Any west coasters drive down to DLR and back?

[Canadian Harmony]

I'm already planning for 2 years from now DH has no clue, of course, but just in case he wants to drag the kids along on a road trip... I'd want to hit DLR again, but also other things in the area, so maybe I can convince him if things work out.

So, if we were going to drive from the Island down to DLR without spending a ton of money... I'd think of starting with the Coho to Port Angeles and then driving down along the coast to hit the Sea Lion Caves and other attractions. How many days from Victoria would that take? 7?

And then we'd need at least 4 or 5 in the SoCal area - DLR, Universal, KBF, stuff like that.

Then driving back, but we wouldn't need to see anything scenic, so what highway would that be? And would that be 7 days or 5 do you think?

DH only gets so many days off per year, and if we did this, it'd have to be in the summer when everything is WAY more expensive, so we'd probably stay off-site for the trip unless we can get a smokin' deal at one of the hotels.

So anyway... help me plan my trip... that won't be for a couple of years...

 

[bcwife76]

We've driven down the coast from Vancouver to Disneyland several times (and as far as San Diego during one trip). If you are going to take the scenic coastal route then I would allow at least 4-6 days, stopping at beaches in Oregon, the Sea Lion caves, icecream in Tillamook ;-) the Redwood forest in Northern Cali, possibly Hearst Castle, the beaches of Malibu, etc.
On the way up if you want to take the main highway that is I5 and if you drive about 8-9 hours a day it would take you 3 days to get home. The last time we drove down was 2013, but we took I5 both ways. We left Anaheim on a Friday morning and were home for Monday night (we did a detour to San Francisco and San Jose), but on the way down we left on the Saturday morning and were in Anaheim by mid afternoon on the Monday.

 

[xlxo]

In addition to flying and driving.... there are ship repositions cruises which are very attractive in price during May and September.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

I'd LOVE to do a cruise... but DH is still in the Navy (I'm retired navy) and he's told me he needs at least a 5 year break before going back onto a ship. I told him we wouldn't be crew, but he wants to wait... Maybe by the time we can afford one, enough time will have passed.

I understand where he's coming from. I was Army for 12 years, and just started liking camping again last summer after having the joy sucked out of it 15 years ago...

 

[minnie mum]

I agree with bcwife's time estimates. When we lived in Victoria we did a couple of road trips like you've described. The trip back would be up I 5 all the way to Seattle. It can be done in 2 excruciatingly long days, or 3 shorter days.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

I checked out GoogleMaps and thought we could go 101 south and I-5 back. I'd love to see San Francisco again and the places mentioned by BCWife.

I'll have to see how this trip plays for DH. If he turns into a Disney-guy (and I can't see it happening, but stranger things have happened in our marriage), then maybe we have a shot!

 

[bcwife76]

My husband is not a 'disney' guy - despite him going this October on his 4th trip with me ;-) But we covered a lot of ground on our road trips and have some amazing photos and memories

 

[xlxo]

I checked out GoogleMaps and thought we could go 101 south and I-5 back. I'd love to see San Francisco again and the places mentioned by BCWife.

From San Francisco to Seattle.... 101 adds 5 additional hours. However...

• 101 is a single lane road. It's painful getting stuck behind a slow vehicle when there is little passing opportunity
• the road is not lit well if you travel in November when there is less daylight. Having blinding trucks behind you does not help
• you want to pull over more often to admire the view. That 5 hours can be much longer.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

Based on the length of the trip, we'd need to take it during summer.

DH suggested we look into driving to Universal Orlando in 2 years!! Might end up renting an RV and camping our way there and back.

 

[xlxo]

BTW... in additional to road trip, I found this tour company great for exploring the Western states from BC. They operate monthly around long weekends. Xmas is my fav time to go when it's not so hot and kids aren't in school. Without airline surcharges, this is a great affordable way to explore several cities.
http://www.supervacation.ca/en/content/uswest/dis09we.pdf

• attraction admissions is excluded
• you stay mainly at motels to keep the cost affordable
• they stop at Chinese buffets and fast food locations for meals

 

[saraschoening]

We live in Victoria and drive down every summer.. well usually between May and July... we always take the COHO because we dislike BC Ferries plus the COHO is just awesome and you get customs out of the way.. anyhow it takes us 2 days.. and then we stay right across the road from DL.. Best Western and its a 4 min walk to the gates... book in advance and your room can be as low as 130 a night... there are some cheaper options out there but not as close and then you have to pay for parking.

 

[Sweetpea2011]

We're driving down from the Okanagan this summer, expecting to take about 3 days to get down there. We hope to drive longer on the first and second day, then arrive in Anaheim by the afternoon of the 3rd day. We're staying in a condo offsite, so that will allow us time to get groceries and get set up. We plan to take our time coming home, taking the coast road for much of the trip and possibly camping somewhere, or staying in San Francisco for a night or two, or on the Oregan coast. Still haven't worked out all the details yet, but we expect to be gone for 2.5 weeks (we have the condo in Anaheim for 8 nights).

 

[Mmk1997]

We live in Surrey and have done this drive twice. Both times we left very early in the morning (4-5am). We drove to Stockton the first time and stayed over night. The next day we were up and at the hotel across from the park. The second time after stopping for Voodoo Doighnuts and 2 hrs to shop at the Woodburn outlets, we stayed in Corning, Ca. The next day we checked into the hotel at check in time and was in the park by 3:00pm. We took the I5 all the way down. Very boring, but quick. We were not doing the scenic drive, we drove to get to Disney.

We bought the CityPASS and upgraded to 5 days for Disney. We took in Knotts, universal, and a beach day. On our last day at Disney, we left the park around 8:30pm got In & Out burger and drove to San Diego. That next day we hit the zoo, then the next day Sea World. On our last day, we walked into Tijuana and then hit the beach.

We then headed to the Grand Canyon and Vegas. If you'd like more info, just ask.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

That sounds like a lot of fun for a trip! I'd love to have an I&O burger, but I don't think there's one near the parks, is there?

 

[Mmk1997]

That sounds like a lot of fun for a trip! I'd love to have an I&O burger, but I don't think there's one near the parks, is there?

The closet one is about 3 miles away - 600 South Brookhurst Street,

 

[Canadian Harmony]

Hmmm... maybe I can do a taxi ride where I go through In N Out and hit Target at the same time!