janisj

I have 3 nights/3+ days for a short getaway in June. I plan on flying into Seattle and taking a ferry to either Victoria or Vancouver, staying 2 nights, then back to Seattle for 1 night before flying home.

I've just started researching today and so far my only 'must' is Butchart Gardens. So, which would you prefer for a 2 day lightning, car-less visit? Logistically, is one a lot easier/harder than the other?

Thanks . . .

taggie

Hi Janis - If you want to take a ferry, and Butchart Gardens is a must, then Victoria should be your destination. There is no ferry that goes from Seattle-Vancouver. You'd have to drive, or take a bus. But then getting to Butchart would be more of a challenge, and take up at least an entire day.

The downtown/harbour area of Victoria is very compact and you could easily walk to most of it. There are a few bus options that will take you to Butchart Gardens, which is about a half hour drive north of the city. You can take public transport or a shuttle or tour bus - these depart from downtown.

Victoria is quite quaint (or twee depending on your sensibilities) but very pretty. Vancouver is much larger and more cosmopolitan. They both have lots to offer, but 2 days in Victoria sounds about right.

traveller69

Hi Janis - you were so helpful to me when I planned our London visit. I agree with Taggie I would make Victoria your destination. You can get the Clipper http://www.clippervacations.com/ferry/ from Seattle and it arrives in the Inner Harbour area where all of the action is so to speak. As a Victoria resident though I don't think it is quaint - charming is a better term!!!

janisj

Thanks. You've both confirmed what I was thinking. I'm sort of ashamed I know so little about either city, (didn't realize you get to Vancouver only by land, not ferry )

OK - now I'll have to get to work looking at hotels and doing my research. I was going to go to Las Vegas over the 3 days -- but just can't face Vegas in summer. My mom suggested I think about Seattle/Victoria and I've always wanted to see Butchart Gardens. If I had a week -- I'd probably head to London, but maybe Victoria will give me a twee/quaint/English/charm fix

Thanks-- I'll be back w/ more questions after I get some focus.

SOCALOC

Janisj- you can take the Amtrak train from Seattle to Vancouver. It's a beautiful ride along the Peugot Sound. However, I'm agreement with others- Victoria hands down. Vancouver Island is special. If I could do it over; I would have spent more time on the island than in Vancouver. And of course, Butchart gardens is a must. Maybe spend your arrival day on foot in Victoria then the next day rent a car to the gardens and take a scenic drive on the island?

Daniel_Williams

Hi janisj,

I don't find Victoria especially English (feels very, well, Canadian to me), but it is a beautiful place, charming in its own way. I visited in 2008 without a car, and it worked nicely for me.

In addition to Butchart Gardens (which is spectacular) I especially enjoyed:

1. Renting a bike and cycling along the Juan de Fuca strait with the Olympic mountains as background. Just gorgeous.
2. The Royal BC Museum (especially the sections on Pacific Coast First Nations).
3. Taking in the entertainment and views by the Inner Harbour at night.

The ride on the Victoria Clipper out of Seattle is pleasant and I find one of the more agreeable ways of crossing the US-Canada border; you'll want to check in at the pier in Seattle about an hour early.

Enjoy! Daniel

traveller69

janis -let us know what type of accommodation you are looking for and price range. There are some really lovely B&B's in an excellent location for proximity to the Inner Harbour. (Empress Hotel, Royal BC Museum, Legislative Buildings etc)

http://www.tourismvictoria.com/

LindaFasteson

Can't go wrong with either one, and to give you an idea of what each city has to offer, here's what we did:

Vancouver http://www.notabletravels.com/destin...Vancouver.html


Victoria
http://www.notabletravels.com/destin.../Victoria.html

janisj

OK - I've jumped in and booked my flights and a B&B in Victoria. The B&B is cancel-able up til 7 days in advance so I can change if I've made a horrible mistake

My big problem is the ferry schedule -- w/ only 2 a day each direction the only way I can get 2 full-ish days in Victoria seems to be to stay 3 nights and skip staying a night in Seattle.

