Where in Pacific NW for romance and outdoor adventure
Mar 23rd, 2010, 11:01 AM
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Where in Pacific NW for romance and outdoor adventure
Hi, these posts have been so helpful for me for past trips. So my husband and I have a wedding in LA this August a (we live in NY) and are using it as an excuse for a little Pacific Northwest adventure. I'd love your suggestions of places to stay and things to do. We haven't mapped out an itinerary yet but I'd love to rend a car (convertible hopefully), see some beautiful nature, soak in a hot spring and if possible swim in the ocean and relax a little at a beach. We are adventurous and like to explore but we aren't super athletic hikers. I was thinking we should hop on a plane to Portland or Seattle (or maybe even Montana?) and go from there... but we are open to anything and any recommendations will be so helpful. Thanks
Mar 23rd, 2010, 11:18 AM
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Mar 23rd, 2010, 12:37 PM
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Lol. Oregon and WA have gorgeous beaches but it's not like the East Coast--the Pacific is COLD along the West Coast (even in CA). But if being near the water is good enough, you certainly have great choices between the Oregon Coast, the wilderness beaches of Olympic National Park in WA, and the San Juan Islands (WA). And there are entire books on hot springs in the PNW...it depends on where you'll be and what you want (ranges from hike-in little springs in the mountains to filtered pools that are part of hot spring developments).
Mar 23rd, 2010, 03:33 PM
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Thanks! We can take 7-10 days on the trip. Very exciting its been a while since we had this much time to travel. I guess since the ocean is so cold, this puts being on the beach at a lower priority. What would your dream itinerary be? (Dream on a budget that is!) Should we fly into Seattle and out of Portland? Into Seattle and out of Vancouver? We've done the SF to LA highway one drive continuing to Yosemite and Napa... so we'd rather not go to San Francisco again.
Mar 23rd, 2010, 03:47 PM
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A couple of years ago, my husband and I spent about 9 or 10 days out there. We started out in Seattle for a couple of nights, then went to Olympic National Park for a several days of easy hiking and gorgeous, occasionally weird scenery, and finished up with the many splendid wineries in Oregon's Willamette Valley (flew back from Portland).
Mar 24th, 2010, 11:49 AM
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anyone know a great place to stay that is kind of outdoorsy but with the comforts of home? treehouse? yurts? cabins? maybe if i find an amazing place really suits us, i can loosely base an itinerary off of it. our budget would be no more than $350 a night and that would have to be a really special place for us to spend that. thanks guys, this trip means a lot to me it might be the last one we get to take as "newlyweds" pre-baby (fingers crossed!)
Mar 24th, 2010, 06:20 PM
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There's the Treesort down near the OR/CA border, but that's more a family place than romantic. There's also a treehouse near Mt Rainier but I can't remember the name--it might have the word "cedar" in it, try googling and see what comes up. The cabins at Wellspring near Mt Rainier are pretty nice and the place has a nice new age-y vibe to it; it started as a place for hikers to get massages and use the hot tubs and developed into a little collection of cabins and houses.
Mar 24th, 2010, 06:50 PM
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Check out the Washington or Oregon State PArks.they have some great outdoors options..some a little rustic, many on or very close to the beach or lighthouse stays....
Washington link http://www.parks.wa.gov/yurtsandcabins/
Look under Vacation houses link...many choices
My favorite is is Fort Columbia, Stewards House..but pls note it has stairs not w/c accessible to bedrooms and a tub only arrangement: no shower. Absolutely my favorite: fly into Portland, stay 1 night. Drive along Columbia river next day to Astoria, see Astoria ship museum, buy groceries in Astoria as house is remote & drive accross famous 4 mile long Astoria bridge right into the Park & house w/old pot bellied stove, view of river mouth & teh wild PAcific Ocean.
Visit an Ocean Spray cranberry farm, fly kites & drive on the flat sand beach, visit little beach towns.
Fort Flagler or Fort Worden would be good beach 2nd choices...
Kitsap Memorial good base for Olympic Penninsula but need to fly into Seattle not Portland.
Oregon Link http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/rustic.shtml
CApe Lookout or Umpaqua Lookout would be good ocean viewing, but rustic and great scenery.
Let me know if you want more ideas...
