Columbia River Gorge and Oregon coast in 5 days
Feb 26th, 2008, 12:34 PM
#21
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Where are you staying on the central CA coast? The inns on Moonstone Beach Drive in Cambria are all very nice, we like the Blue Whale Inn, Pelican Cove Inn and the Fireside Inn in this area. Don't miss the Sea Chest or Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill for some yummy food, the fish tacos at the MB Bar & Grill are really good, there is also the Sow's Ear Cafe and the Black Cat Bistro in Cambria for great food for dinner. 
If you're staying in Monterey, the Plaza Hotel & Spa is amazing, they have a couple of great restaurants there, the Duck Club and Schooner's Bistro for good food. On the wharf, don't miss Domenico's or Cafe Fina for good seafood, we also like Isabella's for lunch out on their patio, it overlooks the marina in Monterey.
If you would like further assistance with this portion of your trip, I'll help you on the CA board. Enjoy your travels! ***kim***
If you're staying in Monterey, the Plaza Hotel & Spa is amazing, they have a couple of great restaurants there, the Duck Club and Schooner's Bistro for good food. On the wharf, don't miss Domenico's or Cafe Fina for good seafood, we also like Isabella's for lunch out on their patio, it overlooks the marina in Monterey.
If you would like further assistance with this portion of your trip, I'll help you on the CA board. Enjoy your travels! ***kim***
Feb 26th, 2008, 01:46 PM
#23
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Ok, sorry if this is a really stupid question but I didn't think there was a specific "California" or any state board. I thought that was just there to categorize for searching. I thought there was just a US, European, Asia, Lounge, solo Travel, etc boards.
I just saw 4sharie's post on the US board.
Can someone clue me in because I keep hearing about these different states board and perhaps I need to go there when I browse instead of just "US".
Thanks.
I just saw 4sharie's post on the US board.
Can someone clue me in because I keep hearing about these different states board and perhaps I need to go there when I browse instead of just "US".
Thanks.
Feb 26th, 2008, 02:06 PM
#25
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Hi Maria_so,
I can help with this one! I think the boards aren't set up very well. On the left are ALL the recent posts from the US forum. On the top right, you can choose a specific state to browse.
What I don't like is whenever I click to refresh a state's forum, it just takes me back to the US forum, then I have to choose my state again.
Hopefully someone will set me straight and tell of a better way!
I can help with this one! I think the boards aren't set up very well. On the left are ALL the recent posts from the US forum. On the top right, you can choose a specific state to browse.
What I don't like is whenever I click to refresh a state's forum, it just takes me back to the US forum, then I have to choose my state again.
Hopefully someone will set me straight and tell of a better way!
Feb 26th, 2008, 02:13 PM
#26
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sharie--I never post to a specific state since it all just ends up here anyway. The state thing can help if you are doing a search, but that is about it. BTW, there are a lot of locals that can help you with your Monterey area. Kim posts that she visits, which is great, but hopefully some locals will chime in for you.
Feb 26th, 2008, 02:13 PM
#27
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ahh, I think I understand now. There are no state specific boards or forum, but you choose your state as the "topic" when posting. I started this thread under the "oregon" topic, but started a new one under the "california" topic. Both show up as recent posts on the US forum.
Feb 26th, 2008, 02:23 PM
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posting to a specific state topic has to help in some way. If I were only knowledgeable about my state (KY) I would spend most of my time browsing the KY topic if I were trying to help. Recent US forum posts get buried QUICKLY to the left!!
How do subjects like "question" even get looked at on the US forum? But if someone posted it under their state of interest, it'd have a better chance of getting seen by someone who is browsing that state.
but what do I know?? I'm new here!
and love you guys already!
How do subjects like "question" even get looked at on the US forum? But if someone posted it under their state of interest, it'd have a better chance of getting seen by someone who is browsing that state.
but what do I know?? I'm new here!
and love you guys already!
Feb 26th, 2008, 03:16 PM
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thank goodness! i thought i was going senile!
ok, yeah it helps when you're posting but for browsing to help, it's best to be descriptive in your subject line (or post subject line, for that matter). IF you don't, alot of fodorites get irritated with this (not me, I'm ok with that) and will tell that person anyway - consider yourself warned ;-)
But yeah, the locals were very helpful each time I planned my California visits.
