Help with Oregon Coast trip...
 

We will be traveling to Oregon in July and I need help with how many overnight stops to make on the coast. Here is our tentative plans.

Seattle

Amtrak to Portland

Then over to the coast.

We will be taking our 14 yr. old who loves to hike and see history things. I love lighthouses and bakeries! We are driving all the way down the coast and then over to Crater Lake and on to see the Gorge. My question is how many stops overnight on the coast. We want to spend the night in Cannon Beach and here are some of the stops that I have come up with.

Ecola State Park
Tillamook
Cape Meares

I just don't know where to stop overnight and for how long. Any advice would be great. Thanks

Cannon Beach is a nice place to stay but is very touristy. However, it would probably appeal to a 14 year old.

I would recommend at least 2 nights at the coast. Hwy 101 is 2 lane and in the summer the traffic is quite heavy. It will take you a while to drive the whole way. If you're going to Cape Meares don't miss the little town of Oceanside that is part of that loop.

If you like history, don't miss Astoria, about 30 minutes away from Cannon Beach, you may also want to spend some time in Seaside. :)

If you like bakeries, don't miss St. Cupcake in the Nob Hill area of Portland, it's a fun place specializing in all different kinds of cupcakes, Papa Haydn's is also a great place in the Nob Hill area for some goodies.

If you do make it to Astoria, go to the downtown area and spend some time in Lindstrom's bakery, they have some great baked goods here. Cannon Beach also has a bakery in their downtown area.

In the Tillamook area, stop by the Cheese Factory and the Blue Heron there, you can wine taste at the Blue Herons, also. They are well-known for their yummy Brie cheese here. Cape Lookout is also not to miss in this area, a very nice place for a picnic.

Enjoy your travels! ***kim*** ((f))

Kimamom,

I was hoping that you would reply. (Thanks also beachartist.) You were really helpful with our trip on the Ca. coast back in Oct. of 05. You are so knowledgeable. Where would yall suggest that we spend the night? Also, would you do two nights in one place and then finish down the coast or one night in a place and one night further down? Would you go all the way to the Redwoods and then back up to Crater Lake or just cut over at Gold Beach. Thanks for the help.

How long do you have for the Oregon portion of your trip? Are you planning to end up back in Portland to fly home?

We haven't narrowed down the days. My husband is taking 2 weeks off so I would guess 12 or so. We are flying out of Portland.

Most places in Cannon Beach will have minimum stay requirements at that time of year, probably two nights. A favorite of our family over the years has been SurfSand Resort: http://www.surfsand.com/.

After Cannon Beach, I'd probably aim for the central coast, either Newport or Yachats. Personal preference is Yachats, and more specifically Overleaf Lodge: http://www.overleaflodge.com/. It'll be a long day, so don't dally in Tillamook (no reason to anyway). You don't want to short-change Three Capes Scenic Loop - including Cape Meares - though.

Lots to see and do on the central coast. Stay at least two nights, more if you can. The 14 year old would probably love a dune buggy ride.

If you plan a jetboat ride on the Rogue River, you should plan on two nights in Gold Beach, too. Treat yourselves to Tu Tu Tun Lodge if it's available: http://www.tututun.com/. Unbelievable place....

Any Gold Beach local will tell you to go south to Crescent City, then northeast on US199, rather than the winding steep road through the mountains. Both routes actually take about the same amount of time.

That all said, take as much time as you can on Oregon's coast. It really is <i><b>the best</b></i> reason to visit Oregon. And I think kimamom would agree, having visited here most summers herself for however many years.....

BTW, I'd walk right past St. Cupcake and Papa Haydn's in Portland (but I don't get the recent cupcake craze...). Instead, go to either (or both) St. Honore at SW 24th &amp; Thurman - http://www.sainthonorebakery.com/ - or Pearl Bakery, in Portland's trendy Pearl District - http://www.pearlbakery.com/.

You can't miss the couple good bakeries in Cannon Beach.

Beachbum gives excellent advice, both for Portland and the coast. Surfsand is also a favorite of ours, and great for families.

The dunes at Florence are remarkable. Take a jeep tour.

Yeah, right mms! ;-) If ladynole tries to find St. Honore at that address, I've no clue where she'll end up. Should be NW 24th &amp; Thurman. ;-)

LOL Beachbum:) I didn't pay attention to the address...just the names of the places. Your advice is always from personal experience, not google or tourist maps...:)

Beachbum has outlined a nice trip down the coast. I'd also add the Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach as a possibility in addition to the Surfsand.

