<i>On September 11th we travel from Newport (our overnight stop) to Columbia River Gorge (Hood River).

Is it worth sacrificing the drive on HWAY84 along the Columbia River and take HWAY26 past Mount Hood then HWAY35 upto the Gorge.

The reason I ask is otherwise on the 12th if we want to see Mount Hood we will have to double back quite a distance to see Mt Hood then return to pick up HWAY97 to Yakima as we continue onto Seattle.</i>

Well here's the deal. The most scenic part of the Columbia Gorge is between Troutdale and Hood River, actually (IMO) between Troutdale and the little town of Cascade Locks. By the time you get to Hood River coming from the west, you've already gone through the heart of the Gorge. And most importantly, Interstate 84 is NOT the road to take to view the Gorge. Instead, you want to take the road that is signposted "Historic Columbia River Highway," which runs parallel to I-84 but at the <i>top</i> of the bluffs, not the bottom. The Historic Hwy. (no road number that I know of, but formerly part of US 30) offers you views like this - http://gardyloo.us/20100509_5a.JPG - and goes past the several roadside waterfalls, whereas I-84 is a 65 mph parade of trucks that runs at the riverbank's level, way below the Historic highway.

From Troutdale (where you can exit I-84 if heading east) to the merge of the Historic highway and I-84 just past Multnomah Falls (by which time the old road has descenced to the river level) takes around an hour wheels turning, but there are numerous places you'll want to stop, so it merits at least 2-3 hours to cover that distance. Hood River is another half hour at freeway speed past Multnomah Falls. It's still scenic along the freeway, but nothing like the bits between Troutdale and Multnomah Falls.

Hood River is around an hour's drive time to/from Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, all of it scenic. It's a good "up-and-back" route if it's clear, because the views of Mt. Hood you get heading south (uphill) from Hood River are often matched by the views you get of Mount Adams, across the Columbia in Washington, heading back downhill toward the river. For example, pan around (drag your mouse/pointer) here: http://goo.gl/maps/bQi05

So in my view, in your case I'd recommend driving from Newport to Hood River on the 11th via the Historic highway, which is fine as a one-way drive, then go up to Mt. Hood and back down on the 12th, before heading east to US 97.

Either way - your route or mine - will take about the same number of hours; it's just a choice whether you choose to "double back" through the Gorge between Hood River and Troutdale, or up and back on SR 35 from Hood River to Mt. Hood. My recommendation is the latter.

I also recommend using the Washington side of the river, WA Hwy 14, instead of I-84 on this part of the drive, as it's more scenic and not that much slower than I-84.

Your itinerary still sounds rather rushed - you're squeezing in a lot into those days, but it's better to see this marvelous area rather than not seeing it.

Gardyloo, many thanks once again. Got all that now, when we cross Sandy River at Troutdale we take a right onto Crown Point Hway which becomes the Historic Columbia River Hway which we stay on till it merges with I84.

When we return from Mount Hood the following day we cross the Columbia River at Hood River Bridge and stay on Washington Hway14 until we pick up the I97 after the Maryhill Museum of Art.

Sounds a brilliant trip this. Can't wait.

Hi, Mickrory,
Im so glad I have stumbled on this thread!! we too live in the UK... although as far from the coast as you can get... Nottingham... but we two are planning this same trip.. including the cruise from Vancouver down to SF!! BUT.. we are doing it next year, Sept16, so it will be really good to get your thoughts and experiences!! I haven't worked my way through all the replies yet.. Did you end up with car hire SF to Seattle or drop off in Portland? Who did you hire with... I agree the one way fees are a real nuisance!! Fill me in,
Fiona

That was one amazing trip. I'd like to record my thanks to Gardyloo for all the help, patience and assistance with my numerous enquiries.

It was a lot of driving but the sights we saw up the coast and along the Columbia River were breathtaking and for a lot of the time we had the road to ourselves.

Fiona if you need any help with planning your trip next year drop me a mail to johnmonaghan27 @gmail.com.

We picked the car up in San Francisco and dropped it at Seatac Airport 4 days later. Never forget the feeling driving across the Golden Gate Bridge heading towards route 1 (The Shoreline Highway). Fabulous trip, exceeded all our expectations.

We're going to have to work hard to top that holiday in 2016.

