San Francisco to Vancouver - Driving Tour
Dec 13, 2014 12:39:40 #
happy sailor wrote:
Did you mean Victoria on Vancouver Island which I agree is a very beautiful place.
Also if you are doing San Fran to Vancouver and return to San Fran I would suggest US1 for the northbound trip not southbound unless you really like living on the edge s/b scared take heck out of me from Bodega Bay to San Fran, not doing that again, lol!
Have a great trip
Also if you are doing San Fran to Vancouver and return to San Fran I would suggest US1 for the northbound trip not southbound unless you really like living on the edge s/b scared take heck out of me from Bodega Bay to San Fran, not doing that again, lol!
Have a great trip
yes I did. Vancouver island for sure.
Dec 13, 2014 12:41:11 #
Mike
I envy your trip. I have lived on the west coast for 50 years and have yet to see nearly enough of the beautiful sites there are available to see. If you could be so kind as to let us know a little more about what you think you would like to visit, such as Lighthouses, fishing villages, scenery, agriculture, monuments, historical venues, etc. Perhaps we could better advise. If you have American friends who are familiar with AAA American Automobile Assoc. They could possibly get you beautiful maps of the west coast with Graffias, and information about side trips, lodging,food.
Of course the important thing is to remember you are on vacation and you will want some down time. How much driving are you willing to do. Let us hear more from you
bullfrogs
I envy your trip. I have lived on the west coast for 50 years and have yet to see nearly enough of the beautiful sites there are available to see. If you could be so kind as to let us know a little more about what you think you would like to visit, such as Lighthouses, fishing villages, scenery, agriculture, monuments, historical venues, etc. Perhaps we could better advise. If you have American friends who are familiar with AAA American Automobile Assoc. They could possibly get you beautiful maps of the west coast with Graffias, and information about side trips, lodging,food.
Of course the important thing is to remember you are on vacation and you will want some down time. How much driving are you willing to do. Let us hear more from you
bullfrogs
Dec 13, 2014 12:58:41 #
I live on the north coast and never get tired of the beautiful scenery we have all along hywy 1 and 101. You also have a great place in Fort Bragg to take the Skunk train ride into the old logging route up the hills. Lots of motels along the ways. Many state parks to visit and you will enjoy the Redwood Valley on 101 along the way after hywy 1 meets it headed north. Stop and talk to the locals to get ideas of places to visit. I do this whenever I travel to new areas and have found some really interesting places off the grid. If you like water falls, visit the Columbia River scenic route from Portland east. The list is endless of things to see.
Dec 13, 2014 13:48:44 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
There's lots to see on that drive. I've made it a number of times.
Take Highway 1 (across the Golden Gate bridge) and then Hwy 101 after Hwy 1 ends just North of Ft. Bragg. This coastal (slower) route can be fantastic! Lots and lots of scenery. Surprises around nearly every corner. Many lighthouses. Lots of cute, small towns.
SF
Golden Gate
Pt. Reyes National Seashore
Bodega Bay
Before heading too far North (South of Mendocino) you might want to detour inland to the wine country... Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, Calistoga and Geyserville are all along State Hwy 29.
Mendocino (Great bed & breakfasts, but not cheap & hard to get reservations!)
Ft. Bragg
Humbolt Rebwoods State Park
Scotia
Fortuna (take a short detour out to Ferndale, which was the set for much of Jim Carrey's 2001 movie, "The Majestic"... which he reportedly made in part as a homage to his personal hero, actor Jimmy Stewart.)
Eureka
Crescent City
Brookings - Hey, you're in Oregon now. Hard to tell, though, since there are more transplanted Californians in Oregon, than native Oregonians.
Possible detour inland to Roseburg - well actually Winston - where there is an excellent safari tour, if interested in seeing African animals in Oregon. Grants Pass (or Grass Pants, as some of the locals call it) is along the way. Head to Medford, Klamath Falls, and then up to Crater Lake, if interested.
Gold Beach
Port Orford
Bandon
Coos Bay
Florence
Seal Rock
Newport
Lincoln City
We had a breakdown cause an unexpected 3 day stay in Port Orford some years ago. It's a tiny town with one stop light that most people drive through in 2 minutes. We intended to do that, but our van had other ideas. It turned out to be the best part of our driving vacation!
