Where to go, where to go...
July 2, 2006 12:24 AM Subscribe
VacationFilter: Help my SO and I decide where to go for our vacation. We're in the Vancouver area. We have a car. We're willing to drive for up to 10 hours or so. We're looking for some peace and quiet. We have no idea where to go.
We've both got a week off in August, and we're trying to figure out what to do with it. Ideally, we'd like to drive half way to our final destination, camp for the night, then finish the drive the next day. We'd reverse this process for the way home. Therefore, the result is 2 nights camping and 4 or 5 nights relaxing... somewhere. We just don't know where that somewhere should be.
Preferably, it'd be a cabin in the woods that we could rent for those 4 or 5 days. Being near the water is a must. Ocean, lake, doesn't matter. Hell, even a hot tub would suffice if everything else was perfect. We're looking for a relative amount of seclusion - I don't want to be within earshot of a family and their screaming kids, nor a bunch of drunk teenagers, etc.
If the hive mind can suggest a general area to visit, we can research accomodations. If you can recommend a place to stay, even better. We're not really active people, so we don't need awesome hiking or activities or anything - a nice walk on the beach or easy hike in the woods is all we're looking for. More is good, just not necessary. Being within an hour or so of civilization would be nice, just so we could get groceries, maybe a meal or two, and explore a little. Essentially, we're just looking to put our feet up and relax.
So far, we've thought of the nothern Oregon Coast (which we've already done, but it's worth doing again) and the Lake Chelan area. We're not limited to WA and OR, however - BC is good too. To give you a better idea of what we're looking for, this is where we've stayed previously, and it was darn near perfect.
Handicap: Please, don't suggest Vancouver Island. Been there, done that, many times. Seattle is also out, unless it's somewhere quiet considerably off the beaten path (ie the I5).
Help me plan my vacation. The sooner we can book a place, the sooner we'll stop stressing about it!
We've both got a week off in August, and we're trying to figure out what to do with it. Ideally, we'd like to drive half way to our final destination, camp for the night, then finish the drive the next day. We'd reverse this process for the way home. Therefore, the result is 2 nights camping and 4 or 5 nights relaxing... somewhere. We just don't know where that somewhere should be.
Preferably, it'd be a cabin in the woods that we could rent for those 4 or 5 days. Being near the water is a must. Ocean, lake, doesn't matter. Hell, even a hot tub would suffice if everything else was perfect. We're looking for a relative amount of seclusion - I don't want to be within earshot of a family and their screaming kids, nor a bunch of drunk teenagers, etc.
If the hive mind can suggest a general area to visit, we can research accomodations. If you can recommend a place to stay, even better. We're not really active people, so we don't need awesome hiking or activities or anything - a nice walk on the beach or easy hike in the woods is all we're looking for. More is good, just not necessary. Being within an hour or so of civilization would be nice, just so we could get groceries, maybe a meal or two, and explore a little. Essentially, we're just looking to put our feet up and relax.
So far, we've thought of the nothern Oregon Coast (which we've already done, but it's worth doing again) and the Lake Chelan area. We're not limited to WA and OR, however - BC is good too. To give you a better idea of what we're looking for, this is where we've stayed previously, and it was darn near perfect.
Handicap: Please, don't suggest Vancouver Island. Been there, done that, many times. Seattle is also out, unless it's somewhere quiet considerably off the beaten path (ie the I5).
Help me plan my vacation. The sooner we can book a place, the sooner we'll stop stressing about it!
A little farther than 10 hours, but Maine is very quiet, secluded, romantic, and near the water. If driving for 2 days straight isn't your cup of tea, you could probably get a cheap flight from JetBlue or ValuJet.
The entire state of Vermont is also really nice, or Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
Sorry I suggested someplace so far away, but I live in Rochester, NY, so my tourism expertise is limited to the east coast...
posted by fvox13 at 6:10 AM on July 2, 2006
The entire state of Vermont is also really nice, or Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
Sorry I suggested someplace so far away, but I live in Rochester, NY, so my tourism expertise is limited to the east coast...
posted by fvox13 at 6:10 AM on July 2, 2006
I think the perfect answer (besides the distance) is the Island of Grand Manan in the bay of Fundy.
It's QUITE out of your driving range, but you could fly for heavens sake!
I was just there last week and let me tell you that it's quaint, beautiful, and a great place to vacation. It is remote, as you have to take a 1.5 hr ferry to get there, but there is one grocery store, a library, hardware store, etc on the island. It is in New Brunswick, so you wouldn't have to worry about traveling to the US so there wouldn't be an issue with border crossing or currency difference.
All the people there are very very nice.
There are cabins and miles and miles of woods. Great views, ocean, etc.
Just a thought.
Here's more reading information:
http://www.grandmanannb.com/
posted by allthewhile at 7:38 AM on July 2, 2006
It's QUITE out of your driving range, but you could fly for heavens sake!
