In early August I will have four days to explore on my own,
leaving and returning through Vancouver. I would appreciate
any suggestions from 'west coasters' as to where I should go
for such a short period of time. I was looking at the idea
of interior B.C. or Seatle (rainforest) or heading down to
Oregon. My interests are in the outdoors, not museums or
the like. AS residents from there, what would you suggest I
do with this time taking into consideration I will probably
travel by bus although flying is an option for Oregon, and
staying in hostels. Thanks for any info you may have.
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Not knowing where you're from or what you've seen makes it
hard to advise you. Four days up and down the coast to
Oregon isn't much time, and bus isn't necessarily the way to
go. If I had four days out of Vancouver, I'd be tempted to
rent a vehicle and maybe circle up through Whistler and into
the Fraser Valley via Lilloet, drive up to HWY. 16 and over
to Jasper, down the Banff-Jasper Hwy. to Lake Louise or
Banff, and then back across to Vancouver. It would be mucho
driving, but you'd see a lot of spectacular country. It
would definitely beat four days on a bus up and back to
Oregon.
I am from Toronto and have been as far west as Jasper. The
drive you mentioned sounds quite beautiful but in four days
will all I be doing is driving to make it through or will
there be times I can stop and hike. My worry with Whistler
in August is that it may be overcrowded and accomodation
will be difficult to find. I will definately check into the
route you suggested, thank you.
The rain forest (if you mean the rain forest in Olympic
National Park) are hours from Seattle and (I think, someone
can correct me if I'm wrong) the only scheduled bus service
would get you to Port Angeles, or possibly Forks. Forks is
still about 30 miles or more from Hoh River rain forest.
The rain forest is definitely spectacular and worth seeing,
but getting there and back by bus in four days is a
problem. If I had only four days and was travelling by
public transportation I might consider the ferry to
Vancouver Island,(I think there used to be a ferry from Pt.
Alberni to the west coast of the Island - maybe someone can
tell you about that or other public transportation
options.) or to the Gulf Islands, or to the San Juans.By
not trying to go so far you could have more time outdoors.
If you decide to go to fly to Oregon remember that the
major airport in that state in Portland is hours from the
ocean and to fly to the smaller towns that are on the ocean
could be expensive.
Four days is too short to go very far if you want to enjoy yourself. I recomend going to the Gulf Islands. Visit more than one if you want,but if I was in your situation, I would go directly To Salt Spring Island and stay. There is a cool hostel(sorry I don't know the name, but there can't be many) that has tepees and tree houses that you can stay in!!!It's still a long way from August so If you get a hold of them soon there should be no prblems
I would either go to the gulf islands or up the Sunshine
Coast to Powell River and Lund, leaving Vancouver at
Horseshoe Bay. Most of the nice rainforest areas near
Vancouver are a ways away and you will need your own car to
get to them, except maybe around Tofino and Ucluelet. But
this area will be a zoo in August.
The Gulf Islands are nice, but not exactly wilderness hiking
hotspots; more like convenient urban getaways. A way to get
to the Olympic Peninsula that hasn't been mentioned is to go
to Vicoria by bus and ferry, or by plane, then catch a ferry
to Port Angeles, WA. Rent a car there (if you're over 25),
and drive up the very damp river valleys of Olympic National
Park for some very rainy rain forest, with a network of
hiking trails. Be ready for wet.
Vancouver Island has it all! If your an outdoor enthusiast
this is the place. And distances are reasonably short. If
you want the inside passages best kept secret check out the
Discovery Islands. Just a little farther north, and you'll
find remote. We live on Quadra Island which has everything
from hiking, mountain biking, sailing, kayaking,
whalewatching or just beach bumming. How can I not love a
place like this. If you want more info on the Discovery
Islands contact me.
No trip to the west cost of BC would be complete without at
least a couple of days in Whistler!! It has everything you
could ever need!! Vancouver Island is absolutely beautiful
but I am partial to Whistler!! Have a great time here
whatever you decide to do!!
No trip to the west coast of BC would be complete without at
least a couple of days in Whistler!! It has everything you
could ever need!! Vancouver Island is absolutely beautiful
but I am partial to Whistler!! Have a great time here
whatever you decide to do!!
I grew up on the west coast of Vancouver Island and would
definitely recommend it. As Paul mentioned above the Lady
Rose ferry runs out of Port Alberni, past Bamfield, through
the Broken Islands and stops at Ucluelet. The round trip
takes a day and will give you that west coast feeling. You
can also drive to Tofino, rent a kayak for a few hours and
paddle around the protected harhour. Cathedral Grove just
before Port Alberni on the highway has some really
impressive trees that wil leave you in awe. Long Beach is
much like the Oregan coast, but without the 8 hours drive
from Vancouver to reach it. Stick with Vancouver Island and
Pacific Rim Nat'l Park and you will see it all. Good luck
deciding where to go.
If you have the time, and a little extra cash, head up to
the Queen Charlotte Islands. The scenery is unbelievable
(Lots of rainforest!)the weather great, and if you head up
to Masset, you'll be able to see the home of the Haida
Nation...Totems and Longhouses galore!! Take the Inside
Passage from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island up to Prince
Rupert, and then from Rupert to Queen Charlotte City...this
place sets the tone of the islands...relaxed, friendly, and
kinda hippy-like. Give it a shot!!
You aren't really well advised to try to make the Charlottes
and back in 4 days from Vancouver!
You aren't really well advised to try to make the Charlottes
and back in 4 days from Vancouver!