If you have time, spending a night among the redwoods in northern CA would be great--I loved my stay at the Lost Whale Inn in Trinidad. Then you could head towards Crater Lake via Rt. 199, spend a night or two in that area (consider using Ashland as a base, then you can go to the Shakespeare festival too if that's of interest), then if you have time, go over to Bend/Sisters for a couple nights, then up the east side of the mountains to Mt Hood and/or the Gorge.

Depending on your flight time, you could stay out in Hood River and easily drive to PDX for your flight via the old historic highway to see the waterfalls. Another lodging option for your last night closer to the airport that I think your 14 year old would particularly enjoy is Edgefield in Troutdale.

Astoria Museum
Pick up some groceries for dinner &amp; breakfast at Safeway next door.
Cross the 4 mile long Astoria Columbia River bridge turn Left and go into Fort Columbia on Washington state side of the river or stay at the Lighthouse keepers house on Cape Disappointment a little further but at the end of LOng Beach
PREBOOK old Oficer qtrs on Fort Columbia (parks.wa.gov)
Lots of wild open space, deer, Fort ruins and ocean view.
If you have a 4 wdrive car drive on the (hardpack) sand at Long Beach WA or fly a kite or boogie board in the surf
Visit the Ocean Spray cranberry farm on a self guided tour

Check out oregonstateparks.gov
great maps to sow you all the parks, some where you can stay and the lighthouse. Fort Stevens Oregon just south of Astoria is another option if you do not want to cross into Washington

BTW this is Lewis and country country..lots of parks with great history lesons.
You won't be disappointed..lots of great food, lighthouse hiking beach...
You could spend your whole trip on teh Wash ORegon coast and never regret it...

I think the previous poster was referring to the Astoria-Megler Bridge that goes over to WA. I agree, the WA coast is cool, we did the drive up to Oysterville this past October and were able to see some of the cranberry bogs. There is a neat little cranberry museum over there, we also love Seaview. Have a meal at the 42 Street Cafe in Seaview, The Depot is also excellent for dinner. This is the area where you will want to sample oysters if you like them, they are fresh out of Wilappa Bay. :)

If you want to overnight in Astoria, the Cannery Pier Hotel is stunning, right on the Columbia River, dine at the Bridgewater Bistro there. The Holiday Inn Express is also right on the river. If you want to stay downtown, the Hotel Elliott is nice, walking distance to Fulio's and the Silver Salmon Grille, two of our favorite restaurants in Astoria. There are also many quaint Bed and Breakfasts such as the Benjamin Young Inn, The Rosebriar and Clementine's.

Any further questions on the northern Oregon Coast feel free to ask! ***kim*** ((#))

It's a little off your planned route, but Cape Disappointment State Park is well worth a visit, even if you don't plan to overnight there. As 1JAR states, this is Lewis &amp; Clark country, and the Interpretive Center in the park is the best in the area IMO. Plus, it overlooks the mouth of the Columbia River, another jaw-dropping view.

And if you do spend time in Astoria, if yours is like mine, the whole family would enjoy climbing the Astor Column and sailing balsa wood airplanes from the top. Another spectacular view from up there, too.

Yep, you can't miss the bridge in Astoria..... it's the only one crossing the Columbia.

You guys are great! I love that you all are willing to give such great advice and I love all the Bakery ideas. In Portland we are staying at Northrup Station (I think that is the name) and the front desk told me about a french bakery close to them. I wander if that is the same one in Portland? I do think that it is important to take our time at the Three Capes Scenic Route. The stop in Tillamook shouldn't be that long at the cheese factory but not sure about the DH and son at the WW2 place. Any ideas about that? Thanks for helping me decide about the Redwoods. We Floridians only see pines and palms. *grin* We did see the Rockies in Co. and I thought my husband would go nuts. He LOVE mountains and beautiful trees. I love the ocean. When we traveled the Ca. coast, we drove through the wine county and cut over to go to Mendocino and that drive had beautiful huge trees. Anyway, it is late and I know that next week I will have more questions because I am really trying to get the trip planned out so then I can concentrate on the food! Thanks everyone. Anymore thoughts, just send my way.

Yes, that would be St. Honore that is close to your hotel. I personally would skip the cheese factory, but definitely do the air museum. The Three Capes loop is beautiful. At Cape Kiwanda, your son will love to go up to the top of the dune there and either board and run back down. The top back area of the dune is interesting, so spend a few minutes up there checking out the views.

