Seven Days from Seaside, Oregon to Santa Cruz, California: Sea Stacks, Giant Trees, and the Golden Gate

Get ready for a road trip where the scenery changes every day. In one week you'll drive from Seaside, Oregon to Santa Cruz, California, past sand dunes, lighthouses, natural stone arches, old-growth redwoods, the Golden Gate Bridge and the cliffs of Big Sur. Wake to crashing waves, spend the morning on a basalt headland above the Pacific, run down a giant sand dune in the afternoon, and finish the day with fresh seafood as the sun sets into the ocean.

I drove this route myself with my wife, and we loved every mile of it. It works just as well for couples, a girls' trip or a group of friends who want a real adventure.

Why This Road Trip Is Different

This isn't a "see the famous stops and go home" trip. Beyond the classics, the route takes you to places many visitors never find, like Indian Sands, Secret Beach, Elk Flats, Marshall's Beach, Shark Fin Cove and the Grove of the Titans.

You won't be rushed and you won't be herded. Expect hidden beaches, sunrise starts and views that make you stop mid-sentence.

Your Adventure, Your Way

Climb and Run the Dunes

Climb the 240-foot Cape Kiwanda dune, then run, leap or sandboard back down toward the ocean.

Ride the Oregon Dunes by ATV

Ride through one of the largest stretches of coastal sand dunes in North America.

Find Oregon's Hidden Coves

Explore the Samuel H. Boardman Corridor's sea arches, rust-colored sandstone and a secret beach with a waterfall that drops onto the sand.

Walk Among the Tallest Trees on Earth

Hike the boardwalk through the Grove of the Titans, cruise the Avenue of the Giants and drive through a living redwood.

Chase Wild Coastlines and Iconic Views

Watch the surf boil in the Devil's Punch Bowl, find the round stones of Bowling Ball Beach, see the Golden Gate Bridge from a hidden beach, and end the trip on the cliffs of Big Sur.

Every day has two options: an active adventure or a slower scenic route. Follow your own rhythm without missing the highlights.

What Makes This Itinerary Special

Adventure Without the Guesswork

Every activity has its own page with fitness level, safety notes, cost, time needed, a suggested time frame, and AllTrails and Google Maps links.

Lodging Built Around the Road

Budget-friendly hotels on the quick overnight stops, and memorable Airbnbs where you have time to stay: an oceanfront suite facing Battle Rock, a redwood cabin near Jedediah Smith, and a hot tub under the trees in Guerneville.

Real Coastal Dining

Dungeness crab with an ocean view in Depoe Bay, some of the best fish and chips on the West Coast in Port Orford, a historic inn dining room among the redwoods, and a romantic final dinner in Santa Cruz.

Sample Highlights

Day 1: Headlands, Sea Stacks, and Sand Dunes

Hike to the hidden Crescent Beach at Ecola State Park, take in the Elk Flats views, and climb the Cape Kiwanda dune before dinner above Depoe Bay.

Day 2: Lighthouses, Dunes, and the Wild South Coast

Walk up to Heceta Head Lighthouse, ride ATVs through the Oregon Dunes, and catch golden light at Port Orford Heads.

Day 3: Sea Arches, Hidden Coves, and Redwood Groves

See Natural Bridges at sunrise, hike Indian Sands, find Secret Beach's waterfall, and end the day in the quiet of Stout Grove.

Day 4: Ancient Redwoods and Giant Trees

Walk among the giants at the Grove of the Titans and Founders Grove, then roll through the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree.

Day 5: Sea Caves, Stone Spheres, and Sonoma Sunsets

See the Devil's Punch Bowl, the Mendocino arch and Bowling Ball Beach, and watch the sunset with the harbor seals at Goat Rock.

Day 6: Headlands, the Golden Gate, and Hidden Coves

Walk out to Chimney Rock at Point Reyes, photograph the Cypress Tree Tunnel, and see the Golden Gate from Marshall's Beach.

Day 7: Big Sur Cliffs, Bridges, and a Final Sunset

Stop at Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls, see the sea lions in Monterey, and catch a final sunset at Shark Fin Cove.

Lodging Highlights

Oregon Coast

• The Cove, King Salmon Suite (Port Orford): Oceanfront suite with a private deck facing the Pacific and Battle Rock.

• WildSpring Guest Habitat: Forest cabin suites with an open-air spa overlooking the ocean.

Redwoods & Russian River

• Fern Hook Cabins: Hand-built redwood cabin tucked into the ferns near Jedediah Smith Redwoods.

• Cozy Cabin Deep in the Redwoods (Guerneville): A private hot tub on the deck among the redwoods.

Santa Cruz

• West Cliff Inn: Nine-room inn above Cowell Beach, with bikes for riding West Cliff Drive.

• Dream Inn: Santa Cruz's only oceanfront hotel, perfect for the final night.

What You'll Get

✓ Complete 7-day itinerary with two activity options every day ✓ Night-by-night lodging plan with booking links and price ranges ✓ Restaurant guide for every overnight stop, with vibe, food and cost ✓ Activity details with fitness level, safety notes, maps and timing ✓ Weather by season, full trip pricing summary, and much more!!!

When to Go

Late September

My favorite time to go. The Oregon and Northern California coasts are usually at their driest and clearest, with fewer crowds and less fog.

Summer (June to August)

Warm and busy, with the best chance of sun on the Oregon coast. Book early.

Ready to Hit the Road?

Windows down. Salt air. One coastline, seven completely different days.

From Oregon's sea stacks to the cliffs of Big Sur, this is the West Coast done right. The road is waiting. Are you ready to drive it?

Budget: $3,600–$8,600