Two week family trip in the Northwest and Northern California
May 30th, 2015, 11:27 PM
#1
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Two week family trip in the Northwest and Northern California
We are planning a 2 week trip in the Pacific Northwest in August- 2 adults and 2 teens ages 15 and 17. Trying to decide whether to stay in Washington state only or to include a drive down the coast to SF. We'd like the trip to have some variety - some hiking but not ALL- also want some city life -Seattle - and place the kids will enjoy, whales, boats, water sport .
Here is a preliminary itinerary for the second option:
1. Sat/7 – arrive seattle
2. Sun/8 seattle
3. Mon/9 seattle
4. Tues/10 Olympic NP
5. Wed/11 Olympic NP
6. Thurs 12/ Olympic NP
7. Fri/13 Oregon coast
8. Sat/14 Oregon coast
9. Sun/15 Redwoods
10. Mon/16- SF
11. Tues/17-SF
12. Wed/18- SF
13. Thurs/19 Fly to NYC
Would appreciate feedback on this outline and suggestions. Also any thoughts on whether this too rushed, too much driving... Better to just stay in Wash state?
Thanks!!!
Here is a preliminary itinerary for the second option:
1. Sat/7 – arrive seattle
2. Sun/8 seattle
3. Mon/9 seattle
4. Tues/10 Olympic NP
5. Wed/11 Olympic NP
6. Thurs 12/ Olympic NP
7. Fri/13 Oregon coast
8. Sat/14 Oregon coast
9. Sun/15 Redwoods
10. Mon/16- SF
11. Tues/17-SF
12. Wed/18- SF
13. Thurs/19 Fly to NYC
Would appreciate feedback on this outline and suggestions. Also any thoughts on whether this too rushed, too much driving... Better to just stay in Wash state?
Thanks!!!
May 31st, 2015, 08:52 AM
#2
Flying in from NYC? With 2 weeks, I would confine the trip to Western Washington and Western and Central Oregon.
Fly to Seattle or Portland. Return the car wherever you rent it.
In addition to Olympic NP, try for Mt. Rainier and/or Mt. St. Helens.
The Oregon coast is different from the Washington coast. Go down the Oregon coast at least as far as Reedsport or perhaps Bandon.
Head east from the Oregon coast and find your way to Crater Lake even if you can't get a reservation at the lodge.
Come back north east of the Cascades through Bend. See Mount Hood and the waterfalls east of Portland in the Columbia Gorge.
Save San Francisco for a future trip. You can see Coast Redwoods close to San Francisco without going all the way to Crescent City. See Muir Woods on a future trip to SF.
Fly to Seattle or Portland. Return the car wherever you rent it.
In addition to Olympic NP, try for Mt. Rainier and/or Mt. St. Helens.
The Oregon coast is different from the Washington coast. Go down the Oregon coast at least as far as Reedsport or perhaps Bandon.
Head east from the Oregon coast and find your way to Crater Lake even if you can't get a reservation at the lodge.
Come back north east of the Cascades through Bend. See Mount Hood and the waterfalls east of Portland in the Columbia Gorge.
Save San Francisco for a future trip. You can see Coast Redwoods close to San Francisco without going all the way to Crescent City. See Muir Woods on a future trip to SF.
May 31st, 2015, 09:16 AM
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This trip can be made in two weeks, but it is important to find a way to include the drive to Mt. Rainier in your itinerary (it is often visited as a day trip from Seattle).
On the Olympic Peninsula, include the drives to Hurricane Ridge along the shore of Lake Crescent. From the Storm King Ranger Station at Lake Crescent, you can take an easy hike though a rain forrest to Marymere Falls.
The Columbia River Gorge is also quite spectacular. It would be good to drive at least the Historic Columbia River Highway, which is lined with waterfalls.
If you don't have time to drive all of 101 in Oregon, at least do the stretches from Yachts to Florence (which goes around breathtaking Cape Perpetua) and from Port Orford to Brookings, which follows the coastline.
There is a new Holiday Inn Express in Eureka.
HTtY
On the Olympic Peninsula, include the drives to Hurricane Ridge along the shore of Lake Crescent. From the Storm King Ranger Station at Lake Crescent, you can take an easy hike though a rain forrest to Marymere Falls.
