Several days of family fun visiting Washington State, Oregon and Northern Cali... what a way to go!
"We are planning a trip from Seattle to San Francisco over the Summer for 2 weeks. Rent a car and go. We need Ideas. We have 4-5 days planned in Washington state, were thinking about 4-5 days in Oregon. And some time in Northern Cal to finish. Married couple with 2 boy's 10-12. We need Ideas, pictures. We like outdoor, trails, water, picture places. We live in Indiana and it is flat here, So?"
I am an AskOR expert for Travel Oregon and I am happy to help you with your itinerary through Oregon! First let me tell you that you will love it here in the summertime! It sounds like you will be hanging close to the west so I'm sure you will be enjoying the cool weather we have here in the PNW. I can help out with the Oregon part of your trip however, I have been all over Washington and happen to love San Francisco as well. In fact, I have driven the route several times so let's go!!
From the Washington area south in to Oregon, you will cross a bridge and be in my neck of the woods! I would suggest you spend at least a day or two exploring Portland. Check out Travel Portland's website: http://www.travelportland.com You can certainly get tons of info on what to do in Portland from this site but also plan on a visit to Pioneer Square downtown at the Travel Portland's visitors center once you arrive. As far as lodging goes, there are lots of very cool Portland hotels to consider. Just a few of my favorites... The Inn At Northrup Station (good location and fun for kids), Ace Hotel, The Benson and The Heathman.
We do food really big in Portland so plan to enjoy and indulge while visiting. You may want to consider taking a "food" tour. Portland Walking Tours: http://www.portlandwalkingtours.com offers a few really good tours that will give you a taste of we are all about! I have taken the Epicurean Walking Tour a few times myself and a few of my favorite places to dine are as follows:
Tin Shed: http://tinshedgardencafe.com (great for kids too)
Toro Bravo: http://www.torobravopdx.com (a really good way to experience really great local PNW cuisine!)
McMenamins: http://www.mcmenamins.com/Pubs
Remember, this is only a very short list. There are well over 2,000 restaurants to choose from in Portland and that doesn't even include our food carts. We are pretty famous for those in case you haven't heard! http://www.portlandwalkingtours.com/tours/food_cart_tour.php
The Max and Streetcar line are both good ways to get around the city. I happen to love walking to get a true feel or vibe for the city however, you can purchase tickets at the visitors center in Pioneer Square and take the public transportation around and get off and on wherever you'd like.
A few must see places in my opinion while you are in Portland... Powell's Bookstore, Pioneer Square Mall, a walk along the Willamette River, The Portland Rose Garden, The Portland Japanese Garden, a stroll up 23rd Avenue and while you are there, have an ice cream cone at Salt & Straw: http://saltandstraw.com Also, check out OMSI: http://www.omsi.edu Great exhibits and hands on fun for the kiddos!
If you love beer, you are situated perfectly to enjoy that as well! We happen to do beer very well and it can be found all over town. A few of my favorite places for cold beer in the summertime:
Henry's Tavern
Bridgeport Brewery
Deschutes Brewery
McMenamin's... the Ruby Pale Ale is my fav!!!
These place also have very good food! Great menus to make everyone in the family happy!
Also, we happen to love coffee in Portland! Check out Lovejoy Bakers in my neck of the woods for the best latte', muffins, sandwiches and pie! They brew Stumptown Coffee there which is a Portland staple.
I would suggest from the Portland area, you take 99W south and make your way through our gorgeous Willamette Valley! Wineries, vineyards, hazelnut orchards and I'm sure you will enjoy stops along your route where you can taste berries and other locally grown goodies that make our valley famous. Our wine of course is the valley's most famous commodity and good thing we like to share. Don't be surprised to find the vintner out perusing the grapes and feel free to take photos and ask questions. You will find us very friendly!
A few of my fav stops in the valley:
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum: http://www.evergreenmuseum.org
The Blue Goat Cafe: http://amitybluegoat.com
Adelsheim Vineyard: http://www.adelsheim.com
Sokol Blosser: http://www.sokolblosser.com
The Joel Palmer House: http://www.joelpalmerhouse.com
Red Hills Market: http://www.redhillsmarket.com
For lodging, check out www.obbg.org We have some very beautiful B & B's in wine country so use the interactive map to find one you'd love to check out!
If you'd like some ideas for hiking, check out Silver Creek Falls: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_211.php and the McDonald Dunn Forest near Corvallis: http://www.cof.orst.edu/cf/forests/mcdonald/ This is my fav place to hike! We take all of our visitors to these trails because you can choose your level of difficulty and the forest is educational as well. Ran by Oregon State Univ., the forest is maintained and well groomed to enjoy it to it's fullest.
From the Willamette Valley, you could choose to stay south on I 5 or stay along the coast. It would depend on how much time you have at this point. I would love for you hit the coast on hwy 20 out of Corvallis at some point. A stop in Corvallis would be a great as you will get to see Oregon State University's beautiful campus, enjoy a bite and beer at Block 15 ( my new fav pub) and possibly stay a night at The Harrison House! Hwy 20 is a pretty drive and will drop you right in to Newport, OR. From there you could head south and believe me when I tell you this... you will see some of the most beautiful coastline you've ever seen. Take lots of pictures, make lots of stops and enjoy our little beach towns and the art and the food and fun in each one.
I think I'll let you take it from here. I hope I've given you some great info to get you started and please let me know if I can help you further.
Debbie Lusk
Travel Oregon AskOR Willamette Valley Ambassador
Don't forget Omsi and the Portland zoo, the coast is beautiful and there is a plethora of festivals and events all throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteGot OMSI on the list up there!! I was thinking the zoo too!! And yes, there are tons of festivals and event throughout the year. I'm hoping they will get all that wonderful info on Travel Portland's website as well! I can't believe how long this reply was and I only wish I could write them a novel of what to do here in Oregon!!! Thanks for your comment "anonymous!"
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