I was just there last week and let me tell you that it's quaint, beautiful, and a great place to vacation. It is remote, as you have to take a 1.5 hr ferry to get there, but there is one grocery store, a library, hardware store, etc on the island. It is in New Brunswick, so you wouldn't have to worry about traveling to the US so there wouldn't be an issue with border crossing or currency difference.
All the people there are very very nice.
There are cabins and miles and miles of woods. Great views, ocean, etc.
Just a thought.
Here's more reading information:
http://www.grandmanannb.com/
posted by allthewhile at 7:38 AM on July 2, 2006
Tofino, Tofino!
Beautiful, romantic, charming, quiet. Sorry it is Vancouver Island, but if you haven't yet been you really need to go. (and if you haven't yet been , you can't really say you've seen Vancouver Island)
posted by Meatbomb at 7:39 AM on July 2, 2006
Beautiful, romantic, charming, quiet. Sorry it is Vancouver Island, but if you haven't yet been you really need to go. (and if you haven't yet been , you can't really say you've seen Vancouver Island)
posted by Meatbomb at 7:39 AM on July 2, 2006
I think a visit to hellobc.com would help you. Your wants pretty much describe 70% of our province. Christina Lake, the Okanagan, Radium Hot Springs, Ainsworth Hot Springs....just to name a few. You could rent your own houseboat on the Shushwap and be on the water with privacy.
I'd look at the southern Kootenay region or Northern Okanagan. You can also get into the Rockies in your time frame pretty easily. 3 Valley Gap, or there is a spa in the Cariboo region. You can get up to Prince George in 10 hours.
If you go to the southern Okanagan and stay in or near wineries that should go a long way in alleviating the screaming children syndrome.
posted by Salmonberry at 8:42 AM on July 2, 2006
I'd look at the southern Kootenay region or Northern Okanagan. You can also get into the Rockies in your time frame pretty easily. 3 Valley Gap, or there is a spa in the Cariboo region. You can get up to Prince George in 10 hours.
If you go to the southern Okanagan and stay in or near wineries that should go a long way in alleviating the screaming children syndrome.
posted by Salmonberry at 8:42 AM on July 2, 2006
IMO you can do quite well just by driving north along the Sunshine Coast and crashing at most any B&B. There are lots of nice, quiet coves and such.
Also well within your range is anything in the Okanagan. But be warned that it looks like it's going to be hotter than Hades up here (we hit 38°C the other day) and the tourist traffic is just insane right now.
It's a bit further a drive, but the Kootenays are great. Nakusp, New Denver, Kaslo, Nelson: all great. Tons of great B&Bs.
All of Vancouver Island, too. The further you get away from Victoria, the better.
posted by five fresh fish at 8:54 AM on July 2, 2006
Also well within your range is anything in the Okanagan. But be warned that it looks like it's going to be hotter than Hades up here (we hit 38°C the other day) and the tourist traffic is just insane right now.
It's a bit further a drive, but the Kootenays are great. Nakusp, New Denver, Kaslo, Nelson: all great. Tons of great B&Bs.
All of Vancouver Island, too. The further you get away from Victoria, the better.
posted by five fresh fish at 8:54 AM on July 2, 2006
Northern California? I was going to suggest beautiful Lake Tahoe, but it would be more like a 15 hour drive.
posted by LoriFLA at 8:54 AM on July 2, 2006
posted by LoriFLA at 8:54 AM on July 2, 2006
BTW, Ainsworth is gross. Prince George is a hellhole.
posted by five fresh fish at 8:55 AM on July 2, 2006
posted by five fresh fish at 8:55 AM on July 2, 2006
Response by poster: Thanks so far - keep them coming. Flying is definitely out - there's no way I'm getting the SO into an airplane.
I used to work in Port Alberni so I've got Tofino covered, but thanks. And as a result of that experience, I refuse to give another penny of my money to BC Ferries.
posted by cgg at 9:15 AM on July 2, 2006
I used to work in Port Alberni so I've got Tofino covered, but thanks. And as a result of that experience, I refuse to give another penny of my money to BC Ferries.
posted by cgg at 9:15 AM on July 2, 2006
fff, how can you say that about the city of Mr PG? (But yeah, vacationing in Prince George in itself, not recommended. Unless you like....uh....logging trucks.)
posted by Salmonberry at 9:45 AM on July 2, 2006
posted by Salmonberry at 9:45 AM on July 2, 2006
Please let me encourage your interest in the Lake Chelan Valley. It's within your drive range and just so happens to be the most beautiful place on Earth.
The air and water are clean. The locals are mellow and friendly. Quiet is the Valley's defining quality. Forgive me if you've been there already and I'm only repeating what you know.
