(Also posted on US "West" Forum)

The known's are- will fly to Portland, and want to visit Seattle, Victoria and Vancouver.
The unknown- how to get around...
Basically, I'd like some input on options, based on what people think are the better attractions in these areas (and what public transportation is available). We'll have 2-3 days in each city, and want to see the general touristy stuff, as well as other things that are recommended.
Here are the travel options I thought of:
1. Rent a car in Portland, drive to Seattle, drive to Anacortes to take the ferry to Victoria, then ferry to Vancouver, and drop the car off at Vancouver Airport
2. Rent a car in Portland, drop it in Seattle. Take passenger ferry to Victoria (from SEA), then take ferry to Vancouver (this option would leave no car for Vancouver, unless I rented one there as well).
3. Don't rent a car at all- take Amtrak from PDX to SEA, then ferry to Victoria, then ferry to Vancouver.

Any advice? I'd be happy to clarify if this is a bit confusing.
Thanks in advance.

First, I would read some trip reports by other folks, like Sweet Willie's report on his visit to this region:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/003214.html

Then let us know when are you travelling (time of year) and maybe something about your general age, interests, spending preferences...???

You might want a car in all 3 cities if you only have 2-3 days in each one.

You could do the Anacortes ferry to Sidney or you could do the Coho ferry from Port Angeles to downtown Victoria, by the way.

Ferries can be very busy and line-ups can be long during peak travel periods (holidays, summer weekends, etc). You might want to consider reservations.

Victoria is easy to walk around downtown, but the ferry terminal for Anacortes and to Vancouver are a half-hour drive.

Vancouver is a beautiful city, so is Seattle but they are big and have a lot of traffic, so would try to avoid rush hour.

I can make specific suggestions if you give me more info. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Thanks Abby-

Here's some more info that may help you with some recommendations: wife and I are in late 20's; I'd love to say money is no object, but I won't go that far. However, we'll spend what it takes to have a good time. We'll be going in June- we'll be in Portland the first weekend, and then Seattle/Victoria/Vancouver during the week, and finish the 2nd weekend in Vancouver.

Looking forward to any additional suggestions.

Thanks.

OK, here is what I might do…

Drop off the car in Seattle. You can manage without a car in Victoria if you are happy staying around the downtown area.(and with your time limitations you really can’t see much of Vancouver Island, anyway).

Either:
Take the Clipper (www.victoriaclipper.com) which is a passenger-only ferry from downtown Seattle to downtown Victoria (will drop you right downtown at Victoria’s Inner Harbour). You’ll get a scenic tour of the waters and great convenience. This is the simplest choice without a car.
Fly in a small seaplane with Kenmore Air (www.kenmoreair.com) from Seattle’s Lake Union to Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Beautiful, scenic and the experience of taking off from water and landing on water! Or do this from Victoria-Vancouver.
Fly with HeliJet (www.helijet.com) from Seattle’s Boeing Field to Victoria’s Ogden Point/Camel Point (where the cruise ships dock and within walking distance of Inner Harbour and downtown).

Travelling from Victoria to Vancouver, do whatever you did NOT do here….

Either:
Take West Coast Air (www.westcoastair.com) or Harbour Air (www.harbour-air.com) seaplanes from Victoria’s Inner Harbour to Vancouver’s Coal Harbour (downtown).
Take HeliJet from Victoria to Vancouver (downtown to downtown).
Take the bus (www.pacificcoach.com) which will take you across with BC Ferries (www.bcferries.com) to downtown Vancouver. This is time-consuming due to drives to and from ferry on both ends, but crossing is beautiful.

In Victoria, stay near downtown/James Bay. (Do you need recommendations?)

Check out www.tourismvictoria.com. (http://www.tourismvictoria.com.)

Spend a few hours walking around Inner Harbour. Enjoy the entertainers along the causeway. Check out the Empress Hotel (if you are not staying there). Go into the Bengal Lounge (nice place for evening drinks!) Consider a whale watching trip. Watch the seaplanes take off and land. Have lunch at the Blackfish Café. Have dinner at Milestones’ Restaurant and watch the lights on the Parliament Building come on or have the curry buffet at the Bengal Lounge. Go to the BC Museum. Take the little Harbour Ferry and go for lunch, dinner or drinks to Spinnakers Brew Pub or to Harbour Canoe Club (also a brew pub) or South Bay pub/restaurant. Sit outside on their patios and watch the water and the people.

If you have another day, rent motor scooters or bicycles and follow the scenic waterfront drives from downtown to James Bay to Clover Point (along Dallas Road) to Gonzales Point (Victoria Golf Course) to Oak Bay and Willows Beach. Consider lunch at either the Marina or Oak Bay Beach Hotel. An alternative is to walk along the seawall from downtown to Clover Point. Check out the Ogden Point Café for coffee/breakfast/lunch. It shares the building with a Dive Centre. Consider diving if you are certified. Walk along to the lighthouse at the end of the breakwater next door. Coming back to town, walk or ride through Beacon Hill Park. Have an ice cream cone at Beacon Hill Park drive-in. Or go to Fisherman’s Wharf and have fish and chips.

In Vancouver, it is recommended you have a car for a day or two if you are going to be there 3 days or more, but it is not essential.

