Vancouver, Seattle, Olympia, Portland, San Francisco
 

Taking a trip down the coast starting with Vancouver and ending in San Francisco in July. Please tell me about any interesting places/things to see along the way (i.e., restaurants, shops, scenic/historical attractions, etc. Plus, is there anything we should not waste our time on. Thanks!!!

Great trip down the West Coast. You don't say how long you have, but here goes for a quick summary. Vancouver: Queen Elizabeth Park Atrium, Stanley park, Granville Island, Lynn Canyon suspension bridge, Grouse Mountain, Museum of Anthropology at UBC, Rubina Tandoori restaurant, Mootai Restaurant, and lots more. South past Bellingham follow signs to Chuckanut Drive and take this route until it rejoins I-5. In Seattle: Pike Place, Waterfront, Mariner's Game, Pioneer Square, ferry to Winslow, if time available trip to Paradise on Mount Rainier. This is a must if you're a lowlander. Olympia, skip it (or limit your visit to an hour or two at the Capitol Campus. Portland: Anywhere downtown, great used book store, OMSI. Oregon State: Crater Lake, Oregon Caves, Oregon Coast, Tillamook Cheese Co., Newport. Giant Sequoia trees in N. Cal, Napa, San Francisco waterfront, cable cars... ran out of steam!

We are planning the same trip, visiting from South Africa. However, we depart from San Francisco and end in Vancouver. Any other contributions to what to do and see on the USA west coast?

Thanks

Gerrit

San Francisco--

Alcatraz tour, Fisherman's Wharf (especially Pier 39), Ghirardelli Square, Union Square, Lombard Street, Museum of Modern Art, Max's Opera House Cafe for good desserts, The Waterfront restaurant, The Carnelian Room, or Scott's Seafood Bar and Grill.
Have fun!

If you want to see the country, stay off Interstate 5 as much as possible for traveling San Francisco to Vancouver. If the weather is nice, take the coastal highway up through the California redwoods and Oregon/Washington Coast. If the weather is rainy, cut over to the east side (dry side) of the Cascades, and see Mt Shasta, Crater Lake, the Coklumbia River Gorge, and the North Cascades of Washington State. All the big cities on this route have very heavy rush hour traffic, so avoid traveling thru them at those times on weekdays if possible.

Wow, that's some trip you got planned. Hope you have a lot of time cause there's tons to see in that 1000 miles. I-5 is fastest but you miss the great coastline. If you have time coast route best. Oregon coast is fabulous. Be sure to stop at Cannon Beach, Newport at least. Wonderful long long beaches to walk on everywhere. Oregon coast trail is very special. Redwoods are very interesting. Don't worry about rain in Oregon in July. Bellingham nice town in Washington, hip.

This trip was one of my all time favorites! I can't wait to go back! Oregon's coast is the most spectacular and clean in the nation. Spend a night at the Adobe Inn in Yachats! Beautiful beach with interesting lava formations and tidal pools. Crater Lake a must if you have time. The drive from Portland east along the Columbia River is fabulous. Be sure to allow enough time to hike to all the different waterfalls. Portland is lovely. What about the ferry trip from Seattle to charming Victoria? We loved it! Cascade Mtns are beautiful with many of the brilliantly colored glacial lakes. Enjoy!

I agree with andrea. Just returned from Vancouver Island in mid-June. Victoria is not to be missed and is worth the ride on the Victoria Clipper from Seattle. The small village of Sooke is just a 40 minute drive from Victoria and offers the Sooke Harbor House (Inn) which was fantastic!