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Summers are perfect in the region encompassing Washington state, Oregon and British Columbia, Canada. It's sunny, but not too hot — temperatures hover in the 70s — and there's always a slight breeze blowing across the gorgeous mountains, oceanfront and forest.
The abundance of outdoor activities makes this the perfect kiddie vacation area. We love Seattle, Vancouver and Portland, but those cities are our starting points. We're going to steer you towards places you might not have heard of, or didn't consider: two islands, small oceanside cities, mountainous resort towns and a Canadian hot springs.
Don't try to hit them all: this region is huge, so you'll want to limit your stay to a big metropolitan city and just one smaller place (for example, Seattle and Orcas Island). But whichever spot you choose, breathe deeply; the air here is some of the most invigorating in the hemisphere. — Sally Farhat Kassab
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Victoria, B.C.
Oh, Victoria. Quaint, cute, old English, and beautiful. Those are the words people use to describe it, and it's all true. You'll walk by double-decker buses whizzing by, take high tea in hotels (okay, maybe not with a toddler, but we had to mention it), and see world-famous gardens. Bring your sneakers — you'll walk everywhere. 
Oh, Victoria. Quaint, cute, old English, and beautiful. Those are the words people use to describe it, and it's all true. You'll walk by double-decker buses whizzing by, take high tea in hotels (okay, maybe not with a toddler, but we had to mention it), and see world-famous gardens. Bring your sneakers — you'll walk everywhere.
The Inner Harbour is the centerpiece, and during the summer it's buzzing with artists, street performers and bagpipers. Floatplanes land all the time (though you'll likely arrive by ferry) and the kids love watching them. The Empress Hotel, which you must at least walk through, houses Miniature World, home to everything tiny: landscapes, cities and more. A visit to the Victoria Bug Zoo is also a Babble pick.
Try the city's best soft ice cream at Beacon Drive-In Restaurant (250-385-7521) and eat almond burgers at vegetarian, kid-friendly Re-Bar Modern Food. Sleep at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa, which seems created for children: kids' check-in packs, story time with cookies and milk and a family parking spot are all part of the package.
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa, king rooms with sofa bed from $369 Canadian/night
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Orcas Island, Washington
Doe Bay Resort & Retreat, where you can actually sleep in a yurt (those less adventurous can rent a cottage). The chef makes gourmet food like shitake mushroom pate, and the retreat sits on thirty-three acres of waterfront, so anything goes. If you want to go into "town," the village of Eastsound is full of little shops, restaurants and bakeries. It has a great farmer's market on Saturdays. (Don't miss the tarot card readers). Another Orcas highlight is 2,407-foot Mount Constitution, in Moran State Park. You'll get a great view from the old stone tower at the summit.
Northwest of Seattle lie four well-known San Juan Islands, and ferries heading there from Anacortes (1.5 hours north of Seattle) are jammed in the summer. Our family favorite is Orcas.
Hang with the hippies at Doe Bay Resort & Retreat, where you can actually sleep in a yurt (those less adventurous can rent a cottage). The chef makes gourmet food like shitake mushroom pate, and the retreat sits on thirty-three acres of waterfront, so anything goes. If you want to go into "town," the village of Eastsound is full of little shops, restaurants and bakeries. It has a great farmer's market on Saturdays. (Don't miss the tarot card readers). Another Orcas highlight is 2,407-foot Mount Constitution, in Moran State Park. You'll get a great view from the old stone tower at the summit.
If you want something a little nicer, Rosario Resort & Spa is the historic hotel here (the on-site mansion houses a museum). The swimming pool, kayak rentals and whale-watching tours are family favorites.
Doe Bay Resort & Retreat, $35 and up for campsites, $65 and up for yurts and rooms
Rosario Resort & Spa, two-queen bedrooms from $99 if booked through travelzoo.com by July 13, otherwise $189
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Seaside, Oregon
Most Seattle and Portland kids have been to this beach town at least once. It's kitschy, and made for families. Parts of it still look like Coney Island, but new condos and luxury timeshares are transforming Seaside. Still, the ocean is beautiful. The early 1900s boardwalk, "the Prom," runs for two miles, and is full of strollers and bikes. Seaside is also home to the largest Sitka Spruce tree in the U.S., 216 feet tall. Kids old enough to fish — or just watch daddy — will enjoy the Quatat Marine Park downtown, where you can catch steelhead and salmon in the river, have a picnic and attend summer concerts. The Seaside Aquarium is a fun place to get splashed by the seals.
