What is the Pacific Northwest

What is the Pacific Northwest? {For Travelers}

What is the Pacific Northwest?

When people think of the Pacific Northwest, it usually conjures up images of a wet Seattle, miles of forests, and maybe the Oregon Coast.

These are our stomping grounds.

I have lived here my entire life – in the Willamette Valley, Portland, the Seattle area, Northwest Washington, and Olympia.

And of course, Brittany and Bailey are also natives; they currently live in southwest Washington.

Also, Jody (Dad) travels for work all over Washington, and as we talk about on our About Page, I’ve been following him (with 4 kids in tow) for 22 years. We’ve experienced a lot of Washington.

Let me tell you a little about this unique corner of the world.

Where is the Pacific Northwest?

It depends on who you ask.

We define the PNW as Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia.

Some definitions include Alaska, Northern California, Montana, and Wyoming.

The Climate of the Pacific Northwest

We have a wide variety of climate regions.

On the west side of the Cascade Mountain range, you have a temperate, moderate climate with four seasons.

On the east side of the mountains a drier, more extreme climate.

Up in the mountains, an alpine climate.

We have arid deserts and rainforests.

We have wild mountain weather and wild coastal weather.

We have towns in a rain shadow that get very little rain and towns that for some reason get more than their fair share.

We have valley’s blessed with agricultural riches and tundra, with, I’m not sure what.

And best of all, in the summer, we have average humidity – not too much and and not too little.

What is the Pacific Northwest known for?

Rain

Yes, we get a lot of rain – at least on the west side of the mountains – and it comes slow and drizzly. Which means the grey weather can last for days – even weeks.

The east side of the mountains and Idaho are far drier, and the sun shines 200 days a year – give or take.

Trees

All that rain has one positive side effect – trees and green things. The west side is covered in trees.

Northern Washington and Canada are pretty much wall-to-wall trees.

Volcanos

There are 10 volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest rated “high risk.”

Mount St. Helens blew her top in 1980 and made international news. Every so often, she spits a little. We have parties to commemorate her.

Corporations

The Northwest is home to some big name corporations.

Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon, Boeing, Intel, Lionsgate Studio, and Nike, just to name a few.

Beaches

We have gorgeous beaches.

British Columbia has so much coastline it’s mind boggling.

Washington beaches tend to be more wild and rocky, but beautiful.

The Oregon Coast is where you’ll find iconic miles of beaches for walking and playing.

Keep in mind the Pacific Ocean is freezing and treacherous. If you are hoping to frolic in the water, your best bet is to find a beach with great tide pools or stick to more protected Puget Sound waters.

Microbrews

Portland is the capital of the craft brew movement; it has more microbreweries than any city in the world.

The trend has spread, all over the Pacific Northwest, you will find beloved and up and coming microbreweries.

Wine

We’ve been in the wine game for awhile. Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and BC all produce award-winning wine.

Along with wine comes the vineyards, tours, tasting rooms, and quaint towns that grow up around them.

The outdoors

Hiking, camping, backpacking, climbing, surfing…you name an outdoor sport, and the PNW has you covered.

There are countless jaw-dropping landscapes.

And we love our green spaces.

Scenic Drives

The PNW scenic drives rate with the world’s most famous byways.

The Oregon Coast’s Hwy. 101, Hell’s Canyon Scenic Byway, Washington State Peninsula, and British Columbia’s Pacific Marine Circle Route are just a few.

Hot Springs

Idaho has more hot springs than any other state – 340 of them.

But Washington, Oregon and BC. have their fair share.

Many hot springs are maintained by campgrounds, resorts, spas, and hotels. You can also find hot springs wild in the backcountry.

Skiing

With the mountains cutting down the middle of the PNW, skiing follows.

Downhill, cross-country, snowboarding, sledding, and tubing are all popular in the winter.

Every PNW state has fantastic places for winter sports.

Food

We love food.

We love good, quality food. And we love experiementing with food.

The international demographic (especially in Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC) ensures a steady influx of new flavors and ideas.

Coffee

The PNW does coffee – it’s not just a drink, it’s an art form.

Yes, there are still people that drink coffee from a tin can – usually people over 60.

But most young-ish northwesterners know 5 different ways to brew a quality cuppa.

