I asked about this yesterday but the electronic gremlins ate it.

We are going from Newport to Portland and I am thinking of going by way of the Three Capes road in Tillamook county. It would add about fifty miles to the trip but how much time??

Is the scenery worth it??

I went to Boy Scout camp just south of Cape Lookout many years ago and may be having a bit of nostalgia.

Any comments appreciated :-B

Good question. It may be worth it for nostalgia, but for my money the drive inland on 101 is more beautiful.

A few weeks ago I was so impressed by the detour to the three state parks near Coos Bay that I took the Three Capes road and was disappointed in a big way.

I'm interested in the opinions of others.

Hi ed and jimshep

I have been on the three capes road a couple of times and enjoyed stoping for the views. The area below (South)of Coos Bay is also nice and with the seven devils road can also be made a loop. I enjoy all of the Oregon Coast. But if your in a hurry staying on 101 is the quickest.

Have Fun
GP

Yes. I am partial to the Three Capes Loop. I think it offers a wide range of scenery and provides a lovely day trip, but there is easily enough for a couple of days. At the north end of the first loop, you can stop and look at the empty sandy flats below, and read about the resort town that washed out to sea on that location. I'd stop at the Cape Meares lighthouse and octopus tree; have lunch at Roseanna's in the little town of Oceanside, which is nestled into the coastal hills. There is a nice beach just below for a walk after lunch. Given enough time, there's a wonderful hike through the coastal rain forest at Cape Lookout, the westernmost point on the Oregon coast. The views are awesome. It is a long, easy, (and often muddy) hike to the end of the Cape Lookout. In season, you can see whales out in the water (bring binoculars). If you don't have time to hike, you can stop on turnouts to enjoy the views without hiking (but it's not as good!).
At the southern loop, I'd enter the State Park, park the car in the westermost lot, and go for a walk along the dunes. There are inland washes you can wade through and dunes the kids love to jump off of. You can also rent dune buggies near this area for a fun ride through the dunes.
Maybe your Boy Scout camp was near these dunes.
It is a wonderful trip, with incredible views, but it is best when you take the time to actually get out of the car and enjoy it. You can't do it all in one day, but there is plenty to chose from.

By the way, rereading others' responses, I'm not sure there isn't some confusion here. jimshep is talking about a drive near Coos Bay and this is no where near the Three Capes Loop with Cape Lookout in it. I think he's referring to another location. Coos Bay is way south. This Three Capes Loop is just west of Tillamook. Not sure GP is on the same page either.

ed and Orcas

I think I'm on the same page. Oregon coast. Two very different locations. Both nice, ed was asking about 3 capes
jimshep comparing that and the area just below Coos bay.

ed... Orcas gave you great advice about 3 capes. When we were hiking at Cape Lookout a flying squirrel flew past us landed on a tree trunk and scampered away. It is the only time I have ever seen a flying squirrel, so I remember the 3 capes route for that and the rain.

Have Fun
GP

I was comparing the area around Coos Bay to Three Capes, finding the former very much worthwhile and the latter a huge disappointment considering in doing Three Capes one misses the lovely drive on 101.

The Three Capes is an awesome drive. It is actually about a 35 mile detour. You will some of the most spectacular scenery on the coast here.

We loved the Cape Lookout State Park. Many photos in Oregon Coast magazine have been shot here. So many beautiful hiking trails and rain forest type stuff. If time is not of the essence, do the Three Capes loop.

Will you be stopping in Tillamook to tour the cheese factory. The Brown Cow ice cream is our favorite of all and the cheese is also very good! ***kim***

Hi everyone! More and more good memories! Have you tried stopping at the Blue Heron, which is a few minutes south of the Tillamook Cheese Factory, on the same main road? They have emus, if I recall, in a pen. But, best of all, a world of tasties of locally made dips, jellies, and the like, great cheeses, and wine tasting. They serve great gourmet sandwiches here.
There's a cool cowboy museum in Tillamook, too. It's real old style and, if you block out the outside, you might think you're in the old west.

