Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest of the United States is best known for its beautiful coastline, green interior, rainy weather, and spectacular mountains.

States

States, cities, and other destinations of the Pacific Northwest

Oregon Home of Crater Lake National Park, Oregon's landscape is awash in painted hills, rugged inland deserts, and epic beaches studded with massive rock formations - and that's only the half of it. The quirky city of Portland is the premier cultural destination.

Washington Home to volcanoes, tall waterfalls, and numerous coastal islands to explore, as well as Seattle, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest.

Sometimes the neighboring areas of northern California, western Idaho, Southeastern Alaska, and the neighboring Canadian province of British Columbia are also considered part of the Pacific Northwest, also referred to as Cascadia.

Cities

• 1 Eugene – the second-largest city in Oregon, known for its natural beauty and its artistic, activist residents
• 2 Olympia – the capital of Washington state, on the shores of Puget Sound, and a breeding ground for local alternative culture
• 3 Portland – the largest city in Oregon, known for its scenic beauty and eco-friendly urban planning policies, with a proudly liberal outlook
• 4 Salem – the capital of Oregon, in the fertile Willamette Valley between Portland and Eugene
• 5 Seattle – the largest city in Washington and the Pacific Northwest, and its cultural and economic influence extends far beyond its borders
• 6 Spokane – the economic and transportation hub of eastern Washington
• 7 Tacoma – Washington's third-largest city, in the shadow of Mt. Rainier, known for its dynamic art scene

Other destinations

• 1 Crater Lake National Park — The deepest lake in North America, the clear blue water in this volcanic crater makes it an attraction.
• 2 Mount Hood (height 11,239 feet/3425 metres) — The highest mountain in the state of Oregon and a major outdoor recreation site.
• 3 Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument — site of the largest recorded volcanic eruption in US history.
• 4 Mount Rainier National Park — extremely photogenic volcanic mountain, rising from close to sea level to 14,410 feet (4392 m).
• 5 North Cascades National Park — jagged peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls and over 300 glaciers form this park.
• 6 Olympic National Park — extremely diverse from the lush canopy of rainforests, to the sandy beaches and rugged, glacier-capped mountains. Olympic National Park is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Pacific Northwest.
• The 7 Oregon Coast and the Washington Coast are scenic, wild and interspersed with quaint towns and include 100 km of wilderness coastline, the longest undeveloped coast in the contiguous United States.
• 8 Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area — formed by the ancient forces of wind, water and time, these dunes are like no others in the world. This is the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America.
• 9 San Juan Islands — in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains in Puget Sound, these islands are famous for abundant eagles and Orca whales and include the San Juan Islands National Monument.

Understand

Mount Rainier in summer

'The Needles', Cannon Beach Oregon

Culture

The mountains that divide the states also facilitate the cultural divisions within the region. Two thirds of the population lives west of the Cascades where progressive opinions such as environmentalism prevail, while in eastern sides political thought tends to be rather conservative.

Oregon was the first state to allow initiative and referendum, it was the first state to establish a beverage container deposit law (also known as a bottle bill), the first to legalize physician-assisted suicide, one of the first to legalize medical marijuana, and the first state to conduct all elections entirely by mail. Portland elected one of the first gay mayors for a city of its size. While Washington was the first state to legalize marijuana, Seattle was the first major U.S. city to have a female mayor and one of the first states to legalize gay marriage.

The Pacific Northwest has a reputation for innovation and is known for its airplane and computer product facilities. Some of the largest and most well-known corporations call the Northwest home, these include: Costco, Eddie Bauer, Expedia, Amazon, Nordstrom, Starbucks, Tully's Coffee, Boeing, Microsoft, Intel and Nike.

Climate

Most people associate the Pacific Northwest with a lush region that receives large amounts of rain during the winter months, with wonderful summer days. However the Northwest's climate is largely defined by its impressive natural features; most importantly its mountain ranges which not only provide convenient dividing lines, but which also create distinct climates in each of the state's regions from the Pacific Coast to the valley and, once over the mountains, a desert region—all within a few hours drive of each other. Travelers who cover multiple regions during their stay will find the differences between regions stark and remarkable in that by traveling throughout the area a great variety of climates will be experienced. Most of the glaciers in the lower 48 states are in the Pacific Northwest as it is the largest rainforest and the Puget Sound which is the second largest estuary in the United States. There is more than enough to keep any outdoor enthusiast busy.

Talk

The Pacific Northwest accent is considered very similar to the General American standard accent (native to the Midwest), popularized in the 20th century by radio, TV and movies. People in the area generally have little to no problem understanding different accents of the English language. The Pacific Northwest attracts tourists from around the world, and it is common to hear many foreign languages being spoken in public in major tourist areas.

There are ethnically diverse neighborhoods in some of the larger cities where many languages are spoken, including large 'International Districts' in Portland and Seattle where many Asian languages are spoken. Washington is the thirteenth most populated state for example, but by comparison has the fourth highest Asian population. Spanish is spoken by the majority in some smaller pockets in eastern Washington and Oregon. Seattle's 98118 zip code centered around the Columbia City neighborhood in South Seattle is considered the most ethnically diverse zip code in the country by the US Census bureau with 59 different languages regularly being spoken.

Chinook Jargon was a pidgin or trade language established among indigenous inhabitants of the region. After contact with Europeans, French, English, and Cree words entered the language, and "eventually Chinook became the lingua franca for as many as 250,000 people along the Pacific Slope from Alaska to Oregon." Chinook Jargon reached its height of usage in the 19th century though remained common in resource and wilderness areas, particularly but not exclusively by Native Americans and Canadian First Nations people, well into the 20th century. Chinook Jargon was still in use in Seattle until roughly the eve of World War II, making Seattle the last city where the language was widely used. Today its influence is felt mostly in place names and a handful of localized slang terms. Pronunciation of some of these terms is difficult and often separates the visitor from the local.

