darbyvt

Ok...after four amazing months in Portland (thanks for all the tips on here), it's time to leave and start a new job for three months in San Francisco!! So....we have about 10-12 days to get down there between jobs. We can do it as slow or fast as we decide. "We" being two girls (27 and 33) and a dog. So...what's our best bet, or good options at least.

Trying to decide if we should take the coast all the way down or if we should go South and hit Crater Lake and whatever else (have been to Bend before--loved it). Not sure what to see in California between Oregon and SF. All advice appreciated!! I'm sad to go....Oregon is my new favorite state, I can't believe I didn't get here sooner!

Scarlett

Hi darby!!
Until someone can give you more advice, here is a thread that I posted when we were planning a drive to SF..hope it helps

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34802447

Michael

Things to see in California between Portland and SF: The redwoods, the Mendocino coast, the Anderson valley wine area, (I am leaving out Napa and Sonoma as day trip once in SF), Lava Beds National Monument, Lassen National Park, and maybe a little detour to Lake Tahoe.

beachbum

This involves some back-tracking, but I think you've got the time. Starting from Portland, head to the coast and Newport. I'd suggest Cannon Beach if I wasn't absolutely sure you'd already seen it. ;-)

From Newport, south down the coast to Crescent City in northern CA, then catch 199 heading NE back into Oregon and Grants Pass. From Grant's Pass, up to Crater Lake, then south to Ashland, and from there, Lava Beds Monument, Lassen National Park, and maybe even the suggested detour to Tahoe.

Along this route you'll see the best of Oregon's coast, including sand dunes, lighthouses, and jaw-dropping beachscapes, redwood groves, and obviously Crater Lake, which will imprint an image in your mind for a lifetime. And I'm guessing you've heard about Ashland, which is worth a couple nights in its own right.

Once you finalize a route, we can help fill in the holes.

darbyvt

thanks, these definitely give me some good ideas...now it looks like i may have to leave a little earlier and my friend a little later so i may be road tripping alone not so fun...I love the coast but the two things I really want to see are Crater Lake and the Redwoods. I've driven through Tahoe and will definitely go back--especially with snowboarding season coming! I'll play with some of these ideas and go from there. Thanks!!

darbyvt

It's so funny how life always manages to get in the way of your plans!! So now it seems I may make the trek alone as my roommate might have to hang back another week. I also might have to start three days earlier for orientation. SO...maybe looking at a 4-5 day trip.

I would really like to do part of the Oregon Coast at least....how long would I expect it to take. Can I do most of it in a day? I was thinking about maybe going to Bandon and then cutting over on the 42 OR going to Gold Beach and then cutting over to 99 at Grant's Pass.

At that point, how far a detour would Crater Lake be. Is it worth it? What about Lake Shasta? Are they both worth seeing or fairly similar? Also, if I do Crater Lake, is it better to come back through Klamath Falls or get back to the 99/5 earlier and go through Medford and Ashland.

I know it's a billion questions. I'll get the California part later. I do know I want to see the Avenue of the Giants/Redwoods. I'm sure it will continue to change we both figure out a final plan, nothing like getting jobs and moving two weeks later! Thanks for all the help.

Andrew

You can certainly "do" much of the Oregon Coast in a day, although you wouldn't have time for much but maybe a short hike or two and a few stops along the way to see scenery. I would take Highway 99W to Highway 18 west to Lincoln City and down from there. You can make it to Crescent City, CA fairly easily in a day. That's a good half-way point between Portland and SF. The later you wait of course the shorter the days will get (you didn't say when you are leaving).

From Crescent City you can just take 101 south all the way to SF if you want; I haven't done that exact drive but I imagine it's fairly easy to do in an other day. You'll also hit the edge of the Redwoods going that way.

Andrew

Andrew

As for Crater Lake: it's amazing, but it's quite a detour. It's almost worth doing it in two separate trips. You can see Crater Lake in two days: stay over one night in Roseburg, get up early the next morning, head to the lake, drive back to Portland that night. If you combine it with a trip down the coast you are doing almost as much back-tracking each way as you would be doing back-and-forth to Portland anyway. And I-5 south from that point isn't very scenic anyway.

Andrew

darbyvt

Ok...as for time, I leave next week. I think I've decided to leave and head straight to Crater Lake (is the best way to take the 5 to the 138)? Then head over to Grants Pass (by way of the 62/234 I believe) and Rogue River and on to Crescent City. From there take the coast all the way down stopping in Redwood Country and Humboldt Park. I'd also like to see Mendocino.

So...does this sound feasible? How many days should I expect it to take? Also, any recs on which places I should make my overnight stops at. Also any recs on actual places to stay that allow dogs. Still not too wild about camping in strange places by myself. Maaaybe in Crater Lake if it's populated enough. Ok...I'm getting very excited. If only my place would pack itself!!

sunbum1944

There are some very nice campsites at
Diamond Lake - which is close to Crater Lake- there is also a lodge there with motel rooms if you get tired of camping-wonderful trail goes around the lake for hiking or biking -

Andrew

So you're skipping the Oregon Coast entirely? That's a bummer!

Andrew

bbqboy

hold on! Darby, listen up-You've got plenty of time to do Portland to Yachats-Day 1, Yachats to Ashland-Day 2, Crater Lake-up Dead Indian, down 62, to The Rogue/ top of the Redwoods-Grants Pass/Cave Junction to Crescent City area, Day 3 Top of the
Redwoods to Midway,
Day 4& 5 onwards.
Crater Lake is a one day thing. Mt. Shasta is cool, but you're set on the Redwoods, and I can't blame you.

darbyvt

Well...I think it still depends on exactly how many days I end up having. I have been to Cannon Beach and Seaside---loved it. Will I still be able to see (such as driving down Big Sur) the coast just driving and not stopping in all the little towns? I know up North some parts are more tucked slightly inland and are hidden by trees.

I don't really want to skip the coast, still making some decisions...I've done the coast from SF to San Diego, would be cool to do it from here too...we'll see. Thanks so much for all the tips, I need to sit down with my maps a little more, tips are always welcome, it's a pretty big trip to take so last minute so I need all the help I can get!