How does the northern part of the Olympic Peninsula rate? Here is my tentative itenary:

Nights 1 and 2: BJ Garden Gate B&B
tour Sol Duc Hot
Springs/ guided raft
Nights 3, 4, 5: Stay at Edmond Meany
and tour Seattle
Night 6: Stay at Highland Inn on San
Juan Islans. Whale watching
Nights 7,8,9,10: Stay at Westin in Vancouver
and tour Seattle

I am curious as to wether or not I am short-changing any part of my trip or if there are areas that I should avoid all together. I am looking for something both outdoorsy as well as cosmopolitan. Thanks for the help.

Forgot to mention that I have never done the Ferry thing before. Any hints, suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for overlooking the misspellings...

Hi Amy, I personally would skip the hot springs in favor of a good hike in the rainforest, or up at Hurricane Ridge. I just wasn't very impressed with the springs. Are you doing the raft trip on the Elwha? That's fun! Be sure to bring dry clothes with you to change into though--you will get wet, and the water is COLD!

I would also definitely spend another night in the San Juans and take one away from either Seattle or Vancouver (probably Vancouver since you have 4 nights there). I don't think you can truly appreciate the San Juans without spending some time poking around the back roads and just soaking it in, rather than rush, rush, rush, which is what one night will be (even two nights is shortchanging it, IMO). I'd want extra time to do a kayaking trip in addition to the whale watching trip, plus doing some hiking (especially if you stay on Orcas Island, which I prefer to San Juan, but as I tell people, it's like asking whether your prefer emeralds or sapphires ;-) In other words, San Juan Island is still very lovely!).

With as much time as you have in Vancouver, I'd definitely take a drive up to Whistler. The Sea to Sky highway is breathtaking.

I second the recommendation against Sol Duc. You will be disappointed. The area around there is nice for hiking, but the Hot Springs Resort is an old swimming pool and some small cabins. There are some wonderful shoreline parks around the area. I would definitely recommend Dungeness Spit and Port Townsend as an alternative. The Wild Animal Park in Sequim is a hoot. Bison run along side your car begging for stale bread. We laughed ourselves silly at their antics. As an alternative from North Olympic Peninsula, walk on the ferry at Port Angeles and visit Victoria for a day. Hurricane Ridge is a good suggestion from above as well. We spend a week in the San Juans most every summer. Orca whales everywhere last year. Saw them twice right next to the ferry! Not sure where your coming from, but Mt. Rainier should not be missed unless you live in Colorado. Also, a side trip into North Cascades would be a great idea like on the way to Vancouver. I can give you many other suggestions if you have specific questions. Enjoy.

You mention"night 5: tour Seattle
Night 6: Stay at Highland Inn on San
Juan Islans. Whale watching
Nights 7,: Stay at Westin in Vancouver"
which I read as to say you intend on driving from Seattle to Anacortes (that's like 2+ hours) and waiting for the ferry (that can be hours just waiting..there have been times the wait we've had has been over 5 hours to load) then the ferry ride (that's another 2 hours) to SJ then a brief whale cruise before a short B&B stay (expensive place too I see) then the next morning another wait for the ferry and a ferry ride and then a drive up from Anacortes to Vancouver (including the sometimes notoriously awful wait at the border crossing). Hmmm. That doesn't sound too restful or pleasant to me. Why so long in Vancouver and so short on the island? You must love big cities. I think if you can only spare a small part of a day to be on the islands you shouldn't bother.

I would love to spend more time on the islands, however all of the rooms at reputable establishments seem to be booked well in advance. This is what remains as far as booking.