Washington link http://www.parks.wa.gov/yurtsandcabins/
Look under Vacation houses link...many choices
My favorite is is Fort Columbia, Stewards House..but pls note it has stairs not w/c accessible to bedrooms and a tub only arrangement: no shower. Absolutely my favorite: fly into Portland, stay 1 night. Drive along Columbia river next day to Astoria, see Astoria ship museum, buy groceries in Astoria as house is remote & drive accross famous 4 mile long Astoria bridge right into the Park & house w/old pot bellied stove, view of river mouth & teh wild PAcific Ocean.
Visit an Ocean Spray cranberry farm, fly kites & drive on the flat sand beach, visit little beach towns.
Fort Flagler or Fort Worden would be good beach 2nd choices...
Kitsap Memorial good base for Olympic Penninsula but need to fly into Seattle not Portland.
Oregon Link http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/rustic.shtml
CApe Lookout or Umpaqua Lookout would be good ocean viewing, but rustic and great scenery.
Let me know if you want more ideas...
Mar 24th, 2010, 06:57 PM
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What month is this trip? We spent a couple of weeks in just Oregon this past summer and really enjoyed it.
Oregon Coast, Portland, Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, Crater Lake, Redwoods National Park, Oregon Caves, Jet Boat Hellsgate Canyon, and Columbia River Gorge.
We stayed at Oregon Caves Chateau, Crater Lake Lodge, and Timberline Lodge at Mount Hood and really enjoyed the three historic lodges.
Oregon Coast, Portland, Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, Crater Lake, Redwoods National Park, Oregon Caves, Jet Boat Hellsgate Canyon, and Columbia River Gorge.
We stayed at Oregon Caves Chateau, Crater Lake Lodge, and Timberline Lodge at Mount Hood and really enjoyed the three historic lodges.
Mar 31st, 2010, 05:45 AM
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okay so we've been thinking about it and i think we need to change our plans to be a 4-5 day itinerary where we can "splurge" a little more than stretching it out for 10 days and feeling like we are spending too much money on lodgings and food. that being said, i'm trying to figure out now if we should fly into portland or seattle and jump off from there to our outdoorsy road trip. which do you suggest with only 5 days?
Apr 1st, 2010, 06:51 AM
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Stick to Seattle. Stay at the Inn at Harbor Steps, across the street from the Seattle Art Museum. It is an urban B&B that has a fantastic breakfast. If you want European style lodging, stay at the Inn at the Market, on the edge of Pike Market. You must see: Uwajimaya, Seattle Public Library, Experience Music Project, Belltown, Pike Market, Nordstrom flagship store, music at Triple Door or Jazz Alley. Meals at Serious Pie, Lola, and Dahlia. Doughnuts at Top Pot, croissants at Le Panier, coffee at Peets. Walk everywhere, then when you get tired, use the free downtown buses.
Apr 1st, 2010, 07:06 AM
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When you say romance and adventure, I think of the San Juan Islands... not downtown Seattle! lol
I have always wanted to go to the San Juan Islands or Orcas Island. There are many threads here about them and it just looks beautiful and adventurous... some nice places to stay too.
See what you think!
I have always wanted to go to the San Juan Islands or Orcas Island. There are many threads here about them and it just looks beautiful and adventurous... some nice places to stay too.
See what you think!
Apr 1st, 2010, 07:19 AM
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Everyone is correct. The Pacific is COLD. Many times, even in summer, you will want a jacket, sweatshirt, coat, blanket, etc. when walking on the beach. If you like great Pinor Noir, Oregon's Willamette Valley has some of the best in the world. Definitely worth exploring as the wineries and vineyards are in beautiful rolling hill country.
Apr 1st, 2010, 07:42 AM
#16
...i think we need to change our plans to be a 4-5 day itinerary where we can "splurge" a little more than stretching it out for 10 days and feeling like we are spending too much money on lodgings and food. that being said, i'm trying to figure out now if we should fly into portland or seattle and jump off from there to our outdoorsy road trip. which do you suggest with only 5 days?
I think golfkat makes a good point; however I'd make one modification in order to meet your interests in outdoorsy things.
I'd arrange a one-way trip - fly into Seattle or Portland, fly out of the other. Yes, you'll probably pay a bit more for the car, but with five days time is not enough on your side that you can afford to backtrack.
