After 67 years on the planet and having driven in 44 of the 50 states it is my biased opinion there is no better place to live than Bend Oregon on US Hiway 97 .
The drive from the Columbia River Gorge via 197 and 97 is generally around 4000 ' ASL after climbing out of THE GORGE . Sunny ,dry and gorgeous .
Having said that we love to take our trailer to the Oregon Coast and have camped from Astoria to Brookings . Cloudy , wet and gorgeous .
You cannot go wrong either way .
Further , I love Morro Bay in the winter and we have pulled our trailer down that California Coast stretch several times also .
If you can take an extra day or two right now is some of the best camping time in Oregon , whichever route you choose .
Although we mainly boondock , you cannot beat Oregon State Parks for quality and the current winter rates .
Tumalo State Park is near Bend .
Favorite Oregon Coast campsite is Bullard's Beach , Harris , Beachside , South Beach S.P. , Honeyman ,...........
