If you had 7-9 days on the west coast....
Jun 22nd, 2013, 05:22 AM
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If you had 7-9 days on the west coast....
Hi all,
Its our 10 year anniversary next June, and we want a special trip!
With young kids at home, we were looking into domestic destinations, and my husband suggested Napa and San Francisco. Ive already been to the Napa area, so I started looking around at other options and stumbled across Santa Barbara and the San Simeon area -- and am intrigued. But, have also heard great things about the Portland & Seattle area!!
We like sightseeing but also a fair amount of relaxation time. Our usual pattern is sightseeing in the morning into afternoon but stopping for early cocktail hour. We like roadtrips but absolutely don't want to spend the entire trip driving. Husband loves boats. I love art, beautiful homes and gardens. We absolutely enjoy nice restaurants, beautiful hotels and maybe even dressing up a little at night.
So, if you had a week or so on the West Coast, what would you recommend? Where would you go - or where would you suggest given our interests? Our anniversary is mid June, but we could go earlier/later if it would make a significantly better trip.
Thanks as always!
Its our 10 year anniversary next June, and we want a special trip!
With young kids at home, we were looking into domestic destinations, and my husband suggested Napa and San Francisco. Ive already been to the Napa area, so I started looking around at other options and stumbled across Santa Barbara and the San Simeon area -- and am intrigued. But, have also heard great things about the Portland & Seattle area!!
We like sightseeing but also a fair amount of relaxation time. Our usual pattern is sightseeing in the morning into afternoon but stopping for early cocktail hour. We like roadtrips but absolutely don't want to spend the entire trip driving. Husband loves boats. I love art, beautiful homes and gardens. We absolutely enjoy nice restaurants, beautiful hotels and maybe even dressing up a little at night.
So, if you had a week or so on the West Coast, what would you recommend? Where would you go - or where would you suggest given our interests? Our anniversary is mid June, but we could go earlier/later if it would make a significantly better trip.
Thanks as always!
Jun 22nd, 2013, 06:59 AM
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Such a relief -- someone who asks, "Where should we go?" and then ALSO adds what they like and what time of the year they plan to go.
Given your preferences and month of travel, I'll recommend Seattle WITH this warning -- June weather there CAN be a bit gloomy. It might also be quite good at that time of the year (I've done fine twice) but weather in the Santa Barbara / Highway 1 area will be almost perfect in June. However, seven to nine days in this area may be a bit of a stretch for finding things to do, unless you like back-country hiking. Seattle will provide lots of places to sight-see followed by a quiet evening, so that's what I'll recommend.
Just don't be angry if you get seven days of gloomy, dreary rain -- it CAN happen.
Given your preferences and month of travel, I'll recommend Seattle WITH this warning -- June weather there CAN be a bit gloomy. It might also be quite good at that time of the year (I've done fine twice) but weather in the Santa Barbara / Highway 1 area will be almost perfect in June. However, seven to nine days in this area may be a bit of a stretch for finding things to do, unless you like back-country hiking. Seattle will provide lots of places to sight-see followed by a quiet evening, so that's what I'll recommend.
Just don't be angry if you get seven days of gloomy, dreary rain -- it CAN happen.
Jun 22nd, 2013, 07:49 AM
#3
My idea: Fly to PDX and rent a car. See the waterfalls east of Portland. Stay a night at Hood River. See either Mt. Hood or head north to see Mt. Rainier in Washington. Decide if you want to see Seattle or just Portland. Both are nice.
Head for the Oregon coast since you don't want to do much hiking. Return the car to PDX and take the light rail from PDX into downtown Portland. Get Amtrak tickets on the Amtrak Coast Starlight from Portland to Santa Barbara. The Amtrak station in Santa Barbara is at the foot of State Street near the pier.
You can rent a car near the station if your hotel is not within walking distance. See the SB Zoo and the mission for sure.
In Portland if it is raining I head for Powell's bookstore.
Head for the Oregon coast since you don't want to do much hiking. Return the car to PDX and take the light rail from PDX into downtown Portland. Get Amtrak tickets on the Amtrak Coast Starlight from Portland to Santa Barbara. The Amtrak station in Santa Barbara is at the foot of State Street near the pier.
