SateeshL

I have just started planning a memorable tour of the National Parks in CA and OR in July 2017. Starting from home in San Jose, Silicon Valley, CA I plan to drive up through the wine country to Mendocino on the Coast for an overnight stay at the Heritage House Hotel. Next day drive along the Coast through the Redwoods, to Eureka to Carter House overnight. The next day through the Redwoods inland to Grants Pass overnight at Weasku Inn. The next day explore the area to Crater Lake National Park staying at Crater Lake Lodge for 3 nights. Then drive down to Lassen Park staying for 2 nights at Drakesbad Ranch to experience the rustic lifestyle and horse-riding. Then the final drive home through Mt. Shasta and down to San Jose.
All suggestions for improvement to the plan with choice details where we might stay and explore, would be greatly appreciated.
PS. We have traveled the world for the past 10 years and now finishing in our own backyard CA, USA.

StuDudley

Near Eureka, I suggest that you stay in Ferndale at the Gingerbread Mansion http://www.gingerbread-mansion.com/ and dine at the Carter House one night. We thought that Ferndale was a lot more interesting than Eureka. Pick up a walking guide inside the free newspaper available at one of the many shops in Ferndale.

Also liked staying at the Little River Inn in Little River (and dining across the street at the seafood restaurant - reserve ahead). We were a little underwhelmed with the town of Mendocino. A bit too touristy for us - but a pleasant visit.

Stu Dudley
San Mateo

tomfuller

I had never heard of Weasku but the reviews look good and it's along the Rogue River.
On the way up US 199, you may want to visit the Oregon Caves.
To get to Crater Lake avoiding a bunch of traffic, take the exit to Gold Hill and go across Rt. 234 to get on Rt. 62.
Crater Lake is beautiful but I don't think I'd spend 3 nights at Crater Lake Lodge.
Another National Monument (not NP) is the Newberry Caldera.
Do you want to visit some of the Oregon Coast including the Dunes?

SateeshL

This is my first post on this site and I am really impressed by the quality and seriousness of the advice. Excellent! Yes, I had Little River Inn as a back up. Gingerbread Mansion sounds delightful and dine at Carter House(they dont open up reservations beyond June!?!). Yes I think 2 nights at Crater Lake Lodge and 1 night at Newberry/Caves sounds excellent. Thanks Stu and Tom. I also wanted to do Portland, Tillamok, up to Seattle but that would be my next trip.

janisj

>>This is my first post on this site

SateeshL

So good to see your posted comments. I have been travelling all around the world but now for the first time I am writing about US locations. I realized how much I have to do to catch up on my updates since I have been travelling all the time. Stay tuned and read all my reviews. More on the way. Unfortunately, we dont have time to do both the Gingerbread Mansion and Little River so we may just have to stay at Carters and then Gingerbread & Little River next time. Now that we are focusing on USA, and CA OR in particular, I am sure we will have more time and more trips. Keep your comments coming - they are very helpful.

StuDudley

>>From San Jose I plan to drive up through the wine country to Mendocino on the Coast for an overnight stay at the Heritage House Hotel. Next day drive along the Coast through the Redwoods, to Eureka to Carter House overnight.>Unfortunately, we dont have time to do both the Gingerbread Mansion and Little River

janisj

>> the city of Mendocino were kind of "bleh"

StuDudley

IMO, compared to similarly-sized villages in Europe - I think the village itself isn't that great. The setting on the coast, and the surroundings are interesting, however.

Stu Dudley

Gardyloo

I really agree that three nights at Crater Lake is excessive (and IMO two too many.)

Let me recommend an alternative use for one of your days. From Eureka (or Ferndale or Trinidad, both more appealing places in my mind than Eureka) continue north to the Oregon line and continue to Bandon, Oregon for the night.

The first (southernmost) 60 or 70 miles along the Oregon coast is - my view - the most scenic portion of the whole coast. Bandon is the most attractive town on the south coast, and you could get to Crater Lake easily in a morning from Bandon.

That would shorten your stay in Crater Lake by a night, but add some dramatic coastal scenery and a pleasant overnight stop along the way to Crater Lake, before you turn back south.

janisj

stu: We ain't in Europe

SateeshL

Thank you all for your excellent if diverse suggestions. Unfortunately we only have a limited time to do this trip since we are already doing 2 cruises{the Eastern Caribbean and the Mexican Riveria) plus a month long 50 Wedding Anniversary celebration in Kerala(South India). Additionally we might do a trip to Germany and Scandinnavia in the Fall, so we only have a very limited time for our CA and OR vacation. Additionally, quick enquiries revealed the scarcity of hotel accommodation in some of these places even months before we plan to travel. So we had to lock in and be on the waiting list for Heritage House, Mendocino, Carter House, Eureka, Weasku Ranch Grants Pass, Crater Lake Lodge, Crater Lake, Drakesbad Ranch, Lassen, and a brief stop in Mt. Shasta on our way home to Silicon Valley CA.
But your suggestions will certainly be useful when we plan our next trip in CA, OR in say October when we hope to cover Portland to Seattle and finish off with perhaps an Alaska cruise. Happy Travels!

StuDudley

>>stu: We ain't in Europe

janisj

If he wants a European village he should go to Europe. Things are just a bit younger here so OF COURSE they aren't 'quaint' European villages. This trip is for glorious seaside scenery/redwoods/NP's - so I don't think comparing CA/OR to Europe is productive . . .

Or - there is always Solvang LOL

liztatern

I would maybe shorten the stay in Crater Lake and check out Bend. I REALLY loved Bend and it wasn't super far. I'm not sure if it's anything you'd be interested in, but I went overnight when my trip to Crater Lake went south due to snow, and it made a lasting impression and I wish I had more time to spend there.