Oregon – Brian and Tracy … Where To Next?

Check out the natural beauty of this magical state!

Oregon is one of those states that completely lives up to the hype. We visited as part of our Pacific Northwest road trip from San Francisco to Seattle, and it ended up being one of our favorite stretches of the entire journey. The scenery is unreal—rugged coastline, sea stacks, wildlife, and charming little towns around every corner.

We packed a LOT into a short amount of time (maybe too much 😅), but if you can slow this down and spread it out, even better.

This trip took place July 2023.

Our Oregon road trip itinerary looked like this (coming south to north):

Day 1 – Crescent City -> Florence
Day 2 – Florence -> Newport
Day 3 – Newport -> Hood River
Day 4 – Hood River
Day 5 – Hood River -> Oceanside
Day 6 – Oceanside -> Astoria
Day 7 – Astoria -> Olympic National Park

Check out our full vlog here:

Day 1 – Crescent City -> Florence (lodging: River House Inn)

We kicked off our Oregon adventure right after crossing the border from Crescent City—and officially hit our kids’ 39th state!

Our first stop was Harris Beach State Park. This was almost a skip—and that would have been a huge mistake. Make sure to drive all the way to the far parking lot. The beach here is absolutely stunning, with massive sea stacks and tons of marine life. We explored the rocks and found starfish, sea urchins, and more. Such a fun and beautiful stop.

This stretch of coastline is packed with viewpoints and short hikes. We were already getting a little road-trip fatigue at this point (kids arguing, lots of driving), so we didn’t hit everything—but here’s what we thought:

Arch Rock Viewpoint – short walk, big payoff

Whaleshead Beach Overlook – quick stop, but not super memorable

Indian Sands – looked great, but skipped due to time/energy

Natural Bridges Viewpoint – definitely worth it. Beautiful views, and if you’re up for it, a steep trail leads down closer to the bridges

Made one more stop at Arch Rock Viewpoint – this was a great overlook and just a short trail.

Finally – kept going towards Sisters Rock State Park. This ended up being our lunch stop—and one of the most relaxing parts of the day. We walked down to the beach, set up a picnic, and just enjoyed the views. Sometimes those unplanned slower moments end up being the best.

After lunch, we continued toward Bandon and made a totally unplanned stop when we saw signs for the West Coast Game Park Safari. On a whim, we pulled in—and at the time, it felt like a fun, spontaneous detour.

The park is set up as a small, hands-on animal experience where they regularly bring out different animals for visitors to pet. The kids were absolutely thrilled—we got up close with a variety of animals, including a jaguar and even a bear, which felt pretty wild in the moment.

That said, after our trip we learned the park had been in the news for animal welfare issues, with the owners facing serious charges. Looking back, it definitely changes how we feel about the stop. It’s one of those moments where, in hindsight, we wish we had done a bit more research ahead of time.

We made a quick stop in Bandon and really loved the vibe. A few highlights:

Washed Ashore Gallery – super cool exhibit featuring art made from ocean debris
A stop into a local cranberry shop for some treats

Cape Arago State Park: We made a bit of a detour here, and honestly… this is where we started to feel like we overplanned. It was pretty, but with no sea life out and already being tired, this is one we probably would skip next time.

We wrapped up the day in Florence and checked into the River House Inn. Nothing fancy, but the location was perfect—we could walk into town and grab ice cream, which is always a win.

Dinner didn’t go quite as planned (we were beyond hungry at this point), but we ended up grabbing food from a random taco truck on the way into town—and it was excellent. Sometimes those last-minute pivots turn out to be the best meals.

Day 2 – Florence -> Newport (lodging: Hallmark Inn)

This was one of our favorite days of the trip—fun activities, beautiful views, and (finally!) a break from all the driving.

We started the morning slow with a short walk to River Roasters. For once, we didn’t have to rush, so we left the kids at the hotel and did a quick coffee run—just the two of us. Honestly… one of the highlights of the day 😄

After checking out, we picked up the kids and made a quick stop at Darlingtonia State Natural Site. It’s a short, easy boardwalk trail where you can see carnivorous pitcher plants—nothing major, but a unique and interesting stop.

