Hi - I am having a hard time finding rooms for only 1 night. We are not familiar with this area at all. After we leave Portland, we have 3 nights to spend on the coast and I thought it best to pick one night in north, central, and south but places have minimum night stays.
1) Any suggestions for less popular area towns on the beach that may have less visitors in a north, central, and south location that would do 1 night?
2) Or what would be a central location to spend 3 nights in and to do day trips up and down the coast? And we were thinking of traveling as far as the Redwoods? (Is this too aggressive in a day?)
3) We are startiing in Portland. Do we head up 30 or 26 (i'm looking at a map).
4) And back to the airport, I guess we look for I-5.

Assistance is greatly appreciated.

It sounds like you would be spending a lot of time in the car, just getting from one place to another. What type of activities are you looking for? If you like walking along the beach, visiting aquariums, strolling around little towns and shopping, visiting lighthouses or any other things that take time, it doesn't sound like you'll get to do much if you're trying to go all up and down the coast. If you would set out what you like to do, it would be easier to give advice.

My husband and I just returned from a similar trip spending 5 days driving the coast and we still don't feel like we saw it all. We did find the scenery from Bandon-South more breathtaking. We spent only 1 night at each hotel on the coast, however, it was off-season.

We drove thru the Redwoods as well (Jedediah Smith Park) and on that particular day left from Port Orford, continued down the coast, thru the Redwoods and overnighted at Grant's Pass-just to give you an idea. Although it was rainy that day and we stopped less frequently along the coast than in previous days.

What activities in particular are you interested in?

Thanks. We are interested in outdoor activities, scenery, walking on the beach, seeing wildlife, taking a boat cruise maybe for whale watching, having lunches at outdoor cafes, watching sunsets on the beach. No children are traveling.

And I have no clue as to how far the towns are from each other.

With three nights, I would concentrate on the stretch of coast from Florence to Cannon Beach or Astoria. Were I making this trip, I would spend the first night in Cannon Beach and the next two nights in Newport or Yachats.

If you are persistent, you will find a room for one night in Cannon Beach. It may be difficult to find a room for one night with an ocean view, but I am confident you will find a room.

If you are an AAA member, request the maps for the Oregon Coast. Also, it would be worthwhile to invest in a guide book: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/oregoncoast/

HTTY

I like your thought of picking one location, but if it's the right one, I don't think you have to spend your time doing day trips to have a great Oregon coast experience. Regardless of whether it's north or central, you'll see scenery similar to the other areas. Except for the Oregon Dunes. Which is the reason I suggest you choose Yachats, in the middle of arguably the most scenic section of coastline, and within easy reach of the dunes, and the attractions of Newport.

My second choice would be Cannon Beach. Maybe the best beach town on the planet, with Ecola State Park on the north end, and interesting, diverse, beautiful scenery to the south: Hug Point, Oswald West State Park.... Three Capes Scenic Loop.

If you stick with the plan to drive down the coast, unless you're interested in Lewis & Clark history, take hwy 26 from Portland.

There are lots of places on the coast where you can spend 1 night- check out Yachats- the Adobe, The Fireside , the Overleaf- pretty sure they all have 1 night -

If you want something different, eclectic try out Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport- on the beach, each room decorated in theme of an author- room includes huge breakfast in am - kind of funky place - lots of other restaurants and shops within walking distance