LBev769375

We have never been to the pacific northwest and had been thinking of Washington for a week along the coast and Mt Rainer, but after looking at Readers Digest "Most Scenic Drives" for both states, the Oregeon drives, especially along the coast looks, Rogue river, Mt Hood and the columbia river gorge looks great as well. We have decided to extend our plans to 13 full days and limit it to one or the other state. We would be flying from Atlanta (day 1 + 15) and renting a car for the 13 days. We are 70 and 66, my wife loves the coast with scenary and crashing waves, not necessarily for the beach. I go for scenic mountain drives, the higher the better and both love photography. We have seen enough large cities and museums and prefer statying 2-4 days at the most scenic sites instead on intown.
Any recommendations and suggestions as to which state, and any suggested iteniaries, places to stay, would very helpful in our planning and much appreciated. Thanks

Michael

Having just driven down the coast of Oregon, I have the impression that driving up the coast is more scenic. You might want to plan that drive from south to north. You'll want to see Crater Lake NP. I also suggest the drive from Eugene over the Cascades, taking the turn-off for the scenic drive over the crest (obvious if you look at a map). The Mt. Hood lodge is a WPA jewel.

Some of the photographs might be relevant:

http://www.photoworks.com/members/sl...531&key=mksfca

dis1010

The Columbia River Gorge is incredible and it would be a shame for you to miss it. I would drive the loop around Mount Hood from Portland, up to Hood River. Spend a night or two in Hood River exploring the gorge area, the "Fruit Loop" (lovely farm stands/stores), and just the town itself.

From there you could head north into Washington OR south into Oregon. The Oregon coast is lovely, as is Crater Lake. You can do some wine tasting on the way towards the coast just south of Portland. And some cheese tasting in the Tilamook area.

But you could just as easily head up to Washington. If you were to do that, I would think about the road across Northern Cascades National Park for mountain scenery. Chuckanut Drive and Whidby Island for coastal views.

You cannot go wrong with either state.

When are you planning on going?

happytrailstoyou

You could easily do Mt. Rainier, Columbia River Gorge (WA & OR), and Oregon Coast on the same trip--possibly even the North Cascade Loop.

Crater Lake is a long out-of-the-way drive where you will see neither lofty mountains or crashing waves.

suze

I think you could easily combine a bit of both states in 13 days. Seattle to Portland is only a 3 hour drive (for example).

But if you really want to pick only one, I think Oregon is perhaps more 'spectacular' especially the gorge and the coast. Maybe more 'wow' factor.

Don't get me wrong, I live in Seattle and love Washington dearly and certainly there's plenty of amazing things to see around here too (Mt Rainier, the Cascades, the Olympics, Olympic peninsula, Puget Sound, San Juan islands, WA coast, Snoqualmie, Whidbey, etc. etc.)

kimamom

If you do go to the Cheese Factory in Tillamook, I would not miss spending some time at Cape Lookout State Park. The scenery is gorgeous in this area. Up where I am in Seaside on the northern Oregon Coast is my favorite area. Gorgeous scenery all around us here. Enjoy your travels! ***kim***

Fodorite018

Without knowing when you will be visiting, I hate to make any recommendations. Time of year plays a big factor into a few places.

Scarlett

I like the idea of combining the two states. A week -give or take a day or 2 -each, maybe.
Oregon is so amazing and I know Washington has some fantastic sights to see.. if you have never been to the PNW, you should really try to get in both states.

For your Oregon days , you could base yourself in a hotel in Downtown Portland, you could see the Japanese Gardens, do lots of day trips.. Gorge/Falls, Mt St Helens, the winery areas, then drive to the Coast and starting with Cannon Beach (Haystack Rock) drive south on 101, with that amazing scenery to your right .. stopping at the beautiful State Parks and charming towns along the way.. if you like Shakespeare or Opera, you could time it to end in Ashland ..

LBev769375

Thanks for the suggestions and to michael for sharing the photos. Makes me want to leave this week, but we are looking for 15 days between July 15 and Aug 15. We would like to catch the spring flowers and snow melt w/o getting stuck in the mountain snows. The earlier the better and any suggested dates would be welcomed. I believe we will leave Washington for another trip. Seems like I always make driving trips in loops and have put together a premilary inteniary and any recommendations for changes/additions, etc., would be appreciated;
1. Arr Portland, drive to Hood River for 3 nights
2. Drive Hood River to Mt Hood for 1 night
3. Mt Hood to Bend for 2 night stay (Cascade Lakes area)
4. Bend to Crater Lake/Rogue River area for 3 nights
5. Crater Lake via Rte 62/230 and 138 to Yachats area for
4 nights.
6. Drive Yachats to Portland for 1 night
7. Back to Atlanta
We are not big on dinning out so food is not a major issue with us, but any suggestions for nice ($200) lodging in Hood River, Bend, Crater Lake and the Yachats area would be great. How soon should reservations be made in these areas at this time of year.
Thanks for your replies.

Michael

Crater Lake has a lodge by the lake. I do not know how much it costs.

Fodorite018

Coming in July/August will be a great time here. I like your plan as far as places to visit, but I would change how much time I would spend in some of these. Hood River...I would spend one night there unless you are planning on hiking or if you are arriving later in the day. For Mt. Hood, are you thinking of staying at Timberline or are you just wanting to stay in the general area? I really like Timberline, but some people want a bit more luxury. Unless you are wanting to stay here, you can easily do this while based in Hood River and that way not have to pack/move a second time.

Bend is great, and I would definitely allow more than 2 nights here. We always stay just south of Bend (about 10 minutes) at Sunriver Resort. There are homes/condo's that might interest you. If not, the River Lodge is very nice. There is also the regular lodge, which I hear is nice but I haven't stayed in that so can't comment. Sunriver is great because it is close to the Cascade Lakes Highway. I don't know if you like to hike, but if so this area is heaven! If not, don't worry...it is a great place for photography as well. Other great places in the area that are must see's are Benham Falls, Lava Butte, Lava cave, and the High Desert Museum.

Sunriver to Crater Lake takes about 90 minutes. I really like the boat tour here. You do have to go down a trail for a mile, and some people think it is tough as it descends 700 ft, but the boat ride is worth it. We are hikers though, so I admit that that doesn't bother us. There are benches along the trail that people would rest at coming back up. Crater Lake Lodge is beautiful, but books far in advance so if you are interested I would book now. One night here is good.

beachbum

Maybe Michael could comment, but the usual recommendation is to drive the coast north to south, the reason being that you don't have to cross traffic to get into the many roadside parks and viewpoints. And traffic will be heavy July-August, so consider doing the loop in the reverse of what it's currently planned. In that way, you might also pick up a night at the end, since the drive from Hood River into PDX is only an hour.

I agree with mms's suggestion to reconsider how much time you're spending where. 1-2 nights is plenty for Hood River, especially if including a night on Mt. Hood. I also think 2 nights is plenty at Crater Lake. If you do end up with time/nights saved, maybe add a night on the south coast, which provides opportunity to see the redwoods in northern CA (and/or a jetboat ride on the Rogue). Be nice if you could also fit in a drive up to Mt. St. Helens somewhere.

Michael

There is the famous view of the lighthouse which we missed this year but saw previously because this year we drove north to south. I agree that it means crossing traffic, but on the other hand, driving south to north might be less tiring because the sun is less likely to present a glare in the windshield. But I'm no expert regarding that drive.

beachbum

I'm sure you're talking about Haceta Head Lighthouse, Michael, but I think there are similarly good views traveling south to north. The key to not missing them is knowing where they are. This is a great planning resource to assist with that: http://www.northwestmagazines.com/mi...coast_2009.php.

And, sun glare on the windshield? In Oregon? ;-) That's much more likely to happen traveling north to south east of the Cascades.

Scarlett

lol, beachbum, that "glare" is when that "sun" shines and you can "surf" in Seaside ..

LBev769375

These are some great suggestions, especially reversing the direction and either checking out Mt Hood on the way from Bend or seeing it from Hood River instead of overnighting there. Should be able to save 2 nights, better spent in the Bend or Hood River areas. I'll work on revising the iteniary this w/e.
If I were to split the coast into northern and southern stays (2 days each) which norhern location would be best to drive to after an 8 hour day getting to Portland at 3:30pm from Atlanta. Thanks for the web site beachbum. I may still be checking it out the week we leave. There are so many great locations. I've always said, part of the fun of a trip is in its planning and this one is definitely no exception to that. I have a DSLR camera and this looks like at least a 4 memory chip trip. Thanks for the help.

happytrailstoyou

Cannon Beach is a delightful place about 90 miles from Portland International Airport.

beachbum

I have a DSLR camera and this looks like at least a 4 memory chip trip.

If you take happytrails' suggestion of Cannon Beach, better make that 5. I was thinking you might add another day/night to the coast, LBev. Or, maybe that's what you're thinking; 2 nights in the north, and 3 on the central/south?

LowCountryIslander

I'm bookmarking this for my future reference. The PNW has recently popped up on my radar for a possible trip next year. All this information is terrific!