4th of July Florence -- Yachats -- Bandon???

Hi there!

Hoping a local expert may see this. We are planning a whirlwind trip from Portland metro area. I was hoping to get advice first and foremost on the last leg, but also on the whole darned thing b/c it looks like we%26#39;re trying to do a lot.

Immediate problem: we need to plan July 4th-6th. Travelling with senior in-laws from Brazil and 7 year old, plus us 40somthings. I%26#39;ve heard that Yachats is cool on July 4th all day and we have neighbors who will be there. Problem is we will be waking up in Bandon July 4th, but that could be changed.

So do we wake up early, drive to Yachats and stay there all day for parade through fireworks? (I would vote for this b/c I want that 4th of July flavor). Or take our time, go to Coos Bay, Florence and try to perhaps catch fireworks in either Florence or Yachhats (My hubby votes for this one, but he doesn%26#39;t know what to try to see). We were thinking of basing in Florence for the 4th %26amp; 5th either way, unless you recommend another place. A moderately priced nice beachfront place would be the best.

Whole shebang (is this too ambitious?):

Sunday 28 - Portland thru Sisters, stay in Bend for 2 nites at Marriott Towne Suites. Tour Bend, visit High Desert %26amp; Volcano areas.

Tuesday July 1 -- wake up early, drive to Crater lake, poke around, rest, drive to Roseburg, stay at Windmill Inn. (Eat at Crater Lake Lodge?)

Wednesday July 2 -- wake up early, drive to Bandon at Windermere on the Beach for 2 nights enjoying beach and wildlife safari.

Friday July 4 -- Yachats in a.m., or not?? Base out of Florence for 4th %26amp; 5th, or should we stay in Yachats or somewhere else. Beachfront is a big plus for my hubby and son.

We don%26#39;t need cheap but we can%26#39;t do pricey. 2BR/2BA suites are good too.

Ideas on what to do, where to stay, favorite eateries?

Thanks for all you do for us wanderers!

4th of July Florence -- Yachats -- Bandon???

I should add...

We%26#39;re leaving Sat 28, not Sun;

We%26#39;ve seen the coast north of Florence, incl. sea lion caves.

So we%26#39;re interested in the South to Central Coast area mostly.

The in-laws are fairly active -- can climb stairs and walk a lot, though they would probably not enjoy nature hikes unless on the beach. Thank you!

4th of July Florence -- Yachats -- Bandon???

Whew! Okay, first of all, here%26#39;s a twist for you . . . some of the coastal communities have fireworks on July *3rd*! Then a neighbouring town will have them on the 4th. I know Waldports%26#39; is on the 3rd, and so is North Bend, just about 20 miles north of Bandon.

www.nwcoast.com/events/eventprofile.asp鈥?/a>

Yachats%26#39; fireworks are on the 4th, so you could do both North Bend and Yachats in a two-for-one deal, lol.

Florence, as you probably know, is not on the ocean. It does have one motel on the ocean, the Driftwood Shores. Yachats does have oceanfront hotels, motels and cabins. Can you give a dollar amount to ';cheap'; and ';pricey';? In other words, what is your price range? Not sure if you%26#39;ll find any 2bed/2ba suites, unless you rent a house.

Here are some scenes from the 2006 July 4th Yachats parade:

http://www.yachats.org/july4th06.html

Wow, that was quick! Thanks for the info!

Over $150/night is pricey for us, since we need 2 rooms. We%26#39;ve been lucky to get $120 or less in Bend/Roseburg. Even luckier in Bandon to have a 6 person cottage on the beach for $169 (though only 1 bathroom). New is not crucial but somewhat attractive, clean and bright is.

We are not attached to Yachats and don%26#39;t know a whole lot about it or the 4th events. We%26#39;re really interested in the best experience to be had at the time. *IF* we can get a nice 4th celebration in, that would be great but we wouldn%26#39;t want to take away from any crucial sightseeing that would be missed to do so.

I see that you live in the area -- are there any popular favorites for independence day celebrations, either on the 3rd or 4th in that whole so/cen coast area?

I%26#39;m pretty sure my travelling companions won%26#39;t want to abandon Bandon%26#39;s beaches for a July 3rd advance celebration, though they might surprise...

This forum is awesome. Thank you for being at the ready to help!

I feel like I am the one always bringing bad news. It%26#39;s unlikely you%26#39;ll find lodging in Florence on those dates...not only are 4th of July times heavily booked far in advance, but the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials and Oregon Bach Festival in Eugene are filling everything for miles around, including Florence. I think you might have better luck looking for something in Yachats or Waldport.

Thank you poppa, will try to book something ASAP. I wasn%26#39;t aware that all that was going on, nor that the southern coast would be so popular on the 4th.

If you were able to get a room at the Best Western Pierpoint Inn, just south of the bridge in Florence (~$110/night), you could watch the fireworks from the best vantage point in town; the comfort of your own motel room!!

Thanks for that info...we%26#39;ll file it away for future reference. It%26#39;s sold out unfortunately, like everything else...

Also, I%26#39;m noting that along the beach prices as much as double regular summer rates, maybe because it%26#39;s 4th weekend or because of the events poppa mentioned?

I keep forgetting about the track trials, darn it. Why couldn%26#39;t they have held them in February? Lol.

July 4th is the busiest weekend of the year on the coast. You might try for a rental in Yachats:

http://seanikvacationrentals.com/

Thanks to everyone...we ended up with a vacation rental in Yachats. Looks like it will be fun!

Pretty sure you%26#39;ll enjoy Yachats.

Have fun!!!!

Wildhorse Casino trip report RV friendly

We over night at various places coming and going between BC and Arizona and the Wildhorse has become a favorite.We%26#39;re not big gamblers being pensioners but we are welcomed anyway.

They have an RV park but also offer free drycamping along the west edge of there parkinglot.Security patrols and a free shuttle(tip).I%26#39;ve eaten at the buffet many times and have never been dissapointed.It%26#39;s also resonably priced.The seafood buffet is on Thursdays and the crab is on par.

The day we were there K D Lang was playing,and too late and missed it.

A note to all travelers is a new Truck stop C store.

Can anyone give us some insight

Wildhorse Casino trip report RV friendly

Opps...

Can anyone give us some insight to the video keno or other games that might be your favorite.Or the ones to stay away from.

TIA

Cheers

Wildhorse Casino trip report RV friendly

Please tell us you%26#39;re not a shill CrabLeg...

If the Wildhorse has become a ';favorite,'; why do you need anyone here to thell you how best to gamble there? And why do you list your home location as ';Friday Nite?';

I think you%26#39;re name is appropriate...you certainly don%26#39;t sound kosher.

I think the OP is legit, oregonpoppa, as I have read some of their Laughlin posts.

But this is indeed a *strangely* worded thread.

I know you have a MH, CrabLegBuffet, so you do realize that nearly ALL casinos have a free drycamp area with security patrols and free shuttles, don%26#39;t you? And many of them have buffets . . .

Gee whiz folks,I%26#39;m just saying the wildhorse is a good over night stop for rvers.Just the same as I would say for cactus pete%26#39;s in Jackpot or the Trpicana express in Laughlin.

I enjoy seafood and thought I%26#39;d pass along the Thursday night oddity.For a seafood lover leaving WA ID,etc.first nite Pendelton,next night Cactus pete%26#39;s,Las Vegas next.

As for gambling I guess my 20 goes as fast as anyone elses.

Crater Lake camp site for July 4

We are making a road trip to go Oregon for July weekend from Seattle, WA. We already booked our hotel in Eugene and would like to visit Crater Lake for 2 days, July 4-5.

We like to camp close to the Crater Lake National park for one night. It is too late to make advanced reservation for a slot at Diamond Lake since they are no longer available. Does anyone know if we would have a high chance to book a walk-in slot? What would be another campsite that we can stay? I%26#39;m looking at Trapper Creek. However, the review is not so good. Not sure about Mazama Campground since it is again, available only for walk-in.

Thanks for your time.

Crater Lake camp site for July 4

One problem is that Friday, July 3 is a holiday for most people. If you can%26#39;t arrive until July 4, I%26#39;m guessing most first-come campsites will be full.

Crater Lake camp site for July 4

Yeah, most people will be heading there on Thursday. A lot of offices are closed on the 3rd since the holiday falls on a Saturday. All I can say is good luck, because I am guessing your chances aren%26#39;t very good.

You could get a motel in Roseburg or Shady Cove or Medford and see the lake that way.

Thanks for your feedback!!

I read that there will be about 200 slots available at Diamond Lake or Mazama campground for walk-in, I am still worried that the campground will be full for Saturday. July 4th too :).

About booking another hotel/motel.. We already booked a room in Eugene (my mistake for not doing research before making the reservation. Since the booking is thru priceline, we can%26#39;t cancel it). If we can%26#39;t find the campsite, we would have to drive back and forth to Eugene.

Have anyone experienced the Trapper Creek campground? There are alot of open slots there.

This place is in Eagle Point and they accept tents:

http://www.medfordoaks.com/

There is a KOA in Klamath Falls. I think there are a couple of Forest Service campgrounds around Prospect. Chiloquin has several campgrounds, try googling it. I think there are several around Chemult too.

Good luck :-)

Trip Report

Sadly, back to work today following a wonderful vacation last week in Oregon. Weather was perfect, scenery was as advertised, breathtaking. We spent a couple of days in Hood River, took the train to Parkdale (extra $2.00 to be ';robbed';)

We stayed 2 nights in Seaside and 1 night in Newport and miss the sound of waves at night. Ecola Park and Multonomah Falls were the highlight of the trip for my husband and myself. I made it to the top of both!

I loved seeing dogs everywhere, in town and especially on the beach. It made me miss my own, at home pouting of course.

The trip would not have been as ideal as it was if not for the great suggestions and tips from this forum. Thanks again and hope to return soon.

Trip Report

Where did you stay in Seaside? Did you go back to Indian Beach when you were at Ecola? :)

Trip Report

Stayed at Ebb Tide in Seaside. It was not bad with the 2 for 1 coupon. Our window overlooked the beach and it was beautiful watching the sun go down. We walked what seemed like the entire beach each morning. It was incredible.

I am not sure where Indian Beach was in Ecola Park. We parked and walked the loop to the very top where you could see the lighthouse and there were remains of an old war bunker. The drive to the park was amazing. It was too perfect, almost like a ride at Disney World. Everything was green and beautiful.

Glad you enjoyed the Ebb-Tide, those sunsets over the ocean are pretty amazing! :)

3 nights before Yachats

Hi there

My partner and I fly into Seattle from London arriving late evening. We then have 3 nights to spend between there and Yachats. My partner wants to visit Portland too, and I quite fancy Cannon Beach.

Can anyone suggest how we split it? I%26#39;m not sure which is a nicer city - Seattle, or POrtland?

Currently we plan to spend the first 2 nights in Seattle (as night 1 we%26#39;ll check into our hotel about 10pm), then drive to Portland for lunch and a wander around, then drive to Cannon Beach for dinner and stay at the Arch Cape Inn. Are we missing out by not spending a night in POrtland? We could do a night in each destination, but then that%26#39;s a lot of hotels! Would welcome any advice

Anyone know of a nice upscale hotel in Seattle? There seem to be quite a few to choose from on Trip Advisor!

Thanks

3 nights before Yachats

You might want to post the Seattle hotel question on the Seattle forum as well. My current favorite at the top end is the brand new Four Seasons but there are any number of lovely hotels to choose from: the Inn at the Market, Hotel 1000, the Fairmont and the Andra, to name a few in no particular order.

I am a Seattle resident but a frequent visitor to Portland and love both cities. If you had more time I%26#39;d recommend visiting both but I personally can%26#39;t stand changing hotels every night so I%26#39;d go for a 2 night stay whenever possible. You may not have the same pet peeve however ;-).

3 nights before Yachats

Yes I%26#39;m with you on the changing hotels thingy. I%26#39;ll probably do 2 nights in Seattle, set off early and spend the day in POrtland, then drive to Cannon Beach for the overnight stay on day 3.

Thanks!

Itinerary Help

I have two questions about traveling to the OR/CA Coast during the summer 1.) Is it feasible to do a somewhat leisurely road trip from San Francisco to Portland, driving the majority of the trip along the coast, in about a 9-day time frame? 2.) Also, I have heard that summer may not be the best time of year to do a trip like this, with much foggy and damp weather. Any thoughts and advice about either of these topics would be greatly appreciated!

Itinerary Help

I%26#39;ll get things started for you- others will have more input.

Yes, you could certainly make a nice 9-day trip from SF to Portland along the coast. The unfortunate part of travelling south-to-north is the difficulty in getting to the turnouts and attractions because you have to cross traffic in frequently less than ideal ( read DANGEROUS) circumstances.

Regarding the summer not being the optimum time, I don%26#39;t think I feel the same way as your source. From our experience, which is limited, I would think it would be the most reliable time to have the most good days for scenic viewing along the coast- especially if you make your trip in the latter part of the summer to early fall, even.

homemade mask

Help with itinerary

First time visitors to Oregon and the amount of information is staggering. I have been planning this trip for months so hopefully I have got it right. We don%26#39;t want to book accommodation in advance but this is what we have decided so far.We are leaving Whitefish,MT on 7th September and will probably stay overnight in Lewiston,ID. Using this route because we will be coming from Seattle %26amp; Spokane so don%26#39;t want to go back to Spokane.

8th September - Umatilla

9th %26amp; 10th - Hood River (Columbia River Gorge)

11th - Troutdale - after doing Mt Hood loop.

12th - Newport

13th %26amp; 14th - Coos Bay area

15th - Crescent City

16th %26amp; 17th - Grants Pass (for Crater Lake)

We have to be in San Francisco by 19th so will be a straight run down I5. Does this sound okay? Open to any suggestions and changes but we don%26#39;t want to drive any more than 200 mls per day. Thanks everyone.

Help with itinerary

We don%26#39;t want to drive any more than 200 mls per day: Grants Pass to San Francisco is almost 400 miles. We%26#39;re doing the Ca. and Oregon Coast Part of your trip in reverse beginning tomorrow! The run from SF to Grants Pass is around 6 hours depending on traffic in the bay area. Crescent City to San Francisco is more scenic drive and takes about 6 hours (depending on traffic) too.

Help with itinerary

I meant Crescent City to San Francisco on 101.

Is there a reason you picked Coos Bay as your main coast stop? It is not on the beach and is really a former lumber mill town.

Also - why Troutdale? It might be fun to see downtown Portland and the waterfront there.

I would recommend Bandon just south of Coos Bay.

Otherwise, it%26#39;s a beautiful trip.

Hello, bearhug, well, you%26#39;ll be covering a lot of territory in your trip!

Perhaps you can give us a bit more info about your likes/dislikes? That would help us help you. I too was wondering why you%26#39;re skipping Portland?

And will also agree that Coos Bay is one of the less scenic areas of the coast. Perhaps we could suggest a more scenic stop?

If you don%26#39;t want to book ahead, just be aware that you might not find vacancy at the upscale oceanfront hotels, particularly on a weekend. If you%26#39;re not planning on staying at one anyway, or don%26#39;t mind older, smaller motels in town, then you should have no problem finding lodging.

Be sure to visit our Stonehenge at Maryhill in the Gorge!

p.s. We visited the Mary Rose in 2006 - incredible!

Okay everyone,thanks for your suggestions. I will answer your questions first. We chose Troutdale because we live in a big city and this trip we will be visiting Seattle and San Francisco so thought we would skip Portland but if you think we would regret that maybe we should think again. Coos Bay a bad idea? Definitely prefer scenic so is Bandon a better choice? We prefer the Mom %26amp; Pop motels so it sounds as though we won%26#39;t have a problem there.Is Grants Pass the best place to stay for visiting Crater lake? OH and I are both from Ireland although we now live in England and your coastline looks a lot like Ireland. Ah, feeling homesick now!!

Troutdale has a charming little downtown ';Main Street'; area. There is not a lot to do, so if you simply want to relax, this would work. If you want some nightlife, you%26#39;d be better off going another 12 miles to downtown Portland. Of course, as mentioned, it is only a 20-25 minute drive, on I-84 at non-rush hour times, so you can do both.

Hi! Welcome to Oregon

A definite yes to Bandon instead of Coos Bay. There are no views in Coos Bay and Bandon is a beautiful small town right on the beach.

Troutdale is primarily a truck stop town on the freeway with a very, very small downtown and an outlet mall. Perhaps you were planning to stay at McMenamin%26#39;s Edgefield Lodge - a former poor house now all fixed up. That can be a fun place to be and you could drive into Portland.

I would recommend seeing Portland - not necessarily for nightlife, but to walk along the river and ride the trolley. Try to stay at a motel fairly near the river. I think you%26#39;ll find that it doesn%26#39;t have the feel of a really big city and is worth visiting.

Be sure when you go to Crescent City that you make into south into the redwoods if you can. They are something to behold.

I suggest you look into Shady Cove for your stop near Crater Lake. You will be much closer and on a beautiful river. However Grants Pass is fine.

I will suggest you spend two nights in Newport, and one night in Bandon. Or, if you like really small towns (pop 600), spend two nights in Yachats instead of Newport. Far quieter, more scenic. You can still drive up to Newport if you%26#39;d like, as it%26#39;s only 30-35 minutes on a straight road.

Reagrding lodging, there are several less expensive motels in Yachats, some on the oceanfront; suggest the Wayside Lodge. In Newport, look at Newport City Center Motel for the best value, or the Waves for a good ocean view at a very reasonable price.

Many people like the LaKris in Bandon for a good bargain. In Crescent City, I always suggest the Crescent Beach Motel since it%26#39;s on the beach and fairly priced.

I think you%26#39;ll be fine not booking ahead - just some ideas to tuck away ;-)

Thanks everyone for all your help. You have certainly given me a lot of ideas and we are definitely going to stay 1 night at least in Portland. Any thoughts on lodging there preferably within walking distance of the waterfront?

OK, another trip from Portland to SF - more time to spend

Hi folks, I%26#39;ve enjoyed reading your expert recommendations for somebody with just a couple of days to spend in travel...I%26#39;m headign out this summer 09 with idea of also driving from Portland to SF, but have a week or maybe even up to 10 days or so to spend....with wife and 14YO daughter...maybe you guys can go nuts and suggest expanded venues from your great earlier posts about a shorter trip. Hoping to golf one day at Bandon, altho that%26#39;s not written in stone. Also would like to spend a day in Portland and at least two in SF. ...any ideas are appreciated in advance....thanks....

OK, another trip from Portland to SF - more time to spend

My ideal ';long'; trip down the coast:

2 nights at Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach

2 nights at Overleaf Lodge in Yachats

2 nights at Tu Tu Tun Lodge in Gold Beach

2 nights at Lost Whale Inn in Trinidad

2 nights at Albion River Inn south of Mendocino

I%26#39;m reasonably sure all of the accommodations would accommodate a 14 year old (but not necessarily a younger child for others who might be reading this).

That%26#39;s 10 nights obviously and it doesn%26#39;t include your golfing at Bandon, but it%26#39;s a nice leisurely drive with plenty of time to explore in and around each place and a reasonable amount of driving on the driving days. You could be fine mixing it up between 1 and 2 nighters to cut some time.

OK, another trip from Portland to SF - more time to spend

My north coast spot, to stay, would be Gerhart. From there, you can easily access Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, and points in between.

What is your hotel budget?

(NWW, yours is far greater than ours, LOL!)

What do you all like to do?

Does your 10 days include 2 nights in SF and 1 in Portland - so actually you have 7 nights along the coast?

Do you want to take Hwy 1 or 101 in CA?

Thanks everybody for the suggestions.

To answer your specific questions, let%26#39;s assume that the 10 days has to include at least 2 nights in SF and one in Portland.

What do we like to do? Easy outdoorsy stuff, e.g. maybe that jetboat thing somebody suggested and a hike here or there, but not backpacking or camping. Also a big plus for things like sea lions and any ocean vistas and walks, but not surfing etc.

Hotel budget? Not really sure...I guess middle of the road to slightly higher, but high luxury only a night or two.

1 or 101? I%26#39;m flexible, you tell me. I guess the more scenic unless its 20 mph the whole way.

would love to hear your suggestions. thanks

bruce

oh, also should have asked you oregonians about your opinions of a side trip to Crater Lake. IE is this do-able or would it take a few days travel to and from the coast...would you skip it on a trip south from portland to SF and just make it a separate trip sometime, is it impossibly crowded in summertime, etc...thanks

It can be done. It would take a least one full extra day.

One way would be to head east at Bandon and go over to Roseburg. Stay the night there (or at the Steamboat Inn) and drive Hwy 138 to the lake. Head back along the Rogue River to Grants Pass and down to Crescent City, contininuting the trip on 101.

This would add about 250 very slow miles to the trip (350 miles to and from CL minus the 100 miles of coastline you would miss) - but the scenery would be beautiful. You could cut it a little shorter by heading east at Reedsport - but you%26#39;d miss Bandon.

Crater Lake Lodge is always booked up way ahead of time and the campgrounds are crowded, but the crowd disperses around the lake so I wouldn%26#39;t let that stop me.

Should you do it? Probably only if you think you may never be back. Otherwise it%26#39;s part of a wonderful next trip that could include the gorge, Mt. Hood, Bend area and Crater Lake. Remember that Crater Lake is snowed in until late June and closes again in late fall.

Cool! Thanks for the info on Crater Lake.

Gold Beach to Jacksonville

We have a day to travel from Gold Beach to Jacksonville. We wanted to stop and see the Redwoods -- Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park appears to be the best option -- preferable get out of the car and hike at least a mile but up to 3-4 miles.

I am assuming we will take 101 to 197 and then 199 to 5 to Jacksonville ( or os the road from Selma to Williams to Applegate to Ruch to Jacksonville better?

Would appreciate feedback on where to hike and/or drive.

Thanks

Gold Beach to Jacksonville

I%26#39;m thinking the road from Selma to Williams is a long, gravel Forest Service road that would *not* be good to take. Can%26#39;t remember precisely, though. How did you locate it?

No need to go to I-5. There is a road that goes from Hwy 199 to Murphy, but I don%26#39;t know what it is called. Then you can get on the Jacksonville ';highway'; which is a good two lane road to Jacksonville. Along the way, you could take a circle route to Applegate Reservoir, then it takes you back to Rouche.

Hiking? I think there are trails out of Big Stout Grove along Hwy 199, but I am not a hiker ;-)

Gold Beach to Jacksonville

Half-Brit is correct as always. The road from Selma is not one you want to take.

Go 12 miles farther to Wilderville and follow the Applegate River to Jacksonville.

Jedediah Smith Park is beautiful. Google it for the hike (it%26#39;s 7 1/2 miles Round trip, but you don%26#39;t have to do the whole thing).

OR/CA Coast Roadtrip Itinerary Help

I have two questions about traveling to the OR/CA Coast during July. 1.) Is it feasible to do a somewhat leisurely road trip from San Francisco to Portland, driving the majority of the trip along the coast, in about a 9-day time frame? 2.) Also, I have heard that July may not be the best time of year to do a trip like this, with much foggy and damp weather. Any thoughts and advice about either of these topics would be greatly appreciated!

OR/CA Coast Roadtrip Itinerary Help

1) Yes

2) Not damp in July

How%26#39;s that? ;-)

Nine days will give you a nice amount of time. However, do some of those days include time in SF and Portland? In other words, how many nights do you have to travel the coast itself?

July weather. The southern coast does get some fog in the summer. The rest of the coast will get it *if* it is very hot in the ';valley';, as the heat pulls in the fog/damp from the ocean. Most of the time there is very little fog from around June through October.

It can rain at any time, but there is not much from July 5th through to mid October, usually.

It is breezy at the coast in the summer. For the most reliable ';ideal'; weather, September to early October is usually best.

OR/CA Coast Roadtrip Itinerary Help

Thank you for your response and helpful information! One concern I do have is that part of the nine days would also be reserved for exploring San Francisco and Portland (probably about 1.5 - 2 days in each city), which would cut into our coastal time. Would approximately five days be enough to do any justice to the coast between San Francisco and Portland?

Much as I love my hometown of Portland - one day would be OK to give you a sense. But SFO deserves at least 2.

That gives you 6 days - it would be a lot of driving, but it would be a beautiful trip.

As they said on the other post - North to South has much better views and is safer because you are on the ocean side of the road. Any chance you can do it the other direction?

Rate the BEST of the Coast

My September sightseeing vacation to the NW is approaching and I%26#39;m trying to zero in on what to see in a short amount of time. We will be driving the coast in only two days from Astoria to Crescent City.

What are the BEST state parks with great views? Am I to assume it would be Ecola and Cape Perpetua.

What are the BEST lighthouses to see?

And what are the best FREE locales to see the sea lions?

We will be staying the first night in Seaside, the second night in Newport and the third night in Crescent City.

So, please what are the absolute BEST coastal highlights in your experience opinions?

Rate the BEST of the Coast

Ecola is great, I would add Oswald West State Park near Cannon Beach and Fort Stevens State Park in Warrenton, between Astoria and Seaside. Where are you staying in Seaside? If you go to Astoria, South Mooring Basin is a nice place to spot the sea lions. Rogue Public Ale House is in this area if you want to have a meal there. Have fun! :)

Rate the BEST of the Coast

Thanks syragirl...we%26#39;re staying at Rivertide Suites in Seaside.

I was curious as to how Ft Stevens compares to Cape Disappointment state park across the river mouth in WA. We had been leaning toward the latter, but we%26#39;re flexible.

Thanks, too, for the info on the sea lions.

Both places are beautiful, you will see the North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment, it%26#39;s very cool. In Fort Stevens there is the Wreck of the Peter Iredale, miles of biking and walking trails and Coffenbury Lake. :)

The Peter Iredale is fun to see, but Cape Disappointment is overall superior, IMO. Keep in mind that there is not much left of the shipwreck, and it%26#39;s only impressive at very low tide. Cape Disappointment has an extremely good Lewis and Clark interpretive center - not sure you%26#39;ve been there yet, syrahgirl?

BEST free place to see sea lions is unquestionably the bayfront at Newport. You can get within about 15%26#39; of them and they are *always* there. Many of them. Go out on the wooden dock next to Port Dock 1 restaurant.

BEST lighthouse is Yaquina Head just north of Newport. Tallest in Oregon and you can climb to the top. Entry fee charged at gate, $5/car I think.

Second is either Cape Blanco, which is off 101 about 6 miles and not sure if open; or the classic Heceta Head north of Florence, but don%26#39;t think you can climb it.

As you approach and cross the CA border, look out to sea for Point St George lighthouse. In Crescent City, Battery Point lighthouse is *unique*, as it can be accessed only at low tide across a causeway. It%26#39;s open for tours at low tide.

Ecola is pretty, Cape Perpetua is good if it%26#39;s clear - walk out to the lookout hut. On the southern coast, there are a series of small parks which have spectacular view if it%26#39;s clear. They are all under the umbrella name of Samuel Boardman SP.

BEST pit stop / day use SP IMO is Ophir on the south coast. Sits *right* on the beach.

Tours are offered at Heceta Head Lighthouse 10 am to 6 pm daily. It was closed for a short time for repairs, but opened again about a month ago.

Many thanks for all your ';BEST OF...'; replies. It really helps a speed demon like me prioritize and maximize our time.

Any suggestions by chance on this OR board as to the best places to scope out the Redwoods around Crescent City?

Since I am [ahem] the DE for Crescent City, yes it%26#39;s the right place, LOL!

My first thought is Howland Hill Road, but I know you are in a hurry ;-) That is a beautiful drive, but s-l-o-w.

Remind me of your timing again, and where are you heading after Crescent City?

I feel privledged, half-brit, to have access to an expert.

In Sept, we will be arriving in CC late on a Saturday night , and will have all day Sunday there to explore before spending Sun night about 2 hours up the road in Grants Pass.

Okay, Howland Hill Road would work for you then. It%26#39;s an unpaved gravel/dirt road that is about 6 miles long. It takes about a half hour to drive it without stops. It is potholed, but worth the drive as you get within touching distance of the huge trees.

You can go south of town on 101 and turn east on Elk Valley Road. Follow signs to Howland Hill. Or, take Hwy 199 inland a few miles and there will be a sign to Howland Hill Road on your right at the bridge.

For redwoods on a paved highway, you can also drive on Hwy 101 south of Crescent City to just north of Orick. Then take the Newton Drury scenic route back north. It will return you to Hwy 101. There are some awesome lagoons a bit south of Orick if you want to go that far; Stone Lagoon has a large elk herd. Total time for this tour is about 2.5-3 hours RT without stops.

Here are some other options:

www.nps.gov/archive/redw/scenic_drives.html

Thanks half-brit, we%26#39;ll print all of that out. What is your opinion of the Trees of Mystery Park?

