I'm not an Oregonian, but agree with you about the state. I love that coast. I always stay further north, because I prefer it, but am not a golfer. The traffic is not always that crowded/slow. You were there at the highest high season.

My favorite town is Manzanita which would be a 30 or so mile drive for you, depending on how far south of Tillamook you will be. Worth the drive. The BEST restaurant there - called Blackbird. Make your reservation now, if you want to try it. Get the green garbanzo bean farro salad. There are some great shops in Manzanita - one is a clothing/accessory store called Unfurl and across the street is an amazing little decor store called finnesterre. https://www.finnesterre.com/

I haven't been there because I can't ever seem to leave my spot on the beach when I'm there (except to go to Manzanita for a meal) but I've read about a museum around Tillamook where they housed a fleet of dirigibles during WWII. I'm not much of a plane person, but I find the history of that pretty fascinating... and will go someday. http://www.tillamookair.com/hangar-b/

One rainy day we did decide to go to Tillamook on a cheese adventure, but instead of the big corporate cheese factory we headed to what we thought was a little artisan goat farm where they touted their brie. Well, it is a total tourist trap - and in talking to the clerk about if they produced enough milk to make their cheeses, I was told that all their brie comes from Wisconsin! What?!! So put that on your "skip it" list.

Hope the weather holds - it's been hot and dry for a long time up here....I'd pack an assortment of clothing. Have fun! And don't tell anyone else about Manzanita. I can't ever get a reservation as it is.

http://exploremanzanita.com/

Have you been to crater lake? Bluest blue I've ever seen...

Just got word that my sister and her DH in Michigan are going to fly out and share our beach house with us. I am so, so happy, as she and I have always been super close (she's the blond baby in the pic I posted on our Photograph Thread here). Our husbands are good friends and love to golf together whenever we can get together someplace. This vacation is just getting better and better.

Oly, what great info! I can't thank you enough for taking the time. Blackbird is a Yes, and we all want to head up to Manzanita now. Love that link. We'll definitely avoid the brie place (yikes!). I am so glad that you warned me about it.

Annie, I've heard of Crater Lake, but have never been there. I need to find out how far away it is from our beach house. Thanks!

Crater Lake is a long way from Tillamook!! Almost at the opposite diagonal and not exactly accessible entirely by freeways. That would be a full day's excursion there and back with enough time to enjoy the scenery at the lake. And a pretty long day at that!

I don't have too many recommendations for you as it been a number of years since I was there and things change :-) And we spent most of our times further south - the Lincoln/Newport/Florence area is spectacular and Beverly Beach state park is gorgeous and a wonderful place to camp (may want to consider that for your next visit :-))

Unless you are in southern California, the Pacific coast can be chilly even in midsummer and especially in the evening. And mid September is no longer summer. I'd pack a few things for warm weather but make sure you have some warm stuff too - long pants, sweat shirts, sweaters. Figure on fall - it could be warm; it could also be a bit chilly.

In early September the weather should be pretty good. It is likely to be windy and cool. You may like Cannon Beach. it is a touristy town with cute shops and lots of restaurants. It is best known for Haystack Rock. The rock is home to puffins (but I think they leave after July) and cormorants. There are tide pools too. My SIL said she enjoyed the Tillamook cheese tour.

We've been to Cannon Beach a few times and the last time was Labour Day weekend last year for my nephews wedding. I love Cannon Beach. The beach is complete sand and walkable, it's a small town with one main street and lots of cute stores. If you haven't been there, or even if you have, it would be a nice day trip for you.

My daughter lives in Tillamook and I was just there yesterday. The weather was incredibly gorgeous. It's quite cool on the NW coast in September, especially in the mornings. It's almost always over cast, so you'll definitely want to bring rain gear-I don't expect it will be typhoon like, but it will probably drizzle. There may not be sun at all, but if it blows out to the east, you'll be treated to the most incredible blue skies you've ever seen. Bring fall clothing, and it's super casual on the coast, so blue jeans are perfectly fine. A coat for night time is a must.

