On your way down, somewhere on the Mendocino coast would be a likely stop (if you choose to continue down the coast, leaving 101 where CA1 splits off somewhere around Legett).

Lots of lodging options ranging from motels in Fort Bragg to lots and lots of (expensive but nice) Bed and Breakfasts in Mendocino and towns south.

For the trip back up, you may want to consider a night or two in the Ashland/Medford area, rather than Crater Lake (getting lodging inside the park can be tough). Ashland offers the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for those who like live theater. They perform around a dozen plays each year, including offerings beyond those of the Bard; on our last trip (2010) we took in a musical and a play based on "Pride and Prejudice", as well as "Merchant". From here, you could visit Crater Lake as you continue heading north. A note here: you can choose to continue up either the east or west side of the Cascades; both options have things to recommend them.

The Medford area has some interesting options for foodies: Rogue Creamery in Central Point (arguably the best blue cheese on the coast), Harry and David south of town, and the old Butte Creek Mill in Eagle point (stone ground grains), which is a working water-powered mill. There's also a small covered bridge just down the street from the mill for the photographer in the crowd.

Also in the Medford area is the old goldrush town of Jacksonville:


Photo: Don Casey

and a number of wineries:


Photo: Don Casey

Crater lake is spectacular, but has a very short season. The road around the lake usually doesn't open until July, although the road TO the rim is open much earlier. The Lodge is a fun place to spend a night or two, if you can get a reservation.

Here's what the lake looks like in June (first one is mid-June 2005, when only the Lodge area was accessible, second is from late June 2010 when 2/3rds of the rim road was open... we spent two nights at the lodge that trip).


Photo: Don Casey


Photo: Don Casey