We really enjoyed Portland--my kids like eating out, and the food and vibe are really fun and different. Then we drove down the coast, which was beautiful but a totally different experience. I'm glad we had some city days. We liked the museums, the streetcars, the restaurants, and people-watching. The coast is so beautiful, but we were there in June and it was very very cold and windy, on the edge of being unpleasant.

We did this trip last summer with kids. Flew into Portland, drove to Olympic National Park, over to Vancouver BC, then on to Whistler BC, back to Portland through Seattle. Great trip. In Portland I recommends hiking Multnomah Falls and if you are there on a weekend checkout the market down by the river. In Olympic National park we stayed in a cabin went to the Rain forest, tide pooling along the pacific coast. Via ferry we went to Vancouver BC..swinging bridge, shopping, great food. In Whistler we swam in lakes, went on an awesome horse ride and mountain biked. Seattle..eat your way through Pikes Market.

we loved our trip to Seattle and Olympic. There was a lot of driving involve on the Olympic peninsula, but it was so worth it. In Olympic we spent part of the time on the coast. Where we stayed right on the beach. The water is cold so you can't really swim, but my kids still had a blast climbing on the huge driftwood and playing in the sand. We also explored the rain forest, tide pools and did a hike along the beach.

The other half of our time in Olympic we stays near port Angeles and did some hiking, saw water falls and visited the hot springs.

We finished things off with a few nights in Seattle. Definitely one of my favorite trips.

If you can make it that far south Ashland is an amazing fun little city and you could see Crater Lake.

Personally, I would rent a beach house for a week on Whidbey Island (WA) for a combination of beach, tidepools, kayaking, whale watching, and just plain relaxing. There are some low-key cultural events on the island during the summer -- a Shakespeare festival, the Island County fair -- that would also give you some activities. And then a couple of days in Seattle.

If you are more into hiking but also want the beach experience, check out Seabrook, WA. It is a highly-designed beach town with lots of rentals, a couple of hours from SeaTac airport. The Washington coast is not as popular as the Oregon coast, but you would be within easy reach of Olympic National Park for day hikes.

I grew up out there, and museums isn't really the vibe. I would hit up the Lewis & Clark stuff at Fort Clatsop but otherwise? I'd be trying to see waterfalls, mountains, stuff like that.

It's hard for me to suggest a cohesive set of things because it is a BIG area and you will have a hard time seeing everything I'd want to do on a vacation (Ferry in the San Juans, Multnomah Falls, Crater Lake, Fort Clatsop, Haystack Rock, Heceta Head Lighthouse, Salishan Lodge) all in one trip.

Also, I'm sure you know that your beach experience won't be your EC beach experience. I wear sweaters and jeans to the beach in August when I'm home.

Anonymous wrote:You could do a whale watching trip off the Olympic peninsula. Even if you don't see whales (it's very hot or miss), you get an afternoon on the water.

Combine it with a loop around the peninsula -- temperate rain forests, rocky beaches, hot springs.

Make that "HIT or miss,"

You could do a whale watching trip off the Olympic peninsula. Even if you don't see whales (it's very hot or miss), you get an afternoon on the water.

Combine it with a loop around the peninsula -- temperate rain forests, rocky beaches, hot springs.

Last summer we flew into Portland, spent a day, and then drove down to Bend and stayed at Sun River Resort. One of my favorite vacations. We mountain biked, rode the river, visited Crater Lake and went on a cave tour, and just sat by the pool some.

I've spent the last 20+ summers in the Pacific Northwest because of family. You could do Seattle, Portland, and the coast, or a Portland, Oregon Coast, Bend loop, but it would be too much driving for my kids to do Seattle, Portland, the ocean and Bend.

What outfitter did you use for white water rafting? Thanks. We

Anonymous wrote:We did Oregon last summer. Flew into Portland and drove to Hood River - spent a few days there. Drove to Bend via Mt. Hood. Spent a few days there. When to the coast - Manzanita for a few days. My kids loved it - especially around Bend. We did some pretty hard core white water rafting and cool hiking near Hood River which they loved. But Bend and that area has a lot of desert, mountains and crystal clear lakes everywhere. Seemed like everycare had a kayak or paddleobard on it. We did lots of water sports. Coast was cool too. Just hiked there - but good tidal pools and the beaches are gorgeous.

This sounds great. What ages are your kids?

Do you have passports? How about Seattle and Vancouver, BC or Victoria, BC?

I can only really speak to Portland, where my parents live (I didn't grow up there), but definitely check out Washington Park: http://explorewashingtonpark.org. There is a ton to do there for both kids and adults. Portland also has a lot of great restaurants, most of which I have found work for kids.

We did Oregon last summer. Flew into Portland and drove to Hood River - spent a few days there. Drove to Bend via Mt. Hood. Spent a few days there. When to the coast - Manzanita for a few days. My kids loved it - especially around Bend. We did some pretty hard core white water rafting and cool hiking near Hood River which they loved. But Bend and that area has a lot of desert, mountains and crystal clear lakes everywhere. Seemed like everycare had a kayak or paddleobard on it. We did lots of water sports. Coast was cool too. Just hiked there - but good tidal pools and the beaches are gorgeous.

Planning a 7-10 day trip this summer with two kids (4 and 7). My dream trip would have part total relaxation (as if we were at the beach) and part exploration/adventure (museums, city, etc.). All ideas welcome! I am a total East Coaster so am completely unfamiliar with what there is to see.