It's been many years, but Port Orford was a great little town with very friendly people and a number of hidden gems. It's on 6 or 8 blocks long so we were able to explore it all on foot while our car was being repaired. There was a 4-star restaurant right next door to our hotel... fantastic food and wines, but very unassuming and super prices... there were folks in tuxes and evening gowns who arrived from Portland in a limo, seated alongside truckers in plaid flannel shirts and blue jeans. Port Orford is the only deep water port between SF and Portland, too (or at least it was at the time). There was a small fishing fleet there. I hope it hasn't changed.
Continue North along the coast all the way to Astoria, if you wish.
Then it might be worthwhile to take an inland detour up the Oregon side of the Columbia River, perhaps to Mt. Hood and Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. There are a couple fantastic waterfalls a short hike off the road.
Back to Portland and across the river is Vancouver, WA. Is that your destination? Or Vancouver, Canada?
If continuing North, you can choose the faster inland I-5 route that takes you through Olympia and Tacoma, then on
into Seattle.
Or, take the coastal route via Hwy 101 that's a whole lot slower and not very populated out on the Olympic Peninsula.... But the scenery is fantastic! The snowcapped mountains on the Peninsula can be breathtaking... if the weather is clear. This route goes through one or more Indian reservations and a true rain forest on the Western side of the Olympic Peninsula, so can be very wet.
Once you reach the farthest North end of the Peninsula, the route turns inland toward Seattle. Along the way, Port Townsend sits on the most North Eastern tip of the Peninsula, across from but a bit North of Seattle. In contrast to the other side of the Peninsula, this is a virtual desert, averaging less than 15 inches of rain per year... one of the driest places in Western Washington state.
From there you can turn back South a bit, through Tacoma and then turning back North to Seattle. Alternatively, there are a lot of ferries servicing various towns around Puget Sound, which you can use for shortcuts.
Seattle is a great city. I've spent a lot of time there and have seen surprisingly little of it's famous "liquid sunshine". There is much to see in and around Seattle.
I'd head North to Everett, then across to Whidbey Island. From there, take ferry service to some of the other San Juan Islands (which as small and more sparsely populated) or over to Victoria, Canada.
Victoria also can be treated as a daytrip or overnight trip from Seattle, via hydrofoil ferry that gets you there in about an hour. A car isn't really needed in and immediately around Victoria. The Empress Hotel overlooking the harbor at Victoria is a great place to take high tea, if you've missed it while in the U.S.
Back to Seattle, it's only a few hours drive North to Vancouver, B.C. Western Canada and Vancouver Island are beautiful places to explore, too. I haven't had enough time to do it justice.
All-in-all, it's a fantastic drive. If going in high tourist season (late Spring through early Fall), or during the holidays, you should plan and make reservations. Otherwise I like to travel without plans or a strict schedule, and just find lodging along the way, as needed. Not everyone is comfortable doing that, though, I know.
Take Highway 1 (across the Golden Gate bridge) and then Hwy 101 after Hwy 1 ends just North of Ft. Bragg. This coastal (slower) route can be fantastic! Lots and lots of scenery. Surprises around nearly every corner. Many lighthouses. Lots of cute, small towns.
SF
Golden Gate
Pt. Reyes National Seashore
Bodega Bay
Before heading too far North (South of Mendocino) you might want to detour inland to the wine country... Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, Calistoga and Geyserville are all along State Hwy 29.
Mendocino (Great bed & breakfasts, but not cheap & hard to get reservations!)
Ft. Bragg
Humbolt Rebwoods State Park
Scotia
Fortuna (take a short detour out to Ferndale, which was the set for much of Jim Carrey's 2001 movie, "The Majestic"... which he reportedly made in part as a homage to his personal hero, actor Jimmy Stewart.)
Eureka
Crescent City
Brookings - Hey, you're in Oregon now. Hard to tell, though, since there are more transplanted Californians in Oregon, than native Oregonians.
Possible detour inland to Roseburg - well actually Winston - where there is an excellent safari tour, if interested in seeing African animals in Oregon. Grants Pass (or Grass Pants, as some of the locals call it) is along the way. Head to Medford, Klamath Falls, and then up to Crater Lake, if interested.