Blue Heron French Cheese Company is pretty popular, I have eaten there and it's a meh from me, because it was pretty touristy. The Tillamook Cheese Factory is undergoing some renovations, so you can't tour the cheese making section, but it's still fun to go there and get yummy samples and THE BEST ice cream! They also have a food court type thing.

Definitely take a short drive south to Pacific City-where Haystack Rock is located, there is the Pelican Bay Brewing Company-great beer and pretty decent food, plus gorgeous scenery.

Just a little north of Tillamook is Rockaway Beach-it's got some cute little antique stores and is always a fun place to go, you can get right onto the beach there.

The drive on 101 is not necessarily the fastest route. Weekends the coast is always packed, so you will encounter the 101 traffic. I've driven the 101 to Lincoln City, and it is quite a drive, but it's an OREGON drive, meaning, the 45 minutes it takes is nothing like being stuck in So Cal traffic for 45 minutes! 101 was under construction a couple years ago, so you may have been stuck in that mess, and the further north you go on 101 the less horrible it is.

I'll ask my daughter for some recommendations of where to eat. We just ate at a Mexican restaurant and I was not at all impressed. I've heard that the Air Museum is pretty neat, never have been there, but DD has her studio next to it and it's apparently the largest wooden building in the US! It doesn't look like much but there are always visitors there.

You really can't go wrong just taking a cruise up the coast toward Manzanita-the scenery is incredible and there are lots of little townlets to stop and explore. Warning-the 101 just north of downtown Tillamook is being reconstructed, so there is traffic driving thru town (but the speed limit is only 25 MPH. I think my daughter said that they're doing some road widening on the road leading south out of down town (there are 2 one way streets going north and south thru downtown Tillamook) and her in-laws shop (Diamond Art Jewelers) will be closed during the construction.

I'll find out for sure when that is happening and I'll let you know. I think she said it was in September! But there are other ways to get around, so you won't be too stuck. Lincoln City (home of the worlds shortest river) has an outlet mall, so you can get some tax free shopping done. Salishan is down near Lincoln City.

Oh, one thing to know about TIllamook-it's dairy country. Dairy farms all over the place. If the wind is right you will get a whiff of the famous 'dairy-air'. It's a little unpleasant but you get used to it pretty quickly. Staying on the beach you won't notice it, but in land yep. There are also A LOT of rivers in Tillamook (which means many rivers) so there are incredible estuaries and wetlands to see.

Crater Lake is way too far, but you there are incredible hiking sites in and around the area. Check out this link for some incredible views and idea of things to doTillamook attractions

Oh, and one other thing, you may see Orcas. Definitely will see elk an seals. Recently my son-in-law took the dog to the beach to play fetch. She went out about 10 yards and suddenly was surrounded by orcas! He called her in immediately and she was safe on shore. She might have been a whale snack!

They often encounter elk on their daily hikes, she (the dog) is not afraid of them, but the kids worry that she'll get stomped or kicked by one, they are pretty big! And she loves to harass the seals. I'd bet you'd love to see them tho!

Neetsiepie, I never knew there are 2 haystack rocks on the coast! Tale of two Haystack Rocks. We rarely go beyond Cannon beach when we drive down. We love the beach there. Next time we will drive further south!

From the linked article: (Cannon Beach, Oregon) – Yes, Virginia: there really are two Haystack Rocks on the Oregon coast. Visitors from out of state who tend to latch onto either Pacific City or Cannon Beach become a bit confused by this – and even a little angry by that confusion. But indeed there are two major landmarks, both regularly photographed, both by the name of Haystack Rock.

...Cannon Beach's Haystack Rock sits right up on the tide line of the famed north coast town, while the Haystack at Pacific City is almost a mile offshore from the landmark Cape Kiwanda. Pacific City's is a tad higher than the one at Cannon Beach, by more than 100 feet.

Another funny thing in Cannon Beach. The tsunami warning siren is "the mooing of cows" perfect for dairy country.

Here's a suggestion that has nothing to do with shopping or restaurants, but is all about place. If you have a good half day, even less, you might try the drive along the coast up to Astoria, perhaps about 50-60 miles. Astoria is at the mouth of the Columbia River where it flows into the Pacific, and is the place where Lewis and Clark ended their long journey. One of my favorite places in Oregon, to me it's romantic.

