Roadtrip to Oregon in 13 days with 2 kids

Well, we did it and it was a blast.  I can't believe how smooth it went knowing that we would be in the car for two 8-hour stretches and with one stop for two days and no hotel booked.  Brett's favorite claim is that in no point in our roadtrip did we succumb to fast food.  So here is an account our our roadtrip from San Francisco to Portland and back for any other family of four that would like to go on an adventure.

Preparations:
For the Car: Change Oil, Rotate Tires
For the Kids: 2 Favorite Night time story books and stuffed animals to sleep, Flash Cards, Crayons and Coloring/Sticker Books, Drawing pads and one electronic computer toy for each.
Food:  Two bags of trail mix, 20 prepared snack bags full of their favorite small snacks, bottles of water, pack of juice boxes, and lots of fresh fruit (we just went cherry and apricot picking - lasted three days)



Day 1: Drive to Crescent City
This was the make or break drive that would set the tone for the rest of the trip. Crescent City is on the Pacific Coast at the California/Oregon border.  We left at 9am and reached at the Curly Redwood Lodge at 7pm.  At $70/night and the entire town booked out, it's a good deal.  The rooms were big but no bathtub just showers. Luckily the kids loved the shower.  Lots of seafood restaurants walking distance from the lodge so you can stretch your legs.

What's nice about the 101 drive is that you go through many of the small town main streets in Humboldt County.  We stopped at a brewery for lunch and move back on to the road.  Also off the 101, there are lots of little hiking spots to park the car and go for a walk.  We did that at snack time and walked through the redwoods.

Day 2: Drive to Redwood Forest National Park
Need to go down 101 to get your permit to access the part of the park with a nice hike down to the tallest trees.  It's steep.  Sydney managed it while knowing she hates to walk.  Nyle was in the backpack carrier.  After the hike, picnic at one of the vista points then off to the Trees of Mystery.  Greeted by Paul Bunyan, this paved hike takes you to a sky tram to take you to the top where you can see the Pacific Ocean over the trees.  On the way down, weird tree growth and stories of Paul Bunyan line the way to the exit.

Day 3: Drive to Grants Pass and stay in Eagle Point
We left Crescent City early in the morning to catch the Hell Gate jet boat ride down the Rogue River in Grants Pass.  In Crescent City is the junction to the 199 and take that north into Oregon.  We did the Lunch exursion which is about 3 hours long with a BBQ lunch (sooo goood).  We saw a bald eagle, osprey, beaver dams, and turtles down the river. Done by 1pm and off to our neighbors vacation house in Eagle Point. They let us stay there for two days. This was going to be our homebase to see Crater Lake National Park the next day.  My recommendation is to stay in Grants Pass and go from there to Crater Lake (not far). 

Day 4: Crater Lake National Park
We started off for Crater Lake after breakfast.  Recommendation - bring mosquito repellent and sunscreen.  It is so beautiful and bright and buggy.  Wear layers because it does get hot.  Go to the main visitor center at the top (cafe and gift shop to buy some sandwiches and drinks for lunch) and visit the old lodge built in 1908 or 1912.  Only half the rim is open and you can drive around the lake and pick your favorite spot to take pictures, walk and eat lunch.  It's only an hour away from where you stay and you can stay as short or as long as you like depending on the kids and still feel like you've never seen anything so beautiful in your life.

Day 5:  Heading to Sisters for some R&R
We found the Five Pine Lodge to be the "resort & relaxation" part of our trip and where we would splurge on hotel.  Read the website and you'll see why this place is awesome.  They have a sportsclub with kids day care while you work out.  Complimentary breakfast, wine tasting at 5pm and a pool the kids still keep talking about.  We stayed in the cabins because kids are not allowed to stay in the lodge, but it was worth it.  The town is walking distance with cute shops, ice cream parlor and BBQ saloons.

Day 6:  Five Pine Lodge R & R - Still here.

Day 7:  Off to the Wilamette Valley with no idea where to stay.
Of course, while on R&R I did some research and found a place in the Willamette Valley (home to the best pinot noir on the west coast), called the Hotel Oregon.  I didn't pull the trigger yet, because I wanted to see it beforehand. The plan was to go to the Enchanted Forest for the kids (like Fairlyland but deep in the forest) then head to the hotel.  So we headed west to Salem taking Hwy 22 from Sisters.  I recommend this highway, it was a gorgeous drive.

Then we headed north on Hwy 99W to McMinnville to the Hotel Oregon driving through peaceful farmlands, wine country and small towns.  So I check out the room.  The only rooms left were a king bed (a rollway for extra $15/night) and a shared bathroom on the floor.  It was perfect.  The showers were like the ones you go to the gym.  The room was cozy, no TV, but I think this was the best two night because we were so close togther.  Anyway, this place is kid friendly.  Rooftop bar to watch the sunset.  Across street is old-fashion ice cream parlor.  And next to the hotel is the best bakery for morning coffee and scones. 

Day 8: Wine Tasting in the Willamette Valley
You can get a wine tasting map from the hotel and plan out where you want to go.  All the tastings have a fee so Brett and I split a glass everywhere we went.  I think the best wine we had by far was in the Dundee Hills.  Take Archery Summit Road off of the 99W north of McMinnville.  Really good stuff.  That night we did movie night and took the kids to see Toy Story 3 while I went to see Eclipse.  That was fun.

Day 9 : Off to Portland
This morning, Sydney and I got our nails done in one of the strip malls in preparation for the wedding we ere attending in Portland.  Brett scoped out Carlton in the morning to taste and have lunch on the Main Road.  Many of the wine tasting places need appointment.  Of course we did not have any, but there were some open to the public and the wine was awesome.  The really fun place we ate was a tasting/gourmet food cafe/lounge and it was perfect for the kids to play, have fun, and eat.  Everything is on Main St. Carlton, Oregon (take Hwy 47).  After lunch try to head towards 26 into Portland.  If you don't, it will take forever.  We stayed at the Westin Downtown Portland the rest of our stay since we had wedding activities.  From this point we walked and and took the train with the kids everywhere.  They loved it.

Day 10: Portland
Dad takes kid to Childrens Museum.  Mom goes shopping (no sales tax! score!)

Day 11: Portland
Wedding at the Portland Art Museum

Day 12:  Headed to Redding
We have friends that just moved to Redding so we stayed with them after a long 8-hour drive down the 5.  The 5 drive is definitely worth seeing Mount Shasta.  If you do stay in Redding, stay at the Thurderbird Lodge and say Brett and Sonal sent you.  You have to check out the Sundial Bridge, which is a glass-bottom bridge over the Sacramento River.  It is pretty hot in Redding so plan you days out in the early mornings or late afternoon.  Lassen National Park is also close, but we left that for another time.

Day 13: Back home.