Los Angeles to Vancouver (r/t) in July 2013

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I know that ten days can seem like a lot, but it's going to take you three days minimum each way between Los Angeles and Vancouver city, what with sight seeing on the way up and traveling with several children, and then another half day, realistically for the ferry over to Vancouver island, that only leaves you three days tops on the island. I will tell you that we took our grandsons to Vancouver Island this past summer and had no trouble whatsoever filling a full week on the island with great stuff.

So how to make the most of your somewhat limited time? The first thing I'd suggest is that you will be sending the bulk of your time on the road on the drives up and back, you put as much effort into those sections as you put into your actual time on the island. Plan on both [post=60779]short stops along the Interstate as you head north (The first and last days of your trip can be devoted mostly to putting down some miles relatively close to home.) as well as some time along the Oregon coast, in the Columbia River Gorge, and maybe a side trip to either Crater Lake or Mount Ranier National Parks. You can spread those out between the northbound and southbound legs. On the island I would suggest the harbor area of Victoria including the Natural History Museum and Chinatown. Also a drive up the west coast of the island to Port Renfrew for an al fresco lunch and a visit to Botanical Beach, particularly if you can time your arrival for low tide. Depending on the age and gender of the kids, and their interests, visit to Butchart Gardens and/or the British Columbia Aviation Museum would be in order.

Note, too, that BC Ferries now offer short lectures by naturalists on the crossings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay. Make sure that the kids attend at east one of them. In Victoria, if you do nothing else, give them some time to explore Stanley Park.

And make sure that you have passports for one and all.

AZBuck