Seattle to San Fran
 

We're planning a driving trip with the kids to go from Seattle to San Francisco. Does anyone have any tips on doing this? We'd fly into Seattle and out of SF which could get expensive - any way around that?

Thanks, Fred

Sure - stick to the coast, all the way. That means US 101 south through the Redwoods to Calif. SR 1, then Hwy 1 all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge.

If by expensive you mean airfare, open-jaws shouldn't be too much more than ordinary round trips; if you mean car, shop carefully for one-ways directly through the agencies' websites, and remember that most firms don't want to send minivans or SUVs (or convertibles) on one-ways, so you'll pay premium rates or drop fees for those car types.

YOu might try flying out of San Jose or Oakland which sometimes have cheaper fares. The Oregon coast is lovely. Seaside Oregon is a fun place for kids with games, rides, etc. Also you can ride the waves on the rouge river. Not real white water ride but fun none-the less very fun. Don't know what the age requirements are for that. Too bad the skunk train out of Willits is gone as that would have been fun for kids and adults. The redwoods are beautiful and picnic and hikes help break up the day.

I've done this drive several times and it is great. The coast has lots of interesting stuff -- don't miss the Oregon dunes -- but driving inland through Oregon is also beautiful, through lots of national forests.

I suggest you leave yourself enough time to make lots of stops, and if you want to stay in some great places you probably need to book ahead as the premier places on the coast get filled up.

I agree that an open jaw between Seattle and SF should not cost much more (or possibly any more) than straight round trip. Depending on where you are flying FROM (which you don't say in your original post) Oakland or San Jose might save you considerably on airfare.

We did this drive a few years ago and really enjoyed it. We cut over to the coast around Portland and stayed on the Oregon coast for a few hours. It's gorgeous! After awhile however, we were anxious to get to SF so we cut back over to the interstate.

We just got home 2 weeks ago from doing this. My husband and I had a great time. We drove up Hywy 1 and 101 from San Diego. We stopped every 2-3 hours to strech. We stayed one night at the Seaside Inn in Seaside OR (theseasideinn.com). It's a 15 room B&B, and every room has a different theme. They serve a great breakfast in the morning that you can eat in the dinning room or have brought up to your room.

I reccommend going through the Avenue of Giants in Humbolt State Park in CA. It's a 32 mile drive that parrallels 101 through towering redwoods. The trees are huge and there is a great visitors center with photos and information. Just south of the park we stayed at the Benbow Inn in Garberville (benbowinn.com). The rooms are furnished with antiques and the dinning room serves wonderful food. It may be a place to visit on a trip without the kids.

My biggest advice to a road trip with the kids is to stop often, and keep your schedule loose. There's a lot of fun stuff to see and do if you have the time. Most of all don't froget the camera with lots of film.

I've been researching a trip flying into San Fran (from JFK, New York)and back home out of Las Vegas. Helpful Fodorites suggested I check out JetBlue. If JetBlue serves an airport near you they are great ... they price stuff one way and the rates I'm getting from their website are great.

Oops - should have mentioned JetBlue flies into Oakland rather than San Fran.

I'm a fan of JetBlue, but bring your own meal if you will need to eat during the flight. They serve only a minimum snack.