jeffergray

In mid-August, my family and I (wife and two kids aged 19 and 21) are flying up to Seattle and then coming back from Portland 11 days later. Obviously, it would be nice to have more time: but squeezed between work schedules and college starting dates, we don't. So I'm wondering about things like: how much is a reasonable amount of time to give Seattle? And what to you do with the remaining time after that? I've thought about heading northwest to Olympic National Park, and then around the edges of it, down the Washington coast to the mouth of the Columbia River, and then up it to Portland, but is even that feasible? Would there be time to explore any of the Oregon coast at all?

And what about Mount Rainer or Mount St. Helens, which are in the opposite direction from Seattle? Would anyone recommend those and more time in the Columbia Gorge over Olympic NP?

marvelousmouse

It really depends on your interests. At the age of your kids, I loved Seattle, Portland, and the Oregon coast. Now I enjoy hiking more, so Rainier, and ONP are higher on my list. ONP is not that scenic to drive through- and it involves driving as it's spread out- so if you aren't hikers, I'd get your dose of scenery in Oregon or at Rainier.

I'd say 4 nights in Seattle. If you cover the city to your satisfaction in 2 days, you can day trip to Rainier or elsewhere. I'd want at least 2 nights in Portland and 3 nights in the ONP. so that's 9 nights. The last couple of nights (12 nights or 10 nights total?) could easily be spent in the gorge or in Portland, but if it were me, I'd do at least one night on the northern Oregon coast. (I don't find southern Wa coast very scenic or interesting. Oregon coast is some of the best scenery in the PNW).

I love the gorge, but I did it so often as a day trip when I was a kid, I don't know how long someone would really want for it. Unless your kids are really into river sports- like windsurfing- I think more than 1 night would be pushing it. Another thing- the gorge and Portland- can be really hot this time of year. The in landers may be all fleeing towards the coast. If you go to Multnomah falls (and you should) go early- I've passed it a few times this summer when the "lot is full" sign is on. It gets very crowded in the afternoon.

Some things to consider- you've left reservations a bit late. Book very soon, and absolutely do not wing it. Seattle sells out 7 days a week. The good hotels in Portland often sell out too. The gorge can completely sell out in the weekends, same with the coast. Seattle will be expensive, so while I feel that 4 nights is a great amount of time, you may see those prices and decide to allot a few nights elsewhere. If you choose to allot a few days to the Oregon coast- try to go from Astoria to Newport at least hope that helps some!

5alive

MarvelousMouse gave you great advice overall. I would disagree about the Gorge. The Columbia River Gorge was the second designated National Scenic Area in the country for a reason. If time is tight, at least include a daytrip from Portland. Definitely get an early start. Go outbound on the historic Columbia River Highway, with a stop at Crown Point. Return by the freeway, I-84 for a different view, or continue on to Hood River for a charming small town and the famous windsufing and microbrews.

It is true it can be hot, but it will be hotter the further east you go (ie The Dalles). A weekday will be far better than a weekend to visit.

I also agree with the prior poster on making reservations.

Gardyloo

My preferred plan for this trip would be a big "S"-shaped route like this: https://goo.gl/maps/wWQL63Wbgz12

This would include a couple of days in Seattle followed by two or three days on the Olympic peninsula sampling the various sights of Olympic National Park.

Then you'd visit Paradise on Mt. Rainier and continue over White Pass through the Cascades to the Yakima Valley, then south through the Yakama reservation and terrific "old west" country to the Columbia River at Maryhill.

See the Maryhill museum - http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/ - and nearby Stonehenge "replica" overlooking the rock walls of the Columbia Gorge, then follow the river westward to Hood River. Spend a couple of nights in Hood River, visiting Mount Hood and driving the (incomparable) Hood River Valley "fruit loop," or drive up to Trout Lake for great views of Mount Adams, then finish by driving the historic Columbia Gorge highway past waterfalls and vista points to Portland.

Possible schedule -

1 Seattle
2 Seattle
3 Hurricane Ridge, overnight Port Angeles
4 Hoh valley and Ruby Beach, overnight Olympia
5 Olympia to Paradise, overnight Yakima
6 Yakima to Hood River via Maryhill
7 Day in Hood River - HR Valley, Timberline
8 Day in Hood River - hiking/Trout Lake etc.
9 Hood River to Portland via Gorge
10 Portland
11 Depart

Or here's an alternative plan that includes marvelous Cape Disappointment (waves on rocks, lighthouses, Waikiki Beach - really) at the (awesome) mouth of the Columbia, and Ecola State Park on the northern Oregon coast near Cannon Beach. In this plan you skip Mt. Rainier but could add a visit to the Johnston Ridge observatory on Mount St. Helens following the coast.

