British Columbia
Disney Bound!
West Coast Road Trip
British ColumbiaOverview
Print PageWe're Disney bound but the destination is just one part of the journey! The Pacific Coast highway is the ultimate west coast road trip. The beautiful thing about taking your holiday along the Pacific Ocean is the freedom to stop and take in the ocean breeze whenever your heart desires. Some of our favourite places to stop along this journey are the Redwood Forest, Cannon Beach, Mendocino and Big Sur. Of course, spending time visiting Disneyland and other area attractions is your ultimate goal but there's so much more to do and see on this Pacific Coast RV road trip.
Please note that the US Driving fee is applicable to this route.
Duration
30 DAYS
Distance
5006km / 3111mi
Start / End
Vancouver / Vancouver
Region
British Columbia
Route - 5006 km / 3111 mi
| Day | Location | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Vancouver, BC to Seattle, Washington | 229 km / 142 mi | Approx. 2 hours 25 minutes |
| 02 | Seattle, Washington to Pacific City, Oregon | 434 km / 270 mi | Approx. 5 hours 40 minutes |
| 03 | -- | ||
| 04 | Pacific City, Oregon to Gold Beach, Oregon | 455 km / 283 mi | Approx. 5 hours 40 minutes |
| 05 | -- | ||
| 06 | Gold Beach, Oregon to Trinidad, California | 183 km / 114 mi | Approx. 2 hours 15 minutes |
| 07 | -- | ||
| 08 | Trinidad, California to Mendocino, California | 267 km / 166 mi | Approx. 3 hours 25 minutes |
| 09 | -- | ||
| 10 | Mendocino, California to Point Reyes, California | 243 km / 151 mi | Approx. 4 hours 20 minutes |
| 11 | -- | ||
| 12 | Point Reyes, California to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California | 323 km / 201 mi | Approx. 4 hours 20 minutes |
| 13 | -- | ||
| 14 | -- | ||
| 15 | Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California to Santa Barbara, California | 436 km / 271 mi | Approx. 4 hours 35 minutes |
| 16 | -- | ||
| 17 | Santa Barbara, California to Anaheim, California | 200 km / 124 mi | Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes |
| 18 | Anaheim and Area | ||
| 19 | -- | ||
| 20 | -- | ||
| 21 | -- | ||
| 22 | -- | ||
| 23 | San Diego | 155 km / 96 mi | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| 24 | -- | ||
| 25 | -- | ||
| 26 | San Diego to Sacramento, California | 811 km / 504 mi | 8 hours |
| 27 | -- | ||
| 28 | Sacramento, California to Medford, Oregon | 495 km / 308 mi | Approx. 5 hours 15 minutes |
| 29 | Medford, Oregon to Seattle, Washington | 720 km / 447 mi | Approx. 7 hours 30 minutes |
| 30 | Seattle, Washington to Vancouver, BC | 210 km / 130 mi | Approx. 2 hours 10 minutes |
Gum wall, Pike Place Market, Seattle
Day 1
Vancouver, BC to Seattle, Washington
Heading south on BC-99 towards the United States border, you’ll begin your west coast holiday with your first stop, via the I-5, Seattle, Washington.
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Cannon Beach
Day 2 - 3
Seattle, Washington to Pacific City, Oregon
You’re heading seaside today. Take the I-5 to Highway 30 via Astoria so you can stop in at Cannon Beach and travel the coast to today’s destination, Pacific City, Oregon.
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Coast Highway, Orgegon
Day 4 - 5
Pacific City, Oregon to Gold Beach, Oregon
Enjoy your drive along the Oregon Coast Highway to Gold Beach on today’s leg of your holiday.
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Tall towering trees, Redwood National Park
Day 6 - 7
Gold Beach, Oregon to Trinidad, California
Today’s drive will take you from coastal beauty into the world-renowned Redwood National Park in northern California.
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Glass Beach, MacKerricher State Park
Day 8 - 9
Trinidad, California to Mendocino, California
Be spellbound by your first stop along today’s drive. Eureka is a charming seaport town with loads to do and see. Hopping back on the road, you’ll be travelling slightly inland before reaching the coast again.
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Salt Point State Park
Day 10 - 11
Mendocino, California to Point Reyes, California
No doubt you’ve already snapped one thousand photos – so hopefully you still have room on your Sim card for Point Reyes.
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Bench by the Sea, Carmel
Day 12 - 14
Point Reyes, California to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California
Following CA-1 and Panoramic Highway to US-101, you’re on your way to magical Big Sur today.
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Golden Shore, Santa Barbara
Day 15 - 16
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California to Santa Barbara, California
You’ll be arriving in the city of Santa Barbara today, where dramatic mountains meet coastal bliss.
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Anaheim Resort California - Photo: Mike Lee
Day 17
Santa Barbara, California to Anaheim, California
Pull into Anaheim and recharge for the exciting days ahead.