And with coffee, comes coffee house culture. We follow, love, and rate our coffee houses like they’re in a Zagat’s restaurant guide. We work in them, meet friends there, go on first dates, have parties, and host Bible studies.

My mom made a baby blanket for her pregnant barista.

14 Things you may not know about the Pacific Northwest

We have an amazing array of ecosystems and geographical features

The coastline, rainforest, deserts, archipelagos, so many mountains, valleys, plains and plateaus, volcanoes, caves, major lakes and rivers, bays, a sound…

Coulees, canyons, scablands, and farmland…

Gorges, temperate old growth forests, dunes, fjords, and seaports…

You name it, it’s in the PNW.

The continuous rain is a myth to keep people from moving here

The west side gets a lot of rain and grey days. It shocks newcomers and drives some to depression. But it’s not nearly as bad as people make it out to be.

We don’t even make it onto the list of top 10 rainiest states.

We don’t use umbrellas

Sure, a few PNW’ers with good hair might protect themselves with an umbrella – but with the wind, the umbrella is usually inside out!

For the most part we just don’t – that’s what raincoats are for.

We can’t drive in the snow

Especially on the west side of the states. (Easterners are excluded from this one.)

Most communities have little to no snow removal equipment. Snow shovels are not a standard tool in a westside garage. So if any snow accumulates, it stays put.

Fortunately, snow rarely outlasts our first cup of coffee. And some years we don’t see a single flake.

And for school kids, snow days are like a surprise holiday.

A trip to the beach is more likely to involve a parka than a bikini

It’s a rare day on our beaches when you can comfortably remove your windbreaker.

If you’re hoping for a tan, better arrive in July or August. And even then, bring layers.

Most of us have never even heard of Forks, much less been there

Shocking to the vampire fans. But before the Twilight phenomenon we just didn’t.

Seeing tour buses packed with people, making a pilgrimage to this rainy,(abnormally raining, even for Washington) sparsely populated corner is baffling.

We don’t all smoke marijuana

Washington was the second state to legalize marijuana. And it seems like there’s a dispensary on every corner. The creative wordplay to name these places is admirable.

But visions of PNW’ers sitting in beanbag chairs and passing the pipe are not real. Most of us are not interested.

We don’t lose sleep over volcanoes

It might surprise outsiders to know that the fact that we have so many volcanoes threatening to erupt rarely even crosses our minds.

Tsunami is pronounced su-nah-me

Getting this wrong will instantly give you away.

Other trickies are:

Puyallup (Pew-all-up)

Pend Orielle (Pond Oh-ray)

Nanaimo (na-NYE-mo)

Coeur d’Alene (core da-Lane)

The Dalles (the DALZ).

We’re pretty friendly

We smile at strangers, strike up conversations in line at the grocery store, and wait too long at 4-way stops for the other guy to go.

And if you stop us on the street, were happy to give you directions.

It’s perfectly OK to dress like you’re going hiking – and then go to work, or church, or out to dinner…

We’re a casual bunch. You’re more likely to attract attention if you show up to church in a 3-piece suit than you are in a tracksuit.

People dress up, for sure. But it’s cool if you don’t.

We’re coffee, beer, drinking water, and food snobs

We’re spoiled with agriculturally friendly weather – so fresh food is a given. We have a LOT of Farmer’s Markets.

I already mentioned our coffee and craft brew obsession.

And we have a lot of water coming from the sky and out of the ground – our water tastes good. It’s mountain stream fresh.

It’s so beautiful here, it hurts your eyes

Turn any direction and there will be something amazing and photo-worthy to look at. There are places in the PNW that defy words.

And it’s everywhere.

An embarrassment of natural beauty.

Recycling is a near religion

Want some side-eye? Tell people you don’t recycle.

It’s normal to see 3 or 4 different waste containers to separate your compostables from your plastics from your straight up landfill.

Nearly every house has a big blue recycle bin out on trash pick up day. And we don’t even care if it’s effective – it’s been drilled into us since Kindergarten as good citizenship.

Top destinations in Washington state

Olympic National Park

On the western peninsula of Washington, Olympic National Park is a temperate rainforest of beauty. It’s over a million acres. Many small towns skirt the edges of the park.

Water is the main feature (from land and the sky). The Olympics come with over 70 miles of coastline – both ocean and lakes.