I'm wondering why you are flying into Seattle? The train ride between Seattle and Portland is not scenic if that is what you were hoping. If you had other reasons to visit Seattle, of course, then it's a different story.

We just thought it would be nice to see Seattle for a day or so since we will be out there and someone suggested taking the Amtrak down to Portland. My husband works for CSX (the east coast railroad--was once a train engineer) and I thought it would be something fun for our son. I know that Amtrak and the trains that my husband drove are completely different but I thought the experience would be nice.

ladynole..my son took Amtrak from Portland to Seattle over a long weekend and while it was an easy trip..it took up a lot of each day traveling.

Yes, St Honor&eacute; is the bakery/cafe..Wonderful!!
www.sainthonorebakery.com

mms took me there when I was a newbie living in Portland...when you are in the Pearl District, go to the Pearl Bakery...
pearlbakery.com
then you will always wish you lived in Portland lol

<i>...so then I can concentrate on the food!...Anymore thoughts, just send my way.</i>

Just one thought. If you're going to do justice to Portland's dining scene, you'll need waayyyy more than two weeks. ;-)

The Air Museum in Tillamook is very cool, you can go through it in about an hour, another place that I enjoyed browsing through last summer was the Textile Center in Tillamook, lots of different quilts and interesting history, it's worth a look if you're in the area. ***kim*** ((#))

Beachbum,

Send any suggestions for great food my way. My husband is a southern food kind of guy so nothing to upscale and different. He is not adventurous in that area. Would love some good sweet tea while in Or. Didn't find any of that in Ca. *grin* We also have to think about a teenager that loves pizza etc.

For the tea, in Tillamook is La Tea Da, in Astoria check out the Windsor House of Tea. For great pizza in Cannon Beach, don't miss Pizza a Feta, you can dine in or order take-out from the side window, great salads here, also! ***kim*** ((f))

Kim--Sweet tea is different than what you find in a typical tea house.

My husband was a bit surprised a couple years ago when he was at a dive place for lunch. The waitress called him hon, and asked what kind of tea he wanted. He felt like he was back in the south:) He had regular iced tea, but they did offer sweet tea which is not common around here at all. If you want the name of the dive, I will share, but it definitely is a dive and not on the tourist track. It is in the industrial part of town, lol!

You <i><b>might</b></i> find some sweet tea in Oregon, ladynole, but I don't know how good it'll be. More than anywhere else, this is Starbuck's country. And southern food..... How far south? South America? ;-) Will need to think more about this... Does your husband like seafood? Pizza's easy. And how about you; what do you like?

We had sweet tea at a downtown restaurant called Tsunami I think...

I was laughing out loud while reading these post about sweet tea. I live in North Fl. and have lived in Ga. about as southern as it gets before South America. *grin* No, beachbum--husband does not eat seafood. He will eat fried catfish though. I love shrimp and fish. (We had great fried fish in Santa Cruz on the pier.) I love delis and bakeries, as you all know. And steak too! Kimamom, I was dying laughin about the tea. Thanks anyway. We ate at one of your suggestions while in Cambria. Yall keep thinking for me and sending suggestions. Thanks again for all the help and for the great laugh I got.

ladynoel--We have lived in central FL and the very SE corner of Georgia. Even though both DH and I are natives of the PNW, we got a taste of that southern life for a couple years. In Portland, you might want to try the Screen Door Restaurant. It is southern food. That said, seafood is the usual hit around here. Anyway to force feed your husband some of our great seafood? I am sure he would change his mind after he tasted it ;)

<i>I love delis and bakeries...</i>

Okay, here's a twofer (a threefer actually): Ken's Artisan Bakery and Ken's Artisan Pizza - http://www.kensartisan.com/index.html. The bakery location is just that... mostly bakery, but they do make some excellent deli sandwiches there. And the pizza place is supposedly one of the best in town, though I can't personally attest; it's usually so crowded you can't get in. Apizza Scholls is also in that category.

Hola ladynole , from South America lol

mms named Screened Porch..sweet tea and all sorts of good things from the South..but for fried fish in UN fancy surroundings, go to Halibuts on Alberta Street.
French fries, Fried fish, cole slaw...I have a feeling your husband will like it :)
<i>Even the Yankee enjoyed it ~</i>

Down here in Fl. we eat fried fish with grits. When we moved to Ga. only 5 hrs. from here, they ate their fish with french fries. It's funny how things are different even if you aren't on different sides of the country. Or up north or down south. LOL

We may be headed down to Bandon as well and was looking for a one night stop on the way down.

There's so many towns down that coast and we can't stop at all of them.

