My D and I are planning a one-way driving trip from Portland to San Francisco in August. In 1986, my father and I hiked up Mount Lassen, an old volcano. I would like to repeat that with my daughter. I also see that Crater Lake would be on our path. We have already done Napa Valley, so that is really not part of the plan. Any ideas - hiking, renting bikes or kayaks, breweries, suitable for a mom and daughter?
After you go to Crater Lake, keep on the smaller state roads. Drive down 97 instead of I5 . Perhaps stop and see the Lava Bed Nat. monument (nice hiking) / Lake Juanita. Lake Shasta is beautiful and the near town is fun/weird. Lots of vortex energy there. Then head on to Lassen (warning, there are forest fires going now in that area, should be out by August, or there could be a lot more).
Crater Lake is a must do.
If you’d like a little time on the coast I’d head for the Point Reyes National Seashore. There are both Pacific beaches and great kayaking in Tomales Bay. Also nearby is Muir Woods, which will be packed in August, or some hiking at Mt. Tamalpais in the same part of Marin County.
We’ve been thinking about a pinot noir trip in Oregon. Point Reyes is nice - there’s a place that farms oysters that’s worth a visit.
Check out the Hell Gate boat ride in Grant’s Pass, Oregon. Google for the website but it’s lots of fun. If you like Shakespeare, check out the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. Cute town with lots of Shakespeare-themed restaurants and shops. Bend, Oregon is a really cute town on the eastern side of the mountains. They have a number of breweries, cute shops, and a slow-running river through town. There’s a shuttle bus that picks up at one point on the river and drops off upstream, so you can float downstream for an hour or so and then catch the shuttle back to your car.
Much closer to SF, Lagunitas Brewery in Petaluma does a nice tour. You can combine that with Muir Woods (redwood grove hiking). Muir woods does get crowded… it’s one of the most popular day-hiking destinations in the Bay Area so go early in the day.
Russian River is another gorgeous spot… a bit north of the Bay Area, starting from Healdsburg on highway 101 and heading towards the coast. Lots of redwoods, etc. Hike at Armstrong Redwoods state park, or google Russian River canoeing.
Pretty sure you’re going through Ashland, OR, right? If so, you should really checkout Oregon Shakespeare Festival! It’s a fun town, and some of the best theatre in the country! https://www.osfashland.org/?test-cookie=created
Yes to Crater Lake.
Yes to the Hell’s Gate boat out of Grant’s Pass, Oregon.
Also consider the Oregon Caves National Monument near Cave Junction, OR.
And Wildlife Safari near Winston, OR.
Muir Woods now requires reservations. https://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/reservations.htm
If you are interested in the oyster suggestion check out: https://hogislandoysters.com/locations/marshall
The oyster farm in Point Reyes was shut down by the NPS.