Sun River Oregon: Got tips 4 us? What's cool 2 do?
Mar 29th, 2007, 08:45 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sun River Oregon: Got tips 4 us? What's cool 2 do?
We're heading there this summer for the first time. Have you been there? What tips can you pass along, such as do's and don'ts. Where to go, eat, see and what to skip.
We will be driving from the S.F. Bay Area. Any suggestions on what to see on the way up there and where to stay or dine? We love Fodorites for tips. So, please send yours! Thanks, FrenchFry.
We will be driving from the S.F. Bay Area. Any suggestions on what to see on the way up there and where to stay or dine? We love Fodorites for tips. So, please send yours! Thanks, FrenchFry.
Mar 29th, 2007, 10:15 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,854
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Been there. Sis has a house there.
Take your bikes.
Raft down the Dechutes. Ok float down.
Fish.
There are many lakes nearby. We visited Elk Lake for a day and it was great fun!
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centralorego...voir/elk.shtml
We also went to Sisters for a day of shopping in really intersting shops. There are a bunch of quilt store there.
Take your bikes.
Raft down the Dechutes. Ok float down.
Fish.
There are many lakes nearby. We visited Elk Lake for a day and it was great fun!
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centralorego...voir/elk.shtml
We also went to Sisters for a day of shopping in really intersting shops. There are a bunch of quilt store there.
Mar 29th, 2007, 11:11 PM
#3
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I second the recommendation to visit Sisters. We stopped there on the way back to Corvallis--I think it took about half an hour to get there, maybe a little more. I really like a little shop called The Hen's Tooth (as in "scarcer than a hen's tooth," I suppose).
We were in Sun River in late December, after Christmas. My son rented a house there for a few days. We were grandparents (DH and me), our two children and spouses, and two babies. Between the babies and the snow, we didn't go out much, so I can't recommend any activities. Our only dinner out was at an Italian restaurant right in Sun River. The food was good, I thought.
We did go up the nearby mountain for skiing--the kids. Grandma and Grandpa got to babysit. It would probably be pretty to go up there to hike.
We were in Sun River in late December, after Christmas. My son rented a house there for a few days. We were grandparents (DH and me), our two children and spouses, and two babies. Between the babies and the snow, we didn't go out much, so I can't recommend any activities. Our only dinner out was at an Italian restaurant right in Sun River. The food was good, I thought.
We did go up the nearby mountain for skiing--the kids. Grandma and Grandpa got to babysit. It would probably be pretty to go up there to hike.
Mar 30th, 2007, 06:49 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We go several times each year and never tire of it.
Definitely bring bikes, like Suzie says. There are almost 35 miles of paved bike paths in the resort, and then you can mountain bike from the north end of the resort up to Benham falls.
There are two pools on site, and with the new Mavericks one opening this summer.
Fantastic hiking in the area. My personal favorite is the South Sister.
White water rafting. We always use Sun Country Tours.
Rent a canoe at the marine and head down the river.
Stable on site as well, so go riding.
Play tennis. There are courts all over the resort.
Visit the spa (Sage Springs).
Go fishing. There is a guide in the business park area if you need.
Take an ATV trip.
High Desert Museum, lava caves, and lava butte are all just outside the resort by about 5 minutes. The caves are really good to do on a very hot day.
Check the music schedule as the village has many events.
Miniature golf at the village, and then ice cream at Goody's which is adjacent to the golfing. Wander the shops of the village.
There are several restaurants in the village. Blondies is good for pizza.
Head to Sisters, but go early as it gets very crowded. Try to avoid it on a weekend as that helps a little bit.
There is more, but I think this will get you started
Definitely bring bikes, like Suzie says. There are almost 35 miles of paved bike paths in the resort, and then you can mountain bike from the north end of the resort up to Benham falls.
There are two pools on site, and with the new Mavericks one opening this summer.
Fantastic hiking in the area. My personal favorite is the South Sister.
White water rafting. We always use Sun Country Tours.
Rent a canoe at the marine and head down the river.
Stable on site as well, so go riding.
Play tennis. There are courts all over the resort.
Visit the spa (Sage Springs).
Go fishing. There is a guide in the business park area if you need.
Take an ATV trip.
High Desert Museum, lava caves, and lava butte are all just outside the resort by about 5 minutes. The caves are really good to do on a very hot day.
Check the music schedule as the village has many events.
Miniature golf at the village, and then ice cream at Goody's which is adjacent to the golfing. Wander the shops of the village.
There are several restaurants in the village. Blondies is good for pizza.
Head to Sisters, but go early as it gets very crowded. Try to avoid it on a weekend as that helps a little bit.
There is more, but I think this will get you started
Mar 30th, 2007, 07:32 AM
#5
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have a house at Sunriver. Leave tomorrow for a 9 day visit. As for the drive up there, it takes about 8 hours (we live outside Sacramento up Hwy 50). Not a lot of opportunities for good food on the way up. We usually picnic at a rest stop. There is a great Mexican restaurant just south of Chiloquin on Hwy 97. The building is bright yellow, you can't miss it. It looks like a dive, but the food is fab. Do not eat at the Kla-Mo-Ya Casino. We did, what a mistake. The food was awful.
Kalamath Falls has seen better days. I would not bother to stop.
A detour around Crater Lake would be nice if you have the time.
MMS is right, lots to do in the area. Sisters and the High Desert Museum are two of our favorites.
The Italian restaurant in Sunriver is Bella Cucina. Great food. Don't bother with the Trout House Restaurant. Way too expensive for what you get. Dining at Sunriver Lodge is much better. Two restaurants we like are the Tumalo Feed Co. and Anthony's. Tumalo Feed Co. is in Tumalo, on the way to Sisters. They have an early bird dinner that is very reasonable and even give you an after dinner drink. The restaurant is a western chuckwagon theme. Anthony's is a seafood restaurant at the Old Mill shopping area in Bend. The restaurant is on the river and you have a wonderful view of the rafters and float tubers coming down the river. Food is excellant. They too have a early bird dinner. I love their salmon.
