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Hmm. You skipped the North Cascades. Out of curiosity, is the North Cascades a feature that's often overlooked by locals in the pacific northwest? Or if not overlooked, rather down on the list of natural places to visit. My impression was that Seattle residents often spend more time in the Cascades closer to home and the Olympics while Portland resident often don't bother make the trip all the way there unless they're serious hikers.
If you're addressing me directly, I wasn't trying to recount everything in Washington ... just what I thought put Oregon on a par.
But yes, the North Cascades are stunning. And I do think they're overlooked, and little visited. Probably because of their remoteness.
Tough call! I think western OR and Western WA are two of the most scenic areas in the US, so to pick one over the other is really just splitting hairs. But if I had to choose I'd give a slight nod to western WA, due to the mountains being a bit more rugged up here (especially north if I-90 and HWY2 as others have mentioned), the Puget Sound, and the unique situation in the Seattle area of being able to see the snowcapped Cascades in one direction with the snowcapped Olympics in the opposite direction, with Mount Rainier looming just to the south/southeast. That's a heck of a view to have all in one spot! There is one spot up here where I live in Lynnwood, on a bridge that crosses I-5 where you can actually see the Cascades, Olympics, Mount Rainier, and Mount Baker all from that one spot. I've had that view every day (weather permitting) for 3 and a half years now and it never ceases to amaze me.
Anyway, by picking WA I am by no means dissing OR. The Columbia Gorge and the views of Mount Hood in the Portland area are spectacular. And that drive around the east side of Mount Hood up through the valley heading north towards the Gorge is one of the most amazing I have ever taken. The farms and orchards with towering views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams so close in either direction it feels like you could reach out and touch them- that has to be my favorite area in western OR, an individual area/view that is unrivaled up here in WA.
We are in the process of moving to either Washington or Oregon. We have driven all over both. They are both beautiful. One thing we noticed is Oregon seems to have more Rivers. Can't drive 10 miles without seeing one. But Washington has more greenery and trees and mountains. And the Sound is amazing. We are leaving next month and will spend a week in a hotel in new town. each week a new town. Will do this for about two months. Want to really get a feel for all the towns. But my heart thinks we will find out perfect home near the Sound. ��
Western Washington has the Puget Sound and its various islands as well as an extremely rare temperate rainforest. It’s Western Washington all the way for me.
Old thread, but still a good argument. I will agree with some here, coastal-wise, Oregon is a hands-down winner. But beyond that, Washington wins with the Olympic National Park, North Cascades National Park, and Mt. Rainier National Park. For dessert, add on the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound.
I agree that Oregon has the better coastline and the fact that it's easier to access with more towns adds on top of that, however the northwestern coast of WA (inside Olympic national park) is just as beautiful if not more so Cape Flattery Shi Shi Beach Rialto Beach Second Beach Ruby Beach
Perhaps the most under-rated National Park in the U.S. (of course it is only open during the warm season and that sets it back a bit). But the beauty is incomparable with the exception of perhaps the Grand Teton's.
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