Seattle - Victoria - Vancouver trip

DMara

Guys, my wife & I are about to fly to Seattle and drive to Victoria and Vancouver islands; the whole trip will last exactly 1 week. We have done some internet research but would like to ask for you guys to share your valuable experience:

* Points of interest
* Restaurant recommendations
* Any other secret :biggrin:

My plan is to drive from Seattle to Vancouver first, then from Vancouver to Victoria and back to Seatle. Should I go to Victoria before Vancouver instead?

Any input will be appreciated

bikerboy

Make sure you have your passports!

Gadabout

Victoria is pretty easy to walk around.

Some of the highlights of the previous trips.

First, don't take the Ferry's to or from Port Angeles / Seattle to Vancouver Island. Travel instead from Anacortes.
The trip through the San Juan Islands is much more scenic and enjoyable. It will take longer, but there is more to look at. Usually, I don't take a car and we hop off on a couple islands for lunch or sight seeing. When you on the Ferry, it's always great to make that trip around sunset. Also note, this route will take you into Sydney and then you would make a short drive to Victoria

Once in Victoria, your wife will thank-you for making arrangements for high tea at the Empress Hotel. If memory serves, it's around 2p. On the topic of the wife, she will also really appreciate The Buchart Gardens.

Since you are taking your car with you I would also recommend a drive. Take Highway 14 out of Vancouver up the coast, head back east on the Pacific Marine Rd to Highway 18 and back to Duncan. If you still have time you can head north up the island highway or if short on time back to Sydney or Victoria. Vancouver Island is really scenic and the drive really lets you see some of the place.

If you're into hiking there are lots of trail heads where highway 14 ends and you can hike north up the western coast of the island. It's also known as the ship wreck coast of the island.

One place I would also mention is Sea Bear Salmon in Anacortes. You should drop in for a visit if you can. They will have great stuff for picnics and you will be able to have them ship some great seafood home to the folks that you would like to share a bit of your vacation with.

I'll also mention what I usually do, since your flying to Seattle. Leave the rental in the parking lot of the Ferry. Once you get to Sydney take a cab to Victoria. There you can catch a bus to the Buchart Gardens and you can also spend your time walking around Victoria. Lots to see, even if your on foot for a day. Then take a cab back to Sydney for the sunset trip back through the San Juan Islands.

Two main reasons for doing this.
- One is cost. It's real cheap to walk onto the ferry compared to putting a car on the boat.
- Second is schedule. If you don't have reservations for the Ferry, it will fill up and you will have to wait one maybe two more trips before you can load your car. This is never an issue with Passengers only.

If your staying overnight, on Vancouver Island, you might find it is cheaper to get a rental on the island than put your rental on a boat for 2 trips.

Around Seattle, I usually try to hit Columbia Winery (great buttery Chardonnay) and then eat lunch at the Red Hook Brewery. Makes for a good 1/2 day trip.

Take lots of pictures, it will be a great trip.

Scott

On3s&Z3r0s

I agree that the ferry trip from Anacortes to Sydney is beautiful if you get good weather. If your trip is this month the weather is pretty variable and the trip is 3 hours each way. If you wanted to take the ferry through the San Juan islands it probably would work best to go from Anacortes to Sydney in the morning and then on from Victoria to Vancouver in the evening if you weren't planning on staying over a night in Victoria. If I remember right the ferry back from Sydney to Anacortes isn't at a very convenient time unless you are staying overnight on the island. In and around Victoria the big draws are Butchart Gardens and the Empress as mentioned. The gardens should be pretty fantastic this time of year, so around Victoria I'd say that's the one thing you definitely should see. They do their own "high tea", which is a good break from walking around if you're into doilies and finger sandwiches... lighter than what I've heard is served at the Empress. My wife and MIL have done the Empress tea and very much enjoyed that. The Royal BC museum is ok if you have extra time to kill, but nothing particularly spectacular.