Next up: brunch at Little Brown Hen Cafe, which was excellent. We timed this intentionally since our next activity would take us right through lunchtime.

Our main event of the day was with Sandland Adventures for a one-hour dune buggy ride through the Oregon Dunes. Pro tip: the time listed is your arrival time, not departure (we learned that the hard way 😅). While we waited, the kids did some go-karting and we just relaxed.

The dune ride itself was incredible—definitely a highlight of the trip. We chose the faster, more adventurous option, and it did not disappoint. It was thrilling, scenic, and by the end, we were completely covered in sand. Hoodies and face coverings (buffs) were a lifesaver with the wind and chill.

As we made our way north, we hit a few iconic coastal viewpoints:

Haceta Head Lighthouse – which was about a mile hike roundtrip and had nice views.
Thor’s Well – very hyped, but honestly worth it. Watching the waves crash into the “drain” is pretty wild
Cape Perpetua – stunning panoramic views of the coastline

Navigation tip: signage along this stretch can be tricky and we lost service often, so having offline maps or printed directions helped a lot.

We rolled into Newport and grabbed dinner at South Beach Fish Market. It’s casual, picnic-style, with huge portions (we easily could have shared meals). Bonus: kid-friendly options like corn dogs.

For the night, we stayed at the Hallmark Resort—and wow, this place was amazing. Every room has a balcony overlooking the ocean, and it was one of those hotels you don’t want to leave.

We did sneak out for one more stop at Yaquina Head Lighthouse and the surrounding natural area. We were hoping for more tidepool activity, but with the tide coming in, there wasn’t much to see. Still, it’s a gorgeous area and worth the visit.

We ended the night back at the hotel—watching the sunset from our balcony, walking along the beach, and even spotting a whale in the distance. Not a bad way to wrap up the day.

We ended the night back at the hotel—watching the sunset from our balcony, walking along the beach, and even spotting a whale in the distance. Not a bad way to wrap up the day.

Day 3 – Newport -> Hood River (lodging: Best Western Hood River)

This day had a bit more driving, but it also gave us a totally different side of Oregon beyond the coast.

We started by heading north and made a quick stop in Depoe Bay, which is known for whale watching. We scanned the water for a bit but didn’t spot any this time, so we kept moving.

From there, we drove about 2.5 hours to Portland to meet up with a childhood friend for lunch. It was a nice break in the drive and fun to catch up before continuing east.

Next, we headed into the beautiful Columbia River Gorge and stopped at Bonneville Dam. This ended up being a really cool and educational stop. We explored the dam, checked out the fish ladders, and learned how they help salmon navigate upstream. We didn’t have time for the hatchery, but if you do, it would be worth adding.

We arrived in Hood River, dropped our bags at the hotel, and quickly headed back out to explore part of the famous Fruit Loop before places started closing.

A few favorites:

The Gorge White House – beautiful setting, great views, and we grabbed some delicious jams
Packer Orchards and Bakery – stocked up on fresh fruit and breakfast treats
Smiley’s Red Barn – classic farm stand vibes, plus a nearby cider stop

By the end of the day, we were completely exhausted. This is where road trip reality sets in 😄 We grabbed an easy dinner for the kids (hello, McDonald’s next door), while my husband walked into town to pick up tacos.

In a rare (and slightly risky) move, we left the kids in the room for a bit and snuck out to eat by the river—honestly, such a peaceful moment with an amazing view. We wrapped up the night with a soak in the hot tub, which felt well-earned after a long day.

Day 4 – Hood River

This was one of the most action-packed (and memorable) days of the entire trip!

We booked a full-day white water rafting tour with Wet Planet Whitewater on the White Salmon River—and wow, it was an adventure.

We arrived early (thinking we were ahead of schedule… nope, same story again—the listed time was the arrival time 😅). Once things got going, everything ran like a well-oiled machine. They quickly got us suited up in wetsuits and gear, gave a safety briefing, and loaded us onto a bus for a short ride to the launch point.

