Where to stay between Redwoods and Olympic

Question

Hello! Starting to plan our vacation for next July and have never been to the west coast. We’re going to spend several days at the Redwoods, then drive up to Olympic NP. We are wanting to drive highway 101 and stay 1 night to break it up. I was looking at staying in Newport- good place to stay or any better suggestions? Will be traveling with my husband and 2 teenage daughters. Thanks so much for any help!!

Answer

Driving from Redwood National Park to Olympic National Park along Highway 101 is a long but scenic route, and breaking the trip into at least one overnight stay is wise, especially when traveling with teens. Newport, Oregon is a popular coastal stop along this route, but it is somewhat east of Highway 101 and would require a detour. Depending on how far you want to drive in a day and the sights you want to see, there are several other good options.

Here are some suggestions for places to stay along the route:

Coos Bay / North Bend, OR: Roughly halfway between the Redwoods and Newport, these towns are right off Highway 101. They offer ocean views, casual dining, and reasonably priced hotels or motels. It’s a convenient stop to rest and explore the Oregon coast briefly.
Florence, OR: Slightly north of Coos Bay, Florence is a charming coastal town with dune parks and a historic old town area. It’s popular with families and has several mid-range hotels or vacation rentals.
Newport, OR: A larger coastal city with attractions like the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Yaquina Head Lighthouse, and plenty of restaurants. Newport is slightly east of Highway 101, so it adds some driving time, but it is a fun family-friendly stop with good amenities.
Bandon, OR: A smaller, picturesque coastal town with beautiful beaches and the iconic Bandon Rocks. It’s a quieter option if you prefer a scenic, less touristy stop along the way.

Additional tips for your overnight stop:

Book accommodations in advance, especially for July, as coastal towns fill up quickly in summer.
Consider staying somewhere near a scenic beach or viewpoint, so your family can stretch legs and enjoy the coast after the long drive.
If you want to shorten driving time the next day, aim for a stop roughly halfway between the Redwoods and Olympic NP, which might make Florence or Coos Bay ideal choices.

In summary, Newport is a fine option if you want a larger town with activities and dining options, but Florence or Coos Bay are slightly more convenient for highway travel and still offer coastal charm. Bandon is perfect if you prefer a quieter, scenic overnight stay.

Where to stay between Redwoods and Olympic

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