My DH and I are planning a trip to Oregon in October. I've read some great info on the boards on places to see. We only have 4 nights - we are getting in around noon and thought we would go see Gorge area first and perhaps stay at the Edgefield one night (unless someone has other suggestions?). Then we are going to drive to Cannon Beach and stay one night there (perhaps Inn at Cannon Beach or Ocean Lodge). We are going to spend the last 2 nights in Portland (and ditch the car since we won't need it in the city)

A few questions: Will we have any problem riding train back to airport on a Sunday morning?
Any other suggestions for places to stay in Gorge area?

Thanks! We are really looking forward to getting away! The more I read, the more I want to extend the trip for a few days - lol!

Kellye

The Edgfield is certainly unique. My wife and I love it and will even visit if we aren't staying there.

For other options in the Gorge - you could stay as far away as Hood River. We like that area and have stayed at the Columbia Gorge Hotel, Hood River Hotel, and a few others. We like the old hotel right on Main St, the Hood River Hotel (not to be confused with the Hood River Inn). Also on the other side of the River in Washington is a great hotel - the Skamania Lodge - Very Northwest and a bit more upscale!

You won't have any problems riding the Max to the airport at anytime - it is so easy and a great way to travel. Have fun!

You didn't ask, but I suggest choosing the Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach, and spring for oceanfront. If the weather forces you into the room, you'll much prefer an ocean view than any you'd have from Inn at Cannon Beach. Heck, you'd prefer the Ocean Lodge view, regardless of the weather. ;-)

No other questions?? Have you done THAT much research, or are you just planning to wing it? Whichever, .

Beachbum,

Thanks for the input- I have been researching - printed out suggestions for driving, restaurants, etc.. In fact, there's so much to see and do that we've decided to come out 1/2 day earlier than orginally planned (still only 4 nights though).

We will arrive around noon on a Wed to PDX, get car and drive out to the gorge area. Is 1/2 day enough time? I was thinking we could drive up and back and then stay at Edgefield that night. The next day (Thurs) we could either see more of the Gorge area (if we need to) or take a leisurely drive over to Cannon Beach and explore around there. Friday we can explore coast area - we could either drive down to Tillamook and then loop back on Road 6 (is this an ok road?) to Portland. OR we could go up to Astoria and loop back to Portland - which would you recommend?
Thanks!
Kellye

Most of what you'll want to see in the Gorge is within the first 15-20 miles, so I think 1/2 day will be fine (you're planning the Old Columbia River Highway, right?). If you're wanting to hike, though, best plan that for the next day. FYI, sunset is around 6:30pm that time of year.

Hwy 6 is fine, and IMO a more scenic route back to Portland than hwy 30 from Astoria. But the direction you take from Cannon Beach is really a matter of preference. Going south, you'd have a couple nice beach stops, Oswald West State Park, and Three Capes Scenic Loop outside of Tillamook. North would get you the historical sites of Astoria, and the mouth of the Columbia. That's not to mention a stop for ice cream at Tillamook Cheese Factory, or a stop in Seaside for a corn dog. ;-) But you might be just so blown away by Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park that you forget about hwys 6 or 30 in favor of spending as much time as you can there.

I won't ask where you're planning to stay and dine in Portland. Those types of questions often erupt into a free-for-all on this forum. ;-)

LOL, oh, go ahead beachbum, ask. Research is always being done on food forums just to give good recommendations..lol.

I agree with Cannon Beach and south..Cannon Beach is just so pretty!

Thanks for the reply! We are going to stay Friday and Sat night in Portland - may try Priceline for a 4* downtown - or if we aren't feeling lucky then we'll just book some place. I have a long list of restaurant suggestions - we won't decide until we get closer. Is there anything you recommend for the first night - eat at Edgefield or is there somewhere else we should go to?
Thanks again!

I wouldn't put anything at Edgefield high on my list of Portland's finer dining establishments, but they've got several restaurant options there, and McMenamin's food is consistently good. Without knowing what you like, I'd guess you'd have to drive 10-15 miles to find something you'd think was much better.

That does beg the question, though... Would you rather settle for one of the Edgefield restaurants, or choose one from your "recommended" list? It's not that long of a drive downtown!

We'll probably figure out dinner when we get there... I'll keep my list of suggested restaurants handy.

I made a reservation for Ocean Lodge - thanks for the recommendation!

Kellye

Revisiting this thread...we leave in 2 days... My dh loves Sushi - any good recommendations while we are in Portland?

Thanks,
Kellye

Shin Ju on NW Johnson in the Pearl. Wonderful Japanese restaurant, beautiful room.
SushiLand on NW 10th and Davis..conveyor belt sushi , fun and good and fresh.

There is a Japanese restaurant in Seaside, just a few miles from Cannon Beach, called Tora. I am not a big sushi eater, so I did not have sushi there, but what I had (seaweed salad, fried softshell crab, and udon) was quite good.

I am learning about Japanese food from my Japanese SIL. In Portland, I ate with her at Todai, which she thought was good. It is not a fine dining atmosphere, it is more of a fun buffet, but you can sample a lot of things for one price. It is in Pioneer Place shopping center downtown. My SIL really likes Subaro in Sellwood, but with limited time that may be too far out for you.

I'm sorry, that should be Saburo.