[I've seen some great posts already but would appreciate confirmation or other ideas about plans for a road trip in Oregon]

My husband and I will be in Portland for a business trip in June; we will have about 1 day to see some highlights in town plus a few nights out to dinner. Suggestions for best seafood restaurants would be great (we are from land-locked Colorado).

We will then have between Sunday afternoon and Thursday afternoon to enjoy some of the beautiful spots in Oregon. The original plan was 2 nights in wine country followed by 2 nights in Cannon Beach. After seeing more on Columbia Gorge, I'm thinking we should head there instead and then to the beach. What would be the best route to travel from one area to the other?

Our priorities are great views, water, R&R, and a break from business for a few days. We are wine lovers but it sounds like wine country doesn't need a lot of time and that the sights in the Gorge are not to be missed-correct?

We are booked at The Ocean Lodge at Cannon Beach--how does it compare to The Stephanie Inn? Looking for hotel/inn on Columbia Gorge and/or wine country depending on what destination would be best. Luxury and king size beds are required; this is an anniversary trip as well.

Thanks in advance for your help with this adventure.

Tough call!! The beaches in Oregon are pretty great, but I haven't been to the Gorge. You could do a quick drive/stop by a couple wineries along old highway 99, that wouldn't need to be a major part of the trip.

Hi and welcome to the Forums! The Ocean Lodge is right next door to the Stephanie Inn. It's a beautiful oceanfront property. I would consider a meal at Stephanie Inn.

The Columbia Gorge Hotel is our favorite place to stay in the Gorge area. It is a historic hotel with a full famr-country breakfast, beautiful grounds and very friendly staff. Have a great trip! ***kim***

Seafood:
Jakes Famous Crawfish on SW 12th
Southpark on Park
Truth is, most of the good restaurants here ( and there are sooo many!) have excellent seafood.

Wine Country here is nothing like California, it is really just a day trip.
The Gorge is just wonderful! Amazing sights, those waterfalls!! Again this can be done in a day.

You should find a hotel you like in town ( our favorite is the 5th Avenue Suites) and rent a car when you are ready to take the day trips.. The wine trail is 99W and very very easy to get to from downtown. The Gorge is only about half an hour from downtown and equally easy to get to.

This leaves you with plenty of time to be in town and experience the fun & good restaurants in Portland.

We live in the Pearl, have not stayed over in Cannon Beach although we have been there a few times. It is 90 minutes from downtown.
Friends always say good things about the Stephanie Inn but they also like the SurfSand.
Since this is your anniversary - the Stephanie Inn would be better

Since ***kimamom*** is a visitor to Oregon once in a while, she might have some insight on where to eat in Cannon Beach.

Hope this helps~

If an anniversary trip, no question; book Stephanie Inn if you can. Ocean Lodge is nice too, but Stephanie Inn is a cut above, and with its no-kids-under-12 policy, appeals especially to couples.

From the Gorge to the beach, it's easiest and quickest to just go back through Portland, and get on hwy 26 west, which takes you directly to Cannon Beach. If you wanted to make a sightseeing day out of it, you could take hwy 30 from Portland to Astoria, and south from there.

I agree that wine country is a nice day trip from Portland, but if you do opt for an overnight, either Youngberg Hill B&B or Black Walnut Inn would fit the bill.

A second reco for The Black Walnut Inn!

http://www.blackwalnut-inn.com/

As Scarlett has mentioned, you can do the Columbia River Gorge in one day. You may want to start early as the stops, like Multinomah Falls, can take some time, especially if you want to hike a bit to get a better view/different view. You could get back to Portland for dinner!

Oregon wine country is also a day trip, then you could either stop off there for the ight or continue on to the coast.

I really like the Oregon coast, especially the mid-to lower parts. Astoria and where the Columbia River empties out into the ocean is kinda flat and bit as interesting to me as the southern coastal areas. One of my favorite memories is staying at the See-Vue Lodge at Yachats, Oregon. Nothing fancy, but how great to wake up to the entire Pacific Ocean before you!

Hi easy!! good to see you

Hi, Scarlett! Good to see you too! (Just got back from New Mexico - wow! what a beautiful state!)

Hi easy, artlover was just mentioning on another thread she was wondering how you were and I commented I thought you had just returned from a trip. Hope you are having a beautiful spring!!

Hi, loveitaly!

Good to see you too too!

It rained so much in California, I just had to go and follow the sun! Been to New Mexico twice already this year!

How are you doing? If I get "upstate", let's get together again at that restaurant! Great Italian food!

I'll try to look for artlover and say hi to her too. Been away from this board more than I've been on it this year!

traelbuz: sorry to hijack your thread! Just wanted to say hi to my Fodors friends!

easytraveler

travelbuz,
i loved the crab cakes at Mos on Cannon Beach--great place for sunset.

hi easytraveller--nice to see you back

and hi loveitaly--glad to see you here a well

artlover, I like Mo's crab cakes too. Although the clam chowder on a blustery day is great too!

You can do the Gorge in a day. You Should consider spending an extra night or so in Portland and taking a day trip to Mt. St. Helens. For seafood: Jake's Crawfish.

Thanks everyone for your great advice and ideas. I've quickly become a fan of the forum and will contribute in the future. Response was delayed due to business travel-in and out of Orlando; no time for attractions.

Here's the way the plan worked out: due to conference hotel availability, flights, etc. we were not able to get any extra nights in Portland and will have to settle for the 1-1/2 days we have plus a few possible evenings.

On Sunday afternoon, we drive to the Gorge with a stay planned at Skamania Lodge. Monday, we're heading to a 3-day stay at Cannon Beach with day trips planned once we get there. The only king room available at Stephanie Inn was $500/night, and so, we'll keep to our reservation at Ocean Lodge. If we get back there, we'll allow more time for primo reservations.

We'll save the wine country trips for California and just enjoy some pinot noir with dinners, etc. If we do head there in the future, the Black Walnut Inn looks fab!

Thanks for the recommendation to Jakes-sounds like a favorite although there are too many choices to pick from in Portland-nice problem to have!

Thanks again!

Jake's Crawfish is very good. Make sure you try some of the crawfish they are famous for! Have fun! ***kim***

Great plan..hoping weather will be good for you too.
Jakes is my neighborhood seafood place..you will like it,( and not just crawfish) but then again, I cannot say much bad about any of the restaurants where I live
Have fun!

What!!!! Jake's Crawfish serves crawfish? WHO KNEW?

What next, ***kimmer***? Burger King sells burgers or KFC has chicken?

Memo to self.....set e-mail address spam filters to "stun".
:-"

Looks out Portland....Kal may be visiting sooooon.....

Kal is gonna visit?
There might be a PortlanOregon GTG out at the Astoria Museum..someones husband is giving a talk about Duck Decoys!

LOL KAL