We are undecided about going to Olympic National Park or Tofino, BC for two days in conjunction with a trip to Victoria and Vancouver. Which areas are more scenic and which would have better weather in Sept.

Having been to both, I highly recommend Tofino. It will take you longer to reach, but is well worth it. Between Tofino and Uculet along the west coast of Vancouver Island is a BC park which has absolutely spectacular old growth forest. The ones in Olympic National park are badly overused in comparison. This particular one has wooden walkways that move down through the various levels of canopy in the forest as it heads toward the coast. It is a short trip - maybe an hour at most, but it will never leave you. In addition, I recommend taking one of the boat whale watching tours out of Tofino. There are small islands with wonderful old growth forests and hot springs flowing steaming down into the ocean. - Really worth a visit!

I can't say for certain how the weather compares, but generally vancouver island has relatively mild weather because of the gulf stream.

Have fun.

If the weather is good in Sep.,which it most often is there is a great boat from Port Alberni to Ucuelet that takes about 11 hours round trip with and hour or so lay over in Ucuelet or I recall you can get off at Ucuelet and take a bus back to Tofino and spend the night then bus to Port Alberni. The boat goes through Barkley Sound and it's islands which are great, and the food on the boat is good. They have two boatss about 120'to150' long. It leavs Port Alberni about 08:00. See this area one way or another and do the Olypmics another time.

Thanks to both of you for your suggestions. We are definately going to Tofino and the Pacific Rim National Park.

Spent 4 wonderful years living and working in Seattle, Washington. Ive been to both Olympic and Tofino and they are both great! But why go to either when you can go to one of the hidden treasures of the PNW...North Cascades Nat'l Park beats any Nat'l or Provincial park I was in during my stay there. Its not heavily touristed and is very beatuiful. They say they are the "Alps Of America"...I think their being modest.

Oops, I forgot to mention that North Cascades Nat'l park is in Washington State.

Does the above include the Mt. Baker Scenic Hwy?

Long Beach, Long Beach, Long Beach! For seven years I lived in Nanaimo, which is about a two and a half hour drive from Tofino, etc. I went every chance I got. Getting accomodations shouldn't be difficult in the fall, but it is in the summer. And don't be disappointed if it rains, because it does rain a lot, but when the wind is blowing and the rain is falling is the most incredible time to go (unless, of course, you're camping). Get a cabin with a view and a fireplace, get cozy and enjoy. By the way, if you choose to stay in one of the towns, Tofino or Ucluelet, choose Tofino, but I recommend staying somewhere in between.

We went ahead and made reservations at the Wickaninnish Inn at Chesterman Beach in Tofino. It's new and looks wonderful. I can hardly wait!