San Francisco to Portland Road Trip Guide

Whether you are traveling with children or just a kid at heart who loves animals, you will want to check out the Oregon Zoo when you arrive in Portland, Oregon. The zoo is situated in Washington Park, just outside of the downtown area, covers 64 acres, and is run by the municipal government. Here you will find over 230 different species with 1800 individual animals, many of which are endangered or threatened species. The Oregon Zoo attracts 1.6 million visitors annually and is one of Oregon’s most popular attractions.

Don't miss the opportunity to explore this excellent, state of the art zoo while staying in Portland, and visit the surrounding Washington Park which boasts a Japanese and rose garden, and a children's museum. The zoo features a tourist railway, gift shop, art works, summer concerts, and amazing animal exhibits. Parking on-site for large RVs is limited, so you might want to leave your unit at a nearby campground, and visit Washington Park and the zoo in a passenger vehicle.

Once you cross over the state border into picturesque Oregon, you will find yourself surrounded by spectacular national forests that provide beautiful wilderness areas as you proceed up the interstate. From Medford, Oregon, take route 62 for 80 miles northeast to reach Crater Lake National Park and discover a collapsed, and now dormant volcano crater, which forms the deepest lake in the US, at just under 2000 feet in depth.

The lake is surrounded by old-growth forest that harbors abundant wildlife and creates a scenic backdrop Although open year-round, the park is subject to drastic climate changes and conditions in the offseason so peak season may be a preferable time to visit the park when the weather is more stable, and you are less likely to experience inclement weather conditions.

Visitors to the park will enjoy hiking, wildlife watching, and sightseeing opportunities, while the lake provides boating, swimming, and fishing activities. There are RV campgrounds in the park that accommodate moderately sized units. You may want to book ahead, as sites can fill up fast at this national park destination.

Continue north to just south of the Oregon state line on Interstate 5 to the Shasta Trinity National Forest. Here, northern California forests encompass a vast area of 2210485 acres, and comprise the largest national forest in the state, with five wilderness areas, over 6000 miles of streams, and hundreds of lakes that dot the mountainous area. Mount Shasta towers above the wilderness area at over 14000 feet in elevation.

Enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, and cycling in the peak seasons, and winter sports including snowmobiling, nordic sports, and alpine adventures in the off-season in this incredible national forest. Campgrounds in the area include first-come, first-served sites, and reservation campsites that accommodate moderately sized RV units.

There are no hookups or services but there are plenty of amenities such as flush and vault toilets, boat launches, and drinking water supplies. Wildlife abounds in this wooded mountain park, so keep an eye out for large mammals and predators. RV Campers will want to take precautions to have bear-proof containers for food storage.

As you head north on Interstate 80 to Interstate 505, consider continuing east on Interstate 80 for a short detour to the historic California State Capital of Sacramento. The city has numerous historical and cultural sites, parks, interesting architecture, and scenery, just waiting to be discovered.

Visit the Old Sacramento Historic Park which is a National Historic Landmark, and dates back to the 1850s. The site is situated on the east shore of the Sacramento River in the heart of the city. Many of the buildings in this waterfront area date back to the 1850s, during the building boom created by the Gold Rush.

The Eagle Theatre is one of the most interesting historic buildings and is a popular attraction at the park. The Old Sacramento site has been through a lot over the years, with incidents such as fires and floods. The Old Sacramento site is now a 28-acre park with plenty to see. While visiting historic sites in Sacramento you will find RV camping about one hour north at the Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area which provides ideal, quiet, RV camping for Sacramento visitors, about an hour north of the city.

As you head north of San Francisco, along Interstate 80 and 505, you will pass through rich agricultural lands and the world-famous wine country of Napa Valley which is situated just to the west of the interstate routes. Napa Valley is the location of more than 400 wineries that dot the fertile region and produce internationally renowned and prize-winning wines.

Take a stroll through vineyards, taste award-winning wines and food, and enjoy the views of the vineyards in the valley below from scenic overlooks. Enjoy fine dining available in the region, as well as luxurious resorts. Or for the truly adventurous who are not afraid of heights, take a balloon ride for incredible views of the Napa Valley.