Timberline Trail {How to Plan a Backpacking Trip Around Mt. Hood

Seattle Downtown

Seattle is a trip in itself. As the PNW’s largest city, you will find a wide variety of options – from exploring the beautiful outdoors to culture and entertainment, world-class museums, a foodie paradise, and a refurbished waterfront.

Weekend in Seattle: Choose Your Own Adventure

San Juan Islands

San Juan is an archipelago of over 172 named islands and bits of land in the far northwest corner of the state. Three of the islands are accessible by the state ferry system.

Quiet and laid back, this is the place to go for R&R and low-key outdoor recreation. Whale watching, kayaking, beach combing are all popular.

Mt. Rainier National Park

Our iconic Mt. Rainier is another gorgeous day trip. Visit the lodge, take a hike, see the wildflowers.

Or settle in and camp.

In the winter Mt. Rainier offers tubing, sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding.

Olympia

Washington states capitol city.

Olympia is a hidden gem, the overlooked little sister between Portland and Seattle. It’s packed with family fun, outdoor beauty, water activities, and culture.

Backpacking to Enchanted Valley, Day Hike to Anderson Glacier

North Cascades National Park

Along the northwest section of the state, scenic highway 20 is a beautiful drive three seasons a year (chunks of the road are closed in winter, as early as October).

It’s an excellent option for a long day trip. A few small towns offer limited lodging and food. Camping, backpacking, and hiking are also popular activities.

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Possibly Washington’s biggest claim to fame is our very own active volcano. Take a day trip to the visitor’s center; it’s worth the stop.

There are hikes of all lengths and difficulty. If you’re more adventurous, you can stay longer – camping and backpacking.

Spokane

In the northeast corner of the state, Spokane is Washington’s 2nd largest city.

Spokane is a fun place with a lot going for it. Less crowded and less expensive than Portland and Seattle, head over and see what the other half of the state has to offer.

Bellingham

If you’re going to the northwest part of the state (possibly to North Cascades National Park) Bellingham is your home base.

Bellingham is a lively city on the Puget Sound. With nature at it’s backdoor, good food and plenty of culture, you will stay busy morning to night.

Vancouver

In the southwest corner, you have the “other” Vancouver. Sitting on the Columbia River, Vancouver is Portland’s next-door neighbor.

Vancouver has a long history of its own, centered on the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Plenty of outdoor beauty and a revitalized waterfront make this an excellent home base for exploring.

Top destinations in Oregon

Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast divides into 3 sections – the north coast, central coast, and south coast.

You could make one long road trip and follow Hwy 101 along the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. Or pick an area and explore.

Elk Mountain and Kings Mountain Loop

Tillamook Head Traverse Trail

Crater Lake National Park

With its crystal blue lake, this might be Oregon’s most photogenic attraction. Crater Lake is in southern Oregon, east of the I-5 corridor.

It’s a long day trip from Ashland or Eugene – but there aren’t many options for lodging. It also has a very short season of cooperative weather – be sure to read our post:

How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Crater Lake National Park

Columbia River Gorge

Along the southern border of Oregon, the Columbia River Highway skirts the Columbia River.

Beautiful stops lead the way; Multnomah Falls, The Bridge of the Gods, and Hood River, to name a few.

Dog Mountain Trail

Portland

Oregon’s biggest city, Portland has it all. Beauty, culture, food, and a world-famous craft beer scene.

A Weekend in Portand, Oregon: Choose Your Own Adventure

Bend

In the high desert of central Oregon, you will find the city of Bend and nearby Sisters. A mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, Bend is equally compelling in winter and summer.

A Weekend in Bend, Oregon: In Summer

Smith Rock, Terrebonne, Oregon

Astoria

Just across the border from Washington, Astoria sits at the mouth of the Columbia River. It’s also the gateway to the Oregon Coast if you want to begin your Highway 101 pilgrimage.

A coastal town with a long heritage – Native culture, Lewis and Clark, and a Victorian seaport.

With a strong foodie and craft beer scene, multiple museums, cultural activities, and the great outdoors, you’d be hard-pressed to find a town with more attractions per square mile.

Eugene

Eugene is the 3rd largest city in Oregon. Home of the University of Oregon it has a lively and youthful vibe. Sports, the outdoors, arts and culture, and food make Eugene a great choice.

