Oregon Adventure: A 7-Day Tour of Nature, Culture, and Trees (2023) 🌲
From Ashland to Astoria, discover the best of Oregon’s scenic beauty, artistic charm, and culinary delights in this 7-day itinerary.
Note: My heart goes out to the people, especially the children, who are suffering in Gaza. I hope for peace in our world. I dream that we all have the opportunity to live in peace, explore, and enjoy the wonders of our world during our life journeys. 🕊️
Today I will share with you some of the wonderful journeys available in Oregon. There are too many incredible places to visit and experience to see them all in a week, so here are a few ideas to make the most of your precious time in Oregon.
Day 1: Ashland and Southern Oregon
Ashland is the perfect place to start your journey and explore the natural beauty of Oregon! Ashland is famous for the Shakespeare Festival, arts and culture, restaurants, and hiking trails in Lithia Park which provides 100 acres of trails, trees, ponds, and a Japanese garden. Fall is a great time to visit with a colorful rainbow of yellow, red, and purple trees including rhododendron, ponderosa pine, giant sequoia, and redwood. You can fuel before and after your hike at the many restaurants along Ashland Creek that flow down from Mount Ashland. Ashland is the gateway to the Rogue Valley River outdoors and wine country.🍷1
Day 2: Central Coast
Drive 3 hours over Grants Pass and stop for breakfast or lunch in Eugene, a college town in the Willamette Valley, known for the University of Oregon Ducks, outdoor recreation, craft breweries, and culture. Visit Voodoo Donuts or Off the Waffle for sweet or savory waffles before heading west to the coast. If time permits, you can bike along the Willamette River, hike to the Spencer Butte, or sample a local beer.🦆🍩🧇 2
Depoe Bay has the world’s smallest harbor and one of the best locations to watch the gray whales year-round from the shore with your binoculars and up close on a boat tour.🚤3
Day 3: Northern Coast
Continue north on Highway 101, aka the Oregon Coast Highway that winds along the Northern Oregon Coast Range. There are so many places to visit so here is a sample.
Oceanside: Enjoy the views of the Pacific and the Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse on the Three Capes Scenic Loop.
Tillamook: Visit this coastal town famous for its cheese and dairy products, quilts, and vintage aircraft, or hike, bike, paddle, or fish.🧀
Rockaway Beach: Relax on the 7-mile-long beach with foggy views of Twin Rocks, or fly a kite on a windy day.🪁
Wheeler: Browse the antique shops and enjoy fresh seafood at Kelly’s Brighton Marina, or rent a kayak or a boat for some water fun.🦀
Nehalem: Check out this riverside town along the Nehalem River, just a few minutes from the ocean, surrounded by coastal forests.🌳
Manzanita: Breathtaking views and photo opportunities of Manzanita Beach and the Pacific Ocean with a nice offering of options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 📸
Cannon Beach: Home to tufted puffins, cougars, elk, beach lovers, and visitors. When the tide is out, explore the tide pools filled with colorful sea life that surrounds the iconic Haystack Rock, its seabirds, and its endless sandy beach. Browse the shops, art galleries, coffee shops, bookstores, candy stores, and restaurants. You can also hike at the nearby Ecola State Park. 🐧⛰️🐚
Astoria: Founded in 1811 by fur traders and explorers, situated where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. Astoria diverse cultural history, influenced by Native Americans, Scandinavians, Chinese, Finns, and other immigrants. Astoria is also a popular destination for movie lovers, as it has been featured in films such as The Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, and Free Willy. 🎥🐳
Day 4: Portland
Portland: Portland, the largest city in Oregon, is a hub of culture, cuisine, and creativity. There are many places to explore museums, river views, farmers markets, parks, and rose gardens. Some of the best food and drink in the country, from food carts to fine dining, from coffee to craft beer. 🌷
Portland International Rose Test Garden
Day 5: Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood
Columbia River Gorge: Take a trip along the Columbia River and explore the historic Gorge with a view from Crown Point, a photo, and hike a few of the awe-inspiring waterfalls including Multnomah, Bridal Veil, and Latourell Falls. Visit Hood River for restaurants, shops, and views of the wind and watersports kiteboarders, windsurfers, and standup paddlers. If you have a chance, drive through the Ythe Hood River County Fruit Loop, a 35-mile drive that passes through orchards, farms, wineries, and cideries on your way to Mount Hood.🥾💦🍎🗻 .
Day 6: Bend, Sisters, and Central Oregon
Continue your trip to central Oregon and visit Bend, Sisters, and Smith Rock State Park. Bend is a vibrant city in central Oregon situated along the Deschutes River, surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor recreation. Sisters is named after the Three Sisters mountains. You can admire the views of the mountains from various viewpoints around town, or hike to their summits if you feel adventurous. Smith Rock State Park features dramatic rock formations and cliffs. You can hike along the Crooked River or up to the Misery Ridge Trail for panoramic views of the park. A must-see for anyone who loves nature and adventure.⛰️ 🧗♀️
Day 7: Joseph and Wallowa Lake
Drive east and visit Joseph and Wallowa Lake, known as the Oregon Alps, rich in history, nature, and beauty. The Wallowa Lake Lodge was built in 1923. Wallowa Lake served as the camping and fishing grounds for the Nez Perce people.
Learn about the history of the indigenous people, Chief Joseph, and lessons from our past that are relevant and important in the world today. 🌎
https://travelashland.com
https://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/eugene
harbor.https://visittheoregoncoast.com/regions/central-coast
I love road trips, especially local ones. Great article, thanks for the suggestions!
We travelled the N. Coast of Oregon recently in our new electric vehicle. We handled the twists and turns easily and found adequate charging stations along the way. Best of all is the feeling of water, water everywhere on this Oregon coast. Lakes, rivers, streams and ocean inlets abound. We loved it.