Driving the coast

Greetings,

We (two families of four) are heading from BC down to the Avenue of the Giants for a few days. Our plann is to just get down there as quick as we can, but, on the way back we%26#39;re going from there to Yachats, where we%26#39;ve rented a vacation house for 5 nights.

My question is about the drive from northern California back up to Yachats. We want to drive the legendary scenic Oregon cast, but what route do we take? Do we take our time on the way from Cali to Yachats (along 101), or is the better choice north of Yachats. We%26#39;ve got four kids 10 and under involved, so days of driving joy are limited.

Suggestions?

Thanks.

Driving the coast

Best of Oreg coast is Brookings to Port Orford. Reedsport or Florence to Depoe Bay.

with 5 nights in Yachats you can do coast near Florencea as day trip. Kids will enjoy dune buggy rides near Florence, aquarium at Newport.

and the would probably enjoy jet boat ride from Gold Beach on Rogue. but you need an overnight near GB to do that. 4 hr minimum trip

Driving the coast

phirl is right - the southern end and the central portion of the Oregon Coast are arguably the ';best';. I am more knowledgeable and partial to the central coast and with Yachats as a base you can check out the sand dunes in the Florence area, check out the view from Cape Perpetua, walk the 804 Trail (very easy and child friendly), see the touristy setting and sites in Newport and view the Hecta Lighthouse (spectacular setting...near the ';could be avoided'; Sea Lion Caves.)

The entire coast of Oregon is absolutely beautiful.

HOWEVER....

There is a definite difference between the North Coast and the South Coast. They are two seperate beauties!

North is cliffy, rugged vistas, and the South is more rolling hills with rock formations jetting out of the surf.

From Brookings up to Coos Bay, North Bend %26amp; Charleston is about 2 1/2-3. Just north of North Bend starts the Oregon Dune National %26amp; Recreational Area where the dune go north up to Florence.

There is LOTS to do on the Southern portion of the Oregon Coast!

There are MANY different opportunities to stop between California and Yachats along the Oregon Coast, so let those kids out and play!

Pick up a ';Oregon Coast Mile-by-Mile'; guide, or have one sent to you.

www.visittheoregoncoast.com

The Oregon Coast is 363 Miles of adventures!

Thank you all very much for the information. It%26#39;s all so helpful. We plan on spending a somewhat leisurely day driving from around Scotia, California up to Yachats. Then, with Yachats as our base we plan on spreading out and checking out the area a little more - that includes a day trip to the dunes, a trip to Newport, the 804 trail runs virtually right past the vacation house we%26#39;ve rented, and, of course any other wonders we encounter.

So, thanks for all the advice so far (I%26#39;ve ordered the mile-by-myle guide), and please keep the suggestions coming.

Hi Callicles, I hate to tell you but the drive from Scotia to Yachats will take you about 6.5 to 7 hours of driving -- with *no* stops.

I often drive from the Yachats area where I live to the Eureka area, and there is no getting around the time it takes. It is over 300 miles.

I think you would be better off if you allowed one night in between, as then you will have time to stop and see some things. There are a lot of State Parks to visit with great views, and the children might enjoy visiting the Prehistoric Gardens (dinosaurs!) between Gold Beach and Port Orford. There is also the Wild Animal Park in Bandon.

If the tide is out, you can all walk across the causeway to visit Battery Point lighthouse in Crescent City, as it is the only lighthouse on the west coast accessed this way.

Gold Beach is about half way and has a variety of lodging.

Oh, it can%26#39;t possibly take that long - we Canadians drive in metric!

I%26#39;m joking of course. Thanks for the note half-brit. By leisurely, I mean that we won%26#39;t be rushing to get to Yachats. If it takes all day, it takes all day, that%26#39;s fine with us. Then, from Yachats, we%26#39;re willing to strike out on a couple of day trips, but I take your point about all the things to do in between. Never enough time.

We love the northern coast, the Seaside/Cannon Beach area has been a favorite of ours for years, we are at our beach cottage in Seaside where we have been having a great time. I also love the scenery around the Astoria area, the Columbia River is gorgeous. There are lots of things for kids to do in Seaside and Astoria. Here are some website for our favorite places in this area:

www.oldoregon.com

www.cannon-beach.net

www.seasideor.com

I hop you have a great time on your road trip and please report back with us after your travels! :)