Some examples of common Chinook terms

• Potlatch — in Chinook Jargon is a ceremony among certain tribes involving food and exchange of gifts, nowadays sometimes used to refer to a potluck dinner or sometimes the giving away of personal items to friends.
• Tillicum — means "people/person", "family", and "people".
• Tyee — leader, chief, boss. Also "Big Tyee" in the context of "boss" or well-known person

Get in

The most convenient "gateways" to the Pacific Northwest are Seattle and Portland. Both of these cities are well-connected to the rest of the world by plane, car and train, and are good starting points for trips to other areas of the Pacific Northwest.

By plane

See also: Flying in the United States

1 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA ^IATA) and 2 Portland International Airport, (PDX ^IATA) are the most popular entry points with a wide variety of flights from Canada, Europe (Germany, Great Britain, Iceland, The Netherlands); East Asia, Mexico and from various cities in the U.S. on a variety of U.S. and foreign flag carriers. To a lesser extent there are also direct flights from France, Qatar, and the UAE to Seattle. Both Portland and Seattle serve as a hub for Alaska Airlines while Delta have a hub only in Seattle. If coming from within the U.S. (typically from Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and San Francisco but there could be more) there are other alternate airports in the Pacific Northwest that are less crowded and may be closer to your final destination in:

• Seattle Area – Everett Paine Field (PAE ^IATA) (Same location as Boeing 747/777 test field (30 mi (48 km) north of Seattle) and Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base (LKE  ^IATA) on Lake Union serves as a float plane base for Habour Air, Kenmore Air and other air taxi services from San Juan Island, South Gulf Islands, Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island. There's also the King County Boeing Field for VIP flights, cargo flights and other general aviation use.
• 3 Bellingham International Airport (BLI ^IATA) is a regional airport about 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, Canada. It is nearest to Whidbey Island, San Juan Islands and the North Cascades. If you are traveling with Allegiant towards Seattle or Vancouver BC this is the closest airport they go to. There are many shorter flights to Bellingham from Seattle and San Juan Islands with turboprop aircraft as well.
• 4 Boise Airport (BOI ^IATA) Boise is not in the "Pacific Northwest" according to this article but it one of the closest airport to Eastern Oregon (Ontario, Pendleton, Baker City); southeastern Wasington as well as Southwestern Idaho.
• 5 Eugene Mahlon Sweet Field (EUG ^IATA) Closest airport to the Mid-Willamette Valley (Eugene, Springfield, Sweet Home, Corvallis, Albany); and the Central Oregon Coast (Newport, Coos Bay, Florence).
• 6 Medford Rogue Valley International Airport (MFR ^IATA) is major airport for commercial flights serving Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass and the surrounding Rogue Valley in southern Oregon, Southern Oregon Coast and the Siskiyous in northern California. The airport is 3 miles (4.8km) north of downtown off of I-5 at Exit #30 (Crater Lake Hwy (SR-62)) & #33 (E Pine St/Biddle Rd).
• 7 Redmond/Bend Municipal Airport (RDM ^IATA) is major airport for commercial flights serving Redmond, Bend, Sunriver, Prineville and the surrounding communities in Central Oregon. The airport is in the southeast part of town, southeast of the intersection US Hwy 97 & SR-126 and 16.5 mi (26.6 km) north of Bend along US Hwy 97.
• 8 Spokane International Airport, (GEG ^IATA). located 7 mi (11 km) to the west of Downtown off of I-90 from Exit #277B (along US Hwy 2) towards Airway Heights. It is the primary airport serving the Inland Northwest, which consists of 30 counties and includes areas such as Spokane, the Tri-Cities, both in Eastern Washington, and Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho.
• 9 Tri-Cities Airport (PSC ^IATA) is a commercial airport 2 miles northwest of the city of Pasco and is the third largest commercial air terminal in the State of Washington serving the tri-cities area (Richland, Pasco and Kennewick). It is the nearest airport to Yakima (closer than Seattle) and Walla Walla in Columbia River Plateau and to Hermiston and Pendleton in northeastern Oregon.
• 10 Vancouver International Airport (YVR ^IATA) is in Canada 27 miles (44 km) north of the border. Travelers going to the U.S. pre-clear in U.S. immigration and customs inspection in a major Canadian airport prior to boarding an U.S. bound flight and land into the U.S. as a 'domestic' flight. Travelers may be required an American and/or Canadian visa(s) to transit through or travel to one or both countries. For Canadians wanting to go to the San Juan Islands, it's the best choice. It also has lots of international flights from Asia, Europe, Australia, Middle East and Mexico as well as from the United States. There are also shorter flights to Portland, Seattle, Vancouver Island and other remote places in northern British Columbia and the Yukon with Air Canada's turboprop aircraft (Dash 8-400 or something similar).

By seaplane

seaplane landing in Seattle's Lake Union

A quick and spectacular, though not cheap, way to travel. There are many American and Canadian companies offering sea plane travel into and around the Puget Sound area. Such as Kenmore Air and Northwest Seaplanes, both based out of Seattle with regular scheduled flights and chartered flights within the region and into Canada. Many planes only offer between six and eight seats and are small enough that the captain may ask for someone to sit in the front seat next to them. If you ask nicely they may be willing to take you on a scenic route or follow a pod of whales as opportunities and schedules allow.

By train

See also: Rail travel in the United States

• Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States of America. (updated Mar 2022) Routes traveling between Pacific Northwest and other areas:
  • Amtrak Cascades: Operates twice daily between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia. Additional service between Vancouver BC & Seattle by Amtrak Thruway Bus.
  • The Coast Starlight: This scenic route connects between Seattle and Los Angeles via Portland. This route is often hours late, so for regional trips the Amtrak Cascades is more reliable; however, investments have been made to improve on time performance.
  • The Empire Builder: Starts in Chicago and goes west via Spokane, where it splits up into two branches: one goes to Portland and the other goes to Seattle. Due to the scenery it traverses, this route can book out rather quickly in the summer.

