The Open Road Travel

A road trip from Los Angeles to Seattle is a wonderous adventure that takes you almost the full length of America’s Pacific coast.

You’ll follow some of the most beautiful roads in the country, such as the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), as you travel through California, Oregon, and Washington. While not a journey for the faint of heart, there may not be a more scenic road trip in the United States, or perhaps even the world.

So, if you’re planning a road trip from Los Angeles to Seattle or would like to drive the Pacific Coast Highway and want to make sure you don’t miss any of the attractions along the way, I highly suggest reading on.

There are two routes available for a road trip from Los Angeles to Seattle and both are long but straightforward.

The most direct route takes 17 and ½ hours and covers 1,135 miles. This will see you take the I-5 the entire way from Los Angeles to Seattle.

For anyone who wants to take the more scenic route and follow the Pacific Coast Highway, you are looking at 1300 miles, with a much longer driving time of 31 hours.

This route starts where California State Route 1 (the official name of the Pacific Coast Highway) begins, in Dana Point, Orange County. You will follow this for its 656-mile duration, to Leggett, California.

Here it will merge with US 101, which you’ll follow until just past the town of Artic, Washington. Pick up Washington State Route 107 where it begins and take it its 8-mile duration, before continuing east on US 12.

A short while later, the US 12 will veer to the right, but you’ll continue straight on Washington State Route 8. Follow this for its 21-mile duration, where you’ll re-join US 101. You’ll take this to Olympia, where it merges with I-5, which will lead you the rest of the way to Seattle.

No matter which route you take for your road trip from Los Angeles to Seattle, it is a long journey that will need to be split across multiple days. While there are plenty of great places to stop along the way, the following three are the best options for an extended visit

San Francisco is one of the most famous cities in the United States. Originally founded in 1776 with the Mission San Francisco De Asis, its population exploded with the California Gold Rush of 1849.

The city’s current population stands at almost 900,00, with residents often being polled as having among the highest incomes and quality of life anywhere in America.

The popularity of San Francisco doesn’t just relate to the residents either. It is also one of the most common tourist destinations in America, with more than 25 million visitors arriving in the city each year.

Attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Fisherman’s Wharf are well-known around the world, while its collection of museums, sports teams, parks, and movie locations fill it out as a destination with plenty to offer for everyone.

Tourists are also particularly drawn in by the city’s low crime rate and overall friendly atmosphere. This creates a confidence that you will be able to have a fun-filled trip, without having to worry about your safety or feeling unwelcome.

The Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf is a beautiful establishment in Fisherman’s Wharf, located just a stones throw from Pier 39 and Pier 33.

This leaves you well placed near some of the most popular attractions in the city, as well as just a short walk from the only ferry that docks on Alcatraz Island.

The beautiful rooms all feature stylish décor and comfortable furniture, and are equipped with technology and amenities like Wi-Fi, an iPod dock, flat screen cable TV, CD player, refrigerator, and safe.

The public areas are equally attractive, with a seating area in the lobby offering tea and coffee for you to relax with and enjoy your surroundings. There is also a wonderful Italian restaurant on site, serving fresh seafood and Italian delicacies each day from 6am to 10pm.

Sacramento is the capital of California and the 6th largest city in the state. As one of the major hubs of finance and government on the west coast, it is among the fastest growing cities in California.

The city is widely popular with tourists, as it features numerous museums and art institutions, as well as plenty of film and music attractions and some of the finest restaurants in the country.

Perhaps the most popular attraction is the part of the city known as Old Sacramento, which is made up of buildings and cobbled streets from the mid 1800’s.

Many of the buildings have been preserved or restored, and visitors can explore them on steam trains and horse-drawn carriages, giving you the chance to experience the traditional way of life.

The city boasts a great Chinatown area, as well as one of the largest LGBT communities in America. These both go a long way to explaining why Sacramento is often viewed as one of the country’s most diverse cities.

The Delta King Hotel is perfectly situated on the edge of the Sacramento River, with Old Sacramento immediately to its rear. This is ideal whether you want to relax on the property’s sun terrace taking in the views or exploring the city’s most iconic attractions.

Each room is simply yet stylishly designed, to offer guests a comfortable, relaxing place to stay during their visit. Amenities like Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a cd player, coffee machine, flat screen TV, and computer come as standard, ensuring maximum convenience.

The property also boasts its own bar and restaurant, where guests can enjoy a drink or fine meal. A choice of American or continental breakfast is also available each morning.

Portland is the largest city in Oregon and second in the entire Pacific northwest. The area began to be settled in the 1830’s, before being officially founded in 1845. It is located at the end of the historic Oregon Trail.

Portland is often referred to as “Bridgetown”, due to the numerous bridges in the city that pass back and forth across the Willamette River. Many of these are designated historic landmarks and offer a fabulous combination of incredible architecture and stunning views.

