Roadtrip: Sacramento to the Gorge
June 21, 2015 1:55 PM Subscribe
Driving from Sacramento to the Gorge in WA in September: where should we stop along the way?
Hoping to get ideas for "can't miss" places. Crater Lake? Redding, CA? Bend? Ashland? Medford?
Hoping to get ideas for "can't miss" places. Crater Lake? Redding, CA? Bend? Ashland? Medford?
There's quite a bit along that way; might help if you mentioned what sort of timeframe and general interests you have. As I've had the opportunity to drive that trip a fair number of times, here are some things I've done/seen:
posted by Aleyn at 4:20 PM on June 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
- The Redwoods - I'd at least cut over to 101 to drive through them; very scenic.
- Drove up CA1/US101 along the coast - be prepared to take your time if you do this; despite having "highway" in the name, these roads are often 2 lanes and very curvy, often with sheer cliffs on one side. The scenery is gorgeous though, and definitely take the time to check out the beaches and costal towns.
- Crater Lake - I've actually done this in September; the lake is a bit less impressive if it's not sunny out, as you don't get quite as much of the trademark deep blue crystal smooth lake, but it's still very scenic.
- Wildlife Safari - basically a drive-thru Zoo. Did this when I was a kid, and I remember it being pretty fun.
- Enchanted Forest - kind of corny/kiddy theme park tucked away inside a forest, so I'd only recommend it if you have kids or are really young at heart, but it can be fun if you approach it that way.
- Multnomah falls - since you mentioned the Gorge, I assume you'll go up this way, but just in case, do that.
- Fort Vancouver - if you've got anyone interested in the history of the area, Fort Vancouver (which was established by the Hudson Bay Company) is a great stop to make.
- Portland has a ton of stuff to do, too many to list.
posted by Aleyn at 4:20 PM on June 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you're going to the Gorge Amphitheater, or something else in eastern Washington: go to Crater Lake; exit the park on the east side and take highway 97 up to Bend and then on to Washington. 97 is a much nicer drive than I5.
posted by monotreme at 6:50 PM on June 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by monotreme at 6:50 PM on June 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
You must go to Crater Lake. What monotreme said.
If you have a chance to breakfast or lunch in Ashland, do it at Morning Glory. If you wind up going I5, unique eats are Off the Waffle in Eugene and Novak's Hungarian in Albany.
posted by neuron at 12:09 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you have a chance to breakfast or lunch in Ashland, do it at Morning Glory. If you wind up going I5, unique eats are Off the Waffle in Eugene and Novak's Hungarian in Albany.
posted by neuron at 12:09 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you go through Susanville, you could drive by Lassen National Park, Crater Lake, Bend, and Mt. Hood, all of which are interesting places.
The area around Bend is quite varied from Smith Rock State Park, to Lava Tube Caves, Lava Forest, a National Grassland, and mountains.
If you have the time to drive up to Timberline Lodge, there are some very cool hikes just north of the lodge.
Have a great trip!
posted by elmay at 5:47 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
The area around Bend is quite varied from Smith Rock State Park, to Lava Tube Caves, Lava Forest, a National Grassland, and mountains.
If you have the time to drive up to Timberline Lodge, there are some very cool hikes just north of the lodge.
Have a great trip!
posted by elmay at 5:47 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
You don't have to go all the way to Susanville for that. Trust me. Don't go to Susanville. I have to go there next weekend and I am not looking forward to it.
Don't bother with Ashland unless you're going to see a play.
My suggestion if you've got the time and you like a windy road: Take 99/70 north out of Sac, through Yuba City, through Oroville, and then up the Feather River Canyon. Veer left onto 89 north, through Indian Valley and Greenville and then along the south shore of Lake Alamanor. When you get to Highway 36, turn right to go to Chester and have a look around and maybe get something to eat, or turn left to go to Lassen. 36 and 89 combine from Chester to Mineral, once they split again, take 89 north through Lassen National Park. A little farther past the 89/299 junction is McArthur-Burney Falls State Park, which is home to Burney Falls, called the 8th wonder of the world by Theodore Roosevelt. Don't bother with Lake Britton unless you're into swimming in warm shallow water filled with elodea. Campsites are nice though; private showers with hot water and bathrooms with lights and sinks and flush toilets. From there follow 89 northwest toward Mt. Shasta and Weed, then take 97 north through Klamath Falls, stop at Crater Lake, stop in Bend, and then keep heading north to The Dalles and the Gorge.
If you don't have as much time and you don't like a lot of two lane mountain driving: Take I-5 north to Weed. Exit at 97. Go north through Klamath Falls, Crater Lake, and Bend, etc.
posted by elsietheeel at 11:28 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
Don't bother with Ashland unless you're going to see a play.
My suggestion if you've got the time and you like a windy road: Take 99/70 north out of Sac, through Yuba City, through Oroville, and then up the Feather River Canyon. Veer left onto 89 north, through Indian Valley and Greenville and then along the south shore of Lake Alamanor. When you get to Highway 36, turn right to go to Chester and have a look around and maybe get something to eat, or turn left to go to Lassen. 36 and 89 combine from Chester to Mineral, once they split again, take 89 north through Lassen National Park. A little farther past the 89/299 junction is McArthur-Burney Falls State Park, which is home to Burney Falls, called the 8th wonder of the world by Theodore Roosevelt. Don't bother with Lake Britton unless you're into swimming in warm shallow water filled with elodea. Campsites are nice though; private showers with hot water and bathrooms with lights and sinks and flush toilets. From there follow 89 northwest toward Mt. Shasta and Weed, then take 97 north through Klamath Falls, stop at Crater Lake, stop in Bend, and then keep heading north to The Dalles and the Gorge.
If you don't have as much time and you don't like a lot of two lane mountain driving: Take I-5 north to Weed. Exit at 97. Go north through Klamath Falls, Crater Lake, and Bend, etc.
posted by elsietheeel at 11:28 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
« Older raw sewage in bathroom - landlord responsibility... | Backing up my linux *installation;* everything but... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
Oregon Dunes along the coast isnt bad either.
And Portland is awesome too, great food scene.
posted by rux at 3:51 PM on June 21, 2015 [1 favorite]