I booked at Marketa's B&B $95 for a double w/ bath. It is on Superior Street and looks fairly close to the ferry terminal. Most others were quite a bit more expensive or seemed too far out. I booked w/o asking here first because when I looked Fri night there were 7 rooms available for my dates but by last night only 4 were left, and two of those have a shared bath. So I pulled the trigger to hold the room and can cancel if somewhere else would be better.

Here is the basic plan - let me know if there is anything that will jump up to bite me.

Tues: Arrive SeaTac 8:30AM. Go into Seattle for a few hours. (light rail or the Shuttle bus? The last time I was in Seattle was pre-light rail so I have no idea)

Catch the 3:15 ferry arrive in Victoria @ 6PM

Wed: Explore Victoria

Thurs: Butchart Gardens and ??. Best way to get there - bus or rent a car for the day or ??

Fri AM: Catch 11:30 ferry arriving at 2:15. What is the best way to get back to the airport - I was thinking a cab to the Light rail station. My flight is 6:45 PM and I'll be checked in/just have to print my boarding pass at the airport. Do I have enough time? (if not I'll can cancel Thurs night at the B&B and go back to Seattle on the 7PM ferry)

If my basic framework passes Fodors scrutiny - then I can start picking brains for the details.

traveller69

janis - good choice on the B&B. I recommend Marketas all the time and have done so on this board many times as well. It is a lovely spot and the location is excellent. There is a shuttle bus to Butchart Gardens from the bus terminal which is just blocks from your B&B. I forget how much it costs but it is very reasonable and it allows you to spend as much time as you want at the gardens without being tied into a tour. You will also be able to take in some of the inner harbour activities on the Wed evening (buskers entertainment etc) It will be light here until close to 10PM in June so that gives you lots of time.

I will defer to someone more familiar with Seattle regarding transportation from SeaTac but I know there is some kind of Airport shuttle service. You will have plenty of time to get to the airport for your return flight. I know someone on this board or perhaps the US board used the LRT and were very pleased.

I found this website which gives you options. http://www.clippervacations.com/faq/...transportation

Any questions post again!

grahambell

Here are your options on reaching The Butchart Gardens:
http://www.butchartgardens.com/plann...-victoria.html

janisj

OK - posted over on the USA forum and got some more info about the ferry/light rail etc. Played w/ the schedules and worked it out to have the max time in Victoria and about 1/2 a day in Seattle. I'll take the 3:15 ferry/arrive at 6PM, check into Marketa's, and then three days later fly to Seattle Lake Union at 3PM, shuttle to SeaTac and fly home. So I end up w/ one evening, two full days, and another 1/2 day in Victoria.

Day 1: check in and then wander around semi aimlessly just sort of getting acclimated. Need suggestions for a nice place for dinner - not fancy or a 'destination' restaurant, but good food and maybe a nice view. This whole trip is sort of a splurge so semi-expensive is OK, but a bargain is good too

Day 2: All Victoria all day - At minimum, the Royal BC Museum, and late afternoon tea at the Empress. Hopefully Craigdarroch Castle (I was born in Dunsmuir California which was named after the owner) or fisherman's wharf or ?? Any other "musts" - I'm still reading up

Day 3: Mostly Butchart Gardens. I checked out the transport links and it looks like the last bus leaves long before the Gardens close - but I'd still have hours there so the bus should be OK. But would it be better to rent a car for the day?

Thanks for all the help -

traveller69

Janis - I am sure the shuttle bus to Butchart from the depot runs fairly late but I will call them tomorrow and find out for sure. You really don't need a car. When exactly are you coming? By the way - I don't know how many summers on our driving trips to California when I was a kid that we camped in Castle Crags State park. Every year when we drive back from Arizona I look up at them and remember all the fun we had back then. I know that area so well! I'll post again when I get the shuttle info.

janisj

Hi - I'm there 22-25 June. I don't necessarily want to rent a car but will if it makes most sense.

