Pacific Northwest Travel Resources

Planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest can get overwhelming fast.

One minute you’re dreaming about rugged coastlines, moody forests, charming small towns, alpine lakes, ferry rides, and cozy coffee shops. The next, you have 47 browser tabs open, three possible routes, a confusing ferry schedule, and no idea whether you should spend your precious vacation days on the Oregon Coast, Olympic Peninsula, San Juan Islands, Vancouver Island, or somewhere else entirely.

That’s where this page comes in.

I’m Sue, the travel writer behind Explorer Sue. I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for years, including more than 20 years in Oregon, and I now call the Seattle area home. I created these Pacific Northwest travel resources to help you plan a trip that feels exciting, realistic, and actually doable — not like a second unpaid job.

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a coastal road trip, a hiking-focused adventure, a city escape, or a once-in-a-lifetime PNW itinerary, you’ll find destination guides, trip ideas, planning tips, and downloadable resources here to help you get started.

Explore Pacific Northwest Destination Guides

Start with one of the main Explorer Sue destination guides below.

Each guide is designed to help you narrow down where to go, what to do, when to visit, and how to make the most of your time in the Pacific Northwest.

Guide to Oregon

Oregon is one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest for road trips, coastal escapes, waterfalls, wine tasting, quirky cities, and dramatic landscapes that somehow still feel a little under-the-radar.

From the rugged Oregon Coast to Portland’s food scene, the Columbia River Gorge, Willamette Valley wine country, Central Oregon, and Crater Lake National Park, Oregon is ideal for travelers who want variety without needing to hop on multiple flights or overcomplicate the itinerary.

Use the Oregon travel resources to plan:

  • Oregon Coast road trips
  • Portland weekend getaways
  • Waterfall hikes and scenic drives
  • Wine country escapes
  • Small-town coastal adventures
  • Outdoor-focused itineraries
  • Oregon digital travel guides and maps

Start here: Guide to Oregon

Guide to Washington State

Washington is where you go when you want mountains, islands, ferries, national parks, moody beaches, and city adventures all within one wildly scenic state.

You can spend a weekend exploring Seattle, take a ferry to the San Juan Islands, hike in Olympic National Park, road trip through the North Cascades, or plan a cozy coastal escape along the Washington Coast. Washington is especially good for travelers who want a mix of outdoor adventure and charming towns, with plenty of coffee stops along the way because this is the PNW and we take that seriously.

Use the Washington travel resources to plan:

  • Weekend trips from Seattle
  • Olympic National Park adventures
  • San Juan Islands getaways
  • Washington Coast trips
  • North Cascades road trips
  • Seattle city guides
  • Hiking and outdoor itineraries

Start here: Guide to Washington

Guide to British Columbia, Canada

British Columbia is perfect for travelers who want a mix of city energy, coastal scenery, gardens, ferries, wildlife, mountains, and island time.

From Victoria’s Inner Harbour and afternoon tea scene to Vancouver Island, ferry trips, gardens, whale watching, and walkable city escapes, British Columbia adds an easy international twist to a Pacific Northwest itinerary — especially if you’re starting from Seattle or another part of Washington.

Use the British Columbia travel resources to plan:

  • Victoria weekend getaways
  • Vancouver Island trips
  • Ferry-based itineraries
  • Gardens, museums, and food-focused escapes
  • Whale watching and coastal adventures
  • Seattle-to-BC trip extensions

Start here: Guide to British Columbia

Not Sure Where to Start?

If you know you want a Pacific Northwest trip but have no idea which direction to go yet, start with the type of trip you want.

If You Want a Scenic Road Trip

The Pacific Northwest was basically made for road trips. Okay, not literally, but it does feel that way when you’re driving past sea stacks, mountain passes, waterfalls, vineyards, evergreen forests, and tiny towns with suspiciously good coffee.

Start with road trip resources if you want:

  • A flexible itinerary
  • Multiple stops instead of one home base
  • Coastal scenery
  • National parks
  • Small towns
  • A mix of outdoor adventure and local food

Good places to start include the Oregon Coast, the Olympic Peninsula, the North Cascades Loop, and longer Oregon or Washington road trip itineraries.

If You Want a Weekend Getaway

You do not need two weeks of vacation to have an incredible Pacific Northwest trip. Some of the best PNW destinations work beautifully as long weekends, especially if you’re based near Seattle, Portland, or Vancouver, BC.

