auto/ferry Seattle/Victoria/Vancouver

There's no passenger ferry between Victoria and Vancouver--only a bus that you can take on the ferry that will also transport you between the cities and the ferry terminal on each end. But it's a good 3-4 hour trip each way.

I'd suggest either a circle trip with a car--first to Vancouver, then ferry to Victoria, then ferry to Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula west of Seattle and drive back to Seattle. Alternatively, without a car, you can take the Victoria Clipper to Victoria from Seattle, the PCL bus from Victoria to Vancouver and the Amtrak train from Vancouver to Seattle. The Victoria Clipper has packages for this trip.

My favorite hotels in Vancouver are the Sutton Place and the new Loden. In Victoria, I like the Inn at Laurel Point and the Magnolia.

there is a ferry between Tswassassan( which is just south of Vancouver) and Victoria- and it is the ferry I usually use because it has more frequent departures so if you miss one, you know another one will be leaving soon. I also think the ride is prettier than the other choices-

Whether you need a car depends on what you want to do - you can take a bus from the ferry to downtown - and spend your time walking around the harbor.

The downside of taking the Tswassassan ferry is crossing the border, which frequently has long waits

In Victoria I'd Stay At the inn at Laurel Point.(request a room in the Erickson wing- much nicer, great views)

Thank you! I think the website for Inn at Laurel Point looks good, but I am a bit concerned because it is not listed in AAA or in Fodor's. Any other input?

We took the in-laws there last weekend. Perfect location. We had two rooms in the Erickson wing, one with a view of the inner harbour, the other with a view to the outer harbour. We walked everywhere(except Butchart Gardens). The rooms were great. Clean , quiet, nice deck (we were on the 3rd floor). I'd stay in the erickson wing again tomorrow. Check trip advisor for reviews, but I think this is the best place to stay in Victoria if you want a place in the downtown core where you can walk to most sites.

sunbum1944,
Can you clarify "The downside of taking the Tswassassan ferry is crossing the border, which frequently has long waits"...how long is long?

My experience as a frequent visitor to Vancouver from Seattle is that the wait going into Canada is rarely more than 30 minutes and usually less than that. But it depends greatly on the time of day, day of the week, time of year, etc. The earlier in the day, generally the shorter the wait.

This website will give you current information about border crossing wait times into Canada (scroll down to Peace Arch/Pacific Hwy):

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html