Help with Oregon Coast Trip!
 

We will be flying into Portland in September and staying the night. The next day we will head to the coast. Is Cannon Beach a good place to start?

We love great scenery, short hikes and taking pictures. We will have about 8 days and nights but we could always add a few more days. How long do we need in each place? The Northern part sounds really beautiful and the area between Gold Beach and Brookings Harbor sounds nice also. Would we want to spend some time in Yachats? Any help would be appreciated.

The enitre coast of Oregon is fun. Cannon Beach up to Astoria would be a good day trip. Nice beaches, towns, and food along the way. If you are a Goonie fan, Cannon Beach has the beach/rocks from the movie and the jail and house from the movie are in Astoria. Also, you can climb the Astoria Column.

There's not much in Yachats, but there's tons of stuff from Brookings all the way to Astoria. DW and I really prefer the central part of the coast Brandon to Newport, esp the Oregon Dunes Nat. Rec. Area. Also like the aquarium and the OR Coast History Center in Newport. The Yaquina Bay lighthouse is another point of interest.
There's another lighthouse, one of the most photographed in the state, about 6 or so miles north of Florence, Heceta Head.

For history buffs the Tillamook Air Musuem offers displays of WW II era aircraft. There's also an air musuem in McMinnville and it features the "Spruce Goose" built by Howard Hughes.

If you are at all interested in wine, take some time and go inland to the McMinnville, Newberg area. Many excellent wineries to visit and have a sample of 2 ofthe product.

Our favorite places to stay on the coast are Cannon Beach, Newport, Yachats, Bandon, and Brookings.

Newport has an world-class aquarium and an interesting harbor. Some times of the year there are whale watching expeditions from Newport, Depoe Bay, and, perhaps, elsewhere.

You are correct about the area between Gold Beach and Brookings.

The northern part of the coast is much more developed for tourism than is the southern part.

In the south, activities on sand dunes and the Rogue River are popular.

If you go as far as Brookings, you will be near the redwood forests of northern California.

HTTY

How does this sound? Stay in Cannon Beach 3 days and from here we would take a day trip to Astoria, see Ecola State Park. Then we would go to Newport for 2 nights and do Cape Perpetua, the aquarium and explore Yachats and Heceta head lighthouse. Then we would move on to Brookings for another couple of days. We also wanted to explore Crater Lake National Park. Should we add another couple of days to do the park? We have to eventually go back to Portland to fly home. I would love any suggestions since I've never been to Oregon and I don't want to miss anything important. Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far!

So far, it sounds good. Most of the places in Cannon Beach will have a 2-3 night minimum anyway, so you are in the right mindset. Crater Lake is wonderful, but usually one night is enough for most people. Not sure when in Sept. you are coming, but if you come before the boat tours end, I highly recommend that. I would add another night or two for Bend. From Crater Lake, it is about 90 minutes north. Much to do and see there! Then when you leave Bend,head up to the gorge (Hood River area and west of there) to see those sights before flying out.

Patti,

Click on my name and check my short trip report. I just did a similar trip in mid-May!

I stayed in Manzanita and Yachats and loved both. They were exactly what I was looking for in terms of size and being not so touristy!

Have fun

Dayle,
Thank you so much. You have given me a lot to research and it all sounds great.

I'm still trying to figure out my trip. Here is my itinerary, let me know if I need to add or deduct any days and if I am hitting all the right areas and all my information is correct.

Day 1 - Portland (we are flying in and just spending the night. We want to get to the coast as soon as possible.)

Day 2,3,&4 - Cannon Beach - we will go to Astoria for one day, Ecola State Park and 3 capes loop.

Day 5 & 6- Newport or Yachats - Cape Perpetua, the aquarium, heceta head lighthouse,

Day 7 & 8 - Brookings or Gold Beach - which is nicer? Not sure what to do in this area. Is this too much time?

Day 9 - Crater Lake National Park

Day 10 & 11 - Bend - Do I need one or two days here?

Day 12 - Back to Portland to fly home.

Is this too ambitious, should I take anything out? Thanks for any help!

Be sure not to miss the Columbia River Gorge just east of Portland--drive the old highway along the south side of the river--several beautiful waterfalls and great vistas of the massive river.

What do you want to see in the Bend area? You might want to spend more time in Crater Lake NP if you can get lodging in that area.
When you leave Bend go north on 97/197 to The Dalles for your trip down the Columbia Gorge.

I was told in one of the posts to go to Bend and someone mentioned that I wouldn't need more than one day and night in Crater Lake NP. Should I skip Bend? Thanks for everyone's help. I'll research it a little more.

I can't remember anything exciting in Bend, and have been there many times. It's not far from Sun River (resort) and some nice rivers, etc. But don't rush around---stay and feel the flavor. (today has been clear and cool---I can see Mt. Rainer from my porch. I am not going anywhere)

We go to Sunriver/Bend several times each year and never tire of it. There is so much to do! The High Desert Museum is a must, and a good chuck of it is outside. Lava Butte has a good visitors center, and then paved paths through the lava fields, then you drive to the top and get the most amazing views! Most people feed the chipmunks up there too. The Lava Cave/Tube is almost right across the highway from there. If you have headlamps, bring those, or rent lanterns there for a dollar or two. Very nice on a hot day! The tube is about a mile long and quite interesting. Drake Park and the Old Mill District in downtown. Benham Falls, which can be reached from different areas. Whitewater rafting on the Deschutes River. These are just a sprinkling of what there is to do and see in the area. It just depends on your interests.

If you have that much flexibility with adding days, I second the Columbia River Gorge.

After doing more research I decided to spend all of our time on the coast. I might go to Crater Lake for a day and an overnight. I really would like to know if my coast trip sounds okay. Am I spending enough time in the right areas. Thanks so much!

Reading the itinerary you outlined on July 6, my first impression is that it makes more sense to do the Three Capes Loop on your way to Newport rather than as a day trip from Cannon Beach.

On the southern coast, we prefer to stay in Bandon rather than Gold Beach. (In Bandon, Alloro Wine Bar is a very good place for dinner and we like Thai Thai for lunch.)

Brookings isn’t a holiday destination; however, all the rooms at the Best Western Beachfront Inn there have balconies and great ocean views. There is a good enough restaurant across the street from the BW.

If the object of your trip is to loll around on the beach, you itinerary makes good sense. However, if your goal is to see the best of the area:

*Crater Lake NP is off the beaten track. I think it is a mistake to make the effort to go there and to not spend a full day (two nights) to explore and enjoy.

*If you have not been to the redwood forests of northern California, I think it is also a mistake to drive as far south as Brookings without continuing on to the redwoods.

*If you have not been to the Columbia River Gorge, I think it is a mistake to not include it in your itinerary.

*Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood is another destination I would expect to find on a twelve-day Oregon Itinerary.

Bend is a popular destination for many travelers; however, it is not on my list of top Oregon attractions: Columbia River Gorge (including WA-14 from Maryhill to Washougal); Oregon Coast from Cannon Beach to Brookings; Crater Lake; and Portland.

HTTY

I hope that I did not discourage you about Bend. If you do come as far as Crater Lake, please come up the east side of the Cascades even if you don't stop overnight in Bend. Take US 26 from Madras to Government Camp and Rt. 35 down the east side of Mt. Hood to Hood River. Make sure you see Multnomah Falls before heading for the airport.

I think I will do Crater Lake and then go on to Columbia River Gorge. Thanks everyone for your help!

We may be doing a similar trip at the same time as you, patti55! Ours is the first half of the month. It will be interesting to compare experiences post-trip. Have a wonderful vacation.