Bend Area in A Day

Okay, here%26#39;s the setup. We have found time during our September visit to devote 1 day to the Bend area. The previous day, we will be driving from Grants Pass to see Crater Lake, and then on to Bend and the Shilo Inn for the night. That next day will be devoted to the Bend area, but we will have to be in Portland by bed time. Two adults just sight seeing, but I wanted your opinions on what to do because there are alot of things that sound cool and obvioulsy we can%26#39;t do them all; they include:

**The town of Sisters

**McKenzie Pass/Dee Wright Observatory

**West Cascades Scenic Byway

**Salt Creek Falls on Hwy 58

**Newberry Nat%26#39;l Monument

Those look like the best options, how would you prioritize? If it helps, our vacation will also include areas like Columbia Gorge and Mt St Helen%26#39;s.

Thanks for your input.

Bend Area in A Day

Quite frankly, you have a problem with trying to do too much in one day out of Bend...which has quite a few attractions of its own (High Desert Museum, etc.).

Be sure to check www.tripcheck.com

since the road to Dee Wright Observatory (Old McKenzie Hwy #242) will be having lots of construction work this summer and won%26#39;t be open in all directions all the time. I would spend some time in Bend and then set out over Santiam Pass, maybe have lunch in Sisters, turn onto the McKenzie Hwy #126, see Sahalie falls (a couple miles after the turn), enjoy the beautiful McKenzie River and take the hwy all the way to I-5 and then zip up to Portland (2 hrs from Eugene to Portland).

I%26#39;m sure others will have other opinions, but that%26#39;s mine considering the time you have available.

Bend Area in A Day

I recommend ... pretty much what Oregonpoppa said. :-)

Salt creek falls is gorgeous but too far the ';wrong way'; so I agree that Sahalie is your better bet. Santiam is my favorite route to Salem and Portland... it really is gorgeous.

Sisters is tiny and most of the downtown is little shops and so on. Try Sno Cap (amazing chicken strips) or the Sandwich Depot for lunch. You don%26#39;t say when you will be traveling but check their event schedule. If there%26#39;s something going on that weekend (especially the Rodeo or the Quilt Show) it will be a VERY slow drive through town.

For the morning in Bend, you might be able to squeeze in a quick tour of the High Desert Museum. You could also walk the river trail (from Farewell Bend Park near the Old Mill or from Sawyer Park near the Shilo). There%26#39;s a Heritage Walk downtown (get a flyer from the Deschutes County Historical Society). Shevlin Park is also nice, and I recommend either driving or walking up to the top of Pilot Butte.

Hmmm, I kinda lean toward the Newberry Nat%26#39;l Volcanic Monument. There are two things there that are very unique - the Lava River Tube and the Lava Butte cinder cone.

tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g51766-d27鈥?/a>

Thanks for the responses.

Might any of you happen to know, in general, what are the weekday hours for the shops in Sisters after Labor Day?

Also, Newberry sounds really interesting...how many hours should we carve out for it (I%26#39;m not so sure my travel mate will want to go down in the cave, so don%26#39;t account time for that).

Oh, I meant to add...what is Pilot Butte? I don%26#39;t recall hearing about that before.

Thanks for asking! Pilot Butte is an extinct volcano located right in the middle of Bend. From the top if it%26#39;s a clear day you can see many of the Cascade Mountains from Hood/St Helens down *almost* to Shasta... along with Smith Rock, Ochoco Mountains, and Powell Butte. (I know people that claim to have seen Shasta from up there. I haven%26#39;t.) If it%26#39;s not a clear day you can usually still see the Three Sisters, Broken Top, and Mt Bachelor.

It%26#39;s an Oregon State Park and there are two ways to enjoy it. If you are in ';decent'; shape then you can park at the base and walk to the top (~1 mile, 500 ft elevation gain). If you don%26#39;t want to walk (or you are in a hurry) then you can also drive to the summit where there is limited parking (but the views are just as spectacular). ;-)

Thanks ';five..';, I will have to check out Pilot Butte...sounds rather cool.

I%26#39;m still not sure how I want to plan this lone day in Bend...guess I%26#39;ll figure it out when I get there.

This might help you with your planning:

tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g51766-d27鈥?/a>

There was an article about Newberry in today%26#39;s paper:

bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article鈥?/a>

Okay...I think I%26#39;m sold on Newberry....at least the Lava Butte and the Falls. And maybe catch Three Sisters on the way out of town.

What really gets me pumped about this trip is the Bend newspaper article link has the current temperature there at 56 degrees....in the meantime, I%26#39;m sweltering in 99 degrees and high humidity at this hour :(

homemade mask

Newberry crater camping

We are thinking of camping at Paulina Lake in Newberry Crater in mid-July. I%26#39;ve heard the mosquitos are bad here, but I%26#39;m not sure if this is just a few people%26#39;s experience at a certain time of year or if this is something I should take into consideration. Does anyone know?

Thanks!

Jen

Newberry crater camping

You might try calling the lodge. I%26#39;ve not been for years, but mosquitoes come in hatches so it%26#39;s hard to predict. At least Pauline Lake is high enough that it will get cool in the evening, which should help even if they are bad.

Take good repellent just in case.

Buy a product called Afterbite - REI and other places sell it. It is basically a tube of ammonia. You rub it on as soon as you notice a bite, it neutralizes it, and the bite goes away. It is really amazing stuff.

Astoria Column is open again

After a one year renovation, and just in time for July 4th weekend, the Astoria Column is once again open for visitors to climb to the top:

www.katu.com/outdoors/featured/49046126.html

Astoria Column is open again

That is great news. Can%26#39;t wait to see it all spruced up. Though, I will probably skip on climbing to the top. It always makes me dizzy, LOL!!

Can anyone comment on the Belknap Lodge?

We will be traveling in the McKenzie River area in July of 2007 (myself, husband, and 9 year old son). We%26#39;re considering staying at the Belknap Lodge and Hot Springs. Although we found this in our Frommers book, I haven%26#39;t been able to find any reviews of the Lodge here. Has anyone stayed there? Another possible choice is the McKenzie Riverside Cottages in Blue River. Pros and cons of each??? Thanks.

Can anyone comment on the Belknap Lodge?

I have stayed at the Belknap Lodge. It is really very pleasant. It is especially nice to get a riverside room. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, great hike nearby. The hot pool was not quite hot enough for us, but still a great amenity. There is another outdoor hot spring about 10 miles east up a steep hike. When we were at the lodge a vintage car tour was there, which made it extra entertaining. We ate at a different restaurant about 2 miles west, which was very good. Forget the name, but they will know. I think you made the right choice. I have not stayed at the other place but i recall this being a decent value as well as a very pleasant place. One warning about rafting the McKenzie, it is very boring, though maybe this year there is better flow. Stick to the half day. It should be safe for kids. If you are fishing, great. You can%26#39;t go wrong in the Oregon Cascades! have fun,

Eleanor

Can anyone comment on the Belknap Lodge?

Thank you for all the info, including the additional comment on rafting in the McKenzie. We%26#39;re leaning toward the Belknap!

You won%26#39;t be sorry! Do ask for a riverside room. The river is amazing. Also, depending on the time of year, the Upper McKenzie can be fun. I was thinking of the downriver trip.

Thanks again for the added info - and I%26#39;m glad to hear that the upper river has some thrills. We don%26#39;t need huge rapids for rafting, but one long bathtub float will definitely bore my son! We%26#39;ve called the Belknap, and reserved the only remaining room in the Lodge. We%26#39;re relieved to hear of your positive experience, and will write a review upon our return.

Ive never stayed there, but the grounds are very nice. It looks like a really nice place to stay and relax. I think the restaurant that Elanor is refering to is the Log Cabin Inn-which burned down about a year ago. :( Too bad it was pretty good.

Thanks for the added positive description of the Belknap. Sorry to hear of the loss of a good eatery in the neighborhood. Hopefully, others are still around or have sprung up.

The place is beautiful outside. The price is alright if you don%26#39;t have any extra people in a room.

I%26#39;ve only been there once and would love to go there again, but will not due to their customer service.

The lady that worked there was unbelievably rude.

I simply asked why we were being charged an additional $60 while we were checking in.

The guy told me it was because we had an extra 3 kids in our room.

I asked if age mattered and he said that if they were under 4 we would not be charged (we had a 2, 4, and 6 year old)

Then a lady came out and her exact words were,

';I know her, she has tried this before. Don%26#39;t listen to her and just charge her .';

This was my first time coming there and I have never been treated so rudely and in front of other customers. I am a quiet shy person and was embarrassed by her remark. . I don%26#39;t mind paying extra for each additional person, I simply wanted to know what I was being charged for.

My mom asked her to clarify what she meant by that remark since this was our first time coming there.

She did not apologize and told her that our kind always comes here with extra kids and already knows that it is an additional $10 per kid per night.

Since the place was pretty booked, we had 2 different rooms for each day.

The next day we went to ask what time would we have to be out of our current room and when we could move into the other room.

The lady%26#39;s response was that we had to be out at 11:00 and check into our other room at 3:00.

I noticed that cleaning ladies were already cleaning the rooms on the upper floor where our new room would be.

I asked if it would be possible for us to stay in our room until the cleaning ladies were done cleaning our room and move all of our stuff then.

She could have responded with a ';Sorry that%26#39;s not possible or I%26#39;ll see what I can do.';

But her response was, ';I%26#39;ve traveled all around the world and paid $500 a night. I would have to checkout in the morning and sit in my car for 5 hours and I would not complain.';

I was not complaining, just asking. It%26#39;s kind of hard to be without a room for that long with 3 small kids and to move every thing back to the car then back to a room.

