10 days in Seattle/Oregon
Apr 14th, 2000 | 05:28 PM
#1
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10 days in Seattle/Oregon
We are planning a 10 day vacation the end of June. Would like to drive down the coast into Oregon, but are wondering if the scenery and beaches are just as nice in Washington. Should we stay in Washington or travel down the coast into Oregon and how far could we go and get back to Seattle in 10 days. Also would like suggestions for the Seattle area. We want to see it all, but not be in the car all the time.
Apr 14th, 2000 | 06:51 PM
#2
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In my view, nothing in the way of a sea coast beats Oregon when it comes to viewing. The water is a might cold, so swimming is rarely an option. But for a stretch that has sandy beaches, rocky headlands, cliffs rising 1,000 feet straight out of the Pacific, churning surf, and quiet coves nothing beats Oregon. The section from Reedsport to Lincoln City is my favorite.
Other great attractions are: Mount Ranier, Crater Lake (in Oregon), and the Redwoods of northern California.
In Portland, there is a park to the west of downtown on the mountain side where the city grows test roses for competitions. I never saw so many gorgeous flowers in my life. I am sure others will have any othr suggestions.
Other great attractions are: Mount Ranier, Crater Lake (in Oregon), and the Redwoods of northern California.
In Portland, there is a park to the west of downtown on the mountain side where the city grows test roses for competitions. I never saw so many gorgeous flowers in my life. I am sure others will have any othr suggestions.
Apr 14th, 2000 | 07:20 PM
#3
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Although I live in Washington I must say the Oregon coast is by far more attractive than the Washington coast on the whole. If you are starting in Seattle and only have 10 days forget about going to Crater Lake or Northern Ca. IMO. See Seattle and then either the Olympic Pennisula or the Oregon coast. The Oregon coast north of Lincoln city has much beauty. For lots of non-commercial info on the Oregon coast and hundreds of links to other sites check out http://members.aol.com/Oceandoxie/travel.html
Apr 14th, 2000 | 07:31 PM
#4
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Hi, Chris,
The Pacific coast of Washington (as opposed to the Puget Sound coast, which is altogether different) starts in the north as one of the wildest stretches of coastline in the country. There is very little development because it’s mostly inside the boundary of Olympic National Park, which includes a coastal strip as well as the interior of the Olympic peninsula. Some of the rocks and beaches are easily the equal of the best parts of the Oregon coast, but it is relatively inaccessible compared to the park-and-look nature of much of the Oregon coast. There are some spectacular bays, walks, rocks, places to explore, but relatively few motels, towns or restaurants. On the other hand, just inland from the coast you can visit some of the Olympic NP valleys with the great temperate rain forest, unique in the country. In June it is spooky beautiful...try the Hoh nature trail for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Further south, the coast consists of long beaches with the occasional headland, culminating in Long Beach (boy is it ever) and wonderful Willapa Bay. Oysters, salmon fishing out of Ilwaco at the mouth of the Columbia, lots to see.
The Oregon coast on the other hand is very long and surprisingly diverse. Rocks and cliffs, yes, also some cute and historic towns, amazingly beautiful highway bridges over some of the river mouths on US 101, sand dunes near Florence, wonderful State Parks and pullouts, lots and lots of tourist facilities, sometimes (as in Lincoln City IMO) oppressively so. Cheese in Tillamook and a mountain called Humbug.
So, 10 days? I’d say sure, go for it. Seattle to Kalaloch via either the north loop of US 101 or the south side (get a map – I prefer the northern route) is half a day or so, a couple of days poking around the Washington coast, cross the Columbia at Astoria, then take your time down to Gold Beach or Brookings, another 3 or 4 days. If you have to get back to Seattle in a hurry for a plane or some such, cut in to Roseburg from Reedsport, up the Umpqua River, a very pretty drive, then I-5 north for a few hours, done.
The Pacific coast of Washington (as opposed to the Puget Sound coast, which is altogether different) starts in the north as one of the wildest stretches of coastline in the country. There is very little development because it’s mostly inside the boundary of Olympic National Park, which includes a coastal strip as well as the interior of the Olympic peninsula. Some of the rocks and beaches are easily the equal of the best parts of the Oregon coast, but it is relatively inaccessible compared to the park-and-look nature of much of the Oregon coast. There are some spectacular bays, walks, rocks, places to explore, but relatively few motels, towns or restaurants. On the other hand, just inland from the coast you can visit some of the Olympic NP valleys with the great temperate rain forest, unique in the country. In June it is spooky beautiful...try the Hoh nature trail for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Further south, the coast consists of long beaches with the occasional headland, culminating in Long Beach (boy is it ever) and wonderful Willapa Bay. Oysters, salmon fishing out of Ilwaco at the mouth of the Columbia, lots to see.
The Oregon coast on the other hand is very long and surprisingly diverse. Rocks and cliffs, yes, also some cute and historic towns, amazingly beautiful highway bridges over some of the river mouths on US 101, sand dunes near Florence, wonderful State Parks and pullouts, lots and lots of tourist facilities, sometimes (as in Lincoln City IMO) oppressively so. Cheese in Tillamook and a mountain called Humbug.
So, 10 days? I’d say sure, go for it. Seattle to Kalaloch via either the north loop of US 101 or the south side (get a map – I prefer the northern route) is half a day or so, a couple of days poking around the Washington coast, cross the Columbia at Astoria, then take your time down to Gold Beach or Brookings, another 3 or 4 days. If you have to get back to Seattle in a hurry for a plane or some such, cut in to Roseburg from Reedsport, up the Umpqua River, a very pretty drive, then I-5 north for a few hours, done.
Apr 14th, 2000 | 07:31 PM
#5
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Dear Chris:
You've gotten some good advice, but there's one problem. You're traveling at the end of June, when school's out and the Oregon Coast turns into one huge, 300-mile-long traffic jam. I'd stick to the less crowded Washington Coast, which, some detractors notwithstanding, is a lot more beautiful than the Oregon Coast.
You've gotten some good advice, but there's one problem. You're traveling at the end of June, when school's out and the Oregon Coast turns into one huge, 300-mile-long traffic jam. I'd stick to the less crowded Washington Coast, which, some detractors notwithstanding, is a lot more beautiful than the Oregon Coast.
Apr 15th, 2000 | 01:14 AM
#6
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Although school is out in June I'd say after over 30 years of many, many trips to the Oregon coast (from Portland) that the Oregon coast is still tops and is not very crowded even in summer at most areas once you get past the parking lots...and even there the numbers hardly constitute crowds. The Oregon coast is wild and beautiful and 100% open to the public (something which is far from true in Washington where the beaches are privately owned in most places all the way to the LOW tide line!). In Washington you can only walk on a few select areas of beach were as in Oregon it is ALL yours to enjoy!!!
