Portland to Seattle Loop
Jul 27th, 2006, 10:33 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Portland to Seattle Loop
My husband and I will be doing an 8 day loop from Portland to Seattle in mid Sept, but we think we may have crammed too much into one trip. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Day 1 - Land in Portland at 1:00pm and spend the night
Day 2 - Drive to Newport (or further) and spend the night. We want to drive the coast as we hear it is so gorgeous.
Day 3 - Ocean Shores,WA or Forks,WA overnight
Day 4 - Victoria and/or Vancouver overnight
Day 5 & Day 6 - Mt Rainier (Stormking spa - 2 nights)
Day 7 & day 8 - Seattle (2 nights)
Leave on day 9
We think we might be pushing it with the Canada portion, or that maybe we shouldn't go as far down as Newport for the coastal driving.
Thanks to all of you experts for any advice!
Day 1 - Land in Portland at 1:00pm and spend the night
Day 2 - Drive to Newport (or further) and spend the night. We want to drive the coast as we hear it is so gorgeous.
Day 3 - Ocean Shores,WA or Forks,WA overnight
Day 4 - Victoria and/or Vancouver overnight
Day 5 & Day 6 - Mt Rainier (Stormking spa - 2 nights)
Day 7 & day 8 - Seattle (2 nights)
Leave on day 9
We think we might be pushing it with the Canada portion, or that maybe we shouldn't go as far down as Newport for the coastal driving.
Thanks to all of you experts for any advice!
Jul 27th, 2006, 11:25 AM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Depending on when in September you're making the loop, you might investigate substituting an overnight at either Kalaloch Lodge or Crescent Lake Lodge in lieu of Forks.
If both of those National Park Service lodges are booked (you can find out online), then at least do yourselves the favor of staying at one of the nicer places in Forks, both B&B's. My favorite is the Manitou Lodge, off the highway to LaPush, just a short drive from Forks.
Fritzrl
If both of those National Park Service lodges are booked (you can find out online), then at least do yourselves the favor of staying at one of the nicer places in Forks, both B&B's. My favorite is the Manitou Lodge, off the highway to LaPush, just a short drive from Forks.
Fritzrl
Jul 27th, 2006, 11:55 AM
#4
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just visited the Oregon Coast last week (Florence up to Cannon Beach) and spent 5 days doing it (whcih involved a considerable amount of driving. Much of the ride to Newport (2.5 hours from Portland) is not exactly the scenery you're envisioning. From Newport north is inland and you'd be flying past it all anyway. If you're only going to be spending one day on the coast and then going to Washington I would not go as far south as newport (whcih was my least favorite part). I would either:
a) add more days to this portion of your trip; or
b) drive to Cannon Beach (90 minutes from Portland) and go North from there. That will eliminate significant time spent in the car without missing much.
The beauty of the Oregon Coast (for me) was from Yachats to Florence (further south than you're going) and in the Cannon Beach area (2.5 hours north of Newport). Since you're planning on spending most of your time in Washington there is no point in taking a 5 hour detour.
I'll let the Oregon/Washington experts advise further.
a) add more days to this portion of your trip; or
b) drive to Cannon Beach (90 minutes from Portland) and go North from there. That will eliminate significant time spent in the car without missing much.
The beauty of the Oregon Coast (for me) was from Yachats to Florence (further south than you're going) and in the Cannon Beach area (2.5 hours north of Newport). Since you're planning on spending most of your time in Washington there is no point in taking a 5 hour detour.
I'll let the Oregon/Washington experts advise further.
Jul 27th, 2006, 01:38 PM
#5
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What is the purpose of this trip? Is this likely to be your one and only trip to this area? Because you do have too much crammed in- if I were you, I'd choose either seattle or portland- and base myself in that area. I never get tired of either city, and I can easily spend a week in either. If beaches are a higher priority- portland.
If Canada and mt R are calling to you- Seattle.
If you want to see it all though,because you won't have a chance to come back for a second (or 3rd or 4th)
trip, then skip Canada and do what eschule suggested- newport's too far down. Be sure to hit Cannon Beach(ice cream shop and JP's), Astoria (Wet Dog Cafe), and drive north from there. Long Beach, and I've heard it's quicker to go inland from the border to Seattle than along the coast (but I've never tried it). Stop in Bellingham or Port Townsend if you have time. You'll enjoy it more if you're not so rushed...
Have a great time! September is one of the best times to visit the coast...
If Canada and mt R are calling to you- Seattle.
If you want to see it all though,because you won't have a chance to come back for a second (or 3rd or 4th)
trip, then skip Canada and do what eschule suggested- newport's too far down. Be sure to hit Cannon Beach(ice cream shop and JP's), Astoria (Wet Dog Cafe), and drive north from there. Long Beach, and I've heard it's quicker to go inland from the border to Seattle than along the coast (but I've never tried it). Stop in Bellingham or Port Townsend if you have time. You'll enjoy it more if you're not so rushed...Have a great time! September is one of the best times to visit the coast...
Jul 27th, 2006, 04:24 PM
#7
I'd skip the entire Canada part, especially since you only have 1 day alloted.
And then somehow rearrange the order.
Currently what you have: Vancouver is 3 hours north of Seattle, and Rainier is 2 hours south... so a 5 hours drive where you pass right thru Seattle but don't stop... and then 2 hours back up to Seattle for your last days.
I enjoy Ocean Shores but never heard Forks mentioned as a particularly attractive tourist destination (maybe I'm missing something?).
kindly, Suze in Seattle
And then somehow rearrange the order.
Currently what you have: Vancouver is 3 hours north of Seattle, and Rainier is 2 hours south... so a 5 hours drive where you pass right thru Seattle but don't stop... and then 2 hours back up to Seattle for your last days.
I enjoy Ocean Shores but never heard Forks mentioned as a particularly attractive tourist destination (maybe I'm missing something?).
kindly, Suze in Seattle
Jul 27th, 2006, 04:28 PM
#8
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree, Cannon Beach is a beauty. The coast is take-your-breath-away gorgeous, but you don't get a lot of that until the very end. Wine country isn't too bad, but there are no radio stations in this part of the world, so make sure you've got CDs, books on tape, or a willing conversation partner to get you through!
Joanne
(http://www.vacationing-with-kids.com)
Joanne
(http://www.vacationing-with-kids.com)
Jul 27th, 2006, 04:32 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't quite agree with eschule that the coastal scenery north of Newport isn't gorgeous (maybe he/she took highway 20 instead of 101 north to Lincoln City?) North of LINCOLN CITY on 101 is inland, but there is some fantastic coastal scenery on 101 between Newport and Lincoln City. South of there is even better.
The Coast is amazing, though. You could get at least a taste for it by going only out to Seaside and Cannon Beach, which is barely two hours from Portland, then head north from there. My recommendation is to get an Oregon Coast tour map from AAA - it breaks out all the highlights and even some areas you might miss otherwise.
I love Newport by the way, I don't want to sell it short, but you also don't have much time. It's possible you could just do Cannon Beach from Portland and then up to Ocean Shores the same day, although that is quite a lot of driving, and save some time. You also aren't allocating much time for Portland itself, which is unfortunate.
Andrew
The Coast is amazing, though. You could get at least a taste for it by going only out to Seaside and Cannon Beach, which is barely two hours from Portland, then head north from there. My recommendation is to get an Oregon Coast tour map from AAA - it breaks out all the highlights and even some areas you might miss otherwise.
I love Newport by the way, I don't want to sell it short, but you also don't have much time. It's possible you could just do Cannon Beach from Portland and then up to Ocean Shores the same day, although that is quite a lot of driving, and save some time. You also aren't allocating much time for Portland itself, which is unfortunate.
Andrew
Jul 27th, 2006, 07:11 PM
#10
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
(deep breath)
If this were meeeeeeeeee, trying to fit as much of that in as possible, I sure wouldn't be landing in Portland and spending the night there. It just sets you back, and of course you can't do justice to Portland in an afternoon.
1st afternoon: maaaaaaaaybe drive as far down as "Corvallis" (Oregon State University town) and stay there, then early next morning drive due west to Newport (it'll get points for being YOUR idea)
Upon reaching the coast in the a.m. drive north... and pick and choose what you stop for or just see when going by (probably rain).
DO stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory (geez, just DO it... y'don't have to tour the place or anything).
Sooner or later you'll reach Astoria...(more excuse to stop and look around)
Then across the bridge into Washington, up the 101 highway, and yeah, maybe Ocean Shores won't be a bad idea timing-wise for your 2nd night.
I would NOT go up the west side of the northern Washington coast in your case. (Forks is merely the rainiest place in the lower 48 states) More importantly you want to make the most of your time.
So instead drive inland... toward Olympia... but you do NOT WANT TO TANGLE at all with Seattle-Tacoma-Everett-Olympia rush hour traffic in any way... so unless hitting Olympia that way no later than maybe 1:00pm, you might do best to drive north from Shelton to "KINGSTON" to take a ferry across to "Edmonds" (near Everett).
THEN you make your drive north toward Vancouver (forget Victoria, you don't have time for the long ferry rides in two different directions).
{{{{IF you can hit Olympia BEFORE 1:00PM... you can drive STRAIGHT to downtown Seattle and hit it by 2:00. you cannot afford to STOP for anything or you'll get swallowed by the rush hour traffic as you go north.
You need to get to Marysville, north of Everett, beFORE the rush hour mess starts or you're considerably delayed!
(so where are we now:
Night one - Corvallis (east of Newport, OR)
Night two - Ocean Shores, WA
Night three - you can make it all the way to Vancouver... and Vancouver is gorgeous so if you're beaming in from any other timezone, you should try to get up there (BRING YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR PASSPORT to get across the BORDER)
(Ocean Shores to Vancouver = 275 miles)
(don't make Olympia by 1:00pm - then to go via Seattle might feel like 500 miles... but if you don't make it, DO go up the 101 via Shelton and cut BACK to "Kingston" on the 104 to take a ferry across.)
So, Night three = Vancouver
(and dang it, you came this far, so
Night four = Vancouver too !!!)
Vancouver to "Greenwater, WA" (not far from Mt. Rainier) = 214 miles and you can do that drive in an afternoon.
When rush hour approaches, just give up and DINE for a while. (good news is that you'd be going the opposite way of most Seattle traffic - don't take that as a comfort!!!)
So back on YOUR schedule for nights 5 and 6... at "Stormking Spa", as you said
Nights 7 and 8 in Seattle (go for Downtown, and use Priceline.com to get reasonable rates).
so how's that???
You missed a glimpse of Portland that you weren't going to get enough of anyway... AND you missed rainy FORKS, WA...
But two nights in Vancouver, Canada is a huge trade-up!
(the last 4 nights of your trip will be sufficiently relaxing so as to make up for any haste in getting from Newport up to Vancouver)
If this were meeeeeeeeee, trying to fit as much of that in as possible, I sure wouldn't be landing in Portland and spending the night there. It just sets you back, and of course you can't do justice to Portland in an afternoon.
1st afternoon: maaaaaaaaybe drive as far down as "Corvallis" (Oregon State University town) and stay there, then early next morning drive due west to Newport (it'll get points for being YOUR idea)
Upon reaching the coast in the a.m. drive north... and pick and choose what you stop for or just see when going by (probably rain).
DO stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory (geez, just DO it... y'don't have to tour the place or anything).
Sooner or later you'll reach Astoria...(more excuse to stop and look around)
Then across the bridge into Washington, up the 101 highway, and yeah, maybe Ocean Shores won't be a bad idea timing-wise for your 2nd night.