She then said, ';If you give me $10 I%26#39;ll talk to the cleaning ladies for you, but I will not bother my cleaning ladies for you without $10 first.';

I gave her $10 and we got to stay in our room for a tad bit longer.

While we stayed there our rooms were unbelievably hot. They either had no air conditioning or it was broken white we stayed there.

Most of the rooms have no TV. The place is so beautiful outside I doubt you would want to watch T.V during the day, but it would have been nice to watch something at night before going to bed.

I also noticed that the walls are so thin you can hear people talking in their rooms (that%26#39;s probably why they don%26#39;t have T.V%26#39;s either.)

Wow, naeuju, what a dreadful experience! We recently returned from our stay at the Belknap and I have to say that we were very pleased. As you said, the rooms and the grounds are very nice. And, the location is fabulous for experiencing all that the cascades have to offer (but very out-of-the-way for those who prefer convenience).

Although we had one child with us, we were not charged extra. We had little trouble with the front desk, although they were very busy (RV and camping reservations, as well as the small number of lodge rooms). In fact, we arrived very late the first evening and the front desk was accommodating and gracious. However, we heard rumors that one of the women was known to be very unfriendly and I bet that%26#39;s who you encountered.

We, too, were surprised by the lack of TV in our room since the website seemed to indicate otherwise. But, we%26#39;re not big TV watchers so it was no problem. Our first couple days there was no AC, but some repair people arrived and did install a room thermostat (apparently it rarely gets hot there, and we happened to be there during the only 100 degree days in years). Nonetheless, at night it cooled down pleasantly and we didn%26#39;t use the AC.

Thanks for your reply. I%26#39;m actually hoping to write a real review when the post-vacation craziness subsides.

No one mentioned the beautiful garden hike just across the river. Also, take a drive up to Koosa and Sahalie Falls. We have never stayed at the lodge but camped there. We used their pools about 12 years ago as well.

can anyone comment further on rafting the upper mckenzie? my brother and i (both in our mid-20%26#39;s) will be headed down that way in late august and i would like to take him white water rafting for his birthday. we have each been twice before so we are by no means seasoned, but don%26#39;t want to just float down the river either. any thoughts? thank you.

What is your favorite Umpqua Valley wine?

I am not advertising any biz. I live here and enjoy the wines of the Umpqua Valley AVA.

For some reason the people who run the eraser didn%26#39;t like my last post, even though I did not mention any biz by name or phone number?

How do I get a discussion of our local wines going?

Do you have to be a private citizen with no job or biz?

What is your favorite Umpqua Valley wine?

I didn%26#39;t see your earlier post - but I am guessing that it was considered off-topic. The topic is travel. If you just want to talk about your local AVA, this would not be the place to do it.

If you wanted to talk about things tourists would be wanting to do in your AVA, then that probably would be ok.

Just say%26#39;n.

-Noah

What is your favorite Umpqua Valley wine?

Ok. Travelers would enjoy a nice picnic at any of our 21 tasting rooms.

Get off of I-5 and discover the wine country. Wine tasting maps are available at the Roseburg Visitors Center.

If it looks like advertising and self-promotion, walks like advertising and self-promotion and talks like advertising and self-promotion......guess what!

It is.

So if I stay at a hotel and talk about it then that%26#39;s self-promotion??

Never mind then don%26#39;t come and enjoy our great wine!

This is the last post for me!

Checking the OP%26#39;s ';inside pages';, you are correct, oregonpoppa.

Actually, the original post sounded like an advertisement. That is why I asked if you owned (or worked at) a winery in the area. It was also the first post you had ever made on TA, which also raised the question.

TA must have felt that the entire thread was off topic, so they removed it.

To get back on topic. I have not been to the Umpqua region for quite awhile. Actually, since 2001. Much has changed since then. There are definitely more wineries in the area now and they seem to be doing a better job of getting the word out that Oregon can/does produce wines that are not Pinot Noir.

Ah, half-Brit, you are right. I just checked them out. Both of them promoting the OP%26#39;s business. Is that allowed on Insider Pages?

I know that we can post that we own, or work for, a company here...for instance....if the topic is local hotel concierge service, someone could come in here and say ';I am the concierge at ';ABC Hotel';, when responding to the post. But using the forums to promote the business is not allowed. Am I right?

In trying to make his posts more ';travel oriented,'; he should have given us useful info, such as:

Other than the winery he represents, what are the two or three best ones for tourists; which have good tours and tasting rooms (any charges for tastings); picnic areas or food/cheese shops; proximity to each other and recommended inns and b%26amp;bs; etc.

All he did was offer puffery. And anyone could find out as much or more simply surfing the net. In fact, here%26#39;s the Umpqua Valley AVA website.

http://www.umpquavalleywineries.org/

Now, that%26#39;s being helpful without being self-promotional.

oregonpoppa,

I hear ya. Totally agreed.

One thing that I did note, he has a few photos posted. One is of Hillcrest in Roseburg. Believe it or not, this is where Patty Green got her start. Her friend Donna Postle (formerly of LaGarza) invited Patty to earn some dough by working harvest one year. Patty didn%26#39;t want to, until Donna told her that they drank beer after picking. So, Patty signed on.

Well, after that short 7-8 weeks, Patty said ';Next year, I will be the winemaker here.'; And she was!

Anyway, the photo lists Hillcrest as the ';oldest winery in Oregon';. That is actually not true. I believe that Honeywood holds that honor, going back to 1934, if memory serves me (and NO, I am not that old!!!!) Ah yes, I am correct, my Discover Oregon Wine guide lists it as 1934.

Hillcrest also claims to have the oldest vineyard, going back to 1961. This is also not true. David Hill has the oldest vineyard, dating back to 1883. Although, by the info on their web site, most vines were torn out during prohibition.

Ah, sorry, just got on a history lesson. What does this have to do with travel? Plenty, it just gave tourists to Oregon wineries some background. ;-)

What can I say, wine is my passion.

Thank you for your feedback. Finally, a discussion of the Umpqua Valley and why you should visit.

Below is from the wine maker/owner of HillCrest Vineyard.

';Honeywood is Bonded Winery 26 if I am right was first given to it when it registered as Columbia Distillers in the 1930%26#39;s. They changed their name again before Honeywood and I don%26#39;t remember the name, but they at that point bought wine from California for bottling and distillation. Being it has always been in downtown Salem it could never be an estate winery in the classic sense as there is no vineyard on site. The book ';The Winemakers'; their winemaker states (1979) that they are not a grape winery. After this they began making vinifera wines for sale in Oregon even though they produce almost exclusively fruit wines..We are the oldest continually operating vinifera or estate winery in Oregon. In other words you can date Honeywood production to now earlier than 1979 and Richard was of course 1963 (first harvest).';

First Time Visit July 4-8

We have planned 2 days in Portland and 2 days in Wilamette Valley. Tentative itinerary includes fireworks the 4th; blues festival the 5th; wine tasting and?

First Time Visit July 4-8

If wine tasting is a priority you might look at McMinnville as your base for the second 2 days. Yamhill County has many wineries, excellent restaurants, and is quite scenic.

First Time Visit July 4-8

wine tasting is not a priority; maybe a day at most. we are staying at The LIons Gate Inn, Newberg. Can you suggest a day trip from this area? Hiking or beach?

Hello and welcome! I would not miss spending some time in Cannon Beach and Seaside, about a 90 minute drive from Portland. Have fun! :)

I would suggest that if you decide to visit the coast, don%26#39;t go until Tues the 7th. Everywhere on the north and central coast will be absolutely *jammed* with people for the 4th July weekend :-(

we live at the beach in CA...so maybe we need to spend our time seeing other sights. Any suggestions?

Since the beach is not a high priority, suggest you spend a day touring the Columbia River Gorge (not the 4th), any time after Sunday would be good.

Lots of waterfalls, great short hikes, beautiful scenery.

Also, if you have not been to Mt. St. Helens, it is a %26#39;must see%26#39; IMO. Just try to pick a clear day for the best views of the crater at Johnston Ridge. An easy day trip from Portland.

If you want to stay closer to the Willamette Valley, perhaps a trip to the Oregon Gardens or Silver Falls State Park near Silverton.

Kitters suggestions are all right on.

Silver Falls State Park is wonderful hiking fairly close to Newberg. Mt. St. Helens a world class sight. The gorge beautiful with lots of hikes (stop at Multnomah Falls and buy a guide book in the gift shop.

The holiday is actually the 3rd through the 5th. People are coming home on the 5th so I think venturing out to hike any time after the 4th would be fine.

If you are interested in hiking in the gorge, there is an interpretive center at Multnomah Falls in the lodge. They have free maps, and the volunteers there are pretty knowledgable when it comes to answering questions about hiking in the gorge, and other exploring. I think the same information is available from the volunteers at Vista House as well, but don%26#39;t quote me on that one. I will verify that next time I am up that way, which will be soon.

thanks for all of your great ideas..so for sure we%26#39;re in Portland the 4th and 5th..do you have any great restaurant suggestions..is there a restaurant that would offer good viewing for the 4th fireworks?

Most Clean and Underrated City.

From a TripAdvisor press release, Portland has been voted both the cleanest US City and the Most Underrated.

So, should I be proud or ashamed that we are underrated? If more people knew about us and came to visit - would we still have the factors that make us so desirable as a city to visit?

Press Release at: news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.aspx鈥?/a>

Most Clean and Underrated City.

Maybe if we weren%26#39;t so underrated we wouldn%26#39;t be so clean either????

homemade mask

Coast State Park campgrounds...Which one?

