The end of March and first half of April are best for cherry blossoms in Portland.

There are a few opportunities for fishing the last week of April on the Oregon coast. Sea perch start to move into the bays, the coastal lakes are regularly stocked with rainbow trout by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and there are a few winter steelhead around but it is the end of the run. And yes, if the seas are calm there is charter fishing.

If you’re doing the Prehistoric Gardens and the wildlife park, you would probably like the Sea Lion Caves, between Florence and Yachats on Highway 101. And, if you’re looking for unusual sights on Highway 101 as you head north, look for:

1. Otter Crest Loop, between Newport and Depoe Bay
2. Boiler Bay — especially at really low tides, you can see the boiler!
3. The Glassblowing Studio in Lincoln City
4. Proposal Rock in Neskowin
5. Munson Falls, about 10 miles south of Tillamook
6. Blue Heron Cheese Factory (petting farm!) just south of the big cheese factory in Tillamook

The  Columbia River Gorge offers towering basalt cliffs, temperate rain forest, cascading waterfalls, and an abundance of hiking trails. Mount Hood is a beautiful snow capped peak surrounded by National Forest, more hiking trails, and alpine lakes. Both would be well worth your time.

I suggest taking a drive along the Historic Highway from Troutdale, stopping at Crown Point to take in the views, and exploring waterfalls on the way.

You certainly can surf in Oregon, but you’ll need a wetsuit, booties and a hood as well as a board. You’ll also need to know a lot about the local swells and weather, so you should check in at the local surf shop before you go. They usually have full rental packages (between $100 and $150 a day) and the latest swells and location dish. There’s plenty of camping in Oregon State Parks. You can reserve spots through their website.

We live on the central coast. My husband is an enthusiastic beginning surfer, and he usually goes to Otter Rock (just north of Newport). Our favorite local shop is Ossie’s in Newport, but Oregon Surf Shop in Lincoln City is good, too. Stay stoked!

I think that four days is enough time, but you might consider taking the fast, inland route up 1-5 from San Francisco to Medford and Grants Pass, Oregon. Then, head west to Coos Bay — that would be a day’s journey by itself, but once you got there, you could slow down and really enjoy the coastline with its many dramatic vistas, seafood restaurants and beaches. You could turtle all the way up to Astoria, if you liked, and then follow the Columbia River back to Portland. If you spent three days in that 8 hour drive, you would have time for cheap but wonderful things like hiking, picnics and leisurely beach-combing. And you won’t need a four-wheel drive car. A medium sized car or even a compact car would be fine. We have pavement!

The Mount Hood Railroad website should give you all the information you need. Depending on where you are staying in Hood River, you can either walk, take a bus, or grab a taxi to the depot. Determine your route on the bus system in Hood River with their Trip Planner. Enjoy your train ride!

There are two really great public play courses I would recommend you check out. One is Eagle Point Golf Course. This is a Robert Trent Jones design and one of his last pieces of work done in his storied career.  It is not expensive and good pace of play.  They are going through bankruptcy but that in no way is effecting the conditions or quality of play at the course.  The other course is Centennial Golf Club.  This is a John Fought design – very wide open and much like a links styled course in the middle of Medford.  They have a great restaurant attached to the pro shop and the head pro there, Vince Domenzian, will take great care of you.

As part of your planning, visit the Southern Oregon Visitor Association’s website. They can tell you a lot about the Southern Oregon area
including all the golf that is to be played.  And if you pick up the latest Golf Digest May issue, there is a six page story on Oregon Golf and it has a lot of great information.

I recommend checking out the Travel Portland website, for sight seeing ideas around town.  Also for events, check out my blog: Dave Knows Portland.

You are in luck because I have a few ideas to  share with you! I happen to have a B & B in the Willamette Valley and we host many newlyweds so noting the locations our brides and grooms chose to “tie the knot,” can also be some of the most romantic places to “pop the question.” If I could give you just one answer, I would chose smack dab in the middle of a hazelnut orchard!  Off Highway 228 between Brownsville and Sweet Home, Oregon, you’ll find the sweetest orchard with old trees anchored solid in to the earth in the most perfect rows.  They have been there forever and their branches hang like arms in protection of something special and what a peaceful place. You will find many hazelnut orchards all throughout the Willamette Valley and just using Google, you can find more.

The Willamette Valley is gorgeous so choosing any outdoor venue would be  perfect. At Mary’s Peak after a nice long hike to the top, behind the falls at Silver Creek Falls, at Left Coast Cellars in between the rows of grapes or while enjoying a picnic at one of Linn County’s covered bridges.  Wherever you choose, I wish you luck and very romantic and memorable moment.