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rvgrammady · 06-04-2014, 08:06 PM

Hope this is the right forum.. if not .. moderator can you please advise and/or move?

I will be on the oregon coast for 2-3 weeks July 4-24. I will be traveling south to north. I have noted "full"days that I will have for sightseeing, since these sites are fairly close, I will be leaving before check out and arriving right at check-in and will have that partial day (not noted below).
Mills Casino, North Bend 1 day
florence Thousand Trails 2 days
newport Thousand Trails 3 days
pacific city Thousand Trails2 days
seaside Thousand Trails 3 days
Portland/Columbia River, unknown park 3-4 days
I would like some suggestions as must see/do's. I've got all the travel books, and info from Oregon Coast State Info... there is so much to see and do. Would like some been-there-done-that info.
I do plan on the Aquarium in Newport, and shucks I don't have my paperwork.. but there is a boat trip of the bay/river etc. think Florence? Tillamook Cheese Factory, Lewis & Clark Museum in Astoria.
I am not a hiker/biker. I walk a bit (have bum knee) I have a tow car to sightsee. I like overlooks, mueseums, some shopping (little), maybe boat trips (whale watching), Would like some great local seafood. Somewhere I heard you can get fresh crab they cook for you. Also, some local eateries or must eat here places.
Up on Columbia River, the dam, locks, the sternwheeler boat trip, Mt. Hood wineries, brew pubs.
Thanks for your comments,
Dy in Northern Calif.

sirpurrcival · 06-05-2014, 12:45 AM

I found the Sea Lion Caves interesting. I quite liked the town of Banyon as well for it's waterfront boardwalks. You can't go to Oregon without riding the dunes either. Rent quads or a sand rail near Honeyman State Park or take the big buggy tours. There are also many lighthouses to check out, Cape Blanco is one example. Very scenic but there are stairs.

ronjhall · 06-05-2014, 03:56 AM

A little north of Sea Lion Caves is Strawberry Hill Wayside. Great place to do some Tide Pooling. Nice beach to walk and views of Sea Lions.
Best to go at low tide. Be careful after a rain. Rocks can be slippery.

You can also do some Tide Pooling along shore in Newport.

RussM311 · 06-10-2014, 03:59 PM

This is a great trip for anyone to make... I hope you enjoy every single minute of it. My son and I spent some time there a few years back and will return someday. You can rent crab rings at Bandon by the Sea and catch your own crabs.... easy and lots of fun. Once you have culled down to the best of the group, there are little places on the beach where they will cook them for you. Nothing better than super fresh steamed crabs. The sea lion caves are fabulous... and watch the signs for the wine vineyards.... most have tasting rooms and produce some of the best wines in the country. Sure wish I was going with you.... :-) Best wishes for a trouble free and enjoyable trip.

Yurok Chick · 06-15-2014, 07:28 PM

Quaint trolley in Astoria. Awesome aircraft museum just outside Tillamook. La De Da festival in Yacahts. Mark Hatfield marine museum in Newport ( and of course the Rogue brewery). Just to name few.

sinnettc · 06-16-2014, 12:04 AM

Astoria has a nice maritime museum.

Cross the bridge to Long Beach Washington and you can drive on about 30 miles of beach; just be sure to wash the salt/sand off when you're done.

If you''re going to be far enough south, the mail boat ride up the rogue river is pretty spectacular. Gold Beach I think, or Brookings. Can't remember which.

Pretty much anywhere along the coast has lots to do.

adamfolger · 06-16-2014, 12:30 AM

We are staying at Gold Beach, Ireland's Ocean RV Park, Gold Beach, Oregon on the Southern Oregon Coast and on America's Wild Rivers Coast Great beach if its not too windy. We came up from Sacramento and crossed over to the coast from Redding ca on hwy 299.... DON"T DO IT... 30 mph curves the entire 150 miles, 4 1/2 hr drive. Next time hwy 101 from Frisco. Hwy 101 above Eureka becomes two lane and gets curvy / hilly but the scenery is well worth it. We stayed at a park in Clamath right on the river and right next to 101. Rent was payable in cash only....We are heading to Coos Bay Mill Casino next. Too much to see if time is short. Thankfully we are fulltimers / retired....

Lloydu · 06-16-2014, 05:09 AM

Be sure to do the jet boats ( take the meal package). Did it a few years ago and we still talk about it. Although we did it in Grants Pass, I believe they have one at Gold Beach also. Enjoy!

Starbo · 06-18-2014, 01:14 PM

Best clam chowder ever in Florence, nice small town.

Melvo · 06-18-2014, 02:07 PM

Sounds like you have the coast pretty well set. Grew up on the columbia River near Hood River. Watching the wind surfers is cool, and can watch the Salmon att he Dams. Beacon Rosk on WA side is a tough climb but can go up to Crown Point on the OR side and get a great view. We like Ainsworth State Park in Troutdale just east of Portland in the Columbia river Gorge. It is just off I 84 and near Multnomah and Bridal Veil Falls. Very scenic location and full hook -ups. It's a no resevation park so need to get there early afternoon to be sure to get in. Also lke Memaloose stte Park near the Dalles - Great view of the Columbia River. They take reservations but do have some none res sites, some full service.

Knagy2688 · 06-18-2014, 03:49 PM

We have a similar trip planned in two weeks. We are staying at Fort Stevens state park. I have not booked a sand rail/ dune buggy trip yet. I have four kids, one is only 5. Any suggestions? Perhaps we will cross paths.

Starbo · 06-18-2014, 03:57 PM

Did the same trip last year starting there around the 4th, this time going the other way around, desert to ocean versus ocean to desert. We rented a two person sandbuggy just outside of Florence right off the highway, can't miss it. They also have a sand-rail where they take a bunch of you out at one time. Its fun to drive but the area you can drive the rentals is fairly limited, still huge but you can't go to the ocean like we thought we could. Amazing to be out there, just like the Sahara. Be careful driving as the drop offs(drifts) are hard to see, we went airborne a few times but survived. FT. Stevens is great for kids, best bike trails around and nice beach, we watched fireworks going off all down the coast from the beach there last year. KOA right there has a great 4th with bands and activities for kids.

TdogKing · 06-20-2014, 04:35 PM

Even after reading/searching for every trip we've taken we always search out visitor centers. We always talk with a person behind the counter and express we are new to the area and explain what we like to do, even places to eat. The locals know ! They always have 100's of brochures for everything under the sun. I walk through and take everything that might interest us and then read them back at Camp and cull through the whole stack. I've had great luck doing this.

Gadfly · 06-21-2014, 02:30 PM

Tillamook area is pretty and the cheese and dairy products from the factory are great. But beware when you first get to town and open the door or window. This is a dairy town and it certainly smells of cow! About knocked me over at first. You'll get used to it quickly though and the dairy is an interesting quick tour with free cheese samples and an ice cream shop at the end.

have fun, the Oregon coast is great.