DianeD

My husband and I will vacation in Oregon the last 2 weeks of July- flying in late Fri 7/16 and home on Sunday 8/1.
Thanks to all the posts I have checked I have the first part planned with reservations for - 3 nights in Portland, 1 night in Hood River, 1 night in Astoria, 2 nights Cannon Beach, 1 night Yachats, 1 night Bandon and 2 nights Crater Lake.
That leaves us 5 nights with the last needing to be in or near Portland for the airport. We want to spend some time in the wine area. What other areas should we see on our way back north? Any suggestions for where to stay in the wine area? I know we want to stop at Silver Falls State Park to do the walk with all the waterfalls.
We have been in Oregon only once before while drivng from Seattle to San Fransisco visiting family in each town. We had only one night in your lovely state and have been anxious to get back ever since.

Fodorite018

So far, that looks good. Are you planning to do the boat tour at Crater Lake? I think it is great, but if you are not going to do it, then 2 nights there will most likely be too much.

With the extra time you have, head up to Bend from there. There is so much to do in this area! Spend a few nights here, then head over to Sisters on your way over the Santiam Pass to Silver Falls. A half day is good for SFSP, including the 7 mile trail. BTW, that trail is very nice. There is a day lodge there where you can get lunch if you want, or just something to drink.

As for the wineries, from SFSP head over towards McMinnville. There are numerous places to stay in this general area and hundreds of wineries. Hotel Oregon in McMinnville is a McMenamin property which I love. If you want more upscale look at Black Walnut Inn or The Allison. A mid priced place, with the most amazing view, is Chehalem Ridge B&B. It all just depends on what you are looking for. BTW, while you are in Portland you can hit an urban winery, Grochau Cellars, which is very good.

happytrailstoyou

If you have never visited the Redwoods, you could drive there via one of the most beautiful stretches of the Oregon Coast: Port Orford to Brookings.

On your way to Crater Lake, you could spend a night in Ashland and attend a performance of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival there: http://www.orshakes.org

HTTY

passerbye

HTTY: "...one of the most beautiful stretches of the Oregon Coast: Port Orford to Brookings."

I agree, so was wondering why you're turning inland at Bandon. Also wondering why the night in Astoria, since it's only 25 miles from Cannon Beach. You could easily drive from Portland (or Hood River) directly to Astoria, see what you want to see, then high-tail it through Seaside to Cannon Beach for the evening. Add the night you save to Yachats; lots to see/do around there.

I also agree with mms's suggestions for the Bend-Sisters area. Beautiful scenery, great hiking, white-water rafting.... With the economy as it is, you might find lodging at either Sunriver Resort or Black Butte Ranch, which typically require 5-7 night minimum stays during the summer.

krisnmikenkids

I agree with mms that two nights at Crater Lake is a long time, if you're not doing the boat trip. You haven't mentioned anything south of Crater Lake and it's nice down here too! We're down in Jacksonville, which is in the Rogue Valley. It's a quaint gold-rush town, which sits at the start of the Applegate Valley, a wonderful wine area. There are tons of wineries in the Applegate and several tasting rooms in Jacksonville too.
Ashland and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival are only a 1/2 hour's drive away from Jacksonville. Lots of great restaurants and places to stay in both Ashland and Jacksonville. check out their websites! Jacksonville also has the Britt Festivals in the summer, which is a music festival at a wonderful outdoor ampitheater. Mostly current/popular music but there are two weeks of classical music in early August.
Another idea which wasn't mentioned yet is leaving Crater Lake and driving along the North Fork of the Umpqua River. This is a beautiful drive and there are numerous waterfalls along the river. There aren't a lot of places to stay along the river but there are a few fishing oriented lodges. I only know the name of the Steamboat Inn and I highly recommend it! We stayed in one of their cabins and had a wonderful family-style meal in their diningroom. Fly fishing only along this river and plenty of hiking for all abilities! You will eventually meet up with Roseburg, on I-5 and this is another wine region. I'm not too knowlegeable on this wine region though.

Check out the southern end of the state!

DianeD

Thanks for all the suggestions! I was debating on Bend or Sisters area and wasn't sure which would be better or if we had time for both. Thanks also for the idea of the Umpqua River. We will want to spend some time walking and seeing the waterfalls. we're not into fishing but we love waterfalls! This looks like it would work on our drive from Bandon to Crater Lake.
We are planning to do the boat trip at Crater Lake-thus the 2 nights.
On our previous trip down the coast we spent a night in northern CA and much of the next day driving through the redwoods. We've also been to Muir Woods on several occassions so felt we could skip the redwoods this time.
I know Astoria is very close to Cannon Beach but we feel we will want to spend time hiking along the gorge and not feel rushed to get to the coast. We've been told that Astoria is well worth a stop. Is this moving too slow?
I love this website and all the travel help that is given.

passerbye

"....Astoria is well worth a stop."

Kinda depends on what you're looking for. If it's history, particularly Lewis & Clark, absolutely. Otherwise, you'd enjoy a 1/2 hour visit to the Astor Column.... and..?? The best reason to include Astoria IMO is Cape Disappointment State Park, 20 miles NW of town, outside of Ilwaco, WA. If you go, you'll for sure want to check out the North Head Lighthouse and Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, which sits high on a cliff, overlooking the mouth of the Columbia River.

"I was debating on Bend or Sisters area and wasn't sure which would be better or if we had time for both."

They're only 20 miles apart, but again, it depends on what you're looking for. I prefer the scenery and hiking around Sisters, but I think mms might argue for Bend. Regardless, if your next stop is wine country, you'd at least be driving through Sisters. It's become a bit Disneyesque, but still a nice stop. Also plan a visit to Camp Sherman, including the short walk in to the head of the Metolius River. Stunning scenery.... Since you'll have already seen the waterfalls in the Gorge, you might consider a hike in this area over Silver Falls. It's more of a mountain wilderness setting, whereas at that time of year, Silver Falls might need traffic control. ;-)

Winelife

If you’re going to go to Oregon’s Wine Country you have to stay at Youngberg Hill Vineyards & Inn. We have stayed there many times and loved it. They are on a 20 year old vineyard producing amazing wines. The rooms are romantic, clean, & comfortable but the things you will remember most are the wines, views, and friends you make there. The owners are amazing and really in the wine industry. The Allison is a very nice hotel and the Black Walnut is missing the amazing wines and views you will get at Youngberg. OH, don’t miss eating at Bistro Maison or the Joel Palmer House too. The best in the valley!

DianeD

Thank you for your suggestions. We have decided to spend 2 nights in Bend at the Oxford Hotel and see the lava cave and High Desert Museum. We will then spend 2 nights in McMinnville. The Youngberg Inn looked very nice- but was not available the nights we needed. We do hope to visit the winery there. We opted to stay in town so we can walk home after wine with dinner and have reservations at A Tuscan Estate.
We are looking forward to trip- thanks to all the advice on this site!

passerbye

One more recommendation: Thistle for dinner in McMinnville. Nick's is great too.

sunbum1944

Sounds like you like hiking- so a couple of recommendations n the Bend area-

easy walk starting at the Old Mlll district in Bend - looks like its going to be a city walk but its beautiful once you get into the woods along the Deschutes- I think ts about 3 miles.

Hike 2- Benham Falls- also easy - entrance is close to Lava Lands Park

Hike 3- Smith Rock- you would have to drive over to Redmond- famous area for rock climbing but there are many trails - some along the Smith River - where you will see climbers hanging from the walls and some more difficult hikes. Its an amazing area.

Or- you could go over to SunRiver Resort for an afternoon and rent bikes for the day- have great paved trails - they also have a marina where you could do a float/kayak trip

I think a very fun thing to do is a short raft trip on the Deschutes - its called "The Big Eddy" and you can book through Sun Country tours in Bend or Sun River

There- that should give you enough to do for a few days

Love the Bend area -

OregonInnKeeper

Spend the 2 days at Crater Lake, Slow down enough to enjoy the area and especially the Rogue River National Forest. Stop at the Prospect Historic Hotel. A Nationally registered Historic property, that is now a B&B, Motel and outstanding Dinner House. It was a Stage coach stop that Teddy Roosevelt, Jack London, Zane Grey, WJ Bryant, and Hubert Hoover stayed at while seeing Crater Lake. TOO much time at Crater Lake, no way, unless you only like to see National Parks through the windshield. Go to the Prospect Hotel for the Prime Rib dinner served every night of the week! They say it is the best in Southern Oregon!

DianeD

We do love to hike so I really approciate the suggestions around Bend! I will add them to our list of things to do.
I agree that we will not have too much time at Crater Lake- we want to enjoy the area. Thanks for the tip about Prospect Historic Hotel- we like history too.

sunbum1944

I am also a fan of the Prospect Hotel- I belong to a group that does an annual winter trip there and we always stay at the Prospect. They serve a GREAT breakfast and dinner - and they always make a lunch for us too ( not sure if that is available for everyone or just groups)

I think there are about 10 buildings in town - one is a bar which we usually close down- when they know we are coming, they hire a band.

TheFashionTraveler

I would definitely make a stop in Sisters. WE have a vacation home in Black Butte Ranch which is 10 min from Sisters. We consider Central Oregon to be one of the prettiest places in Oregon and I definitely wouldn't say it is Disneyesque.

travelinandgolfin

Hi sunbum.

How do you get to the walk by the old mill district? We'll be spending a couple nights at the Ameritel right next door. Sounds perfect for us.

Thanks.

sunbum1944

When you are at the Old Mill District you will see a paved trail on both sides of the river - you can just take the trail on either side, eventually you are in the woods and it does not feel like an urban hike - the trail dead ends at a bridge which we crossed and came back on the other side - its about 3 miles, easy and when you are done you can check out the brewpub in the Old Mill district.

sunbum1944

Heres a hike/walk you might want to try - the Bend Ale Trail-
sounds fun

http://www.visitbend.com/Bend_Oregon...end-Ale-Trail/

travelinandgolfin

Thanks sunbum.

We did go on part of that trail when we were there last time (headed north), but because it does look more like a trail through the city, we stopped pretty quick. We'll continue on this time.

Once on that trail though, which is the best way to go, north or south? Or does it matter?