What do plan on doing at the Gorge and at Mt. Hood. That will determine if that day is to ambitious. Otherwise, I think it sounds nice, whether or note you stay one night on the coast.

BTW, we have considered going back to Portland, and we would spend a portion of one day roaming the aisles at Powells-again. We didn't eat at any of the food carts on our trip, and would have liked to have done that. Stumptown Roasters, Voodoo Doughnuts, Mothers, and Toro Bravo were some of our favorite dining spots.

Hi again! Wow! Lots of activity on this thread -- thanks to all for providing feedback and recommendations! I'm still working with my husband on the itinerary. After relaying the information on this thread, my husband is very concerned about treacherous road conditions along the Columbia Gorge-Mt. Hood Scenic Loop in February and is thinking about scrapping that portion of the trip and saving it for a future excursion. I'm fighting to keep the Loop in the trip and potentially dropping the trip to the coast. I've read that the roads are well-plowed in Winter, however, can any of you provide any additional insights on winter driving along the Loop?

Thanks and Happy 2011!

Portland, OR is by far one of my favorite cities. While my trips have been in the Summer months There is still plenty to do in the city. I wouldn't miss Jake's downtown, Powells (it's worth the visit!), Mother's Bistro & Bar, and shopping in the Pearl District. I love this city and the people are amazing as well. I live outside Chicago, and everytime we come to Portland I'm amazed at how clean, friendly, and beatiful this city is. Don't miss out on the coast, and while Cannon Beach is beautiful the rest of the coast has many small towns that are just as quaint and beautiful. You can make a trip to a few of the restored lighthouses on the coast, and spend some time just strolling through the quaint little towns all the way up to Astoria, OR or stop out at the cheese factory in Tillamook.

Karen, I think your best bet is to play it be ear with the weather. Try to be flexible. Have a "bad weather plan" and a "clear weather plan." Yes, some of the roads can be treacherous but if there wasn't a recent storm the well-traveled roads are definitely plowed.

The last days in Portland have been cold and clear. I'd say right now that I wouldn't worry about driving into the Gorge during the day, at least. (Although it's absolutely freezing out there - probably closer to 0 F with the windchill, since it's in the high 20s to low 30s in Portland without windchill.) I'd actually hope for weather like this at this time of year rather than warmer and occasionally rainy - as long as you bundle up!

Portland is a good base for day trips to the coast (don't miss Tillamook), wine country and Mt. Hood. I would also add Mt. St. Helen's to the list.
If you decide to drive around Mt. Hood, bring chains and don't assume that good weather at the base means it'll be an easy drive. I tried doing it once in February when it was about 50 and sunny. In a span of about 20 minutes after we left Hood River, the town at the base of the mountain, it went from sunny to light snow, to heavy snow to a complete white out. I wound up turning around at that point.

karenwliu,

You really can't get a firm sense in advance as to whether the weather will render parts of your trip impossible.

There truly are so many areas for your interest, even in February, that you should have a number of alternatives listed and then play it by ear upon arrival.

I'm in Seaside right now and the sun is shining, it's chilly but beautiful! Definitley schedule some time for the coast, it's so pretty any time of year! We were in Portland yesterday, had a lovely meal at the bar at Le Pigeon where I would highly recommend you try. We enoyed sipping wine out on the terrace at Willamette Valley Vineyards with cheese and crackers before our dinner at Le Pigeon. Off for a picnic at the Seaside Cove! ***kim***

"Off for a picnic at the Seaside Cove!"

52° and 100% humidity; sounds divine! Enjoy....