We want you to fall in love with Oregon’s Seven Wonders, and we’re here to help you visit them all. We think you need at least two weeks, and we offer the following itinerary to get you started. Don’t forget the camera, you’ll be taking lots of photos and we invite you to share them with us on social media: Instagram: @oregonbedandbreakfastguild or facebook: @oregonbedandbreakfastguild. #oregonbedandbreakfast #traveloregon
Day 1: Portland
Known for its parks, bridges and bicycle paths, as well as for its eco-friendliness and its microbreweries and coffeehouses you’ll want to take at least one day to explore Portland, this energetic city that’s cradled between the Willamette and Columbia rivers.
The Fulton House awaits your arrival. Settle into your room, freshen up and leave the car behind. Portland’s great public transportation will take you pretty much anywhere you want to go and your hosts will have way too many culinary choices for your meals.
Days 2: Oregon Coast
From Portland head out to our first Wonder, the Oregon Coast. It’s possible to drive the entire Pacific Coast Scenic Byway in a single day. But why would you when could easily create an itinerary that includes stays at member inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild in Oceanside, Lincoln City to Port Orford? Take a few days and enjoy and the stunning Oregon Coast. The drive alone is one for the bucket list.
Day 4: This will be a travel day as you’re looking at about 3 hours from the Oregon Coast to Prospect Oregon and the Prospect Hotel, the closest B&B and dinner house to Crater Lake. Linger overnight and stroll around their gardens or take a short hike to one of the many waterfalls nearby: Barr Creek Falls and Pearsoney Falls to name but a couple.
Day 6: Crater Lake, Crater Lake National Park and on towards Smith Rock State Park. The 33-mile rim drive around Crater Lake offers various viewpoints of the gorgeous crystal-blue waters of the caldera lake and the cinder cone in the center, called Wizard Island. From the lake to your next Wonders would be about a 2.5 hour drive so I would suggest staying over in Bend. So much to see and do along the way: Paulina Lake and Falls, the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, The High Desert Museum and so much more.
Day 7: Smith Rock – You won’t be driving far today (approx 144 miles), but it will take you some time to get where you’re going, 2 Wonders, Smith Rock and the Painted Hills. Enjoy scenic views of geological wonders, deep river canyons., and miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Along your trip through the canyon, you might see golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, river otter and beaver.
On to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument where your first stop is at the Painted Hills Unit. Distinguished by varied stripes of red, tan, orange, and black, this area preserves a sequence of past climate change. The Painted Hills Unit also contains a diverse assemblage of leaf fossils aging 39-30 million years old called the Bridge Creek Flora, and a small outcropping of rock containing animal fossils from 30-27 million years ago. Wilson Ranches Retreat will be the perfect spot to lay your travel weary head. Maybe spend a day or two here just to relax before heading out towards Eastern Oregon.
Day 9: Today you’ll travel the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway towards Baker City. Visit the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center before heading to Joseph and the Wallowa Mountains. Joseph is surrounded by the breathtaking Wallowa Mountains and is often referred to as Oregon’s Little Switzerland. A little gem of a town with enormous charm. It’s a one-of-a-kind place rich in history, art, recreation and agriculture. The Wallowas are surrounded by the remote Eagle Cap Wilderness, glacial lakes, working ranches and the wide open spaces of Eastern Oregon. Take time to visit Wallowa Lake and ride the Wallowa Lake Tram for breathtaking views. The Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast in beautiful Joseph, Oregon.
Day 12: Travel west towards your sixth Wonder, majestic Mt Hood, Oregon’s tallest peak at 11, 240′. Stay the night at the Old Parkdale Inn, where you’re just a short walk into downtown Parkdale, home to Solera Brewery and Apple Valley BBQ, and minutes to the Mt Hood National Forest. The Hood River Fruit Loop is located in the beautiful Hood River Valley at the foot of majestic Mt. Hood offering you a variety of wines, fruits, vegetables, flowers, ciders, and food. Miles and miles of hiking and biking trails await.
A spectacular view from the Solera Brewery Beer Garden – photo credit Old Parkdale Inn
Day 14: The drive down I-84 towards Portland take you into the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the 7th Wonder of Oregon. Explore Waterfall Alley along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Bid farewell to the Gorge with a hike before heading for the Willamette Valley Wine County,
Oh, the wonder of it all. You’ve packed a bunch of Oregon into just 2 weeks. As a person who loves road trips and one who has driven to all of Oregon’s 7 Wonders I would suggest adding another week. As you flip through your photos from your Seven Wonders road trip on the way back home, take comfort knowing you can come back and do it all over again, one Wonder at a time.
Putting the trip into perspective
The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild offers a wide variety of inns, from a small guest cottage or two-room bed and breakfast to a larger country inn or small historic hotel.
Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.
Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority.
Although mask guidelines are lifted:
● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.
● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.
We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly kind to yourself.
