bcfowl

We are headed to Oregon for a 6 day vacation. I'm 6 months pregnant and we have a 20 month old traveling with us, as well is my husbands mother who is very active. I need this trip to be very planned out which is new to me. Usually we go and then figure things out.

I would love suggestions on placese to see, eat and sleep.

Day 1-2
I thought we would fly into Portland and go directly to Cannon Beach and stay at Ocean Lodge for 2 days. Any suggestions on sites to see in the area? Resturants?

Day 3
Next drive south to Newport go to the acqurium, have lunch spend the day driving down the coast. Head over to Corvalis for 1 or 2 nights? We want to stay in Corvalis because we can use points and we want to get over to wine country.

Day 4 and 5
I see there looks like a bunch of stuff to do in the area. Wildlife refuge and covered bridges. Should we stay and hang out for 2 days or just do one and then head north through the WIllamete Valley?

Day 5 and 6
North to Mt. Hood

Any suggestions would be helpful since we are leaving on June 15th.

beachbum

First things first.... If you haven't already, book your reservations at Ocean Lodge NOW. If they're booked up for your dates, try SurfSand Resort, Hallmark Resort, and Inn at Schooner's Cove, in that order.

As for sightseeing around Cannon Beach, the beach itself (tidepools at the foot of Haystack Rock) and Ecola State Park are the obvious. Then, south of town are some other great beaches: Arcadia, Hug Point (walk north to the old roadway carved into the cliffside), and Short Sands (at Oswald West State Park). Best sightseeing north of Cannon Beach is probably Astoria (Astor Column) and Cape Disappointment State Park, further north in WA (North Head Lighthouse and Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center). You could spend a lot of time in the car, or be just as happy (I think) puttering around the cute town and relaxing on the beach. My fave restaurant in Cannon Beach is no longer there, so for your group I'd recommend Wayfarer, Dooger's, possibly Cannon Beach Cafe. Maybe even Mo's. If MIL will watch your toddler, break away to Newman's @988, or just as good, one of the "classes" at EVOO.

I know you want to use those points, but you'll miss the best setting on the Oregon coast if you don't stay at Overleaf Lodge. Seriously. And with only a 6-day itinerary, Corvallis just doesn't make sense, as it's a long ways from the heart of wine country. So, I'd suggest nights 3 & 4 at Overleaf, then night 5 in wine country, or possibly Portland.

happytrailstoyou

The Columbia River Gorge is a major attraction in the area. From Portland, take I-84 to Corbett to access the Historic Columbia River Highway and drive that road as far as Moltnomath Falls. Return to I-84 and drive as far as Hood River. After walking around town and having a meal at Celilo, take the bridge across the Columbia and return to Portland via WA-14 (the views of the river and Mt. Hood are spectacular on a clear day).

HTTY

Fodorite018

I echo everything that beachbum said about Cannon Beach. For lodging, we always stay at the Surfsand. It is perfect for families and a short walk to the heart of downtown. The Ocean Lodge gets good reviews (I have not stayed there so can't comment otherwise) but you can't walk to town from there, if that matters to you. The Surfsand has beach toys and chairs and umbrellas that are complimentary for your use. Great cabana service there, and lots of kids and family activities.

And for Corvallis...once again I agree with beachbum and suggest skipping it entirely. It is a nice college town, but for visitors I would not recommend it.

HTTY is right about the gorge, it is a beautiful area and a relaxing day trip from downtown.

saige

Cannon Beach is walkable, but with the little one, I'd want an umbrella stroller. The aquarium is extremely well done, but it's large and takes some time to tour, so give yourself time to enjoy it. With a 20 month old, I'd plan some time just to relax and enjoy the beaches, do some tide pooling. The Willamette Valley has great winery's and is beautiful! Have fun!

wtm003

Thanks - bookmarking.

bcfowl

beachbum Thank you so much. This really helps. Yes, we are booked at Ocean Lodge. But, I might rethink and do a hotel closer to town and more kid friendly.

Looked up Overleaf and wow much cheaper then our stay at
Ocean Lodge. Good suggestion. Would love to see the sea lions are they all around or in a special spot? We will not go to Corvalis.

Just want to drive through the wine country on our way back to Portland since I can't enjoy but would still like to see it for future reference. Since we live 1/2 hour from Napa is it worth it or kinda just the same thing?

Tell me if you know about the covered bridges. Neet or not necessary.

HTTY doing exactly what you said the last day. Thanks.

beachbum

bcfowl, I'm with mms on the SurfSand; my family almost always stays there. Nice hotel in a great location, a short walk from the small downtown. But, I think you'll pay more than at Ocean Lodge to stay there.

Sea Lions? Well, there's Sea Lion Caves (south of Yachats), and you can see them from the roadside viewpoint just north of there, but I think your best bet is to save the $9 and just head to the waterfront in Newport. They're always there, kinda like at the wharf in San Francisco. Just follow your ears.

It's been years since I've been to Napa Valley, but I'd guess you'll find Oregon wine country pedestrian by comparison (personally, I kinda like it that way). Still, since you're here, may as well drive through! Best route from the central coast is probably east on hwy 20 from Newport to Corvallis, then north on 99W to McMinnville and hwy 18 into Portland. The heart of wine country is generally considered to be the triangle formed by the towns of Newberg, Carlton, and McMinnville, but you'll see wineries from Salem north along this route. Lots of good places to stop if you've got time, but you can't go wrong at Domaine Drouhin and Archery Summit, on the hill a few miles west of Dundee. I'd try to resist that temptation. Your husband might be sold on Oregon pinots! ;-)

I've never really gone out of my way looking for covered bridges, but have still seen several. Unless you're into photographing them, I don't know that I'd take the time.

Presocia

I've always found sea lions sunning themselves on the docks of Yaquina Bay in Newport.

sunbum1944

I have been to Newport in the summer when the sea lions were not there - was told that they frequently leave in the summer-
so not a guarantee they will be there - they might be on vacation.

Covered bridges are pretty and unusual but dont know that I would go a long way out of my way to see one
I live in Lane County and we do have many of them in the Cottage Grove area

bcfowl

Thank you all!

saige

We like the Oregon wine country specifically because it is not so much like Napa or Sonoma. It's much more a mix of different agricultural products including fruit, flowers, vegetables, trees, and grains. There are quite a few good local restaurants to try and lower charges for tastings if they charge at all. Have a wonderful trip!

bcfowl

Saige,

What resturants would you recommend?

Scarlett

If you are in Dundee, go to the Dundee Bistro.

I second all the recommendations by beachbum and mms lol...
when we moved to Portland, they gave me all the directions and tips on where to go and we were always happy with their help

Fodorite018

bcfowl--I live just a few minutes from many of the wineries. Places that we really enjoy are Red Hills Provincial Dining, Bistro Maison, Wildwood Cafe (for breakfast), Red Fox Bakery (great sandwiches) and La Rambla.

Honestly, there are so many good places in this area that it would be hard to list them all. The places I listed are ones that we have been to many times. Other well known spots are Tinas in Dundee, Dundee Bistro which Scarlett mentioned, Painted Lady, and Joel Palmer House (although many locals there think it is over rated, but it is near an excellent winery, Seufert).