There are many romantic towns up and down Oregon's 363-mile coastline that are worth visiting for those on a honeymoon getaway, but one gem of a town that should not be missed---one many Oregon couples have made a popular destination for weekend getaways---is Yachats.
Popular activities for couples while in Yachats include strolling on the beach, taking in the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area and the Cleft of the Rock Lighthouse as well as enjoying horseback riding, water sports and dune-buggy rides.
Bend, with a population of about 80,000, is the largest city in central Oregon and the most convenient location for access to the region's recreational options.
A not-to-miss experiences in Central Oregon includes a visit to The Lava River Cave, a 5,200-foot lava tube---the longest in Oregon---that is part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Couples can also drive to Tumalo State Park, which offers 58 tent campsites, 23 spaces for trailers with full utility hookups, seven yurts, two areas for group tents. and a camp strictly for hikers and bikers. Skiers can enjoy Mount Bachelor, a ski resort that operates a chairlift to the top of the mountain during summer months. The nearly 3,700 acres of skiable area at Mount Bachelor is one of the largest such areas in the Pacific Northwest, according to the Mount Bachelor Ski Resort website.
The nearby Sunriver Resort (http://www.sunriver-resort.com/) has accommodