gmc

My husband and I are late 40s/50 and will be traveling with our 10-year-old daughter to the PNW in July. We have plane tickets in and out of Portland and are staying 13 nights, arriving on a Saturday (late) and departing on a Friday (early).

Things we love are: natural beauty, great food, nice (quiet) hotel accommodations, swimming-biking-kayaking, hiking if it's not too far (we're not up for the strenuous ones anymore), anything my daughter loves which generally means animals, animals, animals.

I know we need to make hotel reservations ASAP so I'm trying to sketch out an itinerary that takes in some highlights of both northern Oregon and of western Washington. We have already been to Seattle and don't want to return. Here's what we've got so far -- any feedback is MOST appreciated:

Sat, Sun, Mon nights in Portland. Visit:
--Oregon Zoo for sure (my daughter will love it)
--World Forestry Center -- at least it looked good online
--Either the Classical Chinese Garden or the Japanese Garden -- which is better?
--Portland Saturday Market (on Sunday)
--Possibly the Oregon exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society...would a 10-year-old like this?
--Portland Children's Museum looks like it's geared to toddlers, preschoolers and young elementary kids ... am I right about that? If so, we'll pass.
--Oregon Museum of Science & Industry is a possibility although we've visited many science museums. Only if we needed a time-filler.
--Am I leaving out any must-sees in Portland?

Tuesday: Drive the Historic Columbia River Highway, stop at Vista Point, stop at Multnomah Falls, stop at Oneonta gorge, stop at Bonneville Dam. Possibly also take Bridge of the Gods to Beach Rock to Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center -- or will we have already seen the best by this point?
Hope to stay somewhere around Hood River this night.

Wednesday: Mount Hood. Definitely need advice here -- most likely we would drive up 35 and leave by 28, if I'm interpreting the map correctly. Fodor's gives very little specific advice. We would be looking for scenic drive and short, relatively flat hikes. Any suggestions for avoiding crowds and for nice short walks/hikes plus drives?
--At the end of this day, we will head toward Tillamook.

Thursday: 3 Capes Loop, visit either Tillamook County Creamery or Blue Heron french Cheese Company (is one better, especially for a child?), go to either Cannon Beach or Astoria for the night.

Friday: Drive to Hoh Rain Forest--I think. Looks like this is 4-5 hours from Astoria. Will we be arriving at a horrible time (as in, every parking lot already filled)? Are there any must-see sites en route?

Spend Friday night somewhere in the Port Angeles area, see ONP on Saturday. This is probably a terrible day to visit, so maybe there's a better plan here -- I'm just not sure what it is!

Then, we'd really like to spend 2 nights at least on Orcas but we can't figure out the best way to get there from Port Angeles. Do we need to go all the way back to Tacoma then to Seattle then to Anacortes? I've heard nightmare tales about the ferry lines, and we'd hate to spend half a day waiting for a ferry. Are we better off to go on a Sunday, Monday, or not at all? Should we leave our car behind in, say, Port Angeles or Port Townsend (I'm not sure where the ferry departs from)? Or should we just skip the idea of trying to visit the San Juans at all and leave it for another trip?

On our return to Oregon, we planned to spend a day at Mount St. Helens, then spend the final night in Portland before our early AM flight on Friday.

As you can see, this itinerary gets more vague as the time goes on because I just wasn't sure what to do in Washington.

Thank you in advance for any advice!

NWWanderer

I'm going to comment on the WA portion of your trip--you're trying to drive WAY too far on Friday IMO.

Trying to go all the way from the northern OR coast to Port Angeles in one day is too much, especially if you're only spending one night in PA. You'll feel like you've just done a drive by and not really seen much of Olympic National Park IMO. I would stay at Lake Quinault on your first night from northern OR, then do the Hoh and the beaches, then 2 nights in the Port Angeles area (Lake Crescent Lodge if you can get in) to give youselves enough time to see and do things out there.

To get to Orcas, you'd take the ferry from Port Townsend to Whidbey Island (Keystone), then drive up the island to Anacortes. It's very do-able in a day. I would try to avoid doing it on a Sunday (more for the Port Townsend/Keystone ferry portion). The ferry waits to/from Orcas aren't that bad IMO so long as you avoid going on a Friday or coming back on a Sunday--generally you'd be looking at no more than a 1-2 hour wait--and that's just part of the ferry experience.

If you're up for a long day, you could leave Orcas on Thursday morning, do Mt St Helens on the way, and then crash at an airport hotel before your flight out the next morning. Not optimal, but do-able.

suze

Cannon Beach is a beautiful spot to spend a night or two.

The question on skipping the San Juans is pretty much personal choice. You certainly have enough time to include going up that far, or if you skip it would have a more leisurely pace for the other places you are planning.