While the city is often overlooked by tourists, it has a fabulous collection of museums, music and film venues, and performing arts establishments. It is also famous for its distinctive cuisine, and features a number of breweries, making it a perfect stop for anyone who is a fan of craft beers.

Perhaps as much of a draw as anything in Portland itself is the city’s stunning location. With forests, mountains, and oceans in every direction, it’s an ideal place for adventurers who love the great outdoors.

The Benson, A Coast Hotel is a historic property, set in the heart of Downtown Portland. With marble floors and crystal chandeliers, the hotel features a style sure to wow even the pickiest of guests.

The Palm Court lobby restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, which includes a range of specialities like tapas and cocktails. Complimentary Starbucks tea and coffee is offered here each morning, while you can enjoy live jazz music of an evening from Wednesday to Saturday.

Room service is also available if you’d rather dine in private. Each of the stunning rooms features luxuries like organic bathrobes and slippers, free toiletries, a flat screen cable TV, tea and coffee making facilities, and Wi-Fi.

24-hour business, conference, and fitness centres are available for all guests to use, while concierge and laundry services are also offered if required.

When it comes to picking the best time for a road trip from Los Angeles to Seattle, you won’t find a better option than the period between early June and mid-August. The reasons for this are twofold.

Firstly, these months feature the best temperatures along the route and at your destination. With the Pacific northwest being known for an often rainy, foggy climate, this gives you the best opportunity to enjoy the adventure and all of its attractions, from start to end.

Then there is the fact that parts of this route are often affected by wildfires at the end of Summer and beginning of Fall. Finishing your road trip by mid-August allows you to still enjoy fabulous temperatures, while avoiding these recurring natural disasters.

With over a thousand miles whichever route you take, a road trip from Los Angeles to Seattle takes you past an incredible number of attractions. The following list features those that shouldn’t be missed by anyone hoping to make the most of this wonderful adventure.

Located in the northern section of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) covers almost 157,000 acres, making it the largest urban national park in the world.

Its range of mountains, rock formations, wildlife, and stunning vistas make it an incredible natural destination that is in stark contrast to the sprawling metropolis it borders.

Notorious for its “21 miles of scenic beauty”, Malibu is an upmarket beach community, that is extremely popular with celebrities. Beaches feature stunning stretches of golden sand and are usually considerably quieter than those closer to the city.

Malibu is also incredibly popular with the surfing community, due to its strong currents and powerful breaks. Surfrider Beach was the first beach on Earth to be declared a World Surfing Reserve back in 2010.

This makes “The Bu” an ideal stop, whether you want a relaxing day at the beach or to get out in the ocean and ride the waves.

Located just off the coast, Channel Islands National Park features 5 beautiful islands, brimming with wildlife and incredible views of the Pacific ocean. The islands are surrounded by kelp forests, which grow up to 100 feet down to the ocean floor.

Tourists can visit the islands through a single ferry that departs from Oxnard harbour each morning. Once there, options like hiking the Anacapa Island Loop, snorkelling or scuba diving in the kelp forest, or a night camping are all possibilities.

The islands are home to species including the rare island fox, as well as almost 400 species of birds. Meanwhile, in the surrounding waters, you can hope to see dolphins, sea lions, seals, spiny lobsters, and whales.

San Simeon is a small area right on the Pacific coast, that is often visited by people hoping to see the Piedras Blancas Rookery, a large nesting ground for northern elephant seals. However, its most famous attraction is undoubtedly Hearst Castle.

An early 20th century, hilltop mansion, constructed by William Randolph Hearst, Hearst Castle now serves as a museum and California State Park, as well as a National Historic Landmark.

Its stunning architecture is a site to behold. The interiors feature elaborate furnishings and designs, which house Hearst’s extensive range of collections. Meanwhile, the exteriors boast features like pergolas and pools.

The most infamous attraction of Hearst Castle is the zebras that freely roam the grounds. While the original plans for a zoo were never realised, these iconic creatures have lived here for decades, making it likely the only place you will see them outside of an enclosure in the United States.

Often referred to as the most scenic stretch of road anywhere in the contiguous United States, Big Sur features rugged mountain landscapes and stunning ocean vistas. The village of the same name boasts the largest collection of shops and visitor centres for more than 70 miles.

Big Sur is a fabulous destination that offers adventurers the chance to explore the area, with hiking trails off into the forest or down to the ocean below. Despite its remote, rural location, it receives as many visitors each year as nearby Yosemite National Park, due to its breathtaking natural beauty.

Carmel-By-The-Sea is a historic town that was settled in 1770 by the Spanish, with the construction of the Mission San Carlos Borromeo De Carmelo.

One of the most authentic Roman Catholic mission churches in California, it is in fabulous condition and is the only one in the state to feature its original tower and bell.

