July West Coast Vacation

dmclone

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Looking to go on vacation in July to somewhere that isn't 300 degrees. Will probably have 6 or so days to explore. Wouldn't mind a few days outside of the city but I'm not the type who is going to climb Mt Rainier. It will be my wife and I, no kids. We've been to San Diego and love it but want to do something different. Portland, Seattle, Yosemite, day trips?
 
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KnappShack

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Yosemite and Mammoth Lakes are amazing places. Unreal beauty.

Bodie Ghost Town. Mono Lake are in the area too. Beautiful drive and interesting places.
 
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cycloner29

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Why not a few more hours west to Hawaii? June and July are a great time on the Islands. I plan on going in July again.
 

dmclone

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Why not a few more hours west to Hawaii? June and July are a great time on the Islands. I plan on going in July again.

I'm probably missing out but I've never been really interested in Hawaii. Long/expensive plane ride to go to a place that is expensive where I'll end up doing the same thing I can do in Mexico/Caribbean for a lot less money. I must be missing something because a lot of my friends keep going back.
 
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Angie

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We have family who work at Yosemite, and it's an amazing area.

We are doing a long weekend in Portland in a few weeks for my birthday. I have a gigantic list of things we're going to do based off of lots of research, if you need - although you may not be as into doing weird crap as we are! :)

Portland is known for a few things (besides being hipster), which may or may not interest you:

- coffee - there are several great ones
- food carts - there are giant pods of them in several locations all over the city. Do some research on them if you want to get the full Portland experience.
- strip clubs - they have more strip clubs per capita than anywhere else in the US. "Dusk 'Til Dawn" is a vegan vampire strip club, which is exactly what it sounds like.
- breweries and distilleries - there are giant tours of these, which are mostly based in the NE section of town - I think you'd love these

Let me know if you want me to give you my more detailed list. There's a lot of cool stuff, unique shopping, etc.
 

dmclone

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We have family who work at Yosemite, and it's an amazing area.

We are doing a long weekend in Portland in a few weeks for my birthday. I have a gigantic list of things we're going to do based off of lots of research, if you need - although you may not be as into doing weird crap as we are! :)

Portland is known for a few things (besides being hipster), which may or may not interest you:

- coffee - there are several great ones
- food carts - there are giant pods of them in several locations all over the city. Do some research on them if you want to get the full Portland experience.
- strip clubs - they have more strip clubs per capita than anywhere else in the US. "Dusk 'Til Dawn" is a vegan vampire strip club, which is exactly what it sounds like.
- breweries and distilleries - there are giant tours of these, which are mostly based in the NE section of town - I think you'd love these

Let me know if you want me to give you my more detailed list. There's a lot of cool stuff, unique shopping, etc.

Thanks Angie, I'd love to see the list.
 
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JP4CY

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We have family who work at Yosemite, and it's an amazing area.

We are doing a long weekend in Portland in a few weeks for my birthday. I have a gigantic list of things we're going to do based off of lots of research, if you need - although you may not be as into doing weird crap as we are! :)

Portland is known for a few things (besides being hipster), which may or may not interest you:

- coffee - there are several great ones
- food carts - there are giant pods of them in several locations all over the city. Do some research on them if you want to get the full Portland experience.
- strip clubs - they have more strip clubs per capita than anywhere else in the US. "Dusk 'Til Dawn" is a vegan vampire strip club, which is exactly what it sounds like.
- breweries and distilleries - there are giant tours of these, which are mostly based in the NE section of town - I think you'd love these

Let me know if you want me to give you my more detailed list. There's a lot of cool stuff, unique shopping, etc.
Angie, I've been to Portland.
Make sure to put the International Rose Garden and Japanese Gardens on your list. If you are a photo junkie its a great place.

Stop into Ken's Artisan Bakery. My wife has had their cookbook for years and the store is legit.
Anex Bar is so dang unique being in a flat iron building.