Ellya

I agree that there is no way you will want to drive from Astoria to Port Angeles in one day. You should stay at least one, if not two, nights on the coast. You could stay at Klaloch, then visit the Hoh as well as the best northern beaches, then stay in Forks. The beaches in the southern part of the state are more wide sandy ones, up north they become more rocky and scenic. Near the Hoh are Ruby Beach, the numbered (Beach 1, 2 etc) beaches, Rialto Beach. They are all really nice and very easy to get to. The Hoh is a bit of a drive off the highway and then you will want to hike around to see things. Allow at least half a day for this.

All the parks, beaches and hotels are busy in July, so make reservations. Every day is busy, so I wouldn't worry about the Friday aspect.

In between Forks and Port Angeles, you might enjoy Lake Crescent, Marymere Falls and/or Sol Duc Falls. They both offer easy hikes with lots of scenery.

Near Port Angeles is Hurricane Ridge, about 30 minutes drive. It is definately a must see if you want to see the Olympics. Several easy hikes and a visitor's center are located there. You might see a mountain goat if you are lucky.

To get to the San Juans, you'd have to take a couple different ferries. The Port Townsend ferry is not fully operational at the moment, not sure when that will be resolved. Ferry lines are long going east on Sundays (or Monday holidays). You will want to use them on a weekday if possible. The waits are shorter in the morning. The ferries to the San Juans are even worse. That might be too much to add to this trip. I would spend more time on the coast and in Olympic National Park. You could also consider visiting Mt. Rainier on your way back to Portland instead.

All in all, this is a very ambitious itinerary. Another option would be to fly home from Seattle after the Olmpic Park tour to save the drive back to Oregon (that's a half day drive).

Scarlett

Hotel in Portland: In downtown
The Monaco
http://www.monaco-portland.com/
or sister hotel the Vintage Plazahttp://www.vintageplaza.com/

or the Inn at Northrup Station in the NW section of town.http://www.northrupstation.com/

They are all central for getting around by Streetcar and seeing both the city sights , eating in great restaurants and getting places like the Zoo..without a car or with.

The Forestry Center is right by the zoo, easy to see and spend as much or little time as you wish.

The Japanese Gardens are just breathtaking and so are the views from the gardens..they are not far from NW 23rd, close to the Rose Test Gardens and if you only visit one garden, make it the Japanese Gardens.

The Classical Chinese Gardens are right in town..taking up a city block in "Chinatown", right by the Pearl District..an hour there is all you will need. They are very nice, stop and have tea in the tea house.

You can rent bikes in town, Fat Bikes is good.
There is Forest Park..a huge forest right in the middle of the city of Portland..trails and views..great hiking for any age or ability.
Washington Park where the zoo is located is wonderful for picnics and walks..there are paths and concrete walks..hills and everywhere good spots to sit and rest..

The Saturday Market is good for an hour and then you should have lunch somewhere outdoors in the Pearl at one of the many restaurants..if at all possible, every restaurant has tables and chairs outside the minute the weather gets nice..
Don't miss the Pearl Bakery when in that area ..

If you want to see how one of the founders of Portland lived, go to the Pittock Mansion. It is just so beautiful and the grounds and views are worth the short trip..it is just up the hill from NW 23rd..by car.

Going up the Historic Highway is good, the Womens Forum is your first stop..you can see Vista house from there..then to Vista house..as you go along the winding road, you will see pretty farms and fields then the deep green forests...it is sooo beautiful.
Then you will begin to pass the waterfalls..you can stop and get out at each one or just go on past..we liked Bridal Veil Falls and of course Multnomah Falls..
You can picnic at the parking area by Bridal Veil Falls..be sure to keep everything in your car trunk, do not leave anything in the car..anything.

I would skip Astoria and go straight to Cannon Beach.

Be aware that almost every hotel along the Coast requires a 2 night at least minimum..Not sure when they start..but check into that right away.

kimamom

We have been to both the Classical and Japanese Gardens in Portland, I would go with the Japanese Gardens, Washington Park is a very nice place to spend time, don't miss the Rose Gardens here also, they are free of charge and stunning to walk through.

If you like more quiet accomodations, Astoria is just right for you, the Holiday Inn Express there is conducive to families, it backs right up to the Columbia River, they have an indoor pool also for your swimming needs. You can rent bikes in town and ride along the riverfront there, they also have a fun little trolley that runs through town that is fun and your daughter should enjoy.

I would not miss spending some time in Seaside, they have a small aquarium there where you can feed the seals, a gorgeous stretch of beach and a prom for walking or bike riding, you can also rent surrey bikes and around the town here. They offer a couple of carnival rides that will be full swing in the summer and fun ice cream, candy and tourist shops.

If you want to stay in Seaside, the Rivertide Suites is a brand new complex and just a short walk to the ocean, the rooms are gorgeous and all suites, I was given a tour of the property this summer and was very impressed, they also have an indoor swimming pool here, flat screen TV's in the rooms, complimentary breakfast and very friendly and helpful staff here.

