Last June, my friends and I went on a one-week road trip from Los Angeles to Oregon in our rented Jeep Patriot, Cheryl (yes... we named our car). We saw an endless amount of sights along our trip. Here are a few tips and an itinerary to use if you're planning a similar trip:
Day 1
We left Los Angeles on a late Sunday night.
1. McArthur-Burney Falls: After parking our car, we caught a glimpse of the waterfall, and walked a few minutes down a ramp to reach the bottom of the falls. The waterfall was stunning—a (not so) hidden gem in Northern California.
2. Yak's on the 5: As the name suggests, this restaurant is located right along the 5 freeway. Yak's specializes in burgers—this was the perfect place to grab lunch.
3. Crater Lake: After a filling meal, we drove for 3+ hours north to our next destination—Crater Lake National Park. In mid-June, there was still lingering snow in the park. On a clear day, the lake acts as a mirror, reflecting the surrounding mountains.
4. Airbnb in Bend
Day 2
1. Painted Hills: Painted Hills boasts a Mars-like landscape—its formation began 35 million years ago through a series of volcanic eruptions.
2. Rowena Crest: A long, windy road takes you to a viewpoint overlooking a horseshoe curve along the road, and also overlooks the Columbia River Gorge.
3. Multnomah Falls: This is one of the most recognizable falls in Oregon, and it's the tallest waterfall in the state.
4. Airbnb in Portland
5. Grassa: This Italian restaurant serves affordable and delicious pasta. I recommend their carbonara and pork belly mac and cheese!
Day 3
1. Wahclella Falls: We began our day with a short, 2-mile roundtrip hike. Wahclella Falls is one of the more popular hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, and with good reason—it's incredibly picturesque!
2. Gravy: This is a popular brunch spot in Portland—here you'll find big portions at an affordable price.
3. Oregon Coast: There is an abundance of sights to see along the Oregon Coast. We stopped by Thor's Well, a famous sinkhole along the coast.
Day 4
1. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor: Throughout this scenic section of the Oregon Coast, you'll find beaches, headlands, viewpoints, sea arches, and no shortage of hikes. While you're here, visit the Natural Bridges.
2. Avenue of the Giants: The Avenue of the Giants is 31-mile highway that runs through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This is a narrow stretch of road, surrounded by towering trees.
3. Chandelier Drive-Through Tree: For $10, you can drive your car through a Redwood tree.
4. Head down to San Francisco
Day 5
This is the perfect day to relax and spend your day in the city before heading back down to Los Angeles.
