tomfuller

If you decide you can skip the Redwoods, see the Oregon Dunes and then go east from Reedsport on Rt. 38. About 4-5 miles east of Reedsport you have a good chance to see a herd of Roosevelt Elk at the Deans Creek viewing area or a mile or so east of there. On the east end of Elkton, take Rt. 138 SE to get on I-5 near Sutherlin.
FYI: Yachats is pronounced YA-hots.

lorifrombama

Thanks everyone for all your input. You have all give me some great ideas and a LOT to think about. After weighing our options, we've decided to stick with the plan (flying into Seattle, renting a car, and driving down/flying out of San Francisco) and make the most and best of it. If the weather is bad, we will stick to indoor activities. If by some unlikely chance we see some sun, we will take the best advantage of it that we can!

janisj- by saying that we cannot alter our flight plans, I also mean we are not going to ADD any flights onto what we already have. That is what I meant in my response to you.

lorifrombama

Gardyloo- I've printed all of your suggested itineraries and will be looking at all of it.

I really appreciate you all taking the time to offer suggestions

janisj

>> If the weather is bad, we will stick to indoor activities.live various places along your rote and been there/done that. So we are actually trying to help. March is the 2nd or 3rd wettest month of the year in parts of your itinerary.

But it sounds like your mind is set so we can only hope you get some decent weather.

lorifrombama

Janis- I don't recall saying anyone was trying to ruin my vacation or that anyone wasn't trying to help. I have profusely and sincerely thanked everyone for ALL of the suggestions and have been looking into all of it. I can't imagine that there isn't a single tourist along the coast the last week in March. If the weather is horrible then we will just reroute and head on down to Redwoods and San Fran. Regardless for us it will be an adventure and time for our family to take a much needed trip together. We are up for the challenge. I was never looking to be convinced to change my trip. That's just not an option. It doesn't have to do with my "mind being made up". Like I've said a few times already, we were given flight vouchers for our whole family, which made possible something that would most likely not be an option for us any other time: our family of 5 on an airplane.: together. They cannot be changed once booked. Even if it rains the entire time we will have amazing memories of being together somewhere that we have never been and more than likely will not be returning to in the future. I'm not sure of your intentions in your comments but the "tone" feels unwarranted and brash. Once again, thank you and everyone else for taking the time to offer your suggestions and give advice. I truly do appreciate it.

janisj

>>we were given flight vouchers for our whole family>I was never looking to be convinced to change my trip. That's just not an option..

starrs

I think you're planning a great trip that will make lots of memories for you and your kids.

"I do realize that it will be cool and rainy. Due to the kids school break we have to travel the last week of March"

When I read the timing of your trip, I immediately thought of the tulips. If you do the Ballard locks (and I think your kids would enjoy them), you could head north for about an hour and explore that beautiful area. On April 1st the tulip festival begins, but in March they are enjoying the unofficial daffodil festival. It's amazing sight = daffodils/tulips stretching out over the valley.
http://www.lovelaconner.com/skagit-v...ulip-festival/
http://www.seattle.gov/tour/locks.htm

Another thing your kids may enjoy in the area would be a tour on the water that will take them by the houseboats.
http://www.argosycruises.com/sightse...ington-cruise/
The houseboat from Sleepless in Seattle recently sold for 2M$
http://q13fox.com/2014/09/08/report-...han-2-million/

I'd spend more time in Seattle and fewer days on the drive. It's about 12 hours from Seattle to San Francisco and that's not much in seven days. However you decide to divide those days will be great!

Another idea in Seattle that I think your kids (and you) will really enjoy -
http://undergroundtour.com/
It's a blast!

I been to Seattle in March many times (for conferences) and have lucked out every time with beautiful sunny weather during our free days. It might have rained on the days I had to work, but the luck of the Irish must travel with me because we've enjoyed beautiful days in March.

debragartin

rent an RV and hit the road with your family. You'll be thankful for the "pottie" and food and drinks on your journey. We have traveled in our RV for years from Seattle and beyond when our kids were little, and still to this day. It's a great way to see the sights and be comfortable at the same time. Have a great adventure however you choose to do it. Family time is the best!!

janisj

I respectively disagree -- an RV doesn't make sense in this case. First of all one-way rentals are much more expensive. It makes a difference for you since you have your own RV.

and 2) their itinerary is really hectic/fast in a car, it would be slower and even more hectic w/ an RV.

But it doesn't matter since the OP has left the building . . .