Sillybilly, we've started researching, so please tell us what's in the Bend area that makes it worthwhile? Thanks!

Bend makes a great hub in the central OR area as it has the most amenities of any town this side of the cascades as well as close proximity to sightseeing. Crater lake for example is about just over 2 hours south of here and an easy day trip. The same for the John day fossil beds/ painted hills. Mt bachelor and the Sisters mtns are a mere 20 min drive, and if open, one of the top rated drives in the nation in the cascade lakes hwy. It depends on the snow year as to whether it will be open by then or not, but none the less, you can take endless hikes to the amazing alpine overlooks and 100's of lakes up in that area. Great food in town as well as plenty of great lodging options of every level and a high desert climate that even on the hotest days (high 90's here at the worst) it cools down about 40 degrees overnight on the average to give a geat break from the heat. what else do you like to do/see?? There is much more to mention, but it depends on your interests. Oh yes, and Sisters is kind of a fun small town western themed place to check out. I just noticed your post again : ) It's about 20 miles to the NE of here as well.

Sillybilly,

Thanks again for all the ideas! Actually, we'd also like to see as much of the coast as possible.

Is it practical to start in Portland on Saturday noon when we arrive, spend the rest of Saturday and Sunday looping to and from The Dalles back to Portland, start driving down the coast at Cannon Beach on Monday down to Coos Bay by Wednesday night, drive on Thursday from Coos Bay, zip down 5 to Medford, take rt. 62 over to Crater Lake and stay there, spend Friday at Crater Lake, then take all day Saturday to take 138 through Toketee Falls and Idleyld Park to Roseburg and then zip up 5 back to Portland to stay at the airport the night before leaving.

I know that we're leaving out Bend, Sisters, and some really great places in the middle, plus Protland, of course. I guess our first preference is to see the coast and take a couple of the scenic byways that go to Crater Lake, as well as see the lake. We spent the last two trips driving all over Utah, so we're looking forward to the Oregon Coast.

Does this seem realistic? Thanks!!

It does seem possible, but like an awful lot of driving. If that is your stick, then yes it would give you some good distances to drive and some nice country to see. I am not so familiar with the stretch from C Lake to Roseburg, but over there from the southern OR area is mostly just a drive through densely forested areas, and I would imagine that the trip to Roseberg would be the same as I am familiar with that area in general, just not that specific route. Someone else may have more info to that end. I again really would suggest coming north through Bend from C Lake and then take either hwy 97 to 26 which goes through some beautiful canyon country and open mtn view stretches that ends up going over Mt Hood before droping you in Portland, or hwy 20 to hwy 22 that will drop you off near Salem with an option to go to Silver Creek falls (which are considered the best by many in the state). This would avoid the long stretch up I-5 that is none too exciting and give you some much better scenery and diversity in your scenic drives. For time ideas it is about 2+ to Bend from C lake, and another 3 + from here to Portland. This is the route I would recommend for my friends or family.

Barbara,

I grew up in Portland and we now have a vacation home in Gleneden Beach (Lincoln City area) on the coast. I'd recommend the coast over Central Oregon. Don't get me wrong Central Oregon is very pretty and we spent many winters there enjoying the awesome skiing. But, there is nothing like the Oregon coast. I know you don't get in until noon but, to help you with timing, you can make the loop from Portland to The Dalles in one day, although it makes for a long day. If you do that loop make sure to visit the roadside fruit stands in the Hood River Valley. Also, Hood River is the WindSurfing Capital...and a trip to Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood is a must. The lodge was used for the exterior shots of the movie "The Shining." It's a beautiful place both inside and out.

As for the coast, Cannon Beach is very quaint, artsy type community. As you head south on US 101 (great drive by the way). Be sure to stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. You can watch cheese being made and even if you don't like cheese, they have ice cream that is some of the best. I only use Tillamook dairy products. YUM!!

