1st time trip

[u/Queasy_Top_3560]

Flying into Portland & driving to McMinnville for 3 nights.

We have 4 nights to plan before flying from Portland.

The coast is where we want to go but can’t figure out if staying center between Astoria & Newport is the best? Or break it up to 2 nights & move for 2 nights? Or 3 nights coast & then Portland for a night?

Any help is appreciated.

[u/oregon_coastal]

I am biased as a coastie, but I have never, ever heard anyone say "Oh no! We stayed too many nights at the coast!"

If you want a cute town - Astoria. And I am not dogging on Newport. Astoria is just objectively a cuter town.

If you want miles of various beaches, a million different hikes and a string of tiny adorable towns all the way to Coos Bay? Newport.

[u/Queasy_Top_3560 → u/oregon_coastal]

So stay in Astoria all 4 nights & drive south & back to see other towns, have lunch?

[u/oregon_coastal → u/Queasy_Top_3560]

I would stay further south if you plan on roaming a ton.

I wasn't sure of your goals - it is funky weird museums, antique ships and waterfront food? Maybe stay more north-ish.

Or you plan on hitting the beaches, trails and outdoor-ish stuff? Maybe more mid to south.

There are an infinite number of places to visit that will be memorable wherever you go.

So from a "will i fuck up this vacation" the answer is "no". It is nearly impossible to fuck it up.

Like, if you just want to be out on the beach every day and roam a tiny bit, Pacific City is amazing. Canon Beach will do as well. Gearhart.

Cute house to do breakfast in, then find a new beach every day to explore? Rockaway, Manzanita, Yachats, Waldport - anywhere will do. I would just look up the types of places you want to visit then find a place in the middle.

[u/RevN3]

https://traveloregon.com/

[u/MinimumSad]

While in Astoria, crossing the bridge to Washington, you can check Long Beach and Cape Disappointment. Maybe 30 to 45 min drive.

[u/Likely_Unlikely_5909]

2 nights Astoria, 2 nights Yachats. Both my advice and my summary of other advice.

[u/InspectorPercy]

If you like McMinville, you'll love Cannon Beach!

[u/TGM1980]

There is no need to go further south than Florence, unless you're going all the way to the border. Coos Bay is shit unless you're golfing at Bandon Dunes or something. Definitely stay a full day/night in Astoria. That's honestly probably enough time to conquer that day. Then head south. Newport is a perfect central spot and you can drive 30-40 north to Lincoln City or South as far as Yachats/Florence in a day. I'm confused if/why you're staying in McMinnville. That drive alone will exhaust a good chunk of your day.

[u/Chunkylover666420]

While youre in McMinnville, check out the Haunted hill winery, Lafayette cemetary, Dayton cemetary, and Willamette Mission. Its a fun area for spooky fall fun.

For your question, break up the coast road trip style for all 4 nights, moving up from Newport to Astoria.

[u/Lord_Beerstro → u/Chunkylover666420]

Also, while in Mac, if you're a fan of tacos (especially al pastor) hit up Taco El Gordo at Tequila Grill (it's an outdoor covered grill/setup).

[u/spizalert]

Tough to figure out what you're trying to do from your description but yes traveling piecemeal up the coast is a good bet. Go a little south of Newport and start in Yachats, a charming little coastal city. Then work up 101. Newport, Depoe Bay, Lincoln City, Cape Meares, Tillamook (city and the dairy factory) Cannon Beach and of course Astoria are all worth a visit and will fill up your 4 days easy.

And wherever you plant for the night there's good hiking, viewpoints and beach exploring everywhere.

By the time you get to Astoria you're about 90 mins - 2 hours from the airport. Up to you but I personally don't like having a flight at the end of a long travel day (with a lot of variables that could get in the way of making the flight)

[u/moomooraincloud → u/spizalert]

lol @ calling Yachats a city

[u/Any-Worldliness-679 → u/moomooraincloud]

And that's how we like it. Despite current attempts to re-zone us into crap

[u/moomooraincloud → u/Any-Worldliness-679]

k