We%26#39;re trying to decide which campgrounds to stay at on our upcoming trip. The only one that is fully reserved already is Cape Blanco. Which of these state parks do you like best (or that you would choose) and why? We are most interested in being near the beach, but also would like a nice place to camp. We will already be staying at Cape Lookout the first night. We will also be staying a night in the Coos Bay/North Bend area with relatives.

I know there are other campgrounds on the coast that I%26#39;ve left off the list. If you know of a great campground (forest service, BLM, etc. you prefer) I%26#39;d love to know about it.

Central coast: need 2-3 nights

Beverly Beach

South Beach (leaning toward it for 2 nights as we%26#39;re going to the Aquarium and Yaquina Head.

Beachside

Washburne (first come, first serve)

South Coast: need 2 nights

Bullards Beach

Humbug Mountain (first come, first serve)

Harris Beach

I%26#39;d love to know what your thoughts are on this!

Coast State Park campgrounds...Which one?

Beverly Beach: VERY crowded but very beautiful campground and a great beach. ~280 campsites crammed into under 80 acres, verses, say JM Honeyman, where there are nearly 100 mores sites spread over ~200 acres. It%26#39;s crowded for another reason though.......people LOVE it there!!!

South Beach: Big, flat and windy. If you%26#39;ve ever been to Nehalem Bay State Park, you%26#39;ve basically seen South Beach. It is a great location to visit the aquarium from and you can take the bike path directly there.

Beachside: The closest you will get to the beach, even from the east side of the campground. Problem being, many of the lower numbered campsites are VERY close to hwy 101 and frankly, quite dangerous if tenting (several accidents occur here each year). ALL of the non-reservable sites are next to the hwy. Pick site numbers 40+ if you choose this park.

Carl G. Washburne: A hiden gem. The campground is on the east side of hwy 101. You can take a path under the hwy from the north end of the campground to get to the beach (and a GREAT beach it is!!!), or you can trek across hwy 101 throught the day use area. This is a VERY quite campground with MANY recent upgrades including 50 amp electrical in ALL sites. Another plus is you are out of the coastal wind here.

Bullards Beach: The most popular south coast State Park. VERY nice campground, but it is located almost a mile form the beach. You can walk a path or drive the road to the beach access.

Humbug Mt: Similar to Carl Washburne in that it%26#39;s somewhat undiscovered. Very pretty and wind sheltered but also very close to hwy 101. The beach is pretty small, a lot like Fogerty Creek, but again, very nice and very pretty.

Harris Beach: NICE campground! There is a new ADA beach access and the beach is one of the most picturesque you%26#39;ll find. Some of the sites are a little close to hwy 101, so be aware of what you are getting. Some sites also have ocean views. The new Oregon Welcome Center is just a couple miles south at Crissy Field and is worth a stop.

Coast State Park campgrounds...Which one?

South Beach is back away from the ocean, and behind the low dunes, so IMO it is not very windy. It is a bit of a walk (up over those dunes) to get to the beach and ocean, but there is a paved footpath/bike path that leads out to the jetty and harbour entrance. It is a nice bike ride over to the aquarium, all flat except for a little section. You can also bicycle to the South Beach Marina, Marine Science Center, the pier, and oh yes, Rogue Ale Brewpub!

%26gt;%26gt;(several accidents occur here each year).%26lt;%26lt;

Hmmm, other than one when they repaved a few years ago, I don%26#39;t recall any . . . but then maybe my memory is rusty from living in all this salt air, lol.

Harris Beach is nice, although it%26#39;s a fairly steep hill down to the beach, but pretty little beach with interesting rock formations.

I assume you%26#39;re tenting, diekmanj?

You might try this place near Charleston as they have a few tent sites in the low dunes with an ocean view:

http://www.oceansidervpark.net/

Also in the same area is Bastendorff Beach County Park, which is quite pleasant:

co.coos.or.us/ccpark/bastendorff/index.html

We are leaving today, spending tonight in the redwoods and then planning to stay at Washburne or somewhere further north if we feel like continuing on on Tuesday. We are in a tent, I%26#39;ll let you know where we end up (sans reservation) and how it is. We prefer roomy campsites, one other experience in a SP in Oregon, was not spacious, can%26#39;t remember which campground though somewhere mid-state. Had a great stay Humbug Mountain...not crowded. Have always wanted to stay at Harris Beach, but think it was always full...or we were in a hurry to get home.

When the north winds blow, as we all know they do regularly along the coast, South Beach, Like Nehalem Bay, is a wind funnel, the sand dunes seeming to amplify the wind velocity!!!!! For this reason, and no other, I usually steer tent campers away from these two parks from April through August.

And yes, accidents near Beachside are regular occurances and I have the incident reports to prove it! Twice last summer (one vehicle and one cargo trailer) landed in an occupied campsite!!!! There has already been one incident this year where the fence had to be repaired, but the vehicle was able to continue on.

Thanks for the replies and the great descriptions and what you think of the campgrounds. cweg, we%26#39;ll probably pass you somewhere on the trip! We%26#39;re heading south down the coastline to the redwoods, then on to Santa Rosa, where I see you%26#39;re from. My grandparents and a lot of relatives live there.

On the campgrounds, I don%26#39;t think we%26#39;ll stay at Beachside for a couple reasons. We%26#39;ll have 2 vehicles, which won%26#39;t fit in most the sites, and most the sites available look like they%26#39;ll only take smaller sized tents. I do like the location though. I think Washburne is out, too, though I%26#39;d love to stay there. It%26#39;s a little farther south than we%26#39;d like for those 2 nights. I want to stop and visit the park, though. The Hobbit Trail sounds nice.

So I%26#39;m trying to decide between South Beach (location is great, doesn%26#39;t sound quite as nice overall though) or Beverly Beach (might be crowded and farther from the beach, sounds prettier).

How much noise (from the highway, campground noise, etc.) are each of them?

And how far of a walk is it from the C loop or so of Beverly Beach down to the beach?

And at South Beach, can you actually see the ocean from any of the campground?

With the currently overcast weather we%26#39;re having, which one do you think would be less chilly or damp?

Thanks!

You will get basically NO traffic noise from the campground at South Beach. You will also NOT be able to see the ocean. The sand dunes (20-30鈥?high) and the distance from the ocean prevent it.

You WILL hear some traffic noise at B. Beach unless you are in the back loops (E,F,G). C-loop is just east of the entrance road, so it鈥檚 not very far from the ocean (maybe 300 yds), but not near as noisy as A and B loops are. Beverly is also WAY more aesthetically pleasing than S Beach, with larger trees and more vegetation (privacy) than at S Beach.

Hmmm, the accidents near Beachside SP did not make the local newspaper, apparently.

Wonder if this is too late...Washburn was windy on the 23 of June when we were there. It%26#39;s in a beautiful area. No problem without reservations on a Tuesday in June. It was a little cramped and noisy all night. I had forgotten how beautiful Prarie Creek Redwoods are if you need a place on the way to the bay area. I did reserve that site a few weeks ahead, none were available.

Portland Restaurants with Kids

We will be visiting Portland with two kids (Age 10 and 12) and I am looking for recommendations on good restaurants. It will be my daughters birthday so I want to find something she will like. My kid are not very adventurous eaters (cheeseburgers, grilled cheese, mac %26amp; cheese). I am considering staying at

Embassy Suites Downtown. So something in that area would be nice.

Portland Restaurants with Kids

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i1394-Portland_鈥?/a>

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i1398-Portland_鈥?/a>

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i1395-Portland_鈥?/a>

I would suggest Henrys Tavern ( it is a family restaurant) .. very good food, great atmosphere.. comfortable .

Mothers Bistro .. macaroni and cheese, great space, atmosphere and service not to mention homestyle food.

or next door, Mama Mia- great Italian.

Henrys sounds like it will suit the best, nice atmosphere for her celebration yet basic delicious food.. burgers, sandwiches, fish , etc.

Look at the menu on the website..

Have fun :)

Portland Restaurants with Kids

what about the spaghetti factory

oregon coast tent camping

Hi All,

I%26#39;ve checked the archives and am a bit confused about information about coastal camping.

We%26#39;re planning a camping trip mid-August until Labor Day weekend. We plan to car, tent camp along the coast. We%26#39;re experienced tent campers, don%26#39;t require many amenities, but enjoy bathrooms/showers in the campgrounds. We%26#39;d like to spend several days in each campground and use it as a base to enjoy nature and explore the coast.

Questions:

1) Do we need reservations at the state park campgrounds in mid-August.

2) Can you recommend a few campgrounds, perhaps one each in the south/central/north coast to focus on.

3) Would it be better to use motels in certain areas, (like the north coast), as we%26#39;re not all that interested in camping in a %26#39;tent city%26#39;...

Thanks in advance for your advice!

oregon coast tent camping

1) Do we need reservations at the state park campgrounds in mid-August.YES!!!!!!!!!!!

2) Can you recommend a few campgrounds, perhaps one each in the south/central/north coast to focus on. For the N Coast, I%26#39;d choose Cape Lookout. Beautiful, mid-sized campground with plety of privacy for tents. For teh Central Coast, Carl G. Washburne is a little known jewel just north of Florence. This park is non-reservation, however if you arrive b4 1pm checkout time, sites are almost always available. Annotehr good option would be Beachside, about 12 miles north. Beachside does acept reservations. For the south coast, I like Humbug Mt. Good, central location and wind protected.

3) Would it be better to use motels in certain areas, (like the north coast), as we%26#39;re not all that interested in camping in a %26#39;tent city%26#39;...That%26#39;s always an option, but an expensive one. You might alos consider Yurts.

oregon coast tent camping

1) You may be too late for good spots at the most popular state campgrounds.

2) %26amp; 3) There are a few nice private campgrounds with tent camping. Here is one in Cannon Beach, in the north. This place also has cabins, which you may prefer over motels:

http://www.cannon-beach.net/searanch/

There is also www.wrightsforcamping.com , and one called Circle Creek (Seaside address I think) which has nice tent sites along the river, and is quite rural.