The Columbia River Gorge is also quite spectacular. It would be good to drive at least the Historic Columbia River Highway, which is lined with waterfalls.
If you don't have time to drive all of 101 in Oregon, at least do the stretches from Yachts to Florence (which goes around breathtaking Cape Perpetua) and from Port Orford to Brookings, which follows the coastline.
There is a new Holiday Inn Express in Eureka.
HTtY
May 31st, 2015, 10:49 AM
#5
I think with your priorities (hiking, whales, etc.) your itinerary has too much time in the car and not enough time for those pursuits.
The Oregon coast and the redwoods are world-class attractions, but there's spectacular coastal scenery in Olympic National Park too, as well as stunning rain forest scenery in the Hoh and Quinault valleys, or the Grove of the Patriarchs in Mt. Rainier National Park.
I'd propose a big loop like this - https://goo.gl/maps/71Fpr - which would include the highlights in Olympic National Park, the northern Oregon coast and Cape Disappointment at the mouth of the Columbia River, then the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood east of Portland, and finally a return to Seattle via Mount Rainier.
You could do a day trip as ferry foot passengers from Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula to Victoria BC where there are numerous whale watching trips available. You can visit the many waterfalls along the side of the Columbia Gorge (look up "Oneonta Gorge" for a spectacular day hike in the gorge.)
Take hikes through mountain wildflowers at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic NP, around historic Timberline Lodge on the slopes of Mt. Hood, an hour from the Columbia Gorge, or on Mount Rainier.
I think limiting your tour to a loop like this will give you more time to SEE things instead of driving between them.
The Oregon coast and the redwoods are world-class attractions, but there's spectacular coastal scenery in Olympic National Park too, as well as stunning rain forest scenery in the Hoh and Quinault valleys, or the Grove of the Patriarchs in Mt. Rainier National Park.
I'd propose a big loop like this - https://goo.gl/maps/71Fpr - which would include the highlights in Olympic National Park, the northern Oregon coast and Cape Disappointment at the mouth of the Columbia River, then the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood east of Portland, and finally a return to Seattle via Mount Rainier.
You could do a day trip as ferry foot passengers from Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula to Victoria BC where there are numerous whale watching trips available. You can visit the many waterfalls along the side of the Columbia Gorge (look up "Oneonta Gorge" for a spectacular day hike in the gorge.)
Take hikes through mountain wildflowers at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic NP, around historic Timberline Lodge on the slopes of Mt. Hood, an hour from the Columbia Gorge, or on Mount Rainier.
I think limiting your tour to a loop like this will give you more time to SEE things instead of driving between them.
Jun 1st, 2015, 06:37 AM
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You could kayak at Lake Crescent- a beautiful lake in the ONP. Kayaks are available for rent at the lodge.
In the Portland area check out Alder Creek Kayak. They have lots of guided trips including some moonlight trips and dinner trips.
Too bad you aren't planning to visit the San Juan's- one of my friends was kayaking there and a whale dived under her kayak and came up on the other side. Exciting!
My favorite kayak spots in Oregon are in the Bend area.
In the Portland area check out Alder Creek Kayak. They have lots of guided trips including some moonlight trips and dinner trips.
Too bad you aren't planning to visit the San Juan's- one of my friends was kayaking there and a whale dived under her kayak and came up on the other side. Exciting!
My favorite kayak spots in Oregon are in the Bend area.
Jun 1st, 2015, 06:38 AM
#9
I am wondering where would be the best area for kayaking? also, what about rafting (beginner level) in August?
For kayaking, frankly I'd recommend Seattle itself. There are a number of places where one can rent kayaks (or canoes or SUPs) with which you can explore Lake Union, Lake Washington, Elliott Bay or Puget Sound. For example, from the kayak rental place located next to the West Seattle Water Taxi dock - http://www.kayakalki.com/ - you can paddle out to the Alki lighthouse, with superb views of passing ferries and the Olympic Mountains - http://gardyloo.us/20140513_47H2.jpg . Or from a center on Lake Union - http://www.nwoc.com/rental/ or https://www.mossbay.net/ - or even from the fun Agua Verde Cafe - http://aguaverde.com/ - you can paddle around Lake Union or Portage Bay, or out into the wetlands and nature reserve near the University of Washington - http://www.washington.edu/ima/wac/canoe-boat-rentals/. You have many options.