Astoria is a working class town, serving as the first port passed by ships coming in from the Pacific on their way to Longview/Portland. It's built along the water and on a high bluff with a beautiful view of the area. I love watching the Columbia flowing gently into the ocean there, with sometimes an ocean-going vessel sailing by. There is a famous bridge that crosses the river to the state of Washington, for a different view of these waters.

We've had lunch a few times in a seafood restaurant that's right on the water, but I don't think it's memorable - just good, with an interesting setting.

I didn't know there were 2 Haystack Rocks either! Actually it looks like there is 6 of them up and down the coastline.

There is one is Cannon Beach as well. Yes, to Pelican Brewing Pub. I was at the one in Cannon Beach and it's a really fun place to go.

Cannon Beach has a staffed visitor's center with lots of brochures on the coast and the rest of Oregon. That would be my first stop to get your bearings and to find points of interest. Just north of Cannon Beach is Ecola State Park. There's a bluff where you can look down the coastline. At Indian Beach at Ecola, you can walk down to the beach from the parking lot. The drive through the forest to Indian Beach is beautiful, with big trees and ferns covering the forest floor. The first time I went, a family of elk were walking in the forest right alongside the road, so keep your eyes peeled for elk. They go down to the beach there.

Tillamook isn't along the water and the drive from there to Newport isn't very interesting. I think it's close to an hour's drive too. Newport and south is where you'll find tide pools so I'd plan a day's drive down the coast. I remember Agate Beach just north of Newport as being worth the stop. I see there's a 9-hole golf course there.

As you head west from Portland on 26, you may want to take Rt. 6 to Tillamook along the Wilson River. Where I'm from we'd call it a creek, but it's a pretty drive through the Tillamook Forest.

Gardengal: Yes, DH looked up Crater Lake when I mentioned it last night and nixed a drive there this trip. It's so gorgeous, though, that we'd like to perhaps stay near there next trip. Good point about what to pack! Coming from New Mexico, where our humidity is quite low (9% average) , dampness chills me quickly, although I love it. I will be passing that onto my sis, as well.

Mimou: We keep hearing how wonderful Cannon Beach is! A good friend of ours offered us his beach house there, but just a couple of weeks ago, on a whim, he bought the beach house right across the road from him, as well! This one is right on the ocean. So, they're now getting ready to have renos done on both places, and then put the old one up for sale. Next August or September, we'll be hopefully staying at their new ocean front beach house there in Cannon Beach. We are going to drive up there to look around this trip, though. And see Haystack Rocks.

Blfenton: thanks for the heads up about the Pelican Brewing Pub!!! We will definitely stop there if we can!

Sable: thanks for the heads up on Astoria. That's a place we hadn't considered, but we love exploring new places. It sounds wonderful, and we are anxious to see more of beautiful Oregon. I'm going to run that past DH this evening.

Neetsiepie: I knew that I could count on you for lots of awesome info! Thank you so much!!! OK, for clothes to pack, casual and layered for cool and possibly damp weather. We will definitely bring a coat now, per your suggestion.

I mentioned to DH last night about the cheese factory, and he adamantly said, "I do not want to tour it!" But, we can stop in for that ice cream you've mentioned (LOL).

Good info on the restaurants, fun little towns, road condition warnings, and shops. I am printing all of this out to take with me, and to send to my sis. As for Mexican restaurants, we avoid them everywhere, except here in New Mexico, So. Cal., Arizona and Texas!

And, OMG, orcas, seals and elk! Yes, it would really make our trip to see them! I can't wait to tell my sis this.

I'm sorry your daughter's in-laws place will be closed, as I would have tried to stop in and say hello.

Mayflowers: Thank you for the suggestion of the drive through the forest to Indian Beach. We will all love that! I can see that our drive up to the Cannon Beach area is rapidly turning into a full day trip with all of your great suggestions.

This trip is going to be packed with sightseeing during our days there. Evenings will be spent eating dinner out or grilling at our place, and then enjoying the great ocean/bay views from our huge deck. Thank you all so much for all this great info. I will print it all out to take with us before we leave. I'll mention your suggestion to take Route 6 as we drive in. It sounds lovely! Last time we were in the area, we took Route 18 through McMinnville and stopped for dinner there at some wonderful brewery. As we were looking for a good way this time, I'm glad to hear about Route 6.

