Are you looking for a long road trip that allows you to make the most of the Pacific Northwest? Then you need to try out the ultimate Pacific Northwest road trip! Spanning 2,599 miles and taking between 18 and 24 days to complete, you can soak up the stunning views along this scenic drive and take advantage of forests, charming towns, and more. Knowing where to start a journey like this can be tricky, which is why we are here with our itinerary, providing details on where to stop and what to see. Let’s dive in!
Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary
Stop 1: Los Angeles
Start in Los Angeles, where you can do some exploring before your road trip begins. There is so much to see and do here, so you might want to allow a few days before your journey begins. We recommend heading to downtown LA, where you can explore several art galleries and shops, all while enjoying some local coffee. Griffith Park and the Griffith Observatory are must-visit spots too, where you can soak up stunning views across the city.
The Broad is the perfect stop for any art lovers, or if movies are your thing, you can do the Warner Bros. Studio tour in Burbank. This is about a 20-minute drive away, but it’s worth it to explore some sets and learn more about your favourite movies.
Stop 2: Santa Barbara
A 2-hour drive will bring you to Santa Barbara, where we see a shift into Spanish-style architecture. To make the most of this change from LA, we recommend walking along Stearns Wharf, where you can enjoy the architecture and the sea air. You might even spot some sea lions here!
The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is also worth a visit, considered one of the most beautiful in the area. There are gorgeous, hand-painted murals on the ceilings and a lovely garden to explore. The Old Mission Santa Barbara is the perfect place to learn more about the area’s history, or if you want to get the adrenaline pumping, a visit to West Beach is recommended, where you can rent a paddleboard or kayak.
Stop 3: San Francisco
A longer 5-hour drive will take you to San Francisco. You will want to set aside a few days here to take advantage of everything San Francisco has to offer. Start at the Golden Gate Bridge, where you can drive or walk across one of the most iconic structures. It provides stunning views of San Francisco. The nearby Golden Gate Park is also a great option, especially if you are traveling with children. There is plenty to do, including a Japanese Tea Garden, an Aquarium, and a museum!
It’s also worth strolling through Chinatown to sample some delicious food. The mural in the Mission District is worth a visit, along with the Ferry Building Marketplace. If you are looking for some tours, Alcatraz Island is the perfect place. Tours book up in advance, so make sure you book your slot to explore the prison island.
Stop 4: Redwood National and State Parks
A 312-mile drive takes you into Redwood National and State Parks, where huge trees and plenty of greenery surround you. The redwoods here are some of the tallest trees on Earth! To get the best views and experience, we recommend the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail or the Prairie Creek to Fern Canyon Trail, the filming location for Jurassic Park 2! There is plenty of wildlife for you to spot here, including Roosevelt elk and black bears.
There are plenty of camping opportunities here if you want a break from the campervan. You can also enjoy one of the many campgrounds that surround the national parks, including Elk Country RV Resort and Campground.
Stop 5: Oregon Coast
Another long drive takes you to the Oregon Coast. This area is filled with sea stacks, cliffs, and tide pools, making it the perfect stop for anyone who loves to explore. Begin at Harris Beach State Park, where you can spend hours whale watching and beachcombing. There are plenty of photo opportunities here, too!
Five minutes from Harris Beach is Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, a 12-mile ribbon of viewpoints and forests that is just waiting to be explored. There are plenty of hiking trails you can walk that take you across natural bridges and to hidden coves. We recommend the Secret Beach Trail, which leads to a waterfall that flows from Miller Creek to the sand below.
Stop 6: Seattle
A 500-mile drive takes you to Seattle and the halfway point of your journey! From here, you will loop back to LA, but not before exploring everything Seattle has to offer. No trip is complete without a visit to the Space Needle, where you can head to the top for stunning videos of the city. Pike Place Market is a great place to sample some local chowder, while the Museum of Pop Culture has interesting exhibits from across the world.
If you are traveling with children, we recommend visits to the Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle Aquarium, where you can learn more about the animals and the natural world.
Stop 7: Portland
Portland is the perfect stop for food lovers. There are numerous food carts around the city, catering to every taste, from Korean tacos to vegan bowls. After filling your belly, head to Powell’s City of Books to see the walls packed with every book you could think of (and more).
If you want to explore some green spaces, visit the Portland Japanese Garden and Washington Park. A bike ride along the Willamette River is a great way to enjoy the landscape, along with a visit to Multnomah Falls.
Crater Lake National Park – Photo by Donna Elliot on Unsplash
Stop 8: Crater Lake National Park
The scenery changes as you arrive at Crater Lake National Park, with blue waters and stunning mountains. The lake was formed by a collapsed volcano, which you can enjoy views of along the Scenic Rim Drive. This location is only open from June to November, so please plan your trip accordingly. You can also take a boat tour to Wizard Island during the summer, allowing you to see the lake from different angles.
Stop 9: Redding
Redding brings you back to California, where you can walk the Sundial Bridge, which takes you across the Sacramento River. There are beautiful views here, and you can use this to access the Sacramento River Trail, where you can see the natural beauty spots up close.
If you are travelling with children, the Turtle Bay Exploration Park is worth visiting, as it brings together nature, science, animal exhibits, and history under one roof. The Lassen Volcanic National Park is another great spot, where you can see its bubbling mud pools.
Stop 10: Sacramento
Sacramento, the state capital of California, is a great place to stop and explore. We recommend the Old Sacramento Waterfront, where you can walk along the wooden sidewalks and enjoy the local shops, which sell some of the best saltwater taffy. The California State Railroad Museum allows you to learn more about the area’s history before you enjoy food at one of the many local restaurants nearby.
Stop 11: Yosemite National Park
The Yosemite National Park is a must on your road trip, where you can experience some of the best nature in California. There is so much to see here, including El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and a hike to Glacier Point, all of which offer wonderful views. For a more intense hike, we recommend the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall.
Tuolumne Meadows is another excellent spot, where you can see stunning wildflowers and a variety of wildlife. You can also head to Olmsted Point at night for spectacular views of the Milky Way. There isn’t much light pollution here, providing perfect views.
Stop 12: Los Angeles
A final 280-mile drive brings you back to LA, where you can hit up any spots you missed at the start of the trip. Use this time to book those tours that were full or relax and reminisce about your trip.
Start planning your Pacific Northwest road trip today!
With your Pacific Northwest road trip itinerary planned, it’s now time to get the rest of your trip in motion. For a long road trip like this, we recommend hiring a campervan, which provides plenty of comfort while driving and saves you money on hotel stays. When hiring a campervan, we recommend checking out Travellers Autobarn, who offer competitive rates on a huge range of campervans. Explore their campervan rates in Los Angeles to start your trip today.
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