By car

• Interstate 5 runs north-south from the Canadian border through Seattle and Portland to California. From the east, there are two main options:

• Interstate 84, from Salt Lake City and Boise, Interstate 84 enters Oregon and follows the Columbia River to its western end in Portland. WA 14 runs parallel to Interstate 84 along the Washington side of the Columbia River between its junction with Interstate 82, north of Hermiston, to Interstate 5 in Vancouver WA.
• Interstate 90, Connects Boston to its western terminus in Seattle via Chicago and Spokane.

• Interstate 82 starts from its junction with Interstate I-84 (Exit 179) east of Hermiston, Oregon and winds its way through the Tri-Cities and Yakima in the Columbia River Plateau region in the southeastern part of Washington. Ends at I-90 (Exit 110) east of Ellensburg.

Additional major highways entering the Pacific Northwest include:

• US 2 is a major east-west highway spanning 2571 miles from Everett to Saint Ignace, MI. In Washington it runs parallel, north of Interstate 90, through the North Cascades, Leavenworth, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, Davenport and Spokane. It continues in through Coeur_d'Alene in Northern Idaho on its way towards Michigan.
• US 12 spans 2500 miles from Aberdeen WA to Detroit MI. In Washington it goes from Aberdeen to Lewiston through Centralia/Chehalis, the mountains between Mount Rainier & Mount St Helens, Yakima, Sunnyside in the Lower Yakima Valley, Tri-Cities, Walla Walla and Clarkston. The highway loosely follows the eastbound leg of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, between Wallula, Washington and Clarkston, Washington, thus being marked as part of the Lewis and Clark Trail. The east end of the highway in the state is at Clarkston, where the highway crosses the Snake River into Idaho at Lewiston. It runs concurrent with Interstate 5 from Exit 88, north of Centralia, to Exit 71 south of Chehalis and along Interstate 82/182 from Exit 31 in Yakima to the Junction of I-182/US 395 east of Pasco.
• US 20 is the longest west to east coast highway spanning 3,365 mi (5,415 km) from Newport OR to Boston MA which is signed in Newport and at the other end in Boston. It goes across Oregon from Newport to Ontario through Corvallis, Albany, Lebanon, Detroit Lake, Sisters, Bend, Burns and Vale. It runs concurrent with US Hwy 26 between Vale and Caldwell and along Interstate 84 between Caldwell and Boise.
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• US 97 is the continuation of BC-Hwy 97 into the United States from the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek. It runs parallel with the I-5 corridor from Oroville, WA to Weed, CA where it ends at the I-5 corridor. It passes through Wenatchee, North Cascades National Park, Ellensburg and Yakima in Eastern Washington; and through The Dalles, Redmond, Bend, Crater Lake National Park and Klamath Falls in Central Oregon
  
• US 101 serves as the coastal highway from Eureka, California to Olympia, Washington where it ends at the I-5 corridor (Exit 105). It passes from Gold Beach to Astoria along the Oregon Coast and from Ilwaco, through the Hoh Rain Forest and around Olympic National Park to Port Angeles in the Olympic Peninsula. The highway connects from Port Angeles, through the Hood Canal, Port Townsend and ends in Olympia. WA 8 connects US Highway 101 west of Olympia to US Highway 101 in Aberdeen without having to drive all the way around the Olympic Peninsula through Port Angeles.
• US 395 enters Oregon through Lakeview, OR and goes up towards Hermiston through John Day and Pendleton. It crosses the Columbia River along I-82 into Washington (state) to Pasco where it splits from I-82 as a separate road towards Ritzville and along I-90 to Spokane.

By bus

• Greyhound, toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. Service from other areas within the US and throughout the region including many smaller cities along the interstate highways. Direct buses to the Pacific Northwest are between Vancouver and Los Angeles through Seattle, Portland and Sacramento ; and from Denver to Portland via Boise and Salt Lake City. 
• Cantrail, (bus stops) Seattle's King Street Station & Vancouver's Pacific Station. Additional stops at Sandmans Signature Hotel and Pacific Inn in Surrey. No additional stops in the U.S., toll-free: +1-877-940-5561. Operates direct buses between Seattle and Vancouver, BC $40 for one-way, $75 round trip; discounts for students, military, seniors & children ages 4-11.. 
• Jefferson Lines, Spokane Intermodal Station @ 221 W 1st Ave, ☏ +1 509-624-5251, toll-free: +1 800 451-5333. Travels primarily on I-90 from Billings to Spokane via Coeur d'Alene, Kellogg, St Regis, Missoula, Butte, Bozeman and Livingston. (updated Jan 2018)
• Northwestern Trailways, toll-free: +1-800-366-3830. Boise to Spokane via Horseshoe Bend, Cascade, Donnelly, McCall, New Meadows, Riggins, Whitebird, Grangeville, Cottonwood, Craigmont, Lewiston, Moscow, Pullman and Colfax. 
• Quick Shuttle, toll-free: +1-800-665-2122. Runs between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. Stops in Downtown Seattle (outside the Best Western at 200 Taylor Ave N) and SeaTac Airport (at the main terminal near the south end of baggage claim, outside door 00, bays 11-16. Provides affordable and reliable transportation from Seatac Airport, Downtown Seattle, Bellingham Airport to Vancouver Airport, Downtown Vancouver and Cruise Ship Terminals. Despite the multiple stops they make, northbound buses can only pick-up in the U.S. and drop off in Canada and vice versa for southbound buses. Fares from Vancouver to Downtown Seattle are round-trip; $36 one-way, $65. From Vancouver to SeaTac, fares are $49 one-way, $87 round-trip.. 

