Thank you beachbum. Yachats sounds good--i'll try the overleaf lodge. I'll have more ? after I start making reservations.

I just read a post saying that you can't walk the beach in Yachats--too rocky? Is that true?

Oh cathee, Yachats is the best place in the world.
The beach to the south of the river is just wunderbar. North of the river(hike down the rocks)it's a wonderland of starfish and driftwood.
I really think you guys would enjoy Ashland for a night rather than 2 at Crater Lake. I'm biased, since I live here, but you'd have fun>know you are still planning.

Yes, it's true that the Overleaf is set on a low bluff, a few feet above the rocks and crashing surf. So, you can't walk the beach at high tide for sure, but during low tides there are small pocket beaches with lots of tide pools. And there's a trail along the bluff that will take you the 1/4 mile to that wide long beach you might be looking for.

bbgboy & beachbum--I'm relieved--about walking the beach--because yachats sounds perfect in every other way---as far as a night in Ashland, it does sound like we'd love it--but it also appears to add another couple of hours onto our itinerary--I wish it was on our way to yachats---Crater Lake lodge sounded so lovely that it might be a place we could relax for an extra day? I havent finalized anything yet, though.

The beach by the Overleaf is great for walking and there are many others close by

My favorite beach is at Devils Elbow State Park just north of Florence. Its not a long beach- just a cove - but from there you can walk up to the Heceta Head lighthouse with fantastic views and since you are into hiking, from the lighthouse there is a trailhead that will take you to another beach that is only accessible by hiking in . There is map of the trail close by the lighthouse - and its pretty well marked. Very nice hike

There are also some great hikes around Crater Lake area - several waterfall hikes - Tokatee Falls is a nice one - not too strenuous

Enjoy

thank you sunbum for the hikes--i've been on some of the best ouf out of the way experiences--not necessarily in any book--from suggestions like yours--i'll be sure to put those down on my list of things to do--I'm glad there is something other than just the rim drive and boat ride at Crater Lake.

My husband thinks 5 hrs. of driving between CR and yachats is too much---he wants to relax on vacation--and I tend to have us going nonstop. If we decide to stop and have an overnight somewhere between Crater Lake and Yachats, where would you suggest?

In addition: So far I am planning:
1 fly into portland drive to CRG hotel - stay two nights
2 drive to bend OR--we were there years ago and loved it--stay two night--bike, hike, etc.
3 drive to Crater Lake--stay at lodge 2 nights
4 drive to Yachats 2 nights or add a night in between so it doesn't feel like to much driving--

We are more into savoring where we stay for a couple of days rather than just doing one day in each place--no time for relaxation and really getting to know the area--i'm disappointed that we won't have time to stay in Portland. Am also hoping that somewhere along the way we can take in a couple of wineries--that would be MY thing.

That's the night you should stay in Ashland.
http://www.ashlandchamber.com/Sectio...?SectionID=103

Cathee, have you seen the Oregon coast? Yachats, especially at the Overleaf, is on of those places to be savored. More so than either CRG or Bend in my opinion. So I would cut one night at either of those before cutting back on the coast. Or maybe even cut out Bend altogether.

Otherwise, there really isn't much between Crater Lake and Yachats that makes sense. I suppose you could head to the Eugene area, intent on visiting a couple wineries. King Estates and Silvan Ridge are both doing some nice wines. Ashland is fine too, but you'd still have a 4 hour drive from there to Yachats. Or, you could head down US 199 from Grants Pass into northern CA, then north to Gold Beach. That's 4+ hours too, but at least you'd be on the coast. And have seen some redwood groves along the way...

Heres a link to some of the activities along the Umqua River (not far from Crater Lake)

http://www.byways.org/explore/byways...tinerary/62580


Also not far from Crater Lake is Diamond Lake - there is a trail around the Lake which is great for biking ( bikes can be rented at the store )
The only downside to Diamond Lake is that the last couple of years have had an algae problem at times which certainly makes it less attractive- so check before you go.

If you are serious hikers many people hike Mt Thielson in that area - its a challenging hike- pretty steep but many of my friends have done it- and its a day hike.

There is so much to do in the area -
its hard to just sit and relax.

thanks for your quick replies--as I am planning on making some reservations tonight--I think I will just keep it as planned and make the drive from CL to the coast in one shot.

No I haven't been to the Oregon coast--spent a couple of hours at the coast in northern Washington from a few days at Crescent Lake Lodge--it was very desolate and not much to do there.