Pacific Northwest Trip Master Guide

Travel Details

One-Page Planning Brief

Booking Checklist

Recommended Hotels

Contacts on the Go

Save these to your phone before the trip. Useful for late check-ins, flight delays, or arrival issues. Phone numbers can change — confirm at the linked source and fill in below.

Live Navigation Pack

Create these lists in Google Maps and save your stops as you go: Olympic Peninsula, Rainier, Oregon Coast, Hood River / Gorge.

Offline Map Download Checklist (do before leaving)

• Google Maps offline area: Olympic Peninsula (Port Angeles → Forks → Lake Quinault → Aberdeen)
• Google Maps offline area: Mount Rainier NP and Packwood
• Google Maps offline area: Oregon coast (Astoria → Cannon Beach → Tillamook)
• Google Maps offline area: Columbia Gorge (Portland → Hood River → The Dalles)
• AllTrails Pro: download every planned trail map (works without service)
• Screenshots of each day's route, hotel address, and any timed-entry confirmations

How to Download Offline Maps

Google Maps (iOS/Android)

• Open the Google Maps app and make sure you're signed in and connected to Wi-Fi
• Tap your profile picture (top right) → Offline maps
• Tap Select your own map
• Drag the map/box to frame the area you want (e.g., Port Angeles → Forks → Lake Quinault) — zoom out first so the whole region fits within the download box
• Tap Download and wait for it to finish before losing signal
• Repeat for each region listed above (Olympic Peninsula, Rainier/Packwood, Oregon Coast, Columbia Gorge)
• Downloaded areas expire after ~15 days — since this trip runs Sept 5–16, download them no more than 1–2 days before departure, or refresh them once you're on the road with Wi-Fi (hotel lobby, coffee shop) partway through
• Note: turn-by-turn voice navigation still works offline within a downloaded area, but live traffic, rerouting quality, and search results outside the saved region will be limited

Apple Maps (iOS 17+)

• Open the Maps app and make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi
• Search for the region or drag/zoom the map to the area you want to save
• Tap your profile picture or the search bar → look for the Offline Maps option (or go to Settings → Maps → Offline Maps on newer iOS versions)
• Tap Download New Map, then adjust the highlighted box to cover the area (e.g., Hoh Rain Forest, Rialto/La Push, Lake Quinault)
• Name the map (e.g., "Olympic Peninsula") and tap Download
• Repeat for each region; downloaded maps are managed under Settings → Maps → Offline Maps and can be deleted after the trip
• Turn-by-turn directions, search, and ETAs work offline within the downloaded area; if your iPhone is older than iOS 17, Apple Maps offline downloads aren't available — rely on Google Maps offline areas instead

Saved Lists (seeds)

• Olympic Peninsula list seed
• Rainier list seed
• Oregon Coast list seed
• Hood River / Gorge list seed

Day 1 — Sat Sept 5 — Arrive Seattle

Parking / Pins

• The State Hotel: 1501 2nd Avenue
• Garage 1 — prepaid pass: 2nd & Union Garage (WA1111), 1400 2nd Avenue — 1 Day Parking Pass via LAZ Parking (State Hotel), confirmation 4917103155, Joe Lowrance; QR code in email
• Garage 2: 1528 2nd Ave Lot
• Garage 3: Target Seattle Garage
• Pike Place Market: 47.6094, -122.3422
• Space Needle: 47.6205, -122.3493

Dining

• Primary dinner: Ben Paris
• Backup: stay near Pike Place and keep dinner close to the hotel to avoid extra parking hassle

Alternate Activities

• Chihuly Garden and Glass — stunning glass sculpture garden right next to the Space Needle; easy to pair with your timed entry
• Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) — immersive music, sci-fi, and pop culture museum at Seattle Center; same campus as the Space Needle
• Seattle Great Wheel — 175-ft waterfront Ferris wheel with gondola views of Elliott Bay; 10-min walk from Pike Place
• Bill Speidel's Underground Tour — guided walk through the buried 1890s streets beneath Pioneer Square; book ahead
• Seattle Aquarium — Puget Sound marine life on the waterfront; walkable from Pike Place

Alternate Dining

Breakfast

• Le Panier — French bakery inside Pike Place Market; buttery croissants and café au lait · $
• Piroshky Piroshky — Russian stuffed pastries baked fresh in a Pike Place window; great grab-and-go · $
• The Crumpet Shop — Pike Place institution since 1976; crumpets with sweet or savory toppings · $