You will of course see Stanley Park. Take a walk or rent bicycles or roller blades and traverse the whole seawall from downtown to English Bay and the West End. Allow at least half a day (or even the whole day) and check out the different parts of the Park as you go along. Start from downtown by the Westin Bayshore. Spend some time on the beaches if the weather is nice. Try to catch sunset at English Bay and Sunset Beach. The West End is filled with cafes and people watching spots.

Walk along Robson Street and spend a lot of money in the shops if you are so inclined. Walk around Yaletown and take the little ferry over to Granville Island (restaurants, art work, theatre).

With a car, go to Grouse Mountain. For a strenuous hike, do the ‘Grouse Grind,’ else take the chairlift up to the top. If you really like driving and want to see some beautiful scenery, consider a drive to Whistler on the Sea to Sky highway. Allow a full day if not an overnight for this. Take the chairlift, then a helicopter tour of the glacier from the top of the Whistler. A shorter drive is out to White Rock and Crescent Beach, consider having dinner/drinks and seeing another beautiful sunset over the water.

If you are experienced, consider renting a small power boat and heading up the Burrard Inlet on your own. Or join a group on one of the tour boats, and see the city from the water.

Let me know if you would like more details, or further suggestions!

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Abby- thank you SO much for all the info. Sounds like you've lived in the area for a while...
As we're not going to do this until June, your tips will be more than enough to get our planning started.
I'm sure I'll be in touch or post again as we get closer.
Thanks again, and if anyone else has additional suggestions, do tell.

Tourism Vancouver is another good site to check out for inofrmation on Vancouver.

I am not sure about your accommadation plans, but the prices are high in June. If you have a car consider staying at the Atrium Inn in Vancouver or Accent Inn in Burnaby. Relatively close to downtown and the action, but quite a bit cheaper.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Alero:
Tourism Vancouver is another good site to check out for inofrmation on Vancouver.

I am not sure about your accommadation plans, but the prices are high in June. If you have a car consider staying at the Atrium Inn in Vancouver or Accent Inn in Burnaby. Relatively close to downtown and the action, but quite a bit cheaper.

</font>

Thanks for the advice. We actually booked a B&B for Vancouver that seems to be right in the middle of everything. Rate is US$120 (w/ breakfast), which seemed to be decent for the middle of June. It was recommended by a friend who stayed there, so we'll give it a shot.
(Actually, others have told me to give priceline or hotwire a go about a week before traveling. So I think we'll put in a ridiculously low rate and see if we hit the jackpot).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dave_261:
... We actually booked a B&B for Vancouver that seems to be right in the middle of everything. Rate is US$120 (w/ breakfast), which seemed to be decent for the middle of June. </font>

Forgive me for saying so, but I think that is a VERY high rate for a B&B (although it may be a fabulous place and well worth it). You can certainly do much better with Priceline or Hotwire, at least in terms of $$$. I have seen winning bids for June - August stays in Vancouver in the $48 - $70 US range and those are for very nice 4* hotels.

And you can try bidding anytime... I have had success with winning bids for very good prices even a couple of months in advance. Just keep a limit in mind so you don't overbid.

Feel free to ask any questions or email me if you would like more details or suggestions.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Abby:
Forgive me for saying so, but I think that is a VERY high rate for a B&B (although it may be a fabulous place and well worth it). You can certainly do much better with Priceline or Hotwire, at least in terms of $$$. I have seen winning bids for June - August stays in Vancouver in the $48 - $70 US range and those are for very nice 4* hotels.

And you can try bidding anytime... I have had success with winning bids for very good prices even a couple of months in advance. Just keep a limit in mind so you don't overbid.

Feel free to ask any questions or email me if you would like more details or suggestions. </font>

I totally agree that we can probably get a room on priceline or hotwire for well under $100. But, my wife really likes B&B's, so I figure I'll appease her for a few days. But, she has agreed to put a low bid in just to see what happens.
I haven't tried Priceline, but right now Hotwire shows the following "Downtown" prices for my days in Vancouver:
5*- US$180
4.5*- US$147
4*- US$85
3*- US$98

I was away in San Diego for a while, but wanted to mention that I have seen winning Priceline bids for Vancouver for June, July and August in the $45 - $70 US range. Those are for 4* hotels (one 3* shows up at $50 sometimes). I have bid and won 4* hotels in Vancouver and usually got either the Hyatt or one of the Delta hotels. All very nice. I also like some of the 3* hotels in Vancouver.

I honestly do not understand Hotwire pricing, because when I have repeatedly searched them for hotel rates at a certain time and place, the price has sometimes really bounced around. But if you want to determine amenities at the downtown hotels, I may be able to help you.

Of course, it depends on what you and your wife are looking for. However, if I can provide any suggestions, please feel free to ask.

Hey Dave, if you really want to see the best of Victoria contact my outdoors club! We're called the Victoria Wolfpack and although I can't be there to greet you because I am presently hiking and working in Korea. I'll ask my friends to include you in one of their journeys. We usually meet once a week to plan weekly and monthly journeys. Around June there is lots of stuff to do in the mountains of Vancouver Island. Its cheap, fun and something you'll never forget. Just message me if you're interested or have any questions. Check out the photos if you want some good local scenes like Castlecraig. we've also put together some great links for you at:

http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/victoria_wolfpack/links


Yours truely,

Mobylekyle.

http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/victoria_wolfpack/