In Vancouver city, Stanley Park is very nice to stroll around. Granville Island is also a personal favorite. It's a lot like Seattle's Pike Place Market (lots of fresh produce, seafood, restaurants, bars, tourist shops, etc.) but even though it is sacriledge for a Seattleite to say this, Granville Island is bigger, nicer, and being on Granville feels more like a legitimate tourist destination than Pike. Pike Place and the Seattle waterfront are fun to see also if you have a couple of hours to kill. Seattle's new Ferris wheel might even be running by the time you get here.

There are so many good restaurants in both Seattle and Vancouver that it's hard to go wrong. Just do some looking around on Yelp based on your preferences and budget and you're sure to find something you like. If you're into drinking, some of the best cocktails in Seattle are at the Zig Zag cafe not far from Pike market. If you're into beer and are going to make the trip to Red Hook and the wineries, make sure you stop in at Black Raven, which is not far from those. It's an unassuming looking place from the outside (kind of in an industrial office park), but they have the best beer by far in that neck of the woods.

Gadabout

Ohhh....

I forgot to mention Pioneer Square in Seattle. If you going to be there on Friday or Saturday, it's a great place for live music and folks having fun. Last time I was there (5 years ago), it was a $10 cover to get you into any and all bars on the square. Drop in for a little Reggie and walk down the street to rock/blues/country (and many other choices) should your mood change.

Someone from Seattle will have to confirm they are still doing this and the cover charge is still the same. Overall, it's a fun place to spend an evening. Start your evening early if you want on the street parking.

Scott

nooshinjohn

I plan on seeing the Boeing plant in Everett. I heard the tour there is amazing.

BeefJerky

Suggestion: give me your LSiM's before you leave for the trip. :cheesygrin:

hochpt21

Stop and see the "grunge rock" while you are there.

boomerfss

If you are interested in checking out a high end audio store, this is a pretty good one in down town Vancouver. http://www.hificentre.com/

Joe Fortes restaurant is also in down town Vancouver and is pretty good. http://www.joefortes.ca/

I hope you have a great trip!

rromeo923

Did this same trip two years ago. Awesome time!! Great trip. You will love it. Lots of great suggestions already!!

edbert

Craigdarroch Castle http://www.thecastle.ca/

It's this little castle in the middle of a neighborhood just minutes outside of Victoria. Really cool place with great architecture and history.

Also, if you are into outdoorsy stuff check out Goldstream Park and hike in to Niagara Falls. No, not that Niagara falls, but it is almost as tall!

Like others recommended, High tea at the Empress and Buchart Gardens

Willow

Go to Buchart Gardens I went when I was 17 and I enjoyed it. They had , not sure if it is still around the old fashion A&W drive in restaurant in Victoria. Downtown Victoria there is the mini village in some hotel and the High tea is a must as well. If I am not mistaken there is a boat across the way from the hotel which is an aquarium.....

phoneisbusy

Willow wrote: »

Go to Buchart Gardens I went when I was 17 and I enjoyed it. They had , not sure if it is still around the old fashion A&W drive in restaurant in Victoria. Downtown Victoria there is the mini village in some hotel and the High tea is a must as well. If I am not mistaken there is a boat across the way from the hotel which is an aquarium.....

There are summer fireworks displays at Buchart Gardens starting June 30th.
Pescatores Seafood and Grill served excellent seafood when we went there several years ago.

regards

Dave

cnh

Great info above. Hope you have a great time!

The wife and I have been thinking about hitting Victoria and Vancouver in the future. Already been to Seattle a couple of times and yes the Boeing plant is cool as was the previous version of Air Force One that was housed there when we visited!

Enjoy!

cnh

gwg_97

When in Seattle you should hit a Tom Douglas restaurant. Dahlia Lounge (amazing Northwest food), Serious Pie (pizza), Palace Kitchen (great bar and Seattle scene). All can be $$$ but worth the splurge. Make reservations. Also, great Martini's at the Dahlia Lounge bar!

Check out his web page.