Western Oregon during Thanksgiving Week
 

Planning a trip to western OR during Thankgiving week 2010. Fly in to Portland on Sunday noon. Plan 1st night in or around Cannon Beach, 2nd night booked at Heceta Head Lighthouse. From there south to Redwoods NP, up through Eugene and Salem, on to see the Gorge area and out of Portland on Sat noon. Any suggestions for lodging, restaurants, side trips, etc. would be welcome. We're from Cajun country in south Louisiana.

Cannon Beach is a great choice. We live in the Portland area and never tire of going over there. If you need suggestions on places to stay, here are the ones we like. Surfsand is our favorite as it is right on the water. We have been going there for years and it has always been very nice. Cannon Beach Hotel is right next door and is very nice, but no views. Schooners Cove is good too and is right on the water. There are more places in town, but these are the ones that I can personally vouch for.

Are you interested in wine at all? If so, Thanksgiving weekend is a big deal here in the Willamette Valley. Many wineries open their doors for tastings and it is an excellent way to see what there is. Many of the wineries are normally by appt only, so this is a great chance to check them out. Our pinot noirs are excellent!

I think you will like staying at the lighthouse- you know there is a kitchen there you can use.
We went to Florence and bought fresh crab, salad mixings and bread and made our own dinner- the breakfast they serve is wonderful- go hungry .

we brought flashlights and walked up to the lighthouse at night- spectacular.


Even if you don't enjoy wine, you should visit a winery. Close to Eugene is King Estate - beautiful views, nice restaurant, on a warm day you can have lunch on the deck overlooking the vineyard.

Thanks so much for the info. Looks like we'll be in or around Salem/Willamette Valley on Thanksgiving. Any suggestions on a place to have a Thanksgiving lunch or dinner?

I don't know the Salem restaurants - I live in Eugene - so if you need Eugene recommendations I can help.

Salem is pretty dismal for restaurants. Are you staying in Salem? If you are not tied to that, I would opt for something else.

Be prepared for continuous drizzling rain. No need to bring sunscreen.

Many thanks for the help. Maybe looking at the Willamette valley area for Thanksgiving. Open to suggestions. No set itinerary.

When you get as far south as Reedsport take a side trip east on highway 38 for just a few miles to Dean Creek Elk viewing. The elk are free to come and go but are usually seen at or just east of the viewing area, within the next 2 miles. There can be up to 100 in small groups, or just a few. It is rare not to see any at all. Bandon is a bit more touristy, but has motels looking out over the harbor or the ocean (for a price). I'd check out Port Orford - small, funky and less expensive. Small motels along the highway, as well as a couple above the boat dock south of Battle Rock, with ocean views. When the highway turns left in town 9 as you drive south), go straight up the hill and look out over the ocean. There are motels tucked away up in there. The Crazy Norwegian restaurant was just featured in our newspaper as the place to go for fish and chips. Gold Beach also has a lot of hotels/motels along the highway. Allow plenty of time to stop at the many turn-outs overlooking the ocean. Each one will be different. Could be lots of wind so I'd pack a poncho rather than an umbrella. On the other hand the weather could surprise us all and be nice. We have spent many Thanksgiving days walking the beach near Coos Bay/Charleston in nice weather - or had the power go out due to high winds. Take your time and enjoy!

Weird time to come to the Pacific NW. Good luck with the weather....

If you decide to have Thanksgiving in Salem, I've heard that a restaurant called Bentley's has a nice Thanksgiving buffet. Salem is not known for its wonderful cuisine (I live there).

As for your trip, I think you should check the website www.tripcheck.com, Oregon Dept. of Transportation's travel website. It can tell you the weather forecast for the state, which will be important because we can get snow even in November. You may want to rent a car with chains.

This is the off season for the Oregon coast so you should be able to get good deals on motel accomodations all along the coast.

If you are near Coos Bay do stop at Shore Acres State park after dark.They do an amazing holiday light display.
Here is a link with info and pictures.
http://www.shoreacres.net/16thHolidayLights.htm

Shore Acres is located on Cape Arago Highway just outside of Coos Bay and is worth a trip in the daytime as well. IMO its the most beautiful part of the coast north or south. If you are lookingfor lodging near Coos Bay I would stay in Bandon. Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast is a nice place and Bandon is a neat little town.

If you are lookingfor any info on the Rogue Valley (Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass) let me know. It may not be on your itinerary but its also beautiful and well worth a visit. I have to give a plug for the area as I live here. LOL
Have a good trip!
I will be at Shore Acres on Thanksgiving night for the lights. See you there! =)
http://www.lighthouselodging.com/