Most Seattle and Portland kids have been to this beach town at least once. It's kitschy, and made for families. Parts of it still look like Coney Island, but new condos and luxury timeshares are transforming Seaside. Still, the ocean is beautiful. The early 1900s boardwalk, "the Prom," runs for two miles, and is full of strollers and bikes. Seaside is also home to the largest Sitka Spruce tree in the U.S., 216 feet tall. Kids old enough to fish — or just watch daddy — will enjoy the Quatat Marine Park downtown, where you can catch steelhead and salmon in the river, have a picnic and attend summer concerts. The Seaside Aquarium is a fun place to get splashed by the seals.
Head to Cannon Beach, eight miles south, for a dose of city life. It's home to upscale restaurants and hotels, trendy boutiques and world-class art galleries. Back in Seaside, stay at the Inn of the Four Winds, on the quieter north end. It's a 1940s-era home that's now a fourteen-room hotel on the Prom. The oceanfront suites sleep up to six, the grassy patios have big Adirondack chairs, and the large yard is perfect for playing.
Inn of the Four Winds, suites $229
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Lake Chelan, Washington
This resort town three hours east of Seattle is farmland, and home to some of the best Mexican groceries and restaurants in the state. But that's not why we're mentioning it.
It's sunny almost every day of the year, and home to resorts like Campbell's and Kelly's — packed with families playing in the lake. If you stay at one of these resorts (campgrounds abound, too) you likely won't leave, except to head to Slidewaters Lake Chelan Waterpark, with its special toddlers aqua park. Campbell's Resort on Lake Chelan is the city landmark, built in 1901 with two outdoor pools, two hot tubs, boat moorage, golf, a new spa and suites along the lake. Smaller Kelly's Resort has cabins that will fit everyone, and an outdoor pool that sits in the middle of the woods.
This resort town three hours east of Seattle is farmland, and home to some of the best Mexican groceries and restaurants in the state. But that's not why we're mentioning it.
It's sunny almost every day of the year, and home to resorts like Campbell's and Kelly's — packed with families playing in the lake. If you stay at one of these resorts (campgrounds abound, too) you likely won't leave, except to head to Slidewaters Lake Chelan Waterpark, with its special toddlers aqua park. Campbell's Resort on Lake Chelan is the city landmark, built in 1901 with two outdoor pools, two hot tubs, boat moorage, golf, a new spa and suites along the lake. Smaller Kelly's Resort has cabins that will fit everyone, and an outdoor pool that sits in the middle of the woods.
For a dose of quiet, ride a floatplane or boat to Stehekin, a little hamlet at the northern tip of Lake Chelan. No cars are allowed, making it the perfect place to stroll and eat before returning to your resort (you can sleep at Stehekin if you fall in love with it).
Campbell's Resort on Lake Chelan: family rooms from $248
Kelly's Resort on Lake Chelan, two bedroom cottages from $225
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Harrison Lake, B.C
Bigfoot hangs out here — just ask the locals, who call him Sasquatch. This town is known for its hot springs at the south end of the lake; no matter where you stay, you can take a dip in the town's big, hot indoor public bathing pool. For more privacy, though, most families pick historic Harrison Hot Spings Hotel with its 334 rooms. We recommend staying in one of the renovated buildings; the main building has thin walls.
Bigfoot hangs out here — just ask the locals, who call him Sasquatch. This town is known for its hot springs at the south end of the lake; no matter where you stay, you can take a dip in the town's big, hot indoor public bathing pool. For more privacy, though, most families pick historic Harrison Hot Spings Hotel with its 334 rooms. We recommend staying in one of the renovated buildings; the main building has thin walls.
The actual lake is too cold to swim in, but a constructed lagoon at the south end is rimmed by sand, and you can rent sailboats, fish, and hike around it. Kids will love the World Championship Sand Sculpture competition, September 4 to 9. One year, a competitor made a seventeen-foot-high medieval castle with his bare hands.
Harrison Hot Springs Hotel, doubles from $199 Canadian
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