Our Los Angeles to Portland road trip lets you travel from the center of entertainment to some amazing cities and towns in California before visiting two iconic destinations in Oregon.
Go from one of the best-known cities in the world all the way up the West Coast of the United States to a hip and trendy city in Oregon on this Los Angeles to Portland road trip. Along the way, you will visit three cities in California that many people consider “bucket-list” destinations and you will stop in two cities in Oregon that will have you exploring the great outdoors.
Stops
1. Los Angeles
2. Monterey, CA
3. San Francisco
4. Napa, CA
5. Bend, OR
6. Portland, OR
Info at a glance
- A 2-week trip
- Type of route: Nature
- 6 stops along the route
- 1,128 miles of driving
Highlights
- Explore a beautiful and serene town on California’s central coast.
- Visit a city where you can famously “leave your heart”.
- Wander through some of the most famous wineries in the world.
- See a combination of rugged mountain beauty and vast desert landscapes.
- Experience the culture of one of the hippest cities on the West Coast.
Getting to the start
This road trip begins in Los Angeles, CA. If you are coming from another part of the world, the flight options into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are abundant. Several Amtrak routes can get you from almost any point in the United States to Los Angeles including the Southwest Chief and the Coast Starlight.
When to Visit
Spring, summer and autumn are the best times to take a road trip from LA to Portland so you can avoid the potentially icy and snowy roads as you pass from California into Oregon. Because you will be visiting a couple of spots that are known for fickle weather at any time of the year, pack everything from shorts to heavy jackets for the trip. Don’t forget a great pair of shoes and some good hiking boots for all of the outdoor adventures you will be on.
Driving tips
A good portion of this journey will be along Interstate 5 in both California and Oregon. In urban areas, you may find speed limits of 55 miles per hour but this can increase to 80mph on some parts of the journey. An SUV for such journey can be a perfect fit. You will also be on some narrow and winding mountain roads in both California and Oregon so slow down, take care and enjoy the amazing scenery.
What to know about the route
You will begin this 1,126-mile road trip by starting in the heart of Los Angeles. As you begin to head north you will see huge changes in the terrain as you move towards the towns of Monterey and San Francisco in Northern California. During this part of the journey, you have the choice to either drive through the wide-open San Joaquin Valley or make the trip up the coast through towns like Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo on Highway 1. From there you will pass by the many bodies of water near San Francisco that give the Bay Area its name as you head into the beautiful Napa Valley area. Once you leave Napa you will make the climb over the mountains from California to Oregon to the rustic and beautiful town of Bend. Finally, you will make the drive in the valley of the western part of Oregon before arriving in the beautiful riverfront city of Portland. A great vehicle for this trip is a large van or a large SUV so you can take all of your outdoor gear with you for all of your adventures on this road trip.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the United States and offers visitors plenty of things to see and do on their trip here. The city also offers diverse geography giving visitors access to many different climates and landscapes letting you experience the beach and the foothills and mountains in the span of one day. Our guide to outdoor adventures around LA may help you plan the best trip.
Points of interest
A great way to spend an afternoon is to take a tour of both Warner Brothers and Universal Studios to see movie and television production up close. To get an amazing view of Los Angeles, take a hike in Griffith Park.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Because Los Angeles has such a rich tapestry of cultures that make this city home, there are plenty of food choices you can experience while you are here. If you are looking for a classic American choice that is uniquely Los Angeles make the trip to Pink’s Hot Dogs right in the heart of Hollywood.
Sixt Insider Tip
A unique place to visit in Los Angeles is the Griffith Observatory, perched on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. Not only is this a great place to learn about all sorts of space and science-related matters the views you will see of the entire Los Angeles area from here are simply amazing. And the best part is it’s free of charge!
From Los Angeles to Monterey (320 miles)
You have two choices as you make the trip north to Monterey. For a faster route, you can stay inside of the San Joaquin Valley and take Interstate 5. Or if you want to take more time and see some amazing coastal scenery, take a combination of Highway 101 and Highway 1 up the coast.
Monterey, CA
Monterey sits on the rugged central coast of California. Cannery Row, in the heart of Monterey, was at one point the center of the robust sardine-packing industry that existed here. Today it is a popular strip of gift shops and restaurants.
Points of interest
A destination for many visitors when they are in Monterey is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Old Fisherman’s Wharf is a quaint location that offers shopping and dining. Del Monte Beach offers a boardwalk and dunes to explore.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
One unique feature of Monterey is that there are several tree houses that you can rent and stay in for a night or two that make for a wholly unique lodging experience. Most of these houses are located in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains that surround the city of Monterey.
Sixt Insider Tip
When most people think of wineries in California, they tend to focus on those that are further north in the Napa Valley or Sonoma County; however, there is actually a bustling wine scene in Monterey as well as a couple of wineries that you can visit while you are here.
