We am planning a two week vacation in the Pacific Northwest for next year. I am planning on starting in Vancouver and travelling down the coast into Seatle, Portland, and SF. I am thinking of travelling the last two weeks in May if the weather is favorable. My plan is to rent a car and go station to station through the trip. Our interests are museums, dining (who isn't), wine, and nature (but not camping). I'd appreciate any suggestions on places to stay and timeframes for the cities. Also any out of the way places that would be worth a visit.

Hi John, here are some ideas on where to go besides the cities you mention, roughly north to south: Victoria, San Juan Islands, North Cascades, Olympic Peninsula, Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Columbia River Gorge, Willamette Valley (Oregon wine country), Oregon coast, Crater Lake, Ashland (Oregon Shakespeare Festival).

As you can see, there's *plenty* to keep you busy for a two week trip, and I haven't even touched on Northern California or SF. I personally would suggest concentrated just on the Northwest and leaving out SF on this trip, but I have a strong preference toward trips without a lot of driving and for spending 2-3 days in each place (I hate rushing around). You may well have a very different vacation style.
Also, keep in mind that you will most likely pay a very significant drop fee for taking a car from Vancouver to SF.

I'd recommend two full days in each of Vancouver and Seattle, one to two days for Portland, and I'd spend the rest of the time out in the rural areas.

Are you a couple or a family? What is your budget for lodging, and do you like B&Bs or are you more the full service hotel type?

Weather in May can be iffy, but we usually see some sun by then ;-). However, you should expect some rain, and temps in the 50s and 60s. If you're hikers, then you'll be limited to the lowlands (e.g. the Hoh rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula), as the high country will still be under lots of snow.

Thanks for the great input. My wife and We are planning on taking the ViaRail from Toronto to Vancouver and then toodling around. Also, my wife has never been to California so she really has her heart set. We are pretty open on the budget and would probably like a mix of hotels (nothing beats a swim after a long day) and B&B's. We like to hike, but nothing too steep, so lowland s would be fine.

Well, my favorite hotels in Vancouver, Seattle and Portland are the Sutton Place, the Inn at the Market and the Fifth Avenue Suites, respectively, although there are quite a few close runner-ups in each place. The only caveat would be that I don't recommend the "city view" rooms at the Inn at the Market--go for at least a market or courtyard view.

Favorite restaurants (most of these are in the splurge category): in Vancouver, Le Crocodile, Lumiere, Bishops, Diva at the Met, C. Seattle: Wild Ginger, Cafe Campagne, Dahlia Lounge, Palace Kitchen, Flying Fish, Rovers. Portland: The Heathman, Cafe des Amis, Wildwood, Pazzo, Fratelli. And Bijou for breakfast.

I'm sure some other folks will chime in with additional suggestions and input. Once you decide on the rest of your itinerary, let us know and we can make suggestions for lodging and restaurants there.

When your in Portland,,a great sidetrip would be to take I-84 east up into the Columbia River Gorge..At Troutdale. get off the freeway and take the old scenic highway which takes you up to the vista house for probably one of the top 10 views in the US..then past several waterfalls, including Multnomah falls..
Get back on I-84 and head east to Hood River..head north from Hood River which will take you up and around Mt Hood. A drive up to Timberline Lodge for lunch is well worth the extra time.Then back down to Portland,, Continuing your trip south,,a drive thru Newburg to the coast will take you thru oregons wine country. then traveling south on 101 along the oregon coast into Ca.
Feel free to e mail me for more detailed directions,..Lived here 50 years so know alot of out of the way places..