As for accomodations, there's always my former employer, Campbell's Resort. They might be a touch spendy in August, but it's really a nice spot. Then there's The Caravel, which is a little more reasonable pricewise and just across the bridge from Campbell's. You also expressed interest in renting a cabin - I'm not familiar with this particular business, but the areas they're offering are quite nice. Go south shore if you want a heap of peace and quiet, go north shore if you want easier access to town.
posted by EatTheWeek at 9:53 AM on July 2, 2006
The air and water are clean. The locals are mellow and friendly. Quiet is the Valley's defining quality. Forgive me if you've been there already and I'm only repeating what you know.
As for accomodations, there's always my former employer, Campbell's Resort. They might be a touch spendy in August, but it's really a nice spot. Then there's The Caravel, which is a little more reasonable pricewise and just across the bridge from Campbell's. You also expressed interest in renting a cabin - I'm not familiar with this particular business, but the areas they're offering are quite nice. Go south shore if you want a heap of peace and quiet, go north shore if you want easier access to town.
posted by EatTheWeek at 9:53 AM on July 2, 2006
You could wander through the Parks Canada site, and see if anything strikes your fancy. Also there's Tourism BC, which will allow you to see areas that may strike your fancy, but Tourism means kids, yelling, loogans, families and their yappy dogs and no quiet.
Start with the Parks site, find an area that looks good, and then do a search on campsites and B&B's in the area.
posted by Zack_Replica at 11:03 AM on July 2, 2006
Start with the Parks site, find an area that looks good, and then do a search on campsites and B&B's in the area.
posted by Zack_Replica at 11:03 AM on July 2, 2006
Hmm. pressed the wrong button.
Also see the BC Parks website (click on the "Find a Park" button).
posted by Zack_Replica at 11:12 AM on July 2, 2006
Also see the BC Parks website (click on the "Find a Park" button).
posted by Zack_Replica at 11:12 AM on July 2, 2006
How about Nelson, BC? It's on Lake Kootenay, and there's tons of vacation homes and little cabin type places around it. There's a free ferry so that you can get to the other side of town, there are GREAT restaurants in Nelson, and there's hot springs all over the area that you can go to -- both natural and rustic, and a resort that's got several pools of varying temperatures and wil let you walk back into the cave that's the source of the hot water.
posted by SpecialK at 3:22 PM on July 2, 2006
posted by SpecialK at 3:22 PM on July 2, 2006
*other side of town = other side of lake
Lake Kootenay was about a day's drive on motorcycles from central washington. I have no idea what it is from Vancouver.
posted by SpecialK at 3:23 PM on July 2, 2006
Lake Kootenay was about a day's drive on motorcycles from central washington. I have no idea what it is from Vancouver.
posted by SpecialK at 3:23 PM on July 2, 2006
How about Lake Quinault, WA, in the Olympic National Park? I've only had experience with the Lodge (which was amazing!), but a quick google suggests that there are also places that rent private cabins (here, for example).
I consider Lake Quinalt to be one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I've ever visited.
posted by everybody polka at 4:36 PM on July 2, 2006
I consider Lake Quinalt to be one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I've ever visited.
posted by everybody polka at 4:36 PM on July 2, 2006
Well, there's the Gulf Islands, but that does involve dealing with BC Ferries. Unless your bad experience with BC Ferries was in the last couple of years, you'd actually be giving your money to a different organization now (since it's been privatized). Although I think it was much better as a crown corporation (I deal with them regularly, since I live on a gulf island).
Lots of quiet places around here - B&Bs, cabins, resorts, etc.
You could probably get a similar experience, but not have to deal with BC Ferries, if you go to one of the San Juan islands (the US version of the Gulf Islands).
North-eastern California is pretty cool. I just went through there on a vacation and loved it. Lots of volcano stuff, if you're into that sort of thing. Some nice hot springs. The area around Lassen Volcanic National Park is lovely, especially if you're into fishing.
posted by Emanuel at 6:53 PM on July 2, 2006
Lots of quiet places around here - B&Bs, cabins, resorts, etc.
You could probably get a similar experience, but not have to deal with BC Ferries, if you go to one of the San Juan islands (the US version of the Gulf Islands).
North-eastern California is pretty cool. I just went through there on a vacation and loved it. Lots of volcano stuff, if you're into that sort of thing. Some nice hot springs. The area around Lassen Volcanic National Park is lovely, especially if you're into fishing.
posted by Emanuel at 6:53 PM on July 2, 2006
I second the San Juans. I lived on San Juan Island (Friday Harbor) for 4 months while at the marine lab there and I loved it.
You can camp at San Juan County Park. That said, if you're interested in a B&B, the Highland Inn is wonderful. I stayed there for a weekend and loved it. The woman who owns it makes delicious pumpkin muffins.
posted by nekton at 10:11 AM on July 5, 2006
You can camp at San Juan County Park. That said, if you're interested in a B&B, the Highland Inn is wonderful. I stayed there for a weekend and loved it. The woman who owns it makes delicious pumpkin muffins.
posted by nekton at 10:11 AM on July 5, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by davidmsc at 12:32 AM on July 2, 2006