I would NOT go up the west side of the northern Washington coast in your case. (Forks is merely the rainiest place in the lower 48 states) More importantly you want to make the most of your time.
So instead drive inland... toward Olympia... but you do NOT WANT TO TANGLE at all with Seattle-Tacoma-Everett-Olympia rush hour traffic in any way... so unless hitting Olympia that way no later than maybe 1:00pm, you might do best to drive north from Shelton to "KINGSTON" to take a ferry across to "Edmonds" (near Everett).
THEN you make your drive north toward Vancouver (forget Victoria, you don't have time for the long ferry rides in two different directions).
{{{{IF you can hit Olympia BEFORE 1:00PM... you can drive STRAIGHT to downtown Seattle and hit it by 2:00. you cannot afford to STOP for anything or you'll get swallowed by the rush hour traffic as you go north.
You need to get to Marysville, north of Everett, beFORE the rush hour mess starts or you're considerably delayed!
(so where are we now:
Night one - Corvallis (east of Newport, OR)
Night two - Ocean Shores, WA
Night three - you can make it all the way to Vancouver... and Vancouver is gorgeous so if you're beaming in from any other timezone, you should try to get up there (BRING YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR PASSPORT to get across the BORDER)
(Ocean Shores to Vancouver = 275 miles)
(don't make Olympia by 1:00pm - then to go via Seattle might feel like 500 miles... but if you don't make it, DO go up the 101 via Shelton and cut BACK to "Kingston" on the 104 to take a ferry across.)
So, Night three = Vancouver
(and dang it, you came this far, so
Night four = Vancouver too !!!)
Vancouver to "Greenwater, WA" (not far from Mt. Rainier) = 214 miles and you can do that drive in an afternoon.
When rush hour approaches, just give up and DINE for a while. (good news is that you'd be going the opposite way of most Seattle traffic - don't take that as a comfort!!!)
So back on YOUR schedule for nights 5 and 6... at "Stormking Spa", as you said
Nights 7 and 8 in Seattle (go for Downtown, and use Priceline.com to get reasonable rates).
so how's that???
You missed a glimpse of Portland that you weren't going to get enough of anyway... AND you missed rainy FORKS, WA...
But two nights in Vancouver, Canada is a huge trade-up!
(the last 4 nights of your trip will be sufficiently relaxing so as to make up for any haste in getting from Newport up to Vancouver)
Jul 27th, 2006, 08:15 PM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You recommend skipping Portland and driving 90 minutes from Portland then stop in Corvallis overnight??? Sorry, I don't think that's a very exciting idea. It's only 2.5 hours from Portland to Newport tops, and if you are trying to see Oregon Coast scenery, you sure wouldn't be taking Highway 20! It's best (and usually fastest anyway) to drive out Highway 18 to Lincoln City, then south to Newport. Backtracking north isn't a big deal, the scenery is worth seeing twice!!!
Corvallis is a cute little college/farm town, but I think most first-time visitors would prefer to sample at least a few of the great number of attractions and reastaurants in Portland instead of heading straight for Corvallis; no offense if you live there.
It would be very easy to fly into Portland, spend the afternoon and night there, drive out to Newport the next day for a late lunch (plenty of time to stop along the way a few times for scenery), check into the hotel, then drive south a bit and stay back in Newport for the evening. The next day is about another 7 hrs of driving from Newport to Ocean Shores (according to Google Maps), however.
Andrew
Corvallis is a cute little college/farm town, but I think most first-time visitors would prefer to sample at least a few of the great number of attractions and reastaurants in Portland instead of heading straight for Corvallis; no offense if you live there.
It would be very easy to fly into Portland, spend the afternoon and night there, drive out to Newport the next day for a late lunch (plenty of time to stop along the way a few times for scenery), check into the hotel, then drive south a bit and stay back in Newport for the evening. The next day is about another 7 hrs of driving from Newport to Ocean Shores (according to Google Maps), however.
