My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to the West coast in April. We are flying from the UK to SFO and then want to rent a car to drive up the coast to Seattle. We have only got 20 days - are we being too ambitious??? We would welcome any suggestions of good places to stay (not too expensive) and "must see" places to visit/things to do. We are more into culture and beautiful scenery than the Microsoft experience!! What will the weather be like at that time of year? and has anyone got a good car rental company to recommend?
Thank you.

Great trip, very doable in 20 days. There is too much to see and do to communicate here. Here are some suggestions. Up through Napa Valley, Mt. Shasta, Redwoods Forest on northern Cal coast, Oregon Caves, Crater Lake, Oregon Dunes, Oregon Coast, Multnoma (sp?) Falls, Columbia Gorge, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Seattle Waterfront, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square. The weather in April is unpredicatable. With El Nino you could have sunny, breezy warm days or torrential rains anywhere along the coast. Bring raingear and don't worry about it.

i agree with the message above -- there's TONS to see and do -- in oregon especially, be prepared for cold, warm and wet and be like a native oregonian, dress for the weather and go out and have fun in it!!!

Fran: Speaking as a railroad buff, you might consider taking Amtrak's Coast Starlight from SF to Seattle. Great food, wonderful scenery, and someone else drives. If you wish to get off along the way, it's usually easy to find a rental car place or a taxi. I took the Starlight on two different trips: from SF to Santa Barbara and from Portland to Tacoma. Going by train is also a great way to meet people and exhange travel stories.

This should be a great trip. I did it myself a few years ago. Spent the biggest portion of time in Olympic National Park. Truly great hiking. Then, after Olympic, took the ferry to Seattle.