Best road trip from Seattle to San Francisco

When we think of the American West, we often think of the wonders of Utah, California, the Grand Canyon. But the northwest has just as many gems to discover!

Here's the best road trip from Seattle to San Francisco.
 

Map: road trip from Seattle to San Francisco

Road trip summary

Days 1-3 : Seattle 

Welcome to Seattle, the "City of Rock"!  

This coastal city perfectly blends the ambience of a seaside town with that of a big city. Most tourist attractions are within walking distance if your hotel is downtown.  

Head to Pier 57 for a superb first view of the city from the Great Wheel. Then don't miss the “Wings over Washington” 4D experience. It will let you discover the different ecosystems and landscapes of the State of Washington.  

And be sure to pay a visit to the Seattle Aquarium, home to several species of fish, sea otters, seals and many marine birds.  

If you like, you can take a Harbour cruise with Argosy Cruises. You'll enjoy sweeping views of the city before exploring it, and benefit from the recommendations of your guide. Departures are from Pier 55!

For your second day in Seattle, take the monorail downtown to the famous Space Needle.  

Try to get there early to beat the afternoon crowds.  

The Space Needle's impressive structure was designed for the 1962 World's Fair.  

At the top there is a rotating glass floor, a 360-degree observation deck and a café if you want to enjoy the view a little longer...  

Right next door, the Chihuly Garden and Glass is an impressive collection of glass art.  

The various sculptures, some of which are intertwined with vegetation or displayed in darkened rooms, are simply breathtaking.  

This meticulous, colourful work is well worth the detour, even if you're not familiar with glass art.

Your last stop in the area is the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) – a museum like no other.  

From music to movies to video games, you'll come face to face with pieces of history.  

It's a real treat for pop culture enthusiasts, or anyone with a nostalgic bent!  

For the rest of the day, take in the Pike Place Market experience. 

This local market is the longest in the country, as well as being 5 stories high. 

Internationally inspired food, crafts and local boutiques await you, along with the very first Starbucks! 

If you don't know where to start, food tours are available. I highly recommend the Eat Seattle tour. The guides are all seasoned chefs and can teach you even more about everything you sample.  

For your last day, discover the Seattle of the locals.  

There are several neighbourhoods worth exploring.  

Capitol Hill is a very artsy neighborhood with many small cafés and local shops. 

Pioneer Square is a historic neighborhood that burned down and was then rebuilt at a higher level, creating an underground city. You can visit these remains with a guided tour!  

There's also the Seattle Art Museum, with exhibitions spanning several centuries. 

The International District is home to several small family restaurants serving Asian food. I recommend it for lunch.  

Finally, Ballard and Fremont are trendy adjoining neighborhoods.  

Here you'll find a boardwalk along Salmon Bay, where the Farmers Markets are located, a beach, several microbreweries, popular local restaurants and several green spaces.  

Days 4-5 : Olympic (221 km) 

It's time to hit the road. Your USA road trip begins today!

Today's destination will be a great contrast with the city.  

The Olympic Peninsula is brimming with natural beauty, each attraction more impressive than the last.  

Rainforests and pristine lakes rub shoulders with magnificent beaches and arid peaks.  

First, take the 40-minute ferry to Bainbridge Island. Be sure to take this opportunity to photograph the Seattle skyline.  

Your hotel is in Port Angeles, at the entrance to the park, allowing you to make the most of your stay here.  

For your first day, head to Crescent Lake, the most beautiful lake in my opinion.  

It reminds me of the lakes of the Canadian Rockies!  

Nearby hiking trails will lead you through a magnificent rainforest. 

As the name suggests, it rains a lot, which adds to the experience. Make sure you bring a raincoat!

Then hike up to Hurricane Ridge. This easy trail offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.  

Be sure to stop off at one of the rest areas along the way. They all offer postcard-perfect views.  

Then round off your day with a hike to Dungeness Spit.  

Less experienced hikers can stop at the beach, while others can continue on to the lighthouse, 5 miles further on.  

