Too right, Gardyloo. We will do some driving down the coast during the week we are at Depoe Bay, but the trip to Crescent City will still be a day. And we want to enjoy some hiking, thanks for the link.

So - 2 nights down near the Redwoods. sunbum1944, thank you -that's about what I'm looking for. Maybe nostalgia, from childhood trips from San Francisco to Seattle to visit family. I'll check it out.

I'm going to nix Oregon Caves, probably. Crater Lake is a must-do, although the Lodge is a bit pricey. 1 night there, or the Prospect Hotel, and then probably head for Columbia Gorge/Mt Hood River areas. But I am thinking of stopping at Newberry Volcanic Monument - your thoughts?

If I extend the vacation another day, I may even be able to work the Ape Cave back in, at the tail end. Something about getting into a lava tube is strangely appealing....

There is a Lava tube close to Newberry Crater- so maybe you could do both at the same time.

I think you need another week in Oregon!

Agree with Gardyloo that there is much to do between Depoe Bay and Crescent City - but looks like you have several days to explore the coast.

My favorite spot is Heceta Head which is close to Florence- beautiful beach, trail up to one of the most photographed light houses in the US- and actually a trail beyond the lighthouse to a secluded beach. There are picnic tables and grills so you can spend the day there easily.

Sometimes I will stop in Florence, get some crab and wine and take it to Heceta Head and sit on the beach behind a big log and enjoy!

Last time my DW and I drove up the CA coast we stayed at a little motel in the town of Klamath across the street from a bar where we ate. We also stopped at a tourist attraction called "The Trees of Mystery". The high point (literaly) was
the tram ride up to an observation deck to see the mountains and the ocean. In all the years we've lived in Oregon we have not been to the Oregon Caves.
The Lava River Cave you want to see is about 12 miles south of Bend on the east side of US97. The Lavalands visitor Center is on the west side within a mile.
Take the drive that spirals up Lava Butte from the visitor center. You can get a good look at the lavafield and a firetower.

sunbum1944 - how much noise would there be at the Curly Redwood Lodge? It looks absolutely perfect - except I'm a little concerned about road noise. On a previous vacation I booked a cute little place near Mono Lake, and all night trucks were jake breaking as they came into town. I am still getting razzed about that. Ordinary traffic noise is ok (it's on 101, naturally).

As an alternate, what about Hiouchi Motel? It's outside Crescent City, looks quiet but maybe not very interesting and not so convenient to restaurants. Any other suggestions as well - we will spend 2 nights.

Well I don't recall it being noisy- Crescent City isn't very big you know- in fact, I don't remember hearing any noise at all

I am not familiar with any other places to stay in Crescent City - sorry!
Have a couple of other places we stayed a little further down if you are interested.

I've stayed at a couple of the motels along that stretch of 101 - the Super 8, Best Western, and I think the Lighthouse Inn (all next door or up the road from the Curly Inn.)

They're all set back from the highway a little distance; I too don't recall any traffic noise - the local authorities are very unforgiving to trucks using compression braking throughout northern California and Oregon.

That said, I don't think you're going to find walking to restaurants etc. in Crescent City a very appealing idea - it's spread out, often wet, and just not all that appealing.

There is a very nice restaurant just a block or 2 from the Curly Redwood and we didn't mind the walk- but it was not raining

I think it was called the Great Harvest restaurant and we thought had good food - especially the breakfast!

The place I mentioned in Klamath, CA was the Ravenwood Motel & Suites. Clean and family run with a breakfast nook and free wireless internet. The food at the bar across the street was pretty good as I recall.

Great, thanks! So far I've booked:

Astoria - Clementine's B&B
Forks - Misty Valley Inn B&B
Depoe Bay - Worldmark timeshare
Crescent City - Curly Redwood Lodge (awaiting confirmation)

Still struggling over whether to get that room at Crater Lake Lodge, but will need to make up my mind quickly. Thinking of a night next at Bend so we can explore Lava River Cave area, and then a night at the Columbia River Gorge area, then Portland. Or is the distance so close I should just combine either Bend/Columbia River Gorge or Columbia River Gorge/Portland?

Considering taking an extra day on at the end so we could go up to the Mount St. Helens lava tube, if we're still in the mood. DH thinks he really just has to do this...

I'd combine Portland/ Columbia River Gorge - portion-
Although, when you leave Bend you could drive over to the Gorge area and stay in Troutdale which is the beginning of the Gorge and not far from Portland airport and not a bad drive to downtown Portland. There is a place in Troutdale called the Edgefield which is great- it used to be a poor farm, then a nursing home and now a hotel- and it is unique and charming!!
There is a brewpub, winery , a couple of restaurants and a movie theatre where you can eat dinner while watching the movie-
When they redecorated, they let a bunch of artists loose to do what they chose and they painted scenes on all the doors, walls etc of the days when it was the poor farm.

The only thing some people are not OK with is that the rooms do not have private baths, so you have to go down the hallway to BR/ shower etc - I have never found it a problem.

They do provide you with a big fluffy bathrobe.
Last time I stayed there in the summer, they had a salmon BBQ going in the backyard and live music - so check it out if it sounds interesting to you.