first time to San Francisco and driving to Seattle

Hi All,

First time to CA. We (husband and two girls 15 %26amp; 12) will be heading out to SF in late June for 10 days. We are flying into SF and plan on staying there for a few days then driving up the coast to Seattle. We don%26#39;t have any plans yet as where to stop and what to see along the drive. ALL suggestions welcome

Than you,

KD

first time to San Francisco and driving to Seattle

How much time do you have for the drive to Seattle? There is much to see on the coast, both in California and Oregon...the redwood forests in California, for example. Your stops will depend upon your time available.

first time to San Francisco and driving to Seattle

Hi, would suggest you also post your question on the Oregon and Washington forums for more info.

The coastal drive in northern CA and Oregon is really lovely. Washington, not so much. Most folks go inland at Astoria, OR then continue to Seattle.

Do you have just a wekk for the drive?

Summer is high season and if you want to stay in oceanfront lodging, you will need to book your accommodations ahead. Also, the 4th of July weekend is *terrifically* busy and crowded - the busiest weekend of the year on the Oregon coast.

Thank you very much for responding. We aren%26#39;t really sure yet. I figure 3/4 days in SF area and head north..maybe 3/4 days drive. We would like to drive the coast but with 2 teens I%26#39;m not sure if we want to take it all the way?(car sick) maybe jump off at some point, since I am very much afraid of heights...but since we will be there it is something to see. Then spend the remaining time in Oregon/Seattle.

We drove all over the south of Ireland and driving through the mountains were exhausting both mentally and physically. But it was wonderful. Anyway, we are not theme park people we would rather find off the path stops. Thanks again for any suggestions.

KD

Thank you, we can play with our schedule a bit, maybe we will move it up a week to avoid July 4th. I will research places to stay in Or.

Thank you and all suggestion welcome.

Hello KD,

I just returned from my trip. Lots to see and do in San Francisco and Seattle. You can easily spend a whole week in each town.

After leaving SF and crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge (going north) I stopped in Sausalito which is a cute town to visit, and then drove up Hwy 101 (inland) to State Highway 128 which took me through the redwoods and over to the coast. Millions of beautiful redwoods. They grow so thick that in places it was almost like driving in the dark.

I stayed in Mendocino for three days. This is a great quaint town to visit because of the beautiful coastal scenery.

A great place to stay is also the Benbow Inn in Garberville CA. Beautiful area to stop for one night.

In Seattle I stayed at the Westin downtown (work was paying for it) and what I liked about it was the fact that I could walk to the restaurants and the Pike Market Place (a must see place.) The tram picked me up right outside my hotel and drove me to the Space Needle. The tram goes all over town so you won%26#39;t need to worry about driving and getting lost. There are any number of hotels (all price categories) downtown that are within walking distance to everything. Be sure to pack an umbrella, it does rain in Seattle, even in the summer.

LucyLocketCa

Let%26#39;s see - fun things with the girls in mind.

Marin Headlands is beautiful.

If you want to avoid the white knuckle drive (1 is scary in places, but very spectacular) take 101 past Healdsburg, take 128 to Mendocino. Stop in Boonville for coffee and hopefully you can hear some of the locals talking. Then you will drive through the redwoods and end up at the ocean. Stay in either Mendocino or Fort Bragg. Visit the Cabrillo Lighthouse, the Botanical Gardens, Noyo Harbor, Richardson Park. In Trinanda, go to the lighthouse - a very picturesque spot. In Crescent City, ask the locals where Star Wars was filmed, see the misty redwoods that inspired George Lucas.

In Oregon - the Mail Boats are a blast. Rent a Sand Rail (driver comes with it) and ride the sand dunes. Oregon is known for it%26#39;s bridges.

Greetings %26amp; Happy 2009!

My suggeation would be to go up north 101 out of S.F. then take hwy 128 to Mendicino-Fort Bragg.Time permitting take the ';skunk Train';

Then back onto 101 north spend overnight in Ferndale just outside Eureka.Afterwards take 235 east out of Eureka to Redding Then head up Hwy 5 north to Mt.Shasta for overnight.Head up continiung north 5 to Klamath Falls then next day continue thru Salem %26amp; Eugene then Seattle.From Klamath Falls to Seattle could be done in a day if you keep schedule.

Hmmm, as an Oregon resident who has driven around and spent time in nearly all parts of this state, I would have to disagree with kraor%26#39;s suggested route. Since you mention the coast, I would assume you want to drive up the *coast*, not inland?

(BTW, it%26#39;s Hwy 299 from Arcata to Redding, and it%26#39;s pretty winding and quite slow.)

Hello again,

Thanks ';Half-Brit'; you%26#39;re right on the route from Eureka it%26#39;s Hwy 299 East not Hwy 235 as I previously mentioned.Highway 235 takes you into Samoa.I thought the routing I gave would let them see the Wine Country,The Redwoods,quaint costal towns in Humbouldt,then Mt.Shasta, Klamath Falls

then to Seattle while passing thru the Capital of Oregon on the way.

The Only place was told to me that%26#39;s really worth seeing on the Oregon Coast is ';Coos Bay'; about 2-3 hours drive north of Cresent City.

%26gt;%26gt;The Only place was told to me that%26#39;s really worth seeing on the Oregon Coast is ';Coos Bay'; about 2-3 hours drive north of Cresent City.%26lt;%26lt;

Oh dear, kraor, you really should plan a visit to the Oregon coast this summer! The scenery is amongst the most beautiful in the US, with miles and miles of gorgeous uncrowded beaches, dramatic cliffs and headlands, rocky outcroppings, historic bridges and intersting lighthouses, beautiful rivers/creeks/bays, dense forests and more.

Funnily enough, Coos Bay is one of the *less* attractive areas of the coast, as it is inland a bit and combined with North Bend next door is the largest urban area with about 30,000 population. Dramatic bridge though :-)

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