Summer seems a long way off, but if you're thinking of a family vacation in some of the Pacific Northwest's hot spots, phone now for reservations.
Parents may dream of vacations in Hawaii or other far-flung places. But more than 70 percent of American families travel by car on vacation, according to the U.S. Travel Bureau, since it's usually the most economical and easiest way to go.Below is a sampling of some of my favorite Northwest places for a family vacation. My family and I stayed in most of them over the past few years, or checked them out when nearby.
Prices vary widely, but a one-bedroom unit with kitchen generally will cost $100 a night and up. Unfortunately, prices are highest in July and August - the prime time for families with school-age children to vacation. If your family can take some time off in May, early June or after Labor Day, you'll often find lower rates and smaller crowds.
To the beach
ORCAS ISLAND - Although the same families return to Beach Haven resort on Orcas Island and fill it up year after year, my family managed to nab a cancellation one summer.
Beach Haven's rustic log cabins on the west side of Orcas are just a few steps from the sandy beach. There's a playground for kids set amid a grove of old-growth trees; and a campfire pit that's just right for evening sing-alongs. Unfortunately, like most Northwest beaches the water is too cold for swimming. But an islet in the bay, five minutes away by row boat, is perfect for secluded sunning. And there's plenty to explore on the island, from craft shops to Moran State Park.
Orcas and the other San Juan Islands offer many places to stay, including cabins, B&Bs and luxurious inns.
LAKE WENATCHEE - This lake is a popular freshwater playground, just a two-hour drive northeast of Seattle. Most of the action is at Lake Wenatchee State Park which has a sandy beach, boating and popular campground.
For those who don't want to camp, the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth (about a half-hour drive east) offers dozens of motels and inns.
CANNON BEACH - The main shopping street of this Oregon coast resort is getting overloaded with cutsey shops, but the miles-long beach is splendid. It's ideal for walking, building sand castles, splashing in sun-warmed tide pools, or just gazing at Haystack Rock, a monolith jutting out of the sand.
The Argonauta Inn/Waves is a cluster of lodgings on or near the beach, from a house that can sleep 10 to comfortable rooms or one-bedroom suites with a sweeping view of the beach. (The rather basic cottages where we once stayed have been replaced by modern, condominium-style units).
If you visit Cannon Beach, be sure to go to Ecola State Park just north of the town to walk its beach and woodland trails. And see the surfers.
SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND - Beyond Victoria and the suburban town of Sooke, the southern tip of British Columbia's Vancouver Island gets nicely lonely. Just driftwood-strewn beaches and forests (and some big clearcuts in places).
About an hour's drive west of Victoria, the cabins of Point No Point Resort are dotted across 40 acres of forested hillside that edges the Strait of Juan de Fuca. No TV, no amenities except for a tearoom and paths that lead to rocky outcrops and sandy beach.
We stayed in one of the older (and rather dark) one-bedroom cabins, but it had a kitchenette and a fireplace made it cozy. Some of the newer cabins have bigger windows, better furnishings and are closer to the beach (although all are a few minutes' walk up the hill from the beach).
We used Point No Point as a base for day trips to Sooke and Victoria, and westward to the community of Port Renfrew, a 11/2-hour drive away on a roller-coaster road (the last half is essentially a logging road that's been paved). There are provincial beachfront parks to explore along the way (China Beach and Botanical Beach are two of the best).
Head to the hills
METHOW VALLEY - For families that like the outdoors, the Methow in north-central Washington is a mecca. It remains rural, despite the popularity of the Western-themed town of Winthrop. In the surrounding mountains (and on the gentler trails that weave through the valley) there's hiking, mountain-biking and scenic drives - the North Cascades Highway is one of the grandest alpine roads in the country.
After several visits to the Methow, our personal favorite for family accommodations remains Wolf Ridge Resort. Comfortable log houses sit amid 50 acres of pastureland and woods by the Methow River; there's a hot tub, small pool, volleyball and other family games. The furnishings aren't fancy but the one- or two-bedroom duplex cabins are spacious and comfortable, and most have full kitchens.
The luxurious Sun Mountain Lodge also has many devotees. Its many recreation programs include horseback rides and nature walks; a pool and hot tub; excellent restaurant and very comfortable rooms with sweeping views of the North Cascades. Sun Mountain also offers a few small cabins with kitchens at Patterson Lake, just down the road from the main lodge.
MOUNT BAKER - I started skiing and hiking at Mount Baker in northwest Washington when I was 5, and now take my daughter there each year. In summer, the drive up to the 5,200-foot Artist Point offers breathtaking mountain views; hikes easy enough for a young child depart from there.
Most accommodations are tucked into the dense forest around the village of Glacier. For families, one of the best places to stay is The Logs. It's definitely not fancy, but the log cabins are spacious (some can sleep 8-10 people) and there's a small pool near the rushing river.
BEND, Ore. - Some years, Bend's Mt. Bachelor ski area has enough snow that the skiing continues into the early summer. Beyond shirtsleeve skiing, the summertime attractions in this part of central Oregon include the High Desert Museum; a lava cave and lava-cast forest; hiking, biking, golf and river-rafting. And day-trips can be taken to Crater Lake National Park.
Near Bend, the Inn of the 7th Mountain is one of our family favorites. It's a condo resort with many amenities: big hot tubs, smallish pools, tennis and more. There's also the sprawling Sunriver Resort about a half-hour drive south of Bend; it's a vacation village with houses and condos, golf courses and recreation centers.