Trip from Seattle to Western Canada Via Vancouver, Victoria, and 3 National Parks
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Detailed itinerary for planning your trip including a link to the Google Map of the itinerary, recommendations for the duration of stay in each destination, detailed articles on attractions in each destination, and recommended hotels.
This diverse itinerary in the western states of the USA and Canada combines a trip through three major cities: Seattle, Vancouver, and Victoria, and three national parks—one in Canada, Pacific Rim NP, and two in the USA: Olympic NP and North Cascades NP—as well as a visit to a vibrant resort town: Whistler, which serves as a ski resort in winter and an active nature-hiking resort in summer.
Itinerary Map:
♦ Link to Google Map with the Itinerary
Destinations Along the Itinerary
|
Destination |
|
Lodging Days |
|
Seattle |
1-2 |
|
|
Vancouver |
2-3 |
|
|
Whistler |
2 |
|
|
Tofino |
|
2-3 |
|
Victoria |
2-3 |
|
|
Port Angeles |
1 |
|
|
Forks |
1 |
|
|
Seattle |
1-2 |
Total trip days: 12-17 days. Note: Those with less time can, of course, shorten parts of the itinerary.
Itinerary Length: 1,630 km. Total driving duration without stops: approx. 25 hours.
Recommended Destinations, Accommodations, and Articles for Each Stop on the Itinerary:
Most destinations have a link to my detailed article about them, featuring pictures, attractions, important tourist information, and recommended hotels.
Seattle
Seattle is a young and vibrant city with friendly residents, a developed coffeehouse culture, and excellent restaurants.
Seattle is known for its extensive shopping culture. Popular chains like Costco were founded here, and it features large shopping centers nearby, factory outlet malls, and branches of almost every popular chain in the U.S. It also hosts one of the best and most popular markets in the U.S.: Pike Place Market.
Advanced technology industries have contributed to Seattle's development since the 1980s, along with the large Boeing plant nearby. The city serves as a starting point for cruises to Alaska and trips to the surrounding national parks such as Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park.
♥ Recommended Hotels in Seattle
Articles:► Attractions for Travelers in Seattle ► Tours in Seattle and Surroundings
♦ Book Recommended Tours Within Seattle via Viator:
North Cascades National Park
An impressive nature park where you will peacefully hike among towering mountains, turquoise lakes and rivers, and alpine flowers. A wonderful destination, uncrowded and not congested like many other parks, and no less impressive... just a two-hour drive from Seattle.
At your disposal: Google Map with the itinerary from Seattle to the park with all the beautiful viewpoints and hiking trails in the park, including the visitor center.
Points along this itinerary:
Sterling
Munro Trail - A short walk from the visitor center to view the glacier.
Ladder
Creek Falls -
A circular hiking trail to the waterfalls about 700 meters long.
Gorge
Overlook
Trail - An 800-meter circular hiking trail to view the dam, waterfalls, and mountains.
Thunder
Knob Trail -
A 5.5 km circular hiking trail for a view of Diablo Lake.
Diablo
Lake Overlook - A beautiful roadside view of Diablo Lake.
Ross
Lake Overlook - View of Ross Lake
Vancouver
Vancouver is a dynamic, vibrant, and modern city, rightfully considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is nicknamed the "Jewel in the Crown" of Western Canada thanks to its fantastic location between high mountains, bays dotted with numerous islands, and the Pacific Ocean. It features a wonderful blend of wild nature, well-kept parks, and urban landscapes including skyscrapers, interesting architecture, and unique neighborhoods and markets. Vancouver is considered Canada's "Hollywood" due to the many movies filmed there.
Note: Travel between Vancouver and Vancouver Island is done via car ferry. BC Ferries connect Vancouver Island to the city of Vancouver. There are several ferry routes operating at relatively high frequencies, varying depending on the season. The ferries are intended for all types of vehicles as well as pedestrians. It is highly recommended to book in advance! The sailing duration is about an hour and a half each way.
The ferry to Victoria departs from the southern ferry terminal for the city of Vancouver: Tsawwassen
and arrives at the port (Swartz Bay) north of Victoria.
♦ Recommended Tours in Vancouver for Booking via Viator:
♥ Recommended Hotels in Vancouver
Articles: ►Trip in the City of Vancouver ►Guided Tours in Vancouver, British Columbia
The Road from Vancouver to Whistler:
The road connecting Vancouver to Whistler, called The Sea To Sky Highway, is an impressive scenic route with plenty of attractions and trips along its entire length, from picturesque towns, waterfalls, beaches, lakes, hiking trails, and even a cable car, making it worthy of a full, packed day.