After a good night's rest, continue your exploration of Olympic National Park.  

Today, you'll make your way through the forest to reach the Pacific coast.  

Start with an easy 45-minute warm-up hike, the Sol Duc Falls trail.  

If you prefer to take it easy, the Hot Springs in the same area are a great option! 

Then it's off to Forks for lunch - this little village was the inspiration for Twilight. If you're a fan, stop off at the Forks Visitor Center.  

You first stop this afternoon should be the sublime Rialto Beach.  

Don't miss the Hole-in-the-Wall trail, which leads to a famous viewpoint. It's the perfect seaside walk, totaling just 3.3 miles round trip.  

End the day with a visit to another beach, Kalaloch Beach, where you'll find the Tree of life.  

This tree is a miracle of nature - its roots are exposed, but it stands tall, surviving many a storm. 
 

Calculate the price of your USA car rental

 

Days 6-8 : Oregon Coast (264 km) 

If you enjoyed yesterday's beaches, you'll love the next destinations!  

Today, your USA self-drive tour takes you to the Oregon Coast. 

You'll soon see that it's every bit as interesting as the California coast.

First stop, the charming little town of Seaside.  

Once geared towards families looking for a beach vacation, today Seaside welcomes just as many couples looking for a little getaway.  

Take a stroll along Main Street with its many boutiques, restaurants and cafés to get to the beach.  

Relax by the ocean before enjoying a fine meal. I recommend Finn's, with its fireplace-adorned patio.  

For your second day on the coast, drive down to Newport. 

You'll probably want to make several stops along the way, so plan to leave before lunchtime.  

Prepare to be amazed, as your first stop is Ecola State Park, where you can enjoy a stunning view of Cannon Beach just 2 minutes from the parking area.  

Then take a walk along the beach for a closer look.  

Pay a visit to the charming town of Cannon Beach. It has a number of restaurants and stores, as well as a candy shop... but don't go there, it's dangerous.

Next, make a stop in Tillamook, where you simply must go to the Tillamook Creamery. 

A true institution, the cheese and ice cream are simply delicious.  

To help burn those calories, head for Oceanside Beach.  

If you look towards the cliff to your right, you might see a secret passage...

Last stop before your destination for the day, Pacific City.  

Here, head to the beach to climb the butte if you're feeling up to it.

If not, treat yourself to a coffee and relax on the lovely beach. It's teeming with surfers.  

For your full day in Newport, I recommend a hair-raising adventure: a buggy ride in the Florence dunes.

This activity combines thrills in the rolling dunes with a smoother ride along the beach.  

Then take the rest of the day to explore Newport.  

Nye Beach is a must. Considered the artistic heart of Newport, it boasts boutiques, crafts, restaurants and beachfront.  

Then head to the Newport Historic Bayfront to enjoy some excellent seafood in one of the many restaurants lining the marina.  

I recommend Local Ocean, whose dishes reinvent the art of preparing seafood, while keeping the classics on the menu. It also has a great cocktail menu.  

 

Day 9 : Bend (281 km) 

This morning, get ready for a change of scenery, as you leave the coast to reach central Oregon, between mountains and desert.  

Today's destination is Bend, a pleasant little town on the banks of the Deschutes River. Plan an early start. 

On the way, I suggest stopping in Eugene for lunch. This university town is welcoming and typically American. 

Pay a visit to the 5th Street Public Market, where there's no shortage of dining options. 

You can also stop off in Sisters, a very Western town. 

The boutiques and the local café are sure to charm you! 

Once you're in Bend, explore its small, friendly downtown area. 

Here you'll find many boutiques, restaurants, local businesses, cafés, and the Tower Theater for which it is famous.  

For our more athletic visitors, there are many options on the river!
 

Day 10 : Crater Lake (231 km) 

Before leaving Bend, stop off in the Old Mill District.  

These old mills converted into shops are very popular.  

If you're not into shopping, enjoy a coffee at Sisters Coffee Company and take a walk along the Deschutes River.  

Then head to Crater Lake, a little-known west coast attraction that is quite spectacular.  

