Planning a trip from SF to Seattle. Input requested.

[Clarkmeister]

I am planning a vacation with the g/f that will have approximately the following macro level itinerary with some preliminary thoughts of what to do:

Day 1: Fly into SF/Oak (any opinions, does it matter)
Day 2-4: SF area (Visit Friends, Wine, Restaurants, Redwoods, Monterey)
Day 5-6: Drive up through Oregon/Washington State (Wine, National Parks, Ocean, B&B’s)
Day 7-8: Seattle area (Visit Friends, see the city)
Day 9: Fly home

Days are up for debate as needed or as cool stuff happens. There’s also a chance the trip gets done in reverse order (Seattle to SF). Obviously I won’t be able to do everything, but I do need to get an idea of what to add to the “firm” portion of the itinerary so I can plan accordingly.

All thoughts, ideas, comments, suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[suzzer99]

Be sure to take hwy 1 out of SF at least to Mendocino. Sick views. Pray for a nice day. You can drive through Muir Woods and take a short easy hike through some Coastal Redwoods, also off the same road a drive to the top of Mt. Tam is a must. Pt. Reyes is an awesome place to see seals, birds, mule deer, other wildlife. Not sure if the seals are around this time of year.

Other than that I'm anxious to hear what others have to say about everything from Pt. Reyes to Seattle as I've always wanted to do that drive.

[El Diablo]

Clark,

1: Doesn't matter. If you are coming in around rush hour/evening times, SFO will save you some time. But really it doesn't matter, OAK is maybe 20-40 min slower to the city than SFO.

2: Alcatraz is cool. Book tickets in advance if you want to go. If you are definitely driving down to Monterey, get some aquarium tickets in advance.

3: Bay Area things to do

[Kneel B4 Zod]

I did Portland to SF once. really a cool drive, especially southern Oregon. I'm from the northeast, so all of the redwoods and huge rock formations off the coast were new to me.

no specific reco's, except to say that the coastal drive in Oregon is stunning and you should take your time there.

oh, I do have one, which you probably already have: Columbia River Gorge. beautiful

[Clarkmeister]

[ QUOTE ]
I did Portland to SF once. really a cool drive, especially southern Oregon. I'm from the northeast, so all of the redwoods and huge rock formations off the coast were new to me.

no specific reco's, except to say that the coastal drive in Oregon is stunning and you should take your time there.

oh, I do have one, which you probably already have: Columbia River Gorge. beautiful

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm very ignorant of that part of the country, other than I've heard enough to make me want to take a 2-3 day leisurely trip up from The City to Seattle. Anything is appreciated.

[El Diablo]

clark,

It's just the city. The City is NYC.

[KJS]

Think about some nature spots that are not on the 1-5 corridor. Many of the best spots in the Pac NW are a bit away from I-5. Pick at least one of these for a diversion:

Mount St. Helens
Olympic National Park (gets my vote)
North Cascades NP (north of Seattle but killer)
Columbia River Gorge

KJS

[suzzer99]

If you're ambitious, reasonably in shape, and have decent shoes, you can cover most of the interesting parts of SF in a walking tour. Here's how I would do it:

Start at Fort Mason - walk over to Fisherman's Wharf for breakfast and awesome views of the GG bridge and Alcatraz

Make your wait to Coit Tower to check out the lay of the land

Check out North Beach

Take the Mason/Powell cable car to the main cable car station

Walk up to top of Nob Hill to check out the Fairmont, Flood Mansion, etc.

Cruise down to Chinatown

Make your way down stockton to Union Square

If interested make your way through downtown and on to the Ferry Building for views of the Bay Bridge, if not just head down to market and

Take Bart to the Mission for a lunchtime burrito

Walk from the Mission, through Delores Park, down 17th St. to the Castro

Head up Market to Filmore, take a left up to Lower Haight

Walk up to Upper Haight, or take a bus if you're getting worn out, take a detour down Scott St. to Alamo Sq and the 6 Sisters if feeling ambitious

Head up to the top of Buena Vista park if really ambitious for some great views, make your way back down to Haight on the side streets to see some nice Victorians up close

Check out GG park and the Arboretum

When you get bored with that come out the north side of GG park and hop the 5 Fulton to the beach

Have some apps and watch the sunset at the Beach Chalet or Cliff House, if you're not a picky eater, have dinner at either

Go back to the hotel and soak your feet

[Dids]

[ QUOTE ]
Think about some nature spots that are not on the 1-5 corridor. Many of the best spots in the Pac NW are a bit away from I-5. Pick at least one of these for a diversion:

Mount St. Helens
Olympic National Park (gets my vote)
North Cascades NP (north of Seattle but killer)
Columbia River Gorge

KJS

[/ QUOTE ]

Isn't St. Helens not very do-able these days? I thought it got all natured at or something.

I draw such a blank on stuff to do in Seattle. There's lots of little things I enjoy, but nothing so awesome you're an [censored] if you miss it.

Things I like:

Gasworks Park, it's just cool to look at.

I actually think the UW Campus, or at least "The Quad" is really beautiful.

I love the Seattle Zoo, but I'm a Zoo geek.

[Philuva]

I have done this trip twice (Seattle to SF and vice versa).

I would reccomend all of the following working from SF north to Seattle:
Napa
Healdsburg
Mendocino
Redwood National Forrest
Crater Lake
Portland
Columbia River Valley
Mount Hood
Tacoma (i thought the glass musuem was great)
Olypmic Natioanl Park

Feel free to send me a PM if you want specifics on anything. I did the trip in 2002 but remember the trip very well.

-Phil