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Exploring Some of Oregon and Washington
We would like to ask for ideas and suggestions for places and things not to miss, as well as restaurants, along the following potential itinerary:
2 nights in Portland 2 nights in Columbia River Gorge area near Cascade Locks 3 nights in Willamette Valley near McMinnville 2 nights in Newport area 5 nights in Depoe Bay area 4 nights in Seaside/Cannon Beach area 2 nights in Quinault, WA area 2 nights in Port Angeles, WA area 3 nights in Seattle area Would appreciate input for stops and detours along the routes between the areas shown above. Any favorite and player-friendly golf courses? What is weather like in these areas in August? What would be the best car ferry from the Olympic Peninsula to Seattle? Are reservations necessary? If so, what is the best way to book them? Ideas on tours of Boeing Plant and Chihully Factory? Thanks in advance for any suggestions! |
I'm hoping you have not already booked your flight home from Seattle. There is no need to pay a drop off fee for two cities 4.5 hours apart along I-5.
Fly into PDX and take the light rail (red line) into Portland. Pick up the rental car downtown the next morning. Head east on I-84 and the old US 30 to see the waterfalls including Multnomah. Why did you choose Cascade Locks instead of Hood River? If it is hot in the Columbia Gorge, you might want to try for a room at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. Among the things to see in the McMinnville area is the Evergreen Aviation museum including the "Spruce Goose". In Newport see the Oregon Coast Aquarium. I really don't know what you'll do with 5 nights in the Depoe Bay area. Could you be convinced to go see Crater Lake NP? Come back from Seattle to Portland and turn in your rental car and spend the final day in the Portland area. Take the red line back out to PDX (end of the line) for your flight home. |
<i>What is weather like in these areas in August?</i>
August is the month with our warmest summer weather, and you are visiting several places where rooms are expensive and hard to find in August. <i>What would be the best car ferry from the Olympic Peninsula to Seattle?</i> The ferry from Bainbridge gives great views of the Seattle skyline and, on a clear day, of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Bakeer, the Cascades to the east, and the Olympics to the west. <i>Are reservations necessary? If so, what is the best way to book them?</i> Reservations are not available and wait lines for ferries in August are often long. Fortunately, you can also get from the Olympic Peninsula to Seattle by driving through Tacoma. HTtY PS I am curious why you are spending five nights in Depoe Bay. Also, in the Columbia River Gorge we prefer to stay in the pleasing town of Hood River rather than at Cascade Lock, |
A few thoughts, but overall it looks really good:)
First of all, it is only 3 hours between Portland and Seattle. We make this drive every week and have for years, so know it all too well as we live in both areas. The 5 nights in Depoe Bay is a lot. I am guessing it might be due to a timeshare there? I see that a lot is why I ask. Anyway, for myself, one day at Depoe Bay is enough. The other coastal areas you have allotted the right amount of time for, IMO. Do you have your lodging for all of these areas yet? If not, do that asap. If you can get out of the Depoe Bay stay, I agree that Crate Lake is a must see. At this point, lodging there would not be available, except you can always call and hope for a cancellation which does happen all the time, so it just depends on your luck. If that does not pan out, stay in/around Bend, which is less than 2 hours away and has so much to do and see. You could easily stay there for 5 nights and still not see everything. We go there several times each year and love it. I would take more time for ONP. It is different than other parks in that there is no one road that will get you all over it, so you really need lots of time to get to each place. You were smart to realize you need at least 2 spots to stay:) I would still add a day to each of those though. From PA to Seattle, you have a few options. We always just head down to the Hood Canal Bridge, through Port Gamble and to the Kingston Ferry over to Edmonds. We did this again just a few weeks ago. You could also go down to the Bainbridge Ferry and cut over. On both of these routes there are no ferry reservations, so you just show up whenever you do and get in line. The Kingston ferry holding area has really improved over the last few years and there is quite a bit to do if you have a wait, which in the summer can be the norm if it is a weekend. I can't help with golf courses. Weather though, in August, you can pretty much count on it being nice. Seattle around 80, Portland a tad more, the coast around 65-70, the gorge around 85, Bend around 90. Those are obviously not exact, but you get the idea;) The Boeing Tour is good, and that is in Everett. You could do that when you come back from PA as Everett is very close to Edmonds. Not sure if you know about the Museum of Flight, which is on the south end of Seattle and is excellent. If you only have time for one, do the museum. |
Wonderful and very helpful information - a thousand thanks!
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Agree that 5 days in Depoe Bay is a lot but you can do many day trips using Depoe as a base.