The trip started immediately with a big rapid—which, in hindsight, probably wasn’t the best intro for our younger son. We’ve rafted before, but jumping straight into something that intense definitely rattled him a bit. He ended up sitting more in the middle of the raft for much of the trip.

That said, the rapids overall were manageable, and the scenery was absolutely stunning—lush, green, and incredibly peaceful between the bursts of adrenaline.

Unique (and Wild) Moments

This trip had a few unexpected elements that made it stand out:

Lunch: Surprisingly great—well organized and a nice break in the middle of the day
Bridge Jump: Before lunch, we stopped at a bridge where anyone who wanted could jump in. My husband went for it and loved it—freezing cold, but fun.
Waterfall Drop (Almost): There’s usually an option to raft over a waterfall if conditions allow, but water levels weren’t right that day. My husband was a little disappointed… I was perfectly fine skipping that one 😄

The Super Sketchy Section:

One part of this trip really caught us off guard. At a certain point, we had to get out and walk through a section of the river deemed too dangerous to raft.

It was described very casually—“just follow the wire along the edge in knee-deep water.” Easy enough… or so we thought.

It quickly turned into something much more intense:

Slippery rocks
Climbing up and over sections
Ladder-like areas
Narrow, uneven footing

It honestly felt pretty sketchy at times, especially with kids. Everyone made it through safely, but it was definitely the most stressful part of the day—and not something we fully expected going in.

The trip ended where the river meets the Columbia River, with incredible views of Mount Hood and tons of kiteboarders out on the water.

But… one last challenge: the wind.

We paddled against strong winds for about 30 straight minutes, and at times were literally moving backwards. It was exhausting—we were sore for days after—but also kind of funny looking back.

Despite the intensity, this was absolutely a highlight of the trip. The combination of adventure, scenery, and unique experiences made it unforgettable—even the chaotic parts we now laugh about.

After somehow finding a bit more energy, we headed into downtown Hood River for dinner at Full Sail Brewing Company. Great food, great views, and the perfect way to end a huge day.

Day 5 – Hood River -> Oceanside (lodging: Three Arch Inn)

This ended up being one of my favorite days of the entire trip—packed with incredible scenery, but still somehow relaxed and fun.

We started the morning driving the famous Columbia River Gorge “waterfall corridor.” This area recently introduced a $1 timed-entry permit system, but honestly, it didn’t seem heavily enforced and there were still plenty of available slots when we checked. Either way, it’s something to be aware of when planning your visit.

Our first stop was Horsetail Falls, which is literally right off the road—and surprisingly, we had it almost completely to ourselves. A quick but beautiful stop.

Next up was Multnomah Falls. We arrived around 8:45am and took a chance on the small parking lot just past Horsetail Falls. If that hadn’t worked out, we would’ve had to double back to the main lot, so keep that in mind if you’re visiting later in the day. The falls themselves are stunning, but it was very crowded—even that early. We walked up to the bridge, snapped a few photos, and headed out. It’s definitely worth seeing once, but the crowds made it feel a bit hectic.

From there, things got better. We stopped at Wahkeena Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, both about a mile roundtrip and absolutely beautiful. Getting an early start really paid off here—lighter crowds and cooler temps made these stops much more enjoyable.

Our last waterfall stop was Latourell Falls, which was one of our favorites. It’s an easy, mostly flat walk right up to the base of the falls. From there, you can even walk behind it if you’re up for getting a little wet (and slippery!). My husband and older son went for it and came back soaked—but said it was worth it.

Before leaving the area, we made stops at Vista House and the Portland Women’s Forum Overlook. Both offer incredible views of the Columbia River Gorge, but Vista House was definitely the standout.

By this point it was about 11 or so – and we decided to keep moving to get to Tillamook for lunch. We did do a quick drive through downtown Portland, hoping to get Voodoo donuts but the line was like 1000 people long so we scrapped that.

By late morning, we hit the road toward the coast, with one very important stop in mind—Tillamook Creamery. We arrived around 1pm and went straight to the cafeteria, ordering a little bit of everything: mac and cheese (so good), pizza, grilled cheese, and cheese curds. We grabbed a table outside and just relaxed for a bit—it was such a fun stop. After lunch, we did the self-guided factory tour, sampled some cheese, and stocked up on snacks for the next day. This was easily one of the highlights of the trip—don’t skip it!

