Planes, Trains & Autos

Arrive in Portland, Oregon

1. Voodoo donut – Read reviews here – there are two locations or Blue Star Donuts
2. Japanese Garden – $19.95 for adults – purchase tickets here & Read reviews here
3. Aerial Tram – $5.65 per round trip ticket – Read reviews here
4. Lan Su Chinese Gardens – $14 for adults – $11 for ages 6-18 – Read reviews here
5. Portland Oregon White Stag Sign – Erected in 1940, the sign has been shining across Couch Street for over 80 years.
6. Powell City of Books – largest used and new bookstore in the world, occupying an entire city block – Read reviews here
7. Rose Garden –  the oldest official continuously operated public rose test garden in the US – Read reviews here – Click here to read about other rose gardens to visit in Portland
8. Food trucks
9. Tom McCall waterfront – Read reviews here
10. Pittock Mansion – The mansion was originally built in 1914 as a private home for London-born Oregonian publisher Henry Pittock and his wife. $14.50 for adults – purchase tickets here & read reviews here
11. Oregon Zoo – read reviews here
12. Pearl District – the Pearl District is a shopping destination with hip brands, indie boutiques and the massive Powell’s City of Books. Reclaimed warehouse spaces house – read reviews here 

13. Click here for the best coffee in Portland, here for the best restaurants, here for the best hotels & here for the best budget hotels. Click here & here or the best things to do in Portland.

Tip: You could also visit the nearby Willamette Valley – it’s 1 hr from Portland. Read more here & if you are visiting in March or April, don’t miss the Tulip Festival just 45 mins from Portland. Read more here and if visiting in May, you can visit the Schreiner’s Iris Gardens. It’s located 45 mins from Portland.

DAY TWO

Drive the Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular river canyon, 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep, that meanders past cliffs, spires, and ridges set against nearby peaks of the PNW’s Cascade Mountain Range.

There are 90 waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge.

Read reviews here & click here for a great map and description of the waterfalls

UPDATE: In 2022, you were required to have a timed permit to drive this “waterfall corridor“. The sites include Wahkeena Falls recreation area, Oneonta Trailhead, Horsetail Falls recreation area, and access to Multnomah Falls for visitors using the Historic Columbia River Highway parking lot. So, keep an eye on that in case it’s required again for 2023.

Tip: Another option would be to visit the Silver Falls State park. The park is famous for its abundance of picturesque waterfalls. It’s located approx. 1 hr from Portland. Read reviews here.

Our stops today will be in this order:

1. Vista House – built in 1917 on one of the most beautiful scenic points on the Historic Columbia River Highway. Read reviews here – 30 mins from Portland

2. Latourell Falls Loop – easy 2.4 mi loop – 224 ft waterfall – 7 mins from 1st stop

3. Bridal Veil Falls – 0.7 round trip – 120 ft -You can choose to do the 1/2 mile lookout only or do the full 2/3 mile hike closer to the falls. The lower trail is a steep, 0.3-mile descent to the base of the magnificent waterfall. The ½-mile Overlook Trail offers magnificent views of the Columbia River along the paved loop. – 5 mins from last stop

4. Multnomah Falls – the most popular falls along this drive – 620 ft tall it’s Oregon’s tallest waterfall – there is a timed permit required in order to visit this waterfall – check out the Multnomah Lodge – 8 mins from last stop – Tip: If you make lunch reservations at the lodge restaurant, you can bypass the timed permit.

