We will be arriving in Vancouver middle of January until mid February. We want to spend some time in and around Vancouver and then drive to Seattle and on to San Francisco where we catch our flight home to Australia. This is the first time for us in Canada and this part of USA and at that time of the year. Could you please advise us of what road conditions and weather will be like as we are not used to cold or snowy conditions. Will driving be a problem anywhere. We would like to go to Whistler and experience some snow. What are some good places to visit on the way down to San Francisco? Please advise of any good accommodation for 3 adults in Whistler, Vancouver, Seattle. Going to Whistler, will we need to use snow chains? Thanks

Can't help with the Whistler portion of your post, but if you take I-5 from Vancouver to San Francisco you will go over Siskiyou Pass in southern Oregon, and it can be troublesome if there is snow...of course, if conditions are too bad you will be stopped at Medford, Oregon and re-routed out to the coast to US-101. If you can get online from Vancouver, look at this site: http://www.accuweather.com/www/accutraffic/index.html

Click on Oregon and then Southwest Oregon. Don't bother with the web cams, scroll down to the road conditions.

Thanks Bobmrg for your info - looked at the weather website - this will be good. Can you tell us any nice places to see on the way down from Vancouver to San Fran??

We have driven Vancouver to San Francisco many times in winter and have never had a problem. They do keep the highway in good condition. Of course there is always the exception and you could get caught in a storm. The route from I-5 to 101 is 199 from Grant's Pass. That can be bad at times as well. If time is not of the essence and you can take your time - drive down the Oregon Coast. Snow is not a problem on that route - it is scenic but slower with many lovely towns to stop in. That will also take you through the redwoods in Northern California (Hwy 101). So if you can spare an extra day and want to see the coast I really recommend it. I-5 is not very scenic for the most part and the truck traffic is very heavy.

Are you planning on renting a car in Vancouver and dropping it off in San Francisco?
If so, look into the drop off fees before you set your plans.

I agree with traveller69 about the coastal route; when time is not of the essence, we prefer to go down 101 and ignore the freeway. It is slower, no doubt about that...but far more scenic.

Going down the freeway we think that Ashland is a nice stop, a little further south look at Mt. Shasta Village. When we go down the coast, we always stop at the bakery in Bandon and load up on goodies.

You shouldn't need snow chains on the highway between Vancouver and Whistler.

Thank you all for your replies and info which we found very helpful. We have about 3 1/2 weeks to spend in Vancouver and down to San Fran. We would like to see the coastal towns as well as maybe some of a National Park -is this possible? Love to see the Redwoods in Nth California. Is Yosemite too far? We will be renting a car in Vancouver and we have been told that we can drop it off in Seattle and pick up another there to take to San Fran. So that's the plan.
Any further info or ideas would be appreciated.

Also could you please tell us exactly how and where to see the Redwoods in Nth California? Thanks

If you take the coastal route 101 you will start seeing the redwoods just south of the California border. There will be redwoods all the way down until about Willits if you see that on the map. (A good day's drive from Calif border) There are lots of tourist spots to stop at - Trees of Mystery etc but you must take the Avenue of the Giants. You will see the signs for that along 101. It is the old highway and you drive through the most magnificent trees you can imagine. The trees are so close to the road it is just spectacular. There are lots of stopping spots and points of interest are well marked. It is not a busy road so you can really take your time. I would say that the Oregon coast and the redwoods will be the highlight of your trip. If you don't have a map - post again. The avenue of the giants starts a bit south of Scotia if you see that.
If you want to spend a night there I really recommend Miranda Gardens which is on the Avenue. There is a very lovely motel there and the cabins are right in the trees. Here is a website for accommodatins in the area http://www.avenueofthegiants.net/motels.html You can also find great websites about the avenue so you can plan ahead. Enjoy!!!!!

With that amount of time available you should certainly take the coastal route. The freeway is fast but boring. You'll never forget the ocean scenes south of Port Orford, OR o the redwoods.

Thanks again - very helpful and informative - we are starting to get excited about what we will see. Can you pls tell us a website or any nice B&B's that you know about along the coast in Oregan and Nth California. We will get an up to date map of the areas soon but we do have an old one that we have been looking at.
Also any ideas around Vancouver to do and see at that time of the year before we head south?

There is so much to do and see around Vancouver and you should certainly fit in a visit to Victoria (capital of BC on Vancouver Island. Because it sounds like you are going to visit the Oregon coast I wouldn't bother with the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Just to get you started here is a website for B&B's on the Oregon coast.
http://www.bbonline.com/or/region1.html There are so many to choose from. I would suggest that you travel on I-5 to just south of Portland and then cut over to the coast. You come in around Lincoln city and that is where the most scenic areas start.

Thanks traveller69 you have been a big help as well as everyone else - websites are very good - we are starting to get the ideas together of what to do and see. I am sure we will have some more questions later if you can oblige.

janmart - just ask away! Planning a trip like yours is almost as much fun as the trip itself. Where in Australia do you live?

My family and I live in Brisbane Queensland which is semi-tropical and we are coming into summer now.

I was just asking because my Goddaughter lives in Brisbane as well. Small world.

Let me know if you have any questions at all about your trip here. I can't count the number of times we have driven from Vancouver to California starting back when I was a kid (just yesterday of course!) We have taken every possible route and stayed in most towns at one time or another. You can expect to have a fair bit of rain at that time of year but it is still a gorgeous drive. The redwoods seem even more awe inspiring in the rain. We were there just after the Dyerville Giant fell. Here is another website that you will enjoy. http://www.americansouthwest.net/cal...ods/sites.html