Pacific North West Road Trip 2025

Muffin The Mule
Muffin The Mule Amersham, Bucks Posts: 512
in All Encompassing Trip
My wife and I are drawing up a 3 week PNW road trip for April 2025, starting in Vancouver.

We then plan to drive to Seattle and and along the 101, flying back from either Seattle or Vancouver. We'd travel down the coast and then inland on the way back north. We're not prebooking accommodation at this stage so we're not stuck to a set itinerary.

Does anyone have any suggestions of places we must see (or avoid!) please? Is 3 full days in Seattle enough?  I want to see all the sites! 

Thank you for any help and advice.

Dom


Brixton Academy 14/7/93, Wembley Arena 29/5/00, Wembley Arena 18/6/07, London O2 18/8/09, Hyde Park 25/6/10, Manchester 20/6/12, Arras 30/6/12, Werchter 5/7/14, Leeds 8/7/14, Milton Keynes 11/7/14, Mexico City 28/11/15, Toronto 10/5/16, Toronto 12/5/16,  Amsterdam 12/6/18, Amsterdam 13/6/18, London O2 18/6/18, Werchter 7/7/18, London O2 17/7/18, Werchter 30/6/22, Hyde Park 8/7/22, Hyde Park 9/7/22, Budapest 12/7/22, Prague 22/7/22, Amsterdam 24/7/22, Amsterdam 25/7/22, Dublin 22/6/24, Manchester 25/6/24, London 29/6/2024, Berlin 2/7/24, Berlin 3/7/24 

Comments

  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,599
    https://community.pearljam.com/discussion/303071/seattle-recommendations
    Maybe do Ballard locks, the troll, Lenin statue, Capitol Hill, Argosy Sound boat tour and Mt St Helens too.
  • josevolution
    josevolution Posts: 31,784
    Nice plan! I’d love to do something like that. 
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,599
    Oh if u drive, DO NOT leave any backpack or bags visible or you will be the victim of a smash and grab.
  • darwinstheory
    darwinstheory LaPorte, IN Posts: 7,411
    Mount St. Helens has a North and a South entrance. Don't use the south. Also, research if the road is open then. I was not open in May between the Vancouver & Portland shows. The same would apply to Mount Rainier and North Cascades.

    Anyhow, have a great trip. I'll be following this thread as we're planning on PNW (WA & OR) in 2025 as well.
    "A smart monkey doesn't monkey around with another monkey's monkey" - Darwin's Theory
  • Muffin The Mule
    Muffin The Mule Amersham, Bucks Posts: 512
    Thank you for all your suggestions and advice so far! 
    Brixton Academy 14/7/93, Wembley Arena 29/5/00, Wembley Arena 18/6/07, London O2 18/8/09, Hyde Park 25/6/10, Manchester 20/6/12, Arras 30/6/12, Werchter 5/7/14, Leeds 8/7/14, Milton Keynes 11/7/14, Mexico City 28/11/15, Toronto 10/5/16, Toronto 12/5/16,  Amsterdam 12/6/18, Amsterdam 13/6/18, London O2 18/6/18, Werchter 7/7/18, London O2 17/7/18, Werchter 30/6/22, Hyde Park 8/7/22, Hyde Park 9/7/22, Budapest 12/7/22, Prague 22/7/22, Amsterdam 24/7/22, Amsterdam 25/7/22, Dublin 22/6/24, Manchester 25/6/24, London 29/6/2024, Berlin 2/7/24, Berlin 3/7/24 
  • Go Beavers
    Go Beavers Posts: 9,618
    After Seattle, head to Portland and check it out. You have a good amount of time, and since you mentioned going down 101, from Portland head west to Astoria or Cannon Beach, then make your way south. The Oregon coast is amazing and there’s nothing else like it. Want another unforgettable experience? Keep going to the redwoods on the CA coast. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is one of my faves. Then go inland and check out Ashland in Southern Oregon. Then go up to Crater Lake National Park. After that hit Bend and Central Oregon. Ski or Snowboard? Do that at Mt Bachelor. Smith Rock is really beautiful, too. There’s also a lot of beautiful hikes to the west along the McKenzie River on the west side of the Cascades. Loop north and go to Hood River and check out the gorge where the Columbia cuts through the mountains. 

    April means there will still be rain happening off and on, and they’ll be snow at higher elevations (4-5,000 feet+), so prepare for that. 
  • Muffin The Mule
    Muffin The Mule Amersham, Bucks Posts: 512
    Go Beavers said:
    After Seattle, head to Portland and check it out. You have a good amount of time, and since you mentioned going down 101, from Portland head west to Astoria or Cannon Beach, then make your way south. The Oregon coast is amazing and there’s nothing else like it. Want another unforgettable experience? Keep going to the redwoods on the CA coast. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is one of my faves. Then go inland and check out Ashland in Southern Oregon. Then go up to Crater Lake National Park. After that hit Bend and Central Oregon. Ski or Snowboard? Do that at Mt Bachelor. Smith Rock is really beautiful, too. There’s also a lot of beautiful hikes to the west along the McKenzie River on the west side of the Cascades. Loop north and go to Hood River and check out the gorge where the Columbia cuts through the mountains. 

