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Thinking of going from San Francisco to Portland by way of the Oregon coast. Then returning by the Rockies. What would be the best time of year to go. Will hire car in SF. Taking approx 2/3 weeks staying in hotels along the way. Any ideas on places to see and things to do as well as looking for a good route.
Welcome to the RTA Forum!
You've got basically go two different trips here, and one of them I'm not entirely certain what you are planning.
The first part, driving up the coast is a great and simple trip. Its a popular trip that is discussed at length on this forum. Here are some links that will help you find some of our favorites.
The second part is a bit more confusing. The Rockies are hundreds of miles away from the coast. Are you really planning to go all the way out to say Wyoming and then loop back around, and if that is the case, what places do you have in mind? The other, much more direct option, would be to be spend more time exploring the Coastal mountains, stoping at places like Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, and Crater Lake along the way.
Claire—
Your trip sounds like a lot of fun & it makes my wife and me want to go back out to the area.
If you are not from the SF area, I would be sure to start your trip on Sir Francis Drake Blvd once over the Golden Gate Bridge. This will afford you the opportunity to drive through Pt Reyes Station and out to the lighthouse. The drive will take you through the Pt Reyes National Seashore. I have made the trip from San Jose, CA to Coos Bay, OR countless times (stationed in Coos Bay from the Bay Area). Although it was over a decade ago I would take HWY 1 all the way up.
Once in the Eureka, CA watch for Elk along the road and there is a great (at least it was) restaurant in Orick, CA (just north of Humbolt) that serves European and wild game meals—Rolf’s Park Café. We enjoyed camping just off the HWY on the beach just south of Orick.
Across the state line a stop in Gold Beach is a must. They have a great little museum that tells about the local history (mountains/coast). They also have the river jet boats that would be a lot of fun, let you get off the road and see the wilderness, & hear the history.
Farther up the coast is Humbug State Park that is a great stretch of the legs to climb to the top.
In Coos Bay, there is just too much to do (in my opinion). But a couple of things to see could include Cape Arago State Park, Sunset Bay State Park, & Bastendorff Beach—they’re simply beautiful. The House of Myrtle is also a neat little tour and great gifts.
You did not say who you were going with or what your likes/dislikes are, but when we had people visit us in Coos Bay I would always take them to Spinreel (again over 10 years ago, but a blast!
Now, if you have children with you or just love animals the Winston, OR Wildlife Safari (a ways from the coast) is a great drive through experience.
There are many neat places to stay along the way, but I would highly recommend staying at the Heceta Head Lighthouse’s B&B.
You can make your way over to Portland a variety of ways. From Newport on HWY 20, north of Lincoln City on HWY 18, or from Tillamook Bay on HWY 6. As was brought up from another post Tillamook cheese is outstanding and if their visitors center is half as good as the one closed in Bandon, you’ll walk out full of samples of the best cheeses and ice creams!
I hope this helps and you have a great trip!