Headed North for 4 weeks.

[CJ]

My navigator and I are planning to head up the Cal coast into Oregon, Washington, Vancouver, and Victoria.

If time allows maybe up to Alaska or just return inland thru Montana, Wyoming

We will be starting in So Cal and have four weeks to wonder about.

We would appreciate any ideas, suggestions, campsites, 'must see' places, and 'Must do' fun things. We are looking for all things adventurous.

Thanks in advance for your any info.



PS. feel free to PM any secret spots

[Aldercrest]

CJ - Are you looking to boondock or state/county park campgrounds?

[CJ]

A good mix of both. We normally shoot for the "campground' if we are getting in late in the day. Otherwise we like stopping at the end of a trail and Boondock.

[Ford_6L_E350]

That doesn't seem like enough time to do Alaska. From the SF Bay area to the Alaska border on the Top of the World Highway was 3500 miles. A full week of 500 mile days - each way + you have to drive further.

On the other hand, Vancouver Island is spectacular! In Victoria, be sure to visit the Craigdarroch Castle, Butchart Gardens and Anne Hathaway's Cottages.

Mike

[CJ]

Mike, I agree with you about not being enough time to do any of Alaska. We’re making the plans for Vancouver and Victoria bigger. Thanks for the suggested points of interest, the Gardens were the only one of the three we had. My navigator will love me for adding the Castle and cottages to the plan.

Thanks

[mjeffrey]

Out past Sooke (near Victoria) there's China Beach, French Beach, and many others:

http://www.sookeharbour.com/parks/juand ... _beach.htm

In Victoria itself, Pagliacci's really IS worth the 20-30+ minute wait for dinner (more if you don't show up before opening time) Not expensive, and truly incredible pasta.

If you're heading up past Nanaimo, let me know, and I can dig up a number of good hikes/walks around Qualicum Beach.

I personally found Anne Hathaway's cottages to be rather cheesy... Sorry, no disrespect intended, Mike! I've heard the gardens really are spectacular, though.

Enjoy your trip,
Mike.

[Ford_6L_E350]

The cottages are kind of touristy, but we found them quite interesting and informative. And the restaurant had great ham at a reasonable price.

Mike

[bitburger]

Our favorite spots along the coast are:

Redwoods: I like the Gold Bluffs campground because it has 24 foot vehicles as the ma size so it is less noisy in the evening.
http://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

Oregon Dunes:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/recr...ra/index.shtml

Manzanita Beach aka Nehelam State Park (OR)
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_201.php

In Washington, the towns of Winthrup and Twisp are nice and offer a lot of camping and hiking although the pass to get there is named Rainy Pass which gives you some idea of the weather.
The area to explore is the North Cascades http://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/index.htm There is a lot of great scenery and lonely forest roads although you may need to dodge the weather. Leavenworth and Chelan are tourist towns nearby if you are so inclined.

North of the border, we liked Tofino but it may be too far up there.

Have fun and bring your gortex.

-Mark

[mjeffrey]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

The cottages are kind of touristy, but we found them quite interesting and informative. And the restaurant had great ham at a reasonable price.

Mike

Fair enough! It's also been quite a long time since I visited, and time plays havoc with my memories

[CJ]

Heh! My Navigator now thinks the forum is good for something other than buying cool stuff and talking about things that need to be fixed...



Got to love a forum like this............Thanks guys for the ideas/suggestions. I'm sure we will work some if not all of them into the plan, her plan!! I like to fly by the seat of my pants.