British Columbia Perinatal Health Program

What to see in Washington State and British Columbia?

I am planning to drive to Vancouver, British Columbia from SFO. On my way I plan to visit Columbia Gorge, some of Cascades and Seattle. I am planning to fly back from Seattle on the 9th day. My questions: 1. Which all are the "must see" places on the way? 2. How many days I should spend on each? 3. Of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainer - which one should I visit if I am visiting only one?

Public Comments

1. 1). For Seattle: -Safeco Field (One of the well known baseball teams in the MLB). -Pike's Market (It offers a variety of seafood and other food elements to enjoy!) -Columbia Tower (How many times will you be able to actually see something thats 70 stories high?) -Space Needle (The view and the restaurant is incredible! Need I say more?) For British Columbia: -I have very little knowledge of this place but places I do remember that were fun included: Vancouver, Victoria, and the Buschardt Gardens. *Please note that you will need to have a passport ready in order to enter Canada and exit the United States.* 2). You can typically see much of downtown Seattle in about 4-5 days. If you keep up with the pace, it should be a fun experience although traffic does get out of control. 3). Mt. Ranier. It's closer because Mt. St. Helens is near Oregon though it is a rad place to see.
2. You must see the redwoods in Redwood National Park California, Crater Lake NP Oregon In the Columbia Gorge see Multnomah Falls and if you can find it, way up behind Multnomah is Lookout Mountain (I think thats its name) on a clear day its a panoramic view of the gorge and all of the cascade volcanoes. I think Mt St Helens is the more impressive than Rainier but it is harder to get to and you really have to get all the way to the Johnston Ridge Visitor Centre if you wish to really appreciate this spectacle.
3. In Seattle, do NOT miss Pike Place market. It's a truly unique place - no where else in the world like it.
4. My favorite things in Seattle in the downtown core are: The Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square area including Elliott Bay Book Co. (old, creaky, wonderful bookstore with a cafe in the basement), and the new Seattle library if you're into architecture. Outside of downtown, the Ballard locks (Chittenden Locks) are very interesting and connected to a nice botanical garden, get a Dick's burger, Volunteer Park observation tower and conservatory, drive along Lake Washington Blvd.