We are planning a vacation of three weeks in the West in July/August. Starting from San Francisco, we want to go along the coast until about Newport, Oregon and then drive across Oregon and Idaho to Yellowstone. From there we would go to Utah (Arches and Bryce) and then Gran Canyon. Then Los Angeles and back to San Francisco along the coast. I already have a four days reservation in Yellowstone, but I'm worried that the trip is too long and we won't see much. Any suggestions? There are three of us driving and I'm especially worried about the long stretch from the Oregon coast to Yellowstone. How long does it take? What is there to see or do? What is the best way to go from Yellowstone to Arches?

My map shows three routes between Yellowstone and Arches:
1) US Hiway 20 to Idaho Falls, south on I-15 to Provo, Hiway 6 southeast to Green River, then US Hiway 191 to Arches. This would probably be the fastest and have the most facilities.
2) US Hiway 89 south through Grand Tetons, then to I-15 at Brigham City. Continue as before.
Note that, if you stop at the Salt Lake City Mormon Visitor Center, you WILL get the most blatant prosletyzing you could imagine. Latter Day Saints make no attempt to hide the fact they are trying to convert visitor to their religious beliefs. If you sign their visitor book, your home WILL be visited by LDS missionaries.
3) US Hiway 191 all the way through Grand Teton, Flaming Gorge, Dinosaur Nat Monument, and on to Arches. *IF* you don't mind a lack of facilities, this is the route I would recommend.

Matteo

You can make the trip from Oregon to Idaho via the interstate. Very fast, rather dull, not much to see or do--but FAST. OR you could make an adventure and follow the Columbia River up to the Snake River through several small cities and towns, see the Washington State wine region as well as the "Tri-Cities" that Dave Barry mentioned in recent columns (check out those radioactive insects! By following along the Snake River (as closely as you can) you will come to Lewiston, Idaho, the only "inland port"in the NW and then travel up the Clearwater River via Hiway 12 along and along the Lochsa (Lock-saw) and Selway Rivers following the route Lewis and Clark took in reverse. You will end up in Missoula, MT and can then travel SE to Yellowstone. I would imagine the scenic trip to take ~3-4 days vs 2 days on the interstate depending on how many places you stopped to see along the way. There are many geological, archaeological, and historical places of interest along the river pathway and many interesting places to visit along the way---such as the Weinhard B & B in Dayton, WA the Nez Perce National Historical Museum with beautiful Nez Perce artifacts at Spaulding, Idaho. I live and have traveled in the area and would be happy to answer questions.

Matteo, It sounds like you will have quite a trip!! I wanted to respond to the first message concerning the "SLC Mormon Visitor Center". The message made it sound like upon entering the gates you will be hogtied and baptized on the spot, that is a bit untrue. It would be a shame to miss an opportunity, if you are interested, to see the beauty of Temple Square. If you are there on a Thursday evening you can hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir practice, they are beautiful on tv and radio, it is even more impressive live. Yes, the missionaries may ask if you are interested in more information, and like with anything else you can politely say no. These are friendly people, not commission paid sales folk!! If you have time in Salt Lake, there are other areas to visit and learn about the pioneers and the west, one of the finest attractions would be the "Old Deseret Village". The parks you mentioned in Southern Utah are great, you may also want to visit Zions if you have the time. Best of luck!!!

Hi, Matteo
Your route and schedule would work for us, but we really like driving! A few suggestions:
1. Take CA Hwy. 1 either north from SF or from LA, but not both, unless you really like following campers.
2. The Samoa Cookhouse in Samoa CA (W. of Eureka) is a a great place to reflect on the redwood country and logging world, while consuming vast quantities of calories. Really fun and worth a detour.
3. Newport to Corvallis takes about an hour, Portland 2 more. Think about an overnight at the Edgefield (http://www.mcmenamins.com/Edge/mainedge.shtml) near the Columbia then take the Columbia Gorge old highway in the morning, see the Maryhill Museum on the Washington side (near Goldendale) then blast across E. Oregon on the interstate to Boise and onward to Yellowstone (next day). These attractions really shouldn't be missed IMHO.
4. Accommodations near the Utah parks and especially the Grand Canyon will be hard to secure when you're planning to be there. Book now or be prepared to commute great diatances to the attractions, especially the Grand Canyon (like, Flagstaff!)
Hit the highway!

A vey nice trip you be planin,
Y'all go long de coast on hwy 1
it be a mighty picturesque drive.
If it is possible have a go at Victoria BC Canada. It is a very nice city, I used to live there. A canadian i am.
Eugene Oregon is a nice city as well
lots of sidewalk cafe's and little shops.
Don't be planin much in Salen though.
Be sure to go to the Columbia River Gorge, it is very nice. Idaho is a nice state and try to visit Cour d Alene set apon a lake in the mountains.
Yellowstone is a park, not as great as it claims but if you can make a side trip to Devil's Tower, it be mighty big.
While in Utah go to Monument Valley.
In my opinion it is the nicest spot in the Desert but Santa Fe and Sedona come close. The trip is long but it is very nice, you just have to keep your eyes open for those spots.
The best way to go from Yellowstone to Utah is take a jog over to Devil's Tower then go south to Colorado Boulder is a nice city and have a go at Estes Park
Then wind throught the mountains to Salt Lake City.
Enjoy your trip and if you need other info just E-mail me at [email protected]
Regards
Lantell Star

Thanks to everybody, you all gave me very useful suggestions. We have decided to follow the route recommended by Jolene from Portland to Yellowstone, via
Columbia River and northern Idaho. Any other suggestion is more than welcome!

The above postings are mostly accurate. On your way accross Idaho, you might consider leaving the Interstate and taking a route that leads you by Craters of the Moon National Monument. That breaks up the boredom. In eastern Oregon at Baker City, there is an Oregon Trail Museum located on a hill to the east of town.. Interesting and worth a stop.

No they don't chain you and baptize you at Salt Lake City,but the message is clear.

I don't want to start a fued over Yellowstone, but to me it is a great park. You been any place else where an act of nature was greeted with a standing ovation by the crowd?? I haven't. Maybe that is a good idea about Yellowstone: spread the word that Yellowstone is second rate and ain't worth it!! That way fewer people show up and those of us who love it can see it better. To do what you propose in 3 weeks will, if you will pardon a phrase,
require you to haul %$^^, where %$^^ equals gluteous maximus.

By the way, I have seen all of the stuff you mention and endorse it all. I would suggest you might try seeing a little less and enjoy what you do see a little more.
I think Salt Lake City could be driven through with no stop unless you just happen have some overwhelming urge to visit the Tabernacle. I finally visited SLC this year, at age 65. I have no regrets over not having seen it sooner nor do I have any regrets over taking the time to visit it in April. It came in at the right time.

One final thought, on your route from the Oregon Coast to Yellowstone, do NOT !!!!!!!!!!!! be tempted to take any route other than the Interstate east from Portland. We drove from Ontario to Bend on route 26 a few years ago. It was scenic, but slow and very tedious. Save that one for later when you are not trying to set the modern record for the most National Parks seen in 3 weeks.