There is a lot to see and do between Depoe Bay and Florence- North of Florence is my favorite beach Devils Elbow- also known as Heceta Head. It is on a nice cove and there is a trail up to the lighthouse- most photographed in the US. Tours are available of the lighthouse which has just been redone. If you like hiking, you can continue the hike from behind the lighthouse down to a secluded beach. In Newport I recommend eating at Local Ocean- small, gets crowded but great food!! In Florence the Waterfront Depot is likely the best dining but will require a reservation. I like to eat at Travelers Cove- variety of foods and they have a nice deck overlooking the river. In Florence there is the Sandpines Golf course- I am not a golfer so no opinion on that but I have friends who have golfed there. Also there is a golf course at Salishan Resort. Consider doing a dune buggy ride in Florence- I think it is a lot of fun! Or a horseback ride on the beach. Enjoy! |
Check this website for Portland
http://www.travelportland.com I like to stay in the downtown area- I like the Marriott Waterfront - easy walk to waterfront and downtown Visit the waterfront area- several restaurants and shops. The Newport Bay is a floating restaurant. There is a walking path along the river on both sides so you can walk down one side, cross the bridge and walk the other side - always enjoy the sights. |
Really good input! Thanks!
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That's a GREAT link! Thanks so much! We had the mile by mile guide when we explored Alaska by car, and it was invaluable.
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Tagging this for our trip to Oregon in a couple of months.
bcsa, we stayed a week in Depoe Bay a couple of years ago (Worldmark). As sunbum1944 says, there are lots of very doable day trips using Depoe Bay as your base. At the end of the week, we wished we could stay longer. So nice that you have a good amount of time to spend. Sounds like a great trip. |
Do you have reservations at any of the places listed besides Depoe Bay? Not sure I would bother moving for 2 nights in Newport as it is a short drive from Depoe Bay and you could do as a day trip.
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If you like wine- one of the local wineries has opened a tasting room in Yachats- might give it a try
http://www.southlincolncountynews.co...&story_id=4095 |
Another good site - sounds like fun. Again, appreciate all replies!
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sunbum1944 - in retrospect, we beat ourselves up about Newport. It was SO close to Depoe Bay that we just overlooked it until the last day, except for just passing through (bcsa, you have to get off that main road and go into town).
This trip, we have allocated a better portion of our time in Depoe Bay to Newport. The Aquarium is one stop. Also, by the restaurants and docks, we saw some teeny shrimp being processed (wild harvested) that looked to be the perfect size for salads; we will hunt that down. I didn't note when you will be traveling. September 20 is the 59th annual Salmon Bake for Depoe Bay. We missed it last time; this time, we timed our visit to participate. Although, DH really enjoys socializing with people, so he'll be mingling as a local... |
Yes Newport has an Old Town. It is located on the bay and has a lot of shops and restaurants and where you can see the sea lions on the docks- unless they have gone south for the summer which they do sometimes. It is also an operating fishing village- so boats, shrimp processing plant, fishing stores etc. - sometimes smells very fishy too.
My favorite Newport restaurant - Local Ocean is located in this area. Then there is the Nye Beach area which is on the ocean side- more restaurants, shop- many of the hotels located in this area. Nye Beach is a great beach for taking a long walk. Sylvia Beach Hotel is an interesting place- an old hotel, on the water and very eclectic. Each room is decorated with an author in mind- like Edgar Allan Poe for instance, It is funky but a fun place to stay. If you don't stay there, you can still have a dinner there. You will likely be seated at a large table with other guests and sometimes they play "Two truths and a lie" which gets people conversing. They have a great breakfast in the am- but I think that is for guests only. Another place we like in Newport is Nana's Irish Pub- sometimes they have music at night and there is a dart board to play and you can get meat pies and shepherds pie etc- not typical coast food but fun still. There are two lighthouses in Newport- one is close to the Old Town area and tours are available. There is an interesting video about the ghost who supposedly resides there. And of course, if you get bored you can visit the casino in Lincoln city and the outlet mall. Enjoy! |
All these suggestions sound like so much fun! Can't wait!!!
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A good player-friendly golf course is the Gearhart Golf Course, just 2 miles outside of Seaside. Highlands/Links style public course.
I assume you will visit Astoria while staying in Seaside. |
Yes to Astoria - any suggestions? Thanks for golf course info.
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Start at the Astor Column and work your way down. Fort George brewery is great. The river walk is also nice. A drive out to the Jetty is great and you can have fantastic views over to Washington and the mouth of the Columbia River.
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