Page 310 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

308  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

The dramatically varied terrain and beautiful such as skiing, snowboarding, surfing,
landscapes of the Pacific Northwest make it scuba diving, and white-water rafting.
an ideal region for a wide range of outdoor For information about particular activities,
activities, from such peaceful pursuits as equipment rentals, instruction, and guided
bird-watching, whale-watching, hiking, tours, check the websites or contact the
and fishing, to more exhilarating sports state or provincial tourist offices.

Beaches
The shorelines of the Pacific
Northwest are among the
most scenic in the world.
Although the waters are
generally cool, swimming
offers refreshment during
the summer months.
The Oregon Dunes National
Recreation Area, between
Florence and Coos Bay,
comprises 50 sq miles
(130 sq km) of huge sand
Kite-boarding on the Hood River, off the dunes, some more than 500 ft Dune buggies on Oregon’s sand dunes,
Columbia River Gorge (150 m) tall. Higher than those near Florence
of the Sahara Desert, these
Adventure Sports
steep dunes are ideal for state park. A 15-minute drive
The dramatic landscape of sandboarding. The Umpqua from downtown Seattle,
the Pacific Northwest offers Scenic Dunes Trail, 30 miles Alki Beach (see p163) offers
countless possibilities for thrill- (48 km) south of Florence and a panoramic view of the
seekers, such as hang gliding, approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) city’s skyline and of Elliott Bay.
paragliding, kite-boarding, long, skirts the tallest dunes in Other particularly beautiful
hot-air ballooning, and sky- the area. Enjoy the breath taking beaches in Washington include
diving, to name just a few. views from the board walk’s Dungeness Spit, the longest
In Oregon, both Lakeview, in overlook, located 24 miles saltwater sand spit in North
the south, and Cape Kiwanda, (39 km) north of North Bend. America, and the sandy and
in the north, provide ideal Oregon’s top beaches cliff-lined beaches in Olympic
conditions for hang gliding include Bandon, Oswald National Park.
and paragliding, as does Lake West State Park, Cannon In British Columbia, among
Chelan in Washington. In British Beach, Sunset Bay State Park the beaches that dot
Columbia, the most popular beaches, and the beaches Vancouver’s shoreline the
spot for these sports is Malahat, of the Samuel H. Boardman most popular are English Bay,
north of Victoria, offering State Scenic Corridor. Sunset (see p224), Kitsilano,
spectacular views of the Saanich Deception Pass State Jericho, Locarno, Spanish
Peninsula and Strait of Georgia. Park beaches, in the Puget Banks, and the Second and
For more information about Sound area, are located in Third Beaches in Stanley Park
hang gliding and paragliding Washington’s most popular (see pp230–31). Visitors are also
in BC, contact the Hang
Gliding and Paragliding
Association of Canada.
Hot-air ballooning offers
another exciting way to get
a bird’s-eye view of the region.
To float over Oregon’s wine
country in a balloon, contact
Vista Balloon Adventures.
In Washington, you can take a
balloon ride over the Methow
Valley and enjoy a champagne
brunch with Morning Glory
Balloon Tours, or fly over the
Woodinville area vineyards
with Over the Rainbow. Sunbathers at Kitsilano Beach on English Bay, Vancouver

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