Seattle & Alaska Cruise - Looking For Post Cruise Ideas

[RollWave]

We are planning to take an Alaskan cruise out of Seattle this summer. 

 

Post cruise we would like to spend some time (maybe a week) checking out the West coast area. Giving thought to going to the Oregon coast.

 

Would like some ideas on where to go and what to see - we really like coastal areas, charming towns, scenic drives.

 

Feel free to share your ideas or favorite spots!

 

Thanks!!!

[ymncruise]

Mount Rainier, Mount Saint Helens, and the Hood River Gorge are pretty nice areas. 

[Ferry_Watcher]

The coast is so beautiful and wild.  Some ideas:

 

https://oregonisforadventure.com/oregon-coast-road-trip/

[Gardyloo]

The list of possible routes is very long.  The Oregon coast certainly is appealing, but (IMO) the most scenic part is the southernmost 60 or 70 miles, which is a good two days' drive from Seattle not counting stops or detours.  

 

What month will you be cruising?  It can make a difference:  too early (May/June) and many mountain areas are still snowy; and by late summer (August/September) many mountain areas can be prone to fires and smoke (sadly more common now than in the past.)  

 

There are "loop" trips that could be appealing - a loop of the Olympic Peninsula can give you stunning coastline along the Olympic National Park coastal strip, or amazing rain forests like the Hoh or Quinault valleys, or beautiful Hurricane Ridge.  But for "charming towns," not so much (with some exceptions like Port Townsend.)  

 

Or you could do a loop that includes Mt. Rainier, Mount Hood and the Hood River Valley, the Columbia River Gorge and amazing Cape Disappointment at the (awesome) mouth of the Columbia.  Google the places on this map - https://*****.com/rainierhood

 

Or if you didn't mind a one-way surcharge on a rental car, a week is a terrific timeframe to drive from Seattle to San Francisco via the southern Oregon coast and through the redwoods.  If you haven't seen the redwoods, this route will leave you gobsmacked.  Again, google the places.  https://*****.com/hoodredwoods

 

One thing I'd probably suggest is not duplicating the sorts of scenery you'll see on the cruise - coastal islands, glaciated mountains, etc.  

 

But let us know the month and we can be more helpful.