San Francisco to Seattle: an off-the-wall roadtrip to remember

Difficulty

935 mi/1505 km km

Distance

5

Recom. Days

Adventure

Trip type

Europe trip
Anna Bujas

Anna has traveled to over 35 countries and is always looking for the next adventure for her and her dog.

San Francisco to Seattle Road trip

San Francisco to Seattle road trip map

Google Maps

San Francisco and Seattle are two eclectic peas in a pod. Visiting both cities is a must if you’re in the area and doing so in an RV is particularly beneficial as you get to see some excellent sights along the way.

Take a look at one potential itinerary you can follow as you travel from San Francisco to Seattle. On the way, you’ll see natural wonders, experience epic food, and take in some of the best craft beer in the United States.

From San Francisco to Mendocino to Portland to Mount Ranier National Park to Seattle, each stop will wow in its own way.

Let’s get started.

San Francisco road trip
Pick-up in
San Francisco Pick-up center
1

Stop One: Celebrate the diversity of San Francisco

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

San Francisco attracts visitors all year round. Here, you can experience trending cuisine ranging from quaint food trucks to Michelin-starred restaurants. See world-famous symphony, opera, theater, and ballet. Go on an eye-widening outdoor adventure. No matter your inclinations, you’ll find something to do in this bayside hub.

Mamouth mountains near San Francisco

San Francisco attracts visitors all year round. Here, you can experience trending cuisine ranging from quaint food trucks to Michelin-starred restaurants. See world-famous symphony, opera, theater, and ballet. Go on an eye-widening outdoor adventure. No matter your inclinations, you’ll find something to do in this bayside hub.

Visiting

San Francisco

1

Recom. Days

Main route

50 miles

from San Francisco depot

20 min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

The Golden Gate Bridge

Spanning almost two miles, this bridge is an iconic structure well worth the visit.

The Castro

One of the first gay neighborhoods 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.

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Parking

Parking in San Francisco

There is plenty of metered parking in San Francisco. Most meters are enforced from 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday. Sunday is enforced in certain locations. Street parking rates will range from $1 to $7 an hour, depending on the area.

SFMTA - Union Square Garage

Includes a bathroom, elevator, and security patrols. Prices range from $4 to $44.

235 Pine Street Parking Garage Downtown San Francisco

A clean, well-positioned garage. Prices range from $3.25 to $35.

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Eat at

Empress by Boon

$$

This restaurant serves modern takes on traditional Cantonese food prepared with local ingredients.

Nari

$$

A contemporary Thai restaurant, the menu swaps some traditional ingredients for locally sourced seasonal ones.

Liholiho Yacht Club

$$

Exciting Hawaiian cuisine served in a friendly, quaint atmosphere.

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Stay at

Marin Park

Just 10 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, this is the closest RV park to San Francisco proper. Prices start at $99 per night plus tax.

San Francisco RV Resort

$$

Just 15 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge, this park’s location makes it a great basecamp. Prices depend on your date of travel.

Pillar Point RV Park

Located a little out of the city, this quaint park has ocean views and friendly staff. Pricing starts from $80 per night.

2

Stop Two: Mendocino – the perfect basecamp

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

The village is famous for its charming bed and breakfast inns, quaint saltbox houses, and awesome eateries that serve some of the best seafood in the area. Its surroundings are well worth the trip as well, sporting coastal bluffs and epic redwood forests.

Mendocino

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.

Visiting

Mendocino

1

Recom. Days

Main route

155 miles

from San Francisco

3h12min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Russian Gulch State Park

Located just south of Mendocino, this beautiful state park features some amazing forests and waterfalls.

Mendocino Headlands State Park

Spread out in front of Mendocino Village, this state park is a must-see for the ocean views alone.

Ford House Museum

$

Part museum and part visitor center, the Ford House Museum is a great way to get to know the area.

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Parking

Point Cabrillo Light Station Parking

$$

An attraction unto itself, this park is well-located

Jug Handle State Reserve Parking

$$

Well positioned and clean.

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Eat at

Wild Fish

$$

This restaurant features some of the freshest ingredients from both land and sea.

Albion River

$$$

Featuring 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 beautiful old farmhouse, this cafe’s atmosphere is as good as its menu.

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Stay at

Pomo RV Park & Campground

Just a few minutes from Mendocino, this park is situated on 17 beautiful acres. Pricing ranges from $47 to $49.

Woodside RV Park & Campground

A well-shaded, quaint campground with plenty of amenities. Fees range from $30 to $38.

Van Damme State Park Campground

$

Three miles south of Mendocino, this campground offers RV camping all year round. Pricing depends on your date of travel.

3

Stop Three: Drink your fill of craft beer 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 speaks to its nature quite well.

green hill with snow covered mountain in the background, portland water front

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 navigate, with plenty of public transport available. It’s also incredibly environmentally conscious, which makes for an impressive amalgamation of natural and urban sights.

Whether you’re a beer fiend or a nature lover, you’ll find something for you in Portland.

Visiting

Portland

1

Recom. Days

Main route

552 miles

from Mendocino

10h31min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Forest Park

One of the nation’s largest urban parks, Forest Park covers 5,000 acres and hosts over 70 miles of hiking and biking trails.

Powell’s City of Books

The largest independent and used book store in the world, this massive store takes up a whole city block.

