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I have done this once before along CA-1. However during the 4-day July weekend, my girlfriend and I have decided to try it again but along I-5.
Any suggestions on how we could plan?
My idea would be to see
Mount Shasta
Redwood Forests
Crater lake
Any other spots that we could go. We don't intend to be in Seattle for more than a day, so it works fine for us.
Thanks
Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America forum.
The drive up (or down) the Pacific coast between the Bay area and Puget Sound is one of the most discussed topics on this forum. Here are two pretty thorough threads (1 2) covering just that stretch. I don't think I could do better than the recommendations contained in those threads. But be sure to also use the search function to see what else might be on the board and check the suggested reading at the bottom of the page. Those should get you well on your way.
AZBuck
If you take I-5 and decide to go to the redwood forests (Fortuna area), be aware that if you take SR-36, it is a very long road and you will have to take the whole thing.
At the beginning of the road, you will see a road sign that shows an "S" curve and then a sign below it "Next 140 miles". Just make sure you have a strong stomach.
Also, as of a couple of weeks ago, the rim drive around Crater Lake wasn't fully open (or even 20% open). You might want to check with the park to see if it is fully open. It is an AMAZING park to see.
(PS: I have tried to attach the picture of the road sign, so you see what I mean -- I hope it works).
dilip,
We are also headed the same way, but only until Portland. We have included OR caves(in the south), Astoria column(hrd this is an amazing place for viewing the Columbia river gorge). We are heading south via the OR coast. Hence, Sea lion caves, OR sand dunes, a couple lighthouses and beaches will hopfully complete the trip.
You guys might probably able to cover more than us as we are camping.
AAA map helped me build this trip. I pretty much look for any green in the map and connect it all later. Pick up a map, see how far you can detour from I 5 and plan your trip.
2 years back we did a trip to Crater lake as well. There are a couple of wonderfull waterfalls in Shasta trinity forest. I haven't been to Shasta caverns. But it is a good option. As said here, do chk if Crater lake is open.
have fun, planning!
cheers
cool
Cool, just an FYI...the Columbia River Gorge area starts east of Portland. You will have a wonderful view of the mouth of the Columbia River from the Astoria Column but you will be a long way away from the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. Hope this doesn't upset your plans. Just don't want you to be surprised and disappointed.
Thanks for the info, Judy. I really dont know what to expect much. Just read it somewhere. Have not been there, yet.
Anything else important to see there? Or along the OR coast?
thanks again,
cool
Thanks for wonderful explanations. Now I am thinking of a slight detour. I do plan to go back to Shasta/Redding area in couple of weeks, so I might just drive up to Seattle and do some camping in Olympic Park. Is this a better suggestion?
I will look at the other threads too for suggestions.
Hey cool, have a great OR trip. Hopefully I will pass by you :)
Cheers,
Its just not you and me, dilip, a lot of my friends are heading that way this July 4th. No wonder, all the campgrounds were booked.
Chk for camping reservations in Olympic. I don't know how fast it gets filled up there. Also, Olympic NP is a huge place. No doubt, its an amazing place; But you will have to pace your timing to cover everything.
If you go, don't miss Ruby beach.
They also have a lot of beaches that are drive-thru. We don't have such beaches in the bay area. Its real cool.
Wherever you go, I'm sure it'll be lots of people and loads of fun...
cheers,
cool
Gosh, I've written tons of threads about the Oregon Coast. You might want to do a search for posts I've written on this matter. I've also written a few posts about SW Washington so you might want to search for these as well. Sorry I can't be more help right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by cool
Well, I don't know if it's a better idea but it would be something different. But you don't have to go to Seattle to get to the Olympia Peninsula. However, you can do that if you want to experience the ferries. But you could also just drive up there. You could go up the coast and keep driving 101 up the coast to the Olympic Peninsula. 101 circles around it and will bring you back down the other side. Or you can drive up I-5 and hook up with 101 and go around the Olympic Peninsula the other way.Quote:
Originally Posted by dilip
Campground spots do fill up quite quickly here so you will either need to make your reservations soon or be flexible about where you stay.