A National Historic Landmark, it is also listed on the National Register Of Historic Places. While it is still an active parish church, it doubles as a museum, displaying exhibits that teach visitors the history of both the area and the building itself.

Pinnacles National Park is one of the newer national parks in the country, first established in 2013. It is known for its dramatic rock formations, which include caves, pinnacles, and spires, spread out across the hills of a rugged, volcanic landscape.

Rock climbing and caving are popular activities in the park, while nature lovers enjoy hiking the trails. During the springtime, the trails are alive with wildflowers, while bats, bobcats, deer, and foxes freely roam the park.

It is an especially good opportunity for birdwatchers, as among the 180+ species of birds that call the park home is the iconic California condor.

San Jose is the third most populous city in California and tenth most in the United States. It is known as a center for innovation, as it is the largest city in Silicon Valley, the heart of the United States tech industry.

Filled with beautiful buildings, a vibrant arts culture, and some of the finest establishments in the country, it is a perfect place to stop and take in a show or have a night out in a big city to break up your road trip.

Redwood National Park is an iconic landscape, which has featured in films such as Return Of The Jedi. Woodlands of massive, old-growth coastal redwood trees surround prairies, rivers, and streams, along 40 miles of California’s coastline.

From taking in the ocean vistas and enjoying relaxing fishing trips to hikes around canyons and tidal pools, Redwood National Park offers an abundance of opportunities.

With bears, deer, and elk roaming the forest, almost 300 species of birds living in its canopy, and California sea lions on the shoreline, you’ll never be short of unique wildlife to be on the lookout for.

Covering almost 1.8 million acres between the Cascade, Klamath, Oregon Coast, and Siskiyou mountain ranges, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is one of the most scenic national forests in the country.

Visitors will get to explore wilderness areas and forests full of old growth trees, winding rivers, and cascading waterfalls. It is even the home of the worlds largest pine tree, a ponderosa pine that stands 268 feet tall.

Siuslaw National Forest is a unique destination that is a mix of coastal forests and sand dunes. These combine with lakes, rivers, streams, and stretches of shoreline, to create a wide range of ecosystems and habitats.

The forest is a popular destination for people who enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, off-roading, or exploring tide pools. Climbers will also find the highest peak in the Oregon Coast Range, Mary’s Peak, which stands 4097 feet high.

Salem is the state capital and second largest city in Oregon. It also served as the capital of the Oregon Territory for most of its existence, from 1851 until it was admitted to the union in 1859. This makes it a fabulous destination for anyone interested in the history of Oregon.

A collection of museums, parks, churches, theatres, and the Capitol building itself provide plenty of places to learn about the city and its surrounding areas, as well as the state of Oregon as a whole.

Olympic National Park is one of the most northern and western national parks in the contiguous United States. Known primarily for its rugged mountains and glaciers, visitors have the opportunity to explore one of the wildest parts of America.

Subalpine forests and temperate rainforests are filled with meadows, rivers, and waterfalls, creating a picturesque scene straight off of a postcard. Deer, elk, and goat live in harmony with countless species of birds and marine mammals, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers.

Olympia is the capital of Washington state and is known as the cultural centre of the southern Puget Sound region.

Among its most popular attractions are the state Capitol building, the 1909 Governor’s Mansion, and Percival Landing Park, which features a beautiful boardwalk and displays of local art.

Nearby, nature lovers will also enjoy the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife refuge, which is home to more than 200 species of birds.

The third largest city in Washington, Tacoma is often referred to as the “City Of Destiny”, as it was selected as the western end of the Northern Pacific Railroad. A city that relies heavily on industry, it features the largest port in the state.

Among the most popular draws for visitors are the presence of the University Of Washington Tacoma, as well as the densest collection of art and history museums in Washington.

Mount Rainier National Park is based around a massive volcano in the Cascade Mountains, surrounded by meadows, waterfalls, and 27 major glaciers.

Considered the snowiest regularly measured location in the world during winter, you can explore a pristine, white wilderness, enjoying activities like skiing, snowshoe trekking, and tubing.

Then, in the summer months, you will encounter beautiful wildflower displays, full of wildlife including bear, deer, elk, goats, marmots, and more than 180 species of birds. You will also have the opportunity to partake in activities such as rock climbing.

A road trip from Los Angeles to Seattle along the Pacific Coast Highway is an incredible adventure, along one of the most beautiful roads in the world. It gives you the opportunity to see some of the most stunning vistas and breathtaking scenery you will ever experience.

While a journey of this length won’t be for everyone, those who enjoy the freedom of a road trip will find more value from this route than most other options I can think of.

Hopefully, you will now have all the information you need to maximise your enjoyment of the trip and experience all the wonders along the way. That means all that’s left is to start getting things booked, so you can hit the road as soon as possible and see all the wonders for yourself.