    April means there will still be rain happening off and on, and they’ll be snow at higher elevations (4-5,000 feet+), so prepare for that. 
    Thank you!
    Brixton Academy 14/7/93, Wembley Arena 29/5/00, Wembley Arena 18/6/07, London O2 18/8/09, Hyde Park 25/6/10, Manchester 20/6/12, Arras 30/6/12, Werchter 5/7/14, Leeds 8/7/14, Milton Keynes 11/7/14, Mexico City 28/11/15, Toronto 10/5/16, Toronto 12/5/16,  Amsterdam 12/6/18, Amsterdam 13/6/18, London O2 18/6/18, Werchter 7/7/18, London O2 17/7/18, Werchter 30/6/22, Hyde Park 8/7/22, Hyde Park 9/7/22, Budapest 12/7/22, Prague 22/7/22, Amsterdam 24/7/22, Amsterdam 25/7/22, Dublin 22/6/24, Manchester 25/6/24, London 29/6/2024, Berlin 2/7/24, Berlin 3/7/24 
  • Muffin The Mule
    Muffin The Mule Amersham, Bucks Posts: 512
    The plans are taking shape! We’re flying in to Vancouver, then train to Seattle, finishing in San Francisco 3 weeks later. 

    I’m looking at all previous suggestions on where to stop off on the way down.

    Is 2 days enough in Portland?


    Brixton Academy 14/7/93, Wembley Arena 29/5/00, Wembley Arena 18/6/07, London O2 18/8/09, Hyde Park 25/6/10, Manchester 20/6/12, Arras 30/6/12, Werchter 5/7/14, Leeds 8/7/14, Milton Keynes 11/7/14, Mexico City 28/11/15, Toronto 10/5/16, Toronto 12/5/16,  Amsterdam 12/6/18, Amsterdam 13/6/18, London O2 18/6/18, Werchter 7/7/18, London O2 17/7/18, Werchter 30/6/22, Hyde Park 8/7/22, Hyde Park 9/7/22, Budapest 12/7/22, Prague 22/7/22, Amsterdam 24/7/22, Amsterdam 25/7/22, Dublin 22/6/24, Manchester 25/6/24, London 29/6/2024, Berlin 2/7/24, Berlin 3/7/24 
  • Spunkie
    Spunkie i come from downtown. Posts: 7,095
    edited October 2024
    Book some Vancouver hotels ahead of time and cancel if needed when you get closer. I know you don't want an itinerary but $250 a night is better than $500 since you know you're starting here!
    Post edited by Spunkie on
    I was swimming in the Great Barrier Reef 
    Animals were hiding behind the Coral 
    Except for little Turtle
    I could swear he's trying to talk to me 
    Gurgle Gurgle
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,599
    Spunkie said:
    Book some Vancouver hotels ahead of time and cancel if needed when you get closer. I know you don't want an itinerary but $250 a night is better than $500 since you know you're starting here!
    AirBNB maybe?
  • Spunkie
    Spunkie i come from downtown. Posts: 7,095
    edited October 2024
    tempo_n_groove said:
    Spunkie said:
    Book some Vancouver hotels ahead of time and cancel if needed when you get closer. I know you don't want an itinerary but $250 a night is better than $500 since you know you're starting here!
    AirBNB maybe?
    Sure! Most now are legal with home owners residing in them.

    The ones that were contributing to a low rental vacancy rate and contributing to homelessness are now illegal :) 

    Sorry second homeowners, real estate investors, and speculators you can go f*** yourselves and your portfolios. People need homes!

    And tempo if you're trying to troll me with this bait you can f*** yourself too. It worked 😁
    I was swimming in the Great Barrier Reef 
    Animals were hiding behind the Coral 
    Except for little Turtle
    I could swear he's trying to talk to me 
    Gurgle Gurgle
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,599
    Spunkie said:
    tempo_n_groove said:
    Spunkie said:
    Book some Vancouver hotels ahead of time and cancel if needed when you get closer. I know you don't want an itinerary but $250 a night is better than $500 since you know you're starting here!
    AirBNB maybe?
    Sure! Most now are legal with home owners residing in them.

    The ones that were contributing to a low rental vacancy rate and contributing to homelessness are now illegal :) 

    Sorry second homeowners, real estate investors, and speculators you can go f*** yourselves and your portfolios. People need homes!

    And tempo if you're trying to troll me with this bait you can f*** yourself too. It worked 😁
    ??? That was rude AF and unwarranted.  I was giving an idea to save money, wow...