Which are worth stopping in to sightsee and which is the best to stay ONE night in?

Beachbum, you like Newport and Yachats?

What do you mean you <i><b>may</b></i> be headed down to Bandon? With a tag like travelinandgolfin, you <i><b>have</b></i> to go to Bandon! And play! ;-) Where are you starting that day?

I think the earlier linked Overleaf Lodge in Yachats is easily the best choice on the central coast. Jaw-dropping scenic location, literally feet from pounding surf at high tides. And the town is nice too.

As are Depoe Bay and Newport, but it's not towns where you'll want to stop. Places like Cape Perpetua, Haceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon Dunes, and the countless pullouts.... those are where you'll want to do your sightseeing.

Hey bb.

I think I'll be depending on you and your fellow Oregonians quite a bit as time gets closer. :)

And yes I WILL be playing Bandon! :D Have you played there?

Haven't pinned down everything yet, but in general, we'll be landing in Portland around 10 pm Friday.

Saturday, we'll probably hang around Portland and do the Columbia River, Mt. Hood trip.

Sunday, we WERE going to drive out to Cannon Beach and go straight to Bandon in one day. May still do that, but after reading some of the replies here, I'm thinking of taking our time down the coast and staying over night somewhere half way down.

After Bandon, we head back up to Portland on the interstate, stay there for a couple more nights and leave on Saturday (so basically a one week stay).

The reason I'm not sure about taking an extra night on the coast prior to Bandon, is that we do a lot of driving on our trips, and as beautiful as the sceneries are, you can take in most of it in on the drive itself and quick stop offs at lookouts. I'm thinking the Oregon coast may be like that, and instead of taking that extra night, maybe we use it somewhere else in Oregon (maybe somewhere inland) if we have the time.

What do you think?

I live in the Portland area, so get down to Bandon to play at least once a year. Great golf courses, all three of 'em. But, if you can only play one, choose Pacific Dunes if you're straight off the tee, or Bandon Dunes if you play like I do. ;-) Are you planning to stay at Bandon Dunes Resort? You'll probably have to if you want to book a tee time more than two weeks out. And you will want/need a tee time.

My advice is always to spend as much time on the coast as you can. It's really the best reason to visit the state. But, if you're comfortable with a sort of drive-by visit, your plan is fine. I wouldn't attempt Portland-Cannon Beach-Bandon in one day though. That's close to 8 hours of drive time without considering any stops you'd want to make. If you decide Portland-Bandon in one day, take I-5 to just south of Albany, then OR 20 to Newport. Newport to Florence is a beautiful stretch of coastline, and you'd have time to see at least some of it.

The best stop &quot;somewhere inland&quot; would be Crater Lake, but that would be a bit off your route. Still, I'd trade a day in Portland for a visit to Crater Lake every time. Another thought would be to spend a day in Oregon's wine country. We're making some dam* fine pinot noirs around here these days.

Sorry that we've hi-jacked your thread, ladynole. But, at least we're keeping it towards the top of the queue. ;-) And I'm still thinking about how you can convince your husband to experience some of Portland's food scene.

No worries Beachbum. I enjoy all the info even if someone else asks questions. I am finalizing our plans today and then it is on to the food. Keep brainstorming and everyone let me know what are some great places all along the coast to eat right down to the Redwoods and over to Crater Lake. I am so excited. Thanks.

Sorry ladynole for butting in, but I think we're both looking to do some of the same things! :) Hopefully, the info will help both of us.

BB, took your advice and we'll be staying a couple nights on the coast before we get to Bandon.

Couple other questions.

I've been on many sites re. the coast, but didn't see any botanical gardens except for one in Lincoln. My wife loves them. Any you can recommend? Or any other can't miss things to see on the coast?

Also, on the last day, we'll be heading from Bandon straight back to Portland. What's the fastest way to get from Bandon to I-5? H-42? Not looking for any sightseeing on the way back, just the fastest route.

Thanks.

Good! I doubt you'll regret the extra time on the coast. So, what's your itinerary from Portland now? Still planning to go through Cannon Beach, then south? Would need to know before recommending &quot;must sees&quot;.

Didn't know there was a botanical garden in Lincoln City, or anywhere else on the coast for that matter. But, no worries for your wife; I suspect she might consider much of the coastline a botanical garden. ;-)

Best way back to Portland from Bandon is US 101 to Reedsport and OR 38, which also happens to be the most scenic route between the coast and I-5. We've done the trip in four hours, but plan at least a few minutes at Dean Creek Elk Reserve, several miles inland.