Gold Beach
Port Orford
Bandon
Coos Bay
Florence
Seal Rock
Newport
Lincoln City
We had a breakdown cause an unexpected 3 day stay in Port Orford some years ago. It's a tiny town with one stop light that most people drive through in 2 minutes. We intended to do that, but our van had other ideas. It turned out to be the best part of our driving vacation!
It's been many years, but Port Orford was a great little town with very friendly people and a number of hidden gems. It's on 6 or 8 blocks long so we were able to explore it all on foot while our car was being repaired. There was a 4-star restaurant right next door to our hotel... fantastic food and wines, but very unassuming and super prices... there were folks in tuxes and evening gowns who arrived from Portland in a limo, seated alongside truckers in plaid flannel shirts and blue jeans. Port Orford is the only deep water port between SF and Portland, too (or at least it was at the time). There was a small fishing fleet there. I hope it hasn't changed.
Continue North along the coast all the way to Astoria, if you wish.
Then it might be worthwhile to take an inland detour up the Oregon side of the Columbia River, perhaps to Mt. Hood and Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. There are a couple fantastic waterfalls a short hike off the road.
Back to Portland and across the river is Vancouver, WA. Is that your destination? Or Vancouver, Canada?
If continuing North, you can choose the faster inland I-5 route that takes you through Olympia and Tacoma, then on
into Seattle.
Or, take the coastal route via Hwy 101 that's a whole lot slower and not very populated out on the Olympic Peninsula.... But the scenery is fantastic! The snowcapped mountains on the Peninsula can be breathtaking... if the weather is clear. This route goes through one or more Indian reservations and a true rain forest on the Western side of the Olympic Peninsula, so can be very wet.
Once you reach the farthest North end of the Peninsula, the route turns inland toward Seattle. Along the way, Port Townsend sits on the most North Eastern tip of the Peninsula, across from but a bit North of Seattle. In contrast to the other side of the Peninsula, this is a virtual desert, averaging less than 15 inches of rain per year... one of the driest places in Western Washington state.
From there you can turn back South a bit, through Tacoma and then turning back North to Seattle. Alternatively, there are a lot of ferries servicing various towns around Puget Sound, which you can use for shortcuts.
Seattle is a great city. I've spent a lot of time there and have seen surprisingly little of it's famous "liquid sunshine". There is much to see in and around Seattle.
I'd head North to Everett, then across to Whidbey Island. From there, take ferry service to some of the other San Juan Islands (which as small and more sparsely populated) or over to Victoria, Canada.
Victoria also can be treated as a daytrip or overnight trip from Seattle, via hydrofoil ferry that gets you there in about an hour. A car isn't really needed in and immediately around Victoria. The Empress Hotel overlooking the harbor at Victoria is a great place to take high tea, if you've missed it while in the U.S.
Back to Seattle, it's only a few hours drive North to Vancouver, B.C. Western Canada and Vancouver Island are beautiful places to explore, too. I haven't had enough time to do it justice.
All-in-all, it's a fantastic drive. If going in high tourist season (late Spring through early Fall), or during the holidays, you should plan and make reservations. Otherwise I like to travel without plans or a strict schedule, and just find lodging along the way, as needed. Not everyone is comfortable doing that, though, I know.
Dec 13, 2014 13:54:35 #
Take the Pacific Coast Highway (101) through the Redwoods north of San Francisco and stay on it all the way up the Oregon Coast at least to Lincoln City (Highway 18) before going inland through the Willamette Valley and Portland to Seattle so you see the beautiful Cascade Mountains. While in southern Oregon, stop at Gold Beach and take a jet boat ride up the Rogue River with Jerry's Jetboat Rides. Lots of wildlife and fun experience. So many places to stop. Lots to photograph. Take your time. I'm a bit biased because I grew up in Oregon but the coast highway is the best in the lower 48 states of the USA. I've been on the coast of every other state and there's nothing like the Oregon Coast with the possible exception of Maine. But the Atlantic Ocean looks calm like a lake compared to the mighty Pacific Ocean waves. :)
Dec 13, 2014 14:27:07 #
101 N - Stop off in Eureka, The Redwwod Forest, pleanty of places to stop for photos. Gorgeous coast line. Canon Beach near Portland on the Pacific Coast.