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Magical Disneyland, California
Day 18 - 22
Anaheim and Area
You have reached the big show! The possibilities are endless.
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Entrance to San Diego Zoo - Photo: C Burnett CC3.0
Day 23 - 25
San Diego
It's an easy 1.5 hour drive today to San Diego, known for its warm beaches and the famous San Diego Zoo.
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Golden Gate Drawbridge, Sacramento
Day 26
San Diego to Sacramento, California
It’s time to head north back to Vancouver - your first stop is Sacramento, the capital city of California.
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Mount Shasta
Day 28
Sacramento, California to Medford, Oregon
Staying on the I-5, you’ll be leaving California and arriving back in Oregon - driving through the gorgeous Shasta-Trinity National Forest and beside Mount Shasta, a potentially active volcano.
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Portland, Oregon. Photo: Eric Baetscher
Day 29
Medford, Oregon to Seattle, Washington
It's a long drive today if you decide to do it all at once. If you prefer to split it into two days, an overnight stay in Portland might be an option.
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Whatcom Falls, Bellingham, Washington State
Day 30
Seattle, Washington to Vancouver, BC
The last leg of your epic coastal journey takes you further north back into Canada. Staying on the I-5, you’ll drive from Seattle, through Bellingham, before crossing the border into British Columbia.
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Trip Details
Heading south on BC-99 toward the United States border, you’ll begin your west coast holiday.
First stop, via the I-5, is Seattle. No trip to Seattle is complete without a visiting the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. While you’re at Pike Place Market, wander through the Post Alley by the Market Theatre and check out the gum wall, which has been hosting chewing gum from visitors from all over the world since 1993.
You can also grab a cup of coffee from the very first Starbucks Coffee shop.
First stop, via the I-5, is Seattle. No trip to Seattle is complete without a visiting the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. While you’re at Pike Place Market, wander through the Post Alley by the Market Theatre and check out the gum wall, which has been hosting chewing gum from visitors from all over the world since 1993.
You can also grab a cup of coffee from the very first Starbucks Coffee shop.
You’re heading seaside today. Take the I-5 to Highway 30 via Astoria so you can stop in at Cannon Beach and travel the coast to today’s destination, Pacific City. Cannon Beach is known for Haystack Rock – a 235-foot sea stack where the 1980s movie, "The Goonies", was filmed.
After stopping in here, head to Tillamook and visit the Tillamook Creamery for some ice cream or pick up some cheese for your cooler. Arriving at Pacific City, enjoy everything from beachcombing and bird watching to dining at a quaint deli, or a higher-end restaurant.
After stopping in here, head to Tillamook and visit the Tillamook Creamery for some ice cream or pick up some cheese for your cooler. Arriving at Pacific City, enjoy everything from beachcombing and bird watching to dining at a quaint deli, or a higher-end restaurant.
Enjoy your drive today along the Oregon Coast Highway to Gold Beach. Stop in Newport at the Historic Newport Bayfront and check out the sea lions on the public pier or stop in Florence and visit the Sea Lion Caves there.
Before arriving in Gold Beach, stop in Bandon at Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint and the Face Rock Creamery for a treat.
Gold Beach has some great hiking in Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor. Take in the magical Sitka Spruce rainforest and visit Turtle Rock – a rock formation that looks like a turtle, just off the highway.
Before arriving in Gold Beach, stop in Bandon at Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint and the Face Rock Creamery for a treat.
Gold Beach has some great hiking in Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor. Take in the magical Sitka Spruce rainforest and visit Turtle Rock – a rock formation that looks like a turtle, just off the highway.
Today’s drive will take you from coastal beauty into the world-renowned Redwood National Park in northern California. These handsome trees are estimated to be over 1000 years old and some have a circumference of 68 feet. Unfortunately, CanaDream RV’s are too big for the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree, but you can still visit and walk through it to experience the wonder of these living giants.
After exploring the forest, you’ll head to Trinidad, a seaside city in Humboldt County perched on a rocky bluff overlooking Trinidad Bay. Enjoy spectacular views from local hiking trails and visit the lighthouses of the area.
Be spellbound by your first stop along today’s drive. Eureka is a charming seaport town with loads to do and see.
Hopping back on the road, you’ll be travelling slightly inland before reaching the coast again. A must-stop is a Glass Beach near Fort Bragg, where there’s an abundance of sea glass as a result of garbage being dumped in the sea.
Mendocino, your final stop for today, offers spectacular beaches, peaceful hikes and incredible food and drink. You won’t be short on adventure or peace and quiet in this beautiful northern California town.
Hopping back on the road, you’ll be travelling slightly inland before reaching the coast again. A must-stop is a Glass Beach near Fort Bragg, where there’s an abundance of sea glass as a result of garbage being dumped in the sea.
