I couldn’t end the year without waxing philosophical about why I got into this business of blogging in the first place! Yes, it’s because I love to write and even more so, love to travel and have new experiences. But it is also because I love the Pacific Northwest as a whole and because there are SO MANY of you out there who love it as well.
So many of you ask me for the best Pacific Northwest travel tips, or how to plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest. My blog is a continuous work in progress to bring you just that!
And so it seemed only fitting that I devote a blog post to those who are helping me on my quest to show the world how wonderful the Pacific Northwest is. So, I have put together a round-up of some great bloggers and other articles that give personal experiences, tips and tricks that will serve you well as you begin to plan your vacation to Oregon, Washington and/or British Columbia.
Enjoy!
Pacific Northwest Travel Tips
Twins that Travel – Their Epic Journey
First and foremost, this post from Twins that Travel is REALLY good. While their trip also touches on San Francisco and the Redwoods of northern California (never a bad thing), this post gives you several options on one of the most comprehensive PNW road trip itineraries out there.
According to their estimates, the minimum about of time to JUST see the highlights is two weeks. They even outline a decent budget plan, offer some ways to save money, when to visit, etc. All of this from their hard-won experience of their epic 9-day trip – what they learned and what they wish they could have changed about their trip!
Two Travel Dads Give Great PNW Advice
The great thing about this post from Two Travel Dads is that they offer very specific places to visit which gives people a good concrete idea of just what is available to them all up and down the west coast of Oregon and Washington. Along with the major sights, they offer localized places to see, eat and stay.
And because they are dads, this is a GREAT post to help you plan your trip with the kiddos. It has a smattering of things for old and young to do. For the young – great beachcombing and magical lighthouses, and for the old (well, not OLD, but you get my meaning) – a bit of wine tasting!
Life with Elliott’s West Coast Adventure
While it’s true that Eliott’s one-week adventure packed in quite a bit of sights (and also a LOT of driving for one week!), you cannot say that he is not adventurous! This trip focuses more on coastal stops and great photography spots, rather than stopping in the big cities. Unless it’s for coffee. Who can blame him on that one?
This post is all about nature, which is why I love it! He spends a good three days going inland into Oregon to see some of the incredible sights there, which is why this post is near and dear to my heart.
Expanding the Horizons with Travel Meets Happy
Some folks would call Idaho and Montana part of the Pacific Northwest (I assure you I am NOT one of those people!) but these two gals hit it, nonetheless. They also hit just about all of the major attractions in Oregon and Washington.
This is a good personal account of the usual sightseeing suspects, and it is quite a lot to pack in, in just 10 days. But for those of you who laugh in the face of taking things slow, this post is for you!
Expect to be Busy with this 17-day Itinerary!
This travel family takes no prisoners! They really know how to plan – but don’t expect to try and catch your breath! This is a well-rounded and very busy 17-day ultimate itinerary of Oregon and Washington. But trust me, in this post they see it all! I like that they also talk about how it can also be disappointing when the inevitable rainstorm hits the Pacific Northwest!
The post includes some great hikes and great places to stop to take pictures, as well as some good eating spots. The pictures in this post tell a compelling story all their own.
The Frugal Girls Cover a WIDE Area
This post is a roundup within a roundup! Get ready to spend some time absorbing all of this information, but this post is basically a collection of other posts on every single thing you would need in order to plan your trip. It even includes Idaho, Montana and Alaska!
WASHINGTON STATE
While this isn’t a personal blog, I often go to Trip Savvy to research specific locations (to anywhere!) and to get the general scoop on a lot of things. This is a good post on what to do in Washington State, including where to stay, main attractions that are not in Seattle, and transportation options. Plus, they have valuable links to get you even further along in your Washington State travel planning.
OREGON
This traveling couple actually encourages you to steal their ideas! Which is what we travel bloggers have wanted all along. They cover all of the great spots, with an emphasis on all of the best waterfalls in the state. Then they pair that will some great foodie culture in Eugene, which is the first I’ve seen a travel blogger do (props to them!) They layout this epic (and I mean EPIC) Oregon road trip day by day, with recommendations on where to stay, as well.
And Finally, One of the Best Pacific Northwest “Tips” Blogs
This post really hits it on the head when it comes to what to expect, what do pack, etc. I think that the overall tone of this article explains really well the vibe, the attitude, and the culture of the Pacific Northwest. You will feel like a local before you even get there!
I really like their 10th tip, and it’s one I echo frequently. To make your trip your own! Do not rely on what TripAdvisor says or what your friends suggest you do. You know your own likes and dislikes, so plan your trip around that!
