Road Tripping along the West Coast, stories? suggestion? Couches?

[SamIchi]

Hey guys,

I'll be going from LA to Vancouver in the next couple weeks. Got any suggestions on what to check out along the way? We'll be stopping at SF, Redwoods, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver. Don't really have set plans, just gotta be in Seattle by the 18th. We like nature, we like the city. We're pretty flexible, so pretty much anything goes. I'm a fan of beer, and photography. This will be our second road trip. First one was through mid/north of the US.

I'll be traveling with 2 buddies for most of the trip. I'll be going to Vancouver solo. If anyone has a couch to crash on, that would be awesome. I've already put in a request on Couchsurfers. Or if someone just want to show us some local flavor that would be awesome. Portland and Vancouver would be the cities we don't have friends in.

Also I'm traveling light, do you think I'll need a coat (peacoat) for ancouver for the end of the month? Hah I'm thinking I do but want to be as light as possible.

Thanks guys!

[duneriderltr450]

Are you taking the 101 all the way up and cut over to Portland? Not much to see along I5 going through Oregon until you hit Portland. If your taking 101 there is a casino right before Brookings if that's your thing. If you like fish and chips Unger's in Winchester Bay is very good. The restaurant is on a small boat floating out by the docks, pretty cool. If you like microbrews check out Rogue Ales in Newport. That's all I can think of at the moment haha. The drive along the coast is awesome, lots of sightseeing.

[SamIchi]

Originally Posted by duneriderltr450

Are you taking the 101 all the way up and cut over to Portland? Not much to see along I5 going through Oregon until you hit Portland. If your taking 101 there is a casino right before Brookings if that's your thing. If you like fish and chips Unger's in Winchester Bay is very good. The restaurant is on a small boat floating out by the docks, pretty cool. If you like microbrews check out Rogue Ales in Newport. That's all I can think of at the moment haha. The drive along the coast is awesome, lots of sightseeing.

Yea i think we want to stay by the coast. Unless there was something interesting along I5. We've never been through there so we don't know what to expect.

[firedept]

Try to get to the island when you get to Vancouver. Short ferry ride and plenty to see and photograph there. Peacoat might be alright but would still take a sweatshirt. Just in case you decide to go into mountains. Still cold on the High Mountains Roads. Enjoy the trip!

[snberk103]

Cape Kiwanda. There is a the Inn at Cape Kiwanda. Whether you stay there is one thing but across the street is a brew pub on the beach. The beach sand blows in the door... that kind of "on the beach". Greet beach. Great beer and good prime rib. The hotel is literally across the street.

You can follow the coast highway all the way up to Port Angeles. There are too many scenic locations to list. Every couple of miles along the Oregon and Washington Coast is something cool. At Port Angeles you can take the ferry to Victoria, BC. From Victoria there are two (main) routes to Vancouver. Take the Highway up to Nanaimo and then the ferry to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver (which is the North West boundary of Greater Vancouver). Or take the ferry from Victoria - Swartz Bay (the more direct route) to Tsawwassen - the South West bit of Greater Vancouver.

If you take the Swartz Bay ferry I'm on an island you pass.

If you give more details about what like I can offer more recommendations. Vancouver is known as being a food mecca, globally.... as long as you don't insist on chain or chain-like foods. And Asian. It is heavily tilted towards asian foods.

Sounds like fun.

[duneriderltr450]

Originally Posted by SamIchi

Yea i think we want to stay by the coast. Unless there was something interesting along I5. We've never been through there so we don't know what to expect.

Just lots of mountains and once you pass Eugene its all flat farm land pretty much all the way to Portland.

[SamIchi]

Originally Posted by snberk103

Cape Kiwanda. There is a the Inn at Cape Kiwanda. Whether you stay there is one thing but across the street is a brew pub on the beach. The beach sand blows in the door... that kind of "on the beach". Greet beach. Great beer and good prime rib. The hotel is literally across the street....

Thanks for the great suggestions! I'm looking forward to VC, I'll have to check about the ferries. I definitely don't want to go to chain restaurants. I'm a vegetarian, so if you know any good veggie fair that'd be cool.

[SilentPanda]

You might check this site to see if there are any interesting short stops you might otherwise bypass on your journey.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/

[snberk103]

Originally Posted by SamIchi

Thanks for the great suggestions! I'm looking forward to VC, I'll have to check about the ferries. I definitely don't want to go to chain restaurants. I'm a vegetarian, so if you know any good veggie fair that'd be cool.

In Victoria the 'establishment' vegetarian restaurant is ReBar. Downtown, off Bastion Square. But lordy, the place is crawling with veggie places. What degree of veggie?

Many restaurants have good veggie options as part of the regular menu. Plus gluten free. You'd better off Googling for that info, since there will be many many to choose from.

Even more in Vancouver. Vancouver is the place that created the 100 mile diet, so you will have no problems getting fresh veggie foods. Many high end restaurants either have veggie options on the menu, or can modify a dish to be veggie friendly.

In Vancouver, if you just want to wander and peer into restaurants looking for one that appeals, I suggest you start in the West End (Denman and Davie). Stay away from the places with the 'old folks' in your case. Look for places full of students who look like they are from the many English Language schools in the neighbourhood.

=========

Just checked out your website. You might find the complex at 1000 Parker Ave in Vancouver interesting. I don't know how many studios will be open when you are in the area, but if you have some time to hang about.... chat up a couple of artists until you find someone who will tour you around.
Link

[e²Studios]

If you like beer take a brewery tour at Sierra Nevada! The tour is awesome and their restaurant is really good too! They're in Chico so it might be on your way north or worth a detour.

http://www.sierranevada.com/brewery/...a/brewery-tour

http://www.sierranevada.com/brewery/california/taproom

[latergator116]

Definitely try to take Highway 1 through Big Sur if you have the time. Its gorgeous. There's an awesome campground called Kirk Creek along this stretch of road as well.