I must confess, I've seen plenty of blue oceans and seas, but I've never seen anything quite like the blue of this lake.  

Allow at least half a day to reach the national park and visit the various viewpoints.  

They're all worth it!  

Then spend a rejuvenating night at Klamath Falls. Tomorrow will be your longest day on the road!  

Days 11-12 : Wine Country (528 km) 

Take an hour to explore the town of Klamath Falls, coffee in hand - it's quite something! I recommend the Gathering Grounds café.  

If you're a foodie, you're probably already enjoying this trip, but it's about to get even better! 

Direction Napa Valley, in northern California.  

This wine-growing region enjoys ideal conditions for growing world class grapes.  

You'll have ample opportunity to judge for yourself: there are more than 400 wineries in Napa Valley, and just as many in neighbouring Sonoma Valley.  

Reward yourself after a long day on the road with a sumptuous meal at one of them! 

For your full day in Wine Country, feel free to explore your options!  

Why not take a winery tour, where you'll be able to take part in all the tastings.  

If you'd like to treat yourself, opt for a hot-air balloon ride over the valley.  

However, if you're looking for something different, pay a visit to the Petrified Forest, an ancient redwood forest now turned to stone by a massive volcanic eruption.

At the top of Napa Valley, you can see an impressive natural spectacle: the Old Faithful Geyser of California. The site also features a petting zoo, gardens, a picnic and relaxation area, and a geological museum where you can learn about geysers, volcanos, earthquakes and more. 

Days 13-15 : San Francisco (70 km) 

Here you are on the last leg of your road trip!  

Today, we're heading for San Francisco, the most tolerant and the most European of the large American cities.  

Why not start your visit at Fisherman’s Wharf, a series of piers popular with tourists.  

Here you'll find many shops and seafood restaurants. When in Rome, do as the Romans do; when in San Francisco, use the Cable Car to get around! 

Once you're at the Wharf, be sure to stop at the famous Pier 39, where you'll find a school of sea lions on the west side of the pier.  

If you're feeling peckish, I suggest a stop at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., inspired by the movie Forrest Gump.  

Then check out the famous Golden Gate Bridge.  

Very photogenic from any angle, I still think the most beautiful shots of the Golden Gate Bridge are those taken from Vista Point, in the town of Sausalito, located off the northern end of the bridge. 

The view is stunning, with the San Francisco skyline in the background. 

In fact, I recommend renting a bicycle to cross the bridge, so you can contemplate the city in peace! 

Finish the day watching the sunset from the bridge, or with a visit to Telegraph Hill to climb the Coit Tower.  

Some say it's the most beautiful view of the city.  

For your full day in San Francisco, be sure to wear comfortable shoes! 

I suggest you start your day in Chinatown, the oldest in North America.  

Don't miss a visit to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, where the famous Chinese cookies were invented.  

Then shop for souvenirs on Grant Avenue, the neighborhood's main thoroughfare. 

Finish your morning with a visit to the Painted Ladies, 5 colourful Victorian houses you've probably seen on a postcard or in the movie Mrs. Doubtfire.  

In the afternoon, head for the Haight-Ashbury district, birthplace of the hippie movement in the 60s. 

Take the time to wander the streets, go into the little shops and watch the people - they're just as colourful as the surroundings!

You'll also want to visit the Castro district, the gay neighbourhood, and take a stroll down Castro Street. You'll get a real feel for the city's open, flamboyant spirit! 

End your busy day at one of the city's best-known establishments, the Foreign Cinema, to enjoy some 100% California cuisine before you leave.  

Or, if you're into thrills, take the evening Alcatraz tour... but be warned, there may be ghosts.

Enjoy your last morning in San Francisco with a local coffee and an early-morning ride on the Cable Car. You'll get a whole new view of the city.  

Now it's time to head to the airport, return your USA car rental and board your flight home.  

You're leaving the American West, but it will never leave you, I promise! 

So, would you like to explore the American West?

Feel free to ask questions in the comments section below!