Seattle, WA, USA/Victoria, B.C., Canada

Old Aug 3rd, 2015, 12:39 PM
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Seattle, WA, USA/Victoria, B.C., Canada

I will be traveling in early October for 4 nights flying to/from Seattle. Visiting Victoria is high on on our priority list. I've heard that the Buchart Gardens are a must see there; however, I'd love opinions about the gardens during this time of the year. My traveling companion and I are also considering a wine tour in Woodinville, as we enjoy many Washington State red wines. It appears that some may be along the way to a ferry to Victoria. If so, which wineries are recommended to tour? Below is a sample itinerary of what we're considering:

Day 1: Arrive early afternoon in Seattle & spend the night
Day 2: Winery tour and spend the night in that area
(Or should we consider getting a ride back to Seattle instead? We're going to Victoria next.)
Day 3: Visit Victoria and spend the night there
Day 4: Return to Seattle & stay in Seattle
Day 5: Fly home

I welcome transportation suggestions to the wineries from Seattle; transportation suggestions to Victoria and back (FYI-I'm not adventurous enough to ride in a sea plane!), accommodation & dining recommendations, & if it's worth touring the wineries? If so, which ones? Thank you!
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Old Aug 3rd, 2015, 04:01 PM
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Let's clarify a couple of things. First, the wineries near Seattle (mostly in Woodinville, a suburb around 20 miles from the city) are nice but they're NOT anywhere near the vineyards that produce the grapes. Those are mostly in eastern Washington, 3-5+ hours drive from Seattle. You could - if you want - visit one of the tasting rooms right in the city - for example https://tastingroomseattle.com/ - and save a lot of running around.

It appears that some may be along the way to a ferry to Victoria.

I can't think of any that would fit that description; Woodinville is way inland. What ferry are you thinking of? There are two car ferries from Washington, from Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula and from Anacortes, a two hour drive from Seattle. Both would be extremely inconvenient for you to get to. The passenger ferry from Seattle, the Victoria Clipper, leaves from the central waterfront, nowhere near any wineries.

As to the Butchart Gardens, I'm sure they try to have things pretty year-round, but it will definitely be past its prime for summer flowers, and probably too early for much autumn color.

I'll just say this about Victoria, and many will disagree, but with as rushed a visit as yours, the thought of sitting on a bumpy (can be very bumpy) high speed ferry for 3+ hours, in weather that could be anything between sunny and dismal, just so you can shell out big bucks for the gardens (counting transportation - they're quite a distance from downtown Victoria) - well, frankly, meh.

Now that's not to say Victoria isn't pretty - it's very pretty around the Inner Harbour - but it's a long and pricey schlep. If you were coming for a week or more, I'd say, sure, go for it. But with so short a time I'm frankly a bit dubious.

Here's an alternative idea for you to consider. Every morning at 7:30 or so there's a very scenic and inexpensive Amtrak train that leaves Seattle and goes to Vancouver BC, arriving before noon. No seasickness, lovely views, decent coffee. http://www.amtrakcascades.com/default.htm

From the Vancouver train station, it's about a $5-$10 cab ride, or a cheaper bus ride, to Queen Elizabeth II Park. This is a stunning city park with gardens (like Butchart, built partly in a disused rock quarry) that are, if not the equal to Butchart, pretty doggone close, and er.. free. In the park is also the Bloedel Conservatory, one of the most splendid greenhouses around.

If you're still not gardened out, it's a short bus/cab ride or a medium walk to the Van Dusen Botanical Garden, a different but equally wonderful horticultural attraction.

http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation...beth-park.aspx
http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation...al-garden.aspx

Both of these parks are right in the middle of one of the most appealing and cosmopolitan cities in North America. If you want to have afternoon tea, instead of shelling out sixty bucks at the Empress in Victoria, have tea at the cafe right in the Van Dusen Gardens, rated one of the best in the city. http://vancouver.about.com/od/restau...-Vancouver.htm

If you want, you can return on the evening train to Seattle (and that way not have to break camp twice or even three times) or you can spend the night in Vancouver and return the next morning.

Now this is quite a departure from your plans, but you might give it some consideration. It will be cheaper and probably less taxing than the Victoria alternative.
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Old Aug 3rd, 2015, 04:34 PM
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Victoria is a delightful city. Living in Seattle, we try to go there for two or three nights at least once a year.

I suggest you take the ferry from Anacortes. You will pass through the beautiful San Juan Islands on your way to Sidney, BC (the port near Victoria).

After two nights, take the ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles. If you have time, visit some of the Olympic National park (Hurricane Ridge, for instance).

Make ferry reservations in advance.

Return to Seattle on the ferry from Bainbridge. You will have great views of the Seattle skyline and, if the skies are clear, Mt. Rainier and the other mountains in the region.

HTtY


HTtY
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Old Aug 3rd, 2015, 05:21 PM
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I've only been to Victoria twice so not a big expert (and Gardyloo and suze and a couple of other knowledgeable Fodorites told me everything I knew about the place before my first visit) Having said that -- I don't think you have nearly enough time for what you want to do . . . and especially not if you can't take the seaplane at least one way.

It is a long ferry ride (you have to check early in so it eats up even more than just the voyage). So basically 4+ hours from Seattle to your hotel in Victoria only to spend 4+ hours the next day from Victoria to your hotel in Seattle.

I don't know if you expect vineyards w/ your wineries (like in Napa or France) but that isn't what you'll find in Woodinville.

