San Francisco to Seattle: Highlights from a Road Trip

Anyone who has done some traveling is familiar with the realities of travel.  Things are never what you expect them to be, maybe a bit disappointing or more challenges await along the way than one foresaw, but in the end usually the good memories are the ones that stick.  When departing for a recent road trip where I would be traveling from San Francisco to Seattle by car with my husband, I thought there was no way this trip would ever live up to my expectations, I had heard and read so much about the beauty of this area.  We didn't even need to distance ourselves from the experience or allow the time lag after having come home to filter out the bad memories to realize this was a very unique place and one of the most perfect vacations we had had together. 

The trajectory took us through the coast of northern California, Sonoma, Mendocino, Redwoods National Park, then into the mountains of Oregon and Crater Lake National Park, back along the Oregon coast and, lastly, to Portland and Seattle.  Not only was it the perfect mix between city time and the outdoors but also, early May was the perfect time to visit this part of the US, as it's just on the cusp of the travel season so we had no problems finding last-minute accommodations and never had to deal with crowds. 

Top 10 Highlights:

1. Fresh Dungeness crab sandwiches and clam chowder on a shack at Monterra Beach, CA.  Freshest, largest pieces of crab eaten by the ocean is a taste that lingers for days.
2. Cinco de Mayo celebration at Dolores Park.  The whole Mission district seemed to come together at Dolores Park to celebrate Mexican heritage.  A mix of good music and the beginning of summer weather had everyone in a contagious good mood.  Some probably thought they were celebrating Mexican Independence Day (which is actually on September 16) or another Latin American festivity; it was a fun cultural experience, nevertheless. 
3. Mendocino, California.  The beautiful town of Mendocino has a special feel of its own.  Its location on a tip that juts out onto the ocean means you have immediate access to hikes with gorgeous views as well as easy access to beaches where you can just chill out and have a picnic or read a book for hours on end.  The town itself has a great selection of restaurants and B&Bs that are not easy on the pocket but all very picturesque and with lots of character.  The mix of high-end living and the hippie lifestyle of the locals gives this place its added charm.  We would have lingered here except we had another 725 miles to go to our end destination.
4. Friendly people everywhere we made a turn in both California and Oregon.  People were so ridiculously friendly everywhere we went we started making fun of this surreal experience.  Surely a combination of the contrast with big city attitudes and traveling outside of peak tourist season.
5. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon.  This pristine 1,943 feet-deep lake was formed thousands of   years ago when a volcano blew its top and collapsed.  America's deepest lake lies in a park that is covered in snow most of the year.  Only in August can one drive around the entire rim of the lake, as it is the only time of the year it's not partly or fully covered in snow.  We got there one week after the first paths had been cleared so there were barely any tourists to obstruct the view. 
6. Redwood National Forest, California.  Being surrounded by massive trees that have been around for centuries, more majestic than anything man could ever build, is humbling and awe-inspiring.
7. The freedom of walking right up to a B&B or hotel and find availability and being able to negotiate prices.  Note that AAA hotels give 10% off to members, even if you don't have your card on you.  Our top lucky find was Carter House B&B in Eureka, a Victorian inn with luxurious rooms and a phenomenal restaurant.  Full buffet breakfast is included in the room price as well as happy hour with hors d'oeuvres.   
8. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, between Florence and Coos Bay.  Going from forest to  sand dunes to ocean reminded us a bit of the Dunes de Pyla, in Bordeaux, France.  These dunes aren't quite as high and dramatic but the scenery is still beautiful and definitely worth a stop when in the area.
9. Desolate beaches that extend for 80 miles in the Lost Coast.  Backed by the Kings Range Mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, the Lost Coast is a strip of untouched coast north of Mendocino, south of Eureka that has been completely preserved for the enjoyment of nature.  You can find accommodations on Shelter Cove and from there you are on your own to camp if you want to spend the week hiking the California Coastal Trail. Getting out there is a bit of an adventure, as you head westbound from Garberville on US101, through Shelter Cover Rd., you hit some very windy roads until the deep forest eventually opens up to dramatic views of tall, green mountains blending into the beach by the rough ocean.  It's easy to get lost (no pun intended!) and locals appear to take some pleasure in keeping this their best kept secret but do persist, as you will be rewarded with an unforgettable experience. Words simply don't do justice to this place.
10. Seeing Seattle without rain.

This article was posted by Veronica Montero

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