Trip to Pacific NW-Seattle Vancouver, San Juan Islands, Whistler?

[Montecfo]

We are planning a trip to the Pacific NW in the summer. We will spend about 2 weeks (not retired yet-have to sync up with DW's leave schedule). We did a similar trip but many many years ago where we went to Seattle, Vancouver Island and the San Juans.

We plan to go to Whistler this time. We love outdoors, mountains, beaches. As far as city I think we will skip Seattle largely, and spend the city time in Vancouver.

Last time we loved Victoria and Butchart gardens.

Anyone done a similar trip recently? There is a lot to see and a lot of logistics. Insights welcome.

 

[DrRoy]

In Wash state I would do Mt. Ranier, N Cascades, Olympic park, and maybe Mt. St. Helens.

 

[Souschef]

We are planning a trip to the Pacific NW in the summer. We will spend about 2 weeks (not retired yet-have to sync up with DW's leave schedule). We did a similar trip but many many years ago where we went to Seattle, Vancouver Island and the San Juans.

We plan to go to Whistler this time. We love outdoors, mountains, beaches. As far as city I think we will skip Seattle largely, and spend the city time in Vancouver.

Last time we loved Victoria and Butchart gardens.

Anyone done a similar trip recently? There is a lot to see and a lot of logistics. Insights welcome.

There is the Victoria Ferry that leaves from Seattle and goes to Friday Harbor. We are looking into doing it this summer. They also have vacation packages that include hotels

 

[NW-Bound]

In Vancouver, you can go to the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

PS. Here's a trick to save a few bucks. I recall that instead of paying to park at the entrance to the park, I drove another few hundred feet down the road, and parked by the side of the road for free. Hey, they don't call me cheapskate for nothing. And we got some more walking exercise out of it.

PPS. We made this trip 9 or 10 years ago. My memory is still "superior".

 

[laurence]

DW and I took a Zodiac out of Victoria and got to see pods of killer whales, they swam right under the boat! That was over a decade ago and we still talk about the experience. Amazing.

 

[Montecfo]

Those sound very interesting.

I understand summer is not the best time for whale-watching. Laurence, when did you have that experience?

 

[NW-Bound]

Also in Vancouver, the Stanley Park is worthwhile. The Gastown is touristy, but we enjoyed having dinner there. Also Chinatown if you like Oriental food.

Whenever we go to a city with a chinatown, I always stop there to get my fix of roast duck noodle soup. This Chinese noodle and French duck confit are among my favorite dishes.

 

[Alan]

We are planning a trip to the Pacific NW in the summer. We will spend about 2 weeks (not retired yet-have to sync up with DW's leave schedule). We did a similar trip but many many years ago where we went to Seattle, Vancouver Island and the San Juans.

We plan to go to Whistler this time. We love outdoors, mountains, beaches. As far as city I think we will skip Seattle largely, and spend the city time in Vancouver.

Last time we loved Victoria and Butchart gardens.

Anyone done a similar trip recently? There is a lot to see and a lot of logistics. Insights welcome.

We love the Pacific NW and have spent a lot of time there over 2 long trips since we've been retired. Last year we drove up the coast from Santa Monica staying at various places on the way including 2 weeks in the Columbia River Gorge but this trip we spent most of our time up there in Canada. We had 3 weeks in Vancouver, near to Stanley Park, 2 weeks on Vancouver Island in Sidney and 2 weeks in Whistler.

Whistler was amazing (good weather helped) and we bought a season pass for the cable cars and lifts, which was cheaper than 2 or 3 day passes. There are lots of well marked trails for hiking (it was close to summer time when we were there but we did get to see the US and Canadian Ski teams practicing just before the last slope was closed).

 

[Koogie]

We are planning a trip to the Pacific NW in the summer. We will spend about 2 weeks (not retired yet-have to sync up with DW's leave schedule). We did a similar trip but many many years ago where we went to Seattle, Vancouver Island and the San Juans.
We plan to go to Whistler this time. We love outdoors, mountains, beaches. As far as city I think we will skip Seattle largely, and spend the city time in Vancouver. Last time we loved Victoria and Butchart gardens.
Anyone done a similar trip recently? There is a lot to see and a lot of logistics. Insights welcome.

If you like the outdoors and are [-]masochistic[/-] in good shape, you can do the Grouse Grind in North Van. www.grousemountain.com/grousegrind

Great views from the top. I do pretty good on the way up but the way down is the super killer. FYI, most sensible people take the cable car back down..

 

[Montecfo]

We love the Pacific NW and have spent a lot of time there over 2 long trips since we've been retired. Last year we drove up the coast from Santa Monica staying at various places on the way including 2 weeks in the Columbia River Gorge but this trip we spent most of our time up there in Canada. We had 3 weeks in Vancouver, near to Stanley Park, 2 weeks on Vancouver Island in Sidney and 2 weeks in Whistler.

Whistler was amazing (good weather helped) and we bought a season pass for the cable cars and lifts, which was cheaper than 2 or 3 day passes. There are lots of well marked trails for hiking (it was close to summer time when we were there but we did get to see the US and Canadian Ski teams practicing just before the last slope was closed).

