OREGON COOS BAY MAY 2009 NEED HELP!
 

Hi, everyone! My husband and I are planning a trip to Coos Bay in May 2008 (although the date is not set in stone). Our motivation for choosing the coastline is to see whales, but we also REALLY want to go Crater Lake since my son and his wife bought such beautiful pictures back from their trip a couple of years ago. From what I can determine from online research, it's about a 4 hour trip from Coos Bay to Crater Lake, which would mean we probably would have to spend the night near there instead of going back to the house we'll be renting in Coos Bay. I was wondering, are there parks closer to Coos Bay that have equally gorgeous scenery so that we can spend the whole time at one rental? We will only have 4-5 full days. Thanks! Oh, and any info about the weather in May-- I've read it can be rainy on the coast and the surer bet for dry weather is Julyor August, but are there whales migrating that time of year? I think we'd choose whales over better weather, but we would like to be able to hike, too, and preferably not in the rain! Any comments welcome!

Hmmmm.... I might have more questions for you than answers, chellyroo.

First, why Coos Bay? It's an old (and not very attractive) port town situated on a bay - not actually on the coast.

Second, if the primary purpose of the trip is to see whales, May is not the month to come. Best times of year are late in December or March, but don't expect good weather during either of those periods. There are some whales that stay here year around, but they're usually sighted off the central coast, near Depoe Bay and/or Newport.

There's really nothing to compare to Crater Lake. Photos can't really do it justice. But, you don't have to spend a lot of time there to enjoy it, so it could be done as a day trip, albeit a long one. Coming from Coos Bay, I'd suggest taking OR 138 up to the lake, then taking the rim road around the eastern side to Rim Village, stopping at various view points along the way. Have a drink on the deck of Crater Lake Lodge, then continue around the west side of the lake back to the park's north entrance/exit. The rim road is about 30 miles.

Regardless of when you come, there are no weather guarantees in western Oregon, especially on the coast. As you've read, best bet months are mid-July through mid-September. In May, expect highs around 60, and plan for rain.

and remember- there will likely still be snow at Crater Lake in May -

Aahhhh....... good point, sunbum!!

Beachbum- questions are good!! Ok, the reason for choosing Coos Bay is totally based on the vcacation rental I found--this houses looks FANTASTIC (gourmet kitchen, swinging rope bed, right on a river with salmon fishing) for only $150 night. I actually was looking at Depoe Bay first. COuld you tell me how far that is from COos Bay? And the route you suggested to visit Crater Lake--do you know about how long (one way) it would be in travel time? We picked May because I read on some whale spotting website that the best times were spring and winter, and I figured May might still be considered spring.
We might have to rethink the priority on whale seeing; my husband has mild SAD (seasonal affected disorder) and if it's gray and rainy for more than a couple of days he gets kind of low. Of course, it sounds like that may be a liklihood no matter when we go! So if we decided to make Crater Lake the focus, the best time for weather is July-Sept.; any suggestions on where to stay (in the price range of $150/night)? Are there towns nearby that I could check www.vrbo.com for?

Sunbum--thanks for the heads up! I never would have thought of snow in May!

I think most years the rim around Crater Lake does not open until the first part of Jul

However, there are fun things to do in the snow - like snowshoeing and there are ranger led snowshoe trips that are very interesting.

I am going in Mar for a snow shoe trip - we stay in the town of Prospect at the Prospect Hotel
there are motel type rooms (nothing special) and nicer rooms in the hotel itself. They serve great food - will pack you lunches etc
http://www.prospecthotel.com/history.html


I believe I would much rather stay in Depoe Bay or Yachats than Coos Bay

My husband would like the snow thing for about 1 hour and then he'd be ready for a hot tub! :) SOunds fun to me. But, yeah, I think we'll have to look at a warmer time to go. here is a link to that rental I was writing about http://www.vrbo.com/151088 . I looked at Depoe Bay and then towns nearer to Crater Lake but I haven't found anything that looks nearly as lovely as this. It SEEMS to offer a nice place to hike right there, and fish, which is attractive to me and my husband. It just depends on how long it would take to get to Crater Lake from there, I guess.

Ooops! I didn't intend to steer you away from the coast, chellyroo. It's <i><b>the</b></i> best reason to visit Oregon. Just didn't want you to have unrealistic expectations about Coos Bay, whale watching, or the weather. If you can travel in July or August, your husband should be fine. But I'd recommend finding a place with an ocean view; that makes the weather much less important. And I agree with sunbum's suggestion, especially Yachats. Try and find a place just north of the town.

Yachats to Crater Lake would be a longer drive, though: 4.5 - 5 hours one way. Coos Bay would be 4 - 4.5. But remember, in July, it doesn't get dark here until after 9:00pm.

I like Coos Bay.....ok rephrase..
Coos Bay IMO has some of the best scenery on the coast. Take a drive and spend the day on Cape Arago Hwy and do some hiking. Cape Arago is my favorite place on the coast.
I agree Coos Bay is not the nicest (touristy) part of the coast but I get tired of the shell and whale shops in Newport and Florence.(Day trips to both are possible from Coos Bay) They are fun for a day to me and then its about the scenery.
Take a drive out to Golden and Silver Falls. They are very impressive that time of year. A short drive away is Bandon for all the plastic shells and whales if you must. They also have some nice beaches over there!
As for Crater Lake....I would take 42 to I-5 and cut across to hwy 62 at Gold Hill. I believe this would be the fastest way. I dont like the scenery as much as 138 (though it isnt bad) but it would be faster. Shady Cove is a cute town on the Rogue River that would be a decent place to land if you wanted to stay in the valley for a night.
If I sound bias I might be...I lived there for 10+ years and now reside in the Rogue Valley in Grants Pass. Coos Bay may not be cute but its central, beautiful, and alot more real than cheesy boardwalks. Just my two cents..

