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.