Category: West Coast Travel

Board a Shuttle from Portland to Multnomah Falls

This summer, the Columbia Gorge Express will resume service between Portland and Multnomah Falls. It makes the journey 12 times per day at a rate of $5 per trip. Families with children are encouraged to use the express to make the otherwise inconvenient trip. With more funds from the outdoors department, the shuttle will now be able to carry up to 40 passengers at once, a massive increase from last year’s 20 passengers. Larger shuttles are also safer and easier to manage for drivers. While most parties take the shuttle from Portland to Multnomah Falls, it is also possible to traverse the route backwards. Portland has great restaurants, shops, and hotels to stay at. Multnomah Falls is home to beautiful waterfalls, wildlife, and incredibly green flora. On both ends of the express, there are amazing sights to see. Once you buy your ticket at the gate, wait at the station for the next shuttle to arrive. Hop onboard with your friends, enjoy the ride, and get off at your final destination. Aside from holidays and days recognized by the national park service, the Colombia Gorge Express will operate from 9-5 on weekdays and Saturdays. Alternatives to the shuttle include buses, cars, and vans. However, you won’t be able to travel through the majestic scenery of the gorge. Avoid crowded parking lots and the congestion of the road with this fabulous shuttle.

 

Planning Your Trip to Disney

Disney World in California is a prime tourist destination for many travelers. It’s a great place for both kids and adults alike, as there are a plethora of activities and things to do while there. When it comes to actually traveling to the park, it’s important to plan out your trip accordingly so that it goes as smoothly as possible. The way to do this is by making arrangements months in advance to ensure that you are not only able to get a reasonable flight for a decent price, but also a hotel room where you’ll be comfortable staying.

 

Another important aspect to consider when traveling to the west coast is creating an itinerary that you and your family can follow. With this type of schedule, it’s easy to know which areas of the park you’re going to explore on which days. This is ideal for so many individuals who would otherwise miss sections because they do not know where to go. You can find a variety of maps and pamphlets on the park online, making it effortless on your part to figure out where you’ll be going on any given day. Once you make the trip to Disney with your loved ones and friends, you’ll realize why so many have said it’s the happiest place on earth. There are so many amazing things to check out within the park itself, making it an ideal hot spot for adults and kids who just want to have some fun away from home.

 

Can Americans Afford to Travel to the West Coast?

In a recent Huffington Post article, David Landsel helps American travelers with helpful ways to afford an exciting trip to the west coast. For the past five decades, California has been one of the most popular destinations for travelers in the United States and abroad for good reason. This populous U.S. state is filled to the brim with beautiful landscapes, breathtaking ocean views, and some of the best restaurants in the world. Although California undoubtedly holds certain fascinations for every type of traveler, the trip can also be quite costly for the average American traveler. Because California holds some of the most expensive markets for hotel stays, restaurants, and local travel (taxi cabs, trains, etc.), it has become unrealistic for some families to make a trip to the Golden State, as much as they may desire to go. David Landsel of the Huffington Post has developed a list of tips and strategies that can make this trip more affordable and fun for the average American.

 

Finding Cheaper Hotel Rates

 

One of the most costly portions of any traveling experience is the fee associated with temporary residence. Hotel rates combined with the hotel tax and adjusted fees can make trip to the west coast almost unbearable even for upper middle class Americans. By finding alternatives to expensive hotels, travelers can make their trips 70 percent cheaper than if they booked hotels at their normal costs. By opting to use travel sites designed to find the lowest hotel rates combined with lowered plane rates, Americans have considerably lowered their west coast travel bill. Websites that offer alternative housing for temporary trips like Airbnb, are also quite beneficial to those seeking less expensive travel to the west coast.

 

 

 

 

West Coast Travelers to be Impacted by Laptop Ban

Over the past few months, one of the biggest stories in the travel industry has been the ban on the use of laptops on flights. While it started with flights leaving from the Middle East and coming to the United States, now many other international flights entering the United States will no longer permit passengers from carrying on laptop computers.