Ah, Castle Crags --

This is something I posted on another thread:

>><i>My Mom grew up where the park is now. Her family had a 90 acre homestead on Little Castle Creek from the late teens until sometime in the 40's. It was pretty isolated and 3 or 4 years they moved into Dunsmuir during the winter. I've seen photos of the old house w/ icicles reaching from the eaves to the ground.

Castle Crags is an amazing place . . .</i><<

traveller69

Hi again - I double checked on the shuttle from the downtown PCL terminal (right behind the Empress) The shuttle is operated by Grayline and leaves every 45 minutes starting at 9 am. On the return it is the same but the last one that is regularly scheduled is 6:25 pm but they do have another if you want to spend the evening leaving at 10:20 pm. The return fare including admission to the gardens is $43. That works out to be $15 return for the shuttle itself. Just so you know at that time of year it will be light until close to 10 pm (twilight anyway).

That is so interesting about your Mom and Castle Creek. So many people don't even know about the crags and when you are traveling southbound you don't see them nearly as well. My real memory of being there was there was a little store either on the grounds or next to it. I think if I can remember it was just a little convenience store but they had tables and comic books for the kids to read. My brother was totally enjoying a comic book and my Mom was finished shopping he was most disappointed that he had to leave the book. The store owner told him to take it with him and I do think that was they highlight of my brothers trip!!

janisj

A couple of last questions (or maybe next to last )

• suggestions for someplace to eat dinner Tues (arrival day). Decent food and possibly a water view. The ferry arrives at 6PM so it will likely be 7:30 or later by the time I get checked in and freshen up. And for the places you recommend -- do I need to book?

• And 'the clothes' thing? I'm not asking what to wear so I don't look like a tourist More along the lines of 'real' temps. I've been following the weather and it looks generally to be low 60'sF to low 70's. I guess my question really is what does 65F <i>feel</i> like? Is it more likely a damp/cool/windy 65, or a balmy/short sleeves 65???

traveller69

Janis - The Blue Crab is good and very close to Marketa's. http://bluecrab.ca/ (In the Coast Hotel) There are a lot of restaurants in the area You could ask Marketa for recommendations as well - you can walk to any of them. As far as the weather - I know you are in Northern Cal so I think you will find it feels the same as there (Unless you are really inland) James Bay area is always a few degrees cooler because it gets the marine breezes. For the near future they are forecasting close to 68 - 70. Just bring a light jacket and an umbrella in case.

janisj

"<i>Unless you are really inland</i>"

I guess you could say I'm <u>really</u>" inland -- it was 98°F today. Here 65 is light jacket or sweater weather, when I'm in Scotland 65 feels like a heat wave

So I guess what you're saying dress like for the SF Bay area. Got it covered. thanks.

LoveItaly

Hello, janis, you will have a wonderful time on beautiful Vancouver Island! I hope you enjoy visiting the Butchart Gardens as much as I have. I did chuckle about the weather, wasn't our weather overly hot today. I think it will be a long hot summer here for sure. Regarding clothes, I always packed as though we were going to be in SF so I think your idea is correct. Layers are good in case it does get a bit warm. Have a fantastic time and I know you will!

AndrewDavid

hi janis, i'm a big garden fan but not a big fan of butchart's ( way too many plants). however if you are here on a saturday evening the fireworks are magical. other gardens in town include the wonderful abkhazi and the gardens at gov't house which are both accessible by city bus routes, 10 minutes or so from downtown. if gardens are your interest just walking around neighbourhoods like james bay, fairfield and rockland have some show stopping ones visible from the pavement. also the walk through beacon hil park and its gardens through to the linear park above the beaches at dallas road is a classic

cheers
AndrewDavid