I’ve got 2 full days to check this out. I will have 16 & 12 year old daughters with me. One likes long nature hikes, one indifferent and W hates them although isn’t opposed to us leaving her behind for a morning/afternoon if necessary.
Trip starts in Seattle and ends in Portland. I should have time to drive both days before and after though, so these 2 coast days won’t include the travel to or from the cities. I’m not opposed to driving somewhat out of the way but don’t want to spend the whole trip driving.
Thanks in advance for any advice from those is you familiar with the PNW.
Actually that is where the bulk of the trip will be. Flying into Seattle, immediately heading to the coast for 2 days. Then one day in Portland and 4 at Hood River/White Salmon. Ending 2 days in Seattle.
The flights are locked in and the Hood River time is with extended family. The rest is on our own. I’d take any advice for the trip, but the coast time is what I’m stumped by.
Washington Coast has rugged beauty while Oregon Coast has quaint towns along with gorgeous haystack view. I think Oregon Coast will satisfy both your wife and daughters. Cannon Beach / Manzanita area is a good base.
Take Columbia historic route from Portland to Hood River will take you by many waterfalls (if you travel in spring). Some you can even see from the parking lots without hiking.
We had a horrific wildfire in the Columbia River gorge but I think many of trails are now open. Angels rest is stunning (but closed today because…cougar).
There are so many great places to climb on the coast. I’m particularly fond of the southern Oregon coast but you probably don’t have enough time to go there. I especially love Sunset Bay State Park, but it’s not exactly a day’s drive and back. Stick to manzanita - cannon beach is fine but a bit overly tourist-y. Good beach but the city is a bit crowded. Too many bunnies too ?
Another vote for Oregon. We haven’t done Washington, but drove from Portland to Astoria, and then down the coast through Cannon Beach and Depoe Bay to maybe Newport (or Vice versa). We did multiple hikes along the way. The main part of our trip was biking around the Hood River Valley, with some waterfall viewing, hiking and a white water raft8ng afternoon thrown on. That was pretty spectacular also.
We were in Cannon Beach recently and hiked down Oswald State Park, a short hike to a beautiful cove very popular with surfers. There was a Verizon film crew there to film commercials. We remember when there was a campground the surfers hanged around for days. That was closed now.
During a trip to Portland a couple of years ago we spent a few days along the coast from Astoria to Florence. It was spectacular! I would highly recommend stopping at some of the lighthouses along the way. We particularly liked Yaquina Head lighthouse just north of Newport and Heceta Head lighthouse north of Florence, where we hiked on a trail above the lighthouse and had fabulous views! After our trip down the coast, we circled inland back up to Portland via Mt. Hood and the Columbia River gorge. It was a wonderful vacation.
Often visit the PNW since son is in Seattle. Have enjoyed gardens in both Portland and Tacoma. The Olympic peninsula- the Hoh Rainforest to Hurricane Ridge. Many inland trips from Seattle. The Columbia River gorge. We still need to plan this year’s trip and always allow wiggle room once we are there.
Why not get some books on each from your public library and AAA books for the girls to look at? Have them become invested in where the trip takes them.
I agree with other posters regarding the Cannon Beach area. If you make another trip in the future, I highly suggest visiting the Olympic National Park area. Rialto Beach near La Push is spectacular. There are eagles and otters a few miles down the beach near Hole in the Wall. There is also easy access to the tide pools during really low tides.
When is the trip? Some places such as Cannon Beach have many hotels that require more than a nights stay beginning June 1.
Cannon Beach is a fun place to see and the beach is very good. Ecola Seafood or the rouge brewery. Best pizza is on the Main Street ( not the side street)
Public parking is free. If you cannot find parking and are desperate drive through town and going south you will find a large parking lot with beach accessibility and facilities.
If time is an issue return through Tillamook and stop for ice cream at the factory. They have tours.
It is a pretty ride then to Portland.
Another vote for Cannon Beach area. I can’t imagine you’ll be disappointed. The town is seaside beachy but not pretentious. Ecola Park is beautiful. Walking the beach? - breathtaking. Really fun to explore the tide pools and all the sea life.
I was thinking about starting at Ruby Beach in WA to see some of the rugged beauty, then working my way down to Astoria and Cannon Beach. But maybe that’s too ambitious and I should just start at Astoria, drop down to Cannon and maybe see a lighthouse or 2.
When I told my wife yesterday that low tide at Ruby Beach was 5:30 am that morning and asked her what the odds were for making that work she laughed at me. She wants a vacation, I want a trip. But we usually make it work.
The 16yo is like me. Right now she is on a group trip in London with her soccer team. She is pretty aggravated that they have skipped a couple museums because no one else was really interested and they wanted to relax. She just sent me a Snap chat asking me to not let her do group travel again.
I’m in Redwood National Park now. We took I-5 from Seattle through Portland, then south of Salem, took 34 over to the Oregon coast, then to CA via 101.
The Oregon coast is SPECTACULAR. Doing our first day in the Redwoods today. Will post a trip review when I get back.
If your trip is Sunday, June 30 and Monday, July 1st, I hope that you have made hotel / motel reservations or are staying with friends or relatives as everything will be booked up.