In mid-September, a huge tourist draw is the Pendleton Round Up ( www.pendletonroundup ), arguably the US's biggest rodeo.What about the outdoor life? Many people think Whistler, two hours' drive from Vancouver, is North America's premier ski-resort You can also ski, year-round, at Mount Hood. Climbers flock to Squamish in BC, Washington's high peaks (the mounts Rainier, Adams, St Helens, Baker and Olympus), and Smith Rock and Mount Hood in Oregon.The town of Hood River, on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, draws windsurfing enthusiasts from around the world. This town makes an excellent base for a wide variety of outdoor pursuits, as do Bend, in Oregon, Washington's San Juan Islands, and Vancouver and Tofino in BC.Is the animal life dangerous in all that wilderness? Black bears, elk, deer, mountain lions and, to a lesser extent, grizzly bears are among the region's fauna, but if you take heed of warning signs and follow official advice, you're unlikely to encounter danger. Visit the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park ( www.nwtrek ), 'where humans are caged and animals roam free'.Rattlesnakes are more common in the drier, eastern areas of the Pacific Northwest, but are rarely a problem if you stick to obvious paths and always look where you're putting your feet.The offshore waters offer numerous opportunities for whale-watching: gray whales and orcas (killer whales) are the most frequently seen. On Vancouver Island, boats leave from Victoria, Tofino and Telegraph Cove.The cities are hardly in the same scenic league as San Francisco, though? Yes, they are. The settings of Vancouver and Seattle are superb, both are backed by mountains and almost surrounded by sea Also, there is a huge amount to do. Highlights of a visit to Seattle include the view (on a clear day) from the top of the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, a visit to the Boeing factory, ferry rides to nearby islands such as Bainbridge, and for music-lovers, the EMP (Experience Music Project, www.emplive ), which opened last summer.Vancouver's 'building with a view' is the Harbour Centre Tower Denman and Robson streets buzz with cafes and restaurants.
The selection of comestibles at Granville Island Market is hard to resist.Rent a bike for a ride round Stanley Park's Seawall Promenade, wander the streets of North America's second-largest Chinatown or take a sea-kayak lesson in the calm waters of False Creek.Continuing the water theme, Victoria, BC's second largest (and capital) city is surrounded by the sea on three sides. The city has Canada's mildest climate and plays on its supposed British feel. It's home to one of North America's best museums: even if you usually give such things a miss, it's hard not be impressed by the Royal British Columbia Museum.When are the best times to visit? Unless you're going for the winter sports, the most popular months to visit are late-June to September. Coastal temperatures stay relatively mild year-round but make sure you've got rain gear with you, particularly outside the summer months. At these times, even when the rain stops there can be dense coastal fog.The mountains stay snow-covered for much of the year and, in winter, the mercury can plummet in the eastern areas.
The coastal areas see increasing numbers of winter visitors who are attracted by storm-watching.How do you get there? The only cities in the Pacific Northwest region with non-stop flights from the UK are Seattle (served by British Airways from London Heathrow) and Vancouver (from Heathrow on British Airways and Air Canada). Vancouver also has flights from Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow on Air Transat and Canada 3000; these airlines are charter specialists but sell some scheduled seats.Seattle, Vancouver and Oregon's main gateway of Portland can be reached from many UK airports by changing planes en route. Vancouver flights tend to be more expensive than those to Seattle or Portland.Fares are highest for departures from mid-July to the end of August. With a change of planes in the US, you can get a return ticket to Seattle or Portland for around £500 during the summer peak. Expect to pay over £700 for a BA or Air Canada return to Vancouver, less for Air Transat or Canada 3000.And getting around? Unless you have limitless time you aren't going to be able to cover the whole Pacific Northwest region in a fortnight's holiday.
