight at Crater Lake or nearby,
4A - Drive from Crater Lake to the coast via Oregon 138 and Oregon 142. Your target for the night is the town of Bandon.
OR…
3B - Drive from Portland to Astoria via the north bank of the Columbia River (a historic and scenic drive) then cross the (awesome) mouth of the river on US 101. Stop in Cannon Beach for a look-around, but then continue south to Yachats.
4B. Continue down the coast, stopping at various scenic points (Heceta Head, the sand dunes near Florence, etc.) until you get to Bandon.
Day 5 - Hang out in Bandon.
Day 6 - Bandon to Eureka/Ferndale. Leave early so that you have maximum time in the Redwoods. Make friends with Ewoks. Have dinner at the Samoa Cookhouse so you can tell your friends you've been to Samoa. www.samoacookhouse.net
Day 7 - Eureka/Ferndale to Mendocino via US 101 and Calif. Hwy 1.
Day 8 - Mendocino to SF.
The "A" alternative (Crater Lake) will involve more driving, but at your time of year it might be more attractive - in the autumn the coast can be wet and US 101 can be a little tiring in the rain. There's less chance of poor weather east of the Cascades, but of course no guarantees.
The Crater Lake alternative misses the north and central coastal areas of Oregon. Just my opinion, but skipping those areas is not a huge tragedy; the rocky coastal scene from Bandon south to the California border is quite spectacular as it is.
I've suggested a day's break from the forced march at Bandon; however if the weather is not good you could easily move the "extra" day south to the Eureka/Ferndale area, and use it for more exploring of the Redwood country, or possibly out to the Lost Coast for some serious storm watching if the weather complies. IMO the Redwoods are at their best in drippy and misty weather - put on a rain jacket and hat, wander off into the woods, and just envelop yourself in this unique environment.
Anyway, that's my version of some route alternatives. Mountains, Indian reservations and Old West scenery, an in-depth tour of one of the great rivers of the West, two or three national parks, rocky coasts, big trees, nice towns, and not much of it especially similar to things you could see in northern Europe.
Feb 23rd, 2011, 06:57 AM
#14
Oh, you've noticed I haven't included much time in my home town, Seattle.
Spend a day here - go to the Pike Market, the Museum of Flight, ride the Ducks. Then leave town and plan a trip to Bergen or Oslo, or take a ferry somewhere out of Stockholm or Helsinki for the city-on-the-inland-water-with-islands thing. Here, hit the road and see the country; Chicago and SF will give you all the city you need on this trip.
Spend a day here - go to the Pike Market, the Museum of Flight, ride the Ducks. Then leave town and plan a trip to Bergen or Oslo, or take a ferry somewhere out of Stockholm or Helsinki for the city-on-the-inland-water-with-islands thing. Here, hit the road and see the country; Chicago and SF will give you all the city you need on this trip.
Feb 23rd, 2011, 08:37 AM
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Do you want to spend most of your vacation in a car? And at apx $3.50/gal, driving in CA ain't cheap! Consider flying from Seattle to SF, renting car in SF, driving to wine country, Muir Woods, maybe Yosemite. SF is gorgeous and museums are OK, but nothing compared to Wash DC, which is where I would spend a lot of MY time if I had your options. And in DC, almost all the sites are free!
Feb 23rd, 2011, 09:28 AM
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Thank you all for your advice, much appreciated!
mrspooh: Actually $3.5/gal is dirt cheap compared to the gas prices over here. At the moment it's (converted from litres and euros) more than $8/gal. Oh yes.
It's not that I would be sitting the whole vacation in the car. I'd spend several days in Chicago and SF and after having been on several city vacations in the last couple of years, I would really like to do something different this time around. Driving along and seeing some amazing scenery, stopping where I want to and so on, seems like a pretty awesome, and different, idea. Usually I'm someone who stays put on vacations, really indulging in everything said city has to offer. I'm not one who checks things off a list and moves on. Last time I was in NYC, I stayed for 10 nights, last time in Venice, I stayed for 7 (skipping Verona and Padua even if I had planned on doing daytrips). Blissfully happy. So this trip will be different also because I will be moving around a lot, and I see that as a challenge.
DC just doesn't appeal to me atm, even if the museums are absolutely wonderful (I researched DC quite a lot a year ago).
Gardyloo: You're awesome, d'you know that?