Tip: After Bridal Veil Falls, you could make Wahkeena Falls & Fairy Falls your next stop. You can hike up the short 0.2-mile trail to the stone bridge overlook and you’ll be rewarded with ice-cold spray from these 242-foot cascading Wahkeena falls.   Click here for 6 beautiful waterfalls to visit along this drive

5. Horsetail & Ponytail Falls – 0.9 mi round trip – as you arrive you’ll see Horsetail Falls raging across from the parking lot. A lot of people only get out to take a few pictures of these falls, but I recommend taking the short hike up to Ponytail Falls (also known as Upper Horsetail Falls) – 6 mins from last stop

6 .Elowah Falls – 2 mi round trip – 213 ft – 7 mins from last stop

7 Wahclella Falls – 2 mi round trip – 5 mins from last stop

8. Bonneville Dam & Fish Hatchery – 5 mins from last stop

9. Punch Bowl Falls – 4 mi round trip – 35 ft tall – 7 mins from last stop

10. Bridge of Gods – is a toll bridge spanning the Columbia River to connect SR-14 in Washington to I-84 in Oregon. – 6 mins from last stop

Tip: Your next stop could be Dry Creek Falls – it’s a 4.4 mi r/trip hike

11. Starvation Creek Falls – 0.2 mi round trip – 15 mins from last stop

Here are some roadside waterfalls that you may want to include:

• Shepperd’s Dell Falls
• Panther Creek Falls

12. Drive the 35 mile Hood River Fruit Loop – This route provides visitors with a unique rural farm experience filled to the brim with farm stands, wineries, U-pick farms with fresh produce & so much more! Click here to see a map with stops along the drive & for the best stops along the drive click here & here.

Tip: Click here to book a train ride through the scenic valleys of the Columbia River Gorge

13. Rowena Crest Viewpoint – this roadside viewpoint offers some of the area’s most epic vistas. Many visit Rowena Crest for its iconic views of the Historic Columbia River Highway’s horseshoe bend. Thanks to Instagram, the U-shaped curve in the road is one of the most well-known Columbia Gorge attractions. – If you bypass the River Fruit Loop Drive, the Rowena Crest Viewpoint is 30 mins from Starvation Creek Falls

14. The Dalles Lock & Dam – 20 mins from last stop

15. Mary Hill’s Stonehenge Memorial – a war memorial that is a replica of Stonehenge – 20 mins from last stop

Click here to see other stops along this drive & here for 20 incredible things to do along the drive & here for the 25 best waterfalls along the drive

Stay at the Best Western Plus Columbia River Inn or the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn or the Historic Hood River Hotel

DAY THREE

Today we are heading to Bend, OR.

Tip: Another option is to head to Painted Hills & Johns Day Fossil Beds. It’s 3 hrs from the hotel or 1 hr 45 mins from Bend. It is one of the 7 wonders of Oregon. The closest place to stay while you visit the Painted Hills would be Mitchell. Click here & here to read everything you need to know about this area. Have plenty of gas and cash if you visit this area.

Bend is located approx. 2 hrs 45 mins from your hotel in Hood River.

Your stops today will be in this order:

1. The Historic Timberline Lodge – Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977, Timberline Lodge is one of Oregon’s most popular tourist attractions, drawing nearly two million visitors a year. The hotel served as a location in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. 1 hr from your 1st hotel – Read reviews here & here for 14 things to do in this area – 15 mins from the lodge is the Trillium Lake Trailhead – it’s a 2 mi loop – this is a great place to capture a reflection shot of Mt. Hood – another option in this area is the 100 mile Mt Hood Scenic Byway
2. Peter Skene Ogden viewpoint – 1.5 hrs from your last stop – If you enjoy vertical basalt cliffs and scenic river canyons, this viewpoint is for you. The park is perched at the top of a striking canyon. Read reviews here – *You could make the Little Crater Lake Trail stop #2 – it’s 25 mins from the Trillium Lake trail and 40 mins from the Timberline Lodge – The trail is only 0.3 mi round trip. On your drive from Little Crater Lake to Peter Skene, you will go through Warm Springs Indian Reservation. It’s 1 hr from Little Crater lake. After Warm Springs and before you get to Smith Rock, you will come to Madras.
3. Smith Rock state park – 10 mins from last stop – If you enjoy scenic views of deep river canyons or rock climbing, Smith Rock State Park is the place for you. Read reviews here & read about the hikes in the park here. You definitely want to spend 1-2 hrs here.
4. Your next stop could be Redmond – click here & here for things to see/do
5. Your next and last stop is Bend – you could spend several days here. Since it will be late when you arrive, you can spend 2 nights here or just stop over for the night until we move on to our next destination.