https://goo.gl/maps/M7j7dP141DN2

1 Seattle
2 Seattle
3 Hurricane Ridge, overnight Port Angeles
4 Hoh valley and Ruby Beach, overnight Lake Quinault
5 Cape Disappointment and Ecola Park, overnight Astoria
6 Astoria to Portland via Mt. St. Helens
7 Portland to Hood River via Columbia Gorge
8 Day in Hood River - Fruit Loop, Lost Lake
9 Hood River to Portland via Timberline
10 Portland
11 Depart

Both of these are pretty high-speed and may not suit your family's travel style. However, both would more than showcase the incredible variety of our region.

As stated, finding accommodations should be your top priority. You'll also find that hotels in Seattle in the middle of cruise season are crazy expensive, so look at staying outside of town, or frankly just skip Seattle altogether and save it for a time when you can enjoy our fair city more at your leisure. Use the extra day someplace on your route to catch your breath.

happytrailstoyou

The Oregon coast is more accessible and has many more amenities than the Washington coast, and for me a visit to Mt. Rainier is much more satisfying than a visit to Mt. Saint Helens (now that the volcanic destruction is not conspicuous as it was in the 1980s).

Olympic National Park covers a huge area encircled by Highway 101. A destination in the park is visited by driving into it and then driving back out and into and out of the next destination--and so on.

Also, studying a map it would seem that the drive from Astoria to Portland is scenic, but it isn't.

For these reason, consider this routing: Seattle (with an Argosy whale watching day cruise to the San Juan Island), Mt. Rainier, the Oregon coast from Ecola State Park to Florence (via Raymond, Wallapa Bay, and the Astoria Bridge), Portland (and the Columbia River gorge).

HTtY

jeffergray

Thanks to everyone for your responses thus far (especially you, Gardyloo, for the work you did with the Google Maps itineraries). With your guidance, I have made great progress planning the trip this weekend. I'll try and post the current plan for the itinerary tomorrow, and would appreciate any further thought/suggestions.

jeffergray

This are my thoughts on an itinerary:

Days 1&2: Touring in Seattle, after arriving on the previous afternoon.

Day 3: Drive to Mount Rainier NP by way of Greenwater; visit the Sunrise area and then go to Paradise, where we have reservations at the Paradise Inn.

Day 4: Further sightseeing in the morning around Mount Rainier, then drive down the east side of Mt. St. Helens NM, visiting Spirit Lake and maybe Ape Cave before continuing on down to the Columbia River, where we have lodgings in Cascade Locks.

Day 5: Touring in the morning/early afternoon in the Columbia Gorge, then drive through Portland and down I-5 to Roseburg, where we take Highway 138 over to Crater Lake, where we have lodgings in the cabins.

Day 6: Explore Crater Lake in the morning, then drive to Crescent City, California and visit Redwoods NP either late that afternoon or the next morning.

Day 7: Drive up the Oregon Coast to somewhere maybe 2/3 or 3/4 of the way up (Newport? Lincoln City?).

Day 8: Finish driving up the rest of the coast to Cape Disappointment, then to Portland.

Day 9: Touring in Portland, then home on the next day.

The alternative for the last part of the trip would be to pass on Redwoods Park in northern California and perhaps the southern third of the Oregon Coast, and head from Crater Lake back to Roseburg and then to the coast at Reedsport, stopping for the night at Newport or Lincoln City and then proceeding as above. This would get us to Portland a day earlier -- but is the additional day in Portland worth not seeing the Redwoods and the lower part of the Oregon coast?

marvelousmouse

I love the redwoods but it's not a question of them vs. Portland. It's a question of driving time. Google says its 4.5 hours from Crater to the Redwoods (Orick) but I think that's an underestimate. Then it is actually considerably more driving to see to different sites. So I don't think you could do it that afternoon. That leaves the next day. Crescent City to Newport is listed as 4 hours 38 minutes, and I just flat out have not been able to do it that quickly. And I'm familiar with the road, and I'm usually not sightseeing- I'm just driving.

I'd leave the redwoods for another trip. 2-3 days would be the minimum of want. You have plenty to see in Oregon. You don't even have to do Portland if you don't want to- it's a big, diverse state.

jeffergray

Thanks for your response, marvelousmouse. I noticed that you are also seeking information for a contemplated lengthy visit to the South, which is where I originally come from. So, check out this link for a very detailed discussion of the attractions of the southeastern coast from St. Augustine north to Charleston (you'll need to scroll about halfway down to find my post):

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...needs-help.cfm