Itinerary Help for September Trip to Oregon/Northern California
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Itinerary Help for September Trip to Oregon/Northern California
Would appreciate critique of our proposed itinerary for 8 September-21 September trip to Oregon and northern California. Specifically, would like to know if you think the places I have chosen to stay and the amount of time I have allocated for each are doable or could you suggest alternatives.
Our plan is to fly into Portland on 8 September and pick up rental car and head to Tillamook area to begin our coast drive (realize Tillamook is not on coast). We have been to the Cannon Beach area as far south as Tillamook before and want to maximize our time. Once itinerary is finalized (based on your input), I can get busy and make lodging reservations. Would appreciate suggestions of clean, comfortable places to stay that are $125 per night or less if possible. We like to hike, want to do a jetboat ride, walk on the beach, visit aquariums, visit lighthouses, explore tidepools, see the redwoods.
As currently planned our trip looks like this:
Sep 8 arrive Portland, overnight Tillamook or some place in vicinity to start trip south)
Sep 9 drive to Newport overnight Newport (Three Capes tour, Hatfield Marine Science Ctr)
Sep 10 again overnight Newport (aquarium, Yaquina lighthouse, History Ctr, Otter Crest Loop)
Sep 11 overnight Florence (Cape Perpetua, Haceta Head, dunes)
Sep 12 overnight Bandon (Coquille Lighthouse, overlooks)
Sep 13 overnight Gold Beach or Brookings (jetboat here?)
Sep 14 overnight Crescent City (redwoods)
Sep 15 overnight Orick or Trinidad (redwoods)
Sep 16 overnight Grant’ City (Oregon Caves, jetboat here instead?)
Sep 17 overnight Crater Lake (already have booked lodge—this is our splurge)
Sep 18 overnight Crater Lake
Sep 19 overnight Bend (Cascade lakes highway, Newberry Nat’l. Monument, High Desert Museum)
Sep 20 overnight Bend
Sep 21 overnight Portland (stop to see the Spruce Goose en route)
Sep 22 fly home to Florida
All of your input will be much appreciated.
Our plan is to fly into Portland on 8 September and pick up rental car and head to Tillamook area to begin our coast drive (realize Tillamook is not on coast). We have been to the Cannon Beach area as far south as Tillamook before and want to maximize our time. Once itinerary is finalized (based on your input), I can get busy and make lodging reservations. Would appreciate suggestions of clean, comfortable places to stay that are $125 per night or less if possible. We like to hike, want to do a jetboat ride, walk on the beach, visit aquariums, visit lighthouses, explore tidepools, see the redwoods.
As currently planned our trip looks like this:
Sep 8 arrive Portland, overnight Tillamook or some place in vicinity to start trip south)
Sep 9 drive to Newport overnight Newport (Three Capes tour, Hatfield Marine Science Ctr)
Sep 10 again overnight Newport (aquarium, Yaquina lighthouse, History Ctr, Otter Crest Loop)
Sep 11 overnight Florence (Cape Perpetua, Haceta Head, dunes)
Sep 12 overnight Bandon (Coquille Lighthouse, overlooks)
Sep 13 overnight Gold Beach or Brookings (jetboat here?)
Sep 14 overnight Crescent City (redwoods)
Sep 15 overnight Orick or Trinidad (redwoods)
Sep 16 overnight Grant’ City (Oregon Caves, jetboat here instead?)
Sep 17 overnight Crater Lake (already have booked lodge—this is our splurge)
Sep 18 overnight Crater Lake
Sep 19 overnight Bend (Cascade lakes highway, Newberry Nat’l. Monument, High Desert Museum)
Sep 20 overnight Bend
Sep 21 overnight Portland (stop to see the Spruce Goose en route)
Sep 22 fly home to Florida
All of your input will be much appreciated.
#2
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Nice looking trip! I'd do the jetboat out of Gold Beach and I'd swing for the 104 mile trip so you can get up to the most scenic part of the river that power boats can get to.
Then, I'd spend that night in Brookings and the next one at Trinidad. Brookings has better lodging choices than Crescent City and is only a half hour away.
If you do the Gold Beach jetboat, you won't need to do the upper Rogue excursion so I'd go to Oregon Caves instead. Nearby is an interesting place to stay - The Treehouse Tresort. In September, you may be able to reserve a single night.
http://www.treehouses.com/treehouse/treesort/home.html
If you haven't seen the Columbia Gorge, you might want to squeeze it in on your way from Bend by driving down to Hood River and then back to Portland through the Gorge.
Then, I'd spend that night in Brookings and the next one at Trinidad. Brookings has better lodging choices than Crescent City and is only a half hour away.
If you do the Gold Beach jetboat, you won't need to do the upper Rogue excursion so I'd go to Oregon Caves instead. Nearby is an interesting place to stay - The Treehouse Tresort. In September, you may be able to reserve a single night.
http://www.treehouses.com/treehouse/treesort/home.html
If you haven't seen the Columbia Gorge, you might want to squeeze it in on your way from Bend by driving down to Hood River and then back to Portland through the Gorge.
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I do recommend the jet boat ride - very fun!
Around Florence you could do the sand dune buggie rides - also something I enjoy - cant drive yourself- have a driver who takes you on a roller coaster ride over the dunes.
There is a nice hike starting from the Heceta Head light house- trail map is posted close to the lighthouse - takes you to a secluded beach only accessable by hiking in.
There are lots of wonderful hikes around Bend - one that I recommend is at Smith Rock - a world famous rock climbing place - but also some nice trails along the river.
There is also a nice walk along the river starting at the Old Mill district
Do you have reservations for the Bend area yet? Sun River resort is one of my favorite places to stay or in town I like the old St Francis School.
Around Florence you could do the sand dune buggie rides - also something I enjoy - cant drive yourself- have a driver who takes you on a roller coaster ride over the dunes.
There is a nice hike starting from the Heceta Head light house- trail map is posted close to the lighthouse - takes you to a secluded beach only accessable by hiking in.
There are lots of wonderful hikes around Bend - one that I recommend is at Smith Rock - a world famous rock climbing place - but also some nice trails along the river.
There is also a nice walk along the river starting at the Old Mill district
Do you have reservations for the Bend area yet? Sun River resort is one of my favorite places to stay or in town I like the old St Francis School.
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I agree with Supercilious - skip Crescent City. We stayed at the hotel at Oregon Caves years ago, and the kids loved it! There were waterfalls and even a creek running through the hotel! It is an old rustic resort with tree limbs for bannisters. But that Treehouse Tresort looks intriguing...
#7
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Here's a recent discussion about Trinidad restaurants.
http://tiny.cc/AMvsE
The Larrupin should have reopened by now but they haven't updated their website. That's not a good sign.
There's also a couple of good places for breakfast but if you are b&bing, you won't need that info. If you do, just search the board here for Trinidad.
http://tiny.cc/AMvsE
The Larrupin should have reopened by now but they haven't updated their website. That's not a good sign.
There's also a couple of good places for breakfast but if you are b&bing, you won't need that info. If you do, just search the board here for Trinidad.
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You should try Lord Bennetts in Bandon for a meal http://www.lordbennett.com/ We visited last year as part of a month long trip down the coast from Vancouver to San Francisco and it was the best meal we had. If you can time it with the sunset you get a fab view.
Also, definately do the Oregon Caves - they were amazing and Crater Lake will take your breath away!
Enjoy!
Also, definately do the Oregon Caves - they were amazing and Crater Lake will take your breath away!
Enjoy!