Lear8118

Early to mid-April trip. Renting a car in Seattle (does allow visit to Canada). First trip to the area. Making a quick trip to Pike Place Market and such (not big into cities). Looking for scenic drives, mountain views, rain forests, nature, wildlife, gardens, photography, seafood, and quiet beauty.

Any suggested routes? Recommended/picturesque lodgings? Not sure if some roads will be open yet at this time of year.

Thanks much

christy1

Since you said rainforests, our rainforests are near the coast, in Olympic National Park. There are a number of worthy stops that it sounds like you'd like between the Hoh rainforest and Seattle in or near Olympic National Park, if you take the northern route through the park--Lake Crescent, Sol Duc, Hurricane Ridge (check the park's website to see if the road will be open in April; in recent years it's been closed), Dungeness Spit, the ocean beaches at La Push, Lake Ozette and the wilderness beaches there...you will find lots of quiet beauty in these places in April. But dress to stay warm and dry!

It's still ski season in April, so you won't have much mountain access in the Cascades. But since Olympic National Park has so much lowlands, you will find open roads and accessible sights there.

ALF

I'd agree with christy regarding the Olympic Peninsula. There are plenty of places to stay, particularly in April. Of course, the weather can be iffy at that time of year, which is one reason why you will have little problem finding lodging.

I like staying in the old resorts in/next to the National Park - SolDuc Hot Springs, Kalaloch Lodge, Lake Crescent Lodge, and Lake Quinalt Lodge. Others will tell you that they are not worth the price, and there may be some merit to that argument, but I still like their rustic ambience and scenery.

A nice 1-week trip would be to drive through Olympia and then up the Olympic coast on Rte 101. Visit some of the places cited above, then take the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, B.C. The ferry ride itself is fun, and Victoria (and the surrounding area) is beautiful.

From there, drive up the east coast of Vancouver Island to Nanaimo, then take the ferry to Horseshoe Bay, just north of Vancouver. From there, you can explore the Sea to Sky Highway (towards Whistler) and/or the surrounding Vancouver area.

Alternatively, take the Washington State ferry from Sydney (just outside of Victoria) to one of the San Juan Islands (I's suggest Orcas or San Juan Islands). Overnight there, then continue on to Anacortes, which is less than 2 hrs from Seattle.

POlson

We spent a week driving around the Olympic Peninsula with overnights/bases at Lake Quinault and a rental house on Hood Canal. The ranger led rainforest tour out of Lake Quinault was a highlight, though we also loved Ruby Beach. I also like the old national park resorts.

One itinerary could be overnight Seattle, see the city highlights (including Pike Place), next day travel south around Puget Sound, stop in Olympia (the state's capital) for lunch, continue on to Lake Quinault spend two nights at Lake Quinault Lodge, travel on to Kalaloch Lodge stay one night for beach walks/hiking, next stop Sol Duc Hot Springs two nights to explore Hoh rainforest and relax, travel to Port Townsend with a stop at Hurricane Ridge (if conditions allow) and overnight, travel/explore Whidbey Island (including Meerkerk Rhodedendron Gardens and Greenbank Farm) down to Langley for a final overnight and nice dinner at the Inn at Langley, head back to Seattle for flight home (or go north on Whidbey Island, over Deception Pass and back to Seattle for final night).

We also spent a week on Vancouver Island in Tofino. It was really terrific and I also recommend. And we really like Orcas Island. We usually treat each of these as a 4-7 day destination rather than as part of a tour but we go to the PNW at least once a year for vacation and family time so really depends on whether you want to cover alot of ground or pick a place and explore.

Gardyloo

Because the weather could easily be pretty dismal (might not - do you feel lucky?) I'd probably limit myself to the Olympic Peninsula. It has what you want: mountains - the road up to Hurricane Ridge might be clear enough for vehicles without chains; if so it's fab in spring. The coast and rain forest will be drippy and lovely; in mid-April you're likely to get the weird no-undergrowth scene in the Hoh Valley - the elk have eaten all the low stuff over the winter (and there will be great big elk near the visitor center most likely) leaving a canopy of mossy trees vanishing into the mist, and spongy moss underfoot, with surprisingly long views available between. And of course there will be beach walks, booming surf, and all the drama you could want at the beaches: try Rialto and Ruby Beaches for starts.

On the north side of the peninsula - around Sequim, Port Angeles and Port Townsend, the weather will (probably) be dryer and a little warmer, since those towns are in the rain shadow created by the Olympics. Talk a walk out Dungeness Spit, then repair to the 3 Crabs restaurant in Dungeness for okay seafood - but in a killer setting. The coleslaw is the best thing on the menu, but nobody can ruin cold cracked Dungeness crab. http://gardyloo.us/062406%20041b.jpg

Take the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria as a foot passenger - saves time and money. If interested, you can pop up to Butchart Gardens in Victoria - by April Spring ought to be springing.

Coming back to Seattle, go by way of the Whidbey ferry from Port Townsend, then head north over Deception Pass (spectacular) and head to the mainland via SR 20. Detour down to the town of La Conner (cute) in hopes that the fabulous displays of flowers (daffodils followed by tulips) in the Skagit Valley will be visible. Look for snow geese in profusion too. http://gardyloo.us/20100319_141as.jpg http://gardyloo.us/20100319_56as.jpg

With just a week I'd refrain from trying too much - focus on one area and see it in some depth. Believe me, the Olympic Peninsula is just the place for that.