If you have a laptop and take it, wifi is at Sunriver Lodge and the Sunriver Library.
Remember that Oregon law states that you can not pump your own gas. Sit back and let them do their thing! Oh, lowest gas prices on average are at two gas stations just north of Kalamath Falls..right on the left hand side of the road. Gas in Sunriver is expensive. We get it in Bend.
A stop at the Oregon Visitors Center at the rest stop (near Midland, south of Kalamath Falls; right hand side of the road) has a lot of brochures and maps on central Oregon.
Have a great time.
Kalamath Falls has seen better days. I would not bother to stop.
A detour around Crater Lake would be nice if you have the time.
MMS is right, lots to do in the area. Sisters and the High Desert Museum are two of our favorites.
The Italian restaurant in Sunriver is Bella Cucina. Great food. Don't bother with the Trout House Restaurant. Way too expensive for what you get. Dining at Sunriver Lodge is much better. Two restaurants we like are the Tumalo Feed Co. and Anthony's. Tumalo Feed Co. is in Tumalo, on the way to Sisters. They have an early bird dinner that is very reasonable and even give you an after dinner drink. The restaurant is a western chuckwagon theme. Anthony's is a seafood restaurant at the Old Mill shopping area in Bend. The restaurant is on the river and you have a wonderful view of the rafters and float tubers coming down the river. Food is excellant. They too have a early bird dinner. I love their salmon.
If you have a laptop and take it, wifi is at Sunriver Lodge and the Sunriver Library.
Remember that Oregon law states that you can not pump your own gas. Sit back and let them do their thing! Oh, lowest gas prices on average are at two gas stations just north of Kalamath Falls..right on the left hand side of the road. Gas in Sunriver is expensive. We get it in Bend.
A stop at the Oregon Visitors Center at the rest stop (near Midland, south of Kalamath Falls; right hand side of the road) has a lot of brochures and maps on central Oregon.
Have a great time.
Mar 30th, 2007, 07:49 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree the bike trails are great!!
I like eating at the Trouthouse and of course the Lodge is nice for an evening out. Bend has some great restaurants.
Love rafting on the Deschutes-also use Sun Country Tours.
Lots of great hikes close by.
You might enjoy a drive over to Smith Rock - close to Redmond. Rock climbers from all over the world come for rock climbing and there are some easy hikes for the less adventurous.
I have a friend who owns a house at Sun River so I ususlly stay with her.
When rented in the past I usually rented a house through Sun River Realty and I like to stay fairly close to the Village.
Dont think you'll run out of things to do - Bend is a nice place to explore also. They have a new shopping area right on the river - restaurants, shops and walking paths along the river- very nice.
You can take the gondola up Mt Bachelor -I believe in the summer you can even have dinner up there -
enjoy!!
I like eating at the Trouthouse and of course the Lodge is nice for an evening out. Bend has some great restaurants.
Love rafting on the Deschutes-also use Sun Country Tours.
Lots of great hikes close by.
You might enjoy a drive over to Smith Rock - close to Redmond. Rock climbers from all over the world come for rock climbing and there are some easy hikes for the less adventurous.
I have a friend who owns a house at Sun River so I ususlly stay with her.
When rented in the past I usually rented a house through Sun River Realty and I like to stay fairly close to the Village.
Dont think you'll run out of things to do - Bend is a nice place to explore also. They have a new shopping area right on the river - restaurants, shops and walking paths along the river- very nice.
You can take the gondola up Mt Bachelor -I believe in the summer you can even have dinner up there -
enjoy!!
Mar 30th, 2007, 07:50 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What, mms?? No real golf on your list?? ;-) Sunriver's got a couple good courses, FrenchFry.
As for the route from the Bay Area, how about up the coast, see some giant redwoods; cut inland on hwy 199 at Crescent City, along the Smith River to Grants Pass; then hwy 62 up to Crater Lake. Drive the rim road around the west side to the north park entrance/exit, then cut across on hwy 138 to hwy 97. If you've got more than a day to make the drive, spend a night in Ashland and see a play.
As for the route from the Bay Area, how about up the coast, see some giant redwoods; cut inland on hwy 199 at Crescent City, along the Smith River to Grants Pass; then hwy 62 up to Crater Lake. Drive the rim road around the west side to the north park entrance/exit, then cut across on hwy 138 to hwy 97. If you've got more than a day to make the drive, spend a night in Ashland and see a play.
Mar 30th, 2007, 08:58 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,854
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh man I forgot to say golf too!! There are 3 courses. At the Meadows there is a 9 hole pitch and putt. From personal experience I can say the Meadows is a beautiful course.
The miniature golf is covered and is a hoot to watch.
If you rent and want to use the new Maverick area you have to make sure your rental belongs to that. Not every house/condo belongs to the Maverick. We rent our houses from Sunray. Both houses we have rented are on the Deschutes so they are on the "backside" of the resort area. They've been great to work with.
The miniature golf is covered and is a hoot to watch.
If you rent and want to use the new Maverick area you have to make sure your rental belongs to that. Not every house/condo belongs to the Maverick. We rent our houses from Sunray. Both houses we have rented are on the Deschutes so they are on the "backside" of the resort area. They've been great to work with.
Mar 30th, 2007, 09:01 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Suzie--Good tips! We almost always use Sunray also. Mavericks said that with their pool opening this summer that they were going to have a promotional time that anyone can use the facility. They weren't sure what, if any, the fees would be, or how long the promotion will last. They said they are trying to get the word out. BTW, they have wifi there too.