Coming from California, if it was me, I'd fly into Portland, trying to arrive before noon if possible. (PDX is around 2 hours from the LA-area airports, 90 min. from the Bay Area.) Pick up a car at the airport and immediately head east through Troutdale along the "historic" Columbia Gorge highway. Take your time to stop at the various waterfalls and view points along the drive, then at Hood River turn south and continue up to Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood (around 40 min. from Hood River) for a sunset dinner, star gazing, and overnight. A bit rustic, but very historic. http://www.timberlinelodge.com/
Next morning (early as you can manage) come back down the mountain to Hood River, cross the Columbia and head east on the Washington side of the gorge to US 97 near Maryhill. Go north on US 97 over Satus Pass and through the Yakama reservation toward Yakima on I-82. Here you have two choices.
(1) You can go west on US 12 to Mt. Rainier National Park. Visit Paradise Lodge, then go down the mountain toward I-5. If you want, you can end up in Seattle that evening, or you can stop somewhere along the route and get into Seattle the next day (cheaper lodging probably, but not much on the fancy/romantic front.) Or,
(2) Don't go to Mt. Rainier and instead continue on I-82 to the junction with I-90, then over Snoqualmie Pass and into Seattle from the east. If you want a romantic/luxury night before getting to Seattle, you can stop half an hour short of the city and stay at the Salish Lodge, overlooking Snoqualmie Falls (and made famous during the 1990s TV series, "Twin Peaks.") http://www.salishlodge.com/
My reason for suggesting the US-97 route is twofold; first, it will expose you to the "two sides" of the Pacific NW - the "wet" side west of the Cascades, and the "dry" side east of the mountains. Many visitors to the region leave unaware of the tremendous variety available in such short distances (e.g. if you had more time, there are some excellent winery tours available in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin.) Plus, IMO (and in most people's minds) the "straight" drive between Portland and Seattle along I-5 is horrendously boring; the US-97/I-90 route I'm describing is a couple hours longer (say 6 vs. 4 from Hood River) but it's ten times more scenic, and you came for some scenery, right?
Anyway, that leaves you at least 3 days in Seattle proper to visit our fair city. If you want to spend one of those days exploring, say, Vashon Island or Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, riding ferries etc., then that's easily doable as a day trip from the city.
As for accommodations, there are numerous choices ranging from budget to splurge/romantic. I like the Harbor Steps idea, but also check out the brand new Four Seasons just around the corner; or even a waterfront room at the Edgewater hotel. Or there are more affordable traditional and/or boutique hotels in the downtown area; check out the Alexis, Monaco, Mayflower or Andra hotels.
Then fly out of Seattle as part of an open-jaw itinerary.
I think golfkat makes a good point; however I'd make one modification in order to meet your interests in outdoorsy things.
I'd arrange a one-way trip - fly into Seattle or Portland, fly out of the other. Yes, you'll probably pay a bit more for the car, but with five days time is not enough on your side that you can afford to backtrack.
Coming from California, if it was me, I'd fly into Portland, trying to arrive before noon if possible. (PDX is around 2 hours from the LA-area airports, 90 min. from the Bay Area.) Pick up a car at the airport and immediately head east through Troutdale along the "historic" Columbia Gorge highway. Take your time to stop at the various waterfalls and view points along the drive, then at Hood River turn south and continue up to Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood (around 40 min. from Hood River) for a sunset dinner, star gazing, and overnight. A bit rustic, but very historic. http://www.timberlinelodge.com/
Next morning (early as you can manage) come back down the mountain to Hood River, cross the Columbia and head east on the Washington side of the gorge to US 97 near Maryhill. Go north on US 97 over Satus Pass and through the Yakama reservation toward Yakima on I-82. Here you have two choices.
(1) You can go west on US 12 to Mt. Rainier National Park. Visit Paradise Lodge, then go down the mountain toward I-5. If you want, you can end up in Seattle that evening, or you can stop somewhere along the route and get into Seattle the next day (cheaper lodging probably, but not much on the fancy/romantic front.) Or,
(2) Don't go to Mt. Rainier and instead continue on I-82 to the junction with I-90, then over Snoqualmie Pass and into Seattle from the east. If you want a romantic/luxury night before getting to Seattle, you can stop half an hour short of the city and stay at the Salish Lodge, overlooking Snoqualmie Falls (and made famous during the 1990s TV series, "Twin Peaks.") http://www.salishlodge.com/
My reason for suggesting the US-97 route is twofold; first, it will expose you to the "two sides" of the Pacific NW - the "wet" side west of the Cascades, and the "dry" side east of the mountains. Many visitors to the region leave unaware of the tremendous variety available in such short distances (e.g. if you had more time, there are some excellent winery tours available in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin.) Plus, IMO (and in most people's minds) the "straight" drive between Portland and Seattle along I-5 is horrendously boring; the US-97/I-90 route I'm describing is a couple hours longer (say 6 vs. 4 from Hood River) but it's ten times more scenic, and you came for some scenery, right?
