From Seattle to SF
 

Hi, it's James again from England. wanting to know if you did the west coast run in one, how long would it take from Seattle to SF in a car. I have two weeks on this trip and we want to do one week (or maybe 5 days) in the woods of Washington and Oregon anda week in the Napa valley/ Santa Cruz for surfing. The thing is you guys live in a massive country and a days travel in the UK is nothing compared to doing two and a half states. Your help would be appreciated. Also, is Route 101 really windy in placves. This would put time on our journey would it not. Thanks alot!

Figure 13 hours using Interstate 5, counting minimal loo and food breaks. 101 is much more scenic, but adds around 5 hours to the drive, again, if one is running hot. Rushing on 101 is difficult because it's 2 lanes through much of Oregon and Washington, plus it's disrespectful of the old trees and the big sea.

We did that drive 2 summers ago (husband and 2 kids). We left Seattle around noon, drove to see Mt. St. Helens and stopped for the night in Portland, Oregon. Left the next morning and drove to the northern-most part of California. (Did not take coastal route). We stayed there for 2 days, saw the ocean, redwood trees, etc. Then drove to San Francisco in one day. Beautiful drive through vineyards and would have stopped someplace along the way without the kids. Then spent 5 days in San Francisco - whole trip was about 10 days with 3 days in Seattle, 2 1/2 days on the road and 5 days in San Francisco. Have a good trip - we live on the east coast of US and it is amazing even to us how far things are and how different they can be from one part of our country to another.

Hello James, it's Susan again. It would be a crime to speed through such lovely country, intent on just getting to the other side, but if your time is limited you might want to consider flying. Southwest Airlines (www.southwest.com) has good deals on one-way flights from Seattle to, well, they don't fly into San Francisco, but to Oakland or San Jose. It's a quick hop, much like Heathrow to Edinburgh. Oakland is very convenient for accessing the wine country. Might save you money on a few days car rental and hotel in between.

I did just came back from a roadtrip to SF. We caught the coast hwy (101)near the Washington/Oregon border (we were coming from Kennewick, WA). <BR><BR>We arrived in SF after two overnites, with a good number of stops for meals, facilities, and ooohing and aaahing at the ocean and the redwoods.<BR><BR>I highly recommend taking the coast down. It was quite spectacular, and though the driving was slower it definitely was worth it. Yes, it is windy, but with the roads following the coast, it is the turns that slowed us down, not the wind ;)<BR><BR>We took I5 back on our return trip. Have a great one!

It would certainly be a crime to miss driving the Oregon Coast. Some say it is the most spectacular sea coast drive in the entire world. (I may be prejudiced a little since I am a native Oregonian.) It does wind along the coast and is 2 lanes to you want to give yourself enough time to stop at the waystops and view the mighty Pacific. It is so unlike the Atlantic. Oregon's coast is totally public property which means you can go to any beach and play. You cannot cross private property to get to the beach but there are many, many access roads along the way. Once on the beach you can go anywhere along it you want -- up to high tide level. Please consider the wonderful scenic route over I5 which is your typical freeway. Have fun along the way.

If this is your first time visit and you want to see the beauty of this region of the US, then I would recommend highway 101. <BR><BR>Two summers ago, I packed 7 adults and 3 children into a big suburban and drove down from Seattle to LA. The route I took was I-5 south from Seattle to Portland. Stayed the night there. Day 2, Drove west from Portland to HWY 101 and then turned left and headed straight down to Calif/Oregon border and spent the night there. If I had to do over, I would have opted for Cannon Beach versus Portland. Cannon Beach is beautiful during summer time. Day 3, continued to drive south on Hwy 101 across Golden Gate bridge into SF. <BR><BR>My drive to SF took 3 days, driving . . .oh. . . about 8 hours each day excluding stops (the 2 lane highways makes it difficult to speed). We took a small barbeque with us and during lunches, we'd stop on a beach/park/picnic area and have meals this way instead of restaurant food all the time. It required some preparation, but worth every investment. There are many places where you can do this along this route. Eat and take in the scenary right there on the beach. Fabulous!<BR><BR>On our way back, we did I-5 straight from LA to SEA. It took 2 full days (~12 hours each day). I-5 has nothing to see! If you want scenary, take Hwy 101 starting in Aberdeen, WA (I-5 south to Olympia, then follow sign to Hwy 101). If you want to save 3 hours, start HWY 101 from Oregon (connection from Portland or Salem). <BR><BR>The drive on 101 will be one of your most memorable -- I guarantee it!

Jimmy,<BR><BR>I personally would not recommend San Francisco as it seems to be overrated. I would take more time to enjoy the coastal scenery. You might want to consider spending more time in the Napa Valley, it is spectacular.

Thanks Jeff/Doreen/Jayne!