Have a great trip and let me know if you any further questions on the Astoria/Seaside/Cannon Beach area, we're headed there ourselves for several days soon! ***kim***

beachbum

First, I'd suggest you cut one night in Portland and add it to the Oregon coast. But, not Seaside or Astoria! To facilitate that, I'd nix Portland Children's Museum, Oregon Historical Society, OMSI, and anything else you might consider "time-filler". It would be a shame to spend that time in Portland, only to regret not having more time on the coast.

Tuesday: Add a stop at Wahkeena Falls, and take the short walk up to the bridge at the bottom of the main falls. Multnomah is spectacular, but you'll be fighting crowds. Wahkeena is an almost intimate experience. Re the Interpretive Center.... I've lived in the Portland area most of my life and never visited. Haven't really wanted to either.

Wednesday: I suggest around Timberline Lodge for your short hike/walk, and that really might be enough. Beautiful up there. Your daughter and husband might also enjoy the Alpine Slide at Ski Bowl, just downhill on 26 towards Portland. Great fun. Consider, as Scarlett suggested, going straight to Cannon Beach that night, and doing the Tillamook area as a day trip.

Thursday: Blue Heron is really for adults (wine and cheese tasting), but it has a small petting zoo to help parents rationalize taking their children. Kids do seem to enjoy Tillamook Cheese Factory, though I'm not sure why. Must be the ice cream!! ;-)

On the day you drive up the WA coast, stop at the Astor Column in Astoria, if for no other reason but that your daughter would probably love sailing balsa wood airplanes from the top. Her dad, too! And you'd all love the view.

I'd also try to fit in a stop at Cape Disappointment State Park, near Ilwaco, WA. Climb the North Head Lighthouse there, and visit the Interpretive Center. Interesting, educational, and situated on a bluff with a sweeping view of the mouth of the Columbia River.

Now, back to that extra day on the Oregon coast. I don't see much relaxation time built into this itinerary. It would be good for the whole family to just spend a day at the beach tidepooling, flying kites, skim-boarding, riding beach-cycles, building sandcastles.... And there's no better place than Cannon Beach to do it.

Are you going to start a separate thread about food? ;-)

...Astoria/Seaside/Cannon Beach area, we're headed there ourselves for several days soon!

Didn't I just read somewhere else that you're now living in Astoria, kimamom? Or, is that just what you wanted people to think?

enzian

For the San Juan Islands, you could leave your car in Port Angeles and take the Victoria Express to Friday Harbor (via Victoria):

http://www.victoriaexpress.com/schedules.html

This is complicated, because you would need passports for Canada, even if you are just changing boats there.

Or from Port Townsend, you could take the Puget Sound Express:

http://www.pugetsoundexpress.com/

The problem with this one is that it is really set up as a one-day wildlife and whale-watching trip, to San Juan Island and back. They do allow some time in Friday Harbor. But you would have to ask if you could take the boat there one day, spend the night, and return the following day.

I know it's not Orcas, but San Juan Island is nice too. Friday Harbor is howm to the whale museum, which your daughter might like:

http://www.whale-museum.org/

Driving to the San Juan Islands via the Washington State ferries from Port Townsend and Anacortes will take a big chunk of time out of your trip.

bbqboy

Thought of just doing more of Oregon?
You guys could drive the coast, do the Redwoods, Ashland and Crater Lake + Bend and it'd be more fun than The olympic/pa area.

Gardyloo

This may seem a bit off the wall, but I would consider skipping the San Juans this time, and return to Portland via the east side of the mountains. From Port Angeles drive to Port Townsend and take the ferry to Whidbey Island, then follow State Hwy 20 over Deception Pass, then east across the mountains via North Cascades National Park, connecting to SR 153 through the Methow Valley to US 97. Stop at Chelan and take the Lady of the Lake up Lake Chelan (http://www.ladyofthelake.com.) US 97 crosses some gorgeous country (orchards, red rocks, semi-desert and real "old west" stuff) before hitting the Columbia River near the sweet little Maryhill Museum.

From there it's a hop and a skip to the Gorge and Portland.

I might even suggest you think about doing your trip in reverse order - east through the Gorge, north across US97 and the mountains, then come south on the coast. If you're leaving on a Friday, you could spend Sun-Thurs nights on the WA or OR coasts, avoiding the weekenders.

Don't skip Hoh if your daughter likes animals. No guarantees, but there are often some big league elk around the visitor center. There will also likely be some deer or sheep in other parts of your drive.

gmc

THANK YOU for all the great replies to my questions!!!! I will keep working on our itinerary keeping all your wonderful suggestions in mind. I think we will not spend a night in the San Juan Islands but perhaps take a day trip from Port Townsend. And definitely, we need some down time...I am sure I will have other questions as time goes on. Again, thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to write an answer!! And further thoughts are always welcome....

suze

I love Gardyloo's suggestion... anything that includes the Methow Valley! That loop is some incredibly gorgeous dramatic scenery. For me it has way more "wow" factor than the San Juan Islands.