Some of the top attractions in Bend are:

1. High Desert Museum – read reviews here
2. Newberry National Volcanic Monument – read reviews here & click here for best hikes
3. Tumalo Falls – About 10 miles west of Bend, Tumalo Falls is one of the most popular sights in the area. The 97-foot waterfall plunges off a sheer wall to the roaring river below. Read Reviews here
4. Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint – 10 min drive from Bend – read reviews here
5.. Old Mill District – historic district with shopping & restaurants – Read reviews here
6. Mt. Bachelor – ski resort – just a 30-minute drive from downtown, this 9,068’ Stratovolcano holds the title of the 6th biggest resort in North America – read more here

7. Cascades Lake Scenic Byway – it is a 66-mile, 3-5 hours drive through to Mt. Bachelor

8. Deschutes National Forest – read reviews here

Tip: 1 hr 15 mins from Bend is where you will find the amazing Tamolitch Falls (Blue Pool). This is a 4.2 mi round trip hike….and located 25 mins from the Blue Pool is one of the most photographed waterfalls called Proxy Falls.

Click here & here for the best things to do in Bend, Click here for the best restaurants & here for the best hotels & here for the best budget hotels

DAY FOUR

Today we will be driving 2 hrs to Crater Lake National Park.

Tip: If time permits, on your way to Crater Lake, you can stop off at the Umpqua Hot Springs. It’s 2 hrs 15 mins from Bend & 1 hr 20 mins from Crater Lake or the popular Toketee Falls...it’s located 2 hrs 10 mins from Bend & 1 hr from Crater Lake. The falls are located 15 mins from the hot springs. Other popular stops nearby are Diamond Lake & Watson Falls.

Tip: You may be interested in driving the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway – this is a 500 mile byway that begins in Mineral, California, one of several gateways to Lassen Volcanic National Park. It’s not a linear road—the scenic highway includes several loops around lakes and through parks.

Crater Lake National Park lies in the Cascade Mountains of southwestern Oregon. It is not actually a crater, but rather an ancient caldera of an extinct volcano, Mount Mazama, which erupted over 7,000 years ago. Today, lava cliffs rise to heights of up to 2,000 feet around the intensely blue and extremely deep lake.

There is a $30 entrance fee to the park.

See a map of the park here

Once you arrive to Crater Lake, here are the top things to do and see:

1. The Rim Drive – The historic 33-mile Rim Drive circles Crater Lake with views from 30 overlooks. Opportunities to photograph landscapes, the lake, and wildflowers are countless. Rim Drive, the main route through the park, is only open in its entirety from mid-July to mid-October. You can read more about historical opening and closing dates here. Click here for a mile by mile guide along the Rim Drive. The drive will take 2-3 hrs w/stops. Read review here.

2. Hiking – there are 90 miles or hiking trails in the park

3. Boat Tours – There is a 2.2-mile round-trip trail (down to the boat dock and back) that drops approximately 700 ft. Due to the strenuous nature of this trail, it’s not recommended for anyone with medical or physical issues. The hike down to the dock takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

4. Swimming – the only trail that leads you to the shoreline is the Cleetwood Cove Trail.

If you wish to overnight in this area, click here to read about the best hotels located in/near Crater Lake.

After visiting Crater Lake, we will continue our drive along the Umpqua Rogue Scenic Byway through national forest all the way down the Cascade Mountains.

The scenic byway is a total of 172 miles – we will be driving 1.5 hrs to Grants Pass where we will be spending the night.

On this 1.5 hr stretch of road, there will be several overlooks and waterfalls along the way.

Tip: You could book a jet boat ride on the Umpqua Rogue River. It’s located 30 mins before you arrive to Grants Pass. Read reviews here

Overnight in Grants Pass – Click here for hotels in Grants Pass, here for restaurants & here for things to see/do in Grants Pass – other things to see/do in Grants Pass includes glass blowing, Grave Creek covered bridge, pharmacy soda fountain and stay in a Tree House. Read reviews here and don’t miss the Wildlife Images and animal rehab.