By boat

By ferry

See also: Alaska Marine Highway

• 11 Alaska Marine Highway System, toll-free: +1-800-642-0066. A ferry service from Bellingham, Washington up the Inside Passage to Haines, Alaska. Plan your travel early as this service tends to fill up fast. They no longer go to Seattle. (updated Jun 2022)
• Washington State Ferries, ☏ +1 206 464-6400, toll-free: +1-800-843-3779. The Washington State Ferry system offers once or twice daily sailings from Sidney, BC to the San Juan Islands with continuing service to Anacortes. For security and immigration processing when traveling between the US and Canada, a 60-minute advance arrival is strongly suggested for vehicle traffic. Walk-on passengers must arrive 30 minutes in advance. Service to Sidney has been suspended since the Covid-19 pandemic and the operator has announced that service to Sidney is suspended until at least 2030 due to the lack of available ferries and crew. (updated Mar 2023)
• Victoria Clipper, 2701 Alaskan Way Pier 69, Seattle @ Seattle downtown waterfront and 254 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC @ Victoria's Inner Harbour, ☏ +1 206 448-5000 (Washington), +1 250 382-8100 (BC), toll-free: +1-800-888-2535. High speed catamaran passenger ferries which connect Victoria, British Columbia to the San Juan Islands and Seattle. If you are heading to San Juan Islands, you can also join a whale-watching tour. (Passenger only, no vehicles.) (updated Jun 2022)
• 12 Black Ball Ferry Line (MV Coho), 101 E. Railroad Ave, Port Angeles, ☏ +1 360-457-4491, toll-free: +1-888-993-3779. Is a passenger and vehicle ferry running between Port Angeles and Victoria, British Columbia across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Crossing time is 90 minutes. Service runs all year except for an annual refit for one week in winter time. In the winter, this ferry runs 2 sailings a day and in the summer up to 4 sailings per day each way are scheduled. Fares are US$70.00 for car and driver and US$21.00 per passenger 12 years old and older, US$10.50 for children 5-11 years old, free for children 4 years old and younger. (updated Aug 2022)
• Tote Maritime, (office) 32001 32nd Ave, Suite #200, Federal Way, ☏ +1-800-426-0074. Operates more as a private shipping company than a "ferry" for shipping of personal vehicles and/or personal household goods between Anchorage AK and Tacoma WA for those moving between the lower 48 and Alaska. 

By cruise ship

Cruise ships arrive in the area in both Astoria, Oregon and Seattle, Washington with continuing connections along the west coast including Canada and Alaska.

• Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, 2225 Alaskan Way S, Seattle, WA. near the middle of Seattle downtown's waterfront, serves as home port for Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises. Has bus, taxi and shuttle connections for transfer of passengers and luggage. For travelers with connecting flights, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is less than 15 mi (24 km) away. 
• Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, 2001 W Garfield St, Seattle, WA. at the north end of Seattle's downtown waterfront, serves as home port to Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises. 
• Port of Astoria, Pier 1, Astoria, Oregon. A deep-water port that can accommodate the largest cruise ships, 14 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River. 

By private boat

It is not coincidence that so many cities in this region are on the water. Early settlers found the thick regional forests too impenetrable to navigate by land so waterways became the Pacific Northwests early highway system.

However when arriving from Canada there are only a handful of ports including Roche Harbor, Friday Harbor, Anacortes and Bellingham that are official U.S. ports-of-entry and can process boaters through customs. The Cardinal Rule is touch land at customs dock before any other stops, fines for not doing so can be up to $5000. Besides a passport for everyone on board, you will need your boat's license number and User Fee Decal number.

Customs enforces USDA guidelines for what foods are acceptable to bring into the country and these guidelines are constantly changing so it is best to check in with them before arriving. Boaters are responsible for knowing the prohibited foods and can be fined for not declaring them.

By foot

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is one of the original United States National Scenic Trails and it travels a total distance of 2,650 miles along the West coast of the United States, from Mexico to Canada. It passes through California, Oregon, and Washington State.

Get around

By plane

Flying may be a more reasonable option for crossing large expanses of the two states. Alaska Airlines operates intrastate flights within Oregon and Washington and between the two states from their bases in Portland and Seattle. To a lesser extent Delta also have flights from Seattle to Boise, Eugene, Medford, Portland, Redmond/Bend, Spokane and Tri-Cities. Boutique Air offers flights to Pendleton from Portland.

By car

Outside the main cities of Portland and Seattle, public transportation is scarce and is not of much use for extensive sightseeing, so renting or arriving by car is advisable. Although distances can be long, most roads are paved and well-maintained. Be aware of distances between gas stations and plan accordingly when traveling in rural areas. See By car under Get in for a list of major highways traversing through the two state region.

By bus

Regional transit systems tend to be organized by county however they are often interconnected to cover larger areas and some are coordinated with Washington State Ferries and have many pickups at major airports. Not the fastest way to travel but efficient and cheap for the budget traveler:

• Greyhound, toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. offers service along the I-5 corridor between Vancouver, BC; Seattle; Portland and Sacramento and several cities/town along the I-5 corridor in between in three states. I-84 from Portland to Boise via Hood River, The Dalles, Stanfield, Pendleton and Ontario. I-90 from Seattle to Spokane via Ellensburg & Moses Lake. There are variations such as going from Portland to Spokane via Stanfield & Pasco along US-Hwy 395 and from Ellensburg to Stanfield via Yakima and Pasco along I-82.  
• BellAir Airporter, toll-free: +1-866-235-5247. Goes up from SeaTac & downtown Seattle to Stanwood, Burlington/Mt Vernon, Bellingham & Blaine on one route and a separate route to Anacortes and the San Juan ferry terminal in Anacortes from Burlington. They also have a third route and from Sea-Tac to Cle Elum, Ellensburg & Yakima. The company also operate the Travel Washington Intercity Program's Gold and Grape lines (see below) and some of the Ellensburg-Yakima Express buses in Eastern Washington. 
• FlixBus (operated by MTR Western & Wenatchee Shuttle). Connects Seattle to Eugene, Wenatchee and Spokane on three separate routes.  
• Northwestern Trailways (Northwestern Stage Lines), toll-free: +1-800-366-3830. goes from Spokane to Boise and from Spokane to Seattle (along US Hwy 2) on two routes and a third route from Ellensburg up to Omak along US Hwy 97. 
• The Oregon Department of Transportation partners with MTR Western and other carriers to run Oregon POINT (or "Public Oregon Intercity Transit") bus routes throughout the state. They operate the following routes:

