Seattle to San Francisco: 5-Day Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Seattle → Port Angeles

Day 1: Seattle to Port Angeles – Markets, Ferries & Mountain Views

We kicked off our Pacific Coast Highway adventure with an early morning flight from Greensboro, NC, to Seattle. After landing, we picked up our rental car from Avis. Pro tip: We booked through the American Airlines portal to earn points — the price was the same as booking directly with Avis, but we earned extra travel rewards.

Pike Place Market (Seattle Stop #1)

Our first stop was the famous Pike Place Market. Nothing says “Seattle” like watching the fishmongers toss salmon through the air. We grabbed lunch, browsed local souvenirs, and soaked up the lively atmosphere before heading out of the city.

📌 Travel Tip: If you love markets, you’ll find plenty of unique foods and crafts here. Bring a reusable tote bag (like this foldable travel one, HERE ) for easy shopping.

Scenic Ferry Ride

Next, we drove to the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal to cross over to Southpoint. Riding the ferry was an adventure on its own — sea views, salty air, and the excitement of leaving the city behind.

From the ferry, we made our way toward Hama Hama Oyster Saloon. Side note: always double-check opening days before heading out! Hama Hama is only open on weekends, so we couldn’t stop this time.

Hidden Gem: Mount Walker Lookout

On the drive, we stumbled on Mount Walker Lookout — and it was worth the detour. At 2,805 feet, the view stretched across lush forests and snow-dusted peaks. It’s the kind of stop you only find when you slow down and explore.

Overnight in Port Angeles

We booked our stay at the Red Lion Hotel in Port Angeles (booked through AA for points — but you can also check deals on Expedia. Dinner was casual and delicious: pizza on the wharf, followed by a late-night stop at In-N-Out Burger — because when in the West, you have to.

Day 2: Olympic National Park – Waterfalls, Lakes & Giant Trees

We fueled up with breakfast at Chestnut Cottage Restaurant in Port Angeles — the plates were massive, so definitely come hungry!

Madison Falls & Lake Crescent

First up: Madison Falls Trailhead, a quick walk to a beautiful waterfall surrounded by mossy forest. From there, we followed the road along Lake Crescent, with its sparkling blue water framed by towering evergreens.

📌 Travel Tip: The backpack water bottle is a game-changer.[Amazon link] — you dont want to stop often.

Marymere Falls & Rainforest Hikes

Just off Lake Crescent, we hiked to Marymere Falls. The old-growth forest along the way was jaw-dropping — huge trees, ferns, and even a deer perched on a fallen log.

Hurricane Ridge & Hurricane Hill (Almost)

We drove up to Hurricane Ridge for sweeping mountain views. The Hurricane Hill trail is a 3-mile hike at high elevation, and with recent cougar sightings, we decided to stick to the overlook instead. Still, the views were worth it.

Elwha Valley & Giant Trees

Our final park stop was the Elwha Valley, home to waterfalls and massive trees. Walking here felt like stepping into a prehistoric forest.

📌 Travel Tip: If you’re visiting multiple parks, buy the America the Beautiful Pass  — it pays for itself quickly.

Lunch & Evening in Forks

We stopped at The Corner Caboose for lunch (hearty and delicious), then continued to Forks for the night. Dinner was at a little Mexican restaurant (Taqueria San Diatas). It wasn’t fancy, but it was authentic and comforting after a big day outdoors.

Day 3: Forks → Cannon Beach – Quirky Stops & Coastal Charm

Morning coffee at Local Mocha fueled us for the drive south.

World’s Largest Attractions

Along the way, we stopped at some quirky “world’s largest” sights — including the World’s Largest Sitka Spruce and the World’s Largest Oyster. These roadside oddities added fun breaks to the drive.

Goose Point Shellfish Farm

Since Hama Hama was closed, we detoured to Goose Point Shellfish Farm. My youngest tried raw oysters for the first time (brave!) while I tested smoked ones — not my vibe, but still a fun stop.

Astoria Brewery

Crossing into Oregon, we paused at Astoria Brewery for drinks and snacks, then continued toward

Cannon Beach.

Cannon Beach & Tolovana Beach State Park

We checked into the Inn at Cannon Beach and grabbed dinner next door before heading to the beach. Watching the sunset at Cannon Beach was magical — and later, we stargazed on the sand. My son even captured a stunning star-lapse photo.

Day 4: Cannon Beach → Coos Bay – Oregon Coast Icons

Silver Point Overlook

Just south of Cannon Beach, we stopped at Silver Point Overlook for postcard-worthy views.

Tillamook Creamery

Next up: the Tillamook Creamery. From cheese tasting to ice cream, this was a family-friendly favorite.

Seal Rock & Thor’s Well

Driving south, we explored Seal Rock and then the dramatic Thor’s Well, where seawater rushes into a natural sinkhole with the tide.

📌 Travel Tip: Visit Thor’s Well at high tide for drama, but stay back — it can be dangerous.

Coos Bay Stay

We ended the day with sushi at Tokyo Bistro and checked into a Cube House Airbnb (unique and fun lodging option).

Day 5: Coos Bay → San Francisco – Scenic Drive South

This was our longest drive day, but we squeezed in a few great stops.

Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint

A beautiful place to stretch our legs and enjoy sweeping coastal views.

Trinidad Bay Eatery & Gallery

Lunch at Trinidad Bay Eatery was a highlight — their crab fries are famous for a reason.

Classic Road Trip Eats

We couldn’t resist one more In-N-Out Burger before reaching San Francisco.

San Francisco Arrival

We checked into the Marriott San Francisco for a comfortable last night.

Travel Tips & Road Trip Essentials

These items made our journey stress-free:

• Packing Cubes → no messy luggage [Amazon link]

• Cooler Backpack → snacks stayed fresh [Amazon link]

• Portable Charger → phones always powered [Amazon link]

• Daypack Backpack → perfect for waterfall hikes [Amazon link]

• America the Beautiful Pass → saved money at Olympic NP

👉 Don’t forget to grab my Free Road Trip Packing Checklist [link] before you hit the road.

Conclusion: Memories from the Pacific Coast Highway

Our 5-day road trip from Seattle to San Francisco was packed with unforgettable views, quirky stops, and family moments that we’ll cherish forever.