Anyway, that leaves you at least 3 days in Seattle proper to visit our fair city. If you want to spend one of those days exploring, say, Vashon Island or Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, riding ferries etc., then that's easily doable as a day trip from the city.
As for accommodations, there are numerous choices ranging from budget to splurge/romantic. I like the Harbor Steps idea, but also check out the brand new Four Seasons just around the corner; or even a waterfront room at the Edgewater hotel. Or there are more affordable traditional and/or boutique hotels in the downtown area; check out the Alexis, Monaco, Mayflower or Andra hotels.
Then fly out of Seattle as part of an open-jaw itinerary.
Apr 1st, 2010, 09:00 AM
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Since you mentioned romance, outdoor adventure, and a treehouse, this place comes to mind:
http://www.frenchbeachretreats.com/pic01a.html
This is on the southern coast of Vancouver Island, west of Victoria. The treehouse is very comfortable and attractively furnished, and makes a perfect base for hiking sections of the very scenic Juan de Fuca Marine Trail as dayhikes:
http://www.juandefucamarinetrail.com/
the trail goes along beaches and also up an dover various bluffs and through forest---it is beautiful and quite rugged in places.
There are some excellent restaurants nearby in Sooke, including the well-regarded Sooke Harbour House:
http://www.sookeharbourhouse.com/vic...od-restaurant/
It gets mixed reviews on Tripadvisor but was excellent last time we were there.
This Treehouse experience could be the center of a nice 5-day loop from Seattle, up the Olympic Peninsula, over to Vancouver Island on the M/V Coho (a car ferry), and back down through the San Juan Islands on the Washington State Ferry.
Spend 2 nights in the Olympics, two at the Treehouse, and one in the San Juans on the way back.
http://www.frenchbeachretreats.com/pic01a.html
This is on the southern coast of Vancouver Island, west of Victoria. The treehouse is very comfortable and attractively furnished, and makes a perfect base for hiking sections of the very scenic Juan de Fuca Marine Trail as dayhikes:
http://www.juandefucamarinetrail.com/
the trail goes along beaches and also up an dover various bluffs and through forest---it is beautiful and quite rugged in places.
There are some excellent restaurants nearby in Sooke, including the well-regarded Sooke Harbour House:
http://www.sookeharbourhouse.com/vic...od-restaurant/
It gets mixed reviews on Tripadvisor but was excellent last time we were there.
This Treehouse experience could be the center of a nice 5-day loop from Seattle, up the Olympic Peninsula, over to Vancouver Island on the M/V Coho (a car ferry), and back down through the San Juan Islands on the Washington State Ferry.
Spend 2 nights in the Olympics, two at the Treehouse, and one in the San Juans on the way back.
Apr 1st, 2010, 10:02 AM
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wow you guys are amazing. i will do some major research now, yes we definitely want a car so we can be as independent as possible. Gardyloo, that trip sounds great... you suggest starting in Portland as opposed to starting in Seattle? Also I didn't know you can do a day trip to the Puget Sound... do you think we should stay there for a night? I kind of wanted to stay at the San Juan Islands but maybe there is a closer island that we can visit for the day or stay on for similar experiences. We are not crazy bikers, hikers or kayakers but we can definitely enjoy doing those things leisurely.
Apr 1st, 2010, 10:14 AM
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In July 2008, we had a fantastic trip that felt romantic and outdoorsy, although we did not "rough it" in any sense. (We do a lot of outdoors/hiking type trips, but this was different! So - I recommend flying into Seattle! We arranged our trip through Clipper Vacations (you can get ideas at their website, but then call them and they work out the details with you) and it was great! There is much flexibility to fit your budget, # of days, transportaion options, etc.
We took the Victoria Clipper ferry to San Juan Island and stayed 2 nights at Friday Harbor House. Fantastic View! So much to do there. We rented a funky car and took the ferry over to Orcas Island for the day. It was such an adventure in the San Juan Islands that I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
We then took the ferry from Friday Harbor to Victoria. British Columbia. There are many choices for hotels, all prices. We stayed at Abigail's, which was incredible. Great service, lovely room, comfortable, amazing breakfasts. We spent 2 nights there but wish we spent 3. Saw Butchart Gardens, had high tea, etc.
