Okay...looks like we'll be driving again to our fave spring annual spot, the San Juan islands!

Airline fares coupled w/car rentals are just exorbinant, thus far. (for what we once could get...and most esp. car rentals!)

As a result, I'd like to make this drive a little more 'fresh', as we've been doing it for a *number* of years now (at one time due to health reasons). I do adore it, but wondering if we could come up with some new ideas.

We usually drive Hwy 5 south from Washington, and try to do 101 and parts of 1 northward (as time allows) in Oregon. We don't have tons of days for this trip, so even tho' we'd like to head off the beaten path (in other words not take 5 BOTH ways)...we don't have much more than 2-3 nights to dedicate to taking the slower road, I'm afraid.

Generally, we try to get to Garberville from the south Bay area, and stay at the Benbow. But we always arrive *very* late, tired after working usually that day, and too late to even try their restaurant.

Any suggestions for a place along that route (that would eventually
place us in Gold Beach or Heceta Head area of Oregon) for our 2nd night's stay?

Somewhere along 101 but north of the main Bay area?

Somewhere unique like the Benbow (vs. chain motel/hotel) if feasible? I just don't know much about that region, I'm afraid, despite passing through it often. :-\

I think a distance of about 2.5-3 hrs would be preferable to the 4 hrs plus that Garberville presents.

After that, we could shoot for TuTuTun again in Gold Beach, altho' it's really very expensive these days. :-{ Guess one could suggest just flying for the money...
and that might be valid, except we DO enjoy this drive, this time of year due to wildflowers & rhodies amidst the redwoods & forests in So. Oregon.

If somehow we'd GET to Garberville, maybe this time, we could stop somewhere north of Gold Beach,
although I think Heceta Head area would be tough to reach! Hmmm...
anyone know of a romantic spot in Bandon, perhaps? Other ideas?
After central Oregon coast, we'll need to wend our way back to 5 to hurry on northward to the islands.
Thanks!

Healdsburg has lots of lovely
B&B's
www.camelliainn.com or the Grape Leaf Inn come to mind
or
you could turn off of 101 head up 128 into Mendocino for some spectacular coast.
The Albion River Inn or Little River Inn are both fab.
The Sonoma Coast between Jenner and
Mendocino is truly spectacular.
That should give you lots of fresh ideas to consider.


R5

There is a place at Pt Orford (close to Bandon) which is very nice- Havent stayed there but did spend an afternoon there checking out the site for a wedding - there are individual cabins - they do not have an ocean view but there are fabulous views from the hottub and the community room

It might not be for everyone but I thought it was a very beautiful spot

http://www.wildspring.com/contact.htm

Best Western in Harbor has oceanfront rooms.
http://www.roadfood.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26287

I've stayed at WildSpring, it's very nice, *especially* the view hot tub!

Wow! Thanks for the WildSpring recommendation. I wasn't familiar with it.

Could you share a bit more?
Feel free to email you if you prefer to do it that [email protected]

Otherwise...any fave cabin?
Worth a one-night 'rushed' stay or not really? Does one need a lot more time, to make it worth it?

Dining nearby?
And lastly, ever hiked Humbug Mtn area, or other spot close-by? Would you allow 1 hr north from Gold Beach, or not quite?

Hmmmm...a tough choice.
NWWanderer...since you & I both enjoy TuTuTun, but I was just looking for something new to try...esp. if we can't get there in time for dinner, on our one & only night there...as they do it fairly early....
how would *you* rate it vs. WildSpring? Still a strong preference for TuTuTun?
Thanks in advance...

here is a link to some hikes and dining in the Pt Orford area
(Sunset Mag)
http://www.sunset.com/sunset/travel/...720029,00.html

I think you would appreciate WildSprings more if you could relax and spend the day there - Its built on a hill overlooking the ocean but the cabins are nestled in the trees

There is a very nice community room where continental breakfast is served and sometimes I think they have an exercise class there - big deck overlooking the ocean. You can bring your own food and cook in the community room also.

Beautiful grounds for walking around and great nooks for just sitting and reading. Its not far into Pt Orford where there are some decent restaurants or a little farther up the road to Bandon.

They will even arrange a massage for you in your cabin -
Dont know how it compares to the Tu Tu Tun - but it felt like a very restful beutiful place to me

Oh, I'd definitely still choose Tu Tu Tun if forced to choose between the two--the hot tub at WildSpring is great but it's really hard to beat my memory of sitting in the tub on the deck of my room at Tu Tu Tun, listening to the river flow by.

I stayed at WildSpring last March on my way down the coast to SF so I arrived fairly late in the afternoon and left the next morning. I still found it to be worthwhile and relaxing. My recollection is that it took me under an hour to get from there to Gold Beach the next morning.

I was the only one staying there so I got to peek into the other cabins--they all look pretty similar in lay out--just variations in decor.

There's a very casual restaurant in Port Orford, the name of which escapes me, but the owners at WildSpring could tell you--I thought it was ok--I wasn't wild about it though. I'm pretty sure it was the Surf Shack mentioned in the Sunset article. I don't think there's much else in town though--Port Orford is pretty sleepy.

In that vein, I just tried to get a reservation at TuTuTun in late August, and they are totally booked. They referred me to a resort about 2 mi.downstream from them, called the Rogue River Lodge. Said it was recently redone very nicely... but I couldn't get much of a sense of 'how it is' from looking on their website. Anybody know anything about it or seen it firsthand?

I drove by it last spring and it looks nice from the outside but I haven't been inside. However some friends stayed there last summer when they couldn't get into Tu Tu Tun for more than one night and they said it was fine--it's more of a B&B though, it sounds like.

Have you looked at TA to see if there are any reviews?

Thanks, NW Wanderer. When I type it into Trip Advisor, up comes a "Morrison's Rogue River Lodge" in Grant's Pass... with BAD reviews...kinda confusing! But from what you, others and the current travel guidebooks and mags are saying, I think we will stay at WildSpring as recommended after all.

Yes, Morrison's is a different place altogether as you've realized.

You should see if Tu Tu Tun can at least accommodate you for dinner--it's a bit of a drive from WildSpring obviously but it would be a chance to at least see the place.

Thanks for the further thoughts...may just do nice ol' TuTuTun again if we can swing it. Will see.
Just not sure.

NWWanderer...have you ever stayed there in a non-balcony tub room? We splurged last year for that...
and then it was 5 yrs prior we stayed, and got lucky and got upgraded to a fireplace room, at least.
Just curious how their simpler rooms hold up.
Overall, however, it is pretty special...I'll give you that! (just wish our Anniversary time wasn't RIGHT when they increase prices) ;-)

No, I've always gone for the tub ;-). But I did stop in last year and looked at a range of rooms including the less expensive ones, and they are all nice, it's just a question of whether you have a fireplace and/or tub or not.

Thanks, NWWanderer!
Appreciate it.

We're still trying to decide whether to just fly this time, if not enough time to savor it all.

Upside is...I suppose more 'downtime' relaxation on San Juan and Orcas.

Downside? We miss our annual trek through this region (via drivig)
when it's at its most beautiful...
Springtime!