Meant to add, we've stayed at the Best Western in Hood River and can recommend it highly. It's NOT too far for a day trip to Mt. St. Helens IMO.

Also have stayed at the Skamania Lodge a couple of times. Meh.

Wow, some spectacular shots there!

Skamania and Best Western seem like good options.
As we have to depart so early on the 10th we want to be within reasonable distance to the airport.

Has anyone stayed at Bonneville or any of these? http://www.allmounthoodlodging.com/lodging/luxury.php

With all these wonderful tips this may be an annual trip for us, so glad we fly direct at least!

I have stayed at the Resort at the Mountain- it was nice, didnt see much of the property but rooms were pleasant and clean

Skamania is sold out
Loved it and not too far from airport.
The search goes on

The lavender farm on hood river looks like a nice place to stop by also.

We enjoyed the historic Hood River Hotel in Hood River, have you taken a look at that?

http://www.hoodriverhotel.com/

We were looking for luxury with incredible views and under an hour to airport. Unfortunately almost all are sold out aside from The Resort at the Mountain and Columbia Cliff Villas.....guess we should book one fast!

Luxury would be the Columbia Gorge Hotel- beautiful grounds right on the river- have never stayed there- only wish I could

http://columbiagorgehotel.com

Columbia Gorge was sold out one of the nights but I am calling daily Columbia Cliff Villas is next door and an option.
Based on the suggestions it appears everyone recommends a river location vs. Mt Hood for what we want to do.

The itinerary so far:
Canon Beach 2 nights
Ecola State Park (hike)
Tillamook for Cheese
Astoria route possibly over to the river (assuming waterfalls and scenic)
Gorge - Hike Multnomah Falls - other stops?
Visit Lavender farm
Somehow see Mt St Helens if possible...
Need a bit more planning/sites

Last night at Airport hotel or close location since early AM departure

We are booked at Columbia Cliff Villas and excited to plan a few more hikes/sites.

Thanks for all your help!

yay- glad you have a place to stay. I think there are many falls along the gorge to keep you busy but if you have time on your hands check out Eagle Creek hike- a couple of water falls along that route too.

Is Eagle Creek along the Gorge? Do you happen to know how long that fruit loop takes assuming just a couple quick stops? Trying to decide if it can be done the same day as Timberline/Vista house. Thanks!

Eagle Creek is along the Gorge- here is a link

http://web.oregon.com/hiking/eaglecreek.cfm

but sounds like you are trying to do a lot in one day. you will probably want to spend some time at Timberline- not really sure how long it takes to do the fruit loop

Thanks so much! Yes we are known to do a lot.
Not sure we need to do the whole loop, just lavender farm.
Eagle Creek looks great, thanks!
Wish the trip were sooner.

And today we depart for Cannon Beach!
Thanks to all of your wonderful input we have much to see and do, just hope enough time!

Any recommended hikes in Ecola State Park?

Thanks! Will report from Oregon!

Next low tide will be at midnight tonight. http://cannonbeachchamber.com/
If you have your flashlights or headlamps, you can walk out to Haystack. The moon is waning but still quite bright.

Thanks but we arrived after midnight and awoke to much fog.
We are back now, and have to say that Ecola State Park/that enchanted forest was our favorite spot of all. Too bad the points we hiked too had no view, due to fog. I wish I knew what the lighthouse view or other from Tillamook trail looked like but maybe another time. The enchanted forest was well worth it despite that.
Cannon Beach was fogged over the 2 days we had there, so not one great photo of haystack rock.

Loved the sea lions at Astoria, didn't love the branding on their backs

The scenic drive was splendid, many great waterfall hikes, horsetail being our favorite since you can actually go under/behind a portion.

Mt Hood was a hot 90 degree day, too hard to hike up far but Trillium Lake a lovely view.

No St Helens this trip, but hoping in our future.
Oregon is one gorgeous state and we have perfect weather the entire time!

Thank you all for your incredible suggestions!

Thanks for filing a trip report. Shame about the fog but glad you got to see the Gorge and the view from Mt. Hood. Just love Trillium Lake.

Trillium lake was a great find!
Wish I knew what was further up the coast past Oswald State Park but that trail there to the beach where all the surfers go was a delight in itself!
Anything further down?

We will definitely return.....now to plan a winter trip.
Hoping to have some wildlife sightings where ever we go.

Thanks!