Thread: Cheap, interesting Western destination?

How about flying into PDX and driving up the coast thru SEA possibly going as far as YVR. It's a beautiful drive with lots of scenic spots. I haven't driven it in years but remember it fondly. A one way car rental will probably be expensive so you might want to time it to drive back to PDX.

Hi Coyne
I second Randy's recommendation. The drive through Washington is beautiful. We drove L.A. to Seattle last fall and had a great time. One of my favorite areas was around Seattle, Snoqualmie Falls is beautiful and the drive east toward the Cascades is great. Room rates run the gamut. The majors offer airline rates and there are a lot of B&Bs. In September there are a lot of salmon festivals, stop. Depending on your time, you might also want to cross into Canada. With the present exchange rate a few days in Canada might be the way to go. Drop a line to Meg, she knows Canada like the back of her hand. Have fun

Keep'em flying

You're not just yanking my chain again are you Coyne? [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] Well you know I would highly recommend what you call the Pacific Northwest (we just call it west [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] ) in the fall, they get good weather well into September/October. The tourist season will have died down a bit but everything to do is still there. Let me know if you are thinking about that and I can give you more info. Also, if you have never been to the Canadian Rockies you can fly into Calgary, it is only an hour to Banff National Park. Because your husband is a golfer there is plenty of golfing in both Kananaskis (near Banff) and Vancouver. Just let me know...

I had not thought of Calgary.
How is the weather up there in September? As you know my husband is a warm weather wimp and if he sees a snow flake he will be on the next airplane down south.
How is the drive between SFO and SEA? That may be the way to go. If we can find some deals.
If you can come up with some money savers please pass them along.
Thanks all!

Hi Coyne
The route from SFO to Seattle, ah I remember it well, a few suggestions from a road survivor. First of course the standard road trip requirements, maps, AAA TourBook, cell phone, great CDs. Then decide if you want to spend time in Canada, this will make the difference in your route and stops. We took I-5 as we intended to go into Canada. We didn't make hotel reservations and I really don't see a reason too, you're on the open road, there will be a hotel and trust me, one will have airline discount. Just get out the AAA book and start calling, paying careful attention to free breakfast offers of course. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

(Holiday Inn has a $10.00 free gas refund voucher per night's stay promotiion on now through Sept., however it isn't available with airline rates)

Locals know the ropes. Whenever you stop ask what's going on in the the area. From the clerk at one gas station we found out about a salmon festival and at another a tractor pull. Of course the gold map I bought didn't prove to be the bargain I thought it was. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]
Oregon stops-Cottage Grove, Portland.

Washington and Oregon have a lot of national forests. We met a lot of people who used them. If you go this route get a Northwest Forest Pass $30.00, it will allow you to park in camping areas etc. Because of the wait at the border (Sept 2001) we stayed in Seattle longer than planned, so if you want sightseeing sugggestions let me know. All I can think of now. Hope it helps.

Keep'em flying

The drive north from SFO is great, however, its nearly 1,000 miles to YVR!!! Which means a lot of driving!

Randy,
My husband and I have been known to drive 200 miles just to have lunch with Friends.
That is probably why his car has 250,000 miles on it and still going strong. Either that or I do most of the auto repairs.

Coyne,
I have also done the SFO-YVR route (my husband did a triathlon in Sonoma Valley). We took the I5 all the way though because we had to get back in a day. My thoughts are if you are going all the way to SEA why not make the extra 3 hr trip to YVR? Your US dollar goes a looong way here, and there are tons of golf courses. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]