DAY FIVE

Today we will be heading to Jedediah Smith Redwood Park.

The park is located approx. 1.5 hrs from Grants Pass.

Read here for a complete guide of the park

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is the northernmost state park in California’s Redwoods National Park, which also includes other state parks like Henry Cowell, Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast, and the Humboldt Redwoods.

Unlike other national parks, Redwoods National Park is a system of unconnected state parks that fall under federal and state jurisdiction. Together, these parks protect almost half of California’s remaining old-growth redwood trees, whose average age is 500 to 700 years old.

A World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve, Redwood National and State Parks protect 45 percent of California’s remaining old-growth redwoods—an area almost four times the size of Manhattan Island.

Tip: If you plan on camping in the park, visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date

For a map and description of the drives and hikes that you can do in the park, click here.

There are only two drives that you can do through Jedediah park. One is called Howland Hill Road and the other is called Walker Rd.

Read reviews here

Howland Hill is 6 miles long and Walker Rd is a 3 mile loop.

Your stops after leaving Grant’s Pass will be in this order:

1. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
2. Walker Rd
3. Howland Hill Rd
4. Stout Grove Trail
5. Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
6. Trees Of Mystery
7. Klamath Tour Thru Tree
8. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park –(there’s a 10 mi scenic drive you ca do in this park)
9. Fern Canyon (in 2022, permits were required for this area – read more here)
10. Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail
11. Redwoods National and State Parks Sign – if you want a picture in front of the park’s sign, then this would be your next stop

For maps of the park click here & click here for 59 things to do in this area & click here for more scenic drives in this area

Located in Klamath, CA, the Trees of Mystery is a 1/3 mile journey through the forest tree tops via the unique SkyTrail gondola ride. This is your chance to get an up-close downward perspective from the tops of redwood trees that measure 100s of feet in height.

A total of 8 Gondola Cars continuously make the approximately 8-10 minute, 1570 foot trip up the mountain each day.

There are also other activities located here such as the Canopy Trail, amazing redwood trees, a museum, trails and a cafe.

Read reviews here

For a unique experience, stay in the Motel Trees Hotel in the heart of the Redwood National Forest at the Trees of Mystery. Here is where you will find the huge statue of Paul Bunyan and his pal, Babe the blue ox.

Read reviews for the hotel here & for more cool things to see/do in Klamath click here

Most of the parks are free to access! However, some of the day use and campground areas do require fees. Read more here.

The best things to do in the Redwood Forest:

Hike the Stout Grove Trail – one of the most magnificent and highly photographed groves of old-growth Redwoods in the national park – 0.7 mi round trip

Hike the Lady Bird Johnson Grove – one of the most spectacular groves of ancient, old-growth Redwoods in the world. – 1.3 mi round trip

Explore the Fern Canyon – Fern Canyon is a stunning, world-renowned destination, made famous by it’s appearance in the Jurrasic Park movie franchise. Literally dripping with ferns from wall to wall with a creek flowing through. 1.1 mi round trip. In 2022, day use permits were required from May 1 – Sept. 30th.

Visit or camp at the Gold Bluffs Beach – a beautiful spot on the Pacific ocean named for the the iconic golden colored bluffs that overlook it.

Drive through the Klamath Thru Tree – a drive through tunnel for vehicles was carved in the Klamath Tree in 1976 using a chainsaw. The tree was carved in such a way that it survived and continues to grow and live today.

Note: If time permits, you could hike the Boy Scout Tree Trailhead – it’s 5.5 mi round trip.

Read all about what there is to do and see in the Redwood Forest here

Optional – Drive the Avenue of Giants – a magnificent 31.5 mile drive that weaves you through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park located about an hour south of Eureka. While this area is not technically part of the “national park” I included it anyway because it’s so close and not to be missed. This is 1 hr 45 mins from the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail.

