As we (my wife, her sister, brother, and I)drive through parts of Canada beginning next week, we want to conclude our Canadian tour on Vancouver Island. Butchart Gardens is one of our targets. We then plan to go south from there through Washington, Oregon, etc. I just read online some advice to "... leave your car on the mainland. There is plenty of public transportation to get where you want to go". We were first thinking of the Swartz Bay, Tsawwassen ferry (including car). Then leaving the island at Victoria to Port Angeles. From there it looks handy to peek at the Olympic National Park. If that's not a good plan, then we'd just take some passenger only ferry to Victoria, then return to the mainland (wherever that is). This way we'd probably skip the Olympic park. What do you think? Len Miller
Vancouver B.C. to Vancouver Island, strategy please?
by Fatfreek 13 Replies latest jw friends
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garybuss
In 1994 my wife and I made a west coast trek by motorcycle. We started in southern California and worked our way up the coast to Port Angeles Washington. We made a one day people ferry trip to Victoria. The Butchart Gardens are absolutely worthwhile. I think we spent three hours there and enjoyed a leisurely lunch in their restaurant.
There was good public transportation and we went on a couple guided tours and then walked and shopped in the artist shops and visited a maritime museum that had loads of model ships.
Without a car, or in our case bike, there was a LOT of walking. Just the walk from the ferry dock to the tour bus stop was long and of course, uphill. There was more walking than I wanted and that was 13 years ago. Victoria to me is a complicated town for a one day tourist. I'd have had problems driving and sight seeing too.
We returned home by way of the Bremerton Ferry into Seattle to hook up with Interstate 90. I have never been to Vancouver, so I'm no help with that part of your trip. -
CaptainSchmideo
Take the car, if you are not used to a lot of walking.
We parked in downtown Victoria for the sightseeing, but if you want to get around faster, on your own schedule, take the car. It does cost you more for the ferry ride, so be prepared for that.
Driving off the ferry is thrilling, kinda like a NASCAR race starting up.
Also, be sure to drive out of Victoria, and into the island proper. It's very nice scenery.
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serendipity
The HOH rain forest and Marymere Falls in Olympic National Forest were beautiful. Try to make it there. Victoria is an awesome town too. I went the opposite direction - I took a passenger ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria.
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Brain Dead
Yes I would also advise to take your car for there is much to see and the sites are far apart, not difficult to find mind you just far apart, and don't forget to see Victoria it's the prettiest town on
the west coast..........I'm a Vancouverite and have been over there many times. What I would do is catch the first ferry at twassen with your car, It's about an hour and a half trip on the ferry
which you'll enjoy, very scenic, then once you arrive at Swartz bay it's about I think a half hour drive to Butchart gardens and then another half an hour to Victoria @.
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Rosalee
If you have time to spend on the island, by all means take your car. Visit the Cathedral gardens and check out the cedar trees ... unbelievable!!! If you have time go up to Tofino (sp) and do some whale watching. There is no more picturesque scenery in the world!
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Sassy
I took the ferry from Vancouver over to Nanaimo. We took the ferry which allowed us to bring our rental with us.. I was happy to have a car with on the islands..
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skeeter1
I was last there many, many years ago. Butchart Gardens are A+++++, especially in the Summer. We took a ferry with car, if my memory serves me right.
Skeeter
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Fatfreek
So -- it's bring the car for us then. Gary, if you had to do it over again would you take your bike to the island?
I don't know that we'll make it to Tofino but that looks and sounds fascinating. Google Earth does not do it justice -- it seems like their images of that part of the world are more artifacts than not .
We'll certainly want to venture out of the city and I think we'll all be in agreement since none of us are punching a clock (any longer).
Ya'll are great friends with all your valued experiences.
Len
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OUTLAW
FatFreak..I know the Island well..You need a car to get around...OUTLAW