# car trip from Norcal to Portland **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 7, 2015, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930 "2015-06-07T23:13:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2015, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/1 "2015-06-07T23:13:08Z")
Looking for fun things to do and see. Plan is to start in Mendocino area, head up to Lassen and over to Shasta, both are places we’ve never been, and we would like to go to Portland to see friends for a few days. Any and all recommendations of places to visit, to eat, to hang out, nature-oriented more fun than shopping for us. Thanks Dopers! ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2015, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/2 "2015-06-07T23:19:53Z")
Crater Lake ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/3 "2015-06-07T23:33:40Z")
Take the coast highway, if you have the time. Stop at the pretty beaches along the way. If you haven’t been to the Redwoods, do that. Skip the Sea Lion Caves unless you like stink and damp. You can either head east into Portland from Canon Beach on Rte. 26 or from Astoria on Rte. 30 (about an hour and a half drive). You can stop at Tillamook Cheese in. . .wait for it. . .Tillamook! See the haystacks at Canon Beach, and the lighthouses along the way. The drive is SO much more interesting than I-5, though a much slower road. If you’re running short on time, you can cut across to I-5 at Newport on Rte 20, but you’ll miss a lot. In Portland: tons of good restaurants. If you like Indian food, try a tiny joint that turns out killer food at Mumtaz, which is actually in Beaverton, not far from Portland. Try Pok Pok in Portland for terrific Asian street food and make sure you order the hot wings; it was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, whatever on the Food Network. Too many others to mention. Take a drive up the Columbia River Gorge and take an exit to the old highway, which will take you up to Crown Point, a great overlook of the Gorge. Stop at Multnomah Falls if it’s a weekday (weekends are swamped with tourists). Drive as far as Hood River and tour the Full Sail Brewery (they have a decent pub restaurant, also); nice little town. Visit local wineries in Dundee, McMinnville, etc. There are something like 500 of them. One of our favorites is Red Ridge, which has both a winery and the Oregon Olive Mill. You can get a picnic lunch there or bring your own. Visit the Japanese Garden up near the Zoo and the Rose Garden. ETA: Oh yeah, don’t fail to take the side trip to Crater Lake, mentioned above. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/4 "2015-06-08T02:24:44Z")
I just finished a 15-day road trip around Oregon. I highly recommend [Silver Falls State Park](http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=151) east of Salem. You can stay in a restored travel trailer at the [Vintages Trailer Resort](http://www.the-vintages.com/) in Dayton. If you’re into things mechanical, you might enjoy a visit to the [Antique Powerland Museum](http://www.antiquepowerland.com/) in Brooks. ---
**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/5 "2015-06-08T03:26:21Z")
Are you actually starting from Mendocino, or is that your first destination from another starting point? There aren’t exactly any straight roads from Mendocino to Lassen; you might want to go up along the coast and back down through the Cascades, depending on how much time you have. Consider fitting in a visit to Lava Beds National Monument while you’re in the NE part of CA. Other than that, I concur with **Chefguy** ’s recommendations, with the addendum that you’re already seeing redwoods if you’re starting from Mendocino. Van Damme and Russian Gulch state parks are must-see in that area. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/6 "2015-06-08T04:29:48Z")
You can go California 20 to I 5 to California 36 to get from Mendocino to Lassen. It’s about 5 hours by car. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/7 "2015-06-08T18:10:05Z")
If you’re into aircraft, the [Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreen_Aviation_%26_Space_Museum) in McMinnville is a must-do for some of the unique items in their collection. ---
**Author:** ![Tannim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Tannim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tannim)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/8 "2015-06-08T19:17:54Z")
And if you are doing the coast stop at the aircraft museum in Tillamook. It is in a blimp hangar one of the largest wooden structures anywhere. The 2nd one burned down ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/9 "2015-06-08T20:23:49Z")
From Shasta, head to Crater Lake then on to Newberry National Volcanic Monument and Deschutes National Forest near Bend. After that, drive to Portland via Madras and Highway 26 Mt. Hood. On your return drive, head from Portland to Cannon Beach on the coast then drive down the coast back to Mendocino. ---
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/10 "2015-06-08T23:39:32Z")
Thanks all. These are great. We have about 10 days. Seems like we will make it to Crater Lake but otherwise stay in California. So other thoughts about California sights would be great, as well as what to do/where to go in Crater Lake area. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/11 "2015-06-08T23:46:25Z")
