Fodor's Pacific Northwest

by Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc.

• ISBN13: 9780679035169
• ISBN10: 0679035168
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-03-01
• Publisher: Fodors Travel Pubns

Summary

Experienced and first-time travelers alike rely on Fodor's Gold Guides for rich, reliable coverage the world over. Smart travel tips and important contact info make planning your trip a breeze and detailed coverage of sights, accommodations, and restaurants give you the info you need to make your experience enriching and hassle-free. If you only have room for one guide, this is the one for you. The best guide to the area, packed with essentials The coast, the mountains, the sea, and the cities Ashland, Crater Lake, Portland, Seattle, Mt. Rainier, the San Juan Islands, Vancouver, and the Inside Passage Hikes, golf, skiing, and where to whale-watch Where to stay and eat, no matter what your budget Big-city hotels, cozy B&Bs, fishing lodges, and beachside cottages Microbreweries, oyster bars, coffeehouses, juice joints, and the best bets for Northwest and Pacific Rim cuisine Fresh, thorough, practical--off and on the beaten path Costs, hours, descriptions, and tips by the thousands All reviews based on visits by savvy writer-residents 62 pages of maps--and dozens of unique features What's Where Smart travel tips Pleasures & Pastimes New & Noteworthy Festivals Background essays, further reading, and videos to watch Complete index Portions of this book appear in Fodor's Seattle & Vancouver

Excerpts

Pleasures and Pastimes

Beaches
The coasts of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia have long, sandy beaches that run for miles at a stretch. But the waters are generally too cold or treacherous for swimming. Even in summertime, beachgoers must be prepared to dress warmly. The most accessible ocean beaches in the Pacific Northwest are in Oregon. Those in Washington and western Vancouver Island are more remote; even in summer, the beaches are never crowded. The gravel shores of Washington's Puget Sound and British Columbia's Inside Passage attract few swimmers or sunbathers but are popular for beachcombing and viewing marine life.

Canoeing and Rafting
The area's swift rivers provide challenges to canoeists and kayakers. Many of these rivers should be attempted only by experienced boaters. June through September are prime months for white-water rafting.

Charters
Cruising and deep-sea-fishing charters are available from many ports throughout the Pacific Northwest. Campbell River on British Columbia's
Vancouver Island, Neah Bay and Port Angeles on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, Westport on the Long Beach Peninsula in southern Washington, and Depoe Bay in Oregon are leading ports.

Climbing and Mountaineering
The mountains of the Pacific Northwest have given many an adventurer quite a challenge. It is no coincidence that many members of the U.S.
expedition teams to Mount Everest come from this region.

Dining
Many restaurants in the Northwest serve local specialties -- salmon, crab, oysters, and other seafood delicacies -- in dishes that, reflecting the region's ties to Asia and the Pacific Islands, often incorporate the ingredients and techniques of Japanese, Korean and Thai, and other cuisines. Unless otherwise noted, casual but neat dress is appropriate at all of the restaurants reviewed.

Fishing
The coastal regions and inland lakes and rivers of the Pacific Northwest are known for excellent fishing. Lodges, many of which are accessible only by seaplane, cater to anglers in search of the ultimate fishing experience. Visiting sportsmen must possess a nonresident license for the state or province in which they plan to fish. Licenses are easily obtainable at sporting-goods stores, bait shops, and other outlets in fishing areas.

Golf
The Northwest has many excellent golf courses, but not all of them are open to the public. Consequently, visitors may find it difficult to arrange a tee time at a popular course. If you are a member of a golf club at home, check to see if your club has a reciprocal playing arrangement with private clubs in the areas that you will be visiting.

Sailboarding
The Columbia River, particularly at Hood River, Oregon, is one of the world's premier locations for windsurfing. Puget Sound and some of the
inland lakes in Washington are other venues for the sport. Sailboard rentals and lessons are available from local specialty shops. In British
Columbia, the town of Squamish is quickly becoming another major windsurfing destination.

Skiing
Moist air off the Pacific Ocean dumps snow on the coastal mountains, providing excellent skiing from November through the end of March and
sometimes into April. Resort and lift-ticket prices tend to be less expensive here than at the internationally known ski destinations, but the
slopes, especially on weekends, can be crowded. Winter driving in these high elevations usually requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle or tire
chains.

Wildlife Viewing
Sea lions, seals, dolphins, and whales are a few of the marine mammals that can be observed in bays, near headlands, and along the coast. In the spring and summer, thousands of gray whales pass by the British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon coasts on their seasonal migration from Alaska to Baja. One of the easiest and most exciting ways to see them is by taking a whale-watching boat excursion. In the forests and along coastal rivers and estuaries deer, bald eagles, herons, and egrets are commonly seen. The dedicated birders who annually trek to the Northwest find that their efforts are amply rewarded.

---

Excerpted from Pacific Northwest: The Complete Guide to Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Southeast Alaska by Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc. Staff
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.