San Jose to Portland Road Trip Guide

You’ve almost made it to your final destination of Portland, Oregon. There are less than 50 miles left until you arrive, but there is one more stop that you must see! The Oregon Gardens are a great pitstop to spend a bit more time outside, without being too far from the interstate. This botanical garden consists of over 75 acres of beautiful land for you to explore with your partner.

There are unique plants, flowers, vines, sculptures, waterfalls, and more. It is open every single day of the year and is a great way to end your trip. There are 20 gardens within its 80 acres and it’s been a bustling tourist attraction since 1999. If you’re wanting to commemorate your trip with photos, this is a lovely place to make some memories! After you're done here, you’ve got less than an hour before reaching Portland!

Taking Interstate 5 North for about two hours will lead you to 2Hawk Vineyard and Winery near Medford. Now that you’ve spent some time in the great outdoors and a mystery house, it’s time for a drink or two. This is an amazing spot for couples to explore and spend some time learning something new. Not only can you explore the vineyard outside, but you can also enjoy wine tasting, dinner, and a beautiful atmosphere.

This is a great way to kick off the end of your San Jose to Portland road trip. This vineyard and winery stand out from others in the area because there is something happening there all the time. Whether it’s a cooking class, an afternoon game of bocce ball, or a special tasting session, you might get to experience a little bit more than a flight of wine! If you’ve enjoyed your fair share of wine, park the RV at Holiday RV Park before heading off to the next stop.

After passing through Redding, California and making your way to the Beaver State, stretching your legs and seeing the beautiful views of Shasta-Trinity National Forest is a must! Road trips can be strangely exhausting, but getting out and spending an hour or two in one of the most beautiful national forests in the country is a great way to recharge. You can go hiking on one of the many trails in the area, fishing on the lake, or even climbing up Mount Shasta if you’re feeling daring.

Depending on how you’re planning your drive, you can even pitch a tent or park your motorhome for the night and relax under the stars. Bring a big blanket and cuddle up with your partner to see more stars than you ever have before in the depths of this stunning national forest!

After a few hours spent at the Winchester Mansion, head north to Suisun Bay, located just east of San Francisco. The Suisun Bay is a confluence of the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River and forms a delta. This is a beautiful spot to sit back, relax and watch the massive ships roll in. You can stretch your legs and take a walk along the bay or even feed the seagulls.

This can be a romantic activity to enjoy with your partner, especially if you pack a delicious picnic to have while you’re there! If you can plan your RV road trip accordingly, this would be a great spot to watch the sunset before you head out on the road for the rest of your journey. If you want to, you can park your motorhome at one of the nearby RV parks, such as Marlin’s RV Park, and get some rest before continuing to Portland.

A fun and unique way to get your trip started is by heading on over to the Winchester Mystery House. This place is packed with history and has quite the story behind it. You won’t find any spoilers here but this place is a must-see, especially if you’re interested in the supernatural! This mansion was the home of Sarah and William Wirt Winchester in the mid-1880s. William is best known for being the creator of the famous firearm brand that is named after his surname.

There are several different types of events that take place there, so be sure to check out their calendar to see if there’s anything specific going on for the day of your visit. This house is not only known for its unique history, but the interesting architectural structure of the house and the reasons why it was built that way in the first place.