Question for you all: Is there any good place to stop for lunch along the way there? Our plane lands at 12:55 Oregon time, which would be 11:55AM for us, so we'll be needing to stop for lunch someplace (hopefully with great food) along the way.

I'd suggest McMenamins' Kennedy School right by the airport. Or any other McMenamins you might encounter along the way (there are lots in OR). This brew pub typically recycles old buildings into more modern, mixed use facilities, in this case an elementary school dating from 1915. Great food and great beer, if you are so inclined :-))

btw, wouldn't that time difference be in the other direction? 12:55pm Oregon time would be 1:55pm NM time.

OMG, yes, Gardengal (LOL)!!! Too funny! We will definitely be hungry then! Thanks for the recommendation on McMenamins. That sounds right up our alley. Our DD is now in grad school in Colorado Springs, and she was just telling us about a place like that there in The Springs that she and her cohorts go to. A very old, very big school that's been turned into a pub, a brewery, a restaurant, and coffee shop. There are shops there, too. It has a different name, though. What a great idea, and one I'm anxious to visit in Portland, and in The Springs next time we're there.

I've just done a search for McMenamins in Oregon. Oh my gosh, there must be at least 20! We will surely find one to eat at after picking up our rental car at the airport. Fun!

I am not big on chain restaurants but this is a very localized chain and they have a very different philosophy about their business than do most chain restaurants. They have a few locations here in WA state but my first encounter was at the Roadhouse in Hillsboro about 20 years ago. That was good and they have just gotten better over the years. The menus are diverse but focus mostly on casual dining/pub food with good sized portion and moderate prices. I've never met anyone that didn't have good things to say about them!

Gardengal, meet me! I live in Hillsboro. McMennamins is mediocre. It's not chef-quality food by any means. I haven't been to the Roadhouse in several years--not worth going back-- but occasionally we go to the Forest Grove Grand Lodge to sit outside and eat. The Grand Lodge is right where you pick up 47 to McMinnville. The lodge itself is cool, kind of art deco. We went to Edgefield a few years ago on a trip to Mt. Hood and the food was okay there too. But the Roadhouse is right off 26 and about an hour from the airport, so it is convenient. McMinnville definitely has better food than Hillsboro because of the wineries.

Go to Otter Rock and Devil's Punch Bowl. My son was just there but it was high tide so the waves weren't churning in the bowl.

You might want a hooded windbreaker for the beach because the wind can be pretty bad even in summer. That should be all you need for in town too, if the weather's cool. Bring some long sleeved tees and a warm pullover or sweater and you should be fine. I wouldn't bother with a coat.

We were at the airport yesterday and traffic was horrendous, even on a Monday. I don't think you want to deal with eating lunch in Portland unless you're in no hurry to get to the coast. It may take 45 minutes or more to get to Hillsboro to eat pub food at the Roadhouse, but you could eat at the airport. I looked at the local restaurants there and Cafe Yumm! would be a healthy choice with local food. They have bowls, wraps, and bentos. When you get out here to Beaverton and Hillsboro, it's mainly ethnic food. Chefs with talent set up shop in Portland rather than in the 'burbs.

I wouldn't expect "chef quality" food in someplace called the 'Roadhouse' :-) It's pub food - burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and salads. Not gourmet but a good variety and quite a bit more than mediocre IMO.

No, but I always appreciate when restaurants make an effort to do something a little different, some little extra touch, to make you remember the food. At the very least, hand-form the patties with a quality ground beef. Theirs are thin frozen patties.

There's a lot of pub food around here. Restaurants are very male-oriented with Intel being our major employer.

RE: McMenamins... honestly and no offense, but I'm glad mayflowers spoke up, because no one in my family likes the food. Grand Lodge is decent; the spa and the soaking pool outside are nice, and it's a unique place to stay the night. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there, though.

