So let me ask you guys another question.
Knowing that I am mostly interested in the McKenzie River attractions like Sahalie, koosah, blue pool and clear lake. And not as much in the volcanic park, or the rock climbing park. And that we probably won't be able to do a day trip to crater lake. Would you still recommend not staying at the Gorge/met. Hood area for a longer (4-5 nights) and hiking at the waterfalls/lake/mountain over there? It looks like there is plenty of hiking in the area. No?
Is is really all that much less pretty than the Bend-McKenzie River area?

From the Gorge we could go to Yachats and then drive to Cape Arch.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

The gorge is nice, but I would never consider staying 4-5 nights there. One or two, max.

I am not as familiar with the hikes in the Gorge, but I do know you will encounter many more people than you will in the McKenzie River area.

Throwing another option in as Crater Lake is high on the list of things you want to see.
Hwy 138 between Crater Lake and Roseburg is beautiful and has many waterfall hikes. Watson Falls, Susan Falls, Tokatee Falls - and there are more. Most of the hikes are fairly short and you can do several in a day.

One downside is that the Mosquitos can be a problem in the summer.

Then you could see Crater Lake and still do some nice waterfall hikes.

How would you break down the trip in order to include Crater Lake?
I am always afraid to leave luggage in the car while hiking.

Leave your stuff in the rented house or condo in Sunriver and go see Crater Lake for 2-3 hours and then return to Sunriver.
Another day go west from Sunriver to the Cascades Lake Highway near Cultus Lake and then north seeing Elk Lake and Sparks Lake and Mt. Bachelor and then either going into Bend or back on the road to Sunriver.

"...Gorge/met. Hood area...It looks like there is plenty of hiking in the area. No?"

Yes, but you'll be sharing trails with the 2.2+ million that live in the Portland metro area, and besides hiking, IMO there's not nearly as much for your kids to do in the Hood River/Mt. Hood area as there is in central Oregon. So I agree with mms; stay in the Gorge long enough to see the sights, which would include some short hiking, but then move on.

You could spend a couple of nights at Steamboat and see Crater Lake and do the waterfall hikes.

Would have to cut a night or two at other places.

I have friends at Crater lake today- cross country skiing. The pictures are amazing- nothing like on a sunny day.

They are staying at Diamond Lake Lodge. Beautiful spot but say lodge needs a lot of updating! A little on the rustic side.

Hi everyone,
We have decided to change up the trip to include mt rainier (I guess this trip will not be about getting away from the crowds!). We won't make it to central Oregon or crater lake this time.
I'm sure we'll be back someday to take a trip that includes the southern coast, crater lake and the redwoods.
We love this part of the country and see us coming back many times.
Thank you for your help!