FloridaLaura

I am new to the fodor site, I hope I am posting in the correct forum....My husband and I will be flying into Seattle and spending a few days sight seeing there, then off to Spokane to visit family for 3 days, then onto the oregon coast for 4 days before heading back to seattle for our flight back home. Since we only have a few days, 5 total to go from spokane to the southern oregon coast we want to maximize our time to see the most.

My tentative plans (they are very tentative) leaving spokane Labor day morning and heading toward the Columbia River Gorge to sightsee for a few hours (hoping to get in waterfall views), then off to the coast for the evening and sleep over. Where do you suggest we go along the coast from the gorge for our first night?

Tues. drive south and hit a state park or town or two. Spend the night somewhere.

Wed.. same as Tues

Thurs same as wednesday hoping to get the the Redwood Forest (crecent city) by mid morning thursday to explore and stay over near the redwoods

Friday start our long day of driving back to seattle. Need to return our rental car by 7pm friday night.

Is this at all doable and where would you suggest we stop along the way. We are mostly looking for scenic and nature. Casual dining and casual motel/hotel. We are in our mid 40's not traveling with the kids this time. We have never been out west. Any and all suggestions would be most appreciated. I am really hoping to hit the most stunning areas. We like to walk the beach, hike in the forest, see waterfalls etc. thanks in advance

Laura

bbqboy

no.

bbqboy

Whoops. Mr. forum ate the rest of my answer. From Spokane, you should/could skip the gorge and head south to 97, Bend, Crater Lake and Ashland, Then hit the Redwoods and bsck up. Any way you can fly out of Portland and do the gorge on your final day?

Gardyloo

I wouldn't skip the Columbia Gorge, but your first day is IMO too long.

Monday/Labor Day: Spokane to Portland. I'd personally recommend taking I-90 to I-82 to US 97, and south over Satus Pass down to Goldendale, then stop at the Maryhill Museum - http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/ - on the Washington side of the Gorge, and stay on the WA side to Hood River. Cross over to the Oregon side there (or at Cascade Locks, a few miles south) then take the historic Columbia Gorge Highway to Troutdale, staying that night at McMenamin's Edgefield. http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=3

Tuesday: The next day, take I-205 south (against traffic) to the junction of I-5 and stay on I-5 for around 2 hours to the junction of SR 38, a little south of Eugene. Take SR 38 through Drain and down the beautiful Umpqua River valley/gorge (past lots of elk on the south side of the road) to the coast at Reedsport. Head south from Reedsport through Coos Bay to Bandon. Bandon is the most attractive town on the south/central coast and is a good base for exploring.

Wednesday: Hang out. Lots of beaches to explore. The coast between Bandon and Brookings is IMO the best part of the coast.

Thursday: Leisurely drive down the coast past Crescent City to the groves around Trinidad. Turn around and take US 199 back through more great trees to Grants Pass. If you're energized and still have time, you could run down to Ashland for the night and maybe catch a play at the Shakespeare festival - www.orshakes.org

Friday: Up early, pedal/metal on I-5 back to Seattle. Figure 8 hours from Ashland, 7 from Grants Pass to the airport.

This misses the northern and central parts of the Oregon coast (which could be done on the second day by means of cutting over sooner than SR 38 - US 20 to Newport would be my second choice.) However it doesn't create any marathon days and lets you stop here and there for some local attractions.

Eastern Washington and Oregon will be quite warm (by our standards) around Labor Day, and the Oregon coast will be (and is now) fully booked then, so I'd defer getting there until at least the day after Labor Day, and even then you should be making reservations last week.

FloridaLaura

Thank you so much for your replies. I printed this out to show my husband. It gives us great options. Thanks again!