How many Washingtonians visit Vancouver BC? (homeschool, colleges, inspectors)

[leastprime]

July 7-11.
Drove up with DS and DIL.
Trip to see Butchart Gardens (ferry) and to partake in the many Chinese restaurants.
Amtrak Cascade, VAC->SEA 5:45pm train. Recommend that you bring a light blanket for this train.

Nice pics and scenery. BC has a lot to offer.

[MechAndy]

I like to watch boating and sailing videos of BC on YouTube.
Lots of hidden gems there.
Vancouver is an awesome place and it’s just right up the way.
Worth the visit.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Natnasci

The thread is asking Washingtonians a question. Doesn't make much sense to post it in a thread that most likely won't go go, so I do believe it belongs here.

It's just the necessary baggage for some posters +/-

[leastprime]

We bought COMPASS transit cards
And Amtrak fares are inexpensive for 2.

[rkcarguy]

There are some neat things to see and do up there. However, "how many from Vancouver BC visit WA", might be more fitting.
Over the Canada Day/July 4th weekend, border backups were hours/miles long, in Bellingham the Costco gas line was backed out onto Bakerview, and trying to get anything but skim milk or $7/half gallon organic was impossible, everyone was sold out.

[CalWorth]

I don't remember the name of it, but we stumbled on this big agricultural area in BC, maybe Fraser Valley? There were lots of roadside produce stands with amazing tomatoes & Walla Walla onions & lots of other great produce. I think we crossed back into USA around Okanogan. It was great.

When we moved to Washington, I considered the proximity to Canada to be one of the perks, just as when I lived in SoCal, the proximity to Mexico for travel was a perk. An acquaintance here in WA would take his family up to the international airport in Vancouver, BC for flights overseas, as opposed to SeaTac, he said it was a lot easier.

[04kL4nD]

I've been 3x in the last year (once during winter, spring, and summer), and I'd like to make it up there during the fall, too. Vancouver itself is a gem of a city, but if you drive north and pass Squamish, there's a ton more to do that a lot of people don't even know about.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Probably not a lot of the total WA population goes to BC, but those of us who do.... Go often!

There is a lot to enjoy in Vancouver BC, and a lot more in BC.
We caught a cricket tournament in Stanley Park on one visit.

Plenty of WA residents go to BC (or Vancouver) daily. Especially if they live in Point Roberts . When on work assignment in metro Vancouver BC, I lived in Point Roberts.

When we've volunteered at Okanagan Gleaners, many volunteers come up from WA.

I have several annual events that I attend in Vancouver BC, as it draws a lot of international participa
One of my kids is WWU alumni, they spent a lot of time in BC (camping, skiing, sea kayaking, partying). Several classmates now own homes in Birch Bay, so they still go to BC very frequently. Of course there are the crowds at lynden and edeleen dairy that aren't all Canadians. https://www.edaleendairy.com/. There are plenty in the crowd who are WA residents, heading to -and-fro from BC.

Pretty crazy how Canada and the US divided that little piece of land hanging down below the border and called it Washington. With a population of 1,100, I would think those Washingtonians identify more with their Canadian neighbors culturally and out of necessity than they do with the US being cutoff like that.

I would imagine the greatest amount of Washington residents they get crossing the boarder live in the northern part of the state. That is from Bham on up. I wonder if there are some advantages to living in places like Blain or Birch Bay vs. on the other side? For example, there are many benefits to living in Vancouver WA while enjoying the benefits of a larger city to the south including its airport, cuisine, educational opportunities, entertainment, etc... I mean, they've got world class skiing at Whistler and whole host of other things to enjoy. It's actually one of the benefits of living in WA vs. TX or some other place further away.

I do know a Washingtonian native who chose to go to university in Canada and returned to the US after she gradated to work here. She said it was a great experience.

Derek

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by leastprime

We bought COMPASS transit cards
And Amtrak fares are inexpensive for 2.

I've always wanted to take those trains. But especially the ones that head into the Canadian Rockies. There is so beauty that can be taken in while letting someone else drive!

Derek

[kavm]

Originally Posted by CalWorth

I don't remember the name of it, but we stumbled on this big agricultural area in BC, maybe Fraser Valley? There were lots of roadside produce stands with amazing tomatoes & Walla Walla onions & lots of other great produce. I think we crossed back into USA around Okanogan. It was great.

When we moved to Washington, I considered the proximity to Canada to be one of the perks, just as when I lived in SoCal, the proximity to Mexico for travel was a perk. An acquaintance here in WA would take his family up to the international airport in Vancouver, BC for flights overseas, as opposed to SeaTac, he said it was a lot easier.

As I said earlier, this is a very relevant thread. I am sorry that even something as innocuous as this generated some flack. In any case, I hope I don't take the thread off-topic by my comment but my understanding is that one is not allowed to bring produce, outside of bags labeled with origin, e.g., Product of Canada. And, that one must declare all produce one is attempting to import at the border.

The reason for the question that we are too timid to test the boundaries and simply avoid bringing anything that could be construed as food. I know a lot of Canadians come to the US to shop and take food back to Canada. What I do not know is whether the US visitors can practically do that as well and clear understanding of the limits at a finer level (and avoid needing to throw it away at the border).