Day 1 Fly from the UK to Seattle
Stroll along the historic waterfront and then head to Pike Place Market for fresh, local produce and handmade crafts. Visit the Seattle Center and enjoy the views of Seattle and beyond from the Space Needle with its revolving glass floor. Also here is the Aquarium, the Pacific Science Center, Science Fiction Museum, MoPop and Chihuly Garden and Glass. For a unique sightseeing option, try a Duck Tour of the city or a fascinating Underground Tour. In the evening, sample exquisite Northwest cuisine in one of the many great restaurants in the city.
Stay three nights in Seattle.
Day 4 Seattle to Friday Harbor, approx. 80 miles (land only)
Collect your hire car and take the early morning ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands (approx. 1 hour)
N.B. Between Seattle and Portland there is a $99 one-way drop-off charge, plus taxes which is payable locally.
The sparkling blue waters and deep green forests, coupled with the laid-back island life-style make the San Juans a popular place to escape. You can take a leisurely drive, hike, rent bikes or just sit in the harbour and watch the boats. Take a whale watching and wildlife boat tour, or a kayaking tour for stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and Vancouver Island. The best time to spot some of the resident orcas is between late May and mid-October. Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor on the north of San Juan Island, both have unique shopping, fabulous fish and seafood restaurants, and marinas.
Stay two nights in Friday Harbor.
Day 6 Friday Harbor to Coupeville, approx. 30 miles (land only)
Take the ferry back to Anacortes and continue on to Coupeville on Whidbey Island.
On your way, stop at Deception Pass State Park where you can take a jet-boat tour of the pass – one of the most photographed attractions in Washington State. The park itself has 35 miles of trails, three lakes, 14 miles of saltwater shoreline, rugged cliffs and abundant wildlife. The Deception Pass Bridge connects Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands across the swirling waters of the pass and is recognised for its engineering and architecture.
When you leave Deception Pass State Park continue your journey down Whidbey Island.
Coupeville is a quiet waterfront farming community and still reflects the character of a frontier seaport when Puget Sound was being settled. It is also the filming location for the 1998 fantasy romantic comedy film Practical Magic. Beyond its historical significance, Coupeville and Whidbey Island offer magnificent views and tranquillity, outdoor opportunities such as biking and kayaking and wildlife viewing for bald eagles, grey whales, herons and otters.
Stay one night in Coupeville.
Day 7 Coupeville to Mount Rainier, approx. 155 miles
Take a scenic drive up to Mount Rainier, an active volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice, surrounded by old growth forest and stunning wildflower meadows. Stop in at the visitor centre and plan your hikes and trails, and get information on the ranger-led programmes that are available. Mount Rainier, a Washington State icon, has five developed areas: Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, and Carbon/Mowich. Each can serve as a base for exploring the rest of the park, and you may spot wildlife such as black-tailed deer, squirrels, elk, black bear, mountain goat and a variety of bird life.
Stay one night in the Mount Rainier area.
Day 8 Mount Rainier to Portland, approx. 155 miles
Portland is a hip urban hotspot known for its fresh cuisine, vibrant arts scene and funky shopping districts. Portland’s legendary beauty is surpassed only by the myriad of cultural opportunities, indie music and performing arts available. The microbreweries, museums, wine bars and arts enclaves of Oregon's biggest city are easily accessed by an award-winning public transit system. The city has many intriguing neighbourhoods, each with a unique flavour and heritage. You’ll find the arts, nightlife, and fashion thriving in The Pearl District, the cultural heart of downtown, whilst Nob Hill has plenty of boutique shops in which to take advantage of Oregon’s no sales tax, and all are set against the magnificent backdrop of Mt. Hood. Take a walking tour, or explore on bikes.
Stay two nights in Portland.
Day 10 Portland to Bend, approx. 165 miles
Travel along the scenic Columbia River Gorge which separates Oregon from Washington State, stopping at Multnomah Falls or Crown Point / Vista House.
Tucked between the snow covered peaks of the Cascade Mountains and the inspiring high-desert plateaux of Central Oregon, Bend has evolved from a sleepy lumber town into a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and people in search of active and healthy holiday experiences. Rock climbing, hiking, biking, skiing, paddle boarding, fishing, rafting, golfing … the outdoor pursuits list is endless. Visit the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, or drive some of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. You can also discover a cosmopolitan mountain town in Bend, with great galleries, unique shops, local restaurants and brew-pubs, and much more.
Stay two nights in Bend or nearby Sunriver.
Day 12 Bend to Grants Pass, approx. 190 miles
Take the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, with views of snow topped mountains, south to Crater Lake National Park. Join the beautiful Volcanic Legacy All American Highway, which includes Rim Drive which provides breathtaking views of the deepest lake in the USA. Boat rides on Crater Lake are available during the summer months, and there are several hikes in and around the lake. Stop at the Visitors' Center to pick up information.
Continue on to Grants Pass, in the heart of the Rogue Valley Wine and Farm Region. Travel through orchards, vineyards and farm land, producing great wines, fruit and cheese. Enjoy rafting or jet boating on the Rogue River or one of the many festivals that happen during the summer.
Stay one night in Grants Pass.
Day 13 Grants Pass to Florence, approx. 160 miles
Florence, on the Oregon Coast, is a perfect gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Why not try a thrilling dune buggy ride or a sandboard or sandsled across the huge expanse of sand dunes, kayak or fish on the Siuslaw River or shop in the boutiques of Old Town? Just north of Florence stop at the Sea Lion Caves, a cavernous sea cave adopted by a herd of Stellar sea lions. Take a lift down 200 feet into the cave which is as tall as a 12-story building and as wide as a football pitch.
Stay one night in Florence.
Day 14 Florence to Cannon Beach, approx. 160 miles
As you follow the coast road north you can enjoy a lighthouse trail with great views particularly from Yaquina Head Lighthouse and Heceta Head Lighthouse. Stop at Historic Nye Beach in Newport or the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
Among the first documented visitors to Cannon Beach were explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who explored and camped here in 1806 chasing rumours of a beached grey whale. Clark described the view of Cannon Beach from what is now Ecola State Park as “...the grandest and most pleasing prospect which my eyes ever surveyed, in front of a boundless Ocean.”
Today Cannon Beach is known as one of the top 100 ‘Arts Towns’ in the USA and countless painters, photographers and sculptors have found it hard to resist Haystack Rock. Much more than a mere spectacle, this monolith is a protected National Wildlife Refuge and a Marine Garden, is home to countless species of nesting birds, including gulls and tufted puffins. It is also a prized feeding spot for bald eagles, and the area at the rock's base houses a menagerie of marine creatures, including sea anemones, urchins and crabs.
The town itself is home to some great restaurants, wine bars, galleries and boutiques, as well as a stunning coastline and beach regardless of the season.
Stay one night in Cannon Beach.
Day 15 Cannon Beach to Portland, approx. 80 miles
Head back to Portland and drop off your car in time for your flight home.