• Cascades Point (operated by MTR Western), (office) 235 Cap St, Eugene, ☏ +1 541-484-4100. Operates the Amtrak (Cascades) Thruway route between Portland, Oregon City, Woodburn, Salem, Albany and Eugene. Buses stop at both the University of Oregon and the Amtrak station in Eugene. They only make southbound pick up stops and northbound drop off stops in Oregon City. They don't provide service just between Portland and Oregon City as that can only be done by TriMet. Tickets are available at the Amtrak ticket counters at the Portland Union Station or through independent agents, and are not sold by drivers. (updated Jan 2017)
• Eastern Point (operated by Pacific Crest Bus Lines), PO Box 7881, Bend, ☏ +1 541-382-4193. Travels along US Highway 20 between Bend, Burns, Ontario, and communities in between. Travelers connect to Greyhound in Ontario. The operator, Pacific Crest Bus Lines, also operates separate runs from Bend and Redmond to Chemult (as an Amtrak Thruway bus) and to Eugene that are not part of Oregon POINT. (updated Jan 2017)
• Northwest Point (operated by MTR Western), (office) 235 Cap St, Eugene, ☏ +1 541-484-4100. Runs between Portland and Astoria via Cannon Beach. Connections to Amtrak, TriMet, and Greyhound in Portland. Tickets are available at the Amtrak ticket counters at Portland Union Station or through independent agents, and are not sold by drivers. Also functions as an Amtrak Thruway bus from Portland to Astoria. (updated Jan 2017)
• Southwest Point (operated by Klamath Shuttle), (office & depot) 445 S Springs St, Klamath Falls, ☏ +1 541-883-2609, toll-free: +1-888-900-2609. Serves Klamath Falls, Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass, Crescent City, Brookings, and intermediate communities. Also stops at the airport in Medford. Connections to Amtrak in Klamath Falls, and to Greyhound in Medford or Grants Pass. (updated Jan 2017)

• Travel Washington Intercity Program. WSDOT's Travel Washington program is a way to provide more service options for statewide travel, connecting towns and rural communities with major transportation hubs and urban centers. They are:. 

• Apple Line (operated by Northwestern Trailways). follows a 160-mile route, along US-97, through Omak, Ellensburg and Wenatchee with connections to Amtrak and Northwestern Stage Lines in Wenatchee and Greyhound in Ellensburg. 
• Dungeness Line (Operated by Greyhound Connect). serves the Olympic Peninsula, connecting in Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Seattle and Sea-Tac International Airport with links to Greyhound, Amtrak and Washington State Ferries in Seattle and connections to the MV Coho Ferry to Victoria, B.C. in Port Angeles. 
• Grape Line (Operated by Bellair Airporter). provides service between Walla Walla and Pasco. Connections to Greyhound, Amtrak and additional commercial flights in Pasco (Tri-Cities). 
• Gold Line (Operated by Bellair Airporter). runs twice daily along US 395, connecting Colville, Arden, Addy, Chewelah, Loon Lake and Deer Park to Spokane and key transit hubs, including Spokane International Airport.. 

There are additional private bus companies and public county operated buses traveling to additional places not necessarily served by the above within just Oregon or Washington state. See "By bus" under "Getting Around" in the Washington (State) and Oregon articles and under "By Bus" in the article of a particular city or town (such as Portland and Seattle) for an addition listings.

By train

See also: Rail travel in the United States

• Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States of America. (updated Mar 2022) Routes traveling in the Pacific Northwest:
  • Amtrak Cascades: Runs 4x daily between Seattle and Portland (via Tukwila, Tacoma, Olympia, Centralia & Kelso/Longview) and twice daily from Seattle to Vancouver BC (Edmonds, Everett, Stanwood, Mt Vernon & Bellingham); and from Portland to Eugene (Oregon City, Salem, Albany). Additional services between Eugene & Portland are offered by Cascades POINT bus and between Vancouver BC & Seattle by Amtrak Thruway bus.
  • Coast Starlight: Runs once daily service between Seattle, Portland & Los Angeles with the same stops as the Cascades from Seattle to Eugene, OR; except Oregon City and Tukwila. The train makes additional stops in Chemult and Klamath Falls, OR before crossing into California (southbound) or arriving into Eugene (northbound).
  • Empire Builder: Runs once daily from Seattle to Spokane (via Edmonds, Everett, Leavenworth, Wenatchee & Ephrata) on one branch and from Portland to Spokane on another (Vancouver WA; Bingen, Wishram & Pasco). In Spokane the two branches join to continue eastbound towards Chicago (or split going westbound).

By ferry

Washington State Ferry leaving Vashon Island

Washington State Ferries is the largest system of ferries in the country and the key to navigating western Washington. They offer routes across Puget Sound to the Kitsap Peninsula and to Bainbridge, Vashon, Whidbey and the San Juan Islands as well as continuing service to Sidney BC.

Inland, the state also offers some free ferries across the Columbia River and there are also some county-run ferries to smaller destinations such as to Anderson Island and Guemes Island. Check specific regions for more detailed information.

By light rail

Portland and Seattle have light rail systems that can quickly deliver passengers from their respective airports to their downtown cores. However Portland's system is better developed and offers more options when traveling around that region.

Portland

Portland has two complimentary rail systems, which both tie in to the national rail system, Amtrak. The MAX is Portland's regional rail, while the Portland Streetcar serves central Portland. TriMet's MAX (Metropolitan Area Express) Light Rail connects downtown Portland with Beaverton, Clackamas, Gresham, Hillsboro, North/Northeast Portland and the Portland International Airport on four color-coded lines. The City of Portland owns and operates the Portland Streetcar, which connects NW Portland, the Pearl District, Portland City Center, PSU, South Waterfront, the Rose Quarter, the Lloyd District, the Convention Center and OMSI, on named routes. More about Portland Transit

Seattle

Link Light Rail operates between Northgate through the University of Washington and Capitol Hill to Westlake Center in downtown Seattle and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, running through South Seattle and Tukwila. There's also a shorter and separate segment of the Link Light Rail connecting the Tacoma Dome Station (Tacoma's Greyhound Station) and downtown Tacoma.