Is there a way to get to Whistler other than by car? Just curious if you "need" a car there.

Also, curious about the Columbia River gorge for future reference.

Thanks!

 

[braumeister]

Last time we were in Vancouver, I remember Stanley Park and Granville Island market were both very enjoyable. Didn't spend much time there; we were more interested in Vancouver Island.

 

[Souschef]

Is there a way to get to Whistler other than by car? Just curious if you "need" a car there.

Also, curious about the Columbia River gorge for future reference.

Thanks!

Getting to Whistler from Vancouver – BCPassport

 

[Lsbcal]

Is there a way to get to Whistler other than by car? Just curious if you "need" a car there.

...

We were in Whistler some year's back before the Olympics. In the summer we were surprised to find it kind of like an upscale resort. It had crowds too. We enjoyed the view from the top after taking the ski lift up.

The ferry ride from the Vancouver side to Vancouver Island was very scenic and the weather was great that day. If going to the Butchart Gardens (went there this summer) try to get there right at the opening. Best to see some of the garden before it gets more crowded.

This summer, we enjoyed Bloedel Reserve which was uncrowded and refreshingly peaceful. Also liked Port Townsend.

 

[NW-Bound]

...The ferry ride from the Vancouver side to Vancouver Island was very scenic and the weather was great that day...

+1

I remember looking at the islands that the ferry navigated in between, and thought it would be nice to spend time on one of these islands.

Whistler is very beautiful. No skier here, but I can see why it is ranked #1 skiing place in North America.

 

[Meadbh]

Those sound very interesting.

I understand summer is not the best time for whale-watching. Laurence, when did you have that experience?

March to October is the whale watching season. You can take whale watching tours from several locations, including Sidney on Vancouver Island and Steveston on the mainland.

Do check out this site:
https://www.hellobc.com/british-columbia/top-10-places-to-go.aspx

Tourism in BC is up approximately 17% YOY and this link includes tables that show you why it will be essential to book accommodation in advance if you must travel during school holidays.
http://www.destinationbc.ca/getatta...ial-Tourism-Indicators_November-2016.pdf.aspx

 

[walkinwood]

Since you like the outdoors, I recommend the Olympic Peninsula including Olympic National Park.

We did a 3 week trip in the area in Sept 2015. Started in Seattle and drove to the Olympic Peninsula, visited Victoria from there. After that, we visited the San Juan islands and then drove east across the state to Spokane (to visit a friend), spending time in the wine region and driving through the Palouse. Then to Vancouver before returning to Seattle.

The Olympic Peninsula was definitely my favorite. Trees like I'd never seen before, beautiful trails and beaches.

 

[YVRRocketSurgery]

Is there a way to get to Whistler other than by car? Just curious if you "need" a car there.

Also, curious about the Columbia River gorge for future reference.

Thanks!

The village itself is fairly compact and walkable. There is also bus service that provides coverage to the broader area.

Alternatively, depending how much time you have, there's a nice driving circuit where you can drive up Highway 1 to Lillooet and then back down to Whistler (and Vancouver) along (Sea to Sky) Highway 99.

 

[Louis2]

Another vote for Stanley Park!

Also, seconding the vote for Columbia River Gorge. Maybe my favorite part of the country I have ever visited. Hiking to the waterfalls and views of the Gorge are fantastic. And spending a morning watching the kite boarding in Hood River is a memorable experience.

 

[socca]

Ditto on hiking in the Columbia River Gorge. Try the Eagle Creek Trail on a weekday. It is currently closed for repairs according to Google, but might be open in time for your vacation.

 

[Montecfo]

Thanks so much for all the great ideas. Let me ask this: has anyone taken the train from Seattle to Vancouver?

I have read some view it as advantageous to rent a car in Vancouver and avoid the border delays with a vehicle...

 

[braumeister]

Thanks so much for all the great ideas. Let me ask this: has anyone taken the train from Seattle to Vancouver?

I have read some view it as advantageous to rent a car in Vancouver and avoid the border delays with a vehicle...

I don't know, but a couple of years ago we drove from Seattle to Vancouver and the border delay was only about 20 minutes. This was early afternoon, after a great lunch in Bellingham.

 

[CRLLS]

If you are into bit of history, I have taken the Underground Tours of both Seattle and Port Angeles (further west). I preferred the one in Port Angeles better, but both were interesting and different.

 

[Alan]

I don't know, but a couple of years ago we drove from Seattle to Vancouver and the border delay was only about 20 minutes.

We had a similar experience as well last year, also in early afternoon. We went through the regular lanes, no expedited pass.

 

[RetireAge50]

We have taken the Amtrak, Bolt Bus, and car each several times from Seattle. Never had too much wait. Car is probably the quickest and cheapest option and necessary if going on to Whistler. Train or bus is fun if staying downtown. Easy to get around via bicycle or light rail.

 

[Montecfo]

If you are into bit of history, I have taken the Underground Tours of both Seattle and Port Angeles (further west). I preferred the one in Port Angeles better, but both were interesting and different.

That is interesting. We did the Seattle one on our first trip. But Port Angeles I will look into. Thanks!