Pacific Northwest- Seattle home base

[Ageewhy]

Hi Folks,

Looking to fly into Seattle for 1 week in early September. Should have 6 full days to explore the Pacific Northwest in a rental car. Start and finish in Seattle. Coming all the way from Florida, never set foot in the Pacific Northwest.

Just looking for some tips, guidance, or recommendations on places to see or possible routes. I love a good outdoor hike, history, outdoor scenery, fishing, and of course a good bar and fresh seafood. I've heard great things about Vancouver (CAN).

What ye say ?

Thanks!

[AZBuck]

Great neck of the woods! And it let's you combine two of my favorite things to try to include on any RoadTrip - making a loop drive so that you're always on 'mew roads' and taking ferry rides. As usual, I'll describe the loop in a clockwise fashion, but you can take it either way. After spending some time in Seattle take the ferry over to Bainbridge Island and then head up and out onto the Olympic Peninsula and explore Olympic National Park. Depending on how much exploring you do, either continue or double back to Port Angeles and take the ferry over to Victoria BC on Vancouver Island. Check out the harbor and the provincial capital, have high tea in Oak Bay, and visit Butchart Gardens before heading up to Swartz Bay and catching the ferry over to Tsawwassen and Vancouver (the city). One unique geographical opportunity at this point is to drive from the ferry landing to Point Roberts WA, a town in the US which is only reachable (by land) through Canada. Highlights of Vancouver would be Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, And a vibrant mult0-cultural downtown, as well as various museums, gardens and aquariums. You would then make the return drive south down to Seattle.

AZBuck

[Ageewhy]

Thanks AZbuck!

A few follow up questions:

Can you take a vehicle on these ferries? If so, any idea on the costs or where I can find that out?

Thanks!

[CalOldBlue]

Three different systems (all of which take cars; but have different reservation systems).

Washington State ferries
Black Ball (Port Angeles to Victoria)
BC Ferries (Vancouver Island to Vancouver)

Depending on how free you want to be and/or nervous about actually being able to get on board, you MAY want to consider reserving a space ahead of time.

Black Ball used to be the tightest, and didn't take reservations... now I believe they do.