Planning Oregon vacation, need advice.
 

I got great help planning a Washington Cascade Loop trip, and now I'm in love with the PNW and want to go back, leaving either Sept 6 or Sept 20. (It being scorchingly hot here in Austin may be nudging me). We mostly like scenic drives (loved the mtns and leaves turning) and are walkers not hikers. I'd like to go for 7 or 8 nights. I've been reviewing past posts and am thinking Columbia Gorge, Cannon Beach, Portland and Mt. St. Helens. My problem always seems to come with pacing. How does this itinerary look--

Fly in Portland on a weekday, drive to Gorge. Husband likes idea of Edgefield Lodge, is this a lunch stop on trip, or worth an overnight?
Night 1 and 2 - Gorge hotel (1 or 2 nights?)
Night 3 and 4 - Cannon beach? ( how long would it take to drive from Hood River to Cannon Beach?)
Night 5 - McMinville - (drive through Tillamook on way to McMinnville, husband wants to see Spruce Goose, I'll taste wine)
Night 6 - 8 - Portland with Mt. St. Helen's day trip?

The the coast worth 2 nights no matter what the season/weather? I've never been much of a beach person, but we only did the inland "stuff" while in WA last year.

That would be "Is the coast..."

Cannon Beach is defintely worth two nights! September is usually a great time- less crowded than august, but just as nice weather. And there's great places to walk (or shop, if you like) at CB.

Gorge is probably worth only one night.Since you're seeing Helens, you may want to stay in Portland at least one more night- lots to do.

Itinerary seems fine, otherwise- time between HR and the coast greatly depends on the Portland traffic. You can get stuck/lost in Portland for hours. CB is a bit more than an hour from Portland, (I think) if that helps. Either way, the trip should take less than a half day.

Multonomah falls is pretty, and a great place for walkers.

I like your itinerary--it's not too rushed.

Edgefield Inn is interestng, but IMO it is more of a lunch stop than an over night.

Two nights in Hood River won't be too many if you arrive late in the day. Do the "Fruit Loop" for great views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. Also drive on the Oregon side to the place where you cross to Maryhill. In Maryhill there is a good museum there and next door there is a winery.

Return to Hood River on WA Rt 2--the views are spectacular.

The drive from Hood River to Cannon Beach takes about three hours.

Ask for advice about how to get from McMinniville to Portland without sitting in a traffic jam (like we did a few weeks ago).

The town of McMinniville is pleaant. If you like Edgefield Inn, you will also like McMenamins Hotel Oregon. Take the elevator to the roof garden.

The Edgefield is definately worth an overnight but then I wouldnt stay overnight in Hood River too -
The Edgefield has a lot going on -
there is a winery, brew pub, movie theatre, and frequent live entertainment. Last time I stayed there they also had a barbecue going with sticks of fresh salmon being barbecued- yum. The artwork is enough to keep you occupied for a couple of hours and there is a great outdoor patio. Very fun place to stay

If you like hiking check into the Eagle Creek area- several nice waterfalls to hike to .

I agree, the Edgefield is definitely worthy of a stay for a night. Since you are more walkers than hikers, you can easily do the Gorge in a day. Depending on what time you fly in, you could just drive out to the Edgefield, relax there for the evening, and stay there, then in the morning continue on on the old scenic highway through the gorge. Stop at the Portland Women's Forum (yes, odd name but amazing views), Vista House, several falls along the way, and then finally Multnomah Falls. You can walk to the very top of the falls, it is just over 1 mile, and not difficult at all, or walk to the little bridge. That is where most people stop. We have had a nice Sunday Brunch there as well, but off the top of my head I don't know if they have it or breakfast every day. You could check their website.

Then continue on the scenic highway til it meets back up with I-84, and head towards Hood River. From there I would continue down HWY 35 along the back side of Mt. Hood til it catches up with HWY 26 (go west). You could stay at Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood that next night, if that interests you, or just head back to Portland via HWY 26.

Mt. St. Helens is a great day trip from here, and definitely stop at some of the visitors centers along the way. Especially Johnston Ridge, and see the short movie there.

Cannon Beach is a great town, we went for a few days just last week. There is Ecola State Park which is beautiful, and then Haystack Rock. Galleries and boutiques in town, very relaxed feel to it all. I would definitely stay 2 nights at the coast.

Hmmm. Lots to think about. Is it recommended to earmark time to drive to Mt. Hood (rather than just skirt around it on the hwy)? If so, it seems like that would be a long day, leaving from Hood River, going to Mt. Hood, then driving all the way to Cannon Beach. But that would probably be the longest driving day.

Was the traffic you encountered from Portland to McMinnville or McMinnville to Portland? Or does it back up both ways.

Any hotel recommendations appreciated - not sure on where to stay at the Gorge or CB. Looking at the well-liked 5th Ave Suites in Portland and maybe Hotel Oregon in McMinnville. I like comfy beds - is it just me, or do the beds look un-comfy on the McMenamins website? Maybe I just have PTSD from sleeping on antique beds ( and antique mattresses) at my great aunt's.

