maria_so

Hellow everyone. I had great advice to come to the Columbia River Gorge area for some adventure in early April from a fodorite, THANKS!!! We've now booked our air tickets. We are arriving on April 14 in the early evening and departing on the red eye (12:30 am) on Tuesday the 18th.

Here's what I thought so far.

Drive directly to Hood River staying there for 2 nights. Hiking, rafting, what else? Is it fruit season for the orchards? It said somewhere about it being some sort of festival that weekend? Anyone know about that? Need advice here. We have reservations both at the Best Western by the river and the Hood river hotel at the moment (another couple may join us so will depend on where we'll stay). What are pros and cons of each place?

Then I thought seeing the much talked about Oregon coast would be good, maybe some wine tasting on the 3rd full day and ending in Portland for a nice birthday dinner for my BF (the trip is his birthday present). Any suggestions for a spactacular dinner in Portland, possibly with water views? We thought a nice late dinner will be good, then we head to the airport by 11pm(ish) for the red eye back to Houston at 12:30 that morning.

I've searched through the forum and got some bits and bobs about Columbia River Gorge which is where I got the hotel recommendations for that area but not much on wine tasting and the oregon coast. Maybe I was not searching properly. I love ordering wines from the Wilhemette (sp?) Valley. Is that far from Portland? For the coast part of the trip, where would you recommnend the farthest south we go? I saw some things about the Coos Bay. Is that a good stopping place? Any suggestions would be great and please include a B&B by the water for a single night stay. Any good areas to stop and get fresh oysters and other seafood for lunch while we're there? How about a good breakfast place too?

Many thanks in advance. We're excited to be going to the PNW for the first time (well, i've been to Seattle on a short trip but all I saw there was a bit of the water in Seattle and a half day trip to Mt Rainer but he's never been). All suggestions are welcome!

Bobmrg

IMHO you are taking on too big a bite. I don't see how you can make it over to the coast and do much of anything on the third day. Coos Bay is out of the question...way too far on two-lane roads. Astoria/Seaside would be your southern limit if I understand your time constraints. There is no east-west freeway equivalent between I-5 and 101, so figure on averaging 40mph to and from the beach.

I-5 runs right down the middle of the Willamette Valley, with Portland at its north end. Google yourself a winery or two and you will know where to jump off of the freeway.

maria_so

Hmmm. Yeah, I didn't know how far things are from each other. Then if I had to make a choice, I think we'd like to do the coast instead of wine tasting.

How long of a drive is it from Portland to Coos Bay? Can we get there in a day if we leave portland early in the morning and drive down the coast. Sleep in Coos Bay and head back the next day?

What the plan is, is to leave Hood River area late afternoon on the 16th and driving down the coast and having dinner late(ish) in one of the coastal towns and then staying there for the night. Then in the morning, seeing the rest of the coast, doing some hikes or walks or interest and then head back to Portland to have dinner around 9ish at a nice restaurant then head to the airport.

Any suggestions with this?

bbqboy

I'm not getting the Hood River part. Skip it.
Stay in Portland upon your arrival. Have a nice dinner and explore A few wine bars. Spend the next Morning eating breakfast, exploring downtown etc., then head to Astoria for afternoon & evening, staying there. Next day explore Coast, ending up at Pelican Pub in Pacific City. You can stay at the Inn at Cape Kiwanda.
http://www.pelicanbrewery.com/
http://www.innatcapekiwanda.com/
Next day, you can head in 18, hitting a casino
and wineries along the way. and see whether you can make it to the gorge, then head back to PDX.
Read Nick's eats page:
http://www.extramsg.com

maria_so

Thanks but the main reason for the trip is to get to the gorge and do some white water rafting and some hikes. We're not really big on casinos, more nature lovers but I'll look into the cape kiwanda. That's looks nice.

I was curious about Haystack Rock. What are the highlights of the coast that's a must see?

bbqboy

There isn't any "whitewater" on The Columbia. If you want to windsurf that's another thing.
You don't know Red Dog. Do you?

maria_so

No, I don't know red dog and there is white water (www.zooraft.com).

How far is Portland from Cannon beach? I think we want to at least make it to Echola State Park and watch the tide pools off of Haystack rock.

bbqboy

hmmm.

maria_so

bbqboy, you made me nervous because thewhole reason for the trip is the rafting so I just called and yes, they are actually doing a run this weekend. It's class III-IV on the Salmon river.

Phew....

Gardyloo

bbqboy, the OP is looking at rafting on the White Salmon or Klikitat, using Hood River or thereabouts as a base. Geez, look at her other posts rather than just hauling off...

Maria_so, from Hood River to some decent scenery on the coast is 2.5 - 3 hours; Coos Bay or the central/southern coast (where the best scenery is) is quite a long trip and not an especially scenic one, particularly in April when the weather is likely to be poopy. If you want to see some good scenery (and explore an interesting byway) follow the Columbia River on the north shore (WA side) downstream from Portland, then swing up to Ilwaco (see a map.) There is good local scenery around Ilwaco including an excellent lighthouse at Cape Disappointment, Lewis & Clark interpretive center, and if you're kite flyers, the best kite flying in the world (okay, maybe that's a reach) is on the Long Beach Peninsula. See http://www.funbeach.com/attractions/canby.html for lots of fun things to do around the mouth of the Columbia.

If you want to go to the Yamhill County vinyard areas, figure a couple of hours from Hood River, depending on precise route and precise destination.