You can rent a car near the station if your hotel is not within walking distance. See the SB Zoo and the mission for sure.
In Portland if it is raining I head for Powell's bookstore.
Jun 22nd, 2013, 10:50 AM
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Santa Barbara is a lovely town, one of my favorites and have also stayed in both San Simeon and Cambria 5 minutes drive south of there (Cambria has more restaurants). Inland from Cambria near Paso Robles are some very nice wineries so your husband can get his winery "fix". They are doing some very nice reds in this area.
Jun 22nd, 2013, 12:36 PM
#5
We like roadtrips but absolutely don't want to spend the entire trip driving. Husband loves boats. I love art, beautiful homes and gardens. We absolutely enjoy nice restaurants, beautiful hotels and maybe even dressing up a little at night.
Do you have passports? All I could think of from the above part of your post was Vancouver BC.
It's a beautiful, cosmopolitan city, full of great sights, great restaurants, and the combination of the Queen Elizabeth II Park's gardens and (Bloedel) conservatory, plus the Van Dusen botanical gardens, will more than fill anyone's need for gorgeous gardens, particularly in June.
Boats everywhere, good BC wines (under-appreciated in the US, similar to Washington State wines a few years ago) and if you want to get a scenery fix, 90 minutes up the unspeakably beautiful Sea to Sky Highway (one of the most scenic roads in North America) is Whistler, with fabulous mountain scenery, gondolas, the works. Or travel to BC's "Sunshine Coast" - a few miles (and a ferry ride) from Vancouver for a very laid back and farmers market/gallery-intensive string of communities. Idyllic.
If you want to add a couple of days at either end for Seattle, so much the better. As a rule, airfares to Seattle are cheaper than into Vancouver, and the twice-daily trains between the cities are inexpensive and marvelously scenic (or you can rent a car of course.)
Regarding the weather, the problem with pretty much all of the west coast is "June gloom" - a high risk of overcast days, especially near the ocean. It's most famous in southern California, but it really occurs up and down the coast, where the cold Pacific water hits the warm air over the land, and condenses out. Today in Seattle it's near 80, but by tomorrow night it will be back in the 50s-60s and probably raining. We usually say that the 5th of July is the first day of summer, but some years it can surprise you and be warm - hot, even - at any time in June.
Not to worry, Seattle and Vancouver are cities that have plenty of indoor activities as well as an embarrassment of riches outdoors.
Do you have passports? All I could think of from the above part of your post was Vancouver BC.
It's a beautiful, cosmopolitan city, full of great sights, great restaurants, and the combination of the Queen Elizabeth II Park's gardens and (Bloedel) conservatory, plus the Van Dusen botanical gardens, will more than fill anyone's need for gorgeous gardens, particularly in June.
Boats everywhere, good BC wines (under-appreciated in the US, similar to Washington State wines a few years ago) and if you want to get a scenery fix, 90 minutes up the unspeakably beautiful Sea to Sky Highway (one of the most scenic roads in North America) is Whistler, with fabulous mountain scenery, gondolas, the works. Or travel to BC's "Sunshine Coast" - a few miles (and a ferry ride) from Vancouver for a very laid back and farmers market/gallery-intensive string of communities. Idyllic.
If you want to add a couple of days at either end for Seattle, so much the better. As a rule, airfares to Seattle are cheaper than into Vancouver, and the twice-daily trains between the cities are inexpensive and marvelously scenic (or you can rent a car of course.)
Regarding the weather, the problem with pretty much all of the west coast is "June gloom" - a high risk of overcast days, especially near the ocean. It's most famous in southern California, but it really occurs up and down the coast, where the cold Pacific water hits the warm air over the land, and condenses out. Today in Seattle it's near 80, but by tomorrow night it will be back in the 50s-60s and probably raining. We usually say that the 5th of July is the first day of summer, but some years it can surprise you and be warm - hot, even - at any time in June.
Not to worry, Seattle and Vancouver are cities that have plenty of indoor activities as well as an embarrassment of riches outdoors.
Jun 22nd, 2013, 05:58 PM
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June weather is dicey in Seattle. This year it seems to have been a little better than usual. Today it is 77 F. and sunny, but rain is predicted for the next five days. Our summer months are July and August.