Thank you so much for that plan! It doesn't include the Olympic Peninsula (on which I have a huge internet-crush on atm) but you're right, it is varied and would let me see different kinds of scenery.
That's an interesting thought about Seattle... as in comparing it with the Nordic cities... I hadn't thought that it might have some of the same vibe. I've been all over the Nordic countries, along the coast of Norway, everywhere in Sweden, several times in Stockholm, in Oslo, in Copenhagen, so I'm intrigued by the idea that it could feel somewhat familiar to me... You bring up a very good point, that an American probably sees things differently than me, coming from Finland, a country with thousands of lakes and the archipelago and so on. But mountains, that's something we do not have.
Thank you for telling me not to get the car at the airport, I would not have known there was a difference in charges. I just thought it would be easier for me to get public transportation to the airport and get into the car out of the city. (I'm quite sure I'll be terrified the first time I get behind the wheel on an American road.)I'm a very comfortable driver here at home, and frequently drive north to my home town, making the 6 hour journey preferable without one single stop. But of course, everything could change when over there.
Yes, I would use AA to fly directly from Helsinki to Chicago (arriving in the afternoon), but the return trip would most likely be via NYC (at least according to all the flighplanners I've used). SF would be 5 nights, 4 full days and then the last night being before take off very early in the morning.
And would it make you happier if I told you that I saved your plan for a drive from Chicago to the west coast? It could well come in handy another time,.
mrspooh: Actually $3.5/gal is dirt cheap compared to the gas prices over here. At the moment it's (converted from litres and euros) more than $8/gal. Oh yes.
It's not that I would be sitting the whole vacation in the car. I'd spend several days in Chicago and SF and after having been on several city vacations in the last couple of years, I would really like to do something different this time around. Driving along and seeing some amazing scenery, stopping where I want to and so on, seems like a pretty awesome, and different, idea. Usually I'm someone who stays put on vacations, really indulging in everything said city has to offer. I'm not one who checks things off a list and moves on. Last time I was in NYC, I stayed for 10 nights, last time in Venice, I stayed for 7 (skipping Verona and Padua even if I had planned on doing daytrips). Blissfully happy. So this trip will be different also because I will be moving around a lot, and I see that as a challenge.
DC just doesn't appeal to me atm, even if the museums are absolutely wonderful (I researched DC quite a lot a year ago).
Gardyloo: You're awesome, d'you know that?
Thank you so much for that plan! It doesn't include the Olympic Peninsula (on which I have a huge internet-crush on atm) but you're right, it is varied and would let me see different kinds of scenery.
That's an interesting thought about Seattle... as in comparing it with the Nordic cities... I hadn't thought that it might have some of the same vibe. I've been all over the Nordic countries, along the coast of Norway, everywhere in Sweden, several times in Stockholm, in Oslo, in Copenhagen, so I'm intrigued by the idea that it could feel somewhat familiar to me... You bring up a very good point, that an American probably sees things differently than me, coming from Finland, a country with thousands of lakes and the archipelago and so on. But mountains, that's something we do not have.
Thank you for telling me not to get the car at the airport, I would not have known there was a difference in charges. I just thought it would be easier for me to get public transportation to the airport and get into the car out of the city. (I'm quite sure I'll be terrified the first time I get behind the wheel on an American road.)I'm a very comfortable driver here at home, and frequently drive north to my home town, making the 6 hour journey preferable without one single stop. But of course, everything could change when over there.
Yes, I would use AA to fly directly from Helsinki to Chicago (arriving in the afternoon), but the return trip would most likely be via NYC (at least according to all the flighplanners I've used). SF would be 5 nights, 4 full days and then the last night being before take off very early in the morning.
And would it make you happier if I told you that I saved your plan for a drive from Chicago to the west coast? It could well come in handy another time,
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Feb 23rd, 2011, 09:47 AM
#17
And would it make you happier if I told you that I saved your plan for a drive from Chicago to the west coast? It could well come in handy another time, .
Ecstatic.
Re the Olympic Peninsula, I know it's a key destination; unfortunately it's a very time consuming one. In thinking about a route I "deconstructed" the Olympic Peninsula - mountains, coast, forest. For mountains, Mounts Rainier and Hood will more than suffice; I've been to Hurricane Ridge (Olympic NP) in late September/early October and not seen much at all - fog and clouds obscure the vista. Again, looking at the odds.
