Best Stop Over - San Fran CA to Portland OR

hi

we%26#39;re looking to drive from San Fran, CA to Porland, OR in 2 days. firstly does this seem like a good time-frame to cover the distance without driving all day, and secondly, which two places would be good to stop over. we%26#39;re keen to explore some of the redwood coast area (part of the reason for the trip) and would prefer to stay away from tourist traps and enjoy some of the natural beauty along the way.

thanks

south africans in london

Best Stop Over - San Fran CA to Portland OR

Hi there-

Sort of confused by your message... you have 2 days, but then it says you%26#39;re trying to find places to stay for 2 nights-does that mean you will have three days or two days to complete your trip?

It takes one full day~11 hours to get from SanFransicso to Portland on Interstate 5-without much more than stopping to gas your car and grab lunch.

If you have two days-it will be real hard pressed to see the redwoods and enjoy them, but if this is all the time you have, its probably doable, but will be a whirlwind. I;d probably spend the night near Eureka, CA.

If you have 3 days, that would be preferable. Don%26#39;t think there are too many tourist traps to avoid, unless you feel the need to visit Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox-which is a tourist tourist, recomended by yours truely.

Best Stop Over - San Fran CA to Portland OR

Are you planning to drive both directions? If so I would take the coast highway through California as far as Crescent City, then take 199 to Grants Pass. Just east of Crescent City on 199 you can camp at Panther Flats (USFS campground - very nice).

On the way back drive down the Oregon coast. (Driving south, it%26#39;s easier to pull off for the ocean viewpoints.)

Hope this helps!

Hi, and welcome to TripAdvisor.

To assist you more effectively, we need a bit more info!

Are you planning two nights or one in-between SF and Portland? One night is really far too much driving for your two days of travel. Two nights and three days is better.

Do you want to see some of the spectacular Oregon coast?

There aren%26#39;t many tourist traps along the northern CA and OR coasts, but it will take longer to travel as the roads are all two lane with limited passing (overtaking) sections.

It will take you about 6 hours to get from San Fran to Eureka. If you are looking to visit the Redwoods then you should leave in the morning so you have time to get up here. About an hour before you get to Eureka you will come to the Ave of the Giants, this is the old Hwy 101 that winds through all the Redwoods. There are plenty of places to pull over and explore. Founders Grove is a great spot to stop, large parking area, bathrooms and a great short trail. Then continue north and you will come to Eureka. Eureka is a small town, not really a tourist trap. Plenty of things to see there as well. Then you can leave the next day and continue up 101 to Hwy 199 then over to I-5 to Portland. You could take 101 all the way north, it will be a much prettier drive but it will take alot longer. While going north on 101 you will still be in the Redwoods, all the way through parts of Hwy 199. Taking 2 days to get to Portland from SF is a good idea, too long to do it all in one day. Drive Safe...