Summary: Oregon Coast Roadtrip

Itinerary

  • Day 1. July 1. Saturday. Drove to Portland. Checked in at Quality Inn in Gresham for two nights.
  • Day 2. July 2. Sunday. Visited Columbia River Gorge (Multnomah Falls, Vista House, and many waterfalls between these two). Visited Powell's City of Books in Portland later.
  • Day 3. July 3. Monday. Drove to Astoria. Visited Ecola State Park, and Cannon Beach. Checked in at Astoria Riverwalk Inn for one night.
  • Day 4. July 4. Tuesday. Drove to Florence. Visited Oswald West State Park, Tillamook Creamery, Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint (Cape Meares Lighthouse). Checked in at Ocean Breeze Inn in Florence for two nights.
  • Day 5. July 5. Wednesday. Visited cobra lilies at Darlingtonia State Natural Site, Sea Lion Caves, and Cape Perpetua (Heceta Head Lighthouse, Devil's Churn, Spouting Horn, Thor's Well).
  • Day 6. July 6. Thursday. Drove to Coos Bay. Visited Oregon Dunes. Checked in Edgewater Inn and Suites for two nights.
  • Day 7. July 7. Friday. Visited Sunset Bay, Shore Acres, Cape Arago State Parks, Bullards Beach and Coquille River Lighthouse, Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint.
  • Day 8. July 8. Saturday. Drove to Brookings. Visited Meyers Creek Beach Viewpoint, Arch Rock Point, Natural Bridges. Checked in at AmeriCost Inn for one night.
  • Day 9. July 9. Sunday. Drove home

Lodging and Food

It was the July 4 week, so lodging everywhere was tight. We pre-booked the hotels two months prior. Even that, we did not have many options. Our total expense for hotels is $1,354.

Among all the hotels we stayed at, Edgewater Inn and Suites at Coos Bay was the only one that I would not recommend - it was difficult to sleep while being exposed to all sounds from neighbors (TV, speaking, footsteps).

My favorite restaurant was La Playa Mexican Food at Brookings. Truly authentic Mexican food.

Tips

Weather in general was cold especially in the mornings. I needed a sweater. 

Some state parks share the same parking permit. So keep your parking receipts and you may be able to use it again later at a different place.

Check out tide information. Visit some places (e.g. beach) at low tides, and some at high tides (e.g. Cape Perpetua). 



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