happytrailstoyou

More annoying than a frequent two-night minimum in Cannon Beach is the religious adherence there to the 4:00 p.m. check-in. Cannon Beach is the one place in the country where I have seldom been given access to a room before the check-in time, and several times it has been well after 4:00 p.m. before I was given my room keys.

5alive

Okay, I stand corrected, you are getting responses.

I like the Oregon Coast more. One thing no one is mentioning is that it is not as pleasant to drive the Washington Coast in its entirety. You need to cut clear inland around Willapa Bay, and Raymond and South Bend are not exactly on anyone's Favorite Destination lists. I've been there, and despite the cute little carriage museum, it's a sad, worn area. I would not recommend it at all. I cannot help you with farther north. My daughter's friend is crazy about the Twilight movies and they have been to Forks. The mother said there was not much else to it.

I have not spent time in Ilwaco, but trust Gardyloo's opinion. I did not care for Long Beach, but did like Oysterville and the area farther north on the spit. All the same, if you are intrigued you could include that southern bit in a tour of Oregon's North Coast. In fact, it is easier to get to from Portland than from Seattle.

5alive

I should clarify what I mentioned about my friend and the northern Washington Coast: Besides the Twilight connections, there was not much else to recommend visiting the town of Forks, itself.

Fodorite018

spiro--It is definitely not the norm, but nothing is 100% either. Which hotels were they in Seaside and Astoria? It would be good to know for when others ask.

HTTY--We haven't had that issue at all about checkin times. We have stayed at the Surfsand numerous times over the years, as well as several other hotels in CB and haven't had any issues with that. We are headed back in a couple weeks, so will be curious to see if we come across that at all.

spirobulldog

I don't remember which places I even stayed at now. I just know that I experienced it at several places when attempting to make a 1 nights reservation. I'm sure it is more so in Cannon Beach area, but I think other places require a multi night on weekends too.

http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...st/hotels.html

Above is an article on Fodors. It confirms what I found.

http://www.tripadvisor.ie/ShowTopic-...st_Oregon.html

Above is the same comments on TA.

DaveS

Thank you all for the great advice. We prefer two night minimum stays regardless. Booked flight into PDX arriving late Friday then return the following Sunday afternoon. Gives us 8 nights to enjoy not counting Friday when we will stay by the airport somewhere. We booked 2 nights at Crater Lake Lodge (Wednesday/Thursday)and decided on 2 nights in Yachats. Final two nights either Mount Hood or Portland.

Leaves us two more nights for the coast, trying to decide North or South end. Before this started thought Cannon Beach was the place, but sounds kind of touristy. Will drive through though. Yachats looks like our speed, can you recommend an area with a similar vibe maybe a couple hours north or South? Could be southern Washington or Northern California.

tomfuller

Depending on how late your flight into PDX is, try to make it to Hood River on I-84. There is no sense to staying at an airport hotel when you can wake up in a much more beautiful place.
Make the stop in Cannon Beach to see Haystack Rock leaving Cannon Beach head down to the Tillamook Cheese factory for some great cheese and ice cream.
You might want to stay in Newport and see the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
You might want to all the way to Crescent City CA to see the Redwood NP. From there head NE on US 199 to Grants Pass. You can avoid Medford on the way to Crater Lake by getting off I-5 near Gold Hill taking Rt. 234.
When leaving Crater Lake consider coming up the east side of the Cascades through Bend on US 97.