San Francisco to Seattle Roadtrip | campervan hire

Stop 1. San Francisco

Highlights:

The Golden Gate Bridge: Spanning almost two miles, this bridge is an iconic structure well worth the visit.
The Castro: One of the first gay neighbourhoods in the United States, the Castro is still a symbol of LGBTQ+ activism to this day.
Alcatraz: Located in the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island hosts a decommissioned military prison, lighthouse, and federal prison.

Where to Park:

Parking in San Francisco: There is plenty of metered parking in San Francisco. Most metres are enforced from 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday. Sunday is enforced in certain locations. Street parking rates will range from $1 to $7 an hour, depending on the area.
SFMTA - Union Square Garage: Includes a bathroom, lift, and security patrols. Prices range from $4 to $44.
235 Pine Street Parking Garage Downtown San Francisco: A clean, well-positioned garage. Prices range from $3.25 to $35.

Celebrate the diversity of San Francisco

Renowned for its grand-dame Victorians, its cable cars, a dynamic waterfront, and a sky-scraping golden bridge, San Francisco earns its reputation as one of the greatest cities in the world.

San Francisco attracts visitors all year round. Here, you can experience trending cuisine ranging from quaint food trucks to Michelin-starred restaurants. See world-famous symphony, opera, theatre, and ballet. Go on an eye-widening outdoor adventure. No matter your inclinations, you’ll find something to do in this bayside hub.

Stop 2: Mendocino

Highlights:

Russian Gulch State Park: Located just south of Mendocino, this beautiful state park features some amazing forests and waterfalls.
Mendocino Headlands State Park: Spread out in front of Mendocino Village, this state park is a must-see for the ocean views alone.
Ford House Museum: Part museum and part visitor centre, the Ford House Museum is a great way to get to know the area.

Where to Eat:

Wild Fish ($$): This restaurant features some of the freshest ingredients from both land and sea.
Albion River ($$$): Featuring local organic produce, this restaurant combines great food, wine, and service to offer one of the best dining experiences in the area.

Mendocino: the perfect basecamp

Located in the wild and rugged north coast of California, Mendocino is a small village with a big heart. It has a spectacular setting on a bluff overlooking the Pacific and is a great basecamp from which to explore the beautiful state parks that surround it.

The village is famous for its charming bed and breakfast inns, quaint saltbox houses, and awesome eateries that serve some of the best seafood in the area. Its surroundings are well worth the trip as well, sporting coastal bluffs and epic redwood forests.

Whether you want to take a relaxing stroll through town or a long hike along the coast, this little village is sure to capture your attention.

Stop 3. Portland

Highlights:

Forest Park: One of the nation’s largest urban parks, Forest Park covers 2,023 hectares and hosts over 113 km of hiking and biking trails.
Powell’s City of Books: The largest independent and used book store in the world, this massive store takes up a whole city block.
Columbia River Gorge: Just one hour from the city sits the Columbia River Gorge, a beautiful natural wilderness that is home to scenic vistas, waterfalls, and hiking trails.

Where to Park and Stay:

Parking in Portland ($$): There are five downtown SmartPark garages owned by the city with nearly 4,000 public spaces. There are also a number of privately owned garages throughout the city. Prices will vary depending on where you park.
200 Southwest Mill Street Garage: Clean and well-located. Prices range from $3 to $18.

Drink your fill of craft beer in Portland

Portland is a cultural hub where city and nature meet, weird is cool, and craft beer is mainstream. Oregon’s largest city, it’s home to world-class museums, boutique shops, parks, and, yes, breweries. The city’s motto is “keep Portland weird” which speaks to its nature quite well.

Visitors to Portland enjoy the quirky atmosphere, the brilliant sights, and the city’s dedication to fine dining and craft beer. The city is compact and easy to navigate, with plenty of public transport available. It’s also incredibly environmentally conscious, which makes for an impressive amalgamation of natural and urban sights.

Whether you’re a beer fiend or a nature lover, you’ll find something for you in Portland.

Stop 4: Mount Rainier National Park

Highlights:

Paradise: One of the most beautiful areas in the park, during the summer months the ground is blanketed in wildflowers and there are a number of falls to gaze upon.
Narada Falls: Located between Paradise and Longmire on Paradise Valley Road, these falls are not to be missed.
Longmire: What was once the headquarters of the park is now its historical district. It features a museum where you can learn the history of the area.

Where to Park and Stay:

Parking at Paradise, Sunrise, Grove of the Patriarchs ($): Parking at Paradise, Sunrise, Grove of the Patriarchs, and at the trailheads between Longmire and Paradise can be tricky on sunny summer weekends. It’s best to visit these areas on weekdays and arrive early for a spot. Parking is not permitted along road edges in the park.
Cougar Rock: Located in the southwest section of the park, this spot has some of the best views of the area. Pricing starts at $20 per night.

Experience the majesty of Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Ranier National Park is one of the most visited and one of the oldest in the United States. It’s the most prominent peak in the Cascade Range and attracts people from all over the world to tackle its hiking trails and see the beauty of its surroundings.

Established in 1899, it dominates the landscape of a huge chunk of western Washington State. The mountain stands at 4,392 m, making it several miles taller than the lowlands to its west and one and a half miles taller than the adjacent mountains.

Mount Rainier is an active volcano that last erupted about 150 years ago. It attracts nearly two million visitors per year who flock to the area to hike, mountain climb, backpack, and more.

To enter the park is $30 for a private vehicle.

Stop 5: Seattle

Highlights:

Pioneer Square: Seattle’s oldest neighbourhood, the area boasts some amazing architecture, book stores, galleries, and cafes.
Space Needle: The most iconic part of the Seattle skyline, this attraction provides panoramic views of downtown.
Pike Place Market: One of the most visited spots in Seattle, this market isn’t to be missed if you like good food and a good bargain.

Where to Park and Stay:

Parking in Seattle: On-street parking ranges from $1 to $4 per hour, you can’t leave your car there for longer than 72 hours. Seattle also has a number of dedicated parking garages. The average rates for off-street parking in Seattle are $7-$11 per hour.
Pacific Place Garage, Park Seattle: Great prices and good location. Prices range from $7 to $28.

Meet the friendly locals of Seattle

Seattle is a city that nature-lovers and urbanites can both appreciate. With majestic mountains on one side and ocean on the other, there is no shortage of outdoor adventures to be had. Coupled with world-class restaurants, museums, and other urban treasures, this city really does have something for everyone.

Visitors to the city enjoy the diverse, friendly locals and the laid-back atmosphere of the area. The food, art, and music scene is one of the best in the United States and makes this city a must-see on your campervan road trip.