Lunch

• Pike Place Chowder — award-winning New England clam chowder; expect a short line · $$
• Matt's in the Market — Pacific NW cuisine with direct Pike Place views; excellent local seafood · $$$
• Beecher's Handmade Cheese — famous mac & cheese and fresh cheese curds made on-site in Pike Place · $$

Dinner

• The Pink Door — Italian trattoria with a hidden alley entrance off Pike Place; live entertainment on weekends · $$$
• Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar — fresh local oysters and shellfish in Pioneer Square; PNW seafood benchmark · $$
• Westward — lakeside restaurant with a dock bar; wood-fired dishes and excellent local seafood · $$$

Snacks

• Daily Dozen Doughnut — mini donuts made fresh in the window at Pike Place; a must-stop · $
• Beecher's free flagship cheese samples — free tastings at the Pike Place counter while they make the cheese · free
• Original Starbucks (1912 Pike Place) — the very first location; worth a quick stop for the novelty · $

Day 2 — Sun Sept 6 — Seattle to Port Angeles + Hurricane Ridge

Pins

• Hurricane Ridge parking: 47.9695, -123.4980
• Port Angeles harbor: 48.1181, -123.4307

Dining

• Primary: Next Door Gastropub
• Backup: easy harbor dinner or hotel dinner if you are cooked

Hikes

• Hurricane Hill Trail — 3.2 mi RT, moderate — best panoramic summit on the ridge; sweeping views of the Strait and the Olympics
• High Ridge Trail — 1.6 mi RT, easy — meadow walk to Little River Overlook; wildflowers peak in early Sept
• Cirque Rim Trail — 0.5 mi loop, easy — quick rim walk at the visitor center; good warm-up or bad-weather fallback
• Klahhane Ridge Trail — 8 mi RT, strenuous — quiet ridge traverse with far fewer crowds than Hurricane Hill
• Hurricane Ridge Nature Trail — 0.3 mi loop, paved — accessible wildflower loop directly at the visitor center

Alternate Activities

• Dungeness Spit — longest natural sand spit in the US; walk toward the historic lighthouse or take in the overlook views; 20 min east of Port Angeles
• Sol Duc Hot Springs — natural geothermal pools 45 min west; great pre- or post-hike soak; day passes available
• Olympic Game Farm (Sequim) — drive-through wildlife park; bison, zebra, and bears come right up to the car window
• Arthur D. Fiero Marine Life Center — hands-on touch tanks and Puget Sound exhibits on the city pier in Port Angeles
• Salt Creek Recreation Area — dramatic coastal bluff with tide pools and WWII gun battery ruins; 20 min west of Port Angeles

Alternate Dining

Breakfast

• Chestnut Cottage — beloved local breakfast spot; French toast, omelets, homemade jams · $$
• First Street Haven — cozy downtown café; biscuits, eggs, espresso drinks · $$
• Sunrise Coffee — popular local espresso bar; pastries and quick coffee before the ridge · $

Lunch

• Frugals — no-frills classic burgers, milkshakes, and onion rings; fast and cheap · $
• Kokopelli Grill — Pacific NW cuisine with harbor-adjacent views; solid lunch and dinner menu · $$$
• Next Door Gastropub — also a strong lunch option on the return from Hurricane Ridge · $$

Dinner

• Kokopelli Grill — Pacific NW ingredients; good wine list and waterfront-adjacent setting · $$$
• Bella Italia — Italian bistro and wine bar; locally famous, Twilight filming location · $$$
• Crabby Bob's Seafood — casual Dungeness crab and local seafood; a Port Angeles staple · $$

Day 3 — Mon Sept 7 — Lake Crescent + Sol Duc + Port Angeles E-Bike

Pins

• Lake Crescent Lodge: 48.0615, -123.7877
• Sol Duc Falls trailhead area: 47.9690, -123.8626
• Bike access in Port Angeles: 48.1161, -123.4307

