Recommendations
14 Day Trip Itinerary Portland to the Coast to Northern California and back up through Bend/Hood River
These apps as they will help plan your camp spots
Sekr – This app helps you find campsites in the area you are looking to stay
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thevanlifeapp.vanlifeapp&hl=en_US&gl=US
ioverlander – Is a database of places that are more unconventional camping areas like BLM land and places that allow you to stay within cities.
https://ioverlander.com/
There are app versions for both of these and we highly recommend that you use them. Campsites to get booked months in advance in today's world so please start planning your stops as soon as possible.
Starting point- Portland, Oregon
-1st stop Pips Doughnuts, grab a or 2 boxes of these delicious doughnuts. Try to save some for the morning the next day.
Drive South, Dundee, Oregon in the Willamette Valley. Every where you look will be winery opportunities. Hears a list of our favorite stops.
-Reed Hills Market, a country style market offering gourmet sandwiches & woodfire pizzas, craft beer and wine. We usually grab charcuterie meats and crackers (or lunch if the next place is closed)
-Briar Rose Creamery. Grab award wining fresh cheese in this super small creamery house and take it to your next stop)
- Torii Mor Winery, relaxed vibe great outdoor deck over looking the valley.
-Trisaetum Winery/ Brixeur Spirits, I feel fancy going here. Tasting room and art gallery overlooking the vines, specializing in Pinot Noir, Rieslings, Chardonnay and Sparkling Wines.
Dinner and Camping on the Oregon Coast-
Newport is a super unique coastal town located in the Pacific Northwest state of Oregon. It is most known for its lighthouses, museums, outdoor adventures, historic district, and delicious restaurants. No matter what you like to do, there's something for everyone here.
Head to Newport Historic Bayfront District as it’s a perfect hub for all the best Newport has to offer. It’s a mixed use area, where you can watch fisherman hard at work catching crabs off the dock, enjoy fresh seafood at the local restaurants, and visit other main attractions along the pier, such as museums, glass art galleries, and quirky mom and pop shops.
Camping Option:
Beverly Beach State Park Campground. This park is home to one of the state’s largest campgrounds, located deep in a forest between Cape Foul weather and Yaquina Head. It has three campground areas containing 53 full hook up sites, 76 electrical sites with water, 128 tent sites, and 21 yurts.
In the morning check out Nye Beach. Nye Beach is a small village located in the cultural heart of Newport. This unique district offers gift shops, galleries, coffee houses, wine and quaint dining experiences with an artsy feel. The turnaround in the center of Nye Beach makes parking and access to shops and the beach easy for visitors.
The beach offers some of the best sunset views in Newport.
Other Newport Attractions:
-Oregon Aquarium
-Agate Beach
-Yaquina Head Lighthouse
-Seal Rock State Park
-Devil’s Punch Bowl
Bandon is such an underrated stop and the beach is everything you would hope for a Pacific Northwest beach.
Bandon Beach is home to towering sea stacks, sea caves, tide pools, and walking trails. It offers so much to see and do and you are in for a real treat. If you can, make sure to go at low tide so you can walk into the sea caves. Just be sure to not stay out there too long because you wouldn’t want to be stuck in rising water during your adventure.
Do you golf, Bandon Dunes Oregon Resort is known to hold the true spirit of Scotland’s ancient links.
-Coquille River Lighthouse
-Year round fishing on the Coquille River
Secret Beach-This place isn’t really a secret. And it would be impossible to keep this stunning beach a secret for long anyway. The abundance of rocky islands, dramatic cliffs, and even a couple waterfalls, makes this spot almost dreamlike. It’s an absolute “Must-Do” when exploring Oregon’s southern coast.
Northern California/ Crescent City
Where to camp
* Sue-Meg State Park (Formerly Patrick’s Point State Park)
* Mcarthur-Burney Falls State Park
* Jedediah Smith State Park
Jedediah Smith State Park is home to some of the largest Redwood trees in Del Norte County. Follow Howland Hill Road — a historic stagecoach road — to Stout Grove. Walk the half-mile loop through old growth redwoods.
Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful Crescent City, CA attractions is Stout Grove. Part of the Jedediah Smith Redwoods Park, the ancient 44-acre grove of old-growth Redwoods is impressive, inspiring and an absolute must see.
A half-mile trail loops through Stout Grove, leading trekkers through the thick forest of enormous trees. A short side trail extends down to the bank of the Smith River, which is a perfect spot for swimming or a picnic lunch (get something to go from the nearby historic Hiouchi Cafe).
We love seeking out local craft beer in any city we visit – so we were excited to visit SeaQuake Brewing right in the heart of Crescent City.
The Chart Room Restaurant in Crescent City, CA is a classic, local seafood joint situated in the heart of the harbor.
Although the waterfront restaurant is casual, the seafood is spectacular – especially the award-winning clam chowder.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with seating indoors and out, Chart Room is the place in Crescent City for seafood.
-Visit The Trees of Mystery
Get a birds-eye view of the redwoods — and ocean vistas — as the SkyTrail gondola glides you through the treetops at Trees of Mystery in Klamath. Stroll the trail of tall tales, visit the FREE End of Trail museum in the gift shop, or have a chat — and a photo op — with Paul Bunyan and Babe. The Redwood Canopy Trail is now open where you can walk (and slightly sway) from redwood tree to redwood tree across eight cabled and netted suspension bridges.
