We plan to fly into Portland on 16 Sept and return home on 30 Sept.
Plan to spend 2-3 days exploring Cannon Beach and surrounding area. Then drive South along the Oregon Coastline (3 days exploring) onto Crescent City, CA. Intend to spend two days exploring Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park and Redwood National Park. Must see The Avenue of the Giants. Then drive Sept to Crater Lake and spend 2-3 days exploring the area. Plenty of hikes are offered. Must explore Highway 138 (nearby) referred to as Highway of Waterfalls. There is approx. dozen or more to explore. If we have time drive the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway from Rogue Oregon to Roseburg or in reverse. Don't think we will have time to experience both. Suggestions are welcome in selecting the Highway of Waterfalls (Highway 138) or drive the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway.

Sept 26th – 30th - Drive from Crater to Mt Hood (exploring/hiking) and then back to Portland. Overnight in Portland

Suggestions are welcome. We are well experienced hikers (two adult males who have hiked Angles Landings/Narrows/Peekaboo etc). I get the feeling we will have little time to do serious hiking. This may just be a sightseeing trip rather than a serious adventure

Thanks in advance for your advice and suggestions.

I really enjoyed both Cannon Beach and Astoria:Cannon Beach. Scenic coastal resort with Haystack Rock. South of town is Oswald West State Park which has lovely deserted beaches. Named one of America’s 100 best art towns it is is home to over 15 art galleries. Hike in Ecola State Park in the coastal rainforest.

Astoria. Many colorful houses and older longtime residents speak with a Finnish accent. Lewis and Clark National Historic Park with the recreated Fort Clatsop. Visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Stroll on the Astoria Riverwalk. Ride the electric vintage trolley. The Cathedral Tree Trail takes you to a Sitka spruce which you can walk into. Eat seafood.

Hwy 138 is definitely a must. Watson Falls is one of the longer hikes but there are several that are just short walks. Susan Falls is a nice one also. Stop at Steamboat Springs Resort for a nice lunch and wander around the grounds.

South of Crescent City you can see the Klamath River Overlook. You can frequently see whales feeding at the mouth of the Klamath River. From the parking lot there is a trail down to a better viewing spot. The Pacific Coast Trail is accessible from there but its not a loop- just in and back the same way.

Instead of hiking the Rogue River, you could jet boat up to Paradise. Jerry's Jet Boat rides. Not sure when they close for the season though.

I’m a bit confused- do you intend to visit the Avenue of the Giants from a base in Crescent City? That really doesn’t work. Crescent City to say Miranda is almost 150 miles/close to a 3 hour drive each way. Plus a few hours exploring th Avenue. It would be much better to base in someplace like Garberville, Fermdale, or even Trinidad (though Trinidad is almost 1.5 hours)

Crescent City: If your intention is to see redwoods, spend the 2 days exploring Jedediah Smith SP and skip Avenue of the Giants and places in Redwood NP farther south. Don’t be distracted by beguiling names and titles. One area of nice groves is pretty much the same as the next.

There is a nice Visitors Centre in Crescent where you can get maps and advice

In order to have more time in the redwoods, I'd give serious consideration to dropping the northern and central Oregon coast and focus instead on the southern coast between Bandon and the California state line.

I know Cannon Beach and Astoria are appealing destinations, but you're going to need to manage your time if your aim is to see the redwoods including (especially) Humboldt Redwoods State Park (in which the Avenue of the Giants is located.) The south coast, from Bandon south, is (IMO) by far the most scenic part of the Oregon shore, especially the part between Port Orford and Brookings, including the remarkable Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.

I would reallocate the north coast days to allow more time in the redwoods, and also to allow more time in the Mount Hood/Hood River/Columbia Gorge areas at the end of the trip. By the end of September, the Hood River Valley will be in full harvest mode (orchards, vineyards) and the weather ought to be cooling a little (although the risk of wildfires will be present anywhere in the Cascades and the east side of the mountains.)

I'd take I-5 south from Portland to OR Hwy 38 which runs from the southern Willamette Valley out to the coast at Reedsport. It's a VERY scenic road that follows the lower Umpqua River through a beautiful canyon. Stay 2 nights in Bandon, then pass through Crescent City and make your redwood base someplace in Humboldt County - Arcata, Eureka or (pretty) Ferndale. Maybe take a day out to the "Lost Coast," the last remaining coastal wilderness in California, accessed from Ferndale.

Visit the Jedediah Smith redwoods on the way back north enroute to Crater Lake. After the lake, follow US 97 north to Smith Rock State Park before visiting Mount Hood and the area.

Here's a map showing this route. Google the places on it.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/gG1jy8uar5gQCVJF9

Lost Coast/Avenue of the Giants loop -

https://maps.app.goo.gl/dgx3yP53hAgfp75d8

Thanks for the info. Was not aware. Will make adjustments to our plan.

steve

thanks for your input. Will make adjustments to our travel plan.

steve

Great. Thanks for your advice.

steve

Thanks for your input. I love the map provided. Most helpful indeed. Will adjust our travel plans accordingly.

Steve

As another waterfall aficionado, I'd consider visiting Silver Falls State Park, about a half hour east of Salem. The seven-mile loop Trail of Ten Falls includes two that are 177 and 178 feet, and four that you can walk behind. But as with the Umpqua Highway of Waterfalls, September is probably when they're driest. The Columbia River Gorge falls may be more full.

I second Gardyloo's recommendation of the southern end of the coast, particularly Bandon and the Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor.

Will check out your suggestions. Thanks...steve