Looking for something fun and not super expensive. Staying at Curly Redwood Lodge in Crescent City, then driving north to stay someplace, on to a night at the funky Sylvia Beach Hotel.
Family of four who%26#39;s traveled Europe and loves rich experiences but has a small pocketbook. Please share your unique insights! We%26#39;d also love to know what places you think we should see, as well as good places to eat. We%26#39;ll be hitting the Samoa Cookhouse in Eureka and Camp 18 up north of Newport. Anything like these elsewhere along our path?
Unusual Coastal overnight between Crescent City and Newport
FYI: Camp 18 is on hwy 26. It%26#39;s 2 + hrs from Newport just so you know......
I can%26#39;t really help you with the unusual, unless you would consider a deluxe Yurt at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park near Winchester Bay, unusual., but here%26#39;s a blurb I have saved on the Oregon Coast:
';DISCLAIMER: You are about to be referred to several sites that are Oregon State Parks. For more information on the parks I am about to mention, visit www.oregonstateparks.org
Astoria/Warrenton: Lots to do and see here, especially as it relates to Oregon and National History. Fort Clatsop, Fort Stevens State Park, and the Columbia Maritime Museum are just a few. If you are staying o/n, I hightly recommend The Holiday Inn Express on Hwy 30 at the foot of Bond Street (west Astoria).
Cannon Beach: Ecola State Park and Haystack Rock are two of the biggest draws here and should not be missed.
Oswald West State Park: On Hwy 101, 11 miles south of Cannon Beach. You have to get out and walk to really appreciate what ';Os West'; has too offer, buit after a 1/3 mile walk into a beautiful rainforest, you will get your just reward! The Most beautiful spot on the Oregon Coast IMHO! Just south of the main developed areas of the park, Hwy 101 crosses over Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain. AT THE VERY LEAST, stop and take in the views from one of the many pullouts. If you%26#39;re up for it, a three mile hike to the top of teh mountain will certainly be a highlight of your trip.
Three Capes Scenic Route and Cape Meares and Cape Lookout State Parks, southwest of Tillamook. Beautiful drive, especially north to south. Visit Cape Meares Lighthouse.
(I%26#39;ll let phirl and others fill in the Lincoln City-Newport section).
Yachats. Spend a little time here. It%26#39;s a small town but it really is a gem. Right on a rocky bluff built out into the ocean. If fact, I hightly recommend staying here. The Overleaf consistently sits at the top of Oregon%26#39;s ranking for motels. If it too much for your budget, there are several others: The Fireside, next door to the Overleaf; The Adobe just a little further south; The Shamrock Lodgettes just south of the river. Aside from being charming and beautiful, it%26#39;s also centrally located to Newport and Florence. Just south of here is Cape Perpetua with arguably the best tide pools on the coast. They also have a wonderful visitor%26#39;s center and lots of hiking. If you like fish-n-chips, Try Leroy%26#39;s Blue Whale on Hwy 101 or for more ';fancy'; fare, The Drift Inn just south of Leroy%26#39;s.
Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint, between Florence and Yachats. Considered the most photographed lighthouse on the entire west coast, you%26#39;ll see why!! There is a B%26amp;B in the Historic Keeper%26#39;s House as well.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (ODNRA) stretches from Florence, 42 miles to Coos Bay. Sand dunes are not normally associated with beauty, after all, they%26#39;re just sand dunes. But these are truly beautiful. I hightly recommend taking some time to view. Take a buggy ride or rent a quad if your up for it!';
Hope this helps!
~Den~
Unusual Coastal overnight between Crescent City and Newport
Unique. Not sure what you consider unique. to me the Oregon coast is unique. I have seen coasts in Italy, France, Ireland, Scotland, England. Yet to find one that matches Oreg coast. Many places to stop and enjoy.
Den - thanks for your response. I%26#39;ve read many of your posts (in fact, I recognize most of your comments here from other places!) and have benefited from them.
Sorry for the confusion about what I need. I know Camp 18 is far from Newport....it%26#39;s on the way home in Vancouver, and I only mentioned it because I was trying to show the kind of things we find cool. I%26#39;m fairly familiar with the north coast, and in fact have visited many of the places you mention. But you added a few special spots we%26#39;ll be checking out! :)
As you know, I need info on the area between Crescent City and Newport. I%26#39;m intrigued with your suggestion of a deluxe Yurt at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park near Winchester Bay. Do you know if it will be warm enough in mid March? Sadly, the B%26amp;B in the Historic Keeper%26#39;s House you mention discriminates against children under 10. I think that%26#39;s rotten. I%26#39;ll also check the The Adobe Inn, The Fireside Inn and the Overleaf Lodge as well as Shamrock Lodge. You%26#39;ve given me a lot to think about!
Glad you found the Curley Redwood Lodge in Crescent City - cheap and clean. I%26#39;m driving down the coast the eand of April and have booked the Curley Redwood Lodge for my 4th visit.. Love Samoa Cookhouse too.