I-5 is faster, but 101 is much more of a gorgeous drive.
I-5 is faster, but 101 is much more of a gorgeous drive.
Dec 13, 2014 14:53:59 #
warrior wrote:
Stay off I-5 IMOHO
This is what I was going to say also. "I-5" is the Interstate. Multi-lane road with much truck traffic and inland so you don't get to see the best stuff.
Stay near the coast most of the way. Don't miss Redwood National Park.
You might want to take an inland detour to Crater Lake in OR. You might also take the inland detour to go to Mt. Rainier National Park.
In September the only place you'd likely need reservations is in the National Parks. U.S. travel drops off after our "Labor Day"...the first Monday in September. But international visitors to our National Parks has surged in recent years and September is a favorite for International tourists.
Dec 13, 2014 15:13:24 #
Crater lake definite, however check weather. They do shut down because of snow that could happen in late Sept. I also recommend Gold Beach Oregon where the Rouge river empties into the ocean. Take a trip up the rouge. Lots of salmon go up the Rouge. Every big time General, Every movie star from the earlier days (40's 50's) either had a cabin on the Rouge or would go fish the Rouge. The river starts from crater lake. Take a mail boat trip up the river from Gold Beach to ?? They still deliver mail to a town upriver via the mail boat. lots of fish, eagles, osprey and may see a bear or two.
Dec 13, 2014 15:27:22 #
Rokko
Loc: Minneapolis
As you leave SF, consider stopping at the scenic overlook on the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge (stay in the right lane so you can get off the highway when you get to it). You should also consider Marin Headlands and Sausalito.
You might want to considering booking a room in the Paradise Inn on Mt. Rainier (near Seattle). We were there in late July and it was fabulous. There were lots of opportunities for lots of wonderful images of Mt. Rainier and surrounding mountains and peaks. If it is clear there will be opportunities for night photography (bring a tripod or something to steady your camera). The sky was clear in late July. I'm not sure what it will be like in September. If it is cloudy the photography will be different and maybe not be so good.
You might want to considering booking a room in the Paradise Inn on Mt. Rainier (near Seattle). We were there in late July and it was fabulous. There were lots of opportunities for lots of wonderful images of Mt. Rainier and surrounding mountains and peaks. If it is clear there will be opportunities for night photography (bring a tripod or something to steady your camera). The sky was clear in late July. I'm not sure what it will be like in September. If it is cloudy the photography will be different and maybe not be so good.
Dec 13, 2014 18:28:32 #
David Popham
Loc: French Creek, British Columbia
It all depends on what you are expecting.
Last year when we went to Los Vegas my expection was sleaze with yahoos packing guns. Much to my surprise and delight such was not the case. There is lots to see in and around Los Vegas. For example, Los Vegas of its water supply and how it reclaims most of its water (90% I believe) and has it returned to Lake Mead is really interesting. How did we discover this? We did our research.
If you were not familiar with Vancouver and what it and its environment has to offer, then one could be disappointed. It is my impression that many Americans think that Canada is just a miniture version of the U.S. with a funny accent and funny looking money. It is not. If you did not do your homework then of course you could expected to be disappointed.
In my case I live 15 minutes from the Salish Sea and two hours away from the Pacific Ocean. In between these bodies of water are wonderful vistas and very dark forests especially in the winter.
Last year when we went to Los Vegas my expection was sleaze with yahoos packing guns. Much to my surprise and delight such was not the case. There is lots to see in and around Los Vegas. For example, Los Vegas of its water supply and how it reclaims most of its water (90% I believe) and has it returned to Lake Mead is really interesting. How did we discover this? We did our research.
If you were not familiar with Vancouver and what it and its environment has to offer, then one could be disappointed. It is my impression that many Americans think that Canada is just a miniture version of the U.S. with a funny accent and funny looking money. It is not. If you did not do your homework then of course you could expected to be disappointed.
In my case I live 15 minutes from the Salish Sea and two hours away from the Pacific Ocean. In between these bodies of water are wonderful vistas and very dark forests especially in the winter.
