Im planning a road trip to canada?

Question

Im living in L.A. currently and i am planning a road trip to canada. It is my first time traveling, so i have no idea which places to visit on the way. I am planning on taking I-5 North through Oregon and Washington. Can you guys tell me some places to visit on the way? including California and western Canada?

Answer 1

I'd suggest getting off I-5 at some point and checking out some of the Oregon beaches along 101, there's lots and they're great with good camping. Seattle has a great downtown, lots of good food and art, worth a stop, and I-5 goes right through downtown so it's easy to get to. Further north, near Mount Vernon, is LaConner, a very cool little place to hang out for an afternoon. Washington State has ferries going here and there through Puget Sound, they can be fun. From Seattle and a couple of other points you can take a ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island though not to Vancouver itself(search Seattle-Victoria ferry and you'll see), and Victoria is very nice. The Royal BC Museum in downtown has a native exhibit that I can't get enough of. Check out Rogers Chocolates. Butchart Gardens, on the way out to Swartz Bay, is incredible in summer. From Victoria you can go up to Nanaimo or out to Swartz Bay and take a ferry which will get you to the Vancouver area. The Swartz Bay one is more scenic because it goes through the Gulf Islands. You can also go as far up as Comox and get a ferry across to Powell River and from there down to the Sunshine Coast and to Vancouver. Sunshine Coast is lovely. If you like that sort of thing, there's a place called Skookumchuck Narrows, near Egmont, where you can hike in a couple of miles and watch the tide roaring through the narrows, it's remarkable and mesmerizing. Crowded now in summer, but what can you do? Search BC Ferries for any routes in BC, and they have package deals.

If you go through southern BC, I'd recommend Highway 3 as far as Osoyoos or Rock Creek  where you can turn north and go through the Okanagan--Kelowna, Vernon, Salmon Arm. It's grape and fruit country with nice lakes. Highway 3 is definitely mountain driving and a bit slower than Highway 5 but more interesting and easier on your radiator. Keep the gas topped up anywhere in BC. Sometimes it's a long way between gas stations.

Lake Louise is stunning, touristy maybe but still lovely. Banff, Jasper, Canmore, through to Calgary, you really are going to find amazing scenery everywhere in the mountains, and I love southern Alberta.

If you're camping, there are lots of places to stop. If you're doing motels, you might want to plan ahead because in many smaller places in Canada, there aren't so many. In both cases, if you're winging it as to where you'll stay, get off the road early especially on weekends to make sure you find a place to stay. In summer when it gets light so early I like to get up and be on the road by 5 am. Sometimes you can drive for several hours and only see a few other cars.

Get yourself one of the big road atlases, they are invaluable. Most towns in Canda will have a Tim Horton's--that's where to buy your coffee, donuts and lunch.

Answer 2

If you're going that far, when you get to Seattle, WA, I suggest you take your car onto a ferry and ride it to either Vancouver, and drive around there, or get on the ferry that goes to Vancouver Island. From there you'll be able to drive to Victoria really quickly..

Victoria & Vancouver are awesome.

If you go to Victoria, go to Butchart Gardens, there's a large wax museum, go to the legislative buildings, Inner Harbour...

the Empress Hotel..

I've been to Victoria WAY more than Vancouver, so I know a lot more. The best thing in Vancouver is DEFINATELY Kapilano Park!!

Answer 3

take i 5  all the way to Vancouver  stay a day or so in Seatlle great market lots of seafood Vancouver is an out door lovers paradice  .Go to   hellbc  and tourismvancouver  for some great tour guides