Coos Bay is loaded with great beauty! There are 3 State Parks nearby that would take up a day, at least. Ignore the person who said that Coos Bay is &quot;old&quot; and &quot;not very attractive&quot;. If you want a place like Ashland or Sisters, then true, Coos Bay does not gear itself toward those who are pretentious cutesy and wealthy. That very fact is what makes Coos Bay earthy, relaxed and friendly. There is a bay view from just about every place there. People moving there are there because of the unspoiled and unpretentious beauty.
Whale watching is especially fine from Cape Arago. Watching the sea lions is also a treat just about anywhere along those State Parks

Enjoy yourself, pack a wind/rain jacket and immerse yourself in a fast vanishing wild coast.

Hello!

I've lived in Oregon all my life, as has the last 3-4 generations of my family! So, I know Oregon very intimately and think I might have a couple good suggestions for you!

1. I agree with several other people whom have replied here to your questions. Coos Bay and region is beautiful in its own right. I agree with them that Cape Arago, Sunset Beach State, and Bastendorf County Parks out at Cape Arago, are my most favorite places to go on the Oregon Coast.
I also agree that, I wouldn't trade the peace and quiet in the Coos Bay/North Bend area; for the din and big city kind of chain franchise lodging and restuarant tourist trap crap, that clutters Florence, Newport, Depoe Bay, Lincoln City and Seaside, Oregon, as well as most any of the other costal town tourist traps on Hiway 101 North of Coos Bay, (with the noted exception of Winchester Bay and Reedsport, which are still very small, quiet working-people towns).
IF you want to get out of the Coos Bay town area; might I suggest you head out through Empire, to a motel at the small fishing harbor of Charleston, Oregon? That's just 2-5 miles from Cape Arago and the other aforementioned state and county parks on the beach, ocean! Charelston, Oregon is &quot;the real McCoy&quot; when it comes to a working Pacific Coast fishing burg! It's to small to be what I call a real town...but it makes up for its small size with &quot;totally cool!&quot;

2. If I were you and wanted to check-out Crater Lake on this trip, I would book a nights stay at Diamond Lake lodge Resort, and get a couple lake-side cabins there, eat at the lodge and the whole nine yards. Diamond Lake is maybe 10-15 miles from Crater Lake, itself.
So, I would leave Coos Bay early one morning, like about 6 AM thru no later than 8AM. Travel South on Hiway 101 until you see the signs for Hiway 42/Coquille and Roseburg, Oregon.
Take the 1.5 hour drive over Hiway 42 through Winston, Oregon, follow the signs to Roseburg. Either get off I-5 at the Roseburg exit that says Hiway 138 Diamond Lake Hiway, or get off I-5 at the South Roseburg/Hiway 99 exit. Stay on 99 through Roseburg, until you see the signs for Diamond Lake Hiway 138 East.
From there its about 2-3 hours drive to Crater Lake N.P. Near the Cascade Summit, you will see the signs to Diamond Lake Lodge and resort area. Stay on Hiway 138 and
take the road into Crater Lake N.P. Follow the signs to Crater Lake Lodge. You will need a rest from your trip, and the lodge restaurant has GREAT food and the best vistas of Crater Lake!
Eat some lunch, take the Crater Lake Rim Drive, if its open, and really see Crater Lake from all angles.
When you've had enough, come back to the lodge and follow the signs back to Diamond Lake &amp; Lodge. You'll retrace the route you took from Hiway 138 up to Crater Lake.
Once back out on Hiway 138, follow the signs to Diamond Lake Lodge. Check into your cabins or rooms at the lodge. Make sure to check out Diamond Lake and the snow-capped mountain peak vistas from the lake all around you. Might even try your luck fishing in the lake if you have time and enough energy left!
Eat dinner at Diamond Lake Lodge, there is usually live music of evenings in the lodge or plenty of entertaining things to do, if the lake and scenery isn't enough to hold your interest.
Next day, up real early again. Gas up at the lodge. Then, come back down Hiway 138 to Roseburg, then take I-5 north to Sutherlin, Oregon. Exit the freeway there and follow the signs to Ocean Beaches, Hiway 138 to Reedsport, Oregon.
This takes a couple hours to drive. At Reedsport, tsake US 101 South back to Coos Bay. 2-5 miles from downtown Reedsport, on Hiway 101, you'll come to Winchester Bay/Salmon Harbor. This is another MUST SEE place. Check out the working fishing docks and then follow the little road to Salmon Harbor lighthouse and State Park. Then drive up the little road to Hiway 101 at the toip of the hill overlooking the lighthouse and park, continue on SOUTH to Coos Bay.
At Tenmile Lakes or Hauser, Oregon, if you find a Dune Buggy ride shop open, stop in and hire them to take you on Oregon's Famed Sand Dunes, for a good dune buggy ride and scenery, you'll NEVER forget!
Once back in Coos Bay, you're back to vacation Home Base and can do whatever you want with the rest of your time!

I based this trip on shortest, easiest travel routes &amp; travel times, between Coos Bay and Crater Lake Lodge/N.P.
Staying at Diamond Lake Lodge for the night, since its so close-by Crater Lake, only makes good sense!
Up early the next morning and you could easily be back in Coos Bay, having just followed the Umpqua River system from very near its headwaters, all the way to where the river meets the Pacific Ocean at Winchester Bay; and you can easily be back in Coos Bay by Mid afternoon this way!

I hope maybe this will help you out in your travel planning some!

I certainly hope you enjoy your vacation in Oregon!
Thank you!