From Portland, Down the coast and back! (Salem, Bend: rental car, rental)

[soon to be traveler]

Having been a Chicagoan my entire life, I just booked a trip in August for a month in Oregon. Flying into Portland then driving a rental car west to the coast and pretty much just driving southwards to Tillamook, Lincoln city and then eastwards to Bend, before staying at Mt. Hood...Now with all these boring details, could somebody from the great state of Oregon tell me the Do's and Don'ts of the areas listed?? Or maybe some places to stear clear from? Or actually go to?? Thanks a TON!!!

[Steve97415]

1. Don't shortchange your stay in Portland. There you will find your best weather in August (the coast tends to be foggy in summer), and the most things to do.

2. Focus on Seaside and Cannon Beach for the coast.

3. Bring your mountain bike to Bend, or at least bring your helmet and rent one when you get there.

4. Realize that you are coming during "tourist crush". The more time you spend inside a car, the less you will enjoy your trip.

[soon to be traveler]

Thanks for the info! Have to rent the bike though!

[bobmulk]

Manzanita is also a wonderful little town south of Cannon Beach. Lincoln City isn't that great. Although there's a great restaurant there called Black Fish. If you're taking Highway 30 to Astoria, spend some time downtown and along the waterfront. The weather on the Coast in August can be gloomy during the summer (go figure); but it cal also be glorious some days.

[manzanite]

South of Tillamook, Highway 101 heads inland and the route isn't as scenic. If you have time, head out to the Ocean from Tillamook and continue south on the 3 Capes Scenic Loop instead of 101. This slower than 101 but takes you through some great scenery with lots of views and hiking available along the route.

The first Cape (Meares) has a 1800's lighthouse perched on a cliff and the "Octopus Tree" (don't ask, you just have to see it).

The second Cape (Lookout) has a hiking trail that takes you through several miles of Old Growth forest to end up at the tip of the Cape surrounded by the Ocean.

If you are into microbrews, the last Cape (Kiwanda) in Pacific City has a brew pub where you can sip your locally made brew on a deck right on the beach. Warning though, Pacific City and the brew pub can be pretty crowded on a sunny summer weekend.

From Pacific City you can head back inland and pickup Highway 101 again and be on your way south. Here is one link to information I found by googling "3 capes scenic" Northwestplaces.com - Three Capes Scenic Loop, Tillamook, OR Area

Enjoy your time at the Coast!

[Silverfall]

In the Portland area you will want to hike up to Multnomah Falls and the trails lead into Larch Mountain. It's beautiful back there. I would also consider the Wahkeena Falls Loop. Out toward Mt. Hood I would do the Lost Lake Loop and the hike to Paradise Park/ZigZag Canyon.

Wildwood is a great restaurant downtown that uses only Northwest ingredients. There are a lot of excellent restaurants downtown from Papa Hayden, Heathman, Pazzo Restorante, Higgins.... You need to go to Powell's bookstore if you like books at all. They are the largest independent bookstore in the US. I can hang out there for days...

If you like wine tasting I would head down to Newberg and Dundee. Tori Mor has some incredible Pinot Noirs, in my opinion. Stop at their tasting room and pick up a bottle.

In Canon Beach, you should stop at Ecola State Park for a picnic lunch and great view. Don't forget to rent beach trikes, and ride them on the beach. It's a blast! In Manzanita Neahkahnie Mountain has a gorgeous view from the top. It's been a while since I was in Manzanita, but I think the Blue Sky Cafe had good food. I remember having some good food when I was there last, but it has been a couple of years.

If you run past Salem, I would head to Silverfalls State Park. Well worth the stop and the hike.

In three sisters area I would go to Black Crater and Moriane Lake. You may want to consider doing some rafting down the Deschutes. They have several trips that you can go on. At that time of the year, I think the rapids are at most Class III.

[John Shaft]

If you can dedicate some time to driving through the Willamette valley you will encounter scenery very different from the coast or Bend. Rolling hills, farms, wineries.

Stop in and see the Spruce Goose in McMinnville.
Drink a Black Butte Porter at the Deschutes Brewery in Bend.

[FoxyKnox]

Have Clam Chowder at Mo's in Cannon Beach! Rent a "sandcrawler" in Cannon Beach, they're a blast and fairly cheap!

[manzanite]

Originally Posted by Silverfall

It's been a while since I was in Manzanita, but I think the Blue Sky Cafe had good food. I remember having some good food when I was there last, but it has been a couple of years.

Unfortunately the Blue Sky restaurant in Manzanita has been closed for a couple of years now.

In my opinion, the best dinner restaurants in the Nehalem Bay area now are the Nehalem River Inn and the Terra Cotta Cafe in Manzanita. The Nehalem River Inn also has guest rooms, but children under 12 aren't allowed in the dining room. Best to call ahead for reserverations at either, especially during the summer.

For breakfast, Wanda's in Nehalem is still the best but too crowded on summer weekends for my taste.