From there, we made our way to Oceanside, a tiny coastal town that feels completely tucked away from the world (and has zero cell service to prove it). We checked into the Three Arch Inn, which had huge windows overlooking the ocean—such a peaceful setting.

Around 4pm, we headed down to the beach and spent the rest of the evening there. One of the coolest parts was walking through the tunnel to access Tunnel Beach—it felt like a hidden little adventure. We wrapped up the day with a quiet evening by the water, which was the perfect way to end such a full and memorable day.

Day 6 – Oceanside -> Astoria (Astoria Crest Motel)

In the morning, we headed toward Cannon Beach, first stopping at Dutch Bros (we don’t have these where we live, so we figured we’d try it).

We parked in a public lot in Cannon Beach and walked down to the water. We really loved this stop—especially around Haystack Rock, where there were tons of tide pools to explore. It was a really neat experience. Even though it’s a touristy spot, the town still felt quaint and charming. It was the 4th of July, and people were already setting up chairs for the parade, so we didn’t stay as long as we might have otherwise—we didn’t want to get stuck in crowds later. We had a few lunch spots in mind, but since we were done around 10:30, we decided not to kill time waiting and just kept moving.

We next drove to Ecola State Park for some really nice views (and a few more Goonie’s locations).

Next – we drove to Seaside. We struggled for parking here too. Their parade was earlier in the day but I think it was still really crowded. It took us forever to find a spot. Finally, we grabbed a parking spot and headed towards the main beach overlook where we got a table at Mo’s and enjoyed a nice lunch.

Next – we walked down the street to the Aquarium. This was really small but a great aquarium. You could feed the sea lions, touch some sea life, and they had some really interesting things in their cages, local to the area, and interesting for us being from out of town.

Around 2pm we headed towards Astoria to see some Goonie’s locations. We stopped at the Oregon Film Museum which was really fun. Then we drove by a few more sites from the movie, like Lower Columbia Bowl, Flavel House, and the Goonie’s house, which you can walk up to.

After that – we drove up to the Astoria Column for some really nice views.

Next, we drove up to the Astoria Column for great views. That night, we stayed at the Astoria Crest Motel. It’s a small, family-run place—definitely not fancy—but it ended up being one of my favorite stops for a few reasons:

There’s a hot tub overlooking the river.
The breakfast was solid.
It’s small and easy—you can park right outside your room and bring everything in quickly.
It just felt really safe and relaxed, especially with kids.

I’d honestly give it a 10/10. It was around $150 a night, compared to $400 for some pretty average hotels closer to downtown. And the views were great.

For dinner, we went to Astoria Brewing Company—good food and a nice view. After that, we headed back to the hotel, which was actually the main reason we picked it: it overlooks the river and has a perfect view of the 4th of July fireworks. We were able to skip the crowds completely. There were plenty of places to sit, so we grabbed a drink, watched the sunset, and then the fireworks.

Wrap-Up

Oregon completely blew us away. From rugged coastline and sea life to epic waterfalls, sand dunes, and mountain views—it felt like every single day offered something totally different. This trip was fast-paced and packed, but even with the chaos (and a few hiccups along the way), it ended up being one of our favorite stretches of our entire Pacific Northwest adventure.

What we loved most was the variety. One minute you’re exploring tide pools on the coast, the next you’re flying through sand dunes, and then suddenly you’re hiking to waterfalls or rafting through a river with views of Mt. Hood. It’s the kind of place where you could visit multiple times and have a completely different experience each time.

If we did it again, we’d definitely slow it down a bit and spend more time in each area—but even at this pace, it was unforgettable. Oregon is one of those states that just sticks with you, and we already have a long list of things we want to come back and see.

The following day, we headed into Washington State with the goal of exploring Olympic National Park! Check that our on our Washington page.

Like this guide? Let us plan your next adventure!

If you need a custom travel itinerary for your next trip, get in touch here!