You’ve heard of the Pacific Coast Highway and the celebrity-ridden cities that are scattered across California, but have you considered what lies above and beyond this infamous state? Welcome to the States of Washington and Oregon.
A Pacific Northwest road-trip is the pinnacle of what a road-trip is meant to be; spontaneous, scenic and incredibly fulfilling. The possibilities of the Pacific Northwest are endless, whether you’re looking for the hustle and bustle of Seattle, the calmness and hippy vibe of Portland or the incredible beauty and serendipity of the Pacific Coast.
Seattle
The Emerald City is of course renowned for the ‘Space Needle’, a 605-foot tower that is recognizable from many parts of the City. From here I would recommend visiting Pike Place Market, a historic and alluring market that contains the first ever Starbucks coffee shop!
From personal experience, renting a bike and cycling alongside Lake Washington is a must-do for anyone visiting Seattle. It offers a great opportunity to view the city from numerous vantage points and offers incredibly scenic views of the lakes and the mansions and estates that encompass it.
The lake itself hosts numerous water-sports and a full-loop of the Lake consists of almost 100km of cycling! I recommend cycling from the City towards the University of Washington and enjoying a swim in one of the many waterfront parks!
Accommodation: I would recommend either AirBnB if you have the excess funds or a quick stay in a Motel 6, something you will hear about numerous times in this blog!
Portland
This city is famous for its motto ‘Keep Portland Weird’ and it certainly lives up to the hype. With a population of only 650,000 people and tax-free shopping, Portland is a quaint, yet wonderfully weird and cool city with lots to offer.
In tandem with the vibe of the whole city, ‘Portlandia’ is very famous for its super cool and hipster food scene and food carts so make sure to visit Prost! Marketplace, an OG food truck destination guaranteed to cater to your needs!
In keeping with our ‘budget & bike’ theme, I highly advise cycling alongside the Waterfront bike path on the West Side of the river or the Eastbank Esplanade, both of which offer amazing views of the cities unique skyline. If you’re brave enough and the weather permits, have a go at jumping from one of the numerous bridges that cross the Willamette River.
Accommodation: Again, it has to be Motel 6! For us students on a budget, Motel 6 offers a very simple and cheap method of sleeping your car-load of 5 people for under $60! Just don’t hang around the Carpark at night or look out your window!
Cannon Beach
Now it’s time to leave the City skylines and blazing lights behind and discover the true beauty of the Pacific Northwest!
Head West from Portland for 90 minutes, through a beautiful State Forest, and you will land upon Cannon Beach, a popular tourist location that features Haystack Rock - a 235 foot sea stack that juts into the Pacific Ocean. In 2013, National Geographic listed Cannon Beach as "one of the world's 100 most beautiful places" and its easy to understand why! The town itself is charming and reminiscent of a Hollywood movie set with numerous bookshops, cafe's, pubs and ice-cream shops hidden amongst its tight streets.
From here you can rent surfboards and get your first salty taste of the wild Pacific waves! One tip I have is to rent a wet-suit, the ocean and 30 degree weather might be enticing but Cannon Beach is renowned for its high winds, cloud formations and disruptive weather!
Accommodation: This is where we take ‘budget’ to the extreme. How about camping out on the beach or if the wind picks-up, try the car!
Newport
Newport is the self-proclaimed ‘funky capital’ of Oregon, and it lives up to this reputation by providing a range of activities and acclaimed restaurants filled with all types of characters.
After the long drive down the Oregon coastline from Cannon Beach, one must stop into ‘Mo’s Original Restaurant’ and experience their famous Clam Chowder and top-notch service. A whale watching trip is hugely advised and this once in a lifetime opportunity can be done for as little as $30.
This hip and unconventional seaside enclave contains numerous museums including a Ripleys Believe It or Not!, an Undersea Garden and ‘The Wax Works’. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is another must-visit with tickets from $20
Accommodation: Motel 6 Newport Beach.
Oregon Dunes
The final stop on your road trip is going to be the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. This attraction stretches for 65km and consists of the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. Some of these dunes reach 150 m above sea level and create an otherworldly ecosystem of ocean, forest’s and desert. The area is inhabited by a wide variety of species – from grey whales, to bald eagles, sea lions and elk.
The beaches that accompany the dunes are uncompromised and spotless, providing blissful views of the Pacific Ocean with towering dunes in the foreground. This is the wonder of the Pacific Northwest personified!
The previous two stops have hopefully allowed you to save some pennies in order to enjoy the Dunes the best way possible – by driving Dune Buggy’s or ATV’s across the sand slopes. . A one hour Giant Dune Buggy Tour costs $18 from Sandland.com and is a great way to round off your road trip!
Accommodation: Try your hand at camping out on the Dunes!
Thanks for reading this blog by Student Wanderlust and make sure to share the blog with your travelling friends or family!