Dining

• Primary: Next Door Gastropub
• Backup: easy harbor dinner

Hikes

• Sol Duc Falls Trail — 1.6 mi RT, easy — already planned; mossy old-growth corridor to a dramatic three-chute waterfall
• Marymere Falls Trail — 1.8 mi RT, easy — serene forest walk to a 90-ft waterfall; trailhead at Storm King Ranger Station on Lake Crescent
• Mount Storm King Trail — 4.4 mi RT, strenuous — steep climb to a clifftop viewpoint directly over Lake Crescent; final section is a rope scramble
• Lover's Lane Loop — 6 mi loop, moderate — full forest loop at Sol Duc connecting the falls to the hot springs area; tall old-growth throughout
• Barnes Creek Trail — 4 mi RT, easy — quiet flat trail along Barnes Creek from the Storm King trailhead; good if storm conditions close the ridge

Alternate Activities

• Sol Duc Hot Springs soak — natural geothermal pools at the resort; day passes available; perfect after the Sol Duc Falls hike
• Lake Crescent rowboat / kayak rental — rent from the historic lodge dock; the lake is uniquely vivid blue-green; calm and uncrowded
• Fiero Marine Life Center — touch tanks and Puget Sound exhibits on the Port Angeles pier; good rainy afternoon option
• Elwha River Restoration Area — walk the recovering riverbank after the largest dam removal in US history; trailheads near Port Angeles
• Olympic NP Visitor Center — excellent exhibits on park ecology and history; good orientation or cloudy-day fallback

Alternate Dining

Breakfast

• Lake Crescent Lodge dining room — breakfast with lake views before heading to Sol Duc; sit-down service · $$$
• Chestnut Cottage — same strong Port Angeles breakfast option as Day 2 · $$

Lunch

• Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort dining — casual burgers and sandwiches after the falls hike; convenient on-site · $$
• Next Door Gastropub — solid lunch option back in Port Angeles before the e-bike · $$
• Kokopelli Grill — step up from the gastropub if you want a sit-down Pacific NW lunch · $$$

Dinner

• Bella Italia — Italian bistro; a change of pace from pub food after two nights · $$$
• Kokopelli Grill — Pacific NW menu with local seafood and harbor views · $$$
• Crabby Bob's Seafood — casual Dungeness crab and local catch; a Port Angeles institution · $$

Day 4 — Tue Sept 8 — Port Angeles to Rialto Beach + Hoh + Quinault

Pins

• Rialto Beach parking: 47.9189, -124.6363
• Hoh Visitor Center: 47.8601, -123.9340
• Lake Quinault lodge area: 47.4690, -123.8430

Tide Window — Rialto / Hole-in-the-Wall

• Hole-in-the-Wall is only safely passable at +2 ft tide or lower; aim for the hour on either side of low tide
• Check the prediction for La Push the week before: NOAA La Push (Quillayute River)
• Sept 8 low tide (TBD): __:__ AM   /   height: __ ft
• If low tide is mid-morning, this aligns with the planned 7:30–9:30 window. If it falls outside, shift the day plan or skip Hole-in-the-Wall and walk Rialto only.

Dining

• Lunch: whatever is efficient in Forks
• Dinner: Quinault lodge / resort dinner
• Backup: nearby casual dinner after check-in

Hikes

• Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall — 2.8 mi RT, easy — already planned; sea stacks, tide pools, and massive drift log piles along a wild coast
• Hall of Mosses Loop — 0.8 mi loop, easy — Hoh's most iconic trail; cathedral big-leaf maples draped in thick moss
• Hoh River Trail — 2–4 mi RT, easy — flat old-growth walk along the Hoh; go as far as you like and turn back; massive Sitka spruce and fir
• Spruce Nature Trail — 1.2 mi loop, easy — self-guided Hoh loop past enormous Sitka spruce and through fern-carpeted forest floor
• Taft Creek Trail — 3.8 mi RT, easy — less-visited Hoh trail through tall fir and hemlock; good for wildlife and solitude

Alternate Activities

• Ruby Beach — one of the most dramatic NPS beaches on the coast; massive sea stacks and driftwood; just north of Kalaloch on the route south
• First Beach (La Push) — stunning ocean-view beach on the Quileute reservation; dramatic sea stacks visible right from the sand
• Kalaloch Beach — flat accessible NPS beach with sea cliffs and enormous log piles; 20 min south of Hoh; great quick walk
• Lake Quinault Lodge veranda — drinks or dinner on the porch of the historic NPS lodge; great lake views to end the drive day
• Forks Timber Museum — quick 30-min stop for context on the peninsula's logging history; free admission