Have a great time and happy travels!
ok, yeah it helps when you're posting but for browsing to help, it's best to be descriptive in your subject line (or post subject line, for that matter). IF you don't, alot of fodorites get irritated with this (not me, I'm ok with that) and will tell that person anyway - consider yourself warned ;-)
But yeah, the locals were very helpful each time I planned my California visits.
Have a great time and happy travels!
Feb 27th, 2008, 05:13 PM
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"Mcway Falls - only falls that feeds to a beach in the continental US"
Although McWay Falls are lovely, they are not the only ones on a beach in the Continental US. In Pt. Reyes, for example, there are at least two that I am familiar with. The largest one, Allamere Falls, is quite stunning in the winter after heavy rains. Here's a webshot:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1...40865205YCdXYp
It requires an all day hike to reach it though.
4sharie - Your trip sounds wonderful. I'm just putting the pieces together. Did you ever lay out the itinerary completely in any message?
And as far as I'm concerned, it is very helpful when posting a message to select California as a search topic. Otherwise, the messages disappear quickly which limits responses. This is what Fodors recommends:
"Make your message easy to find: Give it a clear, identifying title, and pick the most accurate search topic (you can select more than one topic by holding down the Control or Apple button). Questions? See our Travel Talk FAQ."
Although McWay Falls are lovely, they are not the only ones on a beach in the Continental US. In Pt. Reyes, for example, there are at least two that I am familiar with. The largest one, Allamere Falls, is quite stunning in the winter after heavy rains. Here's a webshot:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1...40865205YCdXYp
It requires an all day hike to reach it though.
4sharie - Your trip sounds wonderful. I'm just putting the pieces together. Did you ever lay out the itinerary completely in any message?
And as far as I'm concerned, it is very helpful when posting a message to select California as a search topic. Otherwise, the messages disappear quickly which limits responses. This is what Fodors recommends:
"Make your message easy to find: Give it a clear, identifying title, and pick the most accurate search topic (you can select more than one topic by holding down the Control or Apple button). Questions? See our Travel Talk FAQ."
Feb 27th, 2008, 05:38 PM
#32
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Hi Otis!
You're good! Very observant! (even picked up on my mistake about Wed or Thurs in SF!).
We WERE going to try to do the Columbia River Gorge, but came to our senses. It really was too much. THe kids (12,8) would have been sooo cranky with all the driving, and we always think we're doing them a favor by taking them to "see it all!" We're learning!
So here's our current itinerary:
flying into SF around 11:00, mid May.
1st night: Monterey, CA
2nd night: Cambria, CA
3rd-9th nights: Angels Camp resort near Yosemite
(one long 12 hr day of driving)
10th night: Bandon, OR
11th night: Brookings, OR
12th night: Trinidad, CA area
13th night: Mendocino/Fort Bragg area
14th night: San Francisco
We don't have the 12th and 13th nights nailed down. They're giving us the most trouble right now.
Thanks for following me from thread to thread!
You're good! Very observant! (even picked up on my mistake about Wed or Thurs in SF!).
We WERE going to try to do the Columbia River Gorge, but came to our senses. It really was too much. THe kids (12,8) would have been sooo cranky with all the driving, and we always think we're doing them a favor by taking them to "see it all!" We're learning!
So here's our current itinerary:
flying into SF around 11:00, mid May.
1st night: Monterey, CA
2nd night: Cambria, CA
3rd-9th nights: Angels Camp resort near Yosemite
(one long 12 hr day of driving)
10th night: Bandon, OR
11th night: Brookings, OR
12th night: Trinidad, CA area
13th night: Mendocino/Fort Bragg area
14th night: San Francisco
We don't have the 12th and 13th nights nailed down. They're giving us the most trouble right now.
Thanks for following me from thread to thread!
Feb 27th, 2008, 06:00 PM
#33
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4sharie
Is your husband a golfer? Is that why you are going to Bandon?
Otherwise, why drive all the way up there? The Oregon Coast is lovely but the best stuff is north of there.
Instead, you could cut over at Redding on Hwy 299 and drive through the mountains over to Redwood National Park. Then you would have more time to see the California Coast. I'm not sure you are currently allowing enough time to see it properly. There's a lot to do up there.
Is your husband a golfer? Is that why you are going to Bandon?
Otherwise, why drive all the way up there? The Oregon Coast is lovely but the best stuff is north of there.
Instead, you could cut over at Redding on Hwy 299 and drive through the mountains over to Redwood National Park. Then you would have more time to see the California Coast. I'm not sure you are currently allowing enough time to see it properly. There's a lot to do up there.
