About Adrienne Devecka Expertise Portland, camping/fishing Central Oregon(Bend)
Experience Native Oregonion/Life long explorer of state.
Fly fishing,river rafting,rock hound,and an added bonus of knowing health care providers in Portland
Question We are just starting to plan a driving vacation to Oregon for the latter part of May of this year. (We live in central California, and we'll have about 10 days total.) We are into sightseeing, nature, etc., so will want to check out the coast, Klamath(?)Falls, and other similar areas.
But we also enjoy city attractions, and want to see as much of Portland as possible. (The Rose Gardens, good restaurants, etc.)
Can you make some suggestions re: 1.)Best places to visit, see, do; 2.)Best places to stay (we don't plan on camping, and don't have a huge budget, but prefer motels that AAA would generally rate as 3-diamond) 3.)Some recommended restaurants (again, nice but not too ritzy) 4.)What to pack clothing-wise (what's the weather like in late May?)
That's probably more than enough for now! Thanks in advance.
Answer Stan...Hoo Boy,where to start?
Firstly,call the Oregon Tourist Board,800-547-7842
www.traveloregon.com
503-986-0001 Fax....Ask them for the official guide. Also see if they have the "Where to Stay in Oregon" guide put out by the Oregon Lodging Assn.(503-255-5135).An excellent source of decent places to stay.
And you also want the "Off the Beaten Path" brochure.It has some lovely routes picked out for all sections of state, not the I-5 corrider.(altho some may still be snow bound in May this year)
When you get all these home,you can pretty much choose and build your trip.Portland alone could be 2 days easy,you MUST see Timberline Lodge on Mt.Hood,but then the whole coast,especially the southern end,is worth a look too!
I think I would drive up the coast,zip over highway 26 to Portland,up over 26 to Mt.Hood,over 35 to the Columbia Gorge then back down 97 to California.(with side trips)But you read the brochures and decide what your family wants to see.
Weather is the whole gamet...expect rain,chill,some moderate heat,(70's)and plenty of snow still in the mountains.
Please let me know later as you plan specifics if I can help more...just don't know where to start now other than the basics. All the tourist books from the state are great... you'll get a great trip planned from them alone!
Call NOW....Happy Driving,
Adrienne
