Yosemite and CA/OR coast

**simply1** · 07-26-2012, 09:34 PM

We're heading to Yosemite for a few days, and then up the CA coast to Oregon coast for several more days. Anyone been out that way?

**Mr Janny** · 07-26-2012, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by simply1

We're heading to Yosemite for a few days, and then up the CA coast to Oregon coast for several more days. Anyone been out that way?

Yosemite is awesome. So much to see there. If you're planning to camp, there are some neat spots right in the park. If you're going the hotel route, the park hotels can be kind of spendy. Surrounding communities of Oakhurst and Mariposa have some cheaper options and are neat communities to boot,

**dtclones** · 07-26-2012, 09:40 PM

Went to Yosemite this past spring, right when the snow was beginning to melt. It was awesome. Definitely do some hiking if you're up to it. They have some shorter, easier trails and lots of very strenuous, longer trails. Yosemite Valley is where most of the best views are. We hiked up the opposite side of the valley of Half Dome and got an awesome view of it that way.

**sdillon500** · 07-26-2012, 09:42 PM

I live in San Francisco, and I'm actually going on another backpacking trip up El Capitan next weekend. Where are you camping in the park/what trail are you thinking about hiking?

**simply1** · 07-26-2012, 09:43 PM

We'll be out there labor day weekend, so hoping the weather is good, should be before snowfall I hope. Haven't picked any hikes out yet, definitely up for some hiking though. :)

**sdillon500** · 07-27-2012, 12:21 AM

Originally Posted by simply1

We'll be out there labor day weekend, so hoping the weather is good, should be before snowfall I hope. Haven't picked any hikes out yet, definitely up for some hiking though. :)

Are you camping in the park, or are you staying at one of the resorts outside of the park? I've hiked a good number of the trails in Yosemite, I can definitely recommend some places to go if you want to go into the backcountry for a few days, or if you just want a couple dayhikes.

**baller1** · 07-27-2012, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by simply1

We're heading to Yosemite for a few days, and then up the CA coast to Oregon coast for several more days. Anyone been out that way?

I'm sitting in a beach house looking at the ocean in 60 degree weather in Waldport, Oregon as I type this.

**SoCalClone** · 07-27-2012, 12:40 AM

Half Dome is a great and beautiful hike but the end is very scary and dangerous. You need good grip and upper body strength. I suggest doing it mid-week. Crowded weekends can be a zoo.

**CyCo** · 07-27-2012, 01:00 AM

Originally Posted by simply1

We're heading to Yosemite for a few days, and then up the CA coast to Oregon coast for several more days. Anyone been out that way?

Live in Beaverton, OR. The Oregon Coast is beautiful - and the beaches are all in the public domain. Drive US-101 all the way to Astoria, check out all the lighthouses, you won't be disappointed. Or a side journey to Crater Lake, awesome.

**simply1** · 07-27-2012, 05:24 PM

Thanks, the lighthouses I hadn't thought about. Thinking of Crater Lake, not sure if we're going to make it or not

**terryleebr** · 07-27-2012, 05:33 PM

I second Crater Lake. It was "on the way" about 20 years ago. One of the highlights of the trip.

**KnappShack** · 07-27-2012, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by SoCalClone

Half Dome is a great and beautiful hike but the end is very scary and dangerous. You need good grip and upper body strength. I suggest doing it mid-week. Crowded weekends can be a zoo.

That final climb up the side of Half Dome looks like a real gut check....in more ways than one

**jaretac** · 07-27-2012, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by simply1

We're heading to Yosemite for a few days, and then up the CA coast to Oregon coast for several more days. Anyone been out that way?

My wife and I took our honeymoon in coos bay and roseburg in oregon. We stayed at the windmill inn in Roseburg for a few nights. It was a alright, but we enjoyed camping at Sunset bay state park near Coos Bay the best.

We drove up and saw the Sea Lion caves. It was a waste of money during early September as there wasn't any Sea Lions in the cave and they don't tell you that before hand. We also went to see the Aquarium in Newport. That is highly recommended. We also headed up toward Crater lake one day but we didn't do much because it rained.

**simply1** · 07-27-2012, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by KnappShack

That final climb up the side of Half Dome looks like a real gut check....in more ways than one

Yes, I'm thinking I'm not going to make that this time around.

**MissouriCyclone** · 07-27-2012, 06:43 PM

Grandparents live in Florence, Oregon right on Highway-101. Awesome region of the country! I would second the lighthouses, even though my favorite (Haceta Head Lighthouse) will be closed. However I think you can still go up the hill and take in the view. Mt. Perpetua is just north of Florence and also an awesome vantage point of the coast. I believe it's the highest spot on the coast. The Oregon dunes are sweet as well and you can rent quads or dune buggies to drive on the dunes and the beach. That area is mainly in between Coos Bay and Florence though. We usually go there every summer but plane tickets were too much this year. Have a good time!