There are a lot of things to see and do in Eureka: > **[THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Eureka - 2023 (with Photos) - Tripadvisor](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g32363-Activities-Eureka_Humboldt_County_California.html)** > > Things to Do in Eureka, California: See Tripadvisor's 22,580 traveler reviews and photos of Eureka tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in May. We have reviews of the best places to see in Eureka. Visit top-rated &... ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/12 "2015-06-09T01:02:16Z")
> [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](#): > > Thanks all. These are great. We have about 10 days. Seems like we will make it to Crater Lake but otherwise stay in California. So other thoughts about California sights would be great, as well as what to do/where to go in Crater Lake area. Just the drive around the crater is great. There are many pull-outs along the way. Have lunch at the lodge, which looks out at the crater. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/13 "2015-06-09T01:58:15Z")
Are you hikers? Just outside of Crater Lake NP is the [Boundary Springs Trail](http://www.craterlakeinstitute.com/planning-visit/activities/trail-boundary-spring.htm) where you can check out the headwaters of the Rogue river. The [Mount Scott Trail](http://www.craterlakeinstitute.com/planning-visit/activities/trail-mount-scott.htm) on the southern rim is a bit tougher, but oh, what a view at the top. There are several cool waterfalls along 62 between Prospect and the park boundary. In Lassen, [Subway Cave](http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110506&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=100000000000000&pnavid=null&recid=11435&ttype=recarea&pname=Lassen+National+Forest+-+SUBWAY+CAVE) in Lassen is pretty cool. if you have extra time to hit the eastern side of the park, you can trudge your way to the top of Cinder Cone for an [amazing view](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JoaJf8PiKqM/Tmo0oVV5ugI/AAAAAAAAk5Q/DSL6eoH3vos/s1600/Cinder+cone+pano.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/14 "2015-06-09T03:16:38Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > You can go California 20 to I 5 to California 36 to get from Mendocino to Lassen. It’s about 5 hours by car. That would put you at the south entrance to the park which is probably the best way to see it for the first time. The Mineral Lodge in Mineral has really basic rooms but the cafe there is quite good. Stop in if you are passing by and are hungry. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/15 "2015-06-09T03:30:58Z")
Another thing you might consider is Ashland (along the way to Crater Lake). If you like a play once in a while, it might be a good stop. But the outdoor theater, they only have those ones where the actors speak that funny archaic English. And that “lithia water” drinking fountain is a gotta try it at least once experience, the water is so hard it will turn your teeth into railroad spikes. > [@Chefguy](#): > > … You can stop at Tillamook Cheese in. . .wait for it. . .Tillamook! … Have you done that? We have, a couple times, and I strongly discourage that idea. It is a fairly vanilla gift shop with some snacks and stuff, but it is so crowded, on a slow day it takes half an hour to go fifty feet. I mean, you can get the best Tillamook cheese in a decent grocery store about anywhere(except in Wisconsin, where they fear it), the place in Tillamook is just overrated – though, I suppose you could try the Blue Heron next door. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/16 "2015-06-09T06:11:10Z")
About 1 hours north of Crescent City on Highway 101 is the mouth of the Rogue River. I think the little town there is called Gold Beach. There are several outfits there that run jet boat tours up the Rogue River. I did that trip once, about 40 years ago. There are (or were?) several little lodges up the river, accessible only by boat. You stop at one of those for lunch, and you can stay there overnight if you want and catch a boat back the next day. (Reservations recommended.) It’s a full day excursion (two days if you stay overnight). Definitely a fun trip to do. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-trip-from-norcal-to-portland/721930/17 "2015-06-09T15:17:56Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > … Have you done that? [Tillamook Cheese] We have, a couple times, and I strongly discourage that idea. It is a fairly vanilla gift shop with some snacks and stuff, but it is so crowded, on a slow day it takes half an hour to go fifty feet. I mean, you can get the best Tillamook cheese in a decent grocery store about anywhere(except in Wisconsin, where they fear it), the place in Tillamook is just overrated – though, I suppose you could try the Blue Heron next door. I did the Tillamook Cheese factory tour in 1965. Haven’t been back since. Back then the factory floor was about 30 feet on a side with 2 rows of long refrigerated tubs stirred by hand. The tourist area was just a white painted section along one wall of the factory floor. I could’ve stuck my hand in the cheese if I wanted. The folks actually making the cheese gave the narration of their process as they worked. The random weekday we were there our family was the only folks on the tour. The “gift shop” was a single-door commercial fridge like at a liquor or grocery store and a small cash register counter. With free samples of several types of cheese set out. The website shows that things have changed just a \*wee bit \*in 50 years. Oh well.