By bike

Portland and Seattle are considered some of the most bike-friendly cities in the United States with extensive bike lanes and infrastructure developed for bicyclists including bike racks on buses and designated spaces on light rail. However even rural areas in both states are popular with bicyclists including Oregon's winding coastline.

See

Natural scenery

A chain of volcanoes defines the spine of the Pacific Northwest, including the iconic snow-packed Mount Rainier, which towers over western Washington and is symbolic of the natural beauty of the area. The PNW includes both the Olympic Mountains on the epic Olympic Peninsula and Cascade Mountains that extend from Washington into Oregon and even down into northern California. Mount Hood is Oregon's most recognizable volcanic mountain and can easily be seen across both states. Between Mount Rainier and Mount Hood is the infamous Mount St. Helens. Further south, a volcano is missing in the Cascades. In Southern Oregon, Crater Lake is all that remains from the massive volcanic explosion of Mount Mazama 7700 years ago.

The Pacific Northwest is a very diverse region including rugged coastlines, unique sand dunes, sparkling streams, huge rivers, wide deserts, and picturesque forested islands, as well as the dramatic mountains. The Columbia Gorge Scenic drive and its waterfalls follows along the mighty Columbia River, which is the natural boundary between Oregon & Washington. Puget Sound is a large, complex waterway created by the most recent glacial cycle, which ended 14,000 years ago.

Lime Kiln Lighthouse San Juan Islands

Historical attractions

Unlike many areas of the country, the prehistory of the region is rich and evident. Areas such as Suquamish still actively practice Native American traditions and Northwest Native American art is a common theme even in contemporary urban public artworks. The city of Seattle is named after Chief Seattle and many other natural and manufactured features bear the names of the areas first peoples which are often difficult for outsiders to pronounce.

Areas such as Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve have kept large areas preserved much as they were when the first European settlers came to the area while the Lewis and Clark National Monument along the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail has preserved that area for future explorers.

Monuments and architecture

Most of the area's architecture can, of course, be seen in urban areas such as Seattle's Smith Tower, which, although now dwarfed by Seattle's modern skyscrapers, stood for years as the tallest building west of the Mississippi. But interesting architecture can be seen even across rural areas such as the eleven historic lighthouses scattered along the Oregon coast. Michael Graves' the Portland Building in downtown Portland in on the National Register of Historic Places for its primacy in the history of Postmodernism. Frank Gehry's EMP/SFM building is a contemporary architectural highlight in Seattle.

Museums and galleries

There are many world-renowned museums around the region and although most of the well known one's such as the Seattle and Portland Art Museums tend to be in the larger cities, many quality museums can be found scattered across the area and are often a rewarding and enriching break when exploring. Even small towns will sometimes offer their own regional art and historical museums that offer glimpses of local art, history and culture.

Do

Oregon's Mount Hood reflected in Mirror Lake

The Pacific Northwest is an outdoorsy place that offers an intimidating variety of places to experience nature. Although known for its national parks, there are hundreds of state and regional parks offering a wide variety of recreation from rock climbing to sea kayaking. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission alone has the largest state-managed mooring system in the United States offering 40 marine parks in Puget Sound that together provide more than 8,500 feet of public moorage space as well as campgrounds and vacation rentals ranging from the primitive and isolated to the comfy and well equipped. There are so many fun activities to do. Also they have amazing Honey.

• Beachcombing. Hugely popular along the Pacific Coast; however, due to its size and vast expanses between towns it is easy to find your own isolated patch to explore. Sea shells and driftwood are considered part of the natural environment and should not be removed. Be gentle with sea creatures and keep a wide distance away from nesting birds, seals and other shore animals and always put back anything removed from the shoreline. 
• Boating. The Pacific Northwest is one of the most popular places for cruising on small craft in America. Breath taking views of the snow capped mountain ranges mingle with thick forests and clear bays and streams to create a humbling cacophony of natural sights for area boaters. Carved by ancient glaciers, areas like Puget Sounds offer intricate and complex waterways with endless opportunities for exploration while the many harbor towns built on protective bays cater to boaters and provide a wide array of services, restaurants and shops. Harbor Seals, Otters, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles and Blue Herons are common sites while the occasional viewing of an Orca or Grey Whale is not out of the question. 
• Fishing. Popular throughout the Pacific Northwest from trout fly fishing in isolated mountain streams to digging up shell fish along the coast. 
• Hiking and wilderness backpacking. Very popular throughout this region, especially in the Cascade and Olympic mountains. The Pacific Crest Trail is a 2,650-mile (4,260 km) border-to-border trail that traverses Oregon, Washington, and the length of California. Other opportunities for hiking/backpacking can be found nearly everywhere, from coastal trails to paths through old-growth temperate rainforest, and from high desert openness to high altitude vistas. 
• Mountain biking. Opportunities for mountain biking can be found in nearly every corner of the Pacific Northwest. From relaxing rides through wine country to extreme mountain trails designed specifically for the sport, mountain bikers in the Pacific Northwest respect the landscape by staying on trails clearly marked for bikes. 
• Rock Climbing. The North Cascades are particularly noted for offering some of the most rugged alpine climbing in the lower 48, but popular areas can be found across the region for all skill levels, including Smith Rock in central Oregon. 
• Sea kayaking. Sea kayaking began as a sport in the Pacific Northwest. The region offers thousands of miles of convoluted shoreline to explore, including the San Juan Islands and the Cascadia Marine Trail on Puget Sound, which is a National Recreation Trail and designated one of only 16 National Millennium Trails by the White House. Suitable for day or multi-day trips, the Cascadia Marine Trail has over 50 campsites accessible via public and private launch sites or shoreline trailheads. The National Parks Service named the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails as 'Trail of the Month' for December 2012. PDF copies of the water trails map are available HERE 
• Scuba diving. The cold waters of the Pacific Northwest take a bit more gear and training than other locations with warmer water, but the rewards are incredible. The area contains some of the best diving in the world and many dive sites are completely covered with colorful sea creatures that defy description. It is not surprising to discover that the famous underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau named Puget Sound as his second favorite diving area in the world. 
• Skiing. The Pacific Northwest has many snow ski resorts close to urban areas including Mount Hood near Portland with skiing year round and the largest night ski area in America; Mount Bachelor ski area near Bend, Oregon; or Washington State's Mount Baker where it is possible to ski the glacier in July. Most areas feature opportunities for both alpine and nordic skiing, as well as snowboarding. 
• Surfing. Surfing is popular along areas of the coast and seasonally in the Admiralty Inlet. Some of the areas best beaches are so isolated that surfers created another Northwest tradition: strapping surf boards to a backpacks to get the board and surfer to where the waves are. The Clean Water Classic is the largest Pro/Am surfing competition in the Pacific Northwest and takes place annually in Westport, Washington. 
• Whale watching. The spring and fall provide good opportunities to watch the Grey Whale migration. Orca whales can frequently be seen in the San Juan Islands and other parts of Puget Sound. Many professional tours are available or check online for recent updates from various whale watching groups. 
• Whitewater sports. Many rivers, particularly the Snake River, offer whitewater sporting opportunities. 

