Advice for roadtrip from LA to Seattle in a week

And I'll play tour guide! :-)

Like Judy I’m only familiar with the first three lodging choices at Lake Quinault as well. In the past, when I worked over there, I would usually stay at the Lake Quinault Resort on the north shore because it gave the best commercial rate. It’s a very nice place but kind of out of the way. I always liked the Rain Forest Resort for its little cabins on the lake and it does have a good restaurant. The Lodge is gorgeous and is a real step back in time to what hotels used to be. It can be a little spendy though.

My recommendation here would be to stay at what ever place appeals to you in the Quinault area but have dinner at the Lodge. The food is excellent and so are the views. (But again a little spendy.) This is probably one of my most favorite restaurants anywhere. After dinner spend a relaxing evening in front of the fireplace in the lobby or hang out with the locals in the bar.

There is also another short ‘interpretive trail’ across from the Lodge that winds up through the old growth forest. There used to be a feral, but very friendly, tabby cat know as ‘Barney the south side cat’ that lived back on that trail. That was a while ago so she’s probably not around any more.

Another idea would be to drive up the south shore road to the head of the lake and cross over to the north shore road. You could then visit the trail Judy mentioned or just head back out to 101. Either way the north shore road is a good place to encounter an elk heard. Look closely at the clearings just north of the road. Inquire locally about road conditions.

If you can time it right stop at the Kalaloch (pronounced clay-lock) Lodge for lunch. It has a good restaurant with nice views of the ocean.

Ruby Beach has always been my favorite beach along that stretch of coast.

I wonder, does the Forks logging museum have the VW bus with the giant spike through it the town rolls out every 4th of July.

Enjoy your trip,

Tom

Thanks Judy and all's excellent stop-by-stop recommendation. Here is our final verdict:

Day 1:
LA -> Redding or Yreka non-stop

Day 2:
arrive Mt St Helens around 2PM, spend 2hrs
Drive 2.5 hrs to reach Lake Quinault, stay in Lake Quinault Resort

Day3:
Exploring North shore of Lake Quinault in the morning
Having lunch on Kalaloch lodge
Exploring Makah Reservation and Cape Flattery Trial in the afteroon
Stay in Port Angeles for the night

Day4:
Exploring Hurricane Ridge if sky is clear
Exploring Dungness Spit and Port Townsend in the morning
Having lunch and exploring Poulsbo
Visiting the USS Turner Joy and water tour in the afternoon
taking Bremerton - Seattle
stay at Seattle water front for the night

Day5:
Spend whole day exploring Seattle:
Pike fish marking, Pioneer square,
Underground tour and Space Needle
Stay for the 2nd night

Day6:
Seattle -> Yerka

Day7:
Yerka -> LA

Thanks for the awesome recommendation again

For a quick tour, you're going to be seeing a lot of cool stuff. While on the waterfront, take time for a short visit to the Ye Olde Curiousity Shoppe. This is the most unique shop, full of the strangest oddities, around. Another must-see while you're there. It's on the waterfront not too far from where your ferry will dock.

You'll really enjoy the Underground Tour. It's quite fun. Also, The Gold Rush Museum is just a couple blocks north of Doc Maynard's where you'll catch the underground tour. It's also worth a stop.

You also might enjoy going to the top of the Smith Tower. It's the teeny "high-rise" just a bit east of Doc Maynard's. I don't recall how many stories it is, maybe 20? It's very dwarfed by all the modern skyscrapers but, in its time, it was the tallest building west of Chicago. There is a nice viewing area at the top. And the elevators are the old-fashioned ones that still require an operator. That's kinda cool to watch.

Seattle is a city that it's easier to walk in than drive in, believe me! Everything you want to see is within walking distance except the Space Needle. So you don't have to fight traffic, you might want to walk to catch the Monorail, built for the 1962 World's Fair, at Westlake Center. You really can't drive and park there any faster and it's a unique perspective on the city.

If you have time, you might enjoy the Experience Music Project (EMP) right next to the Space Needle. It's in a strange and unique building. You can't miss it. It's the one that's covered with strangely shaped metal in bright colors. If you like music at all, it has some great exhibits. And some interactive things to do on the top floor that are kinda fun.

I'm glad we could help you out. Please return after you get back home and let us know how things went. We all LOVE to read roadtrip stories! And it's also nice to get some feedback on whether our advice worked out for ya.

Have fun!

Now the only void is filled. Thanks
I'm sure to report some stories when we get back.
Thank you all.
God, i love this forum!

Your Itinerary is quite doable, hope you enjoyed your trip!