Yep, Orcas, Blue Heron Cheese & Wine Company is our choice for picnic fixins to take out to Cape Lookout Park--what a fantastic picnic spot on the beach. Their olallieberry pie is outstanding and those emus or llamas or whatever are fun to see.

The park on the beach is so beautiful. When we were there, we saw just a few people and their happy dogs and we practically had the place to ourselves. Good timing, I guess. Just off the road, not too far from the park we noticed a good-looking B&B built of cedar that looked inviting--not sure of the name, but looks like an interesting place. I think this place is one the prettiest spots in Oregon--don't deprive yourself.

Winerycat, are you sure it was olallieberrry pie or marionberry pie? I haven't ever seen olallieberry products in OR. Just curious! ***kim***

Hi Kim, Yeah it was olallieberry pie and it was good! Just to be absolutely certain, I talked with Blue Heron and they told me that the Olallieberry was actually developed in Oregon. Hah, who knew? Blue Heron says they use either Ollalieberry or Marionberry in their pies, depending upon what's available at the time. My guess is that both would be wonderful. They also carry Olallieberry jam, jelly, wine, syrup and sometimes the whole berries, if available. You can get these things at the store in Tillamook or online on their website, blueheronoregon.com. Hope you have a chance to go there and taste for yourself soon!

We've always just stopped at the Tillamook cheese factory, now we'll have to check out the Blue Heron. Hey, I wonder if they make an Ollallieberry wine? That sure would pair nicely with their cheese and crackers for a picnic down by the beach, huh? LOL ***kim***

kinamom,
I'm with you. Olallieberry Wine sounds wonderful. Warm olallieberry pie sounds even better - and with Tillmook ice cream, of course!
Let us know when you stop by the Blue Heron. You'll become a fan, I'm sure!

Re: Blue Heron, their berry pies are fresh-baked with fresh berries, no frozen stuff, so they're very seasonal. We had ours in summer, so if you want that, you gotta go in season.

Kim, I learned today that there are only a few Oregon producers of olallieberries left, up near Gresham, so you're right about it being hard to find there. They say Marionberries are much easier to produce, and have really taken over commercially. Makes me appreciate that olallieberry pie I had all the more! But, since Marionberries are a cross between Olallieberry and another blackberry, it seems they're awfully close to being the same thing. I doubt if I could tell the difference, baked in a pie, but maybe you could.

In case you're interested, Made in Oregon sells 2 Olallieberry products, the Honeywood Olallieberry Supreme Wine, (the same one found at Blue Heron--like a port) and an Olallieberry jam. Enjoy your tasting.

I'll be sampling lots of ollallieberry products in Cambria. Linn's bakery is famous for their ollallieberry products. Syrups, muffins, jam, etc. All so very good! They also make awesome eclairs I just may have to treat myself to one and blow the diet on my birthday!!

I just won't be able to have Tillamook ice cream with that pie, but some Haagan Daaz sounds very nice! ***kim***

True, Linn's = Olallieberry heaven. You must splurge on your B-day! And if you stock up on their goodies, you won't care if you find them in Oregon or not.

Very true, WC!! Have you ever dined at Bistro Sole there? Sounds nice for lunch. Lobster bisque, great salads, etc. Also, ever tried the Black Cat for dinner? I should also ask on Chowhound, huh?

Ed, have you made a decision about the Three Capes yet? I'd say go for it!! ***kim***

Kim,
Would you believe that in all those years I lived on the Monterey Peninsula, I never once went down to Cambria? I guess I was VERY content with PG,Carmel and Big Sur. :_) We didn't discover Cambria until pretty recently, when business took us down south to the OC.

So....I haven't been to either place yet, but would like to try both. I read good things about them on chowhound, but food is such a subjective thing--you never know if the poster's taste will be the same as yours. Maybe you'll try a progressive dinner--Lobster Bisque (yum) and a little wine at one place, then if you like it, you could stay, or you could move on to something else. LOL! Since you'll be there overnight, that will give you more time to try more places. Wish I could be of more help, but have fun with whatever you choose and let us know how you like it!