Pacific Northwest Road Trip

EXPLORING THE COASTLINES OF WASHINGTON AND OREGON ALONG WITH
NATIONAL PARKS AND CITIES

The highlights of this Pacific Northwest road trip included exploring the rugged coastlines of Washington and Oregon, visits to several National Parks, and time spent in Seattle and Portland. Total miles traveled over 19 days was around 1,800, beginning and ending in Seattle. This trip has something for everyone: kids of all ages will love the tide pools, jet boat tour and dune buggy ride. Older kids can visit many of the sites made famous in the Twilight movies, and adults will love the Museum of Pop Culture and the San Juan Islands, among other things.

Updated 2024

Here is the general itinerary that we used for our 19 day Pacific Northwest vacation in Washington & Oregon (including approximate driving time and flying in and out of Seattle). We took this trip during the month of August. Before planning any road trips check the individual national park websites for the most current information about closures within the parks, along with reservation information. Some of the activities listed when this post was originally written may no longer be available. Keep reading for more trip details, and be sure to check out my related posts listed at the end.

Days 1 – 3: Explore Seattle
Day 4: Ferry to San Juan Islands with whale watching; overnight in Friday Harbor
Day 5: Explore San Juan Island; ferry back to Seattle
Day 6: Depart for Olympic Peninsula (3 hour drive including car ferry) – Olympic National Park Visitor Center, Hurricane Ridge & Lake Crescent
Day 7: Explore Forks, La Push, Hoh Rain Forest, & beaches; overnight in park at Kalaloch Lodge
Day 8: Continue travel down Pacific coast (drive 2 ½ hours to Astoria); Stop at Lewis & Clark Center in Long Beach; Fort Clatsop in Astoria
Day 9: Astoria/Seaside/Cannon Beach/Oregon Coast (drive 2 hours down coast to Lincoln)
Day 10: Continue exploring Oregon coast towards Florence; sand dune buggy ride (2 hour drive to Bandon Beach)
Day 11: Head inland towards Grants Pass/Jetboat tour on Rogue River (drive 2 ½ hours)
Day 12: Continue drive to Crater Lake (2 hour drive)/ Explore Crater Lake – afternoon boat tour
Day 13: Driving Loop of Crater Lake/Head to Lake Billy Chinook (2 hour drive)
Day 14: Head towards Colombia River (2 ½ hour drive); Paddleboat tour, waterfall hikes
Day 15: Drive to Portland – explore Portland
Day 16: Explore Portland
Day 17: Drive to Mount St. Helens/Explore at Johnston Ridge Observatory; travel to Mount Rainier (2 ½ hours from Portland to Mount St. Helens)
Day 18: Explore Mount Rainier; drive back to Seattle in evening (drive 2 ½ hours)
Day 19: Depart Seattle

Begin your trip by spending the first few days in Seattle, where there are so many activities to choose from, both downtown and in the suburbs. Some of our favorites included Pike Place Market, The Space Needle, and the Museum of Pop Culture. Be sure to try the clam chowder at Ivar’s. Go down under with the Underground tour below Pioneer Square. Outside of downtown, try Green Lake Park for a swim in the lake. See the Fish Ladders and swimming salmon at Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Get more ideas for things to do in Seattle, especially with teens.

We decided to take a high speed passenger ferry from Seattle to the San Juan Islands (Victoria Clipper departs from downtown Seattle). We choose to purchase a package which included the ferry ride along with a separate whale watching tour once we arrived. While on the San Juans, there are so many activities to choose from, such as horseback riding, kayaking and biking. The biking was a little strenuous, but the view of the ocean at the end of the ride was worth it. We spent one night, before we took the ferry back to Seattle.

San Juan Islands - Pacific Northwest Road Trip

After returning to Seattle, head off on one of several ferry routes to the stunningly beautiful Olympic Peninsula. Visit the ferry website for specific route information. The ferries are very efficient and comfortable, and the kids loved them.

You could easily spend several days on the Olympic Peninsula. The Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles, is always a great place to start. Depending on the weather, drive out to Hurricane Ridge or Lake Crescent. Fans of the movie Twilight will definitely want to visit the town of Forks, as well as the beaches of La Push to look for vampires and werewolves! Just know that many of the Twilight scenes were actually filmed in other parts of Washington and Oregon! As you continue around the peninsula about 90 miles from Port Angeles, venture into the Hoh Rain Forest, one of the few temperate rainforests in the United States. While there aren’t many accommodations in this part of the park, don’t miss Kalaloch Lodge, with its cabins on a bluff overlooking the ocean. The early morning tide pools are fabulous for kids to see hundreds of starfish, among other sea creatures. Some of the beaches require easy hikes down but be sure to pay attention to the tide charts as the tides shift dramatically during the day.