Hi
I have read the thread with great interest as we too are planning a similar trip coming over from London!

We are looking to travel for three weeks next Summer (2016) with our two children - 7 and 10 year old.

This is our itinerary :-

6 days in San Fransisco (my husband in working there for a week)
drive to Lake Tahoe for 2 days
drive from Lake Tahoe to Willits and take the Skunt train to Camp Noyo for the night
drive from Willits via Avenue of Giants, Humbolt State Park to Ferndale stay the night
Next day drive from Ferndale to Crescent City and stay the night
Next day drive from Crescent city via Bandon to Portland
2 days in Portland
Drive from Portland to Seattle and leave the rental car there.
Stay in Seattle for 4 days (we have friends we are seeing)
Take the evening train from Seattle to Vancover
2 days in Vancover
Fly from Vancover - San Fran and get a connecting flight back to London

We travel a lot to Europe (my husband is Dutch) so the kids are very good in the car, however I would welcome any feedback as to whether we are being overly ambitious? Is there any better places the kids might enjoy more? Coming from a big city we are keen to show the children the beautiful scenery so they can put it all in perspective!

Also will we pay much more for the car hire given we are not returning it to the original place we hired it from?

Any feedback would be really welcomed.
Thanks

golzii07,

You should start a separate post to get more advice.

You probably will want to continue past Crescent City when leaving Ferndale. Otherwise you will have a very long day from Crescent City to Portland.

Welcome to Fodors golzii07. Michael is right - you really should start a new thread of your own. You are planning a different trip at a different time of year.

I do have a few suggestions re your itinerary - but I'll wait to post them to your new thread . . .

I agree you should start a post of your own.

I'm not sure the Lake Tahoe detour is the best idea, and I'm surprised that Willits is a place that is attractive to visitors from out of the county.

Were I planning a trip with children going from San Francisco to Seattle, I would include the redwoods in northern California, the Oregon Coast from Brookings to Orford and from Florence to Yachts, the Columbia River Gorge (beautiful waterfalls), and Mt. Rainier (which is spectacular up close).

In Oregon there are a variety of popular outdoor actives available, such as dune buggies, and Newport has a very good aquarium.

Train travel in the US isn't up to European standards. Amtrak service to Vancouver sometimes turns out to be in a bus!

HTtY

htty, the Skunk Train is what draws travelers to Willits. It's a fun trip. Try it...you'll like it.

The car hire one way fee was the only fly in the ointment. we used Alamo and the charge from San Fran to Seattle was $326.

just something you have to factor in to the whole holiday cost.

Hi, I am pretty excited I found this post too. Am planning on being in San Fran with family (we are Australian with 2 kids, 10 & 12) after Xmas visiting friends, then a few days in Santa Rosa visiting family.

After Santa Rosa we were thinking of driving up to Portland or Seattle as we have driven San Fran to LA a couple of times and this looks like another fantastic drive.

Love all of the ideas suggested here, what would you add to make it more enjoyable with kids?

We have about 4, perhaps 5 days, then plan to fly from Seattle to Kelowna (Canada) to go skiing on 4 or 5 Jan 2017

BK08: see my post on you own thread . . .

big (HUGE) difference between the OP's trip in September and your plane in the middle of winter . . .

Yes I would assume so janisj, but still a trip we are keen to do anyway. I started a unique thread for this based on comments/suggestions above.

>> I started a unique thread for this based on comments/suggestions above.<<

Yes -- I know - that is why I posted "<u>see my post on you own thread</u>"

I want to drive from San Francisco to Seattle by myself. what do you think? is it hard to drive alone? I need some tips. Thanks
Renas

I've done it under unpleasant circumstances, and it was o.k.

If you want to go the fast way, it's a straight shot up I-5. All you need to do is decide how far and long you want to drive each day.

I was in a hurry. I just wanted to be in loving arms, so the first day I drove to Roseburg, OR (460 miles), and the next day to Seattle (350 miles).

I don't recommend Roseburg. Ashland would be better, but then the next day it's a longer drive to Seattle.

If you want to take your time, go up 101 and see the redwoods and the beautiful Oregon coast. That's a more interesting drive.

HTtT

welcome to Fodors renas. It would be better to start a new thread of your own and not tack on to a two year old one about a different trip . . .