I have been reading a lot of posts about trips to the Pacific Northwest and still have a few questions as I find most of these posts are geared towards those who have a lot of time to travel.

I will have 8 full days (arrive early morning on a Saturday, redeye home to NY the following Saturday).

Originally I thought I would just focus on Oregon and spend 2 days in Portland, 1 day at the Gorge and Mt. Rainier and 3 days at Cannon Beach. This leaves 1 night, 2 full days. What are some suggestions for this time?

I was hoping to be be able to go to Portland, the Oregon Coast and Seattle, but then I read about the Gorge and want to go there, so I didn't think it was doable to include Seattle.

I will be travelling from NYC with my boyfriend and we are looking for a really relaxing vacation. This trip will be in August, dates TBD. We went to London in February and spent the whole time sight seeing and now would like to have a nice relaxing vacation without feeling bored at all.

Please help with a well-rounded trip out west!

Honestly, I think you could spend a week in the Cannon Beach area and not get "bored". But, since you asked....

You can't do the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Rainier in one day. So, if you plan to include Seattle, I'd suggest the Gorge in one day, then stopping by St. Helens on the drive to Seattle. But, that would leave you with how much time in Seattle? Certainly not enough to do it justice.

So, I like your original plan; focus on the Seattle area (which could include Mt. Rainier, San Juan Islands, Victoria), or Oregon, as you've outlined. If you try and do both, I doubt you'd get that relaxing vacation you're seeking.

So which would you suggest, Oregon or Washington?!

Are the San Juan Islands and Cannon Beach comparable?

If we decided on Oregon - would we take day trips from Cannon Beach or would it be enough to just stay in that town? We want relaxing yet we both get bored just laying on the beach for more than 2 days.

Are there boat tours to take from there? What other activities around that area?

OK, this is my idea..

Arrive in Oregon, stay in a hotel in town.
90 min from downtown is CAnnon Beach..make it day trips or stay along the coast for a couple of nights, at least..they have minimums so 2 is probably what you will have to stay if you stay overnight on the Coast.
In Cannon Beach, you could stay at the SurfSand

surfsand.com

Right on the beach..great hotel..great views..

Cannon Beach is good..drive south and enjoy scenery, incredible views and go back on a different highway, taking you past some wineries.

About 10 mi south on 101 is Arch Cape which is very beautiful and atmospheric..the Inn at Arch Cape has fireplaces and is romantic and charming..with gardens of lavender and decks and you can just walk down to the beach.
innatarchcape.com

The Gorge is about 30-45 min from town, take the long way on the Historic Highway, stopping at all the look-outs, stop at all the falls, get out and walk and climb and take photos and have a picnic.

I really don't think lying on a beach every day and getting bored is a worry- one day in August at the beach can be warm and sunny and the next day you will be wearing sweats and hoodies.

I think you meant to say Mt Hood rather than Mt Rainier when you were talking about your original plan.

I think you could easily add a night in Portland and find things to do. Also, Portland has a great restaurant scene so you'll be eating very well.

I think you posted again while I was writing my post.

Cannon Beach isn't really a lay on the beach type place. It's more of a walk on the beach type place, with tons of great hikes/walks just a short drive away (e.g. Cape Lookout on the Three Capes drive south of CB), plus a great day trip to Astoria and the Long Beach peninsula if you have any interest in Lewis & Clark history.

No, I would not say the Oregon Coast and the San Juans are comparable.

I'm obviously biased since I live here, but Oregon would be my preference. San Juans and Cannon Beach are not at all the same, but both are interesting in their own ways.

Yep, as Scarlett says, you're not likely to get 2 lay-on-the-beach type days in a row, so no worries there! And there's lots of beautiful scenery (and hiking if you like) to keep you occupied when you're not on the beach: Ecola State Park, Hug Point, Oswald West State Park, Three Capes Scenic Loop, including area beaches and parks. Those are all either in/near Cannon Beach, or south (but within 45 miles or so). North would be Fort Stevens St. Park, Astoria, and Cape Disappointment State Park, just over the bridge and border in WA.

As to lodging suggestions, the SurfSand recommended by Scarlett has been a favorite of my family for years. Its sister hotel, Stephanie Inn, is more couples oriented, and maybe the nicest place on the coast. If both of those are budget breakers, consider Cannon Beach Hotel, a nice little boutique place sharing a building with my favorite restaurant in town, Gower St. Bistro. Whatever you decide, don't wait long to make reservations. Now would be a good time!

Thank you all so much!

I know I just said I would only focus on Oregon, but I keep feeling that I'll have time to do both Portland, the Coast, and Seattle in 8 days. Will I really not? It just seems that if I'm not going to have those "lay on the beach" days, then I can do a little more than I orginally thought.

What if this was my itinerary?

Arrive Saturday early AM. Spend Saturday and Sunday in Portland. Monday AM, drive to the Gorge, spend the day there and drive to Cannon Beach that night (or stay in Portland if it's too much to drive during the night). Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, stay in Cannon Beach and explore the coastline. Friday AM, drive to Seattle and spend Friday and Saturday there and leave on a redeye Saturday night.