Maybe seriously consider Gardyloo's alternative plan . . .
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Old Aug 4th, 2015, 05:43 AM
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Many (perhaps most) visitors to Victoria go there as a day trip or stay there for only one night. With four nights at your disposal you definitely have plenty of time to visit Victoria--and it will be time very well spent.

We have gone to Victoria for two nights on many occasions and we have never been in a floatplane.

Driving from Seattle to Anacortes and taking the ferry to Victoria is 141 miles and takes about 6 hours, plus time getting on and off the ferry. That puts us in Victoria in the mid-afternoon with plenty of time to stroll around town.

Taking the ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles, driving to Bainbridge and taking the ferry to Seattle is 110 miles and takes 5 hours, plus time getting on and off the ferry.

We always enjoy the time we spend traveling between Seattle and Victoria.

HTtY

PS The wineries in Woodinville are basically tasting rooms. Wine is made there from grapes imported from other parts of the state. Our main wine districts are in Walla Walla, Yakima, and Lake Chelan, and you don't have time to visit any of these places and also go to Victoria. However, good news: You can do the winery thing in Victoria: http://www.tourismvictoria.com/thing...ineryculinary/
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Old Aug 4th, 2015, 06:02 AM
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>>That puts us in Victoria in the mid-afternoon with plenty of time to stroll around town.
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Old Aug 4th, 2015, 06:02 AM
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To clarify: Have you already "done" Seattle, because you could spend your entire time there (with day trips). I just got back from a week there, and didn't feel we had time to go to BC (too much to do in Seattle).
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Old Aug 4th, 2015, 06:09 AM
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I'd also mention that by the time the OP visits there's only one ferry daily on the Anacortes-Sidney run, departing at 8:30 AM, thus requiring a very early departure from Seattle. Haven't checked the Coho (Port Angeles) but presumably they're on an autumn/winter schedule by then, too, requiring an even earlier departure from Seattle. And in both cases, obviously a rental car would be needed, increasing the cost of the trip significantly. I didn't see where the OP indicated they were renting a car.
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Old Aug 4th, 2015, 06:13 AM
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gardyloo, I'm not an expert by any means but did try to do some research for my recent trip: It was my recollection that renting a car and ferrying from Port Angeles was cheaper than and then taking a Ferry, or taking the ferry straight from Seattle. That said, there was 4 of us and that may play a role in my memory.
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Old Aug 4th, 2015, 07:03 AM
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Considering everything, travel by floatplane may be your best option. Kenmore Air flies from Lake Union in Seattle to Victoria's Inner Harbour for about $300 roundtrip. That sounds exciting to me. Perhaps we will do that next time. Also:

But they want to go to the Gardens -- which takes half a day.

That's why I suggest they spend two nights in Victoria.

I'd also mention that by the time the OP visits there's only one ferry daily on the Anacortes-Sidney run, departing at 8:30 AM, thus requiring a very early departure from Seattle.

Good point.

In October, the ferry to from Port Angeles to Victoria departs at 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and the ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles departs at 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

They could also return to Seattle by taking the 12:05 p.m. ferry from Sidney. It arrives in Anacortes at 3:00 p.m. (with a stop in Friday Harbor).

HTtY
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Old Aug 4th, 2015, 07:12 AM
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For a party of two, the combined round trip ferry costs to Victoria from Seattle (rental car costs additional are -

Port Angeles - Victoria via Bainbridge Island - $198
Anacortes - Sidney - $123

Clipper, passengers only, advance purchase price - $246.

Add say $75 per day for a rental car, two days, brings the car/ferry cost to $275-$350.

(Round trip on Amtrak Cascades to Vancouver, $86.)
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Old Aug 4th, 2015, 07:54 AM
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In reading another post, Bobmrg reminded me that you can also park your car in Port Angeles and take the ferry to Victoria as a foot passenger. Parking across the street from the Port Angeles ferry terminal is about $10 a day and foot passenger fare is $18. Victoria is a very walkable city, and you can get to Butchart Gardens on public transportation or on a tour bus.

HTtY
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Old Oct 6th, 2015, 09:42 PM
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We too are planning a 4 day trip in a few weeks. We already booked our hotel near SeaTac airport and we have a rental car. We are thinking of driving early in the morning to Vancouver. Any suggestions on what to do? Or is it best to leave car and take alternate transportation? If so what should be better?

Thank you kindly.
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Old Oct 7th, 2015, 06:10 AM
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Vancouver is tough to do as a day trip from Seattle... you will be on the road for at least 5 hours, leaving you little time to really explore the city... if you commit,consider at least an overnight...
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Old Oct 7th, 2015, 02:40 PM
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I would go further and say that Vancouver is not reasonably done as a day trip. The drive is 3 1/2 to 4 hours from SeaTac to downtown Vancouver because of frequent delays at the border and slow-going in Canada.

Also, driving north, you will encounter rush-hour traffic going into and through Seattle.

The drive takes longer than it would seem, and it is not enjoyable.

HTtY
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Old Oct 8th, 2015, 04:19 AM
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If SusanFromIowa reads this post, I'm curious if you went to Victoria. Had I seen this post, I would have advised you to go and live your dream. It would have been a hectic day to get to the Gardens, but visiting them is a treasured memory. I took the Clipper a number of years ago and quite enjoyed the ride; it's an easy and enjoyable way to arrive in the city. Customs was easier this way than at many highway borders. Mind you, I had three nights in a hotel and then took the ferry to Tsawwassen (sp?) near Vancouver afterward (gorgeous ride).

As for randyndelia, I agree with the others. I would only visit Vancouver if one can overnight.

Best wishes, Daniel
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Old Oct 8th, 2015, 07:51 AM
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>>If SusanFromIowa reads this post,
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