"Must See" places in

[coachmac9]

Need some ideas from those that are familiar with the northern part of the west coast...we are going to be in the Washington, Oregon northern Cali area for two weeks...what do you consider "must see" places...thanks in advance!!

[2gypsies]

Stay at the Chimacum Escapees Co-op near Port Townsend, WA and you can do a lot of exploring from there - Hurricane Ridge, Olympia NP, a day ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria and take the city bus to Burchart Gardens; concerts in the Fort Worden park at lunchtime; there are always festivals going on, car shows, sand sculpture contests, water tours to the San Juan Islands; great small towns to poke through, hiking, lighthouses, taking the ferry for a day trip to the Seattle waterfront - it docks at the Aquarium area, take the monorail to the Space Needle and back and walk Pike Market before boarding again. There is so much to do that you will need much more time there!

[Barbaraok]

2 weeks is too short of a time to really see anything. Takes at least 2 weeks just to give basic exploration of Highway 101. Where will you be coming from, where will you be going?

[Chad Heiser]

2 weeks is too short of a time to really see anything. Takes at least 2 weeks just to give basic exploration of Highway 101. Where will you be coming from, where will you be going?

I agree, two weeks is a pretty short time to explore the area. If you are heading north, I would definitely head up Highway 101 through northern CA and go through the Refwoods. The Avenue of the Giants and many other sights along 101 are must sees before you get into Oregon.

[coachmac9]

I definitely agree about the two weeks but we are taking my 8 year old grandson and that's as much "away from home" time that we could get...we are flying in to Seattle, renting a car and exploring from there. Probably won't make much if any of northern Cal. on this trip. Most likely keep it to Wash and Oregon.

[RV_]

Drive over the Astoria Oregon and tour the Lewis and Clark Parks all around that area. Cross the Columbia to Washington from Astoria and go left and find the forts and lighthouses in that area. Are you going to rent rooms along the way? If so do the Washington peninsula around 101. See the Hoh National park, and Port Townsend, and all the little interesting stops along the way. 101 curves back around the sound and a bridge over to Seattle for your return trip. I believe there are some ferries out to scenic islands but you will have to decide as you go. I spent two weeks in the Astoria and Washington sided of the mouth of the Columbia river and the parks. The sound/inside perimeter of the peninsula has some of the cutest B&Bs with some interesting views too. Check a map of Washington for the way to Astoria and then the 101 and parks around the peninsula.

[Barbaraok]

Do the Music Experience in Seattle, go to the Aquarium on the waterfront, go to pike Place Market and watch them throw fish. Take a ride up the Space Needle, as well as the Ferris Wheel. Take a Ferry ride on the sound. All of these are things an 8 yr old should enjoy.

[scouserl41]

The Skunk Train ride in Fort Bragg CA would be a great trip for an 8 year old, we loved it too.

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[coachmac9]

Thanks so much for the tips!! It's going to be a blast, we have been taking him with us on trips in the RV every summer since he was 5 so I think this is really going to be something he will remember for the rest of his life. Making a traveler out of him early!!!

[2gypsies]

Great to hear about your travels with your grandson. Our grandchildren grew up with us full-timing and experienced many great opportunities. Our oldest (21) just returned from a 4-month backpacking trip to eastern Europe countries. He thanked us for giving him the 'nudge' to travel!

[Vladimir]

Mt. St. Helens.

[scouserl41]

I nearly forgot! The Spruce Goose in McMinnville Oregon (and you can dry camp in their parking lot) and the Tillamook Air Museum Oregon are both cool places.

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