Pacific City (a little south of Tillamook) is another nice community. Don't miss the Brew Pub (good food, nice view) located next to Cape Kiwanda. If you're lucky you'll be able see the dory boats launching through the surf on the beach. There's also a sandstone rock you can climb (it looks harder than it is) and the views from the top are tremendous!

Lincoln City is the next town you'll come to. Great beaches and some good restaurants. We like Mos (I've never had a bad meal there in 30 plus years, although some say it's not what it used to be), The Blackfish is good and if you want a nice dinner(but be prepared to pay for it) try the Bay House.

Another favorite restaurant of ours is Tidal Raves in Depoe Bay, which is the little town just south of Lincoln City (about 10 miles south). They have some of the best food on the coast. Depoe Bay is pretty much full of tourist shops and lots of junky stuff.

Next town down is Newport. Must sees here is the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Keiko from the "Free Willy" movies lived here after he was rescued from Mexico. The aquarium is not just for kids, my husband loves it there!

Down around Florence you've got the sand dunes. Great fun.

I used to live in Coos Bay and really can't think of any reason you'd want to go that far south. But that's just my opinion.

You can cut back to I-5 at Florence, which will put you in Eugene and from there you can I-5 south the Crater Lake.

Crater Lake is a MUST see. And as SillyBilly said Silver Creek Falls near Salem are some of the prettiest in the state.

I don't envy you and the choices you have to make. I think all Oregon is beautiful, each area in its own way. Good luck!

If you have 7 1/2 days and don't mind driving, I'd do half the time at the coast (Cannon Beach and/or Lincoln City/Newport) and half the time at Sunriver- just about 15 minutes south of Bend. That would be a lot of driving, and even though I LOVE Sunriver, if you have never been to the Pacific Ocean, I'd make that more of a priority. Have a great trip!!

Like sillybilly says, it's a lot of driving, but if you keep your hiking "mild" I think your itinerary works okay. Some things to think about though....

You can "do" the Columbia River gorge in a day, so you might consider spending night 1 in Portland, drive the gorge on day 2, and spend night 2 either back in Portland, or continue the extra 1.5 hours to the coast.

In my opinion, the must-see of the north coast is Ecola State Park, just north of Cannon Beach. Beyond that, I think the best scenery (from, or easily accessible from 101) is from Newport to Florence, and Port Orford to Brookings. But I don't think you should do the whole coast within your time limits. So I'd either go from Cannon Beach to Reedsport, turning inland on 38, another beautifully scenic road. Or, drive I-5 from Portland to Albany, take hwy 20 to the coast, and head south. With this route, you could go all the way to 199 in northern CA, which would take you through some redwood groves on the way to Crater Lake.

Sillybilly has a point with your planned route from Crater Lake back to Portland. His suggestion to go through Bend would be a change of scenery from the west side of the Cascades. But from Bend, I like hwy 126/22 best, which takes you through Sisters, and up over a pass with some great mountain views. If you want to include Mt. Hood, you could do that on day 2 with a Columbia River gorge Mt. Hood loop.

Great post, TahaitiGirl! We also have property on the coast in Seaside, so I'm partial also to the coast. It's gorgeous. Nice scenery around Tillamook. barbara, the Blue Heron is also a nice stop in this area. You can sample cheese, wine, etc. here.

Cannon Beach is also a nice area to visit. Oswald West State Park is worth a stop. A short hike will take you to Short Sands Beach. We enjoyed surfing here last summer and it's beautiful here!

If you're around Nehalem, check out the Nehalem River Inn for a nice dinner. Enjoy your trip! :)

Wow - what a great group of people you all are!! We've asked for advice on a few other trips and NEVER got this detailed (and prompt) a set of responses before. Maybe we're living on the wrong coast.... Many thanks for the suggestions. We REALLY didn't want to take rt. 5, so we're grateful for all the suggestions! (We're thinking that Oregon may be a two-trip state.)