Hey all. My first post here. My wife and I recently retired from the East Coast to Portland, OR. We want to take our first RV trip along the OR coast in mid/late May (but before the Memorial Day crowds!). We will be renting a 19' or 25' to see how we like the whole RV "thing".Since Cruise America does not give refunds for unused days and slaps a hefty surcharge for days late, I need some help planning this trip. We would like to plan on driving from Portland north to Olympic NP and around 101. Then down the coast on 101 to the Calif border. Across to I-5 and return fast up I-5 (rather than retrace our route north on 101). We are not big hikers but would like time to stop, see, and enjoy. I would not want us to be rushed because we didn't plan enough time.Is 7 days enough? Is 10 better? Any advice welcomed!! Thanks in advance!--Jeff

JeffB99 wrote:Hey all. My first post here. My wife and I recently retired from the East Coast to Portland, OR. We want to take our first RV trip along the OR coast in mid/late May (but before the Memorial Day crowds!). We will be renting a 19' or 25' to see how we like the whole RV "thing".Since Cruise America does not give refunds for unused days and slaps a hefty surcharge for days late, I need some help planning this trip. We would like to plan on driving from Portland north to Olympic NP and around 101. Then down the coast on 101 to the Calif border. Across to I-5 and return fast up I-5 (rather than retrace our route north on 101). We are not big hikers but would like time to stop, see, and enjoy. I would not want us to be rushed because we didn't plan enough time.Is 7 days enough? Is 10 better? Any advice welcomed!! Thanks in advance!--Jeff10 days are always better.

I figure that the route you describe is roughly 1200 miles. There is so much to see and do on the Washington and Oregon coast, I don't see how you could do it justice in the max 10 days you list. Although, the drive around the Olympic Peninsular is great, with lots of interesting stops, I would forgo this part of your trip and just head to Astoria and drive south to Crescent City, CA, then head inland to I-5 and back home.Just doing this leg would take at least a week, maybe more, depending on your interests. There are several lighthouses on the route that I like plus other great places of interest. An interest outing would be to take the Mail boat up the Rouge River.

Go to the RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions forum and look at Vancouver to Disneyland, lots of ideas there.

I see this as a trial run on the RV lifestyle if "first RV trip" means first ever. I would leave off Olympic NP and WA's 101 and just do the OR coast. Assuming this trial run goes well, are you looking at buying an RV? If so then 7 days and fewer miles will give you a feel for this sport. Have fun, do not over plan it as one of the joys of a self contained RV is how flexible you can be. In May you will not need reservations, even at ocean front sites.PS: Welcome to the forums... usually a lot of good free advice here. Also a lot of info hidden in the Advanced Search box above.

Welcome to the forums.Took us all of July and August but then we like to only go about 150 miles between CG's. Stop and explore the area for two or three days. Longer if we really like the area. We spent a week in the Mt St Helens area and a couple of weeks for Olympic NP on the 101 loop.

Introduction and Info Request -- Oregon Coast Trip!

30 Replies

sdianel_-acct_c
Explorer
Feb 17, 2016
What type of RV are you renting and will you have a toad or tow vehicle? I agree just do the coast portion and take your time. In Crescent City CA we stayed at the KOA. If you have another vehicle other than the RV there is a great scenic drive in Crescent City through the Redwoods. Howland Hills Road. You cannot take the RV on that road. http://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/drives.htm#CP_JUMP_394252
If you can't do the scenic drive, you can go on down to Redcrest CA and stay at Ancient Redwoods RV Park on Avenue of the Giants. You can easily walk to see redwood trees from there.
Don't miss Tillamook Cheese and Ice Cream Factory south of Astoria. Nice cafe for lunch.
ksg5000
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2016
Agree with the others - scratch the Olympic peninsula - not the best choice given the time restraints and probably not a good choice for your first RV trip either.

