California/Oregon, USA
5 days, 1700km, 23hrs driving
This drive is a wild ride through extraordinary scenery that most people will simply fly over.
There are so many reasons to visit these two cities, but what lies between them is a hugely diverse range of stunning scenery. Starting with the rolling hills and vineyards of Napa Valley, to the rocky California coast, the gobsmacking height of redwood forests, majestic snow capped mountains, and the geological phenomenon of Crater Lake. This drive really has it all, plus you will be embarking on a path that most people will just be flying over.
▐ Day 1 – San Francisco to Napa (~200km, ~3hrs)
▐ Day 2 – Napa to Eureka (~450km, ~6.5hrs)
▐ Day 3 – Eureka to Redding (~300km, ~4hrs)
▐ Day 4 – Redding to Klamath Falls (~230km, ~2.5hrs)
▐ Day 5 – Klamath Falls to Portland (~530km, ~7hrs)
Click on thumbnails for enlarged image:
Navigational Google Map:
Day 1 – San Francisco to Napa
Day 2 – Napa to Eureka
Day 3 – Eureka to Redding
Day 4 – Redding to Klamath Falls
Day 5 – Klamath Falls to Portland
▐ Day 1 – San Francisco to Napa (~200km, ~3hrs)
You may be thinking 200km doesn’t sound right, but this itinerary includes a day of activities on a loop of the Napa Valley including the Silverado Trail. Aim to leave San Francisco 
by late morning. It takes just over an hour to reach Napa depending on what bridge you cross leaving San Francisco. The first stop of the day is lunch at the Culinary Institute of America 
, a culinary college for aspiring chefs. Make sure to check out the gift shop on the way out! Next is the gorgeous Castello di Amorosa 
, a medieval Italian style castle. Guided tours are offered, but it is a nice stop just to have a short walk around. The Petrified Forest 
is a fascinating walk among a group of partially buried ‘petrified’ trees. These were caused as a result of Mount Saint Helena’s eruption thousands of years ago. It is a very educational stop and worth the $15 USD entry fee. Next stop is some wine tasting at the world renowned Chateau Montelena Winery 
– make sure you try their chardonnay! Spend some time walking around the beautiful ground before jumping back in the car and heading south to Napa, except this time on the Silverado Trail. There are several impressive views of the Napa Valley along the way, one of which is just off the main road 
. Black Stallion Winery 
is a nice stop to finish the day. There are plenty of dining and accommodation options in Napa 
, and it is a place you could easily spend a couple of extra days!
▐ Day 2 – Napa to Eureka (~450km, ~6.5hrs)
Today is a pretty long day on the road. Aim to leave Napa 
early if possible. Stay on State Route 128 (SR 128) and you will be rewarded with a great drive until you temporarily transfer to U.S. Route 101 (US 101). Jump back on SR 128 near Cloverdale. Continue through nice countryside until you reach the famous ‘Highway 1’. This part of SR 1 is a great drive as you instantly start hugging the rough Californian coastline. Stop off at Mendocino 
for lunch, and a short walk along Main St plus the Point Mendocino trail. Keep driving north, there are lots of spots worth pulling over and taking a photo as you start heading inland. The drive back to US 101 is extremely windy, so drive carefully and take your time. You have the option of the Drive-Thru Tree Park just before jumping back on US 101, but if not, head north along US 101 until you reach the south entrance to Avenue of the Giants. The signing can be a bit confusing along the drive, so I have explicitly placed towns along the way to ensure the map follows SR 254 (Avenue of the Giants). The majority of the road is truly awe-inspiring as you will find yourself leaning forward and looking up at the mighty redwoods. The best walk in my view is Franklin K. Lane Grove 
, and is located just a few kilometres into the drive. The rest of the drive can be enjoyed behind the wheel, but it can be a good idea to stop in at the Interpretive Center 
for a comprehensive map of the area. The end of the drive will deposit you back onto US 101. Make your way to Eureka 
where it is a good idea to stay for the night.
▐ Day 3 – Eureka to Redding (~300km, ~4hrs)
Today the route heads back inland, but there are a few places to visit along the coast beforehand. From Eureka 
, head north to the town of Arcata for a short marsh walk 
, a nice way to stretch your legs in the morning. Continue north along US 101 and have a quick walk around the beautiful town of Trinidad 
. If it is a nice clear day, a visit to Patricks Point State Park 
is worthwhile as you get some terrific views at various trails. It is well worth spending 2-3 hrs on a sunny day. Grab some takeout lunch on the way back south along US 101, and then make the turn east onto SR 299. This road through the Shasta-Trinity National Forest is a lot of fun to drive on, lots of elevation changes and fast turns. As you approach Redding 
, make sure you stop off at Whiskeytown Lake 
for a nice lookout! If you have daylight left, check out the Sundial Bridge across the Sacramento River before settling in for the night.
▐ Day 4 – Redding to Klamath Falls (~230km, ~2.5hrs)
It is possible to condense today’s drive into yesterday’s. The purpose of today is to spend some time around the Redding, Mt. Shasta and Klamath Falls area. A shorter drive today, but one of my personal favourites as you drive a beautiful section of US 97. In the morning, make sure to check out the Sundial Bridge and the Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding 
. There are some great views of the Sacramento River and surrounding mountain ranges. Head north up the Interstate 5 (I-5) towards the beautiful Mt. Shasta. There are good views all along the way, but don’t bother stopping anywhere here as the views only get better as you turn onto US 97 (named Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway) at Weed 
. There are great views from a variety of angles all the way along the road, the specific lookout with my favourite view is marked on the map 
. You will see Mt. Shasta in your mirrors until you cross the border into Oregon. Enjoy some pleasant driving as you approach Klamath Falls 
. There are some great walks around Klamath Falls, Moore Park is a good place to start. We were extremely lucky to get AirBnB accommodation right on Upper Klamath Lake when we visited – a beautiful spot. Stay around the Klamath Falls/Crater Lake area tonight as you base yourself for a day at Crater Lake National park tomorrow.
▐ Day 5 – Klamath Falls to Portland (~530km, ~7hrs)
The last day is pretty much all about Crater Lake National Park. The earlier you leave the Klamath Falls area 
, the better, to avoid the heaviest crowds. It takes a bit over 1 hr to get to Crater Lake Visitor Center at the rim from Klamath Falls. Once you are inside the park, head to the Rim Village Visitor Center 
and park. You have the option of staying here, or doing a Wizard Island Boat Tour (leaves from the north rim, requires an advanced booking). Otherwise this is a good spot to base yourself for the next few hours. You can spend a bit of time walking around the rim, and learning about the geology of this incredible place, and then head up to Garfield Peak for some outstanding views (roughly 2hr return). The restaurant in the Crater Lake Lodge is actually quite decent, and a good spot to have some lunch. When you head out of the park, you have the choice of east or west rim. West rim was closed due to a fire at the time I went, but the east was a marvelous drive and I would recommend it. From here, it is a long drive (~5hrs) to Portland. Head back to US 97 using Oregon Route 138 (OR 138), and start the long trek North. It is an enjoyable drive, especially along OR 58. Beautiful lakes and pine trees are prominent. Salt Creek Falls just off OR 58 was a stop recommended to us, but one we did not do to save time. Once you turn back onto I-5, the last couple hours of the trip go quickly, and hopefully has you in Portland 
at a reasonable hour!
Drively Planet 