Whistler
Whistler - A town that is a popular ski resort in the winter and a pleasant destination for active recreation in the summer featuring a bike park, bungee jumping, golf, ziplines, horseback riding, Jeep tours, water sports, an art museum, and of course an abundance of walking trails.
One of the main attractions in Whistler is a cable car ride called the Peak 2 Peak Gondola on a circular route to and between two nearby mountains. You ride the cable car to the peak of the first mountain and from there continue on another cable car to the peak of the second mountain, descending on a third cable car back to the town. Along the way, you see breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, and you can even ride in a gondola with a glass bottom! At the summit of the mountains, there is a gallery, a restaurant, and hiking trails in the summer. You can start this trip from two cable car stations, one ascending Whistler Mountain and the other ascending Blackcomb Mountain.
♦ Recommended Guided Tours in Whistler for Booking from Viator:
♥ Recommended Hotels in Whistler
Article: ► Attractions and Trips in Whistler
Note: The drive from Whistler to Tofino also utilizes a car ferry sailing to the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.
Tofino - Pacific Rim National Park
Attractions and Trips:
Walking on successful hiking trails in Pacific Rim National Park:
1. Rain Forest Hiking Trail - Walking on elevated platforms in a rainforest.
2. Schooner Cove Hiking Trail
•Or: Walking along the longest beach, Tofino Long Beach.
•Visiting the stunningly beautiful Chesterman Beach, especially recommended during low tide when you can see an abundance of small marine life.
•Visiting one of the many galleries in downtown Tofino.
• A cruise combining whale and/or bear watching.
•Sea kayaking amidst magnificent scenery.
Recommended Hotels for Pacific Rim National Park in Tofino or Ucluelet:
A small hotel with rooms and suites designed for 2-4 people. Spacious rooms and suites with a kitchenette and sea views. Located in the center of the town of Tofino. The hotel features a fish market and a gallery. Free internet and parking.
Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort
A 3-star hotel in Tofino on Mackenzie Beach. All rooms feature a balcony with sea views. The price includes breakfast. The hotel features a fitness room, yoga classes, a children's playground, a surf shop with equipment rental, and surf lessons. Free internet and parking.
A 4-star suite hotel in the town of Ucluelet located near the waterfront. All suites feature a living room, an equipped kitchen, and mountain or marina views. There are suites with one or two bedrooms. Free internet and parking.
Victoria - Victoria
Victoria is a cosmopolitan city with a small-town atmosphere. It is the capital of British Columbia and the seat of government. Known as the "Garden City," Victoria is a friendly, clean, and safe city, abounding in gardens and parks, with one of its symbols being the colorful flower baskets hanging from every light pole and balcony. Thanks to its mild climate, considered the most comfortable and sunniest in all of Canada, and thanks to the magical and special atmosphere prevailing in the city—combining old with new, history with nature and scenery, vacation with sports—over 3.5 million tourists visit the city every year.
♦ Recommended Tours in Victoria - Available for Purchase from Viator:
♥ Recommended Hotels in Victoria
Article: ► From the Travelers Guide to the City of Victoria
Note: From Victoria, you cross the maritime border into the United States via ferry to the city of Port Angeles.
Port Angeles - Port Angeles
A town in Washington State, USA. Lodging in this city serves as a base for exploring the northern part of Olympic National Park.
Article:► Trips in Olympic National Park
Recommended Hotels in Port Angeles or Sequim:
A 4-star hotel located 3 km from the center of Port Angeles. The hotel features a swimming pool, jacuzzi, and fitness room. The price includes breakfast. Free internet and parking.
A 3-star hotel located in the town of Sequim on the coast with a private beachfront. Each unit features a kitchen or kitchenette, a fireplace, and a patio. The property includes a barbecue grill for guests and a playroom. Free internet and parking.
Quality Inn & Suites at Olympic National park
A motel in western Sequim near Highway 101 leading to all parts of the park. The property features a swimming pool. The price includes breakfast.
Forks
Lodging in this city as a base for exploring the western part of Olympic National Park.
Article:► Trips in Olympic National Park
Recommended Hotels in Forks:
A quality bed and breakfast with gardens and a shared courtyard for all rooms, offering a good breakfast. Free internet and parking.
Pacific
Inn Motel
A 3-star motel with rooms for 2-4 guests. Each includes a microwave. Some rooms have a balcony. Free internet and parking.
Seattle - Seattle
Ending the itinerary in the city of Seattle where the trip began. If you didn't tour enough in Seattle at the beginning of the trip, you can stay in the city for another two to three days and tour this beautiful city. This is the place for shopping before returning home.
Articles:► Attractions for Travelers in Seattle ► Tours in Seattle and Surroundings
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