Mendocino, your final stop for today, offers spectacular beaches, peaceful hikes and incredible food and drink. You won’t be short on adventure or peace and quiet in this beautiful northern California town.
No doubt you’ve already snapped one thousand photos – so hopefully you still have room on your Sim card for Point Reyes.
Stop in Point Arena and check out the lighthouse and museum here. The short climb to the top of the lighthouse offers incredible views you don’t want to miss out on. Another great place to stop is Salt Point State Park. Point Reyes National Seashore is a protected coastline offering a vast area of beaches, grassland hikes and pine forest walks. It’s a beautiful place to spot the migrating gray whales along the coast. Decide on where you’d like to stay – whether in Marin County or heading down to Bolinas and Stinson Beach, it’s a big area to explore and camp in.
Stop in Point Arena and check out the lighthouse and museum here. The short climb to the top of the lighthouse offers incredible views you don’t want to miss out on. Another great place to stop is Salt Point State Park. Point Reyes National Seashore is a protected coastline offering a vast area of beaches, grassland hikes and pine forest walks. It’s a beautiful place to spot the migrating gray whales along the coast. Decide on where you’d like to stay – whether in Marin County or heading down to Bolinas and Stinson Beach, it’s a big area to explore and camp in.
Following CA-1 and Panoramic Highway to US-101, you’re on your way to magical Big Sur today. Stop in at Mavericks Beach and watch the surfers, or stay on the road and save your seaside pit stop for the gorgeous towns of Monterey or Carmel-By-The-Sea. Rugged mountains meet coastal bliss here. It's the perfect place to star-gaze,
Big Sur offers numerous state parks for hiking and camping. Enjoy and play in this magical California destination.
Before hitting the road today, check out the roads and make sure you pick the best route to get you to Santa Barbara. In 2017 Highway 1 was closed in this area because of one of the biggest mudslides in California history. While it has reopened, always check the roads online ahead of time to save any trouble along your journey.
Arriving in the city of Santa Barbara, where dramatic mountains meet coastal bliss, you can enjoy some small-city delights from organic food and local cafes to high-end boutiques.
Arriving in the city of Santa Barbara, where dramatic mountains meet coastal bliss, you can enjoy some small-city delights from organic food and local cafes to high-end boutiques.
Pull into Anaheim and recharge for the exciting days ahead. There are more attractions here than you can count on both hands! You will find all the great amenities needed to re-stock and get ready for the attractions. RV parks are plentiful with great locations close to attractions.
You have reached the big show! The possibilities are endless. Most RV parks in the Anaheim area will have all the amenities of a campground with the added bonus of having a travel guide at your fingertips. Recommendations and park pass discounts are usually listed on the RV parks website. Check out Anaheim Harbour RV Park. Travelling from attraction to attraction is quite simple in Anaheim. City transit will take you almost anywhere. Shuttles are offered at most parks, and there are great RV parks located right within walking distance.
Great Attractions to Visit
- Disneyland
- Disneyland California Adventure Park
- Universal Studios
- Legoland
- Legoland Sealife Aquarium
- Legoland Water Park
- Knott’s Berry Farm
- Knott’s Soak City Water Park
- Six Flags Magic Mountain
It's an easy 1.5 hour drive today to San Diego, known for its warm beaches and the famous San Diego Zoo. For first time visitors to San Diego, the Zoo is surely top of the 'to do' list but there are other equally interesting things to do and see in this Pacific Coast city. Numerous art galleries, artist studios, museums and gardens are dotted all over the city and the harbor is home to the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier open to the public. Two full days here might not be enough!
It’s time to head north back to Vancouver - your first stop is Sacramento, the capital city of California. Taking Highway I-5, today’s journey will take you to Sacramento, the capital city of California. With plenty of camping options in and around the city, you can hunker down for the night before hitting the road again the next day.
Staying on the I-5, you’ll be leaving California and arriving back in Oregon - driving through the gorgeous Shasta-Trinity National Forest and beside Mount Shasta, a potentially active volcano. It’s the second-highest peak in the Cascade Mountain Range and the fifth highest in the state.
Medford, your final destination for today, is a small city in Oregon coined by Forbes as a global wine destination and home to the internationally-prized cheeses of Rogue Creamery. Treat yourself after a long day on the road!
Medford, your final destination for today, is a small city in Oregon coined by Forbes as a global wine destination and home to the internationally-prized cheeses of Rogue Creamery. Treat yourself after a long day on the road!
It's a long drive today if you decide to do it all at once. If you prefer to split it into two days, an overnight stay in Portland might be an option. Portland is Oregon's largest city, sitting in the shadow of snow-capped Mount Hood. If you continue on to Seattle today, the I5 will take you toi Olympia and Tacoma as you wind your way towards Washington's largest city.
The last leg of your epic coastal journey takes you further north back into Canada. Staying on the I-5, you’ll drive from Seattle, through Bellingham, before crossing the border into British Columbia.
