Seattle area and Pacific Coast

[S-n-L]

Hello Everyone-

My husband and I are heading to the Seattle area and then south along the Pacific coast as far as Los Angeles. We know we can't see everything in a month so please tell us your favorite places to visit, campground recommendations and best routes.

I am wondering if it is feasible to stay in a campground north of Seattle and then visit Vancouver, Canada for day trips? We also wanted to visit Victoria, Canada. Just thinking it would be easier to leave the coach in the US instead of crossing the border. If you have experience with this please let me know.

We are traveling in our 45' motor home with a toad.

Thanks so much for your suggestions.
🙂
Leslie

[Bull_Rider]

We've flown from Seattle (SeaTac) into Victoria in the past on Horizon Air. It's great, fast way to get there. Rent a car at the airport, and enjoy the beautiful city.

Also, we've taken the Victoria Clipper from Seattle to Victoria. Takes about three hours each way. Customs was easy each way, used public transportation to get around Victoria. Lots of nice places to spend a night or two.

[hhornig]

We took the ferry from Vancouver to Vancouver Island and it was $177 on their Wed and Sat discount fares. On the way home we took the Victoria to Port Angeles ferry and it was $325. Your coach is about 7' longer so you would pay more. A day trip to Victoria is not worth it. You will spend 3 hours on the ferry and 6 hours in que and customs/border patrol. My suggestion is to spend lots of time on the island or skip it.

We spent 11 days on the island and needed 3 times as much, Three of those days were in Victoria and we needed a week or more.

Our trip down 101 was nice, but the campgrounds are really full this time of year. By accident we found a campground just south of Raymond, but before South Bend. I don't know the name, but it was a catamaran building site and it over looked the bay. The cost was $20/night with FHU. Not fancy, but nice and cool with great view.

[Sillybugs2]

We like Deception Pass State park near Anacortes on Whidbey Island. Also Cannon Beach RV Park, Beverly Beach State Park and Honeyman State Park in Oregon. Newport Aquarium is great. Pass on the Sea Lion caves.

[S-n-L]

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. Now to planning......

Leslie

[missourijan]

You didn't say what route you are planning other than "the coast". Stay off Hwy 1 north of San Francisco, not for a large rig. The 101 in Oregon can be very slow, you go through every town, which has it's perks. Oregon state parks are great, just make sure you can fit. CA has a lot of parks right on the water but few have hookups. Around Santa Barbara there are several state parks right on the water, down in Ventura is Emma Wood State Beach, no hookups but million dollar views. Stay out of Los Angeles with your rig, use your toad. There's a Dockweiler rv park in Playa Del Rey (not the state beach) that has hookups and is on the water.

[dennis1]

Taking a large 45foot Motor home would be very expensive on a ferry, plus you have to come back on the ferry if you go to Victoria. I'd leave the Motorhome and take the car or passenger ferry out of Port Angeles and enjoy Victoria for the day. Skip Vancouver and head to Port Angeles and do Victoria. Then head over to the Olympic National Park and check out the Rain Forest. Go south on 101 and head to Westport/Grayland. Stay at Grayland state park. Some of the Olympic National Park campgrounds can't handle a large Motorhome. Go south check out Long Beach Penninsula then head toward Astoria Oregon to Fort Stevens State park. Oregon State parks are one of the most best parks in the country. Big motor homes are usually not a problem. Head to Newport Oregon Beverly Beach State Park and Bayfront Area on the marina or stay at the big rig resort in Newport. Eat at Moe's for Clam Chowder. Visit Newport aquarium. Keep going south any where along the Oregon Coast. Oregon Coast is all public area. No one owns the waterfront along the Oregon Coast. Head toward California and do the Redwood Forest. Then go toward Big Sur in California coast.

[rollexx]

To see both Victoria and Vancouver without taking your RV I would suggest staying in Anacortes Wa.
From there you could take a day trip to Vancouver, about 90 miles, Fidalgo Bay RV Resort in Anacortes is very nice. While there you could take a day trip into the San Juan Islands. Whale watching is one option.
You can catch a ferry to Vancouver Island from Anacortes but would make for a very long day trip.
A better way would be to drive down and catch the Port Townsend Ferry with the RV. (I'd say around 90 bucks for RV and toad, reservations recommended.
You might want to spend a night in Port Townsend. Very neat town. Fort Worden State Park is fantastic. From there you could head to Port Angeles and take the ferry to Victoria. As previous poster stated, no car really required.
Be sure and drive up to Hurricaine Ridge while in Port Angeles.

[path1]

Just thinking it would be easier to leave the coach in the US instead of crossing the border

About 100% easier.

X 2 on Francesca Knowles post (above this post).

[Francesca_Knowl]

For Victoria day tripping, one can hop on a ferry in Port Angeles, Washington. The ferry link lands right in the heart of Victoria so no need to even bring the car unless you want to explore more of the island. A very popular place to home base it from in the PA area is the Salt Creek Recreation Area Link

Port Angeles is of course right on Hwy 101, so heading south from there would fit right in with your plans.

[donn0128]

Personally, skip the WA coast except maybe the Olympic pennisular. And instead go straight south on I5 to Longview follow the directions yo Astoria and turn south. Fort Stevens state park should be the first stop.