Where should I go/what should I do on my trip to Oregon?

Question

I am driving from Sacramento to Oregon next weekend. Where should I go? What should I do? I love nature, waterfalls, wildlife, etc. Also maybe some good places to eat and stay.

I am on a limited budget, so I can't afford much.... but I want to make the most out of the trip.

Answer 1

For the best food, I highly recommend Black Bear diners - they are clean, their prices are very fair, and their servings and quality tremendous!

You didn't say how far you were going into Oregon or where you were staying, but if you love waterfalls, here's my favorite spots that are near the I-5.

Highway 38 east out of Roseburg towards Crater lake. As you travel along the Umpqua River there area lot of beautiful river views and several wonderful waterfalls that are right off the road. My favorite is Clearwater Falls, but here's a website showing several of them.
http://www.idleyldlodge.com/waterfalls.html

Highway 126 east out of Eugene towards Santiam Pass/Bend. Another fantastically beautlful river drive. The best waterfalls are a ways up the road (Koosah Falls), but if you go to the pass you can drive back down west and come back to the I-5 outside Salem.
http://www.byways.org/browse/byways/2148/McKenzie_Pass-Santiam_Pass_Scenic_Byway_print_n_go_2148.pdf

Outside of Salem off Highway 22 - Silver Falls State park. These are only 10 miles off the Highway and well worth the trip.
http://www.northwestplaces.com/trips101/SilverFallsLoop.htm

And of course, Multnomah Falls and the historic Columbia River Highway. http://trips.stateoforegon.com/multnomah_falls/

all of these routes offer out of the way restaurants, small shops that welcome visitors, inexpensive off-season hotel rates and of course the free access to the waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife that make Oregon so great.

Come up and have a great time!

Answer 2

If I was you and wanted to see some of the best of Oregon I would Drive up the Coast (starting in either Crescent city,Florence,Newport).Driving the coast is very beautiful and cheap hotels in Newport. Then drive over to Portland and check out that city.Then over to Bend, which is a city on the high desert next to the cascades(very beautiful). Lots to do there and cheap hotels there as well.From there you could take one of the passes back to the valley and home. There are many waterfalls,hot springs,wildlife to see in every part of Oregon -just do your research.
Oh yeah pick up one of those hotel coupon books at the rest stops along the way.

Answer 3

I would keep going on up to Seattle. More educated people and far more to do there.