Weekend in Eugene: Choose Your Own Adventure

Mt Hood National Forest

Iconic Mt. Hood sits east of Portland.

In the winter, sledding, skiing and snowboarding keep the mountain hopping. In summer, camping, backpacking, and mountain resorts beckon.

Here you can explore The Historic Timberline Lodge, many beautiful alpine lakes, and the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway.

Silver Falls State Park

Near the capital city of Salem, Silver Falls State Park is a wonderland of waterfalls, 10 to be exact. An 8.7-mile hike will get you to all of them. Come for a day or camp and take your time.

Willamette Valley

South of Portland, from Hillsboro to Cottage Grove, is the verdant Willamette Valley. Agriculture and wine flourish here.

You will find lovely small towns to spend a weekend getaway.

Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Trail

Top destinations in Idaho

Boise

Idaho’s biggest city, Boise is famous for its quality of life and good weather.

Boise is a surprising hub of jazz, theater and Indie music in the PNW.

A full slate of attractions, from a zoo and aquarium to fabulous parks and waterplay make this a great family destination.

Boise also has one of the largest Basque communities in the US.

Sandpoint

In the northern tip of Idaho, the Sandpoint area boasts a beautiful lake and resort. It’s a delightful area for camping and outdoor recreation; you will also find cabins and homes for rent.

Nearby Silverwood Theme and Water Park makes a fun day trip.

Lava Hot Springs

A resort in southeast Idaho famous for its geothermal hot springs, waterpark, aquatic center, and tubing river.

Outdoor recreation is a highlight in all seasons.

Lava Hot Springs is 3 hours from Yellowstone National Park.

Twin Falls

On the Snake River in Eastern Idaho, just 2 hours from Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.

With four seasons, an outdoor playground, and a greenbelt system of trails and parks, Twin Falls if often overlooked as a vacation destination.

Hells Canyon Recreation Area

Hell’s Canyon is 7,993 feet deep.

The Grand Canyon is “only” 6000 feet deep.

Nuff’ said.

White water rafting, hiking, and a scenic byway top the list.

Coeur d’Alene

30-mile lake Coeur d’Alene is another gem in Idaho.

Trails, sandy beaches, and a vibrant downtown area make this a popular vacation spot in northern Idaho.

Water sports abound.

Shoshone Falls

Shoshone Falls in the city of Twin Falls is a sight in itself.

A 212 foot waterfall, picnic areas, swimming, a scenic overlook, and playgrounds make this a must stop on any Idaho trip.

Craters of the Moon National Monument

An ocean of lava flow in southern Idaho.

A 7-mile driving loop will take your around this US National Monument and Preserve.

Hiking and caving are also popular activities .

Sun Valley

With 250 days of sunshine and four-season recreation, Sun Valley is a popular Idaho vacation.

In summer biking, hiking, horseback riding, and water sports abound.

In winter ice skating, and all manner of water sports are offered.

Check out the nearby Sawtooth Scenic Byway.

Nampa

20 miles from Boise, Nampa is known for wine.

Downtown Nampa is fun for an explore.

Top destinations in British Columbia

Vancouver

Vancouver is a cosmopolitan, international metropolis. You could spend weeks here exploring each neighborhood, taking in the sights, and eating from a smorgasbord of ethnic cuisine.

Whistler

Whistler is north of Vancouver and one of the largest ski resorts in North America.

With four seasons of activities you can make a vacation of it.

A gondola, ziplining, golf, bike park, and skiing top the list.

Victoria

The capitol of British Columbia, Victoria sits on the tip of Vancouver Island.

Visit Butchart Gardens, Craigdarroch Castle, Chinatown, the harbor, or take high tea.

You can get to Victoria by ferry ride from Seattle .

There’s so much to do, you will want to stay.

Vancouver Island

The largest island on the Pacific Coast.

Small towns dot the island. With its mild climate, the thriving arts community, natural beauty, and farm-to-table food culture, V.I. is worth a good long visit.

One of the most popular activities is hiking. And with good reason, you could spend a lifetime exploring the many trails on Vancouver Island and never get bored.

And remember, Victoria sits at the southern end (see above).