Start in Astoria - Fort Stevens State Park is nice - bit of a walk to beach however. Canon Beach has nice private RV Park - nice beach and touristy things. Beverly Beach near Newport is one of the better State Parks in the country, same goes for Harris Beach State Park down near Brookings. That time of the year you likely won't need reservations in Oregon .. but Calif is another matter.
korbe
Explorer
Feb 17, 2016
Our last trip down the Oregon coast took us 9 days. 3 parks and 3 nights each.

We have found that a 3 night stay is perfect for seeing an area and relaxing. And then when it's time to pack up, it doesn't feel like we just got there. 2 night stay often feels too short a stay, and one night only is for wanting to get from point A to point B.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Feb 17, 2016
Ivylog wrote:
I see this as a trial run on the RV lifestyle if "first RV trip" means first ever. I would leave off Olympic NP and WA's 101 and just do the OR coast. Assuming this trial run goes well, are you looking at buying an RV? If so then 7 days and fewer miles will give you a feel for this sport. Have fun, do not over plan it as one of the joys of a self contained RV is how flexible you can be. In May you will not need reservations, even at ocean front sites.

PS: Welcome to the forums... usually a lot of good free advice here. Also a lot of info hidden in the Advanced Search box above.

X2
Olympic Peninsula and the Oregon Coast is a lot even for 10 days.

This will help you plan the Oregon Coast.
Oregon SP Guide
downtheroad
Explorer
Feb 17, 2016
We spend A LOT of time on the WA and OR coast.
Suggestion: Just do the Oregon Coast this time and save the Olympic Peninsula for another trip.

You live in Portland. Hop on Hwy 30 and go west into Astoria and camp at Ft. Stevens State Park as a starter. Lots to do and see there and then work your way south down the Coast. Camp at any of the first rate Oregon State Parks on the Coast going south.

Have a good trip.
scrubjaysnest
Explorer
Feb 17, 2016
Welcome to the forums.

Took us all of July and August but then we like to only go about 150 miles between CG's. Stop and explore the area for two or three days. Longer if we really like the area. We spent a week in the Mt St Helens area and a couple of weeks for Olympic NP on the 101 loop.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Feb 17, 2016
I see this as a trial run on the RV lifestyle if "first RV trip" means first ever. I would leave off Olympic NP and WA's 101 and just do the OR coast. Assuming this trial run goes well, are you looking at buying an RV? If so then 7 days and fewer miles will give you a feel for this sport. Have fun, do not over plan it as one of the joys of a self contained RV is how flexible you can be. In May you will not need reservations, even at ocean front sites.

PS: Welcome to the forums... usually a lot of good free advice here. Also a lot of info hidden in the Advanced Search box above.
Seamutt
Explorer
Feb 17, 2016
Go to the RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions forum and look at Vancouver to Disneyland, lots of ideas there.
rv2go
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2016
I figure that the route you describe is roughly 1200 miles. There is so much to see and do on the Washington and Oregon coast, I don't see how you could do it justice in the max 10 days you list.

Although, the drive around the Olympic Peninsular is great, with lots of interesting stops, I would forgo this part of your trip and just head to Astoria and drive south to Crescent City, CA, then head inland to I-5 and back home.

Just doing this leg would take at least a week, maybe more, depending on your interests. There are several lighthouses on the route that I like plus other great places of interest. An interest outing would be to take the Mail boat up the Rouge River.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Feb 17, 2016
JeffB99 wrote:
Hey all. My first post here. My wife and I recently retired from the East Coast to Portland, OR. We want to take our first RV trip along the OR coast in mid/late May (but before the Memorial Day crowds!). We will be renting a 19' or 25' to see how we like the whole RV "thing".

Since Cruise America does not give refunds for unused days and slaps a hefty surcharge for days late, I need some help planning this trip. We would like to plan on driving from Portland north to Olympic NP and around 101. Then down the coast on 101 to the Calif border. Across to I-5 and return fast up I-5 (rather than retrace our route north on 101). We are not big hikers but would like time to stop, see, and enjoy. I would not want us to be rushed because we didn't plan enough time.

Is 7 days enough? Is 10 better?

Any advice welcomed!! Thanks in advance!

--Jeff

10 days are always better.

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Introduction and Info Request -- Oregon Coast Trip!

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