Hi all. I have been talking to some of you about the lovely town of Corvallis, OR. Might be, very well will be relocating there. We are taking teen son there in hopes that he will fall in love with the place. Going 4th of July weekend.

Any suggestions on where to stay (Hilton Garden?) that would be comfy and close to activities? Where to eat? What sites to see?

We will be driving around to Newport and coastal areas and the wine county so any tips on where to stop, eat, visit, wineries, shops, etc would be appreciated. Or where NOT to eat, stop, visit?

None of us have visited this area. We will be there for three days. Thanks.

I think you will fall in love with the area, just for the beauty if for no other reason.
Be sure to bring light sweaters and something in case it rains, it seems to wait until July 5th to get warm and sunny...but once it is summer in Portland, it is just perfect!
The wine area is not worth more than a couple of hours, imo..especially since you want to see as much as you can of the area..the coast is 90 min from downtown, go to the Gorge and walk along some of the falls, let your son walk over that hair raising bridge at Multnomah Falls..
Shopping is best in town, try to just spend a day in town, ride the streetcars , get on and off and get afeel for the place and the very nice people..
I fell in love with Portland on our very first visit, I hope yoo all do too.
beachbum and mms are the Corvallis pros in my book, I just know about Portland.
Good luck!!

The drive to Mary's Peak is pretty and not too far. I'll have to ask my sister but there's a fun farmers market along the river, I'm thinking it is on Saturdays? Corvallis is more a place for good living than for tourists, so I'm having trouble thinking of ANY "sites to see", honestly.

Suze that is what I am a little worried about, won't sell the 16 year old...he isn't too impressed with wineries and farmers markets. Sports will do the trick, but not too much going on that time of year, I am afraid. Maybe we should go fly fishing...

Near Florence you could take a dune buggy ride - a driver takes you over the dunes and its very fun!!
Also near Florence is a sand boarding park he might enjoy if hes into board sports

http://www.sunset.com/sunset/travel/...046403,00.html

Skateboarding interest your boy? Portland is the birthplace or something like that of skateboarding..Let him read up on things and pick out some places he would be interested in seeing..there is a lot in Portland that would appeal to a 16 year old boy

Well, we are really going to be spending most of our time in the town of Corvallis, because we might relocate there before the end of the summer...He does not skateboard. He plays football in school, baseball, and hope to go into pre med...