Harris Beach SP north of Brookings is a nice southern coastal campground. Brookings also has an RV park/campground with tent sites on a big grassy area right at the marina; this is operated by the Port of Brookings/Harbor.

Some campsites at Beachside SP are just a few feet away from very busy Hwy 101, so choose your site carefully if you stay there. There is also a KOA and a private park near Beachside SP; the private park has tent sites right on the Alsea river - it%26#39;s called McKinley%26#39;s Marina.

We recently drove out to Cape Blanco SP campground and thought that pretty nice, but it%26#39;s kind of isolated.

Bastendorff Beach near Coos Bay is nice a county park, and there is a private park that has great *ocean view* tent sites near Charleston. Don%26#39;t be put off by the title - look at the photos, lol:

http://www.oceansidervpark.net/

This is just a sample of some alternatives if you do not find a SP that suits you, or you would prefer a water view.

1.) Most of the larger major Oregon State campgrounds have tent vacancies mid-week, it%26#39;s getting one on a sunny weekend that%26#39;s the challenge. You can still reserve good sites through the service that the State system uses, there is a link in their web site. Or, call directly to 1-800-452-5687 to reserve. They will charge $6.00 to take a reservation, a small price to pay for not being dissapointed.

2.) Sunset Bay is gorgeous in the South, Central would be Beverly Beach and North try Fort Stevens. Yes, it%26#39;s the busiest campsite on the coast, but for good reason, there%26#39;s so much to do!

3.)Unless the weather is awful, there is no reason to stay in a motel; also when you camp in a State park, it entitles you to access to all State parks without paying a user fee. There is adequate buffers of privacy in most campsites, so you don%26#39;t feel like you%26#39;re in a ';tent city';. Hope this helps

As for reservations at the campgrounds: Oregon State parks (unlike the ones in Washington state) keep half of their camp sites for ';first come, first serve'; basis...good for people who cant plan a camping trip 10 months in advance, or who don%26#39;t know that reservations on the coast are required (like in Washington State). The other half of their campsites are for reserved only.

You will have a good chance at getting a spot if you look around Mon-Tue-Wens....then you can stay at that spot for a bit. Reservations for over the weekend are nice, if you can get them. That is why you should get the ';first come-first serve'; site first and stay put over the weekend!!!

As for a Yurt, better reserve 9 months ahead! You may get lucky and find one available for a one-night-only-stint in the mid-week.

Here is a secret:

Tillamook, OR has a large (~ 100 sites) County campground on the beach (a little known secret) and it is ALL first come, first serve when I was there ~ 3years ago. A great find when you are the first ones there on a Friday!! I%26#39;m not advertising, just passing on a good tip here.

Also, check out the National Forest land that is east of the coast. Get ~ 15 miles east up in the mountains for cheap/free uncrowded camping by some beautiful rivers. Had to do that a few times when the State campgrounds were full on the coast.

Have a wonderful time! The Oregon Coast is heaven. You will not want to go home. One more tip---it rains remarkably less in the southern half of the coast than it does in the northern half. If it is raining and you are north of Lincoln City--pack up the gear and head south...2 different weather systems there.

Oregon State Parks DO NOT keep 1/2 of their sites available for first-come, first-served. The only park that used to do that was William Tugman, but it no longer does. The rule of thumb is a maximum of 10% of available inventory be held off reservations for volunteer host and problems such as a reserved site not being able to be occupied (such as problems with the utilities). There are a few parks, Beachside for example, that have been allowed to hold a larger percentage off of the reservations system due to a large number of undesirable sites, but 10% is the most common.

Well, welcome to TripAdvisor, foreveragirlscout, but your statement:

%26gt;%26gt;it rains remarkably less in the southern half of the coast than it does in the northern half.%26lt;%26lt;

I%26#39;m afraid is NOT correct. The entire coast gets more or less the same amount of rain each year . . . and that amount is right around 70';.

The southern coast is warmer both winter and summer, gets more fog in the summer, and tends to be drier *in the summer* only.

Anytime you go more than just a few miles east of the coast, the weather in summer will be very warm or even quite *hot*!

We camped at Carl Washburn State Park on June 23, a Tuesday night. There were sites that were open all night. The park was very full of large RVs. I found the spaces to be rather close together, not as bad as most RV parks, but closer than we prefer. Someone came in very late and I could hear their conversation in my tent at 2:30am. That said, the setting is beautiful.

But not on the ocean :-(

West Coast Road Trip

We are planning a trip down the west coast in October and are looking for somewhere to stop along the Central or Southern Oregon coast overnight. We won%26#39;t likely stay very long, but would have a little time to kill in the afternoon/evening and morning of the following day before heading south towards California. Any recommendations?

Also if you know a good place to stop about halfway between Oregon and Sonoma county and halfway between San Francisco and LA (along the coast), that would be helpful as well.

West Coast Road Trip

There are many places to stop.

Price range?

Keep in mind that the Oregon coast Hwy 101 is a two lane road with limited passing zones, so your speed will not be as fast as on a freeway ;-)

West Coast Road Trip

I am less concerned about price range and more about interesting towns, restuarants and attractions. For a one night stay.

If you are looking for lots to do, the logical choice is Newport on the central coast.

Eureka is about halfway between there and Sonoma - look at Trinidad just north of Eureka.

Between SF and LA, try Pismo Beach.

Hi jmreuling-

Sounds like a great road trip! You%26#39;ll be on two of the best routes in the US (101 and 1 along the Oregon and CA coast). For the first night, I%26#39;d recommend Brookings. It%26#39;s on the border between OR and CA and it%26#39;s a very pretty town. There are tons of places to stop along the way there - here%26#39;s a detailed road trip itinerary that lists them all: planning-fun-road-trips.com/plan-a-road-trip…

In California, I%26#39;d stop in Cambria or Big Sur. Both are gorgeous coastal towns with great restaurants/things to do. I would recommend you give yourself plenty of time on these routes (as mentioned already). Not only are they slower than a highway, but you%26#39;ll want to stop a lot along the way and enjoy the amazing views.

Hope this helps-

Tara

Hmmm, Brookings is a pleasant town, but there are no attractions there . . . ! There is only one hotel there on the oceanfront.

We took 101 up the California Coast on our way back from Sonoma last month. We camped at Panther Flats, near Crescent City (about 10 miles east on 199)... there were a few lodges and motels in the area too. It%26#39;s a gorgeous area - look for ';Jedediah Smith Redwooods SP';.

Newport is a good suggestion for a larger town with many restaurants, shopping, etc. If you are looking for something a little more laid back then look at Yachats. What sort of activities are you interested in when you have ';time to kill';?

Between SF and LA... maybe San Luis Obispo?

Hope this all helps. Sounds like that will be a fun road trip.

Beware of parking near Portland Union Station

If you%26#39;re dropping someone off, or picking someone up at the Amtrak station at 800 NW 6th Ave in Portland, beware of which machine you get your parking receipt from.

On June 17th, I parked for about ten minutes while taking my mother to catch a train back to Wisconsin. Before leaving my car, I purchased a parking receipt from the machine right in front of my car.

After my mother boarded her train, I got back to my car, and while I was preparing to drive away, a parking lot attendant came over and started writing me a ticket. I waved my parking receipt at him.

He told me that the parking receipt I purchased was from the city%26#39;s onstreet parking machine. The ticket says %26#39;City of Portland%26#39;, but does not say anything about on street parking.

He goes on to say that the parking lot I%26#39;m in, right across from the main entrance of the station, is privately owned, and that is not the correct machine to purchase a parking receipt from.

I%26#39;m not sure how I was supposed to know that the parking lot I was in was privately owned, nor how I was supposed to tell that I got my receipt from the wrong machine. It was right in front of my car.

He did NOT offer to let me purchase the correct receipt. I tried to do the right thing, and got a $28 ticket in return.

It seems like a nice little scam to me. The city gets paid for a a parking spot that wasn%26#39;t used, and the private parking lot owner gets a nice $28 parking ticket income instead of whatever his machine would have charged me.

Beware so you don%26#39;t get bitten, too.

Chris Shaker

Beware of parking near Portland Union Station

Maybe this will help ..

portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm鈥?/a>

Portland and Corvalis

We are flying in to Portland and driving to Corvalis for a meeting the second week in August. We want to spend 3 days seeing Oregon after the meeting and fly out on the 4th day again from Portland. We are interested in history and scenic drives.

Would we have time to drive from Corvalis to the Sisters area one day,

then head up highway 22,46, etc. to Mt. Hood for a day,

then back to Portland to spend the last evening there.

Or would the Willamette Valley area have more to offer?

We also like B%26amp;B, so any suggestions there would be appreciated. Thank you.

Portland and Corvalis

I%26#39;m thinking that Corvallis to Sisters is about 2-2.5 hours.

Hopefully somebody else will chime in here . . . I am not at all familiar with Route 46 . . .

So you%26#39;re thinking of one night there, then a night around Mt Hood?

There is Oregon trail history around there (the Barlow trail).

Portland and Corvalis

Agreed... it%26#39;s about 2 hours one way. You would have more time in the area if you drove to Sisters and stayed the night. Then drive up via 97/26 over Mt Hood to Portland.

Is there something in particular that draws you to Sisters?

Not at all, I am just looking for a scenic, historial area in which to spend time in Oregon which allows for a departure from Portland on the 4th day. Open to any suggestions. Thank you.

homemade mask

Corvalis area and beyond

We are flying in to Portland and driving to Corvalis for a meeting the second week in August. We want to spend 3 days seeing Oregon after the meeting and fly out on the 4th day again from Portland. We are interested in history and scenic drives.

