Oregon Coast in the Spring (Portland, Astoria: house, school, shops)

[MtnSurfer]

Apology accepted.

I am a Calif. native BTW and know that coast like the back of my hand. But I am really looking forward to exploring the Oregon Coast which I believe has much too offer as well. I just don't want to talk about Calif. coast in this post. A Calif. vs. Oregon coast is really another subject for another thread.

Thank you,

- Derek

[tiffela74]

Well said Derek!
Just out of Yachats there is a terrific little stop called Devils Churn. Its been one of my fav. places since i was a kid, and each time I go up 101(or down on my way back) I stop off there. If you come in at hightide you'll get some incredible sprays.
Personally, i was rather disappointed w/SeaLion caves. I thought we'd see a lot more. But it is neat to go way down into the cave, COLD though!!! bring a jacket! If you come to Shore Acres, after going to the gardens, finish the drive up Cape Arago...at the end is a great lookout point, and some trails. when you pull into the lot, just when you see the viewpoint, look to the right. Theres trails there, and its a short walk to get within a rocks toss of the sealions. Pretty cool to see them up close, in a natural habitat and its free! lolOf course, you'll see em along the docks in Newport too, and being from Calif. youre probably fairly used to them. but still neat to watch/listen too.
SOunds like you have quite the trip planned! I bet you are quite excited!! The falls are incredible, i havent been up that way in a couple of years, but used to love a day trip when i lived in Portland....did you see they were recently frozen? That made for some amazing pictures!!

[John Smart]

Another good photo opp in the gorge area is the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel. There is a good home cookin' style restaurant on the way out, in Troutdale, Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplins in Troutdale Oregon

The Japanese Gardens (also the ones in Chinatown) are spectacular in the spring.

I assume you are passing thru Tillamook. The Cheese Factory attracts alot of visitors.

May is good for weather but you will miss whale watching on the coast which is earlier in the spring. Devils Punchbowl State Park near Otter Crest has great photo opps.
If you get sick of seafood on the coast, check out Flashbacks. Its on 101 in South Beach(S of Newport) near the Marine Science Center. Its a 50's style diner with soda fountain, juke box and a back room arcade. The menu has a good variety for everyone. There is a fun little junk mall behind it named Pirates Cove. Also near here is a great glass blowing studio when you can make your own art.


Florence on the coast is a great town for kids. Sandland Adventures Oregon Coast Dunes Tours Dune Buggy Rides The old town area on the wharf has alot of cool shops and cafes. At Jessie Honeyman State Park you can rent boats too.

The Sea Lion caves seem to be hit or miss. If your kids like animals check out Wildlife Safari - Winston Oregon in Winston.

[John Smart]

Also, try to find the tidepool spots. We've found them at the Jetty in Barview (south of Rockaway Beach before Tillamook) and also in Newport. If you ask locals they'll tell you and get yourself a tide schedule.

[seashelly]

Tidepools. Just South of Yachats are some more very cool tidepools to explore - the live starfish are always awesome to see. Also, some good tidepools at Face Rock Beach (Bandon - the beach with the huge rocks in the sea - the Indian Princess and her kittens -- do a search and read about it on the internet). Also, it might be better to schedule your trip during either the full moon week or new moon week as these are the days of extreme high and low tides (more beach to walk on and explore). Tide charts - you can download and print the particular areas you need off the internet.

As for the 50's Diner south end of Newport Poster John Smart mentioned - if you ask them, the waitresses will all come out and twist to the juke box music. Atmosphere.

OKay, I think you're good to go. Have a fun trip.

[oregon bound]

One of my families favorite places is the West Coast Game Park just 7 miles south of Bandon. The kids will love it. I think it is the biggest petting zoo in the west. You can hand feed llamas, deer, goats and sheep. There are so many of them they practically knock you over. They also bring out baby possums, racoons and more, and let the kids pet them, with supervision of course! Check it out, we have great memories all the way back to the late 70's. More recently, my daughter and I visited th game park about 4 years ago and pet a leopard cub! Have a great trip!

[furyu]

The coastal views from Port Orford to the border are probably the best along the entire Oregon coast. I think someone already mentioned Cape Blanco and its lighthouse as a 'must-see'; it's the most westerly point in the contiguous US. Port Orford, south of Cape Blanco, is a quaint, historical town, a nice place to stop for lunch before heading on to Gold Beach for the evening. And again, the coastal views are jaw-dropping dramatic! If you're up for hiking after lunch, you might wish to tackle Humbug Mountain which is just south of Port Orford.

There's also a Prehistoric Gardens Dinosaur Park south of Port Orford which the kids will love. It's a little hokey for adults, with colorful plastic dinosaurs placed in the woods, but overall, it's fun and informative.

Highway 101 from Gold Beach to the border will also offer you stunning views and many places to stop and take photos. South of Gold Beach you'll see a turn-off for Cape Sebastian which offers a fabulous panoramic coastal view (if it's not foggy). You'll often see whales and, occasionally, great white sharks in the waters below. There is also a very long hiking trail down to the ocean (up and down hill, switchbacks, takes an hour or more one way to get to the beach).

A few miles south of Gold Beach is Pistol River State Park. It's probably the most photographed area of the coast. You'll understand why once you see it.

I assume you'll take Hwy 199 to I-5 to get to Crater Lake from Hwy 101? It too is a spectacular if not a heart-stopping ride (if your children are prone to car sickness you might want to forego eating prior to travel). That road goes right along the Smith River for miles, and will offer numerous turn outs for river views and picnic areas. And trout fishing, if you like that.

Sounds like you've planned a great trip. Hope you'll share some of your photos here upon your return.

[John Smart]

^^^ sounds like something to add to our own list for this summer

[MtnSurfer]

A lot of great suggestions everyone!

Oregon Bound, I checked out the West Coast Game Park's website. That place looks really fun. I think our kids will defiantly like that.

Furyu, I have heard that the southern portions of the Oregon Coast are especially beautiful. So I will make sure to take a look a the places you mentioned. I hadn't thought about Pistol River State Park. But based upon your recommendation I think it is definitely worth seeing.

Thank you,

- Derek

[John Shaft]

If you're going to be as far north as Cannon Beach, you might consider heading up to Astoria as well.