From Monterey to San Francisco (119 miles)
Just as when you left Los Angeles to head north, you have the choice of either going up Highway 101 to get to San Francisco, which will take you through cities like San Jose. Or you can travel up Highway 1 that once again will give you scenic views but will add quite a bit of time to your trip.
San Francisco
San Francisco has a unique mix of sight and sounds. It has cool and unpredictable summers, frequent fog rolling in off the ocean and iconic locations like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown. All together they make San Francisco a unique destination.
Points of interest
One of the most famous spots to visit in the city is the winding brick-lined Lombard Street. To get out in nature, Muir Woods National Monument is just a short drive north out of the city and a great place to see giant redwood trees. The Exploratorium is a hands-on science museum that kids of all ages will love.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Two of the foods that San Francisco is famous for are seafood and crusty sourdough bread; you can try them together with a sourdough bread bowl filled with clam chowder. One local favorite is something called Joe’s special, which is a mix of spinach, onions, mushrooms, ground beef and eggs that is popular with the locals and found at many restaurants.
Sixt Insider Tip
While visiting Alcatraz Island is a popular choice for visitors to the city, it is important to remember that you need to take a boat to get there and these can fill up rather quickly. If you do want to make the trip to the island it is best to book your trip at least two weeks prior to arriving in San Francisco.
From San Francisco to Napa (50 miles)
A trip to the next stop in Napa will be a short one although it will be through the cities of Oakland and Richmond, so your drive time may vary based on the time of the travel. The good news is that you will get amazing views of San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay along the way.
Napa, CA
The town of Napa is at the heart of the Napa Valley wine region. The downtown area of Napa has interesting architecture that dates to the late 19th century and early 20th century. The town features a riverfront promenade with plenty of shops and restaurants plus a bustling art scene.
Points of interest
While visiting wineries in the area is a popular pastime for visitors, another great option is to visit the Oxbow Public Market. The di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is the home to a large collection of art from the Bay Area.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
If you really want to get a feel of days gone by that existed in Napa then book a room at a classic bed and breakfast here called Hennessey House. The location of the house is far enough away from the action to give you a quiet experience, but great dining and wine tasting options are just a short walk away.
Sixt Insider Tip
Since wine tasting is often a part of everyone’s visit to Napa, you can find a unique experience at Domaine Carneros. This winery offers immaculate and lush grounds, and at the center of the property is a French-inspired mansion with impressive architecture.
From Napa to Bend (464 miles)
While this will be the longest leg of your trip between LA and Portland, it may offer some of the most beautiful scenery you will see along your route. As you pass through the mountains in Northern California you will travel just to the west of the magnificent Mount Shasta that is a sight you will not soon forget.
Bend, OR
Bend is a small city located right on the Deschutes River in Oregon. Just to the west of the town are the many lakes and peaks of the Cascade Mountains that offer ski resorts that you can use well into springtime and multi-use trails for hiking and biking.
Points of interest
Just as you enter Bend from the south on Highway 97 you will see the High Desert Museum, which is worth a stop. Drake Park is a scenic riverfront park that is a great place for a walk or a picnic. If you love to hike, then the Deschutes River Trail is an ideal spot for you to visit.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
With its location right on a large river, it should come as no surprise that fish such as trout, steelhead and salmon are a staple of many of the menus you will find in Bend. Greg’s Grill is a great stop to try some local fare.
Sixt Insider Tip
Bend is often referred to as the Palm Springs of the North because of the fact that there are so many golf courses that call Bend home. In fact, the Tetherow Golf Course has a rating as one of the 10 best golf courses in Oregon.
From Bend to Portland (175 miles)
As you make the final leg of this journey, you will head back down the mountain ranges of central Oregon, again joining I-5 and heading into Portland. As you leave the mountains you will get great views of Mt. Washington and Mt. Jefferson and drive through the Santiam State Forest.
Portland, OR
Portland is Oregon’s largest city, sitting at the junction of the Columbia and Willamette rivers and offering views of snowcapped Mt. Hood to the east. The city is well known for its thriving music, theater and art scenes, plus an extensive trail network that is great for long walks or bike rides.
Points of interest
One unique place to visit is the Portland Japanese Garden, which is in Washington Park next to the International Rose Test Garden. The Portland Art Museum has a great mix of American, Asian and Native American Art. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry offers several hands-on science exhibits, plus there is a submarine that you can tour.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
A secret about the food scene in Portland is that some of the best foods you will find come from the many food carts throughout the city. There are several locations throughout downtown Portland that offer clusters of food carts selling Korean tacos, Mexican food, Italian dishes and even breakfast options.
Sixt Insider Tip
The city of Portland prides itself on being very pedestrian and bike-friendly. That is why we recommend spending an afternoon in Portland going on a bike tour. There’s even a bridge that crosses the Willamette River called the Tilikum Crossing that is car-free.
