Help us plan a road trip from Vancouver to San Francisco
March 24-31st.
WE are planning a road trip from Vancouver to San Francisco end of March and we're looking for some advice on route planning and potential stops. We are planning to go to Woodburn Tulip Festival and Multnomah Falls and after these two stops we have no idea of what to do along the way to San Fancisco. We booked a hotel in Vacaville, CA as hotels in San Francisco are so expensive. Is there any cheap accommodation - I read about Nob Hill but still pricey for our budget.
We're thinking about going down the coast on the way there and taking the I-5 on the way home, probably stopping in Portland both ways.
Looking forward to all your suggestions. Thanks a lot!

We did this same trip two summers ago. One of my favorite stops was Seaside Oregan. We stayed right on the beach.
Also we rode out on the dunes. It was amazing, you end up riding along the gorgeous beach.

I just did this roadtrip in the summer. We booked a cabin at the KOA in Petaluma, CA. About an hour north of San Fran. KOA's are the best. Lots to do for the kids.

If you love olives stop in Corning at The Olive Pit. Free tasting! If you are staying in Vacaville go to the Jelly Belly factory for a tour. If you love jelly bellies go to the jelly belly outlet in Vacaville. Go the outlet store at 1663 East Monte Vista Ave (Nut tree Plaza) as they sell belly flops. The imperfect jelly bellies are perfect! I call 2 jelly bellies stuck together a bonus. Have a nice trip!

I did this trip ten years ago and saw hundreds, maybe a thousand, beautiful turn of the century houses. Northern Cal has one town after another of old house neighborhoods. Be sure to visit the Carson Mansion and nearby houses located in Eureka. There's a lot more to see there and in other cities like Ferndale, if so inclined.

One of my fave things to do

If you're driving along the coast bring gravol! The road is nauseatingly twisty.

I hate twisty roads!

We did the hop on hop off bus in San Francisco. We got the 2 day pass and 5 attractions. Loved the night tour, aquarium, dungeons, madam Tussaud's wax museum. These are all down by the wharf. Loved the tours and wonderful architecture. Went over to Sausalito and stopped in the Golden Gate Bridge.Also did the Disney museum but it was a long long walk from where the bus dropped you off. I would only go there if I had a car. Kids would be bored because it is a Walt Disney museum. I would do the hop on hop off bus tour again!

Crater lake in Oregon is well worth the detour off the coastal drive. It's beautiful! Also big sur is one of my favourite drives ever! Stop in Carmel for white sandy beaches and crazy looking trees. We stayed in Oakland and it's much cheaper. 7 days will be really pushing it. You will have to do long stretches of driving to make time to see things. The i-5 is fast but such a terribly boring drive, which makes it seem much longer.

I was just doing some research for a trip and discovered I likely won't be making it to Big Sur! https://www.wunderground.com/.../iconic-american...
WUNDERGROUND.COM
Iconic American Destination Virtually Isolated for Rest of Year | Weather Extremes

Oh no!

If you do the Coast highway in northern California be sure to stop in at Ferndale and spend a night at the Gingerbread Mansion. Check out their website. It is terrific and you'll love Ferndale.

On the Vancouver Flight Deals & Travel Specials page type in Oregon in the search box, you will see a posting for Lauren Madison Smith who was looking for advice on a similar trip - people offered many suggestions which might help you in your search

Thank you, Paulette.

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Southern Oregon coast the best. And No Cal

Trina Wray Waller

Driving the coast there and the I-5 back is the best way. We have done it many times and never get tired of it. Seaside, Oregon is beautiful. It may not seem like it from the Hwy but go into town and check out boardwalk. The dunes are amazing farther south - go for Dune Buggy ride near Florence.

Cannon beach Beautiful! And 20 min south from there manzanita. Seaside road has beautiful vistas!

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Florence Oregon is great. I found Seaside to be totally cheesy Don't feed the poor sea lions in tanks !!! Cannon beach is nice and popular but I found it kind of homogenized and generic with all the same buildings. Manzanita great.

Tillamook Cheese Factory. Sea Lions in Crescent City Harbour near the CA-OR border. Redwood National Forest if Star Wars fan.

Rem Bosa

Spend a nite in or around Eugene it's half way and rooms are very cheap. Stay outside of San Fran try the outskirts of Napa easy to spend the day in San Fran or wine tour.

Vacaville is a bit of a drive from San Francisco. If you're wanting to spend time in the city, maybe have a look at hotels in South San Francisco, San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek (cute downtown area). Basically anything just outside of SF will be cheaper. Also, a few hours north of SF is a town called Mendocino which is absolutely gorgeous. One of my favorite weekend getaways when I was living in SF. Feel free to pm me if you want more recommendations

Thank you Karen , this is so helpful!

Thank you so much for your input and suggestions. Now, we just hope for warmer and sunny days ahead - cheers everyone!

Airbnb nice places or check Groupon deals for the area

From Vancouver to SF, drive the coast, beautiful. I did it once like 7-8 years ago. I stayed a long the coast one night and didn't book in advance, just randomly pick
As for staying in San Francisco, it's expensive but Vacaville is far. You can try Berkeley, Alameda, Daily City area for hotels beside mentioned above San Bruno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek.

Tight time line too. You will want at least 3 nights along the Oregon coast and then anther to SF. That leave you 2 days in SF and then 2 days home unless you can drive straight through which I can't.

We have been to Cannon Beach and Astoria a few years back so we will just spend a night there this time. Hopefully it will not be too windy so we can enjoy the beach.

I’m a little lost! Looking for recommendations which area is better to book hotel in San Francisco With kids?
-fisherman’s wharf
-nobhill
-Chinatown
-marina
-any other?