San Francisco to Vancouver(or more)

It has been a long time since we found time to travel to an unknown place. My family(includes a 1 yr old) has decided to drive to Vancouver from San Francisco(south bay area to be exact).
We have from July 3rd until July12th.
I know time is tight, but would like to spend more time in Canada than in the US(just drive through). But my mother might be joining us & I would love to spend some time in Seattle(& take the ferry to Bremerton) on our way back.

If time permits, would love to drive to Banff/Jasper National parks, but I have no idea about the routes.

Any help, absolutely anything(about the roads/time limitations/weather/places to stay) will definitely be helpful. I made a search here & I am still looking up for specific information in the area I plan to travel. Will keep looking.


thanks for your time
cool

Google Maps can give you an idea of routes. Click on Directions, enter San "Francisco CA" and "Vancouver BC" in the boxes. Then click on Add Destination and enter "Banff AB".

San Francisco to Vancouver, BC is 925 miles, or two days of driving.

Banff National Park is about 525 miles from Vancouver, a long day of driving. Going to Banff will only leave you 3 days for sightseeing.

On this trip, I would suggest spending the time exploring Vancouver. Perhaps taking the ferry to Vancouver Island and visiting Pacific Rim National Park and Victoria.

Thanks for the response, kestrel. By routes, I meant the kind of roads I will encounter? Any mountain passes that would slow me down(between Vancouver & Banff)? Any construction along the way? Any snow? Sorry if I did not make myself clear.
Any important sights to see that is not possible in CA?
I did come across a capilano bridge, but the entrance fee was around $36(CAD). Just wondering if it is worth it.

thanks for your comments,
cool

You can take the Trans-Canada Highway all the way from Vancouver to Banff. Here is a link to the official site which should be able to help you plan that part of the trip. I think trying to do that in one day might be pushing it, it's not a US-quality Interstate highway all the way and it does go through some mountainous terrain.

Capilano Suspension Bridge is pretty cool but I wouldn't pay $36 to walk on it. Is that per person?

The ferry ride from Seattle to Bremerton would be cool. You could circle the Olympia Peninsula and go home via the coast. This would be a lovely drive. If you drove the coast from here to SF, figure at least 3 days, minimum. Four or five would be better.

Even if the Trans-Can highway isn't up to US interstate standards, it's still a relatively easy drive. You shouldn't encounter any mountain driving that a passenger vehicle can't easily handle.

I'm not sure how to respond to your query about "important sights to see that is not possible in CA"? Yes, tons. The Rockies, Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Crater Lake, Olympia Rainforest, and this is just a teensy list of many great options.

Why type of things do you want to see and do? Give us more specifics to work with.

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Originally Posted by cool

I did come across a capilano bridge, but the entrance fee was around $36(CAD). Just wondering if it is worth it.

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Yikes - it costs that much to get in there these days? I crossed the capilano bridge about 30 years ago, when I was a wee tot of 10 or so, and the view was amazing back then. Not much too it, as I recall - park on one side, a slightly bigger park on the other with trees and interpertive trail stuff. It was cool, but I dont think it was 40 bucks worth of cool.

In that neck of the woods, I remember that the Hells Gate Airtram was really cool. If you're looking for views, this is probably the way to go (at least based on my three decade old memories :) )

(Oh, and checking out the capilano web page, it's only 28.95 to get in. Still a bit steep, but not 40 bucks worth of steep. Plus, here's a coupon that'll knock another buck off)

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Originally Posted by PNW Judy

The ferry ride from Seattle to Bremerton would be cool. You could circle the Olympia Peninsula and go home via the coast. This would be a lovely drive. If you drove the coast from here to SF, figure at least 3 days, minimum. Four or five would be better.

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WE might have to do part of the coast, i guess just to show my mom.

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Even if the Trans-Can highway isn't up to US interstate standards, it's still a relatively easy drive. You shouldn't encounter any mountain driving that a passenger vehicle can't easily handle.

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That surely helps, Judy.

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I'm not sure how to respond to your query about "important sights to see that is not possible in CA"? Yes, tons. The Rockies, Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Crater Lake, Olympia Rainforest, and this is just a teensy list of many great options.

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We have been Seattle & have covered all that you mentioned. Remember, we even met you for breakfast when we were there. The ferry ride to Bremerton was your idea:-)
So, this time, I wanted to do a "lot" of Vancouver.
How big is this place really?
And what might be the best way to travel around the downtown? By trolley? or car? How expensive is the parking?
The only parks I knew near that part of Canada are Banff & Jasper. But am I pushing myself too much...I tend to think so. How about parks in BC itself?

As all my other trips, I would really like to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. With a baby, I doubt if we have the privilege of speed runs. I have run out on that one.

We are basically looking for touristy things. A short hike here & there would be welcome too. We might take the Gondola up Mt.Grouse. Is that any good?

And are there any places to look for cheaper hotels? I mean outside the downtown but fairly nearby. I am looking up Orbitz & a lot of nearby places come up, but I have no clue if I will be stuck in traffic or the likes.

How different is Canada from the US? I have no clue. So, I am struck with the fear of the unknown!

cool

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Originally Posted by glc

You can take the Trans-Canada Highway all the way from Vancouver to Banff. Here is a link to the official site which should be able to help you plan that part of the trip.

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Thanks a ton for the link. I found a lot of information here.

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Originally Posted by cool

We might take the Gondola up Mt.Grouse. Is that any good?

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The Gondola and chairlift rides are really cool - Its only been a decade since I was on them, so I can speak with much more authority than the Hell's Gate trams. They had an awesome view of the city and the surroundings. Totally worth your time.

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How different is Canada from the US? I have no clue. So, I am struck with the fear of the unknown!

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Pishaw - it's not all that different. The candy tastes better and the money is more colorful, and that's about it.