Attractions

Just four hours from Portland, the Sea Lion Caves features the largest sea cave in the world and an opportunity to see not only sea lions, but scores of other wildlife in their natural habitat.

What to Bring: The temperature inside the cave is the same as it is if you would be walking on the beach. In the winter, prepare for the colder temperatures. You will also need comfortable shoes as you will have to walk around in the cave for your best viewing angle.

If you are going to visit the Seaside Aquarium, and want to get the full experience, be prepared to get wet.

You come to the northern Oregon coastal town of Seaside for the elephant ears, and maybe for the salt; you stop for the elk on the side of the road. At least that’s what I did. Driving north over Tolovana Head from Cannon Beach on Highway 101, just before the Highway 26 junction that Portlanders use to reach the coast, there were a half-dozen huge, brown elk grazing on the side of the road. One had a single, spiked antler sticking out of his head that made him look like a super-sized Max, the loyal dog from How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

This tree sits on property settled in 1868 by W.S. Frazier, the founder of Milton, Oregon. The Frazier family carried the hickory nuts along the Oregon Trail from their home in Texas. The nuts were planted shortly after their arrival.

It is located on the grounds of the Frazier Farmstead Museum, 1403 Chestnut Street, Milton - Freewater, Oregon.

Approximate Height: 60'
Circumference: 6' 6"
Age: 125 years
Dedicated: April 4, 1998

Years ago a curious 7-year-old named Michael Jones followed an old-timer into the depths of one of Portland's residential hotels. Captain Grumpy, as Jones called him, was sick of the child's relentless questions about the old days. There in the dim light, Jones saw the answer to one of his questions for himself:

Yes, the Shanghai Tunnels of Portland existed.

 Perched on rugged sandstone cliffs high above the ocean, Shore Acres State Park is an exciting and unexpected combination of beautiful natural and constructed features. Once the grand estate of pioneer timber baron Louis Simpson, Shore Acres features lushly planted gardens with plants and flowers from all over the world. Something is in bloom almost every day of the year.

The Signature Oak at The Oregon Garden is the oldest and largest tree in a grove of Oregon white oaks that predates settlement of the Willamette Valley by European immigrants and their descendents. The latest native inhabitants of the region were the Santiam group of the Kalapuyan tribe. Native people in the region depended on oak groves as a source of acorns, camas and dear, important staples in their diet.

Since European settlement, the Signature Oak has been in the possession of a number of different owners. All were farmers of one sort or another.

Whether you are looking for a quick day trip, to hold a conference or an extended camping trip, Silver Falls State Park offers something for any length of stay.

"You can do everything from drive through the park and see a couple of falls from the road to setting up a tent and staying here for several days," says Steve Janiszewski, assistant area manager. "What you do at the park really varies on how long you want to stay."

Length: 55 miles / 88.0 km
Time to Allow: 90 mins, minimum. All day is reccommended.
Fees: Some state park and attractions charge fees.

Driving Directions: The Silver Falls Tour Route begins and ends on Interstate 5. Southbound, take Exit 271 in Woodburn; northbound, take Exit 248 near Turner. Just follow the signs and enjoy.

Fred Jensen, curator of the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum, more than just oversees the collection of artifacts and photographs in his downtown Florence museum, he shares the stories of the area.