Feb 27th, 2008, 07:29 PM
#34
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No golfers here. Just going for scenery. We're going to Bandon because "everyone" said the best Oregon coast is from Port Orford south.
My husband has his heart set on Oregon. He always says "it'd be a shame not to see ...(fill in the blank) since we'll be so close." That's how we ended up thinking about going up to the Gorge area, and he even considered going up to Seattle!
I'll talk to him about your idea though. We're ones to cram in a little bit of everything, rather than immersing ourselves in one area. There's so much to see in CA alone!
thanks again! It's been a pleasure talking with you!
My husband has his heart set on Oregon. He always says "it'd be a shame not to see ...(fill in the blank) since we'll be so close." That's how we ended up thinking about going up to the Gorge area, and he even considered going up to Seattle!
I'll talk to him about your idea though. We're ones to cram in a little bit of everything, rather than immersing ourselves in one area. There's so much to see in CA alone!
thanks again! It's been a pleasure talking with you!
Feb 27th, 2008, 08:18 PM
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otis, i feel cheated! i was told it was the only falls that drops to a beach. oh well, next time i'll be sure to see the one in point reyes (i've been there twice too adn noone told me about it 
)
)
Feb 28th, 2008, 06:21 AM
#37
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Perhaps referring to the "California boards" , means another Travel forum? Since most long time posters here know there are no individual boards.
I only know the part of the Oregon Coast , that we saw in the time we lived there, and it was waay too little.
I think Bandon is just very beautiful but if time and travel need limiting, the Central Coast ( I thought) was the most beautiful...
Is it not possible to stay the first night in Oregon in Ashland and then make your way up the Coast?
Or has this all been decided and I don't understand something (not like this hasn't happened before
)
I only know the part of the Oregon Coast , that we saw in the time we lived there, and it was waay too little.
I think Bandon is just very beautiful but if time and travel need limiting, the Central Coast ( I thought) was the most beautiful...
Is it not possible to stay the first night in Oregon in Ashland and then make your way up the Coast?
Or has this all been decided and I don't understand something (not like this hasn't happened before
)
Mar 6th, 2008, 09:44 PM
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Hi 4Sharie,
I'm from Bandon - and can not imagine going from here to Yosemite in one day (or the reverse) with youngsters. I'd maybe break that stretch into two by showing the kids any one of several California 49'er gold rush area. There are dozens of other excellent attractions for them somewhat mid way to Bandon that are fascinating and would break your trip up a bit. I feel like you were really smart to pull back from the whole original idea but still you need some fine tuning. Show us what your planning and we'll offer some more suggestions. For instance, you are taking the Jet Boat trip up the Rouge River out of Gold Beach right?????
Bob
I'm from Bandon - and can not imagine going from here to Yosemite in one day (or the reverse) with youngsters. I'd maybe break that stretch into two by showing the kids any one of several California 49'er gold rush area. There are dozens of other excellent attractions for them somewhat mid way to Bandon that are fascinating and would break your trip up a bit. I feel like you were really smart to pull back from the whole original idea but still you need some fine tuning. Show us what your planning and we'll offer some more suggestions. For instance, you are taking the Jet Boat trip up the Rouge River out of Gold Beach right?????
Bob
Mar 6th, 2008, 10:50 PM
#39
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4sharie, your plans for traveling in Oregon amount to overreaching. If you actually want to see sites and enjoy them, I'd suggest you limit yourself to visiting notable places in southern Oregon before reentering California via Hwy 101 south. In Oregon, you should probably want to visit Ashland (home of the Shakespearean Festival) and Crater Lake before heading west for the Oregon Coast either from the connecting routes out of Roseburg, Eugene or Albany from I-5 going north. Save Portland, the Columbia Gorge, the Oregon Wine Country and beautiful Cannon Beach and the north Oregon coastal area for another trip.
Mar 6th, 2008, 11:02 PM
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I agree, you're spending way too much time in the car. You could use Portland as a base for day trips to the Gorge/Mt. Hood, the coast, Mt. St. Helens. The city, itself, is worth a visit, by the way. Great restaurants. Great zoo at Washington Park.
Another suggestion: Instead of going all the way north, why not stop at Crater Lake, the Oregon caves, hang out on the southern or central Oregon coast and save Portland and the Gorge for another trip?
Another suggestion: Instead of going all the way north, why not stop at Crater Lake, the Oregon caves, hang out on the southern or central Oregon coast and save Portland and the Gorge for another trip?
