Hi Fodorites
DH and I will be in Oregon for just a few days in mid May and I would like your input. We land at PDX on Tues at 8PM, rent a car. Sleep somewhere. We are staying at Bandon Dunes (the reason for the trip) Wed and Thurs, golf early Thurs and Fri. We fly out of PDX on Sun really early. So we have the afternoons on golf days to see the southern coast. Anything we just should not miss? I am only playing (actually just going along to see the course) on Thurs, so I'll have one morning on my own.

We leave Bandon Fri afternoon. We are considering the Columbia Gorge for Saturday. Is something else better/different or more off the beaten path? We are into wildlife and scenery and such and Mom says the Gorge is beautiful.

Any help is much appreciated. Wish we were there longer but couldn't work it out this time. Thanks!!

Wacky. Are you sure you don't want to fly into Medford?
Bandon is considered Southern Oregon, and is great, but you are doing a lot of driving and no sightseeing.
You will be near the Redwoods. Do Big Trees interest you?

bbqboy-
I'd rather drive an extra 1.5 hours than have a layover (and an extra 5 hours in airplanes and airports!?!) Not wacky. Now Redwoods is another 3 hours south - would love to go but that's a bit far for an afternoon. More driving without sightseeing. Isn't there anything in Oregon that you would suggest?

The whole coastline around Bandon is beautiful - just driving along 101 and stopping wherever, walking on the beach should fill an afternoon.
And the Gorge is a whole day adventure- there are many waterfalls with hiking/walking trails - definately worth a day trip - and you could include a drive up to Timberline Lodge - town of Hood River is interesting- could stop for lunch there -

Thanks sunbum. So I guess my original plan is fine. I know May is the end of "whale season" but maybe I'll spend the golf morning looking at the water. We'll check on the State Parks in the Bandon area and then leisurely drive the coast on our way back to Portland. I'll look into Hood River!

Dont know how you are planning to drive back but the coast hwy between Coos Bay and Florence is not especially pretty because there is not much ocean to see- just trees along both sides of the road.
Florence to Lincoln City is one of the best parts of the drive with many areas to stop and take pics/ walk and hike etc. You could spend a day just between Florence and Lincoln City - so save some time for that area if you can

I would definitely go to the Gorge. It isn't that far from PDX. We went for the first time in February so didn't make it up to Timberline Lodge. Another option if you don't have time to drive to Mt. Hood is to visit the Dam (fish ladder), Locks and Fish Hatchery which is right by the Gorge. It was more interesting than I had anticipated.