Portland to Coast & Gorge summer trip (Eugene, Salem: house, restaurant)

[bloom]

I'm planning a Portland-centric summer trip but want to include time out by coast and gorge.
If I give ~1 full day to coast, how far south is worthwhile?
What are the gorge highlights to focus on?
Thanks in advance.

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by bloom

I'm planning a Portland-centric summer trip but want to include time out by coast and gorge.
If I give ~1 full day to coast, how far south is worthwhile?
What are the gorge highlights to focus on?
Thanks in advance.

If you just drove all day and not stop, you could probably drive to Astoria, then down to Lincoln City or Newport and back to Portland. But I think you might have more fun if you just drive to Cannon Beach or Seaside and spend the day there.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Don't set a goal. Drive to the coast, stop and enjoy the beach and scenery. When you are ready, move on to the next view point or state park, or coastal town for shopping, and enjoy that.

You get as far as you get. After you eat your dinner, get into the car and drive back to Portland.

[Larry Caldwell]

It depends on what you want to see. If you want to see the coast you don't have to drive far. From Portland, you have three ways of heading due west. There is hwy 30 along the lower Columbia to Astoria, Hwy 26 from the west side to Seaside, and the Wilson River Highway from Forest Grove to Tillamook.

26 is the Portland destination highway. Seaside and Cannon Beach are full of kitschy little shops and a beach that looks like every other beach in the world, but it's a good place if you are handicapped and can't walk far.

Astoria is a port town, and a little more interesting, but it's on the Columbia, not the Pacific. There is a maritime museum commemorating all the people the Columbia has killed. It's known as "The graveyard of the Pacific."

The Wilson River Highway puts you in Tillamook, which is not on the Pacific, but near Netarts Bay, a federal estuary with outstanding clamming, crabbing and fishing. You can charter a boat and spend a whole day cutting bait.

Between Tillamook and Canon Beach there is a state park called Oswald West. It's named after the governor who established the state park system, and it is the shining gem of the state park system. The only thing you see from 101 is the parking lot, but if you hike a quarter of a mile through spruce old growth you come upon Short Sands Beach, with Cape Falcon to the north and Neahkahnie Mountain to the south. The whole park is covered with well maintained hiking trails. Neahkahnie is the highest overlook on the Oregon Coast, and on a clear day the view is something you will remember for the rest of your life. Pack a lunch. There are no concessions in the park. If I had one day to spend at the coast, that would be it.

Of course, if it's raining, just drive around and check the internet for restaurant recommendations. It rains a lot on the coast, even in the summer. Did I mention you should pack a raincoat, just in case? And warm clothes. Long johns. Gloves. A hat.

[Bees46]

I agree with Oswald West.

[StealthRabbit]

Hug Point (between Oswald West and Cannon Beach)

Walk north from the access point and enjoy caves, water falls, great geology, blasted stagecoach road (Original highway 101 used beach as road and shipwrecks as stage stops (on low tide))

Decent tide pools / sea stars on Stage road.

But I am Gorge centric...
lots to see there, great lodges, food, falls, and sites (visitors centers).
Do you like hiking, climbing, waterfalls, or history? (Lewis and Clark and Sam Hill)


Westbound in AM on WA side (SR 14) eastbound in PM (better lighting for pics)

If you can leave early, you can go east to Maryhill (2 hrs), then west on Gorge scenic Highway. Mission and History | Maryhill Museum of Art

wine? Home* |* Columbia Gorge Wine Country

[leastprime]

IMO, Central Oregon has lot to offer.
Depending on the weather, a Plan A for the Gorge to Hood River (wave to SR) to Mt Hood to eastern side of Cascades. Down to Bend. Back across the Cascades to the Willamette Valley. From Eugene/Corvallis/Salem you can then go north on I-5 or across to the Coast.

Weather conditions are important. If the Valley is very warm (winds from the Gorge), the Beach will be foggy, windy, and COLD. One 4th July, the Valley temps was +90, the Beach was fogged in with visibility down to 1/3 mile (could not see Haystack rock at Pacific City), low 50's, with a strong wind. The fireworks show was a total waste because the visiblity was down to yards. We have a Coastal house at PC, 1000 yards off beach at 50 ft elev. We could be 90 in back yard and windless while the beach is miserable. If the valley temp is in the 80's the Coast is spectacular. Bad conditions at the Coast will last only 1-3 days, till the pressure differences even out.

However, Central Oregon does not have this weather.. So depending of the weather you may first, want to go East instead of West. Go visit some lava caves, cinder cones. lakes at the base of volcanos, some hot springs. Take the Palmer chairlift to 8400ft at Timberline

Comment. Central Washington is very much different than from Central Oregon. It is a difference of just a few miles, even at the same elevation, difference is because of the Columbia River stopping volcanic flows across the river, and the Missoula Floods depositing loess in Washington and not in Central Oregon.

regardless where you go, bring a medium wt jacket and a sweater. Or get something at Goodwill or at a Columbia store. 40 degree temp differences day/night, on the beach/off beach, surface to entrance to lava tube, Timberline to Palmer Glacier is normal.

[leastprime]

OP,
So where are you coming from? Where have you been? How many days do you have?

[bloom]

Originally Posted by leastprime

OP,
So where are you coming from? Where have you been? How many days do you have?

Coming from Seattle area.
Spent much time at Mt. Rainier NP, North Cascasdes NP, Olympic NP, SJIs, Seattle.
I will swing by Mt. St. Helens on my way down to Portland.
Let's say 5 days, and 3 or so in Portland.
Thanks.

[leastprime]

Your Home is in Seattle area or are you arriving in Seattle?