When you leave Seattle drive to Astoria to see Astoria - Seaside - Cannon Beach. Astoria is where the Columbia River is. Its a scenic drive from Seattle or from Olympic National Park to Astoria. There is a Maritime Museum, Astoria Column (panoramic views), Lewis and Clark Fort - and Ecola Park at Portland. This is a better route than doing I-5 from Seattle to Portland
In Portland see Columbia River Gorge
A nice drive on the east side is from Columbia River Gorge to Mt. Hood to Bend (Deschute Brewery Tour is awesome as well as several other craft breweries in this area). Smith Rock State Park north of Bend and Lavalands is fun to visit in this area. Crater Lake and Rogue River,.
You will want to see more of the Oregon Coast - but seeing this part of Oregon is awesome.
For Yosemite to Death Valley, you will see Mono Lake. North of this is Bodie, a ghost town South is June Lake Loop and a good hike at Parker Lake There is also Mammoth, Devil's Postpile and Convict Lake.
http://www.visitmammoth.com/trip-ideas/hiking-parker-lake-june-lake-loop
If you can time your trip to be in Reno during Hot August nights its a very fun car oriented festival with lots of bands and other activities.
https://www.visitrenotahoe.com/reno-tahoe/what-to-do/events/special-events/08-08-2017/hot-august-nights
Summer concert scene at Lake Tahoe, Hollywood Bowl in LA, Mountain Winery in San Francisco Bay Area etc., Shoreline Mountain View, etc. are popular places to enjoy music in the summer.
If you happen to get to Sacramento in time for the state fair its fun - but you'll most likely be further north.
but thought I'd mention if you are in the area.
Edited: 6 years ago