Alternate Dining

Breakfast / Pre-dawn snack

• 5:45am departure — pack the night before or grab from the hotel before leaving
• Forks Coffee Shop — opens early; eggs, pancakes, and diner staples; arrive hungry from Rialto · $

Lunch (Forks, ~10:30am)

• Pacific Pizza — casual pizza and sandwiches; reliable in a town with limited options · $$
• Sully's Drive-In — classic American drive-in; burgers and milkshakes; quick and easy · $
• The Smoke House Restaurant — BBQ and comfort food; hearty fuel before the Hoh · $$

Dinner (Quinault)

• Lake Quinault Lodge dining room — NPS historic lodge; salmon, steaks, and Pacific NW mains with lake views · $$$
• Rain Forest Resort Village — casual lakeside restaurant; burgers, seafood, and pasta; steps from the lodge · $$

Day 5 — Wed Sept 9 — Quinault Morning + Drive to Packwood

Pins

• Gnome Home: 118-04 A Bonnie Sue Lane (Booking link)
• Maple Glade area: 47.4715, -123.8582
• Packwood center: 46.6068, -121.6704

Dining

• Primary: Packwood Brewing Co.
• Backup: Longmire Springs Brewing

Hikes

• Maple Glade Rainforest Loop — 4 mi loop, easy — already planned; cathedral big-leaf maple grove north of the lake
• Quinault Rain Forest Loop (South Shore) — 4 mi loop, easy — classic old-growth loop through towering Sitka spruce and fir near the lodge
• World's Largest Sitka Spruce Trail — 0.5 mi RT, easy — short walk to the record-holding spruce near Lake Quinault; worth a quick stop
• North Shore Trail — 2–4 mi RT, easy — flat forested trail along the north shore of the lake; quieter than the south shore options
• Graves Creek Trail — 4 mi RT, easy — old-growth hemlock and fir on the south shore; birding and early morning solitude

Alternate Activities

• Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad — vintage steam train from Elbe, 15 min from Packwood; check Sept schedule for afternoon departures
• Longmire Historic District — 1910 inn, hot spring ruins, and a small NPS museum just inside the Rainier entrance; worth a 30-min stop en route
• Lewis and Clark State Park — old-growth Douglas fir stand and forest trails mid-route from Quinault; good leg-stretch
• Grove of the Patriarchs preview — 1,000-year-old firs near the Stevens Canyon entrance; only 1.3 mi loop; worth stopping if arriving Packwood early
• Riffe Lake / Mossyrock Dam — large reservoir on the route; scenic pull-off and stretch with lake views

Alternate Dining

Breakfast (Quinault, before 11am departure)

• Lake Quinault Lodge dining room — lake-view breakfast before the forest walk; eggs Benedict, French toast · $$$
• Rain Forest Resort Village — casual breakfast with lake views; good value for the area · $$

Lunch (on the road, Centralia/Chehalis area)

• Mary McCrank's Dinner Bell — Chehalis institution; famous for fried chicken and homemade pies; midpoint rest stop · $$
• Miner's Drive-In (Centralia) — classic roadside drive-in; burgers and shakes; quick fuel break · $

Dinner (Packwood)

• Inn of Packwood restaurant — casual pub food; burgers and pasta; reliable backup if the brewery is packed · $$
• Cruiser's Pizza — casual pizza in town; good for a low-key arrival-night dinner · $

Day 6 — Thu Sept 10 — Mount Rainier / Paradise / Skyline Trail

Pins

• Paradise parking / Skyline access: 46.7860, -121.7353
• Reflection Lakes: 46.7637, -121.7426

Dining

• Lunch: Paradise Inn
• Backup lunch: packed lunch from town
• Dinner: Packwood Brewing Co.