 

While the laptop travel ban started with international flights, many now believe that it will expand further, and will impact all travel in the United States, including travel to the west coast (http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/25/us-airlines-laptop-ban-flights-238835). The initial theory behind the laptop ban came after the TSA and FAA heard of a new plot to use laptops to control and even hide small bombs. In an effort to prevent this from happening, the FAA immediately imposed a ban that no longer allowed laptops to be carried on international flights.

 

This issue has created a large inconvenience for many passengers. Since many business passengers used the time of a flight to get some work done, many are now frustrated by the lack of efficiency. Furthermore, having to check a laptop now means that a business traveler will have to check their bag entirely, which is more time consuming and expensive. While this used to be a problem only for travel internationally, it now appears that this could be turning into a domestic problem as well. Those that will be most impacted by it will be travelers on the West Coast, which are far more likely to have long trips.

 

Driving Through Alaska

While cruises and organized tours are popular in Alaska, one overlooked method of transportation is basic automobiles. It is a misconception that roads in Alaska are obsolete and rare. Driving through Alaska is a fantastic way to commute, says expert John Dougal. With roads such as Dalton Highway, it is easier than ever to navigate through forests and mountains. They are constantly lighted at nighttime, which means you won’t have to rely on your headlights for information. When you want to take a break, there are visitor centers and pit stops along the south end near Anchorage. If you are interested in this sort of vacation, contact a rental car company for deals and special offers. Travel crews encourage people to drive through Alaska as opposed to flying to each destination. Although the number of airports has been increasing, it is still difficult to reach isolated areas of the state. On the other hand, local roads allow cars to explore even the most unusual destinations. You won’t regret these glaciers and polar bears as rewards. The outer coast of Alaska is often unvisited yet beautiful. If you want to drive through Alaska, that is one place that should be first on your list. There are no substitutes for the white scenery and glacial background. You can either complete it as a 3 day trip or spend an entire week in the region. Overall, driving through Alaska is a trip that every outdoor adventurer needs to pursue.

 

Exploring San Diego’s Waterfront: The Coronado Ferry

Getting around San Diego’s waterfront can be tricky. Because the coastline curves and turns so frequently, biking or walking can be difficult. Lately, the best way to explore the waterfront has been the Coronado Ferry. Although the ferry was out of service in previous month, it is now running on a full time schedule. You can board the ferry at Newport Beach or near the art museum. There are usually long lines on the weekends and late afternoons, so consider going in the morning to find the Coronado Ferry empty. Once on board, you can relax and enjoy the fresh breeze of the bay. During the wintertime, temperatures can be chilly on the water. Make sure to bring a light jacket to combat the wind. Otherwise, the Coronado Ferry is a fantastic option for traversing the waterfront. Tickets go on sale the night before, and you can pick them up at the front desk. Rides take between 15 and 20 minutes. Once on the other side, you can make your way back to the start via designated trails that pass by natural flora and farmer’s markets. When it comes to convenience and speed, the Coronado Ferry is one of the greatest ways to see the waterfront. You can take pictures on your phone or talk to your friends about the amazing view. Experiences like these contribute to the wonders of San Diego.

 

West Coast Oil Resistance Could Boost Tourism

The past several weeks have been great news for those interested in traveling to the West Coast, but were hesitant about exposing themselves to the polluted climate there. Several key states along the West Coast have decided to make a stand against the oil industry, ensuring that their environment can finally be protected from prolonged exposure to all of the chemicals commonly associated with the oil industry.

 

In terms of specific states, Washington and California seem to primarily be leading the charge against the major oil industry players. This shift in politics also represents a shift in public opinion. While people have been content to let large industries have their way with the land, there’s been a rising trend in environmental awareness, especially on the West Coast.

 

Although this may seem like a poor economic move at first, it’s likely that this will have a tremendous impact on the already booming tourist industry along the West Coast. By stopping the oil industry from continuing to expand or negatively impact the environment unabated, the West Coast has opened itself up to new possibilities for tourists. While it will likely take some time before the effects of these new regulations and proposals are observed, it’s good to know that people will have a beautiful tourist opportunity well into the future.

