Cannon Beach and Portland Or.

[hbkramer]

We're heading to Portland Or and Cannon Beach in a few weeks (for a mini honeymoon and attend another wedding) and need some area info.

We'll be arriving at night ,so we'll need a hotel/BB in the vicinity of the airport. Any suggestions??

We'll have the beginning of the week to tour the area before heading to Cannon Beach on Friday.

Anyone have a favorite destination/city that is a must see type of place in the area?? Kinda romantic would be good too.
I would of course, prefer a track/car /bike oriented destination , but that's a second level request.Maybe even D.E. the rental schlep car.

Thanks in advance

[Dottore]

We've stayed at the Best Western a few times and liked it a lot. It's large - and a chain - but it has everything and is right on the beach.

Last time we were there the concierge pointed us to a good dune buggy rental place a few miles down the beach and that was good fun.

Happy honeymoon!

[Noah930]

Portland International Raceway is literally next door to the airport. Check out their website, as they post a schedule of events going on.

No recs for accomodations. But I lived in downtown Portland for a year, and the airport/racetrack were 15 minutes away from my door. Downtown is nice, as it's small enough to be walkable, and there are plenty of shops/restaurants/etc. Lots of good restaurants in Portland (both in downtown and in the 23rd Street area, as well as other neighborhoods). Let me know if you and your wife want any recs.

The Columbia River Gorge is incredible. Don't miss a drive along it, either on the Oregon side, or the Washington side. There are tons of waterfalls, state parks, and hiking trails, particularly along the Oregon side, out to Hood River. Multnomah Falls is impressive, and has a restaurant for brunch/lunch. You can park at any of the falls though, and go for hikes from there. The trails all link up, loosely. If you're willing to drive a little further, you can even go hiking up at Mount Hood, or Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Ranier. If you go south from Portland, you can try some wine tasting along 99, IIRC.

In PDX, I'd recommend seeing the Japanese Garden and Rose Garden. On Saturdays there's a large outdoor arts/crafts market along the riverfront. There's also a great farmer's market (on Sat) up by Portland Univ. (great for flowers for the wife?). And there are often festivals along the riverfront. Pearl District has a once-a-month night (First Thursday? or something like that) where all the galleries stay open late.

Out along the coast, my wife and I thought Astoria was a bit disappointing. Down south is Seaside, which is kinda touristy (like Cannon Beach, but somehow not as nice). There's an air museum down in Tillamook, I recall.

Drive the speed limit, as the Highway Patrol are pretty strict. Congrats.

[ikarcuaso]

http://www.cannonbeach.org/

Try to take in nearby Seaside, as well:

http://www.seasideor.com/

Seaside is a little "busier" of the two locales. Each has appeal. The worst I can say about either is the nice-weather-window is short - maybe ~3 months out of the year (well, "nice" to me . ), but that's likely a non-issue for you since it's summer. Have fun!

[LakeCleElum]

The Oregon coast scenery is the best. Just Remember:
1) The warmer it is inland, the colder and foggier it is on the coast
2) The north 1/2 of the coast has a small town every few miles. Traffic crawls at a snails pace, even on a weekday. Once you get out of town, there a very few passing zones. Don't expect to get anywhere very fast....

Seaside on a summer weekend? Just park and walk....

[hbkramer]

I Appreciate all of the feedback. How about we recommend a Pelican Porsche tour guide book for Wayne's next best seller.

If I get brave,I will post our wedding pic.

Noah are you in Chatham Mass? i spend a week there in Aug -Sept

[Noah930]

No, over in Yarmouth Port (by Hyannis). However, Chatham's only 20 or so minutes away. Went to a wedding at the Wequassett Inn (in Chatham) last month--absolutely gorgeous.

[hbkramer]

Gratutious pic of the Lady and I ,Married on the tall Ship Gazella Penns Landing, Philadelphia last week
She enjoys the P-car,but whines about wanting a cab(sigh) and will ride two up on the on the beemer,all day long.

[madmmac]

Congrats, we are celebrating our 25th this year.

When posting here and talking about the Oregon coast, one must always make a migratory drive to the Pelican Pub...http://www.pelicanbrewery.com/default.htm.....I had some outside pics of the Pub, but that was the weekend that the saltwater and digital camera did battle and the sea won.

The beers are top notch and the food I would give a Pub ++ rating.

[Tobra]

What is a nice lookin' gal like that doing with a mug like you:P

Try stop at Silver Creek State Park on the way up, short side trip east of Salem, well worth it IMHO, beautiful trails and waterfalls