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Vancouver to LA July 15th to AUG 15th

Sunshine Coast...
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Vancouver to LA July 15th to AUG 15th
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Hi

looking for some suggestions for things to do and see that may be considered the less obvious less advertised less traveled on my road trip from VAN to LA. Interested in hearing the local prospective on the urban and natural wonders to see along the way.

I will be in a camper van with 3 other guys all mid 20s

already planning on hitting the major cities national parks, and key driving areas ( highway 1, and yosam NP to las vegas via death vally )

Thanks all

San Francisco...
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1. Re: Vancouver to LA July 15th to AUG 15th
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Looking for suggestions in Sf --> great then do look at the top questions right side of the webpage for what to do and see .

If you are looking to get suggestions about the entire drive that you may not get from a guide book -- please use the road trips forum. This is the SF forum to plan just the SF part of your trip.

when you post there do talk about your interests and likes and dislikes and use a site like http://www.roadtrippers.com to plan your route, see what is interesting

So have you seen the obvious popular sites -- is that why you are looking for the less traveled parts ?

San Francisco, Ca
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2. Re: Vancouver to LA July 15th to AUG 15th
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Do you have camping reservations in places like Yosemite and the Central Coast? If not, get those right away, as available dates may change your route or timing.

And you know that Hwy. 1 is closed in the heart of Big Sur, so you'll have to do some detouring?

Fremont, California
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3. Re: Vancouver to LA July 15th to AUG 15th
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When you leave Seattle drive to Astoria to see Astoria - Seaside - Cannon Beach. Astoria is where the Columbia River is. Its a scenic drive from Seattle or from Olympic National Park to Astoria. There is a Maritime Museum, Astoria Column (panoramic views), Lewis and Clark Fort - and Ecola Park at Portland. This is a better route than doing I-5 from Seattle to Portland

In Portland see Columbia River Gorge

A nice drive on the east side is from Columbia River Gorge to Mt. Hood to Bend (Deschute Brewery Tour is awesome as well as several other craft breweries in this area). Smith Rock State Park north of Bend and Lavalands is fun to visit in this area. Crater Lake and Rogue River,.

You will want to see more of the Oregon Coast - but seeing this part of Oregon is awesome.

For Yosemite to Death Valley, you will see Mono Lake. North of this is Bodie, a ghost town South is June Lake Loop and a good hike at Parker Lake There is also Mammoth, Devil's Postpile and Convict Lake.

http://www.visitmammoth.com/trip-ideas/hiking-parker-lake-june-lake-loop

If you can time your trip to be in Reno during Hot August nights its a very fun car oriented festival with lots of bands and other activities.

https://www.visitrenotahoe.com/reno-tahoe/what-to-do/events/special-events/08-08-2017/hot-august-nights

Summer concert scene at Lake Tahoe, Hollywood Bowl in LA, Mountain Winery in San Francisco Bay Area etc., Shoreline Mountain View, etc. are popular places to enjoy music in the summer.

If you happen to get to Sacramento in time for the state fair its fun - but you'll most likely be further north.

but thought I'd mention if you are in the area.

Edited: 6 years ago
Fremont, California
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4. Re: Vancouver to LA July 15th to AUG 15th
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In Vancouver, do spend time at Canada Place. Although a bit pricy, we did like Flying over Canada

as well as the suspension Bridge and the traditional things to see like Stanley Park, Canada Place.

https://www.flyovercanada.com/

https://www.capbridge.com/

in case you drive to Whistler, the Brittania Mine is a really fun mining tour. The Olympic Park by Whistler has summer fun things to do like biathlon rifle shooting.

http://www.whistlersportlegacies.com/venues/whistler-olympic-park

5. Re: Vancouver to LA July 15th to AUG 15th

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