S8 S U N DAY, J U N E 11, 2 017 L ATI M E S .

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ROAD TRIPS PLACES TO GO

A MICROCOSM OF OREGON’S COAST

Dan Mihai Getty Images

THE DAWN is lovely along the Columbia River in Astoria, Ore. If you can drag yourself away from the view of the Astoria-Megler Bridge, visit the town’s shops.

other seabirds; low tide also creates Astoria, where you can watch
By Alex Pulaski 101
opportunities to explore tide pools. majestic ships pass.
10 MILES
Astoria Columbia After getting back on 101, consider a
River
The route: Cannon Beach north to 30 stop to grab taffy in Seaside or a Memorable meal: For a special
Astoria on U.S. 101, the Oregon bike exploration of Fort Stevens occasion, spend $149 per person
Pacific 30
Coast Highway, to the Astoria- Ocean 101 WASHINGTON State Park (www.lat.ms/fort (wine pairing included) on the
Megler Bridge at the Oregon-Wash- stevens) near Warrenton. Also near energetic dinner cooking demon-
ington line. Warrenton is Lewis and Clark stration at EVOO Cannon Beach
O R E G O N National Historical Park (www (evoo.biz). Or try amazingly fresh
Cannon 26
Miles: About 25 miles one way, or Beach .nps.gov/lewi) and its replica of Ft. fish at Ecola Seafoods (ecola
200 miles for a loop from Portland 5 Clatsop, where the explorers win- seafoods.com), also in Cannon
on U.S. 30 and 26. tered in 1805. Make time to visit the Beach.
30 small but high-quality Columbia
Best time: Summer for warm days River Maritime Museum (www Tourist trap or treat: Treat all the
Vancouver
and seabirds near Cannon Beach; 101 .crmm.org) in Astoria, and end the way. It’s off the beaten track, but
September for fair weather and 26 day with a climb up the 164 steps of stop in the tiny community of
smaller crowds; winter for wild 30 the picturesque Astoria Column Gearhart for a buttery pastry and
Portland
storms. Sources: Mapzen, OpenStreetMap (www.astoriacolumn.org). coffee at Pacific Way Bakery & Cafe
Lou Spirito Los Angeles Times (pacificwaybakery-cafe.com), now
Why: Oregon’s scenic coast is cap- Memorable stay: Two terrific in its 29th yummy year.
tured in microcosm along this namesake column, a landmark winding Ecola State Park Road possibilities here, either the ultra-
northern stretch, from wide and tower. (www.lat.ms/ecolasp) to the majes- comfortable oceanfront Surfsand Plan to spend: About 1 1⁄2 hours for
walkable beaches, headlands and tic headlands. The view of Hay- (www.surfsand.com) for a beach the drive alone, but you will want to
an iconic sea stack in Cannon Highlights: Pull off 101 and take a stack Rock below is breathtaking. bonfire in Cannon Beach or the make it a full day from Portland or
Beach to Astoria’s charming shops quick tour of quaint downtown From April to August, the rock is chic Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa spend a night in Cannon Beach,
and an incredible view from its Cannon Beach before driving up home to nesting tufted puffins and (www.cannerypierhotel.com) in Gearhart, Seaside or Astoria.

CURVE AROUND THE RIM OF THE WORLD

Christopher P. Baker Getty Images / Dorling Kindersley

SILVERWOOD LAKE in San Bernardino County is a state reservoir and recreation area that is full of water, thanks to recent rains. It is along a scenic byway.

drop for many TV shows. Drive Mexican Grill (www.hortencias.us)

By Rosemary McClure MORMON
15
Silverwood through desert scrub as you ascend in Crestline. This new family-run
ROCKS Lake 18
to Silverwood Lake (www.lat.ms/ Mexican restaurant serves tradi-
138
The route: Rim of the World Scenic silverwoodlake), a state reservoir tional favorites.
173 Lake
Byway crisscrosses the spine of the Big Bear and recreation area. At Crestline,
Arrowhead Lake
San Bernardino Mountains from turn onto California 18 and watch Tourist trap or treat: Treat. Buy a
the Cajon Pass to San Gorgonio Crestline 18
for awesome rim-of-the-world U.S. Forest Adventure Pass ($5 a
18 Big Bear 38
Pass, encompassing parts of Cali- City views of the San Bernardino Valley. day or $30 a year)at businesses,
fornia 138, 18 and 38. The route, 215
18 Running More spectacular views await as ranger stations and online at
15 330
which tops out at about 7,000 feet, Springs 38 you travel Rim Highway from Snow www.lat.ms/adventurepass. The
offers jaw-dropping views. 210 Valley to Big Bear Lake. At the passes are required in local na-
San Bernardino 210 dam, turn onto California 38, stop- tional forests.
Miles: About 110 miles on mostly 10 38
ping at the Big Bear Lake Discov-
two-lane, curving mountain roads. 5 MILES ery Center (www.lat.ms/discov Don’t miss: The National Chil-
215
10 erycenter) for hiking ideas. dren’s Forest, about half a mile east
Sources: Mapzen, OpenStreetMap
Best time: Late spring and sum- of Running Springs.The forest,
Lou Spirito Los Angeles Times
mer for cool temperatures, clear Memorable stay: Best Western Big replanted by kids after the devas-
skies and wildflowers such as pur- Bear Chateau (www.lat.ms/big tating Bear Fire of 1970, has an
ple lupine. Visit in fall for autumn mountain communities, including Highlights: The Scenic Byway bearchateau) is pet-friendly and accessible nature trail.
colors and in winter for snow-cov- Crestline, Lake Arrowhead and Big begins at Mormon Rocks in the nicely landscaped.Doubles from
ered forest views. Bear Lake. The roadway follows Cajon Pass, just west of Interstate less than $100 a night. Plan to spend: The better part of a
trails and rutted wagon routes used 15 on California 138. The sandstone day to allow caution on the curves
Why: The route links some of by explorers, horse thieves, miners, formations here, named for Mor- Memorable meal: Awesome views and maximum enjoyment of the
Southern California's best-known loggers and more. mon pioneers, were used as a back- of the valley await at Hortencia’s views.