 

Of course, in addition to having a positive effect on future tourism, these proposals also act as a sort of “ground zero” for future proposals in other states. It’s likely that rejecting the plans of companies like Shell will ripple out into other states where other city councils are debating similar plans.

 

Travel Ban Impacting Travel to San Francisco

Under the current presidential administration, the world and United States have seen a lot of big changes. One way that the new administration is having an impact on the country is through reduced travel. Much of this has been attributed to the recent immigration policies that have been announced and various attempts at a travel ban. While many areas of the country will be affected by reduced travel, the city of San Francisco could be affected more than others (http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/08/under-trump-bay-area-tourism-could-see-a-decline-travel-leaders-say/).

 

Ever since the travel ban at times have been publicly announced, travelers from countries outside of the United States have showed a significant decline in travel to the country. This has been attributed to an overall feeling of uncertainty about being inside the United States. It has been shown that there has been a 17% decline in the amount of Internet searches related to booking trips to the United States.

 

One country that has shown the most significant decline of all his China. Since Chyna makes up the bulk of all travelers to the San Francisco area, this nationwide travel decline could impact this city most of all. In fact, overall Internet searches for flights from an international city to San Francisco international Airport are down over 45% since the last travel ban was announced. While the controversial travel bans have been put on hold by federal judges, it is clearly already having a major impact in the country. This could lead to a big cut into the $250 billion travel history in the United States.

 

New Train Coming to West Coast

The cities of Seattle and Portland are two of the most popular travel destinations along the West Coast in the United States. The cities are both well known for their beautiful landscape, moderate weather throughout the year, and plenty of recreational activities. Those that are looking to travel to these cities may often decide to combine both cities into one larger trip. For those that are looking to travel between Seattle and Portland, there may be a new efficient travel method available in the near future (http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/apr/27/imagine-zipping-from-seattle-to-portland-by-high-s/).

 

The latest talks between the state of Washington and Oregon have focused on developing a new high-speed efficient train to transport people between the two cities. The trains in mind will be similar to many of the newer trains found throughout Asia and could travel up to close to 250 mph. These trains could’ve then allow someone to get from Portland to Seattle in less than one hour.

 

While the concept could come to fruition in the future, it is still far away. The two cities and states conceptually coming up with a budget to study the train system more. The budget for planning and research is about $300,000 alone. This budget will support the research into a different train actions, the timeline for construction and implementation, and what the total cost will be. While the train system will start with service between the two cities, it will likely be expanded in the future. Other cities that could be connected include Vancouver and San Francisco.

 

Seattle Tourism Industry Fears the Trump Slump

The Emerald City of Washington State has been quietly emerging as a major West Coast travel destination over the last few years thanks to innovative marketing and strategic positioning, but tourism officials are worried about a phenomenon they call “the Trump Slump.”

 

According to Travel Seattle, the official trade group of the tourism industry, 38.9 million visitors spent $2.2 billion in 2016, which benefited more than 74,000 local employees and their families. The number of day visitors grew by three percent on an annual basis, and the revenue realized by means of state and city taxes netted $718 million dollars.

 

Although the Seattle tourism industry is booming, industry leaders are concerned about the effect that certain policies enacted by the Trump administration could have on their business. The Trump Slump refers to the administration’s general attitude towards foreigners and the failed ban on Muslim travelers. Would-be foreign visitors are also experiencing longer lines and greater scrutiny at U.S. embassies and overseas, which are not granting as many tourist visas as they did during the Obama administration.

 

The immediate effects of the Trump Slump have not yet been quantified, but some business operators in the hospitality industry are concerned about protests at airports and the general sentiment by foreign visitors who vow to never return to the U.S. after being treated like suspected terrorists by customs and immigration officers at airports, seaports and land borders.

 

Even though international tourists only make up seven percent of total visitors in Seattle, they spend as much as 15 percent of the total revenue.