Columbia River Gorge

Just one hour from the city sits the Columbia River Gorge, a beautiful natural wilderness that is home to scenic vistas, waterfalls, and hiking trails.

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Parking

Parking in Portland

$$

There are five downtown SmartPark garages owned by the city with nearly 4,000 public spaces. There are also a number of privately owned garages throughout the city. Prices will vary depending on where you park.

200 Southwest Mill Street Garage

Clean and well-located. Prices range from $3 to $18.

Southpark Garage

Great service and good price. Prices range from $1 to $13.

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Eat at

Coquine

$$

A French-inspired neighborhood restaurant, the food at Coquine is notoriously perfect.

Canard

$$

Cafe by day and wine and cocktail restaurant by night, Canard will satisfy whatever craving you might have.

Nimblefish

$$$

Serving fresh, diverse, premium sushi, this is the best place in Portland to experience this Japanese dish.

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Stay at

Roamer’s Rest RV Park

Located just south of Portland, this RV park isn’t to be beaten on location. You’re looking at $67 per night to stay here.

Portland Fairview RV Park

This park has a slew of amenities, including an onsite gym. Pricing is between $59 to $62 per night.

Rolling Hills RV Park

$$

Situated on the Columbia River north of the city, this RV park has some great views. Pricing depends on your date of travel.

4

Stop Four: Experience the majesty of Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Ranier National Park is one of the most visited and one of the oldest in the United States. It’s the most prominent peak in the Cascade Range and attracts people from all over the world to tackle its hiking trails and see the beauty of its surroundings.

Established in 1899, it dominates the landscape of a huge chunk of western Washington State. The mountain stands at 14,410 feet, making it several miles taller than the lowlands to its west and one and a half miles taller than the adjacent mountains.

Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier is an active volcano that last erupted about 150 years ago. It attracts nearly two million visitors per year who flock to the area to hike, mountain climb, backpack, and more.

To enter the park is $30 for a private vehicle.

Visiting

Mount Rainier National Park

1

Recom. Days

Main route

139 miles

from Portland

2h46min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Paradise

One of the most beautiful areas in the park, during the summer months the ground is blanketed in wildflowers and there are a number of falls to gaze upon.

Narada Falls

Located between Paradise and Longmire on Paradise Valley Road, these falls are not to be missed.

Longmire

What was once the headquarters of the park is now its historical district. It features a museum where you can learn the history of the area.

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Parking

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 is not permitted along road edges in the park.

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Eat at

National Park Inn

$$

The only in-park dining facility that’s open all year, it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Paradise Inn

$

A restaurant and small cafe, this inn is open from May through to early October.

Paradise Camp Deli

$

This cafeteria is located in the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise and is usually open on holidays and weekends in the winter and daily from May through to early October.

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Stay at

Cougar Rock

Located in the southwest section of the park, this spot has some of the best views of the area. Pricing starts at $20 per night.

Ohanapecosh

Located in the southeast section of the park, this campground is open from late May to early September. Prices start at $20 per night.

White River

Located in the northeast section of the park, this campground stands at 4,400 feet, making it the highest elevated campground in the park. Pricing starts at $20 per night.

5

Stop Five: Meet the friendly locals of Seattle

Seattle is a city that nature-lovers and urbanites can both appreciate. With majestic mountains on one side and ocean on the other, there is no shortage of outdoor adventures to be had. Coupled with world-class restaurants, museums, and other urban treasures, this city really does have something for everyone.

Seattle Pier

Visitors to the city enjoy the diverse, friendly locals and the laid-back atmosphere 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 RV road trip.

Visiting

Seattle

1

Recom. Days

Main route

89.6 miles

from Mount Ranier National Park

2h41min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Pioneer Square

Seattle’s oldest neighborhood, the area boasts some amazing architecture, book stores, galleries, and cafes.

Space Needle

The most iconic part of the Seattle skyline, this attraction provides panoramic views of downtown.

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.

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Parking

Parking in Seattle

On-street parking ranges from $1 to $4 per hour, you can’t leave your car there for longer than 72 hours. Seattle also has a number of dedicated parking garages. The average rates for off-street parking in Seattle are $7-11 per hour

Pacific Place Garage - Park Seattle

Great prices and good location. Prices range from $7 to $28.

Union Square Garage - Park Seattle

$$

Downtown Seattle car park with good security.

Tomo

$$

A mashup of Northwest, Japanese, and fine dining influences, this restaurant serves a truly eclectic assortment of dishes.

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Eat at

The Market Fishmonger & Eatery

$$$

Located inside the Seattle Art Museum, this restaurant serves a mix of northwest and Asian cuisine.

Kricket Club

$$

Featuring a menu of South Asian specialties, in this restaurant Indian street food goes upscale.

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Stay at

Vasa Park Resort

Featuring fully paved, big-rig friendly campsites with full hookups this is some of the best RV camping near the city. Pricing is between $46 and $58.

Manchester State Park

Located just 10.5 miles outside the city, this beautiful park offers gorgeous ocean views. Prices start at $25 per night.

Lake Pleasant RV Park

Just 13 miles north of the city, this tranquil park is a great place to relax. Pricing starts at $44 per night.

Drop-off in
San Francisco Pick-up center

808 miles

from Seattle

12h49min

drive