Orcas

Gardyloo has you going north into Washington. Another option is to go to Canon Beach and Ecola State Park, as you mention. If you have only one night, you will enjoy planting yourself in Canon Beach and exploring it (Haystack Rock) and Ecola State Park, which is very beautiful. I read in your previous posts that you enjoy art. Canon Beach has some good gallaries and some schlocky ones. It's a lovely spot. It is about 1 1/2 hours from Portland.
Astoria is interesting also. The drive between Astoria and Canon Beach is flat and not particularly scenic. The coast starts getting beautiful from Canon Beach on down to the south.

maria_so

Gardyloo, there you are! I was going to start crying!!!! I was so excited then the post from bbqboy had me nervous!

Thanks for chiming in Gardyloo and Orcas. Gardyloo, that sounds good but I read a few things about Canon beach that sounds good. I haven't picked up my camera in awhile, may be a good time to do so, so I think Orcas suggestion of going south sounds good.

Phew, you are a relief to see online! Ok, so now that I'm back on track, which hotel/inn to stay at cannon beach? Any interesting restaurants that serve fresh oysters and seafood to stop off at lunch?

How about the birthday dinner in Portland? Any really cool restaurants to suggest?

Thanks!

Gardyloo

In an easy day's drive you can go down the north bank of the river as I mentioned, visit Cape Disappointment, then cross the impressive river mouth at Astoria, and overnight in Cannon Beach, no problem.

There are a gillion threads on restaurants and hotels in Portland - just type "portland restaurant" into the search box and stand back.

maria_so

Gordyloo, then Cape disappointment doesn't sound so disappointing (!!!) hehe. Sorry, couldn't help that. Sounds great. Many thanks!

beachbum

I think I might be the only Portlander in this thread so far... As Orcas says, Portland to Cannon Beach is about 1.5 hours. Ecola St. Park is just north of the town. Hiking around Ecola, tidepooling around Haystack Rock, and poking around Cannon Beach would be a great way to spend the day. Either the Wayfarer or Gower St. Bistro would be good spots for lunch; Wayfarer has more seafood choices on the menu.

But, you could also do a loop; drive out hwy 26 to Cannon Beach, north on 101 to Astoria, then hwy 30 back into Portland. That would probably add 1.5 hours of driving time, and turn the day into more purely sightseeing.

Either way, I'd suggest making the coast just a day trip, and spend the night in Portland. Unless, of course, you want to spring for a night at Stephanie Inn. ;-)

Wine country is just 1 hour SW of Portland, and another easy day trip. There are a bunch of good wineries situated around the small town of Dundee. Ask if you'd like recommendations.

How important is the water view for dinner in Portland? Portland City Grill easily has the best view of any restaurant in the city (on the 30th floor), but is not known for the best food. Personally, I'd pick one of a couple restaurants in the Pearl District. What kind of food do you like?

Just looked at your days.... Wineries could be a problem on the 17th, since most are closed to visitors on Mondays. You might need to rearrange your itinerary.

maria_so

Ok, been looking at the map and with everyone's suggestion, here's our itinerary so far. Please let me know what you think.

April 14: arrive Portland at 8pm, have dinner, then drive to hood river. We're 2 hrs behind you in time, so we think we'll be up for awhile. You think we should stay in Portland a wee longer or should we get the drive to Hood River over with? Is there anything to do in Hood river late (11 or midnight or after?)

Stay in Hood River Hotel.

4/15: Do a hike early am, salmon river 2 hour white water rafting (we chose this vs Klitikat because it had higher grades for white water and shorter time), then do the different hikes around, especially covering alot of the waterfalls (can you guys recommend which hikes we should do?).

Then come back, have dinner, see the town.

4/16: more sightseeing in the area and leave around noon, following the river for the north shore on the washington side to llwako(sp?) then down to astoria and towards cannon beach where we have dinner and stay the night.

4/17: would like to do some sea kayaking in the morning then do a hike and troll around echola state park and the haystack rock. Then head back to Portland for a nice birthday dinner. After dinner, head to the airport and fly home on the red eye.

Ok, that's it. I know, it's alot but I like to move on a trip and see alot then come back later and have a longer taste on what I enjoyed the most (you can imagine, there's a bit on my "to do" list. Anyway, let me know what you think!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have to say, I love the fodor's travel forum over others. You guys/gals give the best advice!!!!

maria_so

Oh forgot, beachbum, thanks for the fantastic suggestions. Views ar enot as important as food. We love every kind of food, even really exotic ones. Nice restaurants with great food (i don't mind paying if the food is really good so doesn't matter if it's expensive).

Suggest away please.

Orcas

maria, unless you live somewhere out in the Pacific Ocean, you are two hours ahead of us in time, meaning it will be later for you than for us when you arrive. So, don't count on being bright eyed and bushy tailed at midnight.

maria_so

Oh my, I AM loosing it! Orcas, you're absolutely right! Never mind, I got hat wrong, obviously. Ok, so we'll hang about in Portland then drive there. Did the rest of the itinerary look ok Orcas? Is it doable, you think?

Just booked Schooner's cove. The spot looks great!

Orcas

It's hard for me to say how the logistics will work. It's doable, but I think you'll not want to drive quite so much. You'll be leaving Hood River and going to the coast in Washington. I don't know the exact coastal route, having not been to that part of Washington. Maybe Gardyloo can comment. I think the key should be to see some of the diversity of the coast, but not drive more than you have to. It might be more than you need to go to both the Oregon and Washington side of the coast. I'll leave this to someone who knows better. I do know you can easily spend a couple of hours in Astoria, visiting the mariner's museum and the column. Canon Beach is a fun town. Ecola State Park is a lovely place for a lunch (if it's not raining) and has beautiful hikes. You can rent fun-cycles on Canon Beach and go up and down the beach, visit the tidepools, fly a kite. It is easy to spend a few hours there on the beach itself.
You may find yourself wishing you were able to get into one place more, rather than to feel rushed. Just a thought.