LGBT tourism

The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the Pacific Northwest is strong and cohesive, and offers a wide range of resources for community members and visitors. Seattle and Portland have some of the highest percentages of gay, lesbian or bisexual residents among large cities in the U.S. Washington state is one of only a few states that legalized gay marriage by a popular vote.

Eat

The Pacific Northwest is a foodie’s dream come true. Talented chefs and entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the Northwest’s incredible seafood, abundant locally-sourced produce, award-winning wines, and well-developed beer brewing tradition to establish a regional cuisine that trumps just about any other area in America. From the hundreds of food carts creatively competing for a niche market in Portland, where experimentation is expected, to top of the line restaurants squirreled away in almost every neighborhood, Pacific Northwesterners have high expectations from their food.

The Pacific Northwest is best known for its salmon, but a large variety of other seafood is available in the area. Oftentimes seafood comes in short bursts with seasonal migrations and is only available for short amounts of time, so watch closely for seasonal specials in restaurants and markets.

Shellfish are the prized resources of the Puget Sound, as the cool, clean waters provide some of the finest shellfish habitat in the world. Washington State is the nation’s leading producer of farmed bivalve shellfish (clams, mussels and oysters) but other specialties like Geoducks are sometimes available for the more adventurous.

The Dungeness Crab is a popular seafood prized for its sweet and tender flesh and high ratio of meat. Its common name comes from the port of Dungeness, Washington where the first commercial harvesting of the crab was undertaken. The Dungeness Crab is a commercially important crab in the state of Washington's territorial waters and was the first shellfish harvested commercially in the area, but other crab species are also common.

The area's mild climate, rich soil, and abundant water resources have created a bountiful climate for the many varieties of fresh produce available across the region. Farmers' markets are common in both urban and rural areas and are a great way to experience local culture and foods.

Apples are one of Washington State's biggest exports, with over 100 million boxes of apples picked every year and shipped around the globe. A wide variety of other crops are also grown in abundance every year, from wheat and potatoes to nuts and vegetables, making fresh local produce abundant.

Drink

Few, if any, American regions can challenge the Pacific Northwest's love of coffee. According to a group of industry market researchers, there were an amazing 1,640 coffee shops in the Puget Sound region in 2011, ranking it the most popular coffee region in the country but coffee is popular all across the northwest. It is not surprising that such coffee giants such as Starbucks have exported the Pacific Northwest's coffee culture around the globe.

Microbreweries and beer in general are a Northwest specialty, and the area has many to offer for beer enthusiasts. In 2012 Oregon had 18.3 craft breweries per 500,000 people making it second only to Vermont in the number of micro breweries per capita. The larger brewers, like Redhook and Pyramid, distribute their products regionally or nationally like their coffee cousins, while other brews can only be found in local stores or bars (some notable brewers don't even bottle their product). Ask your servers for local beer recommendations and search out regional microbrews in stores. Hops are the key ingredient in beer making and Washington State's fertile Yakima Valley is by far the biggest exporter of hops in the US giving area brewers another edge in making the best beers.

Vineyard in Willamette Valley

Eastern Oregon and Washington are known for their wines. Walla Walla alone boasts over 100 wineries – including some of the area and nation's best cellars – with tasting rooms downtown; this area is popular for winery tours. But don't expect the stodginess of elitist wine areas elsewhere; the Willamette Valley in Oregon and the Columbia River Plateau in Washington have many affordable and welcoming communities with small town roots.

Stay safe

The Pacific Northwest is well known for its rain, but not all weather here is a joke.

The good news is that the Pacific Northwest does not have any regular catastrophic events to worry about on an annual basis. Tornadoes are very rare and hurricanes are non-existent. There is a fair amount of rain, but rarely intense storms. However the area is not immune to major disasters.

Animal safety

Though many of the animals in the area are used to seeing humans, the wildlife is nonetheless wild and should not be fed or disturbed. Stay at least 100 m away from bears and 25 m from all other potentially aggressive animals! Check trail head postings at parks for recent activity and be aware of rules keeping a distance from Orca whales and other marine animals while boating. Regulations for orcas, also known as killer whales, require that boaters stay 200 yards (180 m) away and keep clear of the whales' path. These U.S. regulations apply to all vessels (with some exceptions) in all waters.

