South/Central Oregon in late May
 

My daughter is living in Roseburg (south of Eugene) for a year, and we are flying from the east coast to Portland, May 22, to see her and the area and flying home the following Sat. Two of us (my 20 year old and I) have never been to Oregon. My husband has been briefly, when my daughter first moved there. This forum was helpful on that trip. My plan is to take in a little of the coast on the way south to Roseburg (I know it would be easier to drive down I-5, but it looks like it is just a couple of hours out of the way) and make Roseburg our base for several days. On my list for these days are Crater Lake, Coos Bay (with our daughter), and some wineries. Then we will go to Bend Friday (my husband is particularly interested in the Breedlove Guitar factory there) and possibly spend the night at McMenimans. Sat. we will drive into Eugene for the Sat. market which my daughter is anxious for us to see, since she has enjoyed it so much and then part with her, drive to Portland and fly home. Any suggestions? What will the weather be like? Driving in the area just north of Bend?

I can't help with the southern Oregon area as I have not spent much time there. Maybe Beachbum or bbqboy can help with that.

We spend a lot of time in Bend though. That time of year is usually very nice. Not hot at all, but usually not too chilly during the daytime.

Wherever you decide to stay on that Friday, make your reservations ASAP. There is a huge statewide baseball tournament every year on that weekend, and places fill up fast. If I were you, I would make reservation now.

Traffic around Bend will be busy on Thursday and Friday, with people heading our for the long weekend. Saturday to Portland though, should not be bad. There are a few routes to get your from Bend to Portland, but our favorite one is to go through Sisters, through Detroit over to Salem then up. Just a personal preference though.

Thank you. I made reservations.

On your drive south, don't miss Heceta Head lighthouse - http://www.tunnel13.com/light/heceta/heceta.html just north of Florence. Use SR 38 to cut inland from Reedsport - the road follows the Umpqua upstream through a gorgeous canyon, joining I-5 a bit north of Roseburg.

The weather in May should be fine - maybe some rain on the coast (or inland) but hey, it's Oregon.

Not sure of your purpose in visiting Coos Bay - rather depressed lumber port (although with interesting Indian casino built in the shell of a former mill.) For an interesting daytrip, I'd probably recommend Ashland and Jacksonville; both faster to get to from Roseburg than the coast, and lots of historic and cultural interest (Shakespeare/theater in Ashland; Britt Festival later in the summer in Jacksonville.)

Though not an Oregonian, we spent time last May on the Southern coast of the state, and enjoyed it immensely. Do indeed tour the Hecata Head Lighthouse, and then head to Florence, which is a delightful town,on the river, with some good restaurants in the town. Stayed at the River House, on the water, and enjoyed the early morning wildlife. The Oregon dunes are just outside of town,and quite beautiful.
Bandon is also a neat town,and if you golf, The Bandon Dunes course is one of the most favored. There's a wonderul very nondescript restaurant in town called the Wild Rose,which was by far the best of the entire two weeks travel. Coos Bay is quite depressed, and rather sad.
Enjoy the trip!
Bandon is also a neat town. If you golf, the Bandon

Just south of Coos Bay is Shore Acres state park, the former vacation estate of a timber baron - and he really knew how to pick his real estate! http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_97.php

Only because Coos Bay was due east of Roseburg and my daughter suggested it. But, if we drive down the coast coming from Portland, that should be all the coast we need. That is a lot of driving, especially with the suggested stops, so Wed., we may just recuperate and stay in Roseburg to see the school she is working in, and maybe one of the local wineries and meet her friends. Does anyone know anything about the wineries in the vicinity? That leaves Crater Lake for Thurs. and Bend for Friday.

Try: http://www.winesnw.com/umpqua.html
I haven't been to the wineries, but I've liked wines from Henry Estate, Abacela, and Girardet.

There is a lot to see between Bend and Eugene- you could spend a whole day just doing that- especially if you come through Sisters and up the McKenzie HWY-Sisters is a fun little town to walk around in and have lunch - beautiful views of the Three Sisters - and along the McKenzie Hwy there are several places to stop and enjoy waterfalls - Sahalie Falls is a nice stopping spot and there is a trail along the river you can walk for miles if you choose.
If you made reservations at McMenimans I think you will enjoy it- have stayed in one of the houses and its close to downtown so you can walk everywhere- and they just do such a great job of their hotels. The Turkish bath there is beautiful. Service is slow at the restaurant though - I would try some of the Bend restaurants.
I think I would skip Coos Bay and spend more time on the coast around Florence-
Florence is a very cute town with some nice restaurants and shops and beautiful scenery- my favorite beach close by is Devils Elbow- from there you can walk up to the lighthouse at Heceta Head.
I have enjoyed tasting wine at the Abacela and Henry Estate- around Eugene there is King Estate which is a beautiful setting and great wines too.
Have a great trip -

Abacela is very nice. They produce a great Viognier and a Vintner's Blend that we really like. :)

If you do go by the Ashland area, Paschal has some really nice wines and a gorgeous tasting room. They also sell the Dobbes Family wines that makes some nice Pinot Noir. Cheers! ***kim*** ((f))

I live in Roseburg, too. I would not waste time going to Coos Bay if you are already coming down the coast from Portland. Wildlife Safari, a drive through animal park, is a good half day activity near Roseburg. Also, drive up to Steamboat Inn on the North Umpqua River and have lunch or breakfast. Its about 38 miles from Roseburg. Fabulous scenery with the restaurant right on the river. (On your way to Crater Lake) You could keep on going to Bend that night.(Thursday) It's not that far. 3 hour total drive from Roseburg to Bend. The drive is beautiful up the river and the wild Dogwood trees are usually blooming in May. Which school is she at?

The McKenzie highway probably will not be open in late May. My choice of route between Bend and Portland is over Mt. Hood. If you go that way and are hungry (2 hours from Bend) stop in Weme at the Rondevous Grill for lunch. We time our trips to Portland so we will be there for lunch. Enjoy our area. I second the recommendation not to eat dinner at McMin. but you can take in a movie there (free as a guest of the hotel.) There are half a dozen good restaurants within walking distance. CJ

The McKenzie HWY ( 126 )is open in May but the Old McKenzie Hwy is not- its the one that goes through all the Lava fields)
I second the drive along the Umqua River with stop for lunch at Steamboat Inn -

Oregonmom-- she's at Phoenix school, which she loves. Actually, she seems to love all of Oregon except, maybe, the rain.