Hikes

• Skyline Trail Loop — 5.5 mi loop, strenuous — already planned; the signature Paradise hike circling above the meadows with Rainier in view the whole way
• Alta Vista Summit Trail — 1.7 mi RT, moderate — quick summit above Paradise; 360° views including Mount Adams and the Tatoosh Range
• Glacier Vista Trail — 2.5 mi RT, moderate — up-close views of the Nisqually Glacier; can be combined with the Skyline loop
• Dead Horse Creek Trail — 2.4 mi RT, moderate — wildflower-filled route that links into the Skyline loop; good standalone option too
• Comet Falls Trail — 3.8 mi RT, strenuous — 320-ft waterfall (tallest in the park) from Christine Falls parking, 15 min from Paradise; worth the side trip

Alternate Activities

• Grove of the Patriarchs — 1,000-year-old Douglas firs near Stevens Canyon entrance; 1.3 mi loop; most awe-inspiring old-growth in the park
• Longmire Historic District — 1910 inn, hot spring ruins, and NPS museum within the park; excellent bad-weather fallback
• Narada Falls — 168-ft roadside waterfall on the drive to Paradise; 5-min walk from the pullout; worth the stop either direction
• Paradise Inn — 1916 National Historic Landmark lodge; worth exploring the interior even just for lunch or a post-hike drink
• Sunrise Visitor Center — highest drivable point in the park; alpine meadows and closest views of the summit; 45 min from Paradise, closes in Sept

Alternate Dining

Breakfast (Packwood, 6:30am departure)

• Best to pack the night before — most options won't be open for a 6:30 departure
• Inn of Packwood — check if they open early enough for a quick egg breakfast · $$

Lunch (Paradise area)

• Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center café — grab-and-go sandwiches, soups, and snacks; good backup if Paradise Inn is slammed · $$

Dinner (Packwood)

• Cruiser's Pizza — casual pizza; easy wind-down after a long hike day · $
• Inn of Packwood restaurant — hearty pub food; good if you want a quieter option than the brewery · $$

Snacks (trail)

• No trail services — pack everything the night before. Trail mix, bars, and a packed lunch are essential for the Skyline loop.
• Paradise Inn gift shop snacks — backup snack top-up if needed · $

Day 7 — Fri Sept 11 — Packwood to Cannon Beach

Pins

• The Waves: 188 West 2nd Street
• Fort George Brewery: 46.1892, -123.8313
• Haystack Rock: 45.8846, -123.9640

Tide Window — Haystack Rock Tidepools

• Tidepools are exposed at +1 ft tide or lower; best viewing is roughly 1 hr before to 1 hr after low tide
• Check predictions for Cannon Beach: Cannon Beach tide forecast · NOAA Garibaldi (nearest station)
• Sept 11 low tide (TBD): __:__   /   ht __ ft
• Sept 12 low tide (TBD): __:__   /   ht __ ft
• Sept 13 low tide (TBD): __:__   /   ht __ ft
• Pick whichever day aligns best with morning low tide for the docent-led tidepool walk

Dining

• Lunch: Fort George Brewery
• Dinner: Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge
• Backup: walkable Cannon Beach seafood or grill option

Hikes

• Haystack Rock Tidepool Walk — 1–2 mi, easy — informal beach walk around the base of the rock at low tide; accessible directly from The Waves
• Hug Point State Recreation Site — 1 mi RT, easy — tidal caves and a hidden waterfall accessible at low tide; 3 miles south of Cannon Beach
• Ecola Point Loop (short) — 1.5 mi, easy — quick afternoon taste of the clifftop views before the full Ecola hike the next morning

Alternate Activities

• Astoria Column — 125-ft painted column on a hilltop with views of four states and the Columbia River mouth; pair with the Fort George lunch stop
• Fort Clatsop / Lewis & Clark NHP — replica of the 1805-06 winter fort with ranger programs; 5 min from Astoria
• Oregon Film Museum (Astoria) — housed in the original Goonies filming-location jail; quick and fun stop
• Tillamook Creamery — factory tour and famous ice cream on the southern coastal route via US-6 if you detour from the main path
• Seaside Boardwalk — 2-mile oceanfront promenade between Astoria and Cannon Beach; good quick stretch stop on arrival

Alternate Dining

Breakfast (Packwood, before departure)

• Inn of Packwood — simple diner breakfast before hitting the road · $$
• Cruiser's Pizza / local café — grab coffee and a pastry for the drive · $

Lunch (Astoria)

• Baked Alaska — upscale waterfront dining on the Columbia; Pacific NW seafood and stunning river views · $$$
• Bridgewater Bistro — historic building over the water; good chowder, salads, and cocktails · $$$
• Bowpicker Fish & Chips — Astoria icon; albacore tuna fish and chips served from a converted gillnet boat; cash only · $

Dinner (Cannon Beach)