During the drive to Seattle from Cannon Beach, could I visit one of the mountains (Rainier, Hood, St. Helens)?

Is the Gorge something I cannot miss? If I skip it then I feel I will definitely be able to see Seattle.

...if I'm not going to have those "lay on the beach" days, then I can do a little more than I orginally thought.

Yeah, but what about the "relaxing" part? ;-)

Regarding the new itinerary.... The Gorge and coast the two most frequently recommended sightseeing destinations to visitors of Portland, if not the entire state. So, I wouldn't suggest skipping either. And you could see Mt. Hood on the same day you visit the Gorge. You'll have daylight until around 9:00pm, so you could still make it to Cannon Beach, which would be about 3 hours (+/- depending on traffic) from Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood.

As for St. Helens and Rainier, they're both worth the better part of a day at least, so a visit to either would restrict your time in Seattle. And you'll already have so little time in Seattle anyway (still don't understand why you're set on working that in). I'm still thinking you should use any extra time you might have to either spend 1-2 nights on Oregon's central coast (Yachats, for example: http://www.overleaflodge.com/), or spend a day in Oregon's wine country. Seven plus hours of driving just for a day in Seattle doesn't make much sense to me.

What if this was my itinerary?

Arrive Saturday early AM. Spend Saturday and Sunday in Portland.
Monday AM, drive to the Gorge, spend the day there then go back to Portland spend the night there and leave for Cannon Beach the next morning Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, stay in Cannon Beach and explore the coastline. Great..drive South to really appreciate the coastline and little towns and breathtaking views. Friday AM, drive to Seattle and spend Friday and Saturday there and leave on a redeye Saturday night.

Mt St Helens is a day in itself During the drive to Seattle from Cannon Beach, could I visit one of the mountains (Rainier, Hood, St. Helens)?

Is the Gorge something I cannot miss?


No no, please don't skip the Gorge! lol
It is so much more than just a Gorge..it is the winding road past farms and amazing views along the way, stopping at the Womans Forum and taking a zillion photos and Vista House and more photos.
I took this great photo of my son at the Womans Forum and when we looked at it later, discovered that in the distance, behind him, was a hawk/eagle floating along in the air..fabulous !
Then driving along and suddenly, there by the side of this little narrow road is a huge waterfall!
And you can get out and go walk beside it, climb, picnic etc...don't miss the Gorge..

I agree with Beachbum--it seems like far too much driving to basically have 24 hours in Seattle.

If you find it relaxing to drive then it is a relaxing trip... we love to drive.

Portland has great music, so if that interests you check it out on the web before you go. Also, northwest portland is funky and charming. The warehouse area is great. Selwood is great.

Seattle has a whole different feel and is also wonderful. The wharf... pike street market... the space needle area... the waterfront.

"warehouse area" ? The Pearl District? Yes, it is great and I agree about the NW part of town too

Scarlett

Could not think of the area name but guess I got it close enough

The drive from Seattle to Portland on I-5 is about as scenic as the Garden State Parkway although a bit faster if you're driving a BMW. I'd concentrate on the Oregon segment of your plan. Stick with Beachbum's advice.

Okay, I didn't think that second itinerary stood much chance on this board! Back to Oregon...

Saturday/Sunday: Explore Portland
Monday: Day trip to the Gorge and Mt. Hood
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: Cannon Beach and the Coast
Friday: Wine Country
Saturday: Portland

Better? Anything else I should include or something I should take out?

Looks good to me!
But then, I miss Portland

I read the suggested itinerary for Portland on the website, and am not that interested in going into museums or being indoors all that much. Do you think 1 day will be enough to see Portland or do I need 2 full days?

I have also read that the wineries are not all that great in Oregon. Since I have the time we will definitely be stopping at them. Is it worth it to stay in the area one night? Do they offer Hot Air Balloom rides over the valley area?

With the exception of Powell's (which is a must IMO), little of what I enjoy about Portland is indoors. It's much more about walking around the city and seeing the various neighborhoods and gardens, for me anyway. And eating in the restaurants ;-).

I'd stick with 2 full days.

As far as the wineries, if you like pinots, you'll be in heaven. If not, you won't.

This looks a lot better, but I can tell that your idea of "relaxing" isn't quite the same as mine, cjacob. ;-) But actually, I agree, if you're not interested in museums and such, a day in Portland might be enough.

And yes, there are hot air balloon rides in wine country, but maybe not at that time of year. Farmers don't much like them landing in their fields when there's risk of damaging crops. Still, you might find a place like Black Walnut Inn or Youngberg Hill worth an overnight: http://www.blackwalnut-inn.com/ http://www.youngberghill.com/. It might help planning-wise to know wineries are open 11:00am - 5:00pm. You could fit a couple winery stops in on Saturday on the way back into Portland even.

And, if you do cut back in Portland or wine country, I'd again suggest adding it to the coast, maybe two nights in Cannon Beach, and two in Yachats.