Took the ferry to Vancouver and loved our 4 nights there. Loved Stanley Park. Walked all over the city. Ate well inexpensively. Took Amtrak back to Seattle and spent 2 more days there.
If you haven't been to Seattle, San Juans, Victoria, Vancouver I highly recommend it.
We took the Victoria Clipper ferry to San Juan Island and stayed 2 nights at Friday Harbor House. Fantastic View! So much to do there. We rented a funky car and took the ferry over to Orcas Island for the day. It was such an adventure in the San Juan Islands that I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
We then took the ferry from Friday Harbor to Victoria. British Columbia. There are many choices for hotels, all prices. We stayed at Abigail's, which was incredible. Great service, lovely room, comfortable, amazing breakfasts. We spent 2 nights there but wish we spent 3. Saw Butchart Gardens, had high tea, etc.
Took the ferry to Vancouver and loved our 4 nights there. Loved Stanley Park. Walked all over the city. Ate well inexpensively. Took Amtrak back to Seattle and spent 2 more days there.
If you haven't been to Seattle, San Juans, Victoria, Vancouver I highly recommend it.
Apr 1st, 2010, 11:14 AM
#20
Gardyloo... you suggest starting in Portland as opposed to starting in Seattle? Also I didn't know you can do a day trip to the Puget Sound... do you think we should stay there for a night? I kind of wanted to stay at the San Juan Islands but maybe there is a closer island that we can visit for the day or stay on for similar experiences.
You could start in Seattle and do the suggested route in reverse, no problem. My suggestion for the Portland > Seattle route was aimed at delivering the maximum "oh wow" experience - fly into Portland, and badda bing, you're in the middle of some of the most beautiful scenery in the region (the Columbia Gorge) and spend the night on one of the most beautiful mountains in the country, in a lovely historic lodge.
As for Puget Sound, it's not very far from a downtown hotel room. Here's one of my photos of the downtown area, taken from West Seattle. http://gardyloo.us/20091226_71c2-1.JPG
The Four Seasons hotel is directly in front of the wide shiny high-rise (Seattle Art Museum) in the center of the picture. (The Inn at Harbor Steps is right there, too; the Inn at the Market is more or less directly above the stern of the boat.) The ferry shown is arriving from Bainbridge Island, where you can walk around the cute town (Winslow) where it docks, or continue in a car over to the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, with numerous attractions you can see in a day trip from Seattle.
Or you can go north from Seattle a half hour to a different ferry (Mukilteo - Whidbey Island) and drive up Whidbey Island - again with several very cute villages en route, and back to Seattle later the same day. There are literally dozens of day trips possible from Seattle involving the Sound, mountains, lakes, etc.
With your revised time frame, I think the San Juans are inconvenient due to the length of drive to the ferry terminal and the time required to get to the islands.
You could start in Seattle and do the suggested route in reverse, no problem. My suggestion for the Portland > Seattle route was aimed at delivering the maximum "oh wow" experience - fly into Portland, and badda bing, you're in the middle of some of the most beautiful scenery in the region (the Columbia Gorge) and spend the night on one of the most beautiful mountains in the country, in a lovely historic lodge.
As for Puget Sound, it's not very far from a downtown hotel room. Here's one of my photos of the downtown area, taken from West Seattle. http://gardyloo.us/20091226_71c2-1.JPG
The Four Seasons hotel is directly in front of the wide shiny high-rise (Seattle Art Museum) in the center of the picture. (The Inn at Harbor Steps is right there, too; the Inn at the Market is more or less directly above the stern of the boat.) The ferry shown is arriving from Bainbridge Island, where you can walk around the cute town (Winslow) where it docks, or continue in a car over to the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, with numerous attractions you can see in a day trip from Seattle.
Or you can go north from Seattle a half hour to a different ferry (Mukilteo - Whidbey Island) and drive up Whidbey Island - again with several very cute villages en route, and back to Seattle later the same day. There are literally dozens of day trips possible from Seattle involving the Sound, mountains, lakes, etc.
With your revised time frame, I think the San Juans are inconvenient due to the length of drive to the ferry terminal and the time required to get to the islands.