• The Irish Table — small, beloved Cannon Beach spot; Irish-inspired Pacific NW menu; reservations highly recommended · $$$
• Ecola Seafoods — casual waterfront seafood; Dungeness crab, chowder, and fish & chips · $$
• Driftwood Restaurant — casual comfort food with locally sourced ingredients; good value · $$

Snacks (Cannon Beach)

• Cannon Beach Bakery — fresh-baked bread, cinnamon rolls, and pastries since 1989 · $
• Bruce's Candy Kitchen — old-fashioned candy store; saltwater taffy and fudge made in-house · $

Video Guides

• CANNON BEACH, OREGON TOP 10 THINGS TO DO, EAT & EXPLORE
• How To Spend a Weekend in Cannon Beach, Oregon
• 10 Best Things to Do in Cannon Beach, Oregon

Day 8 — Sat Sept 12 — Ecola State Park + Indian Beach

Pins

• Ecola parking: 45.9232, -123.9837
• Indian Beach: 45.9185, -123.9818

Dining

• Primary: Public Coast Brewing
• Backup sit-down: Wayfarer

Hikes

• Ecola Point to Indian Beach — 2.5 mi RT, moderate — already planned; clifftop headland walk with Haystack Rock, Tillamook Lighthouse, and sea stacks in view
• Tillamook Head Trail — 5.5 mi RT, moderate — extends north from Indian Beach to the Tillamook Head summit; panoramic Pacific views and a WWII radar station ruin
• Cape Falcon Trail — 5.6 mi RT, moderate — about 10 mi south at Oswald West SP; dramatic headland above Short Sand Beach; one of the best coast hikes in Oregon
• Neahkahnie Mountain — 3.4 mi RT, strenuous — 10 mi south; exposed summit with sweeping Pacific views; elk frequently spotted on the approach
• Clatsop Loop Trail — 2.4 mi loop, moderate — within Ecola SP; forest and coastal views; quieter than the Ecola Point–Indian Beach connector

Alternate Activities

• Sea Ranch Stables — guided beach horseback rides along the sand near Cannon Beach; book ahead in early fall
• Cannon Beach History Center — well-curated local history museum in the village; free admission; good morning warm-up before the hike
• Cannon Beach Art Galleries — a dozen galleries in the walkable village; Icefire Glassworks has a live glassblowing studio
• Haystack Rock low-tide tidepools — docent-led tidepool interpretation at the rock; check the low-tide window for the day
• Arcadia Beach — quieter beach 2 mi south of Cannon Beach; great for tide pool exploration away from crowds

Alternate Dining

Breakfast

• Sleepy Monk Coffee — beloved local roaster; organic espresso drinks and pastries; a Cannon Beach institution · $
• Cannon Beach Bakery — fresh cinnamon rolls, scones, and loaves; great before an early hike · $
• Wayfarer breakfast menu — sit-down ocean-view breakfast; eggs Benedict and Pacific NW brunch dishes · $$$

Lunch

• Mo's Seafood & Chowder — Oregon coast staple; creamy clam chowder and fish & chips · $$
• Ecola Seafoods — casual seafood counter; Dungeness crab and chowder; order at the window · $$
• Pizza a'Fetta — New York-style pizza by the slice; good quick lunch after the hike · $

Dinner

• The Irish Table — small intimate dining room; Irish-inspired Pacific NW; book ahead · $$$
• Driftwood Restaurant — casual and local; wood-fired mains and comfort food · $$
• Lumberyard Rotisserie and Grill — wood-fired proteins and local produce; good mid-range dinner option · $$$

Snacks

• Bruce's Candy Kitchen — saltwater taffy and fudge made in-house; a Cannon Beach sugar stop · $
• Cannon Beach Bakery — pick up a loaf for the room or a cinnamon roll after the beach · $

Day 9 — Sun Sept 13 — North Coast Flex Day

Dining

• Astoria lunch: Fort George
• Backup: stay local in Cannon Beach if weather there is perfect

