PhillyPhan

My husband and I will be on the West Coast during the second half of May. My husband is attending a conference in San Francisco and then, a week later, a conference in Seattle. We are considering driving from SF to Seattle during the inter-conference week which I understand to be about 820 miles. (I suspect the scenic route is longer). We enjoy walking/hiking, nice scenery, quaint towns, etc. Does anyone have any suggested itineraries, must sees, places to stay, and/or places to eat? We will have seven travel nights.
If this question is very repetitive for this board (although I've looked), please guide me to where I should look.
Thank you.

LucieV

We've done this drive several times (twice we did it in one fell swoop -- not ideal, though!) It's a beautiful drive.

3 places I'd definitely stop are:
Portland
Ashland
Mt. Shasta

Fodorite018

We have done this trip more times than I can count, including straight thru. Yes, going up I-5 is not as scenic as the coastal route, or even through Central Oregon, but it is quick. You could head up into Oregon, and take 97 over into Central Oregon. Crater Lake is beautiful. The entire rim will not be open then, but you can get to the lodge and see the lake. From there you could continue up into the Bend area. After that head over to Sisters and through the pass towards Salem. Sisters is a nice small town, and the area is very scenic with lots of hiking nearby. Outside of Salem you could go to Silver Creek Falls. There are about 10 waterfalls in the 8 or 9 mile loop, or you just do part of it. If it is cold out, there is a massive fireplace in the lodge there (rustic, for snacks...no lodging).

Then you could either head up to Portland on the old highway (99E) or take I-5. Or you could get on 99W and come through our wine region. Whichever route, they all lead to Portland. That would be a great stop for a day or two. Take in the Columbia River Gorge for a day trip as well.

On the way to Seattle stop at Mt. St. Helens. Plan for a full day as there are visitors centers and it is very interesting.

Hope this gives you some ideas to get you started.

christy1

I'd take Hwy 1 and 101 up through northern California, through the redwoods and along the coast. There are SO many good stops (Point Reyes, Redwood national and state parks) cute towns (ie Mendocino), good restaurants, hotels, hikes, possible detour to wine country, etc.

You have time to stay on the coast througout Oregon, if you'd like. Or if you'd like some different scenery, cut up on Hwy 199 at Crescent City, stop at Oregon Caves Nat. Monument, then head up through Grants Pass. It would be easy to then visit Crater Lake, then head up 1-5 and pick some other place that sounds interesting to you on the way to Seattle (Columbia Gorge? Mt St Helens? Mt Rainier? There's lots of worthwhile stops.

peteandem

Consider stopping in Eugene, a great town along I-5 south of Portland. Spencers Butte is a good hike in town.

The Edgefield Inn
http://www.mcmenamins.com/
is roughly 15 miles outside of Portland along the Columbia River and a fun place to stay (as are all of the McMenamin's hotels around the Portland area)

MtRver

We took this trip in 2005, you've gotta see Mt. St. Helens National Monument on your way. It's off exit 49 on Interstate 5. Just a few miles off the road (don't remember how far), but worth the trip. We stayed at a B&B at Silverlake. The kids got to fish & swim in the lake and we had a nice view of Mt. St. Helens from our front deck. Nice trip I think you'll enjoy it. Very educational and relaxing.

suze

I don't have an exact plan for you, but would suggest doing part of it on the freeway for speed just to get some miles out of the way, and other parts getting off to go along the coast, or like 99 in Willamette Valley thru the wineries as suggested.