Sandra Bao - Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest

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Microbrews, killer coffee, lush forests, a pristine coastline, eco-minded locals, and music and art galore Pacific Northwesterners have it good and they dont mind sharing.

You cant escape the natural world in these parts. Even the big cities are peppered with verdant parks and punctuated by looming, snowy peaks: Seattles Mt Rainier, Portlands Mt Hood and Vancouvers North Shore Mountains. And thats not to mention the raging rivers, rolling deserts, dense old-growth forests and hundreds of miles of glorious public beaches that are never too far from any urban landscape here.

The great outdoors offers endless opportunities to get into nature think camping, hiking, cycling, climbing, skiing and mountaineering. And while it does rain aplenty, all that moisture translates into a perfect storm of water sports; you can raft down white water, surf gnarly waves, navigate a kiteboard through ripping winds, fish for everything from sturgeon to salmon, and watch majestic whales migrate up and down the coast.

The varied climates of the Northwest produce an abundance of locally grown, raised and harvested food, from berries and hazelnuts to wild mushrooms, seafood, cheese and grass-fed beef. This bounty has spawned a serious movement to eat locally by practitioners known as locavores. They get their fix at specialty grocery stores, community gardens and restaurants that source ingredients locally as well as at farmers markets, where farmers often sell their own fresh, seasonal crops.

In these parts, beverages hold equal clout. The nations gourmet coffee scene may have started in Seattle, but dozens of artisan microroasters across the Northwest now produce some of the best espresso in the world. Microbrewing became famous here, within a stones throw of the nations highest concentration of hop farms. Today, all kinds of craft brewers pump out fragrant, delicious India Pale Ales (IPAs) and more. And dont forget wine; grape vines cover many Pacific Northwest hills, producing a harvest of intriguing reds and whites.

While the regions outdoors largely define how Northwesterners recreate, theres no shortage of urban entertainment and culture. Think indie garage bands, world-class symphonies, jazz bars and an abundance of public art. There are offbeat film houses and art galleries tucked into even the smallest towns around the region, and nearly everyone seems to be making homemade crafts. Pacific Northwesterners pride themselves on being open-minded and accepting of all kinds of self-expression.

Seattle, Portland and Vancouver all support symphonies, operas, vibrant dance troupes (both modern and ballet) and all sizes of theater companies. Galleries and museums display visual work by locals, including Native American artists, wood- and metal-workers, ceramicists and painters, and glassmakers inspired by Tacomas Dale Chihuly. Youll always have more than enough art and culture to appreciate in this region, the supremely creative Pacific Northwest.

Pike Place Market

Its Seattles biggest tourist attraction, and with great reason. Stuffed full of fun, funky shops, this old market ( ) has been selling a wide variety of wares from produce to crafts to antiques and more for more than a hundred years. Time your visit early on weekdays to mix with locals and avoid the tourist crowds (youve been warned!). Once youve gotten your fill of flying fish, go explore the mazes below there are plenty of surprises waiting to be discovered.

PETER PTSCHELINZEW

Portland

Its easy to brag about PDX ( ), but no one will hassle you for it after all, everyone loves this city. Its as friendly as a big town and home to a mix of students, artists, cyclists, hipsters, young families, old hippies, ecofreaks and everything in between. Theres great food, awesome music and plenty of culture, plus its as sustainable as you can get. Come and visit, but be careful like everyone else, you might just want to pack up and move here.

RICHARD CUMMINS

Vancouver, BC

As big cities go, its hard to get more sophisticated, international or beautiful than Vancouver, BC ( ). Fresh from the 2010 Winter Olympics, this metropolis has it all awesome food, trendy shopping, cool neighborhoods and exciting nightlife. Theres so much to do, from visiting museums and art galleries to cycling and kayaking, that itll make your head spin. And its all framed by glorious mountains, forests and waterways, so theres always beauty in the background.

GLENN VAN DER KNIJFF

Washington Wine Countries

Washington is the second-largest wine-producing US state. Although its vines are relatively young, the terroir (environmental qualities) of Walla Walla the most famous grape-growing region here is excellent, with rich layers of sediment from the long-ago Missoula floods. Its Washingtons equivalent of Californias Napa Valley, with a historic downtown and upscale tourist services. For a less primped-up wine destination, head out to Yakima or Spokane, making sure to try the specialty reds of cabernet sauvignon, syrah and merlot.

YAKIMA VALLEY VISITORS & CONVENTION BUREAU

San Juan Islands

For something completely different, hop on a ferry to the San Juan Islandsand go back in time. Out of the more than 450 islands ( ; most are only rocky promontories), only about 60 are inhabited, and just four are regularly served by ferries. Nature is the main influence in this archipelago and each island has its own personality, both geographic and cultural. What can you do here? Start with cycling, kayaking and spotting orcas then just sit back and relax.

TOM BOYDEN

Oregon Coast

Cruising along Oregons stunning coast ( ) is an unforgettable experience any time of year. Lofty headlands reach out to the ocean, offering spectacular views, while steep mountains of rock jut offshore like giant sentinels. There are beaches to walk on, dunes to explore and charming small towns to check out. And if you like camping, tide-pooling or whale-watching, youll be in heaven. Just remember to bring your cameraand a sense of adventure.