Start with weekend getaway resources if you want:

  • A short but memorable trip
  • A romantic escape
  • A low-stress itinerary
  • A city-plus-nature combo
  • A quick reset without overplanning every minute

Great weekend getaway ideas include Victoria, the San Juan Islands, Portland, Cannon Beach, Leavenworth, Whidbey Island, and Olympic Peninsula towns.

If You Want Outdoor Adventure

If your ideal trip involves hiking boots, tide pools, waterfalls, beaches, forests, mountain views, or at least one moment where you say, “Okay, wow, this is ridiculous,” the Pacific Northwest delivers.

Start with outdoor travel resources if you want:

  • Hiking trails
  • Beaches and tide pools
  • Waterfalls
  • National parks
  • Scenic drives
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Fresh air with a side of “my calves may regret this tomorrow”

Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia all have excellent outdoor options, whether you want easy scenic strolls or more ambitious hiking days.

If You Want Food, Wine, and City Fun

The Pacific Northwest is not just about hiking and standing dramatically near cliffs, though I fully support both. It’s also full of fantastic restaurants, wineries, breweries, cocktail bars, coffee shops, markets, food carts, bookstores, gardens, museums, and neighborhoods worth wandering.

Start with food and city guides if you want:

This is a great trip style if you like your nature with a side of really good snacks.

If You Want Help Planning the Whole Thing

Sometimes you do not need more blog posts. You need someone to take your ideas, your travel dates, your budget, your pace, your must-sees, and your “please don’t make me wake up at 5 a.m. every day” preferences and turn them into an actual plan.

That’s where my custom Pacific Northwest trip planning services come in.

I create personalized itineraries for Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia based on your interests, travel style, budget, and timeline. Whether you’re planning an Oregon Coast road trip, a Seattle and Olympic National Park adventure, a Victoria getaway, or a bigger PNW loop, I can help you make the trip feel organized, realistic, and fun.

Get a Custom Pacific Northwest Itinerary

Explorer Sue Digital Travel Guides

Want a ready-made resource you can download and use while planning?

Explorer Sue digital travel guides are designed for travelers who want practical, easy-to-follow planning help without digging through endless blog posts. These guides are especially helpful if you like having routes, recommendations, checklists, maps, and itinerary ideas in one place.

Digital guides may include:

  • Road trip itineraries
  • Packing checklists
  • Destination guides
  • Hiking resources
  • Food and drink guides
  • Companion maps
  • Printable planning tools

Browse the current collection of Explorer Sue digital guides to find the right resource for your next Pacific Northwest trip.

Browse Digital Travel Guides

Pacific Northwest Trip Planning Help

Planning a PNW trip comes with a few sneaky logistics that can make or break your itinerary.

Distances can look short on a map but take longer than expected. Ferries require timing. Some coastal drives deserve slow travel. National parks can involve permits, parking headaches, seasonal closures, or weather that changes its personality by the hour. And not every “must-see” stop is actually worth bending your entire trip around.

Explorer Sue resources are created to help you plan smarter, not just cram more things into your itinerary.

You’ll find guidance on:

  • How many days to spend in each region
  • When to visit Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia
  • Which destinations pair well together
  • What to skip if you’re short on time
  • Where to stay for the best access
  • How to build a realistic road trip route
  • What to pack for PNW weather
  • How to balance cities, coast, mountains, and downtime

Because the best Pacific Northwest trips leave room for tide pools, coffee stops, scenic pullouts, unexpected bakery discoveries, and the occasional “let’s just sit here and stare at the water for a while” moment.

Popular Pacific Northwest Travel Topics

Use these resources to dig deeper into the type of trip you’re planning.

Oregon Coast Trips

The Oregon Coast is one of the most iconic road trip destinations in the Pacific Northwest, with dramatic sea stacks, beaches, lighthouses, small towns, tide pools, whale watching, and some of the moodiest sunsets you’ll ever see.

Start here if you’re planning a coastal road trip, beach getaway, or Oregon itinerary.

Seattle and Washington Getaways

Seattle makes an excellent base for exploring Washington, from ferry trips and island escapes to mountain towns, national parks, beaches, and weekend getaways that do not require a full week off.

Start here if you’re planning a Seattle-based trip or want easy escapes from the city.