Continue your journey down the coast of Washington, stopping along the way as you see fit. Tucked away at the southern tip of Washington (and only 20 miles north of Astoria, Oregon) is the wonderful Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. It’s a gem that I’m sure most people don’t get to because of the remote location. From there, cross over into Oregon to continue your trip.

Spend the night in Astoria and visit Fort Clatsop, where you can see where Lewis and Clark ended their famous westward journey. Kids will love seeing the old fort and the wonderful ranger programs.

From Astoria, there are so many sights to see along the rugged Oregon Coast. These include visiting the Seaside Aquarium, established in 1937 (the kids will love feeding the seals), Cannon Beach (home of the famous Haystack Rock), Ecola State Park, or the Tillamook Cheese Factory (definitely going to do this on our next visit)!

Seaside, OR - Pacific Northwest Road Trip

There are so many great towns along the coast to spend the night before you continue making your way down south. We found a nice hotel right on the beach in the resort town of Lincoln City with tons of tide pools for exploring the sea life. As you continue down the coast, be sure to stop in Florence to experience a thrilling Sand Dune Buggy Ride. We chose the Adventure Ride at Sandland Adventures and were not disappointed!

We went as far as Bandon before heading eastward towards Grants Pass. The low tide in Bandon in the morning was unbelievable, with sea life everywhere. In Grants Pass, you can experience a Jet Boat ride on the scenic Rogue River. Hellgate Boat Tours was the one we chose. Luckily it was a hot day because we did get soaked! We stayed nearby at the Motel Del Rogue, a wonderful old fashioned motel right on the river, with larger rooms and back porches. The rooms are rustic but very relaxing.

If you are into weird science, check out the Oregon Vortex and House of Mystery in Gold Hill. I have to admit I’m a skeptic when it comes to things like this, but even I was mystified. You have to see it to believe it! It’s definitely not for those who experience vertigo or dizziness.

From Grants Pass, head on over to Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the U.S., formed when Mount Mazama collapsed. Words can’t describe the beauty of this lake, with the most amazing blue color. It’s one of those National Parks that should be on everyone’s bucket list! Although no personal boats are allowed on the lake, you can take a ranger led boat tour. It’s a strenuous hike down and back up to get to the dock, but worth it (it’s the only place in the lake that you can dip your toes into the water, if you can stand the frigid year round temperature). The night-time views of the sky from the patio of Crater Lake Lodge were amazing, and we were lucky to witness a meteor shower! Here’s more tips and resources for planning a national park vacation.

Crater Lake National Park - Pacific Northwest Road Trip

After your visit at Crater Lake, you can head up to Bend, which is a beautiful city with access to outdoor activities in Central Oregon. There are several lakes along the way, including lake Billy Chinook and the Cove Palisades State Park, where you can make a stop for a swim. Don’t forget to spend some time at the Mt. Hood recreation area, where during the summer there is a host of activities, including the alpine slide and bungee jumping while on a trampoline!

From there, head on up to the Columbia River, where you can step back in time and travel on a Sternwheeler on the river. All along the Columbia River there are some beautiful waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls (some Twilight scenes were filmed here). The US Forest Service website for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is a good resource.

Next stop is Portland, which offers so many different activities for families. Trying some local food was at the top of our list. If you are hungry, the famous food carts often offer unique dining options. For a break from ho-hum hotel rooms, check out the Inn at Northrup Station, a colorful boutique hotel in Northwest Portland, and enjoy breakfast on the rooftop deck and streetcar service right out your front door! Check out Old Town Pizza & Brewing, but watch out for ghosts! And don’t forget Voodoo Doughnuts (check out one of several locations in Portland!) Finally, be sure to visit the famous International Rose Test Garden, which in addition to all the beautiful flowers, offers great city views.

Portland, OR - Pacific Northwest Road Trip

After a few days in the city, head north towards Mount St. Helens. If you are a Twilight Fan, stop in Kalama, Washington, and drive by Kalama High School, used for many of the school scenes in the original movie. Once near Mount St. Helens, Route 504 will take you past the Visitor Center and all the way out to the Johnston Ridge Observatory. It’s an amazing story you won’t want to miss. (Currently the road to the Observatory is not accessible.)

When you finish touring Mount St. Helens, spend the night close to Mount Rainier National Park so you can an early start in another spectacular park the next day. We learned the hard way that you should enter from the eastern side of the park to follow the sunrise. It may take all day for the “mountain to come out” of the clouds. Check out the National Park website for maps and things to do.

Finish your trip by travelling back to Seattle. Spend another day or two in the city, just exploring or visiting those places you didn’t see when you began your trip.

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