Would we have time to drive from Corvalis to the Sisters area one day,

then head up highway 22,46, etc. to Mt. Hood for a day,

then back to Portland to spend the last evening there.

Or would the Willamette Valley area have more to offer?

We also like B%26amp;B, so any suggestions there would be appreciated. Thank you.

Corvalis area and beyond

You could drive to Sisters and back to Corvallis in one day and Mt. Hood another but, Hwy 22, 46 etc. would not be the way to go with a rental car.

I suggest driving to Sisters on Hwy 20 or Hwy 126 from Eugene. Since you are coming in mid-August, the McKenzie Pass road (Hwy 242) might be open. This is a very scenic and interesting area. The astronauts trained here for the moon walks. Snow stays late in the pass so check to see if it is open at www.tripchek.com.

You could spend the night in Sisters, some nice B%26amp;B%26#39;s there and then drive to Mt. Hood and Timberline Lodge via Hwy 97/26 and back to Portland the following day.

If you have not been to the Oregon Coast, I would definitely recommend that you spend a day there. One of the most beautiful coastlines in the country IMO.

Take Hwy 20 west from Corvallis to Newport. Tour the area from Lincoln City and then south to Florence and back to Corvallis via Hwy 126 to Eugene.

A very nice day trip. Should also find some nice wineries in that area.

Corvalis area and beyond

Thank you for the suggestions. As I said, we are looking for scenic and/or historial areas, so not wed to the Sisters area at all, just need to be back in Portland in order to fly out after spending 2-3 days in the area.

Any shuttle or taxi to Woodburn outlet mall?

Hi,

I will be visiting Portland late Jul/Early Aug and wants to go shopping @ Woodland outlet mall. As i don%26#39;t drive, i would like to know if there%26#39;s any shuttle bus or taxi that goes to Woodburns from hotel in Portland.

Pls advise. Thanks

Any shuttle or taxi to Woodburn outlet mall?

There is supposed to be a shuttle from downtown Portland, but I can%26#39;t find a website about it. Here is the main Company Stores page and there is an email address at the very bottom, so you could ask. (Turn down your sound first, lol)

http://www.woodburncompanystores.com/

There is also a Greyhound bus that goes there:

woodburncompanystores.com/Portland-WCS_bus.p鈥?/a>

Any shuttle or taxi to Woodburn outlet mall?

Thanks for your help

does the commuter train to Salem stop close by?

car rental from canada across to US and leaving it there

HI, I WAS planning to rent a car in Vancouver to drive to Portland, OR and fly out of Portland. I thought we%26#39;d go sightseeing along the way until I realize the car rental company would charge about $2000 for the week! Can anyone recommend a company in Vancouver that%26#39;s more reasonable? May be it%26#39;s a standard price..don%26#39;t know...never done it before.

I welcome any comments. Another option would be Amtrak but it%26#39;s about 10 hours with the shuttle and train. I%26#39;m not sure how the sightseeing is on the shuttle and train. Has anyone tried this?

car rental from canada across to US and leaving it there

Just a thought, others might have a better idea, but have you thought about maybe just taking the train/Shuttle to Seattle (or another city in Washington), and renting a car there and driving the rest of the way to Portland? Perhaps then you could rent from a location other than an airport, and that may be a bit cheaper. I do know the rental companies charge a drop fee for not returning to the same location. Not sure what size vehicle you are looking to rent either.

car rental from canada across to US and leaving it there

I%26#39;m flexible on the size of the car..nothing too fancy..intermediate or full sized car is good for the family. My choices from Vancouver to Portland was either to fly, rent a car or shuttle/train. I%26#39;ll probably take the Amtrak shuttle from Vancouver, BC to Seattle then hop on the train to Portland unless I can find a rental car in Vancouver (dropping off the car in Portland) that fits my wallet. Has anyone rented a vehicle and return it in another country?

Also try posting your enquiry in the Washington forum. I did a check for a mid size car through Hertz and came up with about $1,200 CAD for the week. Still bad :-(

I know people do cross the border with one way rentals. Keep trying different companies.

Very few companies allow a o/w rental from Vancouver to the US, and those that do charge an arm and a leg. The less expensive option would be to take the train to Seattle as suggested and rent a car from there. It will still be expensive since it%26#39;s a o/w but not as bad as from Vancouver.

be cautious as Us firms will not rent to Cdn driving one way to Canada. Not sure the other way around. You could take Quick shuttle from Vanc airport to Bellingham airport and rent from there, or take Amtrak to Seattle and arrange a Hertz car at the depot in Seattle. Cross border drop fees will always be significantly higher than renting in the US.

Trip Report: Camping CA to WA Coast (LONG)

In January I%26#39;d reserved a vacation to Colorado, Ouray and Rocky Mntn. National Park. My husband had a small heart attack and was advised not to travel to high elevations...so we switched gears and decided to travel up the coast to Washington and possibly Vancover Island. After having canceled the reservations to Colorado, having non-refunable plane tickets to use with-in the next year and lost reservation fees, we decided to tent camp, something we hadn%26#39;t done in about 30 years, up the coast and stay at Chito Beach Resort in Sekiu on the Olympic Peninsula. We agreed if the tent and mats were not comfortable enough we%26#39;d find a hotel. We%26#39;ve seen most of the sites on the Oregon Coast, the Olympic Peninsula and the Southern part of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast...so our goal was to get through Oregon and explore new territory along the Juan de Fuca Strait.

Day 1: We left Santa Rosa, Ca about 10 am on June 22 heading North on 101. Stopped for lunch in Richardson Grove and continued on to Prarie Creek Redwoods arriving about 3 p.m. Had a lovely camp site in the trees. I%26#39;d made a reservation about 3 weeks ago. The camp ground host said they had just started filling up the night before. I love Jedidiah Smith campground, but choose this because it was a little less driving for day 1. It was a good choice. I forgot how green it starts to get just a few hours north of Santa Rosa. We saw the elk herd at the turn off for Gold Bluffs Beach, didn%26#39;t drive out there because it was breezy inland, figured it%26#39;d be really breezy on the coast.

Day 2: Left Prarie Creek about 9 am. Stopped for things we%26#39;d forgotten in Crescent City. Travel on 101 was slow because of bridge work. Had lunch at Bullards Beach. Stopped to buy fresh fish in Coos Bay for dinner. Arrived at Carl Washburn at 3:30. There were at least a dozen sites available. As I recall, the park is pretty typical for Oregon State Parks, although my only other camping experience was at Tugman about 18 years ago. The sites are close together with trees and greenery in between. We were next to a pathway so we had some privacy. The area is beautiful and it%26#39;s a short hike to the beach. It was pretty windy until the sun went down and gorgeous in the morning. My only complaint was the site across from us had a party pull on late at night to set up camp. I awoke to their talking at 2:30am.

Day 3: Left Washburn about 8:30. We had to stop in Newport to talk to Dr. because my husband forgot some of his meds. Probably there about 45 minutes. Drove through Manzanita, thinking of having lunch, but decided to continue on to Cannon Beach. It was around 2 when we got to Cannon Beach and the town was teaming with people. We couldn%26#39;t find a place to park and decided that we%26#39;d continue on to Astoria. Had lunch at Baked Alaska on the River. It was ok. We enjoyed looking at the fisherman an other boats and being inside and dry. We considered finding a hotel so as not to have to camp in the rain, but decided to go on and check out our destination, Point Deception State Park. Weather here was nicest of the trip so far, no wind and pleasant temperature. We hiked to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, unfortunatly it was just 5 and had closed. Worth a trip back to visit. About 9:30 it started to mist, so into the tent we went.

June 25: It rained off and on during the night, but had stopped so we could break down camp in dry weather. We left the camp at about 8:00 and stopped for Breakfast in South Bend at Chen鈥檚 鈥?the first place we saw- somewhere around 9. Stopped for groceries in Aberdeen. Drove to Qunault and hiked to the worlds largest Spruce tree. Checked out Klaloch Lodge (glad we%26#39;re moving on), where our original reservations were and hoped Chito Beach was better. Stopped in Forks at the welcome center to pick up Twilight stuff for daughter, looks like Twilight put this town on the map. Drove out to LaPush and had lunch. Left La Push around 3 and arrived at Chito Beach about 4. The house is literally on the rocks, have already seen an otter up on the rocks. As I write this I can hear the water lapping at the rocks with the door closed. I鈥檝e watched 1 cruise ship sail by and a barge. We had originally planned to stay here 2 nights, but lucked out and can stay one or two more, the pictures on trip advisor don%26#39;t do it justice...much better.

Once we arrived we realized if we stayed only 2 nights we continue our too fast pace and not really be able to explore. I%26#39;ll post a review under Chito Beach when we return. So far we%26#39;ve had a successful trip ';winging it';. We plan to leave here Sunday or Monday and head down Hood Canal to Mt. St. Helens.

Trip Report: Camping CA to WA Coast (LONG)

Sounds fun, the views from Baked Alaska are very pretty. Next time if you are looking for lodging in Astoria, there is a new hotel called The Commodore that has rooms starting at $69/night. I toured this hotel a few weeks ago, it is very cool! Thanks for sharing your travels with us! :)

Trip Report: Camping CA to WA Coast (LONG)

Sounds like a nice trip. We love to tent camp (mostly backpacking through) so it is nice to hear of others experiences. Twilight definitely has brought a lot of attention to Forks and the general area. But locals have been going for ages...DH used to spend summers in/around La Push. BTW, we just got back from France this week and Twilight is a hit there too. DD noticed that right away. Hood Canal is pretty, and I am sure you won%26#39;t be disappointed in Mt St Helens. Going to Johnston Ridge Observatory is a must!!! :)