Regarding rafting (I assume you're talking about white water) it's another matter. This past winter was terrible on the snow pack front, and as a result melting snow is not producing decent rafting conditions anywhere in the region. By August the snow will all be gone, and the rivers probably too low for rafting.
With the route I described (if you choose to take it) the best place to look for rafting opportunities is in the Columbia Gorge area around Hood River Oregon or White Salmon Washington. Here's one of several operators in the area - http://riverdrifters.net/white-salmon/
HOWEVER, Hood River is world famous as a mecca for windsurfers on the Columbia River, and there are several places offering rentals and lessons, for example http://hoodriverwaterplay.com/ This might appeal in lieu of sub-par rafting.
(The above goes to show why I'm so big on the Columbia Gorge as a destination. It has it all - alpine hikes on gorgeous Mt. Hood, waterfalls, rafting and windsurfing, craft beer and local wines, fishing, hiking and wind surfing, the "fruit loop" tour - http://hoodriverfruitloop.com/ - and so much more, all within an hour of one of America's most enjoyable cities and an international airport. What's not to like?)
For kayaking, frankly I'd recommend Seattle itself. There are a number of places where one can rent kayaks (or canoes or SUPs) with which you can explore Lake Union, Lake Washington, Elliott Bay or Puget Sound. For example, from the kayak rental place located next to the West Seattle Water Taxi dock - http://www.kayakalki.com/ - you can paddle out to the Alki lighthouse, with superb views of passing ferries and the Olympic Mountains - http://gardyloo.us/20140513_47H2.jpg . Or from a center on Lake Union - http://www.nwoc.com/rental/ or https://www.mossbay.net/ - or even from the fun Agua Verde Cafe - http://aguaverde.com/ - you can paddle around Lake Union or Portage Bay, or out into the wetlands and nature reserve near the University of Washington - http://www.washington.edu/ima/wac/canoe-boat-rentals/. You have many options.
Regarding rafting (I assume you're talking about white water) it's another matter. This past winter was terrible on the snow pack front, and as a result melting snow is not producing decent rafting conditions anywhere in the region. By August the snow will all be gone, and the rivers probably too low for rafting.
With the route I described (if you choose to take it) the best place to look for rafting opportunities is in the Columbia Gorge area around Hood River Oregon or White Salmon Washington. Here's one of several operators in the area - http://riverdrifters.net/white-salmon/
HOWEVER, Hood River is world famous as a mecca for windsurfers on the Columbia River, and there are several places offering rentals and lessons, for example http://hoodriverwaterplay.com/ This might appeal in lieu of sub-par rafting.
(The above goes to show why I'm so big on the Columbia Gorge as a destination. It has it all - alpine hikes on gorgeous Mt. Hood, waterfalls, rafting and windsurfing, craft beer and local wines, fishing, hiking and wind surfing, the "fruit loop" tour - http://hoodriverfruitloop.com/ - and so much more, all within an hour of one of America's most enjoyable cities and an international airport. What's not to like?)
Jun 27th, 2015, 12:38 PM
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We have decided to fly into Seattle and out of Portland. The trip plan is something like this:
Days 1-3 Seattle (AirBnb accommodations- Fremont)
Days 4-7 ONP
Day 8 Drive to Mt Rainier
Day 9 Mt Rainier hike; drive toward Columbia River gorge
Day 10 Gorge-
Day 11-12 Portland
Day 13 fly out early am
Any suggestions for inexpensive accommodations near ONP and other spots along the way? I am finding that many of the recommended spots are already booked! Appreciate any recommendations for nice lodges/ cabins/ campsites or other!
Days 1-3 Seattle (AirBnb accommodations- Fremont)
Days 4-7 ONP
Day 8 Drive to Mt Rainier
Day 9 Mt Rainier hike; drive toward Columbia River gorge
Day 10 Gorge-
Day 11-12 Portland
Day 13 fly out early am
Any suggestions for inexpensive accommodations near ONP and other spots along the way? I am finding that many of the recommended spots are already booked! Appreciate any recommendations for nice lodges/ cabins/ campsites or other!