Klamath River Overlook off Requa Road
Picnic where the Klamath River (known for its salmon and steelhead fishing) flows into the Pacific Ocean at this vista point off of Requa Road. You can also catch the California Coastal Trail from here for an epic hiking experience.
Smith River
The Smith River’s emerald waters and soaring canyon walls comprise one of the largest Wild & Scenic River Systems in the United States. The river is at the heart of the Smith River National Recreational Area where you can explore over 3,000 acres with opportunities for swimming, steelhead fishing, whitewater rafting and kayaking
Famous Movie Filming Locations Self-Guided Tour
Hollywood loves Del Norte County! Our region has had blockbuster movies filmed here. Follow the movie marker map to seek out filming locations for E.T., Star Wars, Jurrasic Park, Bird Box and more.
Wildlife & Whale Watching
Seals & Sea Lion Viewing at the Crescent City Harbor
Castle Rock Wildlife Refuge
Rent a kayak — or book a guided ocean kayak tour — to paddle out to the Castle Rock Wildlife Refuge. Or just gaze at it from the beach off Pebble Beach Drive.
Whale Watching
Both resident and transient gray whales are seen from our shores. Check out this article on whale watching in Del Norte County for places to spot them.
Rumiano Cheese Tasting Room
Mmm, cheese. Stop in at Rumiano Cheese in Crescent City for free cheese samples. Rumiano’s is California’s oldest family-owned cheese company. They make certified USDA Organic cheese using pasteurized, organic Grade A milk.
Ashland, Oregon
Home to the world-famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival and ranked in the top 10 of “The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America,” Ashland is a cultural hot spot, with award-winning galleries, theaters and restaurants bursting from its seams. Nestled at the base of the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges, Ashland has a reputation for great outdoor recreation in the city limits and beyond. And with the famous Mt. Ashland Ski Area nearby, fun stays in Ashland year-round.
Talent, Oregon recommend camping in the outskirts.
Cottage Grove/ Umpqua National Forest
Hiking:
Brice Creek Trail after seeing the lower falls. I catch most of the trail going this way, enjoying the different falls and calm spots of Brice Creek. Brice Creek Falls is ideal for a warm summer day with its short cascading falls and ample room to cool off by getting your feet in the water. Because it's the winter, I instead do some rockhounding by the creek. This area is rich with gold mining history (visit the Bohemia Gold Mining Museum in Cottage Grove to learn about this local history).
-Covered Bridges
-Wineries
-Waterfalls
Bend- Bend is a small city on the Deschutes River, in Oregon. West are the lakes and peaks of the Cascade Mountains, with ski resorts and multi-use trails. In town, a trail leads up Pilot Butte, an extinct volcano. South, the High Desert Museum showcases the local environment, with history and live wildlife exhibits. In the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, stairs lead into the Lava River Cave, a huge lava tube. Tons of Breweries to enjoy, take the Ale Trail! Eat at a locals favorite, Deschutes Brewery.
-Ale Trail
-Smith Rock State Park, hiking , rock climbing
-Dillan Falls, hiking along the Deschutes River
Painted Hills- The Painted Hills is a geologic site in Wheeler County, Oregon that is one of the three units of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument along with Sheep Rock and Clarno. It totals 3,132 acres and is located 9 miles northwest of Mitchell, Oregon. The Painted Hills are listed as one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon
Hood River/The Gorge- Called the windsurfing capital of the world, Hood River is located at the panoramic crossroads of the Columbia River Gorge and the Cascade Range. It's chock-full of scenic hiking and mountain biking trails, craft breweries, wineries and farm-to-table bounty.
Multnomah Falls- Right of the Hwy 84. Formed by the cataclysmic Missoula Floods beginning 15,000 years ago and fed mainly by underground springs, Multnomah Falls drops 635 feet in two major tiers down basalt cliffs. It ranks as the tallest waterfall in Oregon and is one of the most visited tourism sites in the state.
Portland Drop Off
Portland to Dundee= 27mi
Dundee to Newport= 86mi (1-2 nights in Newport)
Newport to Bandon= 122mi (1-2 nights in Bandon)
Bandon to Secret Beach= 71mi
Secret Beach to Crescent City= 38mi (2-3 nights around Crescent)
Crescent City to Ashland, Oregon= 123mi
Ashland to Talent= 6mi (1 night around Talent)
Talent to Cottage Grove= 153mi (2 nights in Cottage Grove area)
Cottage Grove to Bend= 147mi (2-3 nights in Bend)
Bend to Painted Hills= 86mi
Painted Hills to Hood River= 163mi (2-3 nights in Hood River)
Hood River to Portland= 63mi
Heater 
Water tank 
Extra storage 
Backup camera 
Inside shower 
Inverter 
Kitchen sink 
Dining table 
Stove 
Toilet
Outside shower
Solar
-jumpicon-glyph-ayub-irawan.png)
Radio
Refrigerator
Air conditioner
Ceiling fan
Awning
