Oregon Coast are these stops worth it?
 

First off, thanks to the very helpful advice in my other post.

I thought I'd start a new one specifically for the coast, with basically the same premise. I'm trying to pare down our itinerary and the following sights/areas may be cut out or shortened (if we stop at all). I'd appreciate your thoughts.

-Astoria. Thinking about passing completely.

-Oregon Dunes Park. We're not into the buggy riding, (possibly hikes though, if it's recommended), but am thinking about just skipping altogether other than a few quick photos.

-Tillamook. Anything there other than cheese?

-Southern coast. Will go as far as Port Orford, but worth going down to Brookings.

Thanks again for the help.

Astoria doesn't do anything for me.

Tillamook, same thing. Except the air museum there is good.

But, you can pass through Tillamook and do the very scenic Three Capes loop. I think it is a highlight of the coast. If you go southbound, it will be easier to pull off at scenic areas. At the end, at Cape Kiwanda, go up to the top of the dune. On the back side there are fantastic views! There are tidepools at the base of the dune, and a nice beach to wander. Pelican Pub and Brewery is right there too and is good, and if you have nice weather there is outdoor seating. It is literally right on the sand.

mms, thank you for the help.

We are planning to do the 3-Capes-Loop. That one definitely made the cut! :)

Have you any thoughts on the Oregon Dunes Park outside of Florence?

I have not spent time there in recent years, so I better leave that to beachbum and others. My brother enjoys it, but they love doing the buggys and such.

I happen to dig Astoria. It's not a beach town - it's an old port town, at the mouth of the Columbia River. There's a Maritime Museum there (I've never been). I honestly can't tell you what else there is to see there (except the Astoria Column, which you can climb and get a 360 view of the whole area from above), just that it's a neat little town I enjoy re-visiting. There a neat (long) bridge at Astoria between Oregon and Washington.

We did a similiar trip last summer & I thought Astoria was one of the best part of the coast ciites on our trip last summer... great museum that has great nice big exhibits..talks about the salmon fisherie industry, the Coast Guard, is even a Coast Guard Light house ship to board..really nice book store..and if you have never seen the mouth of the Columbia river you are in for a BIG surprise....
The bridge from Astoria OR over the Columbia river to Washington State is one of the longest bridges in the world..4 miles long.
At the Washington side of the bridge, turn left and a short way down the road you will come upon Wash State park an old Fort..you can stay in the old Qtrs here (a whole house to yourself)..we had deer when we opened the kitchen door in am. You do need to reserve in advance on Wash State parks website, bring your own groceries (Safeway in Astoria by museum) or go out and some houses have steep stairs to bedroom and tub only bath...Longbeach Wash you can see Oceanspray cranberry bogs, and drive on one of the longest sand beaches...

I think the best part of the southern coast for scenery is between Port Orford and Brookings--it's not that much farther so I'd continue on down if you can. Where are you crossing over from Bend (is that where you'll be before)? You could take 199 through Grants Pass down into CA for a quick peek at the redwoods, then up 101 to Brookings and beyond (or vice versa if you're going the other way).

Thanks all.

I am trying to work the trip so we can come through the very southern end of Oregon, but due to time constraints, going from Bend to CL (just a quick visit) then all the way into northern CA and back up may be a bit much. So we will probably cross over through Reedsport.

Seems like we have some Astoria fans as well. Thanks for your feedback.

Also an Astoria fan, but then I'm a history fan and there's some interesting history there. In addition to the Maritime Museum, Fort Clatsop, and Fort Columbia (the one 1JAR was mentioning), there's also the Flavel House, the 1880s home of a Columbia river bar pilot.

Unless you're into the history, I'd pass on Astoria in favor of viewing the mouth of the Columbia River from the Interpretive Center in Cape Disappointment St. Park, outside of Ilwaco, WA. Spectacular views from the North Head Lighthouse there, too.

Yep, mms is right; pass on Tillamook too. You can buy the cheese and ice cream anywhere in Oregon.

I've never hiked in the dunes, but can't imagine that it would be much fun. If you're not into a dune buggy ride, you'd probably best stay in the car until around Winchester for those photos. Some nice dunes just north of Coos Bay & North Bend, too.

I also agree with NWWanderer; great scenery between Port Orford and Brookings. But, if you don't have the time, the beachscapes driving into Port Orford from the north should be enough to blow you away. Simply jaw-dropping...

There is an "Oregon Dunes Overlook" off of 101 - somewhere between Florence and Winchester Bay - so at least you can stop and take some pics.
Or you can do a drive through south of Florence at the sign that says
"South Jetty" - lots of large dunes in that area too - won't have to get out of your car