Hikes

• Cape Falcon Trail (Oswald West SP) — 5.6 mi RT, moderate — dramatic headland above Short Sand Beach; arguably the best single trail on the Oregon coast
• Neahkahnie Mountain — 3.4 mi RT, strenuous — summit with sweeping Pacific views; elk habitat and Spanish treasure ship lore
• Saddle Mountain Trail — 5.2 mi RT, strenuous — tallest peak in this corner of the Coast Range; wildflowers and views to the coast and Cascades; ~45 min from Cannon Beach
• Fort Stevens to Del Rey Beach (Oregon Coast Trail) — 4 mi RT, easy — WWII bunkers, a shipwreck visible at low tide, and open dune beach near Astoria
• Clatsop Spit Loop (Fort Stevens SP) — 4 mi loop, easy — birding, dunes, and a Civil War-era fort; good if the Astoria day is on the agenda

Alternate Activities

• Astoria Column — 125-ft spiral-painted column with views of four states and the Columbia River; pair with a Fort George lunch stop
• Fort Clatsop / Lewis & Clark NHP — replica 1805-06 winter fort with ranger programs and forest trail walks
• Oregon Film Museum (Astoria) — original Goonies jail building; 30-min walk-through with film props and local movie history
• Seaside Aquarium — working aquarium with harbor seals you can hand-feed; on the Seaside boardwalk, 20 min from Cannon Beach
• Tillamook Creamery — 30 min south; factory tour, cheese tasting, and the famous ice cream

Alternate Dining

Breakfast

• Sleepy Monk Coffee — grab a coffee and pastry before the drive · $
• Cannon Beach Bakery — pastry for the road; good send-off breakfast · $

Lunch (Astoria)

• Baked Alaska — waterfront Pacific NW dining; if you missed it on Day 7 · $$$
• Bowpicker Fish & Chips — albacore tuna fish and chips from a converted gillnet boat; cash only; Astoria icon · $
• Street 14 Café — relaxed Astoria brunch spot; good coffee, eggs, and pastries · $$

Dinner (Cannon Beach)

• The Irish Table — if you haven't gone yet; intimate Pacific NW with Irish accents · $$$
• Lumberyard Rotisserie and Grill — wood-fired mains and local produce; solid last-night Cannon Beach dinner · $$$
• Driftwood Restaurant — casual and comfortable; good for a lower-key final coast dinner · $$

Day 10 — Mon Sept 14 — Cannon Beach to Hood River via Multnomah Falls

Pins

• Best Western Plus: 1108 E Marina Way
• Multnomah Falls parking: 45.5762, -122.1158
• Backup if crowded — Wahkeena Falls parking: 45.5754, -122.1258
• Backup if crowded — Latourell Falls parking: 45.5406, -122.2179
• Hood River waterfront: 45.7090, -121.5120

Dining

• Lunch: pFriem Family Brewers
• Backup: riverfront casual option or food trucks

Hikes

• Multnomah Falls Trail (to top) — 2.2 mi RT, moderate — switchback trail to the top of the 620-ft falls; the most dramatic payoff per mile in the Gorge
• Wahkeena Falls Loop — 4.9 mi loop, moderate — connects Wahkeena and Multnomah falls through a mossy canyon; best full loop at the falls corridor
• Latourell Falls Loop — 2.4 mi loop, easy — columnar basalt cliffs and two falls; 3 mi west of Crown Point; less crowded than Multnomah
• Angels Rest — 4.6 mi RT, moderate — open rocky summit with the best unobstructed gorge panorama west of Hood River; great late-morning option
• Triple Falls — 4.6 mi RT, moderate — three-tiered cascade on Oneonta Creek; significantly less crowded than Multnomah; through a slot canyon approach

Alternate Activities

• Vista House at Crown Point — 1918 stone rotunda on a 733-ft cliff above the gorge; free entry; the classic Gorge overlook on the historic highway
• Historic Columbia River Highway — original 1916 scenic road through all the waterfalls; slower than I-84 but the visual payoff is massive
• Bonneville Dam fish ladder — watch salmon migrating upstream through underwater viewing windows; free; 30 min west of Hood River
• Bridge of the Gods (Cascade Locks) — walk across the dramatic steel gorge crossing; small toll; good stretch stop between Multnomah and Hood River
• Hood River Fruit Loop — 35-mile farm stand circuit around the valley; orchards, lavender, and views of both Rainier and Hood

Alternate Dining

Breakfast (Cannon Beach, early departure)

• Sleepy Monk Coffee — quick coffee and pastry before checking out · $
• Cannon Beach Bakery — grab something for the road · $

Lunch (Gorge, en route)

