San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip | Campervan Hire

Stop 1. San Francisco

Highlights:

The Golden Gate Bridge: Spanning almost two miles (≈3.2 km), 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’s plenty of pay-and-display parking in San Francisco. Most meters are enforced from 09:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday. Enforcement applies on Sundays in certain locations. Street parking rates range from $1 to $7 per hour, depending on the area.
SFMTA - Union Square Garage: Includes a toilet, lift and security patrols. Prices range from $4 to $44.
235 Pine Street Parking Garage, downtown San Francisco: A clean, well located garage. Prices range from $3.25 to $35.

Celebrate San Francisco's diversity

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

San Francisco attracts visitors year-round. Here, you can experience trendy cuisine ranging from quirky food trucks to Michelin-starred restaurants. Catch world-famous symphony, opera, theatre and ballet. Go on an eye-opening outdoor adventure. Whatever you’re into, 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 stunning forests and waterfalls.
Mendocino Headlands State Park: Spread out in front of Mendocino Village, this state park is a must for the ocean views alone.
Ford House Museum: Part museum, part visitor centre, the Ford House Museum is a great way to get to know the area.

Where to Eat:

Wild Fish ($$): This restaurant serves some of the freshest ingredients from both land and sea.
Albion River ($$$): With local organic produce, this restaurant combines great food, wine and service to offer one of the best dining experiences in the area.
Cafe Beaujolais ($): Housed in a lovely old farmhouse, this café’s atmosphere is as good as its menu.

Mendocino: the perfect base camp

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

The village is famous for its charming bed and breakfasts, quaint saltbox-style houses, and brilliant eateries that serve some of the best seafood in the area. Its surroundings are well worth the trip too, with 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 5,000 acres and hosts over 70 miles of hiking and cycling trails.
Powell’s City of Books: The largest independent and used bookshop in the world, this massive shop takes up an entire city block.
Columbia River Gorge: Just one hour from the city lies the Columbia River Gorge, a beautiful natural wilderness home to scenic vistas, waterfalls, and hiking trails.

Where to Park and Stay:

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

Sample as much craft beer as you like 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 says a lot about its character.

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 get around, with plenty of public transport. It’s also incredibly environmentally conscious, which makes for an impressive blend of natural and urban scenery.

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 — in summer the ground is carpeted with wildflowers and there are several waterfalls to gaze at.
Narada Falls: Located between Paradise and Longmire on Paradise Valley Road, Narada Falls are not to be missed.
Longmire: What was once the park’s headquarters is now its historic district. It has a museum where you can learn about the area’s history.

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 isn’t allowed on the road edges within the park.
Cougar Rock: In the south-west of the park, this spot has some of the best views around. Prices start at $20 a night.

Take in the majesty of Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most visited and oldest in the United States. It’s the most prominent peak in the Cascade Range and draws people from around the world to tackle its hiking trails and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

Established in 1899, it dominates a huge area of western Washington state. The mountain stands at 14,410 feet (4,392 m), making it several miles (several kilometres) higher than the lowlands to its west and about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) taller than the nearby peaks.

Mount Rainier is an active volcano that last erupted about 150 years ago. It attracts nearly two million visitors a year who come to hike, climb, go backpacking and more.

Park entry costs $30 per private vehicle.

Stop 5: Seattle

Highlights:

Pioneer Square: Seattle’s oldest neighbourhood, the area boasts some amazing architecture, bookshops, galleries, and cafés.
Space Needle: The most iconic part of the Seattle skyline, this attraction provides panoramic views over the city centre.
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 costs $1 to $4 per hour; you can’t leave your car there for more than 72 hours. Seattle also has a number of dedicated car parks. The average rates for off-street parking in Seattle are $7–$11 per hour.
Pacific Place Garage, Park Seattle: Great prices and a good location. Prices range from $7 to $28.

Meet the friendly locals of Seattle

Seattle is a city that nature lovers and city-dwellers can both appreciate. With majestic mountains on one side and the sea on the other, there’s plenty of outdoor adventures to enjoy. Coupled with world-class restaurants, museums and other urban treasures, this city really does have something for everyone.

Visitors love the friendly, diverse locals and the laid-back vibe 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.