For that reason, I suggest you go with your inclination to spend your anniversary in the Santa Barbara/San Simeon area. The Santa Barbara and Paso Robles wine districts are beautiful and there are several other interesting towns to explore, including Ojai, Monticeto, Solvang, Los Olivos, and San Luis Obispo. While visiting the Hearst "castle" at San Simeon, stay in Cambria. If you haven't already done so, consider driving the beautiful stretch of Highway 1 through Big Sur to Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Happy Anniversary, HTtY
PS When we pass through that area, we also spend at least one night in Piso Beach because that town has a good number of rooms with great ocean views.
For that reason, I suggest you go with your inclination to spend your anniversary in the Santa Barbara/San Simeon area. The Santa Barbara and Paso Robles wine districts are beautiful and there are several other interesting towns to explore, including Ojai, Monticeto, Solvang, Los Olivos, and San Luis Obispo. While visiting the Hearst "castle" at San Simeon, stay in Cambria. If you haven't already done so, consider driving the beautiful stretch of Highway 1 through Big Sur to Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Happy Anniversary, HTtY
PS When we pass through that area, we also spend at least one night in Piso Beach because that town has a good number of rooms with great ocean views.
Jun 23rd, 2013, 02:34 AM
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Thank you Fodorites, you never disappoint!
Ive been given more information and ideas about many interesting destinations, including one I never even thought of - Vancouver, hmmmmmm. Im nervous about the Portland/Seattle weather, i had not heard that June was iffy. We went to Scotland a few years back and had really foggy and rainy weather, and at the end of the trip we felt that we didn't really see Scotland properly at all. The sites (crater late, mount hood/rainier, oregon coast) look spectacularly gorgeous though!!
I will be picking up some guidebooks from the library this weekend to start narrowing in on a choice. I always like planning a vacation far ahead of time so there's plenty of time to look forward to going. Thanks for helping me imagine my options! More opinions are always welcome.
Ive been given more information and ideas about many interesting destinations, including one I never even thought of - Vancouver, hmmmmmm. Im nervous about the Portland/Seattle weather, i had not heard that June was iffy. We went to Scotland a few years back and had really foggy and rainy weather, and at the end of the trip we felt that we didn't really see Scotland properly at all. The sites (crater late, mount hood/rainier, oregon coast) look spectacularly gorgeous though!!
I will be picking up some guidebooks from the library this weekend to start narrowing in on a choice. I always like planning a vacation far ahead of time so there's plenty of time to look forward to going. Thanks for helping me imagine my options! More opinions are always welcome.
Jun 23rd, 2013, 07:04 AM
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The sites (crater late, mount hood/rainier, oregon coast) look spectacularly gorgeous though!!
The Columbia River Gorge is another attraction you would not want to overlook.
As of today (June 23, 2013) part of the road around Crater Lake is not yet open to vehicular traffic.
HTtY
The Columbia River Gorge is another attraction you would not want to overlook.
As of today (June 23, 2013) part of the road around Crater Lake is not yet open to vehicular traffic.
HTtY
Jun 23rd, 2013, 07:14 AM
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Well, I've learned from reading your question. I haven't used the Fodor's forum much and I can see that all the good information you gave about your and your husband's interests really do make a huge difference in the responses you get. I will know next time how to pose a better question. Live and learn.
Jun 23rd, 2013, 07:34 AM
#10
An alternative might be to capitalize on the variable weather conditions (variable because of the month but also because of the topography) and do a big loop trip, starting and ending either in Seattle or Portland.
Start in Portland and visit the Columbia Gorge and Mount Hood. In June the waterfalls along the Oregon side of the Gorge will be full of water, and the Hood River Valley (orchard country) will be lush, but there will still be plenty of snow on Mt. Hood at Timberline Lodge.
Continue east along the Columbia to US 97, stopping at the interesting Maryhill Museum en route. Then turn north through some terrific "old west" country to Toppenish, then into Seattle using I-82 and I-90. Note everything east of, say, Hood River, will almost certainly be sunny and warm, as you'll be on the "dry" side of the Cascades. Around Yakima it's simply high desert; the Yakima Valley itself is full of vineyards and wineries.
Visit Seattle and the Puget Sound region, then return to Portland via Mount St. Helens.