If you want food that is on food shows often, there is a Pok Pok (Pok Pok Noi,) in the Alberta district, conveniently located 1/2 mile from a Salt & Straw ice cream (famous for unique flavors.) Pok Pok can do to go orders online... The Alberta district has plenty of other good food options, including a row of popular food trucks. This is all about seven miles from the airport, in the direction of the coast.

I was going to vote thumbs down on McMennamins too. Beer is good, food is meh. I'd probably also suggest just getting something to eat at PDX, they have some decent little places in there that are local quality. And DEFINITELY take Hwy 6 down to Tillamook. It's a really pretty drive, but Hwy 26-not so much! I have a horror story of driving out to Seaside and we took a turn that led to us thinking we were going to be running into crazed killers in hockey masks. Well, it wasn't that bad, but being in a no cell service area that was completely isolated and having a disabled car didn't make us two women feel too comfy!

Gardengal, I didn't know you lived in Hillsboro. I was just there the other day on business. My job has me cover Washington County (as well as Clackamas County). I've just been appointed to a Technical Advisory Committee to look at ways to ameliorate flooding issues in the area-particularly in the area near Nike, but it will also encompass a lot of Wa Co, since the in fill is ridiculous!

But back to Lynn...you'll find plenty of places to eat and lots of local color. Traffic leaving Portland is a bear-you've probably already experienced that the last time you came out, but once you get closer to Tillamook County it is a lot less prevalent. However, this week, I think any roads that could take you any where close to the path of totality of the eclipse is going to be a nightmare. I was just at Costco and it was PACKED. The checker told me that they sold out of water yesterday and were on track to sell out again by tomorrow. The gas lines were ridiculous and I'm seeing lots of out of state plates already. I'm in Salem, probably the best viewing west of the Cascades since the coast will probably be overcast in the morning.

You can email me and I'll get you more local Tillamook info if you'd like. DD's husband has lived in Tillamook for generations, so they know all the best places to go.

The food in Portland is sooooo good, but I agree about McMenamins, which saddened me because it sounded good. I don't know if it fits in your schedule or not, but I would head into Portland proper and check out the rose garden (IDK, will there be any in bloom still... we were there last June and adored the rose gardens, the whole family .,, it is that spectacular). I would also eat at Ken's bakery. Fabulous fresh salads and soups, and then, as a reward, a lemon-glazed croissant. TDF lunch spot in Portland -- not far from freeway at all

We stopped in Astoria, probably at the same waterside restaurant as Sable (quite good). The bridge from Astoria is pretty, and the scenic drive on the other side up toward Seattle, on route 101, was gorgeous.

PS I just checked, the airport to Tillamook is 1:36 driving time. If you stop at Ken's, it is 1:46. Even if not Ken's per se, that area has great places to eat. If you throw in a visit to the test Rose Gardens, that is another 10 minutes added to your trip, or 1HR 56 min.. I just read they bloom into October. This is just a snippet.

I'm glad for the folks nixing McMenamin's. I wanted to speak up but didn't want to insult anyone. I would always go to one of their places because they are so interesting, but unless you are in a food wasteland, I'd go elsewhere for food - but I'd definitely grab a burger there in a pinch. I've never had anything bad at one, but nothing memorable either and you'll be in foodie heaven around Portland.

And as far as seeing things in Portland (the Japanese and Chinese gardens are both worth it), I'd probably wait and do that before your flight out if possible. You're going to want to get to the coast and your vacation house, get some groceries for coffee and breakfast and enjoy it all before sunset. In Sept, the sun will be setting earlier. I second the idea of grabbing something at the airport and even getting it to go, to eat in the car and get on the road.

There is a Petite Provence bakery at the airport now. They're a Portland French bakery and we have one in Hillsboro now. Their croissants and mini French pastries are excellent. Their website says they have sandwiches at the airport. We go for breakfast frequently and the occasional dinner and have always had a good meal. Good coffee too.

MtnRd - It was wrong of you to post that link to Ken's Bakery. So very wrong. And they do not deliver to the Monterey Peninsula - >:<<

Another terrific Portland patisserie is the St. Honore Boulangerie; there are four; we've been to the one in snazzy Lake Oswego; it was a delight!