Olympic National Park and the Olympic Peninsula

The Olympic Peninsula is ideal for travelers who want rainforests, rugged beaches, mountain views, waterfalls, hot springs, and national park scenery all in one trip.

Start here if you want a nature-heavy Washington adventure.

Victoria and Vancouver Island

Victoria and Vancouver Island are perfect if you want gardens, waterfront walks, afternoon tea, whale watching, charming neighborhoods, and a relaxed coastal feel with an international twist.

Start here if you’re planning a trip from Seattle, Vancouver, or elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest.

Portland and the Willamette Valley

Portland and the Willamette Valley are great for travelers who want food carts, coffee, bookstores, gardens, waterfalls, wine tasting, and quirky city energy without losing access to nature.

Start here if you want a food, wine, and city-focused Oregon trip.

Need a More Personalized Pacific Northwest Itinerary?

If you’re still thinking, “This all sounds amazing, but I have no idea how to fit it together,” I can help.

My custom trip planning services are designed for travelers who want a thoughtful, realistic itinerary without spending hours comparing routes, hotels, restaurants, tours, ferry schedules, and drive times.

You tell me where you want to go, what kind of traveler you are, how much time you have, and what matters most to you. I’ll help turn it into a custom Pacific Northwest itinerary that fits your pace, budget, and interests.

This is especially helpful if you’re planning:

  • A first-time Pacific Northwest trip
  • An Oregon Coast road trip
  • A Washington national parks itinerary
  • A Seattle, San Juan Islands, or Olympic Peninsula trip
  • A Victoria or Vancouver Island getaway
  • A family trip with different ages and interests
  • A special occasion trip
  • A multi-stop route through Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia

Plan My Pacific Northwest Trip

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included on the Explorer Sue Resources page?

This page includes Pacific Northwest travel resources for Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. You’ll find destination guides, itinerary ideas, road trip inspiration, hiking resources, city guides, digital travel guides, and custom trip planning options.

Where should I start if this is my first Pacific Northwest trip?

If this is your first Pacific Northwest trip, start by choosing the type of scenery or experience you want most.

Choose Oregon if you want a classic coastal road trip, waterfalls, wine country, and quirky city stops. Choose Washington if you want mountains, islands, national parks, ferries, and Seattle-based adventures. Choose British Columbia if you want Victoria, Vancouver Island, gardens, coastal scenery, and an easy international extension from Washington.

If you want help deciding, custom trip planning can save you a lot of second-guessing.

What destinations does Explorer Sue specialize in?

Explorer Sue focuses on Pacific Northwest travel, especially Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. You’ll find resources for the Oregon Coast, Portland, Willamette Valley, Seattle, Olympic National Park, the Washington Coast, the San Juan Islands, Victoria, Vancouver Island, and other PNW destinations.

Can Explorer Sue plan my trip for me?

Yes. I offer custom Pacific Northwest trip planning services for travelers who want a personalized itinerary without doing all the research themselves. I can help with route planning, destination suggestions, hotel ideas, activities, restaurants, tours, and realistic day-by-day itinerary structure.

Get a Custom Pacific Northwest Itinerary

Do you offer downloadable travel guides?

Yes. Explorer Sue offers digital travel guides, maps, checklists, and planning resources designed to make trip planning easier. These are great if you want ready-made help for road trips, packing, destination planning, hiking, or food-focused travel.

Browse Digital Travel Guides

How do I choose between Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia?

Choose Oregon if you want rugged coastlines, road trips, waterfalls, wine tasting, Portland, and small coastal towns.

Choose Washington if you want national parks, mountain scenery, ferries, islands, Seattle, alpine lakes, and dramatic beaches.

Choose British Columbia if you want Victoria, Vancouver Island, gardens, whale watching, ferry travel, and coastal city escapes.

And if you want a little of everything, you can absolutely combine them — just give yourself enough time so your dream trip does not turn into a scenic endurance test.

Ready to Plan Your Pacific Northwest Trip?

Whether you’re just starting to dream or already deep in the “I have too many tabs open” stage, Explorer Sue is here to help you plan a Pacific Northwest trip that feels exciting, manageable, and memorable.

Start with one of the destination guides, browse the digital travel resources, or let me create a custom itinerary for you.

Explore Oregon Travel Guides
Explore Washington Travel Guides
Explore British Columbia Travel Guides
Get a Custom Pacific Northwest Itinerary