Don't disturb resting seal pups; keep children and dogs away and report to the local stranding hotline. Seal pups 'haul out' to get much needed rest when they are young and are often alone for many hours. They are extremely vulnerable at this time and should be left alone. Only about 50% of Pacific Northwest seal pups make it through their first year, so please help to protect their health.

Avalanches

In the Cascade Mountains (which divide the states into halves) there can be significant snow accumulations during the late fall and winter months. This poses a danger for avalanches whenever these areas experience warm periods, regardless of how brief they may be. Mountain passes are sometimes closed for avalanche control and may affect travel plans, especially along I-90 from Yakima to Seattle. Check the Washington State Department of Transportation website for information regarding Avalanche control. If going into the mountains during the winter and early spring, refer to the Northwest Avalanche Center for information regarding the current avalanche dangers throughout the Cascade region of the state.

Deserts

During the summer months, the temperatures east of the Cascades often exceed 100 °F (38 °C). If you will be outside for long periods of time, be sure to drink plenty of water and limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine to prevent dehydration and heat stroke. Should you plan to venture off into the surrounding landscape, follow desert survival guidelines. Make sure you know where you are going, tell someone where your destination will be, and take an ample water supply with you.

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Tsunami evacuation signs are common along the coast such as this one in Seaside, Oregon.

The Pacific Northwest is near the Cascadia subduction zone, an area off the coast where two tectonic plates are converging, producing very infrequent but massive earthquakes comparable to the biggest ones in recent history, such as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan. The risk is fairly low — in 2010 scientists estimated only a 10-15% chance of a magnitude 9 earthquake occurring within 50 years, and a 37% chance of a magnitude 8 — but you should learn what to expect and be prepared.

Such a "megathrust" earthquake is sure to destroy many bridges and older unreinforced buildings in the area, which were all built before scientists were aware of the region's history of large quakes, but the bigger danger is from the enormous tsunami that will follow. Major cities like Seattle and Portland are in inland waterways and are partially sheltered, but the Pacific coast will be flooded by water as high as 80–100 feet (24–30 m) in some areas with just 15-20 minutes of warning. To get an idea of how bad it will be, you just have to read the Pulitzer Prize–winning 2015 article from The New Yorker, "The Really Big One", in which the regional FEMA director was quoted as saying, "Our operating assumption is that everything west of Interstate 5 will be toast."

The region has a tsunami warning system, and tsunami evacuation routes are signposted in many areas. However, don't wait for a warning: in the event of any earthquake, or if you see what appears to be a very low tide, or substantial withdrawal of water from both the mouth of rivers and the ocean itself, evacuate immediately. Go to high ground; if you can't, go inland. Roads will likely be impassable, so leave on foot. Try to get at least 50 feet (15 m) above sea level, and find a sturdy building with at least three floors.

The danger doesn't end after the earthquake and tsunami. Be prepared to survive on your own for a minimum of 3 days, but due to infrastructure damage it may be weeks before you receive significant help or supplies. Preparation only helps when done in advance: pack your car with fresh water (or purifiers) and nonperishable food, in addition to a first aid kit.

If you aren't comfortable with the low odds, you can at least choose your destination carefully. Rather than the Pacific coast, consult earthquake and tsunami maps and choose low-risk places; for instance, some parts of the Puget Sound will be relatively sheltered from tsunamis. Choose lodgings in sturdy commercial buildings away from the water rather than residential houses near the beach.

Landslides

During the winter months, the western sides of both states often receive significant rainfall which soften the grounds to such a point that landslides sometimes occur. Be especially alert when driving. Embankments along roadsides are particularly susceptible to landslides. Watch the road for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of possible landslides or debris flows.

If you encounter a landslide, leave the area immediately if it is safe to do so and call the local fire, police or public works department.

Volcanoes

There are several large volcanoes in the region, such as Mount St. Helens, which, in 1980, let loose the largest volcanic eruption in US history. However, the probability of a volcanic eruption in the Cascades is very low, and events usually come with weeks, if not months, of warning. Simply using common sense and heeding any warnings should be more than enough to keep any traveler safe. Cities such as Puyallup and Orting near Mount Rainier have Volcano Evacuation Route signs that should be followed in case of an emergency.

Volcanic eruptions come with several dangers. Lahars are a type of volcanic mudslide associated with a volcanic event.

Crime

Much like any area in the United States, the Pacific Northwest is generally very safe, and the chance of you running into any criminal trouble is unlikely. Certain areas of larger cities can become seedy after dark and it is therefore advised that one avoid being out alone very late at night. Use sensible precautions and don't leave any valuables unattended or in plain sight in your car, especially at trail heads or other areas where you might be leaving your car for some time.

Drugs

Recreational cannabis is legal in both states, and dispensaries are very common. Some jurisdictions, mostly rural areas east of the Cascade Mountains, have prohibited the establishment of recreational dispensaries; however, possession of up to one US ounce (28 grams) of dried cannabis flower is legal for all people in both states. Public use is illegal in both states and is subject to a civil fine, but actual enforcement varies by locale — be smart, know your company and your environment.

In 2020, the State of Oregon reduced the criminal sanctions for possession of small amounts of all drugs. Persons found to possess personal-use quantities of illegal drugs will be cited with a civil violation (similar to a speeding ticket), required to pay a fine, and referred to substance abuse rehabilitation. This is absolutely not an endorsement of illicit drug use, and the treatment requirements may cause headaches for non-local visitors. Washington State has no such provisions and possession of illegal drugs remains a criminal offense.

Cope

Some Consulates and Embassies can be found in the area and tend to be focused around Seattle and Portland with a few notable exceptions. The embassy for Belgium as well as consulates for Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Taiwan can all be found in Seattle. While honorary consulates for Germany and Denmark can be found in nearby Mercer Island and an honorary consulate for the Netherlands can be found in Bellevue.

Honorary consulates for Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Mexico and the Netherlands can be found in Portland Oregon while an honorary consulate for the Czech Republic can be found in nearby Lake Oswego.

Go next

• British Columbia
• Rocky Mountains (United States of America)
• California