Seattle to San Francisco - driving trip
 

Hello,
My husband and I are thinking about doing this drive for a Fall vacation (late Sept/early Oct). Has anyone done this drive or part of it? We'd have about 10 days, does that seem like about enough time? We've already done California wine country, so we wouldn't have to spend time there again (although we'd love to!).

We are early 30's, like outdoor activities, photography, relaxing. Although we love nice, fancy hotels, this trip will be done on the cheap. Possibly camping a few nights.

Any suggested itineraries, sights not to miss, or advice is much appreciated!

Thanks!

Sure, that's plenty of time. Some people drive Seattle/San Francisco straight-thru. I believe it's about 14-18 hours total drive time.

Along the coast of Oregon you can find some great state parks featuring cabins, "yurts", etc. which are very nice for a good price.

Many years ago my wife and I used to do a lot of camping on the coast between Seattle & SF when we traveled to visit her relatives in Tacoma. Now all the states have great web sites to help plan your trip. http://www.parks.wa.gov/ http://www.oregonstateparks.org/searchpark.php http://www.parks.ca.gov/parkindex/

Some coastal scenic areas in Oregon- Cannon Beach, Cape Lookout, Otter Crest, Yachats, Honeyman SP, Bullards beach, Otter Pt.

In CA- Patrick's Pt. Prairie Creek, Trinidad, Van Damme, Armstrong Redwoods SR.

Ten days is plenty of time to enjoy the coast. Happy camping & take some great pictures.

In fact, 10 days is enough to expand your range to include one or more side trips or extensions.

Among the candidates -

West coast of Vancouver Island - take 101 all the way to Port Angeles, then cross to Victoria on the ferry, drive up to Port Renfrew at the south end of Pacific Rim NP;

Ashland Shakespeare festival - take US 199 from Crescent City over to Grants Pass, then double back south an hour on I-5 to Ashland, and absorb a little culcha (prefect time of year for Ashland);

Columbia Gorge - if it gets wet on the coast and you've had enough drippy days, cut over to Portland (or better, follow the Columbia River's north shore from Astoria) to the Columbia Gorge country. Totally gorgeous at that time of year (probably still some apples being harvested) and if you want you can keep going east to US 97, head north through the Yakama Indian reservation to the Washington wine country, then into Seattle via the Cascades (even via the beautiful North Cascade Highway - SR 20.)

On the subject of wine, you could detour into the Yamhill County (a little southwest from Portland) wine country and probably arrive in time for the harvest there, too.

Many fine places to spend 10 days.

You'll be at harvest time in the Rogue valley too.
http://www.sorwa.org
http://www.ashlandchamber.com

Like many people here, we have done the drive numerous times. The total drive time is about 12 hours (I won't tell you how fast my DH made it one time, lol!), and the roads are easy.

Just outside of Salem, OR is Silver Falls State Park. Great waterfalls there, nice scenery, and a campground.

If you hit our wine region, in McMinnville there is a great McMenamins property called Hotel Oregon. In the heart of downtown, not expensive, and lots of character (not in a bad way). It would be a good location for visiting the wineries too.

What about Central Oregon near Bend? Great for relaxing, very scenic, and loads of outdoor activities.

If you make it to McMinville and are interested in either aviaton or Howard Hughes, visit the Spruce Goose Museum...it's HUGE.

Bob--Great minds;)

oops, posted too soon! Bob, we went to the Evergreen Aviation Museum on Monday. We have been a few times since we live so close, but it is always interesting. And the IMAX theater just opened and they had some great shows. A Space Museum is currently being built there as well.