Okay, booked a promising looking place in Newberg on AirB&B, walking distance to town.

My first try at AirB&B, wish me luck.

The Vintages are really popular! I hate RV's, but these are pretty cool.

Walking distance to the old downtown area of Newberg is good, but I wouldn't want to stay anywhere that is walking distance to the other area of town as it is pretty dismal. Grocery stores, fast food, etc.

We have used Air B&B and had good luck

Now you tell me

South Garfield Street???

Upthread you said something about Carlton; did you check lodging options there? http://visitcarlton.com/ Not all of those listed are in the small downtown area, so check locations on google maps before you book. We have friends who've stayed at the Winery Lofts and highly recommend them.

Melnq8--Well, it is better than the north end of town, lol! It isn't an area I would choose though, FWIW. Faceinthecrowds suggestion is really good. Have you looked at those?

I did look at Carlton, places were either booked or much more than I wanted to spend. I think we'll be fine with the AirB&B location, reviews say it's very quiet and convenient. It's not like we're buying the place. We'll make it work (unless something wonderful comes up between now and then). What area comprises old downtown?


Before I book accommodation in Bend, Hood River, the coast and Walla Walla, anyone want to share what parts of town I should avoid?

Can't talk about the "bad" side of those places, but as FaceintheCloud and I both previously mentioned, Camp Sherman (Metolious River Resort--don't be put off by the name. It's individual log cabins in a beautiful pine setting) and Manzanita on the coast are both lovely quiet spots, which you seem to be seeking, but are close to good hiking, great dining and wonderful scenery. If you don't stay in Camp Sherman, suggest you may at least want to try The Kokanee Café located there. First time in the area, we stayed in Camp Sherman, but second time had to stay near Mt Bachelor for business, but still drove out to Kokanee for dinner.

Thank you Clousie, I will look into those.

Basically for Newberg if you look at a map and see where highway 99 splits and the southbound and northbound directions are one way streets , that is the shops and restaurants are. They are nestled along both of those main streets. Otherwise the town is basically a really bad strip mall and pretty run down in some areas. Now the areas out of town are beautiful but just won't be walking distance to anything. Did you look at any lofts/Airbnb in McMinnville? That would be the best IMO as there are a number of them in downtown(the areas near 3rd st.

I love Cannon Beach and it has way more tonight than Manzanita but Manzanita is much quieter so it depends on what you are wanting. CB is a short drive from M. In M you would definitely want a rental place vs a motel. The one oceanfront motel is a place we have stayed once and never again. I like the beach St CB much better as the scenery is better but also more to do FWIW. M is fine but just very limited in everything.

For Bend I would opt for a place around the Old Mill District or like faceinthecrowd suggested Sunriverbor Black Butte. We have been going to Sunriver for many years and love it. Tons of rentals of all
Sorts (lodge, condos, homes) and a nice village mall area. The north end of the resort is quieter. Bike paths all throughout so you don't have to drive if you don't want to.

Sorry for all the typos. On the phone

In Hood River I have stayed at the Best Western- it's on the river but you do have to drive to the central downtown area. We had a nich lunch at the Three Rivers Grill. Nice views of River from the deck- enjoyed our meal.

I also love Camp Sherman, Sun River Resort or Black Butte. I think they will all be pretty quiet this time of year.
Sunriver Resort is the closest to Bend. Much to do in that area!

Let also throw in Seventh Mountain Resort near Mt bachelor. Very close to Bend and my favorite hiking trail in the area. http://seventhmountain.com

Sure you must be totally confused by now, but all the suggestions should surely let you know this is a wonderful place to explore which also requires many trips to fully, or even superficially, discover.

Thanks again.

Confused is an understatement. Already thinking about trip #2.

For your trip #2- I just got back from 3 days in central Oregon. We stayed at East Lake which is not far from Bend. East Lake and Paulina Lake are in the bottom of Newberry caldera. Both have rustic cabins and access to some great hiking. We hiked up an obsidian flow and also part of the crater rim. Fabulous hiking in the area.
The resorts at both of the lakes closing soon for winter but possible to do day hiking trips from Bend.

Getting colder in the mountains too, we had frost on the car one night.

@Melnq8, just remember it's your trip so if you can't hit all the spots, you will still come away with an amazing experience.

Oregon / Willamette Wine Country:
My favorite location in the Willamette Valley wine country are just north of Newberg and Dundee in the Chehalem Mountains (actually, not really mountains, better described as rolling hills). For the most part, it is filled with smaller wineries with only a few rooms and/or bed and breakfasts (quite the opposite of places like the Black Walnut or especially the Allison which are more 4-5 star resorts similar to what you'd find in the Napa areas.) And many of them are award winners. (It's also beautiful in the spring/summer when the many lavender fields are in bloom.)

Definitely look at the information at https://www.chehalemmountains.org/

I'm sorry, I can't recommend specific places .... I stay with relatives nearby when I'm down there, and am one of those who don't really know my wines.

Bend:
If one is looking for a nice weekend getaway thaying in Sun River or Black Butte or near Sisters would be where I'd head to. ... BUT ... if you want to get a feel for bend I'd either stay right downtown or in the Old Mill area ... but definitely nor in the standard motels on the east side of town near highway 97.

Thank you elbegewa - I've found plenty of wineries in the Chehalem Mountains, but no accommodation, other than the few places I found earlier that are very expensive or fully booked.

I'm moving on from Willamette Valley to the coast - so begins my search for accommodation in Manzanita or Cannon Beach.

Elbegewa--that is the area we live in

Melnq8--we have stayed at a handful of places in Cannon Beach. The Surfsand has been our go to place for over 20 years. Fantastic hotel, great location etc. truly nothing bad to say about it. Other places include Schooners Cove, Blue Gull Inn and Canon Beach Hotel. Check those out and if you have questions just ask. We are over there often. Do NOT stay at the oceanfront motel in Manzanita though.

If you like B&B's, we stayed at Zen Garden on our last visit to the area. It's on the very southern end of Manzanita across from a state park so very quiet and close to the beach. We stayed in the suite which is very comfortable. http://zengardenbedandbreakfast.com/index.html

Sure you'll want to visit Cannon Beach, which is only a short drive. We've only been to CB in the summer and on their sand castle weekend in the spring. It's probably much more quiet in the off season, but still liked the community feel of Manzanita better.