Thanks again all for the feedback. :)

Courtney, I think you summed it up nicely.

I never had thoughts of canceling my trip, but at the same time, I feel better about it.

easytraveler, I think you and the other poster may be correct.

They may be familiar with some of Oregon's history and might have taken the "reserved" nature of the residents as being racially motivated. As a minority, I know you can become overly sensitive to such things.

SeeingtheSights: You'll enjoy Oregon! It's a beautiful state and I hope you can get to the coast. There are some parts of the Oregon coast that are just splendiferous!

Betcha once you're into your trip you'll forget all about racial concerns!

Take care and have a wonderful time in Oregon! :)

Andrew said it best imo. Oregon is a very white state, but a tolerant one.

Also realize (same as in Washington state) west of the mountain range is generally more liberal, east of the mountain range more rural and conservative.

I can't imagine as an (Asian) tourist that you will experience any bad "vibes".

Regarding KKK membership, you might be quite surprised at which states had the highest number of members. As you can see here, during the period NorCal refers to, Oregon wasn't even in the top 10.
http://tinyurl.com/4b58l7

As if you need any more assurance... Both of my two kids are Korean, and have grown up in a mostly white suburb of Portland. Aside from an incident or two when my son was in the first grade (15 years ago), neither has perceived themselves as the target of any racist behavior.

So, you say you're planning a trip here? Tell us more; maybe we can help.

Hey, thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm sure we'll find Oregon a wonderful place!

beachbum, we are going to be doing the coast for sure. If you could maybe list your 1 through 5 or 1 through 10 things on the coast not to miss, that might be helpful. Right now, we're not sure if we do the entire coast or skip certain areas.

We'll have about four days to do the coast.

Thanks!

When are you coming, StS, and who are the "we"? Also, what's your preferred style of travel? You could drive the entire coast in four days, moving from place to place each night, but I think you could be just as happy staying put for the entire time in a town like Cannon Beach or Yachats.

Also, if you're coming during summer, be aware that there are minimum stay requirements for most of the nicer lodgings. Assuming that, I'd suggest two nights each in Cannon Beach and Yachats. Lodging recs would depend on your budget, but if you can swing Overleaf Lodge.... http://www.overleaflodge.com/. And, if you're planning for this summer, you should be making reservations yesterday...

As for must sees on the north and central coast, in no particular order:

1. Views from platforms near the main parking lot, and tidepools at south end of Indian Beach in Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach.
2. Once Upon a Breeze kite shop, the glassblower shop a few blocks south of town center, and a bowl of clam chowder at Gower St Bistro, all in Cannon Beach.
3. Haystack Rock at sunrise, Cannon Beach.
4. Short Sands Beach, Oswald West State Park.
5. Three Capes Scenic Loop, from Tillamook, including lunch at Roseanna's in Oceanside.
6. View south from Cascade Head, six miles north of Lincoln City.
7. Breakfast at Otis Cafe, two miles from Cascade Head.
8. The beachscape from Overleaf Lodge, Yachats.
9. Cape Perpetua, south of Yachats.
10. Haceta Head Lighthouse, south of Cape Perpetua.

We're headed to Cannon Beach tomorrow, so I might have something different to recommend early next week. Check back!

Cannon Beach....Cannon Beach...
Hmmmmm...that name rings a bell....

beachbum has given you some wonderful recommendations.

My preferred lodging at Yachats is the See Vue Hotel:

http://www.seevue.com/

We like the Crow's Nest.

Cape Perpetua, the Davil's Churn, the beach at Bandon... :)

kal--LOL! Probably from the drive-by trip reports;)

I think probably from my bitching that that's the only place you northerners ever go :)

Oregon has it share of bigots, rednecks and jerks just like any other place, but in general the state is quite tolerant and friendly. Even the anti-California phobia seems to be largely a thing of the past.

If you were *moving* to Oregon and looking for a place to live, I feel there might be a little more to this discussion. As there are some parts of the state more prone to redneck or religious-right types or whatever.

As a tourists I do not believe you will encounter any problems. Also know that because of our west coast location, different Asian populations coming to settle in the PNW have been historically a part of the culture here.