I picked places and have made a note, Judy. We don't have specific plans and have decided to stop at almost every place on the map. 3-4 days may not be enough, but will grab whatever is possible.Quote:
Originally Posted by Judy
thanks,
cool
I have been down the Oregon Coast numerous times and I could still take 5-6 days to do it because there is LOT to see and do. Heck, 2 weeks wouldn't be enough time. :-)
But you should be able to see quite a bit in that time. Here are the "must see" stuff off the top of my head (sorry I didn't have the brainpower to list these for your last night. I was really tired from work. Braindead.)
Roughly north to south but I'm not looking at a map right now:
Fort Clatsop: near Astoria, where Lewis & Clark wintered. Unfortunately, the re-created fort burned down last winter. I don't know when they will rebuild but there is a great museum there, too.
Seaside: funky seaside town with lots of goofy touristy stuff. Also, on the beach, is a re-creation of the salt still Lewis & Clark built there to get salt from the sea water.
Cannon Beach: lovely town. Watch the hang-gliders fly from the cliff above down to the beach
Tilamook: Tillamook Cheese Factory. Watch them make cheese and get some yummy ice cream.
Depoe Bay: The Littlest Harbor in the World. Darling place. Great place to get a boat ride on the beach. Short trips only take just over an hour. Lots of fun. Cute town to walk around.
Newport: the aquarium there is very good
Sea Lion Caves: Ride an elevator down to a huge cavern filled with sea lions. Very cool.
Bandon: Very cute little seaside town
Gold Beach area: if you have time, a trip on the river is fun to take
Have a great time, cool!
I missed out on the cheese factory tour and the beach ride. Interesting.
Thanks a bunch!
cool
I was in Bandon, OR just last week. As Judy mentioned
they have a cute downtown. The sea stacks near Facerock
are very photogenic.
We had clear skies with lots of wind.
The best sea stacks are at Facerock off of Beach Loop Drive.
Pictures of Bandon and a few other images here.
If you like lighthouses, Oregon has many. My favorite is
Haceta Head just north of Florence.
...Of course, it helps if you are a darn, fine photographer! Awesome shots!Quote:
Originally Posted by roadie
Mark
roadie,
Amazing is not the word. I got your camera specifications. I am going to try my hand at some, myself.
Thanks for sharing.
cool
Thanks Mark and Cool for your nice comments.
Bandon is a great place for photography. There were so many photogenic
places in Oregon that we wanted to visit on our recent trip but for
one reason or another, we didn't have the time to do more exploring.
We had intended to drive Hwy 62 along the Rogue River to Crater Lake.
In particular, we wanted to see the Rogue River Gorge (near the town of Union
Creek) and the Natural Bridge. At the Natural Bridge the Rogue River enters
a lava tube and disappears. It reamerges later downstream.
We had planned on taking Hwy 62 to Crater Lake then swing back to I-5 via
Hwy 138 with the intention of seeing Toketee Falls.
We'll do it for another trip when we have more time.
We had an early start on Friday afternoon, and got to Seattle by early morning. I had to do this, coz I am soccer savvy and did want to watch the matches.
Sat evenin:took ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island. I would recommend the Mt. Constitution here. Nothing else looked spectacular.
Sun morn: Off to Edmonds/Kingston ferry to Olympic Park. We saw Port Townsend, and then went to Port Angeles. Hiked Hurrican ridge and were lucky to see a bear, and tons of deers. The weather was wonderful, and the sunshine stays on until 10PM. Camped at Heart of Hills.
Mon morn: Drove to Lake Crescent. Next stop was Sol duc hot springs. After this we went to the Mosses land (Hoh) and did some hiking. Saw a Lhama here.
Then we went to Ruby beach. Thereafter passed the Indian reservation at Quinault.
We drove back on Tue. I was really happy with the trip.
I was at the Quinault reservation on Monday. Small world.
I'm glad you had a great trip.