Only an hour’s drive from Metro Vancouver, Fairhaven and downtown Bellingham in Washington State’s Whatcom County might be the Pacific Northwest’s best kept secret.
Santa Monica is a town for walking. Santa Monica Place, Montana Avenue and Main Street are home to many upscale boutiques if shopping is your thing. Third Street Promenade is like an “outdoor living room”, with all forms of entertainment – street performers, movie theaters, restaurants, bars, art galleries, and shopping.
Up until my most recent visit, my knowledge of Portland came primarily from friends telling me about their tax-free shopping excursions, and watching the IFC sketch comedy series Portlandia.
Part of travelling is always the journey and the one to Salt Spring Island is a particularly gorgeous trek across the sea, whether you come efficiently by float plane from Vancouver or take your time walking or driving aboard the BC Ferries.