Appreciated the thumbs up for Astoria, though. So different from the other towns mentioned here. Remembering how the Columbia River flows through its delta into the sea and imaging the look on Lewis&Clark's faces when they first saw it. I also agree about the scenic drive east along the northern shore of the river - unexpectedly beautiful and serene; the Columbia is a quiet river.

I want to stand up for McMenamin's. It's our favorite place to go when we're in Eugene (admittedly a culinary wasteland). We sit on its patio right on the banks of the Willamette River, with our American cafe food and really good drinks in early evening and it's a lovely experience.

One more thing - you can't really talk about Portland without mentioning Powell's Book Store - the last great book store in America and a feast for readers. Not to be believed until you've seen it and a heck of a lot more fun than Amazon. 3-4 floors of books on every conceivable subject and a tremendous periodical section, but be warned: you will spend money there. A true Portland landmark!

If I get to the coast, I have a really hard time leaving paradise and making day trips to see other places, so I'd probably never make it to Astoria, except it's on my way DOWN to paradise...but if you get bored, or the weather isn't great, maybe you'll venture out.

I ate at a nice restaurant in Astoria recently and while searching for the name to post here, (it's Bridgewater Bistro - good food, nice place!) I came upon this recommendation as one of the 10 best restaurants outside of Portland. I'd definitely try it on my next visit.
Albatross

Albatross (address and info)
Astoria
Helmed by the dude behind Thistle in McMinnville, and ex-PDX Chef Eric
Bechard, this cooly laid-back, brick-walled eatery is heavy on the
reclaimed touches (an ancient cash register, a retro stereo, etc.), and
on farm-to-table eats like boldly flavored clams, and one of Oregon's
best burgers w/ caramelized onions & a smooth white cheese sauce on a
pillow-soft bun.

yup, that was it, Bridgewater Bistro. Pleasant little place and good food, not fab, but good.

Hi All,

Just wanted to thank you all again for the great recommendations for things to do and see, not to mention places to eat at, in the Portland/ Tillamook/ Cannon Beach areas. I've printed this entire thread out to take with us. We fly out this coming Wednesday!!! And, yes, we are now definitely heading up to Astoria, as well . . . thanks to your recommendations. I'll be back with pics to share in a week.

Lynn

I tried the new McMenamin's in Bothell, WA and I didn't like the (indoor) setting of the main restaurant there or the food. Judging by comments posted by others on the web their fare often fails to impress. As it is a chain I assume this problem is not limited to the Bothell location.

I was only on the property in the first place because the resort has been landscaped in the style of a botanical garden. And I even have some reservations about particular ways that was done.

Anyway some time you should go the the part of the Oregon coast that starts at Gold Beach and extends down to the California border. This is a special area.

Yes, and Bandon. Lots of sea stacks.

Our horrid hot smokey weather has finally left. Hopefully the rain will hold off until October. On my first trip to the coast after moving here, we were wading in the water in late September. The next day the rainy season started in Portland and I was in my winter coat.

Weather in Tillamook will be in the high 60's during the day, high 40's at night with rain predicted for the first part of next week, when temps drop to the low 60's. Be sure to bring rain jackets! Oh, and downtown Tillamook streets are closed for parking, but you can park close by and walk around-shops are open.

My daughter says it's fall in 'the 'Mook' so it's a beautiful time of the year to visit. Have fun! (PS, the boutique is on main street heading south-So Chic. She also has her studio out next to the air museum!)

Another vote for Astoria. If you have time, we thought the Maritime museum was very good too. And I believe the seafood place was the same one we enjoyed. Loved Astoria in general.

Thank you!

Neetsie, I've just written down the name of her shop in my notes. I'm pretty sure that my sis and I will be stopping by as we tour Tillamook. Can you give me her first name, so that I can ask for her to say hello? You can message me personally if you don't want to post it.

By the way Gold Beach southward is in California climatologically. One November I drove out of cold in the Rogue Valley through snow in the mountains to find it in the 50s in Brookings.

An avocado tree had been planted next to my parking site in the commercial campground I stayed in there.

Her name is Dayna. I am not sure when she's at the boutique, but they'd be happy to pass on your greetings if she's not! Her in laws own the jewelry store attached to it.