Favorite getaway from Seattle? (Vancouver, Pacific: hotels, camp, restaurants)

[SquidneyGee]

Love Whidbey Island. Its got some cool open fields, beautiful forests, and Deception Point is a killer view. Sequim is another favorite. Duvall is really nice to walk around Cherry Valley and get a lavender latte from C. C. Espresso & Ice Creamery.

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by Diana Holbrook

My house.

Amen. I love my place, too, nice and cozy home office and always something to do in the yard, in-season, or to fix when weather is intolerable the other seven months.

Otherwise, my answers are: 1) get on a plane to a West Coast city. LA, San Francisco, Phoenix, and San Diego are really easy hops. 2) Take a train, fly, or drive to Vancouver. I think it's a toss-up. In fact I don't think I've taken that train, but can be arranged as an interesting day trip. 3) Driving? Hwy 2 over the Hwy 97, north into BC then ease your way west. Cross back in at Sumas, if timed correctly. Border is often messed up but oh well.

[Natnasci]

Originally Posted by Scrat335

I'm not telling. Why would I allow one of the most beautiful things around be spoiled?

I had a similar answer when someone was asking about BC.

I have a favourite place in Washington State..well two, but I'd never share them since one of the things that makes them great is the lack of fame. Nice spots, with mainly locals.

[Bluefox]

It’s hard to pick a favorite, there’s just so much around here.

Close getaways (day trips):

Bainbridge Island
Woodinville
Tacoma
Kingston
Snoqualmie
Bellingham Area

Moderately close getaways (1-2 nights)
Leavenworth
San Juans
Cape Flattery
Hoh Rainforest
Portland
Vancouver BC

Longer getaways (long weekend+)
Astoria OR
Victoria BC
WA wine country
Couer D’Alene ID

I know I’m leaving out a LOT but these are just my first thoughts.

[texanaggie]

Hawaii, does that count?

But Suncadia, Friday Harbor, Bainbridge Island (Mora Ice Cream), Hurricane Ridge, Kalaloch, Sun Mountain Lodge, Leavenworth, Chelan, Cannon Beach.

[lifexponential]

I love Whidbey Island, B.C. , Victoria, Suquamish, sp? The one near Whistler..Lake Chelan, Sequim, Bainbridge Island, Port Townsend, Fairhaven near Bellingham, Seabrook, Cannon Beach and even (gasp) California. Oh and Idaho! Lol so much to see here. I haven’t exhausted the list

[rjshae]

Hiking in the Alpine Lakes region. So close, yet so very far from the urban scene.

[NW4me]

the fast ferry (Clipper) to quaint little Victoria, BC.

[bartonizer]

Originally Posted by Blondebaerde

Amen. I love my place, too, nice and cozy home office and always something to do in the yard, in-season, or to fix when weather is intolerable the other seven months.

Otherwise, my answers are: 1) get on a plane to a West Coast city. LA, San Francisco, Phoenix, and San Diego are really easy hops. 2) Take a train, fly, or drive to Vancouver. I think it's a toss-up. In fact I don't think I've taken that train, but can be arranged as an interesting day trip. 3) Driving? Hwy 2 over the Hwy 97, north into BC then ease your way west. Cross back in at Sumas, if timed correctly. Border is often messed up but oh well.

I agree with your suggestions and definitely recommend taking the train. I don't know if you've taken the Cascades route southbound, but they use significantly nicer equipment than normal AMTRAK lines. Northbound, beyond Mt. Vernon the scenery is gorgeous, especially as it hugs the coast through the Chuckanut Mountains.

Seattle day trippers could easily make a day (or overnight) in Bellingham, where a car wouldn't be required to have a good time and see local sights.

For the city fix in Vancouver; same thing. The terminus is Pacific Central Station in Chinatown/downtown. You can easily walk, bikeshare, water taxi, or take other forms of transit to get to where you want to go around the city (or a bus to places like Squamish or Whistler if you have an extra day or two...). Oh, and unlike driving or flying, customs is a relative breeze!

[homesinseattle]

Just got back from spending two days in Vancouver BC. Granville Island is always great with all of its food choices, buskers, farmers, craftspeople, water taxis. Kayaks on the Inner Harbor are available, though I didn't do it this time. I also went up to NE Vancouver and had a super couple hour hike from the Lynn Valley Headlands down to the crystal blue Lynn Canyon cliffs and pools. Went into Chinatown and spent a couple hours at the excellent Dr Sun Yat-Sen authentic Chinese garden, then capped it off with some tasty Sri Lankan food (there is none in Seattle) at a little spot i just found nearby. The next day I spent some time on the beach at Kitsalano Beach, really nice spot.