Driving to Oregon in September from San Francisco
Jul 15th, 2009, 03:21 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Driving to Oregon in September from San Francisco
Hi,
My friend and I are going to Oregon from September 2nd through the 7th. We will be driving from San Francisco and thinking Portland as our main stop. Where can we stop along the way? We enjoy water falls and would really like to see the Multnomah Falls. We thought of stopping at some of the major attraction areas and possibly staying for the night if need be. What are your suggestions for a 5-6 days trip by car? Thank you.
My friend and I are going to Oregon from September 2nd through the 7th. We will be driving from San Francisco and thinking Portland as our main stop. Where can we stop along the way? We enjoy water falls and would really like to see the Multnomah Falls. We thought of stopping at some of the major attraction areas and possibly staying for the night if need be. What are your suggestions for a 5-6 days trip by car? Thank you.
Jul 16th, 2009, 01:17 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Multnomah Falls are east of Portland, so you can drive over to look at them after you have arrived. With 5 or 6 days available I would avoid the freeway and drive up the beach. There are many parks, viewpoints, etc along 1 and 101. If you are really going to drag your feet I would suggest jumping off of 101 at Petaluma and going over to highway 1; think Fort Bragg/Mendocino for a stop (enroute, note that Bodega Bay was Cabot Cove for "Murder, She Wrote"). You will hook up with 101 at Leggett and drive through forests (including redwoods) until you get out to the beach again. The scenery from the CA/OR border to Port Orford is nothing short of amazing (best seen southbound, however). Lots of small beach towns. Stop in Bandon and enjoy your morning cuppa at the Bandon Bakery. Nice place to overnight.
No specific recommendation until you get further up the beach where Yachats, Cannon Beach, and Seaside get a lot of favorable comment. The Astoria Column and the Marine Museum are the only attractions in Astoria that appeal to me, so in your place I would take highway 18 through the wine country to Portland from just north of Lincoln City.
No specific recommendation until you get further up the beach where Yachats, Cannon Beach, and Seaside get a lot of favorable comment. The Astoria Column and the Marine Museum are the only attractions in Astoria that appeal to me, so in your place I would take highway 18 through the wine country to Portland from just north of Lincoln City.
Jul 16th, 2009, 05:06 PM
#3
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 695
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So, you have 5 or 6 days to get to Portland or is that your entire trip? If you are driving round trip, you can go one way along the coast and the other through the Cascades.
If you like waterfalls, there are plenty in Oregon. There are also many in Northern California. You might want to get the book, "California Waterfalls" by Ann Marie Brown. Amazon has it and it can lead you to some wonderful falls on your route whether you go along the coast or through the Cascades.
One of our favorite waterfalls is Burney Falls up near Mt Shasta. There's also a couple near Dunsmuir just off I-5 and one in Whiskeytown Recreation Area too.
If you like waterfalls, there are plenty in Oregon. There are also many in Northern California. You might want to get the book, "California Waterfalls" by Ann Marie Brown. Amazon has it and it can lead you to some wonderful falls on your route whether you go along the coast or through the Cascades.
One of our favorite waterfalls is Burney Falls up near Mt Shasta. There's also a couple near Dunsmuir just off I-5 and one in Whiskeytown Recreation Area too.
Jul 17th, 2009, 08:00 PM
#4
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It the weather is good, it can be really good at the beginning of September.
You can go up I-5 to Portland stopping at some wineries near I-5, the Seven Feathers Casino at Canyonville (nicer than any casino I know of in California), the State Fair in Salem (woo!);
or, as Bobmrg said, go over to the coast, which everyone should do at least once;
or even go up I-5 to Weed, head east to Klamath Falls and Crater Lake (woo!, again) and stay east of the Cascades to Mt. Hood and along the Columbia River Gorge to Portland.
If it's raining in western Oregon, this route can still be dry.
You can take all the time you want getting to Portland, and spending time there, because you can always zip back on I-5 in one long day.
You can go up I-5 to Portland stopping at some wineries near I-5, the Seven Feathers Casino at Canyonville (nicer than any casino I know of in California), the State Fair in Salem (woo!);
or, as Bobmrg said, go over to the coast, which everyone should do at least once;
or even go up I-5 to Weed, head east to Klamath Falls and Crater Lake (woo!, again) and stay east of the Cascades to Mt. Hood and along the Columbia River Gorge to Portland.
If it's raining in western Oregon, this route can still be dry.
You can take all the time you want getting to Portland, and spending time there, because you can always zip back on I-5 in one long day.
Jul 20th, 2009, 10:38 AM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you so much for all your reply. I like the idea of going through Highway 1 and coming back on I-5. I'd rather take the time going to Portland and see the sceneries that way. Any additional recommendations to stay while in Portland? Nothing too extravagant, just something very local, close to everything.
Jul 27th, 2009, 04:41 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On the way home I'd spend one night at Crater Lake. The historic lodge that originally opened in 1915 is gorgeous, updated and a great value. The staff is friendly and Crater Lake is spectacular. The best stops along I-5 are Ashland, Roseburg (McMeniman's www.mcmenamins.com ) and Eugene ( an assortment of eateries in the Fifth Street Market http://www.5stmarket.com/welcome/).
Oregon's coast is, IMHO, the most beautiful coastline in the United States. You can't go wrong here but keep in mind it takes a long time to drive to Portland. I'd take the scenic route, Highway 62, along the Rogue River from I-5 to the coast, then up to Tillamook and over to Portland.
Up the coast, there are very interesting tide pools at Depoe Bay, http://www.beachconnection.net/orego..._tidepools.php), Charlston near Coos Bay and Oceanside (if you end up here, don't miss Roseanna's Cafe). Other good stops are Florence, Yachats and Lincoln City for seafood and antique shops.
Pioneer Square is in the heart of Portland and while there, keep in mind that there's no sales tax in Oregon
The Japanese Garden, Powell's Bookstore and the Pearl District are well worth your while. The Portland City Grill is a very popular restaurant http://www.portlandcitygrill.com/
I know you'll have a fabulous time and I hope you'll write a trip report when you return. Happy travels.
Oregon's coast is, IMHO, the most beautiful coastline in the United States. You can't go wrong here but keep in mind it takes a long time to drive to Portland. I'd take the scenic route, Highway 62, along the Rogue River from I-5 to the coast, then up to Tillamook and over to Portland.
Up the coast, there are very interesting tide pools at Depoe Bay, http://www.beachconnection.net/orego..._tidepools.php), Charlston near Coos Bay and Oceanside (if you end up here, don't miss Roseanna's Cafe). Other good stops are Florence, Yachats and Lincoln City for seafood and antique shops.
Pioneer Square is in the heart of Portland and while there, keep in mind that there's no sales tax in Oregon
The Japanese Garden, Powell's Bookstore and the Pearl District are well worth your while. The Portland City Grill is a very popular restaurant http://www.portlandcitygrill.com/ I know you'll have a fabulous time and I hope you'll write a trip report when you return. Happy travels.