Andrew
Jul 27th, 2006, 11:14 PM
#13
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,090
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Day 1. Portland
Day 2. Drive to Canon Beach. Visit Ecola State Park, Canon Beach and walk along coast(rent funcycles) Stay at Canon Beach
Day 3. Drive south to Tillamook and west to the Three Capes Loop, visiting lighthouse, seeing the views, taking photos. Visit Blue Heron Cheese factory. Return to Canon Beach for night.
Day 4. Go to Mt. Rainier
Day 5. Mt. Rainier
Day 6 Olympic Peninsula- Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent. Stay at Lake Crescent.
Day 7 and 8 Seattle.
This mixes up the Oregon coast, Mt. Rainier, and gives you a taste of the Olympic peninsula, without a lot of extra driving. The Washington coast is not as accessible as the Oregon coast and is mostly not visible by car. You just drive through a lot of forests in various stages of the logging/reforestation cycle.
Canada is great, but you can save it for another big trip - Victoria, Vancouver, Banff!
Day 2. Drive to Canon Beach. Visit Ecola State Park, Canon Beach and walk along coast(rent funcycles) Stay at Canon Beach
Day 3. Drive south to Tillamook and west to the Three Capes Loop, visiting lighthouse, seeing the views, taking photos. Visit Blue Heron Cheese factory. Return to Canon Beach for night.
Day 4. Go to Mt. Rainier
Day 5. Mt. Rainier
Day 6 Olympic Peninsula- Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent. Stay at Lake Crescent.
Day 7 and 8 Seattle.
This mixes up the Oregon coast, Mt. Rainier, and gives you a taste of the Olympic peninsula, without a lot of extra driving. The Washington coast is not as accessible as the Oregon coast and is mostly not visible by car. You just drive through a lot of forests in various stages of the logging/reforestation cycle.
Canada is great, but you can save it for another big trip - Victoria, Vancouver, Banff!
Jul 28th, 2006, 12:12 AM
#14
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aw, Orcas, but the forest in WA is the pretty part Though that may be 'cause I spend most of my time on the east side of the state- wheat fields, wheat fields, as far as the eye can seeeeeee....
but, yeah, macksix, the further north you go, the worse the roads get (OP) and the less accessible the coast is (in comparison to oregon coast area)
Though that may be 'cause I spend most of my time on the east side of the state- wheat fields, wheat fields, as far as the eye can seeeeeee....but, yeah, macksix, the further north you go, the worse the roads get (OP) and the less accessible the coast is (in comparison to oregon coast area)
Jul 28th, 2006, 03:08 AM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All of your advice is so greatly appreciated, especially stops not to miss on the Oregon coast. We will take another look at the maps and see how we can put all of your suggestions to good use. Keep you posted! Thanks!
Jul 28th, 2006, 07:42 AM
#17
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A day trip to Victoria from Port Angeles is possible, and I believe you will find it a most enjoyable experience. See www.victoriaexpress.com
Jul 28th, 2006, 07:45 AM
#18
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I meant to add that I enjoy the drive from Cannon Beach to Newport, and I like Newport. However, it is the stretch of coast south of Newport (Cape Perpetua, etc.) that is most spectacular, and it is not realistic for you to include this part of the coast in your itinerary, considering your desire to see as much of the NW as possible.
Jul 28th, 2006, 09:12 AM
#20
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
when looking at maps of the Oregon Coast (and maybe Washington?) keep in mind that when travelling the Coast you can't expect to travel more than 45 miles in an hour. The roads are one-lane in most parts, very curvy and slow-moving.
Trust me. I drive fast on the highway and assumed I could drive 120 miles in about 1.5 hours. On the Coast 120 miles is easily a 3 hour ride.
Trust me. I drive fast on the highway and assumed I could drive 120 miles in about 1.5 hours. On the Coast 120 miles is easily a 3 hour ride.
