You Northwesterners.................

[Tom Mason]

My wife and I are celebrating 20 years together in June 2008. We have been to Portland OR, and are looking to take a scenic drive from Portland to Astoria on 30; up 101 to Ocean Springs WA; and then to Seattle.

What do we need to see in that area? Seen St. Helens and plan to stop at the ocean several times.

Thanks,

Tom Mason

[Mark]

The first thing you have to realize is that the weather can still be very bad in June. We have had plenty of cold, rainy Fourth of Julys.

Mount Ranier Mational Park is a definite must. Hopefully, the higher roads will be open in June. There is nothing like driving up on Mount Ranier in late June in warm, sunny weather and having 30 feet of snow on either side of the freshly plowed road.

The San Juan Islands are also very nice and the weather will probably be nicer there.

The Olympic Penninsula is also very nice, particularly Olympic National Park.

Also, the North Cascades National Park is spectacular. Just be sure to check on the roads before driving up there.

[Normal]

Depends on what you want to see & do. Astoria is working on becoming a tourist destination. The waterfront is good to walk around - favorite daytime restaurant - Wet Dog. You need to climb the Astor Tower for a view of the area (if it is sunny). If you like history there is Lewis & Clark National Monument which is a mock up of the fort they wintered in, lots of old stuff on display. I should add that the third week of June is typically the best weather of the month.

If you are really into driving, I would drive up around the Olympic National Park. Lots of scenery. Places of interest would be Soleduck Hot Springs, Port Angeles and Port Townsend. You can even make a day trip by ferry over to Victoria B.C. Port Townsend has old houses and a touristy area. You can get to Seattle a number of ways by ferry and car.

If you don't go up the west side of the Olympic Peninsula. The east side Hwy 101 goes past Hood Canal that has a lot of scenery and places to eat "seafood". It doesn't actually come from the sea, but Hood Canal is salt water. I'll let other people talk about things to see and do in Seattle.

[trseaman]

I lived in Beaverton, OR for several years and I agree with visiting the Astoria Column and Ft. Clatsop. I might also suggest taking hwy 26 rather than hwy 30 if you can. About 20 miles from the coast is Camp 18 Restaurant which is a great place for lunch and some sight-seeing! Once you get to the coast it's another 20 miles north to Astoria.

Sounds like fun! Wish I were going too!

Tim

[Tom Mason]

Thanks for the tips so far.

We've been up 30 and 26 before, and like both drives. Lewis and Clark things are also good. (My brother got married in the church in the Portland area that was established by them when they were there. Presbyterian church if I remember correctly.)

We would both like the mountain views as well as ocean.

I am particular about eating at restraunts that are serving fresh sea and river food. At Seaside, we found a restraunt that was able to deliver fresh salmon. Loved the food.

Again thanks, and keep up the ideas.

Tom Mason

[RyanSchultz]

If you like wine you should swing through the Walla Walla Valley.

Some of my favorite pizza in the state is The Rock in Tacoma. If you're in Tacoma you're close to the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the new Glass Museum and the Point Defiance Zoo and Park.

I think the best views of Seattle are from West Seattle (dinner on Alki Beach?) and the top of Queen Anne Hill.

Depending what time you come in June there's usually something fun at the Symphony and/or Ballet. If you come to the Ballet check out the International Fountain at Seattle Center.

The drive from Seattle to Snoqualmie Pass (I-90) can be spectacular.

Just a few thoughts. Have fun.

[Rick Denney]

You really can't go wrong in most places of Oregon or Washington, but, of the places not yet mentioned, I was particularly impressed by Cape Disappointment...



...and Pacific City.



The coasts of the Pacific Northwest are more remote and interesting than in California, at least south of the Bay Area.

http://www.rickdenney.com/the_pacific_northwest.htm

Rick "who has traveled along much of the west coast at one time or another" Denney

[bearphonium]

I second the trips to St. Helens, Rainer, and the OP. Crater Lake is a bit south for what y'all are planning. And if The Rock is a pizza place on the water in Tacoma, +1.

[Dan Schultz]

You need to meet two Northwesterners if you haven't already.... Dan Oberloh and Chuck Guzis. Chuck's in Eugene, Oregon and Dan's just south of Seattle.