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!
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.
In Portland proper, you’ll find a number of nice hikes in that range in Forest Park, Mt. Tabor, Powell Butte, and Tryon Creek State Park. In the Columbia River Gorge, a short drive out of town, you’ll find numerous trail heads along the Historic Columbia River Highway, including at Multnomah Falls.
Five to six hours might be just enough time. You can get to Astoria on Highway 30 from Portland in about 2 hours. From there you can travel south on 101 to Seaside, Cannon Beach, etc., and return to Portland on Highway 26 – which is again about a 2 hour trip. On 101 you’ll have plenty of opportunities to pull over at scenic viewpoints or to stop in towns or at parks. If you have slightly more time I’d recommend staying on 101 south all the way to Tillamook, home of the famous cheese factory, and then return to Portland via Highway 6.
I love that your grandson is so intent on seeing the University of Oregon! It’s a gorgeous campus so please be sure to take the whole tour! As far as baseball games go, check out the University of Oregon’s baseball website. Also, please see my friends at the Eugene, Cascades and Coast Adventure Center in Springfield when you come to town. There you will find tons of info on so many very cool things to do. From Portland to Eugene, please take the slow road, highway 99 and enjoy our scenery, hiking trails and perhaps a stop at our beautiful Silver Creek Falls. You will be amazed to find such a place right here in Oregon.
Eugene is surely the place for fun and lots of outdoor activity to keep a 14 year old very busy. Perhaps renting bikes at Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life and riding along the Willamette River would be fun. Taking a picnic lunch and exploring by bike is one of the best ways to experience the city.
Also, if you need someplace for lunch or a dinner, check out of the McMenamin’s in Eugene as well. Delicious local food and something on the menu to please every age.
Around Portland the not-to-miss stops probably include Multnomah Falls, Powell’s Books, Saturday Market, and the Portland Farmers Market. If you like beer, you have to visit some of Portland’s breweries and pubs. If you’re partial to wine, visit some wineries a short drive out of town in the Willamette Valley. On the North Coast I recommend stopping in Astoria, Oregon – the oldest American settlement in Oregon, and one of the oldest west of the Rockies. If you’re a fan of the movie The Goonies, you’ll love Astoria even more. It’s a quaint cute town at the mouth of the Columbia.
