Off the beaten path, Portland to Seattle
 

We have 10 days to spend in this area (active mid-30s couple). Are familiar with the cities but what else is around here that we shld see? Thinking 3 days in Portland, 4 driving around (coast/wineries/b&bs??) and 3 days in Seattle. Any off beat or cool or beautiful must sees would be most helpful. Thank you!

The Columbia River Gorge out to Hood River is amazing - with the Bridge of the Gods, the Historic Gorge Hwy, and the town of Hood River being great stops.

We really like to visit Newberg and Carlton for the wine country also.

On the way up to Seattle there is always Mt. St. Helens...including the Lewis River Falls

When?

Montyw has the perfect ideas! We lived in the Seattle area and now are down in Portland...and these are still places we love to visit.

When are you coming? It makes a difference if its before or after mid October. After mid October, I'd think twice about the mountains, as they will likely be overcast and snowy. But if you're coming when they are clear, I think you'd feel cheated if you didn't get to Rainier or Hurricane Ridge.

You have a lot of choices! Run a search on this, or find a post by gardylou and search for posts he has contributed to. You'll find a lot of great ideas.

You're coming up with a very urban vacation, with 6 days between Portland and Seattle. I'd suggest you plan to spend more time seeing the natural beauty of the northwest and less time in the cities. (especially if you are coming during the dry season)

I think the 4 days for the Oregon coast and wineries in Oregon are great. I'd also suggest you approach Seattle by way of the Olympic Peninsula or Mt. Rainier. The Olympic Peninsula trip would include visiting the Hoh Rain Forest and Hurricane Ridge (for spectacular mountains and a view all the way across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria).

The I-5 route could include the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Rainier (for 2 days on Rainier).

I look forward to hearing more about what you are looking for and the time of your trip.

Take a drive over to the coast and visit Cannon Beach, Seaside and Astoria areas. All three places are within 30 minutes of each other.

Each place has it's own unique things to offer, depending on your interests. We recenlty visited Fort Clatsop and were very impressed with the shuttle service and presentation.

CB has quaint shops and Haystack Rock is fun to walk to at low tide. Ecola State Park and Indian Beach are worth a look at here.

Seaside has the prom, aquarium, gorgeous beaches and surfy-type shops. Have dinner at Kalypso if you visit Seaside!

The Gorge area is also beautiful, we have enjoyed the Columbia Gorge Hotel when we visit this area. Have fun! ***kim***

The mountains anytime of year are great! If you come when it is rainy or snowy you would get a feel for how they are quite a bit of the time...and thats not a bad thing:)

kim--we love the Columbia Gorge Hotel too...especially those breakfasts!

eroz--these are all great suggestions. If you want more information on the Oregon wine country, maps & B&Bs, check www.oregonwine.org.

And while not between Portland and Seattle, but a bit north of Seattle in Anacortes, you can take the ferry to the San Juan Islands which are just beautiful. You can do a search for lodging and the ferry schedules.

I've not taken the ferry to Victoria BC but it comes highly recommended. I think you can take it from Seattle or from Port Angeles which is near the Olympic National Park.

Great suggestion for the San Juans, TennisChick! We were supposed to do this trip this summer, but school starts two weeks early this year and my daughter has to be back for mandatory water polo practices two weeks before school starts.

We had dreams of catching the ferry and going to Orcas Island where my husband's aunt and husband have a B&B there called the Kangaroo House! They were recently voted the "Most Friendliest Innkeepers" by some publication and she has received awards for her great breakfasts!!

The Columbia Gorge Hotel is another place we want to stay in again. There was some poster her on this board who had a bad experience here, but we sure loved it.

And that breakfast was one of my most memorable ever. The syrup thing is really cool and the meal is a true feast fit for royalty!!

Eroz, let us know what you decide and have a wonderful time in the PNW! ***kim***

thanks for the great tips> We will be there Spt 9-19! Shld be great weather, I am so excited!!

eroz...you should have a great time! Let us know what you end up doing & seeing.

kim...we'll check out the Kangaroo House during our next trip to the San Juans. That's one of our favorite trips.

With 4 days between the cities, I'd recommend getting a taste of both coastal and inland areas.

Spend one or two nights on the coast - Portland to Newport via the Yamhill Co. wine areas, then back to Portland via Cannon Beach.

Then spend two days traveling to Seattle via the inland route. Follow the "Historic" Columbia Gorge hwy east from Troutdale, visiting Multnomah Falls, etc., then cross the river at Hood River (watch the windsurfers) and proceed to the jct. of US 97 on the Washington side of the river. Stop at Maryhill Museum near Goldendale for an unexpected blast of high culture (Rodin et al) out in the sagebrush overlooking the river and Mt. Hood.

Then continue north on US 97 to the Yakima area, overnighting in one of the many B&Bs in this prime wine-producing area of the northwest.

The next day, follow US 12 over the Cascades to Mt. Rainier, visit the Sunrise and/or Paradise visitor centers (best on a weekday), then continue into Seattle.

This little itinerary will expose you to the Oregon coast, the beautiful orchard country of the Gorge, and parts of southcentral and eastern Washington that get missed by too many vistors. Pity, because it's some of the most scenic country in the lower 48.

Tennischick: www.kangaroohouse.com is the web address! I can't wait to explore the San Juans, but it probably won't be until next summer now.

Eroz, Sauvie Island is also a fun place to explore, right outside of Portland. They have gorgoues fields of flowers, that you can pick yourself and fresh produce. There's also many beaches around there. We like to pick the blueberries, it's like a little Garden of Eden over there! LOL ***kim***

Thanks, Kim. I've added it to my file for our next trip to the SJI which sadly probably won't be until 2005 as well.

Have you ever been to the jazz festival in Friday Harbor? We haven't but I'm very curious....

Great trip ideas, Gardyloo!

Fabulous ideas! I'll have to move there to get it all done! : )

Tennischick, I haven't been to the jazz festival there, but I'm going to one in a few weeks in my hometown!

When we were in Oysterville, WA one summer we went to a really cool jazz and oyster festival there. ***kim***

There is a really good jazz festival this weekend in Gresham. The Mt. Hood Jazz Festival. Lots of fun! Too bad we will be mountain climbing and will miss it though:(

Mountain climbing vs. a jazz festival! I'd take the jazz thing any day! My kids all grew up playing trumpet, clarinet, etc. and we're huge Kenny G fans.

We're off to our lake condo this weekend to escape this horrid CA heat wave we're having. I can't wait! Swimming, kayaking, dining at our favorite mountain lodge and lots of hot-tubbing!! Is it the weekend yet? LOL ***kim***

We usually go the the jazz festival with family, but they are keeping our kids so we can go climb. I think we have a pretty good deal there! lol! Nothing better than being on top of a mountain:)