Tip: 35 mins from the Humboldt Redwoods State park is the Redwood Sky Walk. Read reviews here.

We will be spending the night in Crescent City, CA which is only 10 mins from your last stop at the park sign or an hour from the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail.

Click here for hotels in Crescent City, here for restaurants & here & here for things to see/do in Crescent City.

Don’t miss the Battery Point Lighthouse & the Crescent City Harbor where you can spot sea lions or Agate hunting on Crescent beach!

DAY SIX

Today, we will be starting our drive along the coast on the scenic Hwy 101 and heading to Bandon.

Spanning 363 miles, Highway 101 is an All-American Road that winds down the entire Oregon coast from Astoria on the Columbia River to the California border.

Tip: Click here for the best towns to stay in along the coast & here for the best stops along the coast

Bandon is approx 2 hrs 15 mins from Crescent City, CA.

We will make several stops along the way so get an early start!

Our first stop will be Pyramid Point State Marine Conservation Area located just 30 mins from Crescent City.

Tip: You will pass Clifford Kamph Memorial Park, Pelican State Beach & Crissey Field State Recreation area on your way to Pyramid Point so you could stop at those first if you wanted.

Pyramid Point State Marine Conservation Area is California’s Northern-most marine protected area. Nestled up against the Oregon border, it provides unique habitat not often seen in other California marine protected areas. The landscape includes both sandy and rocky beaches, each with offshore rocks that can harbor seabird colonies, and shallow rocky reefs.

Tip: Near this stop, you will see the Oregon Redwoods Trail – from what I’ve read, I wouldn’t stop here. It’s underwhelming.

Next, you will come to Brookings.

Click here for the 20 best things to do in Brookings, here for hotels & here for restaurants.

Tip: Don’t miss Oregon’s largest Monterey Cypress tree – the tree was planted in 1857.

Next, you will head to Chetco Point Park.

Chetco Point Park has oceanfront trails, tide pools, a scenic point & picnic areas are the draw at this local beach park.

Read reviews here

Next, you will head to Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor.

Tip: You will pass Harris Beach State Park & McVay Rock State Park on the way to Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor. McVay is a well-hidden park noted for surf fishing, clamming, whale watching, and plenty of space to walk on the beach.

The Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor is often referenced as the most scenic 12 miles along the Oregon Coast, there are 11 designated stops along the scenic corridor.

The area is full of huge Sitka spruce trees, a rugged coastline, and small sandy beaches. You can also walk 27 miles of the Oregon Coast Trail within the corridor.

Although you can hike the park to see all the connected viewpoints, if you don’t have a lot of time and just want see as much as possible, you can stop by all of these spots. The parking lot usually takes you directly to the view or the viewpoint is just a short walk from the lot.

For the best views on the drive click here & click here for the best stops.

Here are the stops you will do and in this order:

1. Lone Ranch Picnic Area (Mile 351.9)
2. Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint (Mile 351.2)
3. House Rock Viewpoint (Mile 349.3)
4. Whaleshead Viewpoint (Mile 348.6)
5. Indian Sands (Mile 347.8)
6. Thomas Creek Bridge (Mile 347.4)
7. *North Island (Mile 346.0)
8. *Natural Bridges (Mile 345.8)
9. Thunder Rock Cove (Mile 345.0)
10.  Spruce Island (Mile 345.0)
11. Arch Rock (Mile 352.6)

Click here for a detailed guide of this area

From Crescent City to Arch Rock takes 50-60 mins without stopping.

From here, we continue our drive along the coast.

IF time permits, you can hike the Indian Sands Loop. This s a 1.1 mile moderately challenging hike. This hike is located at the Indian Sands stop.

Next, we will head to Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor.

Tip: On the way, you will pass the Pistol River Bridge & Meyers Creek Beach Viewpoint

At Cape Sebastian, a deep forest of Sitka spruce covers most of the park and a 1.5 mile walking trail takes you out to the lower levels of the cape. If you’re lucky, the trail will give you a chance to enjoy awe-inspiring views of the gray whales on their bi-annual migrations.