Numerous private RV parks and campgrounds are situated in the area around Napa, and provide sites appropriate for all types of RVs, with amenities and services. Traffic in this area of California can be heavy, so don’t be in a hurry, sit back and take your time as you meander through the Napa Valley winery sites, and remember if you are sampling the local wares, take a tour, see Napa Valley Wine Tours for local tour companies, or have a designated driver!

Before leaving San Francisco, don't miss the fascinating tourist destination of Alcatraz. The site has been famous, or rather infamous, for over 150 years. The site is located on an island off the coast of San Francisco, and throughout its history has been a military site and prison, a dreaded inescapable maximum-security penitentiary, disputed Native American territory, and a national park site. It's popular with tourists who want to see the site of the now-defunct, but nevertheless chilling prison, known as “The Rock”.

Allegedly no one ever escaped from the prison, although this is in some dispute. You can hear more about Alcatraz’s fascinating stories on a local tour. To visit “The Rock” you will need to book with Alcatraz Cruises several days in advance. Choose from several tour options at your time of booking. Cruises depart from the North Beach area piers, just east of Golden Gate National Park camping locations, where RVs can be left and passenger vehicles or public transportation taken to the departure site.

It's an informative tour and must-see attraction while in the San Francisco area for history buffs or just the insatiably curious!

Your first major stop takes you into California's ancient redwood groves along the famous Avenue of the Giants. This 31-mile scenic drive winds through towering old-growth forests where trees reach heights of over 300 feet. Pull into one of the park's three RV-friendly campgrounds, including Burlington Campground near the visitor center. The South Fork Eel River offers swimming and fishing opportunities, while over 100 miles of hiking trails let you explore diverse ecosystems. Note that RV length restrictions apply (24 feet maximum at most sites), making this ideal for campervans and smaller motorhomes. Consider staying at Eureka's campgrounds nearby if you need full hookups.

Continue north to Prairie Creek Redwoods, where Roosevelt elk roam freely through coastal meadows beneath ancient redwoods. The Elk Prairie Campground accommodates RVs up to 27 feet with 75 sites nestled in groves of coastal redwoods. Don't miss Gold Bluffs Beach Campground if you have a smaller rig—this oceanfront gem offers direct beach access with 26 sites for vehicles up to 24 feet. Fern Canyon, featured in Jurassic Park, requires a short hike and treats visitors to 50-foot walls covered in five-finger ferns. Wildlife photography opportunities abound here, especially during early morning hours.

The crown jewel of Northern California's redwood coast deserves at least a full day. Drive the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway for easy RV access to towering groves without leaving the pavement. Stop at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center for trail recommendations and current conditions. The Jedediah Smith Campground near Crescent City offers one of the densest old-growth forest settings in the park's complex. For those wanting more amenities, Crescent City's RV parks provide full hookups within easy striking distance of the parks.

Cross into Oregon and discover a completely different landscape—40 miles of towering sand dunes meeting the Pacific Ocean. The Driftwood Campground and nearby facilities offer base camps for ATV adventures or quiet beach walks. Some dunes reach heights of 500 feet, creating a mini-Sahara on the Oregon coast. If you're not into off-roading, several trails lead through shore pine forests to secluded beaches. The contrast between desert-like dunes and coastal forest makes this area truly unique.

Welcome to Oregon's central coast gem, home to the historic Yaquina Bay Bridge and excellent seafood. Newport's RV parks and nearby South Beach State Park offer over 200 RV sites with full hookups. Visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium to see playful sea otters and walk through underwater tunnels. The Yaquina Head Lighthouse provides spectacular ocean views, while the bayfront district serves up fresh Dungeness crab and clam chowder. Don't miss Nye Beach for tide pooling at low tide.

Oregon's most photographed landmark rises 235 feet from the sandy shore at Cannon Beach. Time your visit for low tide to explore tide pools teeming with colorful starfish, sea anemones, and hermit crabs. The town itself charms visitors with art galleries and cozy cafes. Astoria's campgrounds to the north or Tillamook County's coastal RV parks provide convenient bases for exploration. Ecola State Park, just north of town, offers stunning coastal viewpoints and hiking trails through old-growth Sitka spruce forests.