SFO to Crater Lake
 

I arrive in SFO 6:30PM...have motel at Cloverdale for that night. The next night, I am planning to stay in Crescent City, before staying at the Crater Lake Lodge the next night. I am traveling with wife and my 10 year-old daughter. My wife has some medical problems, so she can't do a lot of hiking. But she loves nature. What do you recommend seeing along the way?

You may want to check out the chic little town of Ashland, OR. It is known for the Shakespeare Festivals but there are other things to do also.

Lithia Park, your daughter could feed the ducks. Quaint shops for your wife and daughter and some great places to eat. For lunch, The Bull's Eye Bistro at the Ashalnd Springs Hotel is nice and the Peerless or Chateaulain for fine dining.

Alex's is OK, get a table upstairs out on the patio overlooking the creek. There is also a Green Show every night around 7:15 before the theatre starts that offers free entertainment in the plaza. ***kim*** Oh, and a wonderful candy shop, The Ashland Fudge Co. if you love sweet treats!

It might be difficult with your schedule, but check out a jet boat trip on the Rogue River, entertaining for the whole family. The best ones leave from Gold Beach, but there are some out of Grants Pass as well.

I assume you'll be seeing the redwoods.

I don't understand the rationale behind your itinerary. I assume you have friends or relatives in Cloverdale.

You could spend a week or two going up the coast and over to Crater Lake, but you won't have time for much of anything in the little time you have and with a family member who has health problems.

The historic commercial district in Eureka is interesting and the drive to Crescent City is quite beautiful, but Crescent City doesn't have much to offer. The drive from Crescent City to Crater Lake goes through Grants Pass--Ashland would be a big detour.

If you had time I would tell you to see Napa Valley, Highway 1, Mendocino, the Redwoods, the Oregon Coast and much more.

But since you don't have any time I suggest you at least take a peek at the redwoods and perhaps stay at the Best Western Bayshore Inn (good location and breakfast) in Eureka rather than in Crescent City.

First, I trust you realize that by the time you've fetched bags, gotten a car, and hit the road, your arrival in Cloverdale may well be after 9 at night. Later, if you want dinner on the way.

If you're starting the next day from Cloverdale, then you can easily make Crescent City, and in fact I'd be tempted to suggest you carry on to Grants Pass for the night. You'll have had a day to go through the core of the Redwood country; take the Avenue of the Giants byway if you want, stop at some of the big groves, Enderts Beach, etc., then make sure to goggle at some of the big trees in the Jedediah Smith State Park off US 199 before the Oregon state line.

If you overnight in Grants Pass, in the morning you could pop down to Jacksonville Oregon, near Medford - a great historic town - for breakfast, before heading up into the hills toward Crater Lake. If this is in summer, be aware that the Rogue Valley gets very hot by mid-day, so plan your out-of-car experiences accordingly.

Yes, there are jet boats that leave from the Riverside Inn dock in Grants Pass. A stay at the Riverside Inn is nice, especially with the E-Book coupon, Sun.-Thurs. is around $60/night.

Stay in the section closest to the Lobby. You could easily do the Quick N Scenic trip which is two hours round trip, and still make it back in time for a quick swim before check out.

The ride is very fun and I have seen all ages on the trip. If your wife loves nature, you will see bald eagles, ospry, sea turtles and deer on the trip from Grants Pass.

The restaurant Rafters at the Riverside is also very good for breakfast or lunch before heading out. Sit outside on the patio with the gorgeous views of the Rogue. ***kim*** :)

I don't understand how these folks are going to have time to go boating on the Rogue River when they barely have time to drive from SFO to Crater Lake. Am I missing something?

If there's a will there's a way Jim! LOL The am ride is only two hours, you could make that Quick n' Scenic trip before it's even time for checkout and the Riverside Inn will give you an extra hour if you need it after the trip.

It sounds perfect, no hiking, just a great boat trip up the Rogue and lots of nature and wildlife to be seen. ***kim***

***kim***I'm making note of your Grant's Pass suggestion. Sounds like fun.

Jim: have you ever done the Jet Boat trip from the Riverside Inn? If you have more time, there is also a dinner trip that is supposed to be great fun, we just never have the time for it.

It's the same ride, but with a stop for dinner. BBQ chicken, ribs, salads, lemonade & I believe they even serve wine. Has anyone ever done the dinner trip? Maybe Panhandle could comment! ***kim***

What great suggestions and advice. Thanks so much.