beachbum, Andrew, Scarlett I need your help
 

We are headed to Portland on Tuesday. BB, I saw your post from last week about making day trips to the Gorge etc. You mentioned taking the old hwy not 84. Please elaborate. Everything I have says to take 84 east to exit 17. go through Troutdale, over the Sandy River to the Historic Columbia River Highway. Does this sound right?

Oh, we plan to drive Astoria - Tillamook one day. Is this possible? What's a guess on driving this stretch of the coast at a casual pace (full day?) Thanks!

Mind if another local answers?

Definitely take the scenic highway. You do go out I-84, but then get off at either exit 17, or if you miss that you can get off at exit 22 as well. Then head east on the historic highway. Good stops include the Portland Women's Forum and the Vista House, both for really nice views. There are other nice spots along the way, such as Bridal Veil Falls, etc, but then you get down to the Multnomah Falls and Lodge. That is a must see. I would recommend making this trip very early in the day as the lodge area gets full. It is much nicer before the crowds. It is an easy walk to the very top of the falls, so do that if you have time.

A day trip to the coast is very doable. From Portland, heading out HWY 26, it is about 90 minutes. Ecola State Park, just on the north edge of Cannon Beach is really pretty and worth a stop for a while.

MMS- Thanks! I appreciate your help. Are Astoria and some of the towns / coast north of Cannon Beach worth seeing? We were planning to start in Astoria (about 2 hours from Portland via hwy 30?)& work our way south to Tillamook. As for hitting the MF Lodge, if we get there before 10:30 am do you think we'll be in good shape? We plan to visit on Thursday or Friday so going during the week might help? Again, I say thanks!

While others may disagree, I am not a fan of Astoria, but that is just my taste. Cannon Beach is a very nice little town, and is our personal favorite for quick trips over to the coast. There is Haystack Rock, which is fun to check out the tidepools at low tide, as well as Ecola State Park. The downtown is pretty small, but has some nice galleries, shops and restaurants. The town is very easy to walk all over, so you can park and leave the car til you drive home. We usually rent funcycles (3 wheel recumbant beach bikes) and do picnics on the beach.

As far as M. Falls goes, yes, midweek and around 10:30 is great timing.

Hi! I think you will arrive with the warm dry weather too ! :)
I am a local newbie so I bow to whatever advice beachbum,mms or bbqboy have to tell you..also I think happytrails is from here and a few other Portlanders who know sooo much about this place! I am in awe of them all :D
mms and beachbum told me how to get to the Historic Highway and the Falls when we came here, so just follow their directions.
It is an easy trip ( half an hour) to and from Portland downtown. * But you will want to spend hours there*

In 90 minutes, we can be at Cannon Beach from downtown Portland. We would take that drive to Cannon Beach and maybe north, just to Ecola, as mms says.

Cannon Beach is charming, well set up for visitors with plenty of parking, restrooms and something for everyone as far as shops and restaurants.
You can easily spend hours there, browsing ,eating and walking on the beach, taking a gazillion photos of Haystack Rock etc.
It is a great day trip..