One of my favorite hotels isn't far from a lot of the action, the Inn at Northrup Station. So funky and affordable. Love that place.
 
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Angie

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Thanks Angie, I'd love to see the list.

You're awesome! I'll PM you my google doc. It's sort of organized weird. I also use a travel app called Sygic where you can set up itineraries per day, and it gives you directions from each to the next. I have the itinerary set up in that, I highly recommend it. You can use it for free, or you can pay extra and get maps for the driving/walking directions. I used it to set up my entire Italy trip last May!

Is drinking blood vegan?

It seems pretty illogical, I know. Which is why we've totally got to go - it's going to be bizarre! Possibly related - Portland also has legalized weed.

Angie, I've been to Portland.
Make sure to put the International Rose Garden and Japanese Gardens on your list. If you are a photo junkie its a great place.

Stop into Ken's Artisan Bakery. My wife has had their cookbook for years and the store is legit.
Anex Bar is so dang unique being in a flat iron building.

One of my favorite hotels isn't far from a lot of the action, the Inn at Northrup Station. So funky and affordable. Love that place.

Well, you are awesome! I'll add these on there before I send them to dmclone! I've not heard of Ken's or Anex Bar - that's fantastic! We're staying at the Ace but I'm totally going to make sure we stop in at the Inn - I've not heard of that, either! I love recommendations!
 
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Buster28

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If you're out there, a road trip along the coast might be fun to do. Say you start in Portland, head west to Astoria, then drive down the coast and see things along the way to northern California. When in CA, you can see the giant redwoods and coastal towns, wineries, breweries, state (and national - if they're open by then) parks. Humboldt, Mendocino, and Sonoma Counties are fantastic. As long as you stay near the coast, the weather will be cool and breezy.
 

Cyder91

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Suan Juan Islands outside of Seattle and Seattle, Olympic Peninsula Hoh rain forest, and if you have your passport, the ferry ride from Port Townsend over to Victoria on Vancouver Island is a great day excursion.
 
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JP4CY

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Well, you are awesome! I'll add these on there before I send them to dmclone! I've not heard of Ken's or Anex Bar - that's fantastic! We're staying at the Ace but I'm totally going to make sure we stop in at the Inn - I've not heard of that, either! I love recommendations!
Amazon product

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BCClone

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Not exactly sure.
We have family who work at Yosemite, and it's an amazing area.

We are doing a long weekend in Portland in a few weeks for my birthday. I have a gigantic list of things we're going to do based off of lots of research, if you need - although you may not be as into doing weird crap as we are! :)

Portland is known for a few things (besides being hipster), which may or may not interest you:

- coffee - there are several great ones
- food carts - there are giant pods of them in several locations all over the city. Do some research on them if you want to get the full Portland experience.
- strip clubs - they have more strip clubs per capita than anywhere else in the US. "Dusk 'Til Dawn" is a vegan vampire strip club, which is exactly what it sounds like.
- breweries and distilleries - there are giant tours of these, which are mostly based in the NE section of town - I think you'd love these

Let me know if you want me to give you my more detailed list. There's a lot of cool stuff, unique shopping, etc.


I'm positive my wife wouldn't agree to go to a strip club with me no matter what. I have a feeling MrJanny is going to be surprised when it turns out to be a male strip club.
 
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Angie

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I'm positive my wife wouldn't agree to go to a strip club with me no matter what. I have a feeling MrJanny is going to be surprised when it turns out to be a male strip club.

Oh man - I should look and see if they have a "ladies night" for sure! This was actually my idea - I figured it would be once-in-a-lifetime, right?
 

BCClone

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Oh man - I should look and see if they have a "ladies night" for sure! This was actually my idea - I figured it would be once-in-a-lifetime, right?


I will start by saying I have not been to a shaker club since my best man got married 20 years ago, so maybe things have changed. I do think that it would probably be the most awkward of things to do with my wife. Definitely better not "enjoy" any of it would have to be my mantra there.
 
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