We are arriving in Seattle late May and looping through the Olympic National Forest (Kalaloch Lodge) for a drive down the coast ending turning east in Newport. Flying back out of Portland.
We will be hugging the Washington coast and then pick up 101 into Oregon. Other than the natural beauty from the highway, what are some stops/diversions we might consider along the way? We have a two night stays in both Cannon Beach and Lincoln City. Our focus is on scenery and relaxation.
Definitely going back in the coming years to see the central and southern coastline.

Lincoln City would not be on my list. Consider continuing to Florence, then coming back to I-5 on 126 to Eugene. The Newport to Florence stretch is one of the most beautiful and fun on the coast. I would stay in CB, then Yachats. Just my opinion.

There is an Air Museum and the Chees Factory tour in Tillamook and historical sites related to Lewis & Clark around Astoria. Inland you've got the heart of the Oregon wine county around McMinnville and Newberg.

A few places to try - moving north to south

Astoria: old waterfront, the Astoria column, a few great brewpubs

Cannon Beach: Ecola St Park, stroll the town

Oswald West St Park and Shortsands Beach - beautiful

Three Capes drive: Cape Meares Lighthouse, Cape Foulweather - gorgeous

Pacific City and Cape Kiwanda - Pelican Pub is great, a little on the expensive side IMO

Cascade Head hike - my fav.

Loop back through wine country, visit a few on the way to Portland.

ditto LittleA

I would add Columbia River Gorge Drive just east of Portland

There's a small outlet mall in Seaside. Other than that, we weren't very impressed with the town--spend more time in Cannon Beach instead.

Astoria also has a Coast Guard Museum that is excellent.

We enjoyed Fort Clatsop, if you care anything about Lewis and Clark history.

I too would leave Lincoln City off my list - stay in Newport or Yachats instead.

Get an AAA Oregon Coast Tour Map (free for AAA members). Great map for breaking out the various coast stops and attractions.

AAA doesn't have that map any more. A friend happened to have one I could use.

> Our focus is on scenery

Then don't miss:

Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint
(yes, that's their official names)
www.oregonstateparks.org/park_213.php
http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recr...uina/index.php
www.oregonstateparks.org/park_124.php

Definately stop at the Columbia Mueseum, tons of great exhibits on salmon fishing an a real CG lighthouse ship to tour in Astoria.
http://web.oregon.com/trips/cr_maritime_museum.cfm

Don't forget to look at the 4 mile (yep that's right) Astoria bridge that goes over the mouth of the Columbia river..

The Oregon Park system on the coast is fabulous. Fort Stevens had many hikes and some great info on Lewis & Clark as this is L&C land.. great shipwreck on the beach.
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/sear...on=north_coast

christabir: AAA doesn't have that map any more. A friend happened to have one I could use.

Wow, are you sure? Could it be that the AAA person you asked simply could not locate it? I have let my AAA membership lapse but I last checked last fall and the map they still had matched the current one I had already. It's a great map - would be a surprise if they really had stopped selling it.

I know someone who refers to Astoria as "Nastoria".

Oswald West State Park south of Cannon Beach is very pretty, I would also check out Fort Stevens State Park. Coffenbury Lake is there and the Wreck of the Peter Iredale. We have homes in Seaside and Astoria, we love both of those areas. The Columbia River is very scenic,, check out the Maritime Museum there. ***kim***