Oregon Coast - July or October?

Great to hear, would love to have your recommendations. We’re really excited, just the little bit of research I’ve done on the coast and Bend seems pretty awesome. Everything I see it’s “yep, want to do that” haha. Going to be tough to narrow the trip down so that we’re not running around to crazy.

Is Portland worth staying in, or should we stay on the outskirts? Haven’t fleshed out the Portland part of the trip yet, but I do know we want to do the Columbia River Gorge and my wife wants to do a day trip to the wine country — that’s why I’m saying Portland because that seems sort of in the middle, but definately up in the air.


We might have to reconsider Crater Lake - it keeps getting recommended. We have it off right now just because of how far the drive is - we’re already driving a lot and that seems like a good place to cut back some.

the drive from bend to crater lake is beautiful and it takes you past newberry volcano which is a must stop. 2 nites in bend and 2 nites at crater lake is plenty. If anything I’d skip bend if we go back there again, but do not skip crater lake.

our trip was Eugene to bend to crater lake then on to Idaho. We came in to ORE from the gorge amphitheater in WA along the Columbia River which is also amazing. No wrong answers

I'm actually looking to take a similar trip in late July - also with two young children.

My plan was fly into PDX, stay about two days in Portland or around Oswego (haven't decided this yet), then head out to coast.

I was planning on staying in Cannon Beach the rest of the time and making that the base, probably driving up to Astoria and Cape Disappointment. Likely 2 days Portland, 3-4 on the coast, 5-6 days total.

Thought about adding Bend or Crater Lake but think I'd rather devote a separate trip for that.

I lived in W Oregon for 4 years. The rain has usually started by Oct and on the open coast that means high winds. Some people don't mind that and enjoy the lack of crowds. On the coast the Newport area has more to see and is more prosperous. Oregon State and NOAA have ocean research facilities there with visitor centers. Coos Bay is also interesting. South of Newport there isn't as much tourist money flowing in from Portland boosting the local economies. Logging and commercial fishing were the backbones of the coastal towns, and both industries have withered over last 50 years.

Whatever season you go in, the Pacific Ocean is cold. Beach weather is usually sweater or heavy-coat weather.

Portland has a great Museum of Science & Industry as well as a nice zoo. You can also book day cruises on the river. Weather in Oct could be an issue if you go as far into the mountains as far as Bend. Snow is only a slight possibility then, but the spectacular snow-capped volcanoes of the Cascades will most likely be hidden in rain clouds. I moved to Oregon in September and saw my 1st volcano in May!

Fall weather is amazing but you just never know about the rain. The rain has been pushing further and further into later October these last 3 years though.

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or is the weather in early October or June decent enough that we should roll the dice? If so, should we do June or October?

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If I’m gambling I’m doing October. Just as much chance for rain in June but with a higher price tag. If it works out in October it’ll be beautiful.

If you want to go to Bend, I would suggest a route going to Hood River in the Gorge. It's about an hour and a half east of Portland. A stop at Multnomah Falls is super easy on the way. The view of Mt Hood from the Washington side of the Columbia is surreal.

If you stay the night, you can set your kids up to paddleboard or windsurf in the Columbia River. That would be a fun activity to do in Hood River. If you like breweries, pFriem is right on a waterfront park with a nice playground, and a great restaurant. Spectacular views. Enjoyable, even if you don't drink beer.

From Hood River, you can drive straight south, and make sure to stop and take pictures in Coves Palisades State Park and Smith Rock. Both great photo opportunities.

You can do it all in a day, if you skip wind surfing. Lunch in Hood River, and you can be in Bend before dark, even with stops at Cove Palisades and Smith Rock. You might enjoy staying the night in Hood River or at Timberline Lodge, and getting to Bend the following day.

Bend is great - a great hangout in the evening is a brewery called Crux Fermentation Project. If you know, you know. Great place to watch the sunset. Has a full service restaurant inside and a great open are with corn hole, adirondack chairs, food trucks, and live music. Fun and family friendly, even if you don't drink beer. I also recommend rafting down the Deschutes. Rafting is the wrong word. Floating is the right word. This is not an adrenaline rush trip. It is a relaxing float through the center of Bend with gorgeous scenery.

From Bend, you can stop at Crater Lake on the way to the ocean. I don't know that I would spend two nights there, because there is so much to see, elsewhere.

Florence and Newport are only about an hour apart. That's a lot of time dedicated to that area of the state. As someone mentioned, Astoria is a fun town, but it is just 30 minutes north of Cannon Beach, so you can go there on the side. If you go from Crater Lake to the ocean, the Oregon National Dunes are south of Florence. You can do some hiking there or rent a dune buggy. Also, the town of of Pacific City has a brewery that has the best view of any restaurant in Oregon, with the possible exception of Crater Lake at that time of year. It's truly spectacular and worth driving a little out of the way - good food, and it's on the beach, too.

One more stop for the kids - the Tillamook Cheese Factory in Tillamook. Best ice cream in the world. Super fresh.

So my reccommendation is to go East from Portland to Hood River on the Columbia River Gorge. Hang a right and go south to Bend, with stops in Coves Palisades and Smith Rock on the way to Bend.

From Bend, go south to Crater Lake - but only if the weather is good, which it should be in July. From Crater Lake, swing west and go to the ocean. Bandon, Coos Bay, and North Bend are in that area. Head up the coast to Florence, Yachats, Newport, Pacific City, Tillamook, Cannon Beach, and Astoria. Cannon Beach is only about 90 minutes from Portland.

You can choose where you want to spend the time, but I can assure you, you will pass through little towns that you'll just want to explore.

There's a great fish restaurant in downtown Astoria that I think about daily almost 3 years after eating it.

South Bay Wild

The Astoria Column was cool.

I live in Bend.

Go in July. Forest fires are the name of the game in Summer.

There are less fires in July than October around these parts.

Like much of the PNW, western Oregon has a rainy fall and spring with moderate temperatures at lower elevations. Drizzle is more common than heavy rain. The locals waterproof their shoes...it can be a seasonal ritual.

My personal preference would be June travel. The Portland Rose Test Garden should be best then.

A couple of other suggestions. 1- look into Beaverton as a close-to-Portland place to stay. It's in a wine area and closer to the coast. 2- Also consider Eugene (EUG) as a place to fly in out of.