Stop in Bandon and visit the candy shop for cranberry candy treats. Just south of Bandon is the West Coast Game Park Safari - good place to get out and stretch you legs - walk through a number of free-roaming animals and there is the opportunity to pet some of the selected baby animals. While animals like bears, lions, etc are in cages - the kids will like interacting with the goats, and other tame animals looking for handouts.
South of Florence (see the Old Town) is the Oregon Dunes National recreation area - go to the overlook or even splurge on a dune buggy tour.
Along the coast -especially in Newport - stop for clam chowder and cheap eats at Mo%26#39;s along the Bayfront.
Agree that the Newport Aquarium is another kid-friendly stop. It used to be the home of the famous whale Keiko who starred in the ';Free Willie'; movies and was released off his home waters in the north Atlantic.
Am also staying at the Holiday Express in Astoria - good choice as it is located right under the bridge over the Columbia River - fun to watch the huge ships passing by.
The Astoria Maritime Museum nearby is good. Near Astoria is Fort Clatsop. This reconstructed fort is on the site of the winter headquarters of American pioneers Lewis and Clark. Kids enjoy this wooden fort in the woods and the displays.
In Tillamook - don%26#39;t miss the Tillamook Cheese factory for cheese tasting - but especially the ice cream. Nearby is the Blue Heron Cheese shop with a petting zoo and another good stop to pick up deli sandwiches to each out on the coast. Since you have kids - I would also recommend a stop at the Tillamook Air Museum which features WW II fighter planes, etc and is located a former Blimp hanger.
There are earlier TA threads on Camp 18. They were so helpful to many stranded travelers who were caught in a major snow and ice storm by taking them in and keeping them warm. Tell them that we travelers appreciated their hospitality.
The deluxe Yurts are a real gem. They are larger (+400 sq ft) than standard Yurts, have a kitchenette, and their own full bathroom. They have electric heat and are quite toasty. 4 of the 6 have great views of Lake Marie. It is very quiet and peaceful in the Yurt village as you have to walk a short distance (no cars!).
To top it all, March is still Discovery Season and a night will only cost you $45 (plus $6 reservation fee).
~Den~
I believe the Siskiyou National Forest (and perhaps even the Umpqua) have fire towers for rent near the coast.
As far as food- gotta give a shout out to Lighthouse Deli in Newport(well actually South Beach on the south side of the bridge). Their fish n chips are pretty good-you can get halibut, salmon and tuna.
Camp 18 is great for ambiance, but food is ok. -At least the last few times ive been there.
Halfirish, sheez with a name like that figured you were from ireland, like the other irishrover poster. didn%26#39;t realize you were from here and familiar with oreg coast. Then again don%26#39;t have a lot more to offer than you have already gotten
Perhaps you should visit 2 or 3 lighthouses, some nice ones, Cape Arago, Heceta Head, Yaquina Head, Cape Arago.
Newport Bayfront good visit
Hi there! Sounds like a nice itinerary and you are covering a lot of ground. Camp 18 is cool, just be aware that the portions here are very lage. We have had some good breakfasts here in the past.
The Holiday Inn Express in Astoria is in a good location, right on the trolley stop and has beautiful views of the Astor-Megler bridge. On the trolley stop is the Cannery Cafe where we love to lunch, their crab melts are really great. The Ship Inn is also a favorite of ours for the fish and chips. I would recommend taking the trolley in Astoria, it is scenic and informative.
Also not to miss is the Astor Column, we can see it from our doorstep at our home in Astoria. It%26#39;s pretty when it is lit up at night. You can stop at the deli called Peter Pan Market and get yummy deli sandwiches and bakery goods to take up to picnic on Coxcomb Hill. The drive up to the column is very pretty. We also like Fulio%26#39;s for Italian food and the Silver Salmon Grille for nice dinners in Astoria. The Flavel House is also interesting as is athe Heritage Museum. If you like to wine taste, Shallon Winery is kind of funky and fun, we like the Cran du Lait there and Paul is fun to chat with. The Vintner%26#39;s Room at the Hotel Elliott is also a nice place to taste, we like to go up to the rooftop there and take in the gorgeous views of the Columbia River and surrounding area.
Fort Stevens State Park is also fun, in Warrenton. You can view the wreck of the Peter Iredale, a cool place for a photo shoot. There are also several miles of walking/bike riding trails that we like here and Coffenbury Lake is pretty, also in the park. Have fun on the coast and please report back after your travels! :)
Thanks, everyone, for your great ideas! I%26#39;m getting really enthused. Sadly, the deluxe yurts are rented the day we need one, but I will definitely pursue them for future visits.
The lookout tower is an awesome idea. I am checking now. Appears many don%26#39;t rent until later in the season but perhaps I%26#39;ll get lucky with one.
Where do I post a trip report?
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