My boyfriend and I want to travel along the westcoast for 6 months, starting in May 2000 in a rv. We want to see everything from Alaska until California. Does anyone can give us any advice where to start our trip? I thought it would be best to be in summer in Alaska. Is Vancouver a good starting-point or is it too cold in May? Would L.A. be better? Thanks for every reply!

You present a real challenge -- so I'm not surprised mine is the first response. Are you planning to use the Alcan Highway to get into Alaska? When you get to Anchorage, you can have side trips to Homer and Anchorage, as well as Denali. Then, if you have the money, how about using the ferries to visit the towns in southeastern Alaska. And you can probably get back to Alcan from Ketchikan. For Alaska, I'd suggest you use Milepost which has more than you want to know about Alaska. If not in library or bookstore, the 800 number is 800-726-4707.

From Vancouver, BC, use the coast highways as much as possible, but don't fail to head inland. For example, Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, Portland, Crater Lake, Yosemite. One of your best bets is to join the American Automobile Association so you can get the AAA TourBooks (sic).

As you get your plans made, keep us informed.

Angie - have you checked with the rv company as to where you can pick up and drop off the vehicle? I would guess that with an rv, there would be a substantial drop off fee if you drop it off from somewhere other than where you picked it up. Would make a big difference in planning. Also details on taking it through Canada. Without a drop fee - start in San Diego/LA up the coast to Alaska following the best weather and drop it there. Otherwise it might make sense to pick a central location between the 2 end points - travel south along the coast then loop back and check out the small towns and parks off the coast then head north later in the spring. That way you're not backtracking.

I disagree with the previous poster about starting in San Diego. I would do just the opposite. You will be traveling from May-November. It is far better to be in California in October than May. October is when the weather is the best, expecially along the coast. May and June ( even July ) can be very foggy along the coast ) We have this thing called "June Gloom" that often extends to May and July as well. On the other hand October is usually pretty clear and warm. I would hate to miss seeing the Big Sur because of fog.

Now it is also preferable to be in the Northwest and Alaska during the summer months ( July-Aug ).

You mention the possbility of starting in Los Angeles. I hope that you intend to spend some time in and around San Diego.

Thanks for your replies! I was very happy! We checked with the rv company, and we defenitly start and end in L.A. (no fee). I guess first we head to Alaska and loop back. We don't know which way we're driving along the coast. One way will be on the coast, one way inland. I hope with this route we're having good weather and seeing each country in the best season.
Thanks again for your hints!

Angie

Angie: For the California portion of your trip, if you do a search on this forum using the words "California coast" you will bring up a bunch of threads, and one of them is entitled "Trip report: Just back from California coast!" which I wrote back in July -- it has some info about hotels, restaurants, etc. along route 1 which may help. It sounds like you're going to have a wonderful trip -- good luck.

I suggested Milepost for Alaska, but have you considered getting state planning travel guides? Try these . . .
California - http://www.gocalif.ca.gov/
Oregon - http://www.traveloregon.com/
Washington - http://wwww.tourismwa.gov/
Alaska - http://www.dced.state.ak.us/tourism

You can order the guides off of these web sites. I'm sure a search would give you similar booklets for Canada.

Planning is part of the fun for a trip.

Hi, Angie,
If you're planning to use the ferry on the inside passage going to or returning from Alaska, you should book space for an RV as early as possible, as the demand is great.
You might also consider what inland route to take to/from Alaska. The Alaska Highway starts in north-eastern British Columbia, so it's necessary to travel some distance inland from the Pacific Coast just to get to the starting point. I recall from your boyfriend's post on the Canada forum that you are Swiss. Is this your first trip to the US? If so, you might think about a route which takes you through the Yellowstone, Grand Teton, or Glacier National Park(s) in the US, or Banff/Jasper NPs in Canada, at not much of an added detour. (From LA through Las Vegas and Utah to Yellowstone, for example, through Montana, then over to Dawson Creek BC and the Alaska Highway.)

That way, you could take the ferry southbound (from Haines, Alaska) either to Prince Rupert BC, then good road back to Vancouver, or all the way to Bellingham, Washington, near the Canadian border. You'd be arriving in BC/Washington after the main tourist season, but still with plenty of good weather and open roads before you.

Happy planning!

Thank you all very much for your replies! I'm so looking forward to plan our trip and in the end start it! With all your useful hints I'm sure, we will spend a marvelous time in the USA and Canada! Thank you all very much!
Angie