This is a terrific route, covering snowy mountains, waterfalls, desert and vineyards, a couple of very sophisticated cities, and the great river of the west. Dynamite.
Here's a map: http://goo.gl/maps/vqtzN
Columbia Gorge: http://gardyloo.us/20100509_5a.JPG
Mt. Hood from Portland: http://gardyloo.us/20100510_21b.JPG
Hood River Valley and Mt. Hood: http://gardyloo.us/20100509_85a.JPG
Start in Portland and visit the Columbia Gorge and Mount Hood. In June the waterfalls along the Oregon side of the Gorge will be full of water, and the Hood River Valley (orchard country) will be lush, but there will still be plenty of snow on Mt. Hood at Timberline Lodge.
Continue east along the Columbia to US 97, stopping at the interesting Maryhill Museum en route. Then turn north through some terrific "old west" country to Toppenish, then into Seattle using I-82 and I-90. Note everything east of, say, Hood River, will almost certainly be sunny and warm, as you'll be on the "dry" side of the Cascades. Around Yakima it's simply high desert; the Yakima Valley itself is full of vineyards and wineries.
Visit Seattle and the Puget Sound region, then return to Portland via Mount St. Helens.
This is a terrific route, covering snowy mountains, waterfalls, desert and vineyards, a couple of very sophisticated cities, and the great river of the west. Dynamite.
Here's a map: http://goo.gl/maps/vqtzN
Columbia Gorge: http://gardyloo.us/20100509_5a.JPG
Mt. Hood from Portland: http://gardyloo.us/20100510_21b.JPG
Hood River Valley and Mt. Hood: http://gardyloo.us/20100509_85a.JPG
Jun 23rd, 2013, 07:40 AM
#11
Meant to add,
We went to Scotland a few years back and had really foggy and rainy weather, and at the end of the trip we felt that we didn't really see Scotland properly at all.
No, you did see it properly.
(I was there earlier this week and had sunshine, rain, wind, and more sunshine, all in 20 minutes. Sometimes gloom can be beautiful - http://www.flickr.com/photos/58865367@N06/9034953663/ )
We went to Scotland a few years back and had really foggy and rainy weather, and at the end of the trip we felt that we didn't really see Scotland properly at all.
No, you did see it properly.
(I was there earlier this week and had sunshine, rain, wind, and more sunshine, all in 20 minutes. Sometimes gloom can be beautiful - http://www.flickr.com/photos/58865367@N06/9034953663/ )
Jun 23rd, 2013, 02:44 PM
#12
If you fly into one city (Santa Barbara or if need be Los Angeles), and fly home from another (Monterey or San Jose or even SF)....you can see so much and still not feel like you've had one of those "nothing but driving" vacations. 3 nights in Santa Barbara, a couple of nights Shell Beach or San Simeon/Cambria and then up to Carmel/Monterey to cap it off.
Jun 24th, 2013, 06:45 AM
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Gardyloo, great suggestion and beautiful picture.
I think an "open jaw" trip would work best wherever we decide to go... now just to decide which destinations to fit in. We had thought about going to Europe, but honestly there are sooooo many beautiful sights on the west coast Im overwhelmed and excited!
I think an "open jaw" trip would work best wherever we decide to go... now just to decide which destinations to fit in. We had thought about going to Europe, but honestly there are sooooo many beautiful sights on the west coast Im overwhelmed and excited!
Jan 7th, 2014, 03:29 PM
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So a followup question....
I am debating:
1. Portland & Oregon Wine Country in late June (our actual anniversary is the 19th) or
2. San Francisco/The Napa/Sonoma Valleys in late May
Wondering if anyone can give me an idea of crowds in these locales at these times. I was thinking the crowds in Napa would be less in May, thus not going on our actual anniversary date. Will Oregon Wine country feel more secluded, rustic, less-crowded? Can anyone describe the vibe -- is it similar to napa, glamorous, laid-back, etc? How about prices - is there significant savings in Oregon since it is more out of the way than napa?
Thanks in advance as always!!
