Hey guys, I just booked a 4 night stay at Oregon's Umpqua Lighthouse State Park. My girlfriend mentioned that she had heard about Oregon's yurts and that she would love to try one out - so - I figured that a surprise trip would make a great Christmas gift. We will be visiting in late July of 2011. Just looking for any input from locals - was this a good idea? Bad? Any experiences at this park or any others to recommend? Perhaps this was a question to ask before I made the reservation... Additionally, I'd be interested in feedback on what to do while I'm in the area - I'm especially interested in nature - whales & other wildlife, hiking, scenery etc. Also, anything car related would be great to know about of course. My girlfriend and I are both huge fans of good food, but we will be on a tighter budget. This is maybe not the most Ferrari specific thread in Fchat history, but where else do I have access to the knowledge offered by a community of Oregon locals?? No really, where else? Anybody know? Thanks in advance.
Late July...you will find the State Parks are filled nearly to capacity. IOW, there are going to be lots of people and dogs around. Right now (December), the parks are nearly empty. April/May or September/October are good compromise months...chance of decent weather and not as many people. BUT...no matter when and no matter how many others are around, you will find lots of nature, hiking, reasonably priced good food. If you like to cook, you will find LOTS of fresh seafood available. A small BBQ grill can make a very nice gourmet meal. Oregon is pretty mellow about beer/wine/bbqs on the beach. If you don't like to cook, ask the locals. Oregon is FULL of good, reasonably priced food. Food, alcohol and coffee get us through the rainy months (...July won't be rainy, but we do like to keep our skills honed year-round). In addition to whales, be prepared to see eagles...they are commonly seen on the Oregon coast. Head inland and spend a bit of time in the Coast Range...there, you might see elk, eagles, etc. The best I can do for "car related" is there are some great roads in Oregon. Almost any road that cuts from I-5 to the coast is fun and full of twisties.
You will be on the southern coast. Beautiful beachs and plenty of trails to hike up in the Coast Range. Lots to see and do, and more if you're willing to drive a little bit. Sea Lion Caves, Oregon dunes where you can rent a dune buggy, walking along beautiful beaches in Bandon, which also has lots of nice little restaurants and food shops, the Oregon Coast Aquarium about an hour north in Newport. Just driving up the coast is beautiful and never crowded. The big car events on the coast are on the northern end and occur earlier in the year. A Ferrari gathering in Cannon Beach in late Spring and the exotic car show at the Salishan Lodge in Glen Eden around Father's Day.
A circular hut or tent on a raised wooden platform. Mongolian in origin, I think. Sort of a "campsite deluxe."
There is a decent tribal casino north of there in Florence, if you like that sort of thing. A pretty respectable artist scene there, too: I bought several paintings: high quality, inexpensive. Heck, one guy at the harborside Saturday market in Florence was selling new violins with bow and case for $85. For sure, rent some quads and ride the dunes: great fun, and pretty unique.
From what I have heard from buddies who wives/girlfriends that wanted to stay in a Yurt... Yes this was a bad idea.. But you are committed so stick with it.. I just hope you like her a lot.... A LOT!!! Hopefully it's only one night... But for the budget minded folks it is a pretty good nature loving experience or for those who just want to reflect on life as it is in Berkley CA...
Every summer I take the family to the yurts at Promontory Park on the Clackamas River, and we love it. You are up off the ground and have bunks with mattresses, but when you are outside you are camping in the woods. Did you get deluxe yurts? If so, it is pretty much a soft walled motel room, with your own restrooms, TV and a kitchen. You have to go to the dunes. If you don't want to pilot your own sand buggys, there are big ones that take like 20 people at a time on a pretty good thrill ride. You will have a blast!
Check out this link: http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/deluxe.shtml#The_Umpqua_Lighthouse_Yurt I've stayed in them as well as the little cabins. VERY nice - sort of halfway between doing a tent and staying in a motor home. Kinda cozy and Oregon parks are kept up NICE. Expect HEAVY CROWDS in July (to the OP, not you Brock ) Jedi
That's like a 5 hour drive from where he's staying and there are a TON of nearer spots to stay in, in a variety of price ranges. I looked at the link to the Umpqua Lighthouse yurt; looks really nice and should be a great trip. Have a wonderful time!
