eschule

My wife and I just reserved airfare for a week-long trip in mid- July to Oregon (never been). We arrive PDX Saturday at noon leave following Saturday at 3PM. We will be travelling with our son who will be 13 months old. Now what do we do with all of our time?

My general thought was to spend two nights in Portland (probably the last two). 3 nights in Cannon Beach and 2 nights somewhere else on the Coast.

We generally move around on trips but figured we should slow it up a bit because we have our son with us (he is an excellent traveller). I was thinking something like this. Let me know what you think.

Day 1- arrive PDX around noon. Drive to Cannon Beach. stay there (probably Surfsand).

Days 2,3- Visit Cannon Beach, and Seaside/Astoria (stay in CB).

Day 4- Go somewhere else??? (Is Newport to far? The Aquarium and sea lions sounded like something our son might enjoy at that age)

Day 5- ??? stay in same place.

Day 6- Drive to Portland. See Portland and stay there.

Day 7- Day Trip to Columbia Gorge. Stay Portland.

Day 8 - See more of Portland, maybe Saturday market before flight home.

Thoughts? I am always open to further suggestions or highlights of things I am missing or should look into further

thanks in advance.

Fodorite018

Surfsand is a perfect place. We go there with our kids and have always been pleased. They even have complimentary beach toys to use. Get an oceanfront room, and you see right out to Haystack Rock. Check out the tidepools around Haystack. Mo's is a good, cheap family place to eat. A notch up is the Wayfarer, which is part of the Surfsand. Both of these have views of Haystack as well. Bruce's Candy store is always a hit with the kids, and it is on the main drag.

The Gorge is a beautiful place for a day trip. Take I-84 out and get off at either exit 17 or 22 and take the scenic highway. Stop at Vista House and wander around, as well as the Portland Women's Forum (seems like an odd recommendation I know, but great views and picnic areas). Continue on the scenic highway and stop at various falls until you hit Multnomah Falls. Do this trip on a weekday, trust me! At Multnomah Falls you can walk to the very top, but do not let your son run ahead. Hold his hand or take him in a backpack.

In Portland, there is the Zoo and Children's Museum, which share the same parking lot. Go to Pittock Mansion for some great views, and your son can run around on the lawn there and burn off some energy.

OMSI has a few things for very young kids, but with his age I would skip it unless you are looking for something to do. He is borderline too young.

The Saturday Market is fun, but gets crowded so definitely keep a hold of your son.

Have a great trip out here!

Scarlett

mms gave great advice regarding the baby and the waterfalls..I want someone to hold MY hand when I go there LOL
The Childrens zoo is great for the hands-on sort of things for kids..babies They can bang away on things and make all the noise they want..
I also agree with Mo's for eating , skip Gower St Bistro, they are going through a transition right now with chefs..although some might tell you to go to some Pub that they bring their own glasses to LOL, I would stick with Mo's or Wayfarer.
Eating out in Portland, with baby-
Henrys Tavern
Pizza Schmizza
Pizzacato
On Saturday, in the South Park Blocks, is a Farmers Mkt..everyone brings their dogs and children, you can shop, browse and get something there to eat and have it there, it is fun and nice to see the people who grow the produce or make the cheese, there selling it to shoppers and chefs from the local restaurants.
It will take you about 90 min to get from Portland to Cannon Beach.
You can get to the zoo by the Tri Met train, easier than driving, the stop is right at the Zoo.
Hope this helps

beachbum

Cannon Beach to Newport shouldn't be too bad, and I agree, for the reasons you mention, probably a good 2nd coastal destination. It's just over a 100 mile drive, and a bunch of that is inland, so you won't be too distracted by the scenery. Break up the drive with a stop for ice cream at Tillamook Cheese, and whatever else catches your eye. Three Capes Loop would be a good detour for you and your wife, but just more time in the car for your son.

There's enough around Newport to keep you interested for a couple days. But a good reason to go further south is the spectacular scenery between there and Florence, and if you think your son is up for it, a dune buggy ride, just south of Florence.

