10 days in Seattle & San Diego Itinerary

Nicknamed the "Emerald City" because of its abundant evergreen trees, Seattle is the cultural and business center of the Pacific Northwest, as well as a popular holiday destination.

Step off the beaten path and head to Snoqualmie Falls and Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Visiting Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and Boat Tours & Water Sports will get you outdoors. Change things up with these side-trips from Seattle: Bainbridge Island (Bloedel Reserve & The Grand Forest), Little Si Trail (in North Bend) and Sequim Bay Scenic Pullout (in Sequim). And it doesn't end there: admire the masterpieces at Chihuly Garden and Glass, tour in style with Seattle Center Monorail, walk around Kerry Park, and admire the landmark architecture of Seattle Public Library.

For maps, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Seattle online road trip planner.

Washington DC to Seattle is an approximately 8-hour travel. You can also fly; or drive; or take a train. Traveling from Washington DC to Seattle, you'll gain 3 hours due to the time zone difference. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Washington DC in July, with highs in Seattle at 79°F and lows at 60°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Fri) to allow enough time to fly to San Diego.

Divided into neighborhoods with distinct characters and cultural heritages, San Diego sits just north of the Mexican border and offers visitors a blend of tourist attractions, including a lively nightlife, diverse cuisine, and a thriving musical scene.

Step off the beaten path and head to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and Windansea Beach. Visiting La Jolla Shores Park and Del Mar City Beach will get you outdoors. Venture out of the city with trips to Santa Ysabel (Himalaya Mine & Lake Henshaw Resort) and La Jolla Zip Zoom Zipline (in Pauma Valley). The adventure continues: kick back and relax at Mission Bay Park, stroll through Coronado Beach, traverse land and water with San Diego SEAL Tours, and pause for some photo ops at Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial.

For more things to do, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our San Diego trip itinerary maker app.

You can fly from Seattle to San Diego in 5.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive; or take a bus. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in San Diego when traveling from Seattle in July, with lows around 68°F. On the 5th (Wed), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.