Sunshine Coast

Hop a few ferries, and eventually, you’ll make your way to Gibsons and the southern entrance to the Sunshine Coast.

The water is warm (for the Pacific), the scenery is stunning. It’s a quiet, laid back trip up the coastline.

Okanagan Valley

This region of British Columia is known for it’s diverse landscape

The lakes and mountains offer outdoor activities in summer and winter.

Amazing parks, heritage museums, gardens, and fresh produce also draw visitors.

Tofino (Pacific Rim National Park)

On the west side of Vancouver Island, Tofino gets a special mention.

Just outside of town is the Pacific Rim National Park. With hikes through old-growth forest and a famously long beach (10 miles/16 kilometers), you can soak up plenty of negative ions.

Whale-watching, storm-watching, wave-watching, and sunset-watching are very popular. In other words, prepare to relax.

Tofino is also a popular surf destination in Canada.

Haida Gwaii

Haida Gwaii is an Archapelago 30 miles off the coast of Canada.

Only accessible by ferry (and boat), Haida Gwaii has 4500 residents spread over seven residential areas.

This is a place to come for peace and quiet. Rugged and remote without a single chain store or restaurant prepare to be entertained by nature.

Yoho National Park

On the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies, Yoho is in eastern British Columbia.

Waterfall, lakes and wooded trails are the big draw here.

Fraser Canyon

A 2-hour drive from Vancouver, Fraser Canyon area offers 3 amazing scenic routes:

The Coast Mountain Circle Route

The Might Fraser Circle Route

The Heritage Discovery Circle Route

Pick one and explore the scenery, hikes, rivers, lakes and small towns.

Questions about the Pacific Northwest

Can you travel around the Pacific Northwest without a car?

No.

Well, if you’re a glutton for punishment I suppose you could figure it out.

And of course, the major cities – Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC – have public transportation systems. But the Pacific Northwest is vast.

There are many places it’s going to be impractical, if not impossible to get to without your own car.

Either bring your car or fly in and rent one.

When is the best time to go to the Pacific Northwest?

As I said the Pacific Northwest includes a broad range of climates. Most of the PNW is considered moderate and we have four seasons.

In western Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia the sunniest, warmest months are July, August, and Septemeber

November to March it’s mildly cold (with a few freezing days), and we get a lot of rain. Weeks of drizzly, grey mist.

April – June can be glorious, and mild – beautiful days in the mid-’70s are the days we dream of. But just as likely it can rain for days on end.

Eastern Washington, Oregon, and all of Idaho and Eastern B.C. have more extreme climates – it gets very cold in the winter and hot in the summer. But they see a lot more blue sky than we do on the west side.

So, it depends on what you want to do. Skiing? Come December to March. For a beach vacation aim for high summer.

I think one of the best-kept secrets in the Pacific Northwest is late September – early October. The crowds are gone, the weather usually cooperates and even graces us with a few 80+ days as a summer send-off. If you have the flexibility to come in early fall, that’s my pick.

What is the cuisine like?

Quintessential foods include salmon, halibut, oysters, mushrooms, and berries. Due to the temperate climate, a wide variety of produce grows well here. You will find much of PNW’s dishes to be produce forward.

The focus on environmentalism spills over to our cuisine. Farm-to-table restaurants, localvore cuisine, grass-fed meats, and organically sourced foods are becoming more and more prevalent in PNW eateries.

Culturally there’s a robust Asian tradition – Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese restaurants are popular. You will also find many Mexican, Greek, and Italian eateries. Boise, Idaho, has a strong Basque community.

You will find more ethnic diversity in the major cities – particularly Vancouver, B.C., with more variety of cuisine.

The Food Truck movement is strong all over the Pacific Northwest, but especially Portland. Food trucks bring fusion cuisine.

And don’t worry if adventure eating isn’t your thing. You’ll find plenty of good-to-great standard American restaurants, chains, and greasy spoons.

The other thing we have is beer and wine. Portland is the microbrew center of the world, you will find craft breweries and wineries all over the Pacific Northwest.

Plan a Trip to Washington:

Check out our complete guide to planning your next trip to Washington State.

Plan a Trip to Idaho

If you would like more ideas for PNW travel check out:

Pacific Northwest Itinerary: 12-Day Road Trip

Ultimate Guide to Pacific Northwest Guidebooks