    Some people man...
  • JeBurkhardt
    JeBurkhardt Posts: 5,341
    Muffin The Mule said:
    The plans are taking shape! We’re flying in to Vancouver, then train to Seattle, finishing in San Francisco 3 weeks later. 

    I’m looking at all previous suggestions on where to stop off on the way down.

    Is 2 days enough in Portland?


    If you were driving to Seattle from Vancouver, I would have suggested stopping at Deception Pass. The bridge over it links the mainland with Whidbey Island. We were stationed on Whidbey Island years ago and the Pass is really scenic. 
  • Spunkie
    Spunkie i come from downtown. Posts: 7,095
    ^^Oh s***. Sorry, Chris. I honestly thought you were trying to get my goat, my apologies!
    I was swimming in the Great Barrier Reef 
    Animals were hiding behind the Coral 
    Except for little Turtle
    I could swear he's trying to talk to me 
    Gurgle Gurgle
  • Muffin The Mule
    Muffin The Mule Amersham, Bucks Posts: 512
    We’ve got a hotel for Vancouver, Seattle and San Francisco, now it’s just a case of plotting the rest of the route! 
    Brixton Academy 14/7/93, Wembley Arena 29/5/00, Wembley Arena 18/6/07, London O2 18/8/09, Hyde Park 25/6/10, Manchester 20/6/12, Arras 30/6/12, Werchter 5/7/14, Leeds 8/7/14, Milton Keynes 11/7/14, Mexico City 28/11/15, Toronto 10/5/16, Toronto 12/5/16,  Amsterdam 12/6/18, Amsterdam 13/6/18, London O2 18/6/18, Werchter 7/7/18, London O2 17/7/18, Werchter 30/6/22, Hyde Park 8/7/22, Hyde Park 9/7/22, Budapest 12/7/22, Prague 22/7/22, Amsterdam 24/7/22, Amsterdam 25/7/22, Dublin 22/6/24, Manchester 25/6/24, London 29/6/2024, Berlin 2/7/24, Berlin 3/7/24 
  • Muffin The Mule
    Muffin The Mule Amersham, Bucks Posts: 512
    The plans are progressing!

    Vancouver for 3 nights. Amtrak to Seattle (4 nights), to Portland (2 nights) via Aberdeen/Astoria/Cannon Beach, Columbia Gorge, Lincoln City, Florence, Eugene (is it worth visiting?), Shasta Lake, Napa Valley, San Francisco (4 nights). There are a few blank days but we're not tying ourselves down to being in a given location by a certain day.

    Hotels sorted for multiple night stopovers plus Arch Enemy @ The Showbox. Waiting for El Corazon and Central Saloon to update their event schedules.

    We were going to do Crater Lakes but will make a decision nearer the time based on the weather.

    We can't wait!
    Brixton Academy 14/7/93, Wembley Arena 29/5/00, Wembley Arena 18/6/07, London O2 18/8/09, Hyde Park 25/6/10, Manchester 20/6/12, Arras 30/6/12, Werchter 5/7/14, Leeds 8/7/14, Milton Keynes 11/7/14, Mexico City 28/11/15, Toronto 10/5/16, Toronto 12/5/16,  Amsterdam 12/6/18, Amsterdam 13/6/18, London O2 18/6/18, Werchter 7/7/18, London O2 17/7/18, Werchter 30/6/22, Hyde Park 8/7/22, Hyde Park 9/7/22, Budapest 12/7/22, Prague 22/7/22, Amsterdam 24/7/22, Amsterdam 25/7/22, Dublin 22/6/24, Manchester 25/6/24, London 29/6/2024, Berlin 2/7/24, Berlin 3/7/24 
  • darwinstheory
    darwinstheory LaPorte, IN Posts: 7,411
    edited June 23
    ***edited: How did the trip go?
    Post edited by darwinstheory on
    "A smart monkey doesn't monkey around with another monkey's monkey" - Darwin's Theory
  • Muffin The Mule
    Muffin The Mule Amersham, Bucks Posts: 512
    It was fantastic!!!!!!
    Brixton Academy 14/7/93, Wembley Arena 29/5/00, Wembley Arena 18/6/07, London O2 18/8/09, Hyde Park 25/6/10, Manchester 20/6/12, Arras 30/6/12, Werchter 5/7/14, Leeds 8/7/14, Milton Keynes 11/7/14, Mexico City 28/11/15, Toronto 10/5/16, Toronto 12/5/16,  Amsterdam 12/6/18, Amsterdam 13/6/18, London O2 18/6/18, Werchter 7/7/18, London O2 17/7/18, Werchter 30/6/22, Hyde Park 8/7/22, Hyde Park 9/7/22, Budapest 12/7/22, Prague 22/7/22, Amsterdam 24/7/22, Amsterdam 25/7/22, Dublin 22/6/24, Manchester 25/6/24, London 29/6/2024, Berlin 2/7/24, Berlin 3/7/24 

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