You've allotted 2 nights to Columbia Gorge, and mms's suggeston is a very good one: first night at athe Edgefield, then drive the gorge, stopping at the recommended places, and on to Hood River and Highway 35, up to Mt. Hood and Timberline Lodge---a beautiful historic lodge high on the mountain. From there, continue to Hwy. 26 and take that back through Portland to Cannon Beach. The part through Gresham and Sandy can be slow on weekends.

HWY 99, which is the main road that goes North/South throuhg our wine country, does get backed up both directions.

The 5th Avenue Suites in Portland is very nice. Even though I live here, we have stayed there several times. Beautiful hotel, right in the heart of downtown, nice restaurant adjacent (Red Star Tavern), very comfortable.

It has been a few years since I have stayed overnight at the Edgefield, but it was comfortable, not bad at all.

If you are looking for more plush style accommodations in the McMinnville area, two places that are highly recommended are the Black Walnut Inn and the Youngberg Hill B&B. I have not stayed at either since I live just a bit up the road from the area, but their reputations are excellent.

Thanks for all the responses so far. I like the idea of a slow start, with the first night at Edgefield, then maybe second night at Timberline Lodge.

I've read about the "Fruit Loop road" - but not specifics on which road this is. If I saw the WA ag/orchard country last year, is this worth the diversion?

I believe the "fruit loop" is up Highwy 35 above Hood River, as you are considering anyway. You can just drive straight through if you don't care to stop at the fruit stands. The area is incredibly beautiful---we just drove through there last Sunday on our back from Bend. It's very different from the Washington fruit country, and much more scenic. From several points along Hwy. 35, you have a full view of Mt. Hood in front of you, and an equally stunning view of Mt. Adams 180 degrees away.

That makes sense. Sounds beautiful!
Does anyone have a recommendation for a Cannon Beach hotel? I think Stephanie Inn may be out of my price range...

We like Schooner's Cove for its wonderful ocean views and convenient location to shops, restaurants, etc.

Re: McMinnville to Portland via Highway 99W: it's a scenic route (you can take Highway 18 as a bypass to skip Lafayette) but does sometimes get congested - not always; I've driven it many times but usually not at rush hour so I've never had a problem.

I like McMinnville, but you can bypass it to/from the coast via Highway 22 through the north part of Salem and then up I-5. It's about the same travel time with no traffic, maybe slightly better via I-5/Salem if 99W is backed up. Highway 22 is also a very scenic highway, but I-5 is dull. If I'm not going to stop in McMinnville, I'm more likely to take 22.

The Edgefield is terrific, a unique, Oregon place, although it's not a "must stay overnight" place by any means. More of a great place to relax after a long day of traveling. Staying overnight there would be fun, though.

Andrew

Our favorite spot in Cannon Beach is the Surfsand Resort. It is owned by the same group as the Stephanie Inn, but more of a relaxed atmosphere and the prices are less. We were there just last week, and still highly recommend it. The oceanfront building was gutted and remodeled, but the other buildings will be remodeled starting in September. So if you decide on this hotel, be sure to opt for the oceanfront building. It is right on the water, looks out to Haystack Rock, and is a easy walk to the main downtown area.

Lots of good advice here already, so I'll just answer the McMinnville to Portland route question.

Instead of 99W, head north from McMinnville on hwy 47 towards Carlton, where you can stop at any of several places to taste. Personal faves are Cuneo, Carlton Winemaker's Studio, and the Tasting Room in the old train station. From there, head east, where you eventually run into hwy 240 towards Newberg. If you're not lost, get onto N. Valley Road, also heading east, from which you'll have a bunch of other good tasting options. Personal fave: Adelsheim. Whether you find N. Valley Road, or stay on 240, you'll end up in Newberg, where you catch 219 over Chehalem Mt. towards Scholl's, and then Progress. Some good scenery here, not to mention a possible stop at Ponzi, one of Oregon's pioneering wineries. From Progress, catch 217 which junctions into hwy 26 into Portland.

Actually, it might take a lot longer than sitting in traffic on 99W. But you'll have a lot more fun. :-)

Oh.... and I second mms's SurfSand recommendation. It's been our family favorite for years. But if budget is still an issue, consider one of these places: http://www.oregoncoastlodgings.com/c...els/index.html. Even though you might not have a view, I think you'd particularly like either Cannon Beach Hotel or Courtyard.

Yeah, Beachbum, I didn't mention Highway 47 because I don't think it saves you any time. I think Highway 22/I-5 might save time if there's bad traffic on 99W.

Andrew

Thanks for the recommendations in Cannon Beach and route planning for the wine country. Thanks Beachbum for the winery picks and personalized mapquesting!

If anyone has a recommendation for accomodations in the wine area - doesn't have to be McMinnville - that'd be great. I'm looking at Hotel Oregon - think the Black Walnut may be a bit pricier than I'd planned.

OR -- do you think I can go from Cannon Beach down the coast, over to the Spruce Goose and then through the wine area, and just push on to Portland for night 5?

Not sure, but I think the quickest way to McMinnville from Cannon Beach would be via hwy 26 east to hwy 47, then south to McMinnville; probably about a two hour drive. So sure, if you leave early enough - say 8:00am - you'll have a couple hours to see the Spruce Goose, have a full afternoon in wine country, and still make an early dinner res in Portland. Most wineries open 11:00am - noon, and close 4:00pm - 4:30pm.