• Multnomah Falls Lodge — historic 1925 lodge restaurant at the base of the falls; good for a proper sit-down mid-day · $$$
• Thunder Island Brewing (Cascade Locks) — casual brewpub with gorge views; on the route between the falls and Hood River · $$

Dinner (Hood River)

• Double Mountain Brewery — Hood River's other great brewery; wood-fired pizza and local hops · $$
• Celilo Restaurant — best upscale dinner in Hood River; Pacific NW fine dining with local produce · $$$$
• Stonefly Grill — local burgers, steaks, and craft beer; solid casual dinner · $$

Day 11 — Tue Sept 15 — Hood River E-Bike + Winery Day

Pins

• Pedal & Paddle (e-bike pickup): 301 N 1st St
• Waterfront / trail access: 45.7090, -121.5120
• pFriem: 45.7089, -121.5121
• Phelps Creek Vineyards: 45.6745, -121.5363

Dining

• Lunch: pFriem
• Backup: Hood River food trucks
• Wine option: Phelps Creek or Stave & Stone

Hikes

• Tom McCall Point — 3.4 mi RT, moderate-strenuous — wildflower plateau and gorge views from above Rowena Crest; one of the most visually rewarding hikes near Hood River
• Rowena Plateau Loop — 3 mi loop, easy-moderate — starts at Rowena Crest Viewpoint; camas wildflower ponds and basalt bluffs; can pair with Tom McCall Point
• Dog Mountain — 7.2 mi RT, strenuous — the Gorge's most famous wildflower hike across the river in Washington; big elevation gain but under 10 miles
• Catherine Creek Loop — 3.5 mi loop, easy-moderate — natural basalt arch, wildflowers, and creek views east of Hood River; great early-morning option before the e-bike
• Mosier Twin Tunnels — 4 mi RT, easy — Historic Columbia River Highway paved trail through two old tunnels with gorge overlooks; good for a relaxed morning leg-stretch

Alternate Activities

• Mount Hood Railroad — vintage excursion train through the Hood River Valley; 2.5-hr round trip with views of both Mount Hood and Mount Adams
• Full Sail Brewing — original Hood River craft brewery with a deck overlooking the gorge; tours and tasting room
• Hood River Fruit Loop — 35-mile farm stand circuit through orchards, lavender farms, and winery tasting rooms; pairs perfectly with the winery afternoon
• Gorge White House — farm stand, u-pick fields, and wine tasting on the Fruit Loop; views of Mount Hood from the property
• Hood River Waterfront / kite surf watching — one of the world's top kite and windsurfing spots; watching from the event site lawn is free and spectacular

Alternate Dining

Breakfast

• Pattie's Home Plate Café — Hood River diner institution; opens early; classic eggs, hash, and pancakes · $$
• Dog River Coffee — popular local espresso bar; quick coffee and pastry before or after the e-bike · $
• Ground — craft coffee and light bites; great spot to start a relaxed winery day · $

Lunch

• Double Mountain Brewery — wood-fired pizza and local hops; great second brewery stop · $$
• Solstice Wood Fire Café — farm-to-table pizza and salads; excellent local ingredients · $$$
• Hood River Taqueria — casual Mexican; tacos and burritos; best value lunch in town · $

Dinner

• Celilo Restaurant — best upscale dinner in Hood River; local farmers and foragers; make a reservation · $$$$
• Double Mountain Brewery — if you want a casual second night option; wood-fired pizza and great beer · $$
• Stonefly Grill — local burgers, steaks, and a solid bar; good neighborhood feel · $$

Snacks / Farm Stands

• Gorge White House — seasonal u-pick and farm stand; Hood River pears and apples peak in Sept · $
• Fruit Loop farm stands — 35-mile circuit of orchards and farm stands; Sept is peak apple and pear season · $

Day 12 — Wed Sept 16 — Hood River to Seattle / Departure

• Breakfast
• Leave around 8:30–9:00 AM
• One fuel / food stop
• Return car by 1:00 PM

Alternate Dining

Breakfast (quick — leave by 8:30–9:00am)

• Pattie's Home Plate Café — opens early; classic diner breakfast; fast service and big portions · $$
• Dog River Coffee — espresso and pastry to go; the fastest option if you're watching the clock · $
• Ground — coffee and a quick bite; low-key send-off · $

Extra Useful Notes