Dec 13, 2014 19:07:47 #
David Popham wrote:
It is my impression that many Americans think that Canada is just a miniture version of the U.S. with a funny accent and funny looking money.
David, com'on, we all know that Canada is just a miniature version of the U.S., but with a strange accent and funny money, except for Victoria, which is a miniature version of England!
But hey, the U.S. has its own identity crisis, where the other 49 states are just miniature versions of California. They have the same money, but they speak funny there too! :lol: :lol: :lol:
SS
Dec 13, 2014 20:51:34 #
You have lots of choices of sights to photograph. North of San Francisco hwy 1 is one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the United States. Farther North you have Redwood National Park, Jedediah Smith State Park, and you might want to look up fern canyon, which is out of the way, but in another state park along hwy 101.
The entire Oregon Coast can be driven, or you can cut east and look at Crater Lake National Park. East of Portland, Oregon the Columbia Gorge has possibly the largest collection of waterfalls in a small location anywhere in the world.
My favorite portions of the Oregon Coast are around Gold Beach, Sunset, shore Acres, and Cape Arago near Coos Bay, Heceta Head, and if you like sand the dunes near Florence are beautiful. Sea Lion Cave is an overpriced tourist stop, but the cave and sea lions are interesting. Thor's Well at Cape Perpetua is also really interesting, but be careful, several people have been hit by large waves and ruined their cameras trying to shoot photos of it.
In Washington you can go up the coast for a portion of your trip in which case Olympic National Park is really nice, or you can go up the interior and stop at Mount St. Helens National Monument, and Mount Rainer National Park. North Cascades National Park is also beautiful, but out of the way.
Once you get to Vancouver you have several museums, two really nice suspension foot bridges, and Stanley Park which has among other things a number of totem poles.
I live in Oregon and regularly drive the Oregon Coast as well as parts of Northern California and Southern Washington. If you have questions about specific sights just let me know and I might be able to tell you more about what is there and in some cases post a photo to show you what you might expect to see.
In any case, you have chosen a beautiful place for a drive, sightseeing, and photography.
The entire Oregon Coast can be driven, or you can cut east and look at Crater Lake National Park. East of Portland, Oregon the Columbia Gorge has possibly the largest collection of waterfalls in a small location anywhere in the world.
My favorite portions of the Oregon Coast are around Gold Beach, Sunset, shore Acres, and Cape Arago near Coos Bay, Heceta Head, and if you like sand the dunes near Florence are beautiful. Sea Lion Cave is an overpriced tourist stop, but the cave and sea lions are interesting. Thor's Well at Cape Perpetua is also really interesting, but be careful, several people have been hit by large waves and ruined their cameras trying to shoot photos of it.
In Washington you can go up the coast for a portion of your trip in which case Olympic National Park is really nice, or you can go up the interior and stop at Mount St. Helens National Monument, and Mount Rainer National Park. North Cascades National Park is also beautiful, but out of the way.
Once you get to Vancouver you have several museums, two really nice suspension foot bridges, and Stanley Park which has among other things a number of totem poles.
I live in Oregon and regularly drive the Oregon Coast as well as parts of Northern California and Southern Washington. If you have questions about specific sights just let me know and I might be able to tell you more about what is there and in some cases post a photo to show you what you might expect to see.
In any case, you have chosen a beautiful place for a drive, sightseeing, and photography.
Dec 13, 2014 20:59:48 #
If you have time take 84W from Portland into the Columbia Gorge. There are countless waterfalls plus Vista point. It is only about 15 minutes off the 205.
Pappy
Pappy
Dec 13, 2014 22:25:02 #
p/u the book Photosecrets San Francisco & Northern California by Andrew Hudson.this book will give you a lot of information on everthing from S.F.and going north to both see and do.the book is about $10.00 used and $17.00 new.it is a good ref. and a good keepsake after the trip. If you need any maps of the area you are going to travel let me know I can get them for free at Triple A and would be glad to send them to you.send me a per.message.have a great trip.
Dec 14, 2014 01:27:21 #
From SF take HWY 101 North through the wine country. Be sure to see at least one winery. Further North take the Avenue of the Giants to see the Redwoods up close. For a nice stay over consider Ferndale off of HWY 211.
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