Would you drop or add anything to this itinerary?
Editing to add text itinerary (still making changes and the times are just a rough idea)
Aug 22 — Seattle → San Juan Island
12:00 PM
Land in Seattle
12:00–1:00 PM
Deplane, bags, rental car
1:00–3:15 PM
Drive Seattle → Anacortes
3:15–4:15 PM
Arrive early for reserved ferry
4:45–6:00 PM
Ferry to Friday Harbor
⸻
Aug 23 — Private Morning Orca Charter
8:00 AM
Private charter check-in
8:30 AM–1:30 PM
Private whale/orca tour
Recommended:
Maya’s Legacy private charter
4:00 PM
Lime Kiln Point State Park
⸻
Aug 24 — Ferry → Mount Rainier National Park
9:00–10:15 AM
Ferry to Anacortes
10:15 AM–2:30 PM
Drive toward Rainier
3:00 PM
Check into Ashford/Packwood hotel
5:00 PM
Short scenic drive if energy allows
⸻
Aug 25 — FULL Rainier Day
5:30 AM
Depart hotel
6:00 AM
Enter park early
6:30–7:30 AM Sunrise
Reflection Lakes
8:00 AM–1:00 PM
Skyline Trail + Myrtle Falls
2:00–3:00 PM
Paradise viewpoints
3:00–6:00 PM
Drive toward Olympic area
6:30 PM Dinner
Lake Crescent or Lake Quinault area
⸻
Aug 26 — Olympic National Park
6:30 AM
Hurricane Ridge
9:30 AM
Lake Crescent
12:00 PM Lunch
1:30–4:00 PM
Ruby Beach
5:00 PM
Second Beach
Sunset:
Olympic coastline
Sleep:
Forks/Kalaloch
⸻
Aug 27 — Hoh Rain Forest → Oregon Coast
6:30 AM
Enter Hoh before crowds
6:30–9:00 AM
Hall of Mosses + riverside trails
9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Drive toward Cannon Beach
1:00 PM Lunch
Cannon Beach
2:00–4:00 PM
Cannon Beach
Ecola State Park
4:00–7:00 PM
Drive south
Sleep:
Central Oregon coast
⸻
Aug 28 — Oregon Coast → Crater Positioning
8:00 AM
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Drive south with scenic stops
3:00–5:00 PM
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
5:00–8:30 PM
Drive inland toward Crater area
⸻
Aug 29 — FULL Crater Lake National Park Day
5:45 AM
Enter park
7:00–11:00 AM
Rim viewpoints
Watchman
Discovery Point
1:00–3:00 PM
Optional short hikes/viewpoints
3:00–7:00 PM
Drive toward Portland
⸻
Aug 30 — Columbia Gorge + Portland
9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Columbia River Gorge
Includes:
Multnomah Falls
Vista House
easy scenic stops
⸻
Aug 31 — Fly Home
I want to maximize chances of seeing orcas, diverse scenery/natural landmarks. We don’t mind long drives if they are pretty and don’t care too much about lodging. We prefer less crowds but are willing to brave crowds for gorgeous scenery. I am traveling with my husband and 2 children and we can handle 10 mile hikes with some elevation, but need rest time (at least one day) between very long hikes.
I would appreciate any and all suggestions! We live on the other side of the country so this very unfamiliar territory :)