Fresno Cal. to Oregon, Washington, & Up to Vancouver?
May 12th, 2011, 08:53 AM
#1
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Fresno Cal. to Oregon, Washington, & Up to Vancouver?
I would like to take a trip this summer (July) and am thinking about possibly driving but am open to flying if i need to. I have 7 days and would like to make the best of it. Ideally I would love to reach up to Vancouver, spend some time in Seattle and If I drive, perhaps visit some other points of interest located on route. I have never been up North past Sacramento and am really wanting to make the best of my seven days. Any help and suggestions would be greatly greatly appreciated.
May 12th, 2011, 10:40 AM
#2
You only have 7 days -- not nearly long enough to drive up through OR, WA and into BC, and back. (I assume you would be driving your own car and not a rental you could drop off in Seattle). Even just one way, a week really isn't long enough.
What sorts of things do you want to see/do? If Seattle is a must, then you should fly to Seattle, spend a few days there and maybe a couple of days in Vancouver or Victoris.
Or you could fly to Seattle, then fly or take the train to Portland, then fly back to CA from there.
Or if you want to see the coast and maybe Crater Lake you could drive a loop from Fresno up the CA coast and into Oregon and then Crater Lake, Mt Shasta, Lassen, and back to Fresno. Even that would be a lot to cover in a week.
So you need to sit down w/ a map and maybe a few guide books and narrow down what you want to do - then we can help you refine things.
What sorts of things do you want to see/do? If Seattle is a must, then you should fly to Seattle, spend a few days there and maybe a couple of days in Vancouver or Victoris.
Or you could fly to Seattle, then fly or take the train to Portland, then fly back to CA from there.
Or if you want to see the coast and maybe Crater Lake you could drive a loop from Fresno up the CA coast and into Oregon and then Crater Lake, Mt Shasta, Lassen, and back to Fresno. Even that would be a lot to cover in a week.
So you need to sit down w/ a map and maybe a few guide books and narrow down what you want to do - then we can help you refine things.
May 12th, 2011, 10:56 AM
#4
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Appreciate the reply janisj
I think Seattle is a must and the idea of flying to Seattle and spending a few days in Vancouver and Victoria sound really nice. Were interrested mainly in sight seeing and seeing the main attractions that each of those cities has to offer.
I think Seattle is a must and the idea of flying to Seattle and spending a few days in Vancouver and Victoria sound really nice. Were interrested mainly in sight seeing and seeing the main attractions that each of those cities has to offer.
May 12th, 2011, 11:07 AM
#5
If you are making the trip solo, you will save money by taking Amtrak. San Joaquin from Fresno to Stockton-Amtrak bus to Sacramento. Hang around Sacramento until time for the Coast Starlight. The sun will be rising in time to see Mt. Shasta.
Take the train to Portland and rent a car. Make sure that you get a rental car that you can drive into Canada to see Vancouver. With 2 or more people, driving your own vehicle becomes more cost effective. The reason I say Portland is that the train gets there by 4PM. Arriving in Seattle at 9PM is not good for getting a car rental. Fresno to Portland is as little as $114 and you can leave Fresno as late as 8PM on day 0 and travel all night without driving or paying for a hotel
Take the train to Portland and rent a car. Make sure that you get a rental car that you can drive into Canada to see Vancouver. With 2 or more people, driving your own vehicle becomes more cost effective. The reason I say Portland is that the train gets there by 4PM. Arriving in Seattle at 9PM is not good for getting a car rental. Fresno to Portland is as little as $114 and you can leave Fresno as late as 8PM on day 0 and travel all night without driving or paying for a hotel
May 12th, 2011, 11:11 AM
#6
To help you w/ some ideas -- here is my trip report from last summer:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...a-168461-2.cfm
The TR is mainly about spending 3 days in Victoria (and just a skosh about Seattle). In a week you could easily spend a couple of days in Seattle, a couple in Vancouver, and 2 or 3 in Victoria.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...a-168461-2.cfm
The TR is mainly about spending 3 days in Victoria (and just a skosh about Seattle). In a week you could easily spend a couple of days in Seattle, a couple in Vancouver, and 2 or 3 in Victoria.
May 12th, 2011, 11:28 AM
#7
W/ only a week I really really wouldn't want to spend a total of 3 days on the train. You'd have to leave Fresno @ 8:45PM and not get into Portland until late the next afternoon and still have a 3+ hour drive (and if you took the train all the way up to Seattle it is a 20+ hour train ride - and the same coming back) The Coast Starlight runs late more often than it runs on time so possibly even more train time.
Just depends on whether you want to spend almost 1/2 your time getting there and back -- or spend most of your time actually 'there'
Just depends on whether you want to spend almost 1/2 your time getting there and back -- or spend most of your time actually 'there'
May 12th, 2011, 01:42 PM
#8
One of your flying options which is faster than driving or riding the train. Drive or fly to Las Vegas and take an Allegiant Airline flight from LV to Bellingham Washington.
http://www.allegiantair.com/
Rent your car there and drive to Vancouver. Make sure you have your passport. Drop the rental car where you got it and either take the train or bus from Bellingham to Seattle. If you don't need to go outside the city, just walk or use the free bus zone.
Fly back to CA or Las Vegas or ride the train if you still have time. Save Portland and coastal Oregon for another trip when you have more time.
http://www.allegiantair.com/
Rent your car there and drive to Vancouver. Make sure you have your passport. Drop the rental car where you got it and either take the train or bus from Bellingham to Seattle. If you don't need to go outside the city, just walk or use the free bus zone.
Fly back to CA or Las Vegas or ride the train if you still have time. Save Portland and coastal Oregon for another trip when you have more time.
May 12th, 2011, 03:28 PM
#10
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Also, if your interest are sightseeing an catching just the main attractions, consider a separate trip. Maybe 5 nights in Vancouver and 2 nights in Victoria.
OR, Seattle and environs, and BC are three individual one-week trips.
It seems to be a simple matter of which one is first and which two come later.
OR, Seattle and environs, and BC are three individual one-week trips.
It seems to be a simple matter of which one is first and which two come later.
May 16th, 2011, 10:42 AM
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I have been researching the trip and think that I've come up with a travel plan. The plan is to Fly to Seattle from LAX, stay there for two days, take the train to Vancouver and stay for three days, then off to Victoria by ferry for two days. I am unclear on whether at that point I should return to Seattle by boat or train or perhaps return to Vancouver to then fly back to LAX. Feedback?????