Looks like you've done some good research, and have already gotten good advice here. Once you've finalized an itinerary, we can probably fill in some more of the blanks.

eschule

Thanks to all who have responded. This has been extremely helpful.

I am now thinking something like this.

Day 1- arrive PDX around noon. Get car and drive to Newport (this seems to be the longest stretch and would probably be best to get it out of the way). Is there anywhere worthwhile to stop along the way? Arrive Newport and just hang around town (any hotel recos?).

Day 2- Go down to Florence and see the Dunes and sea Lion Caves. I have contacted three companies already regarding the feasibility of an infant taking a buggy ride and if it is recommended. I hadn't even considered it until someone mentioned it above. Drive back to Newport and stay the night.

Day 3- Go to Aquarium. Drive up Coast towards Cannon Beach stopping in Tillamook along the way. Night in Cannon Beach at Surfsand.

Day 4, 5- Cannon Beach/Seaside/Astoria staying in Cannon Beach.

Day 6- Wake up and drive to Portland. Stay in Portland (using Hilton points at Downtown hilton).

Day 7- Day trip to Gorge/Falls. stay in Portland.

Day 8- depart home in afternoon.

kimamom

Hi! It sounds like a great trip! Where are you staying in Cannon Beach? We have a beach cottage in Seaside and love the northern coast!

In Astoria, check out the Astor Column, the Maritime Museum (we have contributed our decoys for the "Art of the Decoy" exhibit that runs through the end of the year) and the Flavel House. There are also many great places to dine in Astoria and wine taste. Cheers and have a great trip! ***kim***

kimamom

One more thought, there is also the Air Museum in Tillamook and the Blue Heron Cheese Factory where you can wine taste and sample some excellent Brie cheese. ***kim***

beachbum

I like the changes...

You could take a couple routes to Newport. 99W/18/101 would take you through some of the best of Oregon's wine country. Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose is in McMinnville, if you're at all interested. And the drive through Van Duzer Corridor is pretty scenic.

Probably the quickest route is I-5/34/20, which puts you on the coast right in Newport. It's somewhere around 2.5 hours, and there's not much to see along the way. Use the saved time to walk along the Newport waterfront. Your son will get a kick out of all the sea lions that hang around there. IMO, that's more enjoyable than sea lion caves.

I don't know of any good family hotel options in Newport, but I assume there are some. I can recommend Overleaf Lodge, 20+ miles south in Yachats, which, given your itinerary change, might be something to consider.

beachbum

I hesitantly 2nd the Astor Column in Astoria, if for no other reason but that they allow you to sail balsa wood airplanes from the top. They'll even sell them to you. Funnest thing I've done in Astoria. But lots of narrow, steep stairs, and I wouldn't suggest it for your son unless you're carrying him in a pack.

bbqboy

I highly second Yachats. It's a charming tiny town where you can stroller it without having to get in the Car. We used to go every summer when our kids were small. You can head north 20 miles to Newport, or south 25 miles to Florence, yet you are right next to the Ocean, which isn't true in some of the bigger towns along the coast.
http://www.yachats.org

Scarlett

***kimamom*** You ask where eschule is staying..

eschule said....
Day 1- arrive PDX around noon. Drive to Cannon Beach. stay there (probably Surfsand).

pollyvw

If I ever get to this part of the country, I'm going to Crater Lake, one of the National Parks with an historic lodge and one of the "1000 Places to See Before You Die."

bdawk

If you want to see the coast, drive north to south. This way you will be able to see more of the coast as you drive. We left PDX for Long Beach WA. Stayed 2 nights in Long Beach, then on to Lincoln beach with stops in Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach and for Tillamook cheese & ice cream. I loved our west coast trip but we made our trip during December so the waves were awesome.

kimamom

Yes, Long Beach, WA is very nice. We enjoy riding our bikes around the cool trails there with views of the ocean.

A few minutes away in Seaview is the Shoalwater at the Shelburne Inn and the 42 Street Cafe for really great meals in the area. ***kim***

beachbum

Getting this back on track, bdawk, I'm not sure I follow... The only difference between north to south and south to north is the center-line of 101.