I am debating:
1. Portland & Oregon Wine Country in late June (our actual anniversary is the 19th) or
2. San Francisco/The Napa/Sonoma Valleys in late May
Wondering if anyone can give me an idea of crowds in these locales at these times. I was thinking the crowds in Napa would be less in May, thus not going on our actual anniversary date. Will Oregon Wine country feel more secluded, rustic, less-crowded? Can anyone describe the vibe -- is it similar to napa, glamorous, laid-back, etc? How about prices - is there significant savings in Oregon since it is more out of the way than napa?
Thanks in advance as always!!
Jan 7th, 2014, 03:34 PM
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Oregon would also give you great scenery - such as driving along the Mighty Columbia river (7 waterfalls - w/ Multnomah being the highest in Oregon) and we love Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood, and there are wineries/B & B's in the valley beyond the north slope - and in/around Hood River - the
Gorge area.
Check other posts in here about Oregon wineries - many of which are still very small/quaint - much less crowded than Napa and less expensive.
You could also drive over to the Oregon Coast - Astoria on down to Florence - and then head toward Eugene and there are several wineries (King Estate, etc) just outside/west of Eugene, a neat University town.
Gorge area.
Check other posts in here about Oregon wineries - many of which are still very small/quaint - much less crowded than Napa and less expensive.
You could also drive over to the Oregon Coast - Astoria on down to Florence - and then head toward Eugene and there are several wineries (King Estate, etc) just outside/west of Eugene, a neat University town.
Jan 7th, 2014, 03:39 PM
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And the Rose Garden and Japanese Gardens in Portland are beautiful - and your husband can go to the nearby Zoo if he doesn't want to go to those gardens with you. 
There is also a very interesting nature walk through wetlands by Welches (forget the name - you walk on elevated wooden walkways) - 20 minutes on hiway 26 before you get to Mt Hood - the only stoplight between Gresham and Mt. Hood - although they may have put a 2nd one nearby) and they have a neat fish window along the Salmon river there also.
The nearby Highlands Inn is also beautiful/classic - and the golf course is great to either play or walk around.
There is also a very interesting nature walk through wetlands by Welches (forget the name - you walk on elevated wooden walkways) - 20 minutes on hiway 26 before you get to Mt Hood - the only stoplight between Gresham and Mt. Hood - although they may have put a 2nd one nearby) and they have a neat fish window along the Salmon river there also.
The nearby Highlands Inn is also beautiful/classic - and the golf course is great to either play or walk around.
Jan 7th, 2014, 04:42 PM
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this is a very old post...did you make a decision? first thoughts that came to my mind...2 nights in laguna beach (beauty, art) 2 nights on catlina island (boats) remaining nights in santa barbara or san diego county.
Jan 8th, 2014, 03:37 AM
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This is the wetlands park/elevated wooden walkways I was mentioning by Welches - and then is some info about the Resort at the Mountain - which has a Scottish theme/Highlands restaurant, etc. - and also for the Timberline Lodge - at 7,000? feet on the south slope of Mt. Hood.
http://www.recreation.gov/campground...O&parkId=74082
http://www.theresort.com/
http://www.timberlinelodge.com/
http://www.recreation.gov/campground...O&parkId=74082
http://www.theresort.com/
http://www.timberlinelodge.com/
Jan 8th, 2014, 08:56 AM
#20
Glad you came back steviegene!
My idea for what it is worth: fly to Portland rent a car for your Oregon visit (Columbia River, Portland and Oregon wine area). PDX airport has the red line light rail to get to downtown Portland including the train station.
Return the car and take the Amtrak Coast Starlight south from PDX to Sacramento (overnight). Have a great breakfast (Jim Denny's?) in Sacramento before renting a car about 9AM.
Head to Napa and end the day in San Francisco.
If you still have time left, you can take the Coast Starlight south to Santa Barbara or even Los Angeles (arriving about 9PM).
My idea for what it is worth: fly to Portland rent a car for your Oregon visit (Columbia River, Portland and Oregon wine area). PDX airport has the red line light rail to get to downtown Portland including the train station.
Return the car and take the Amtrak Coast Starlight south from PDX to Sacramento (overnight). Have a great breakfast (Jim Denny's?) in Sacramento before renting a car about 9AM.
Head to Napa and end the day in San Francisco.
If you still have time left, you can take the Coast Starlight south to Santa Barbara or even Los Angeles (arriving about 9PM).