For wild coast, well, you've got plenty of that on the list. The ONP coastal strip is gorgeous, but not appreciably more so than part of the Oregon coast, or the Lost Coast near Eureka/Ferndale. The downside is that it's way more remote, with way fewer options for accommodations.
For forest, the Hoh valley rain forest is spectacular, but frankly it doesn't hold a candle to the big Redwood groves. And again, you're paying a big time penalty to get there.
When you do your cross-continent drive, I'd append a few days to visit the Olympic Peninsula, followed by the ferry to Vancouver Island, then Vancouver city, then a drive back to the Midwest via the Canadian Rockies.
. Ecstatic.
Re the Olympic Peninsula, I know it's a key destination; unfortunately it's a very time consuming one. In thinking about a route I "deconstructed" the Olympic Peninsula - mountains, coast, forest. For mountains, Mounts Rainier and Hood will more than suffice; I've been to Hurricane Ridge (Olympic NP) in late September/early October and not seen much at all - fog and clouds obscure the vista. Again, looking at the odds.
For wild coast, well, you've got plenty of that on the list. The ONP coastal strip is gorgeous, but not appreciably more so than part of the Oregon coast, or the Lost Coast near Eureka/Ferndale. The downside is that it's way more remote, with way fewer options for accommodations.
For forest, the Hoh valley rain forest is spectacular, but frankly it doesn't hold a candle to the big Redwood groves. And again, you're paying a big time penalty to get there.
When you do your cross-continent drive, I'd append a few days to visit the Olympic Peninsula, followed by the ferry to Vancouver Island, then Vancouver city, then a drive back to the Midwest via the Canadian Rockies.
Feb 23rd, 2011, 10:13 AM
#19
I like guardyloo's alternate plan with minor changes. Staying in Hood River and driving south on Highway 35 saves you from going back into Portland. Rt. 35 goes up the east side of Mt. Hood and lets you see Timberline Lodge. You will be going through the Warm Springs Indian Res. on 26 on the way to Madras and US 97.
If the north entrance to Crater Lake off 138 is closed due to an early snowstorm, you may have to continue south on 97 to Rt. 62 and come in the south entrance.
Bend Oregon is a very interesting town with the Cascades to the west and high desert to the east. If you have the time on the way to Crater Lake, make a stop at the High Desert Museum a few miles south of Bend.
I like the coastal part of Oregon almost as much as the Cascades. FYI there is a McMenamin's in Bend but there are better places to stay.
If the north entrance to Crater Lake off 138 is closed due to an early snowstorm, you may have to continue south on 97 to Rt. 62 and come in the south entrance.
Bend Oregon is a very interesting town with the Cascades to the west and high desert to the east. If you have the time on the way to Crater Lake, make a stop at the High Desert Museum a few miles south of Bend.
I like the coastal part of Oregon almost as much as the Cascades. FYI there is a McMenamin's in Bend but there are better places to stay.
Feb 23rd, 2011, 10:31 AM
#20
Staying in Hood River and driving south on Highway 35 saves you from going back into Portland. Rt. 35 goes up the east side of Mt. Hood and lets you see Timberline Lodge. You will be going through the Warm Springs Indian Res. on 26 on the way to Madras and US 97.
I totally agree - the road from Hood River up to Mt. Hood is gorgeous, and can be a time-saving alternative to going to Mt. Hood on US 26. I only suggested that if one wants a night in Portland proper, otherwise Hood River is an ideal place for a layover provided you've done the Historic Gorge Highway (Hood River < > Troutdale) at some point before heading south. For reference, here are a couple of pictures of the area (spring, not autumn) I took last year.
Columbia Gorge highway: http://gardyloo.us/20100509_5a.jpg
Mount Hood from Hood River valley: http://gardyloo.us/20100509_85a.jpg
I totally agree - the road from Hood River up to Mt. Hood is gorgeous, and can be a time-saving alternative to going to Mt. Hood on US 26. I only suggested that if one wants a night in Portland proper, otherwise Hood River is an ideal place for a layover provided you've done the Historic Gorge Highway (Hood River < > Troutdale) at some point before heading south. For reference, here are a couple of pictures of the area (spring, not autumn) I took last year.
Columbia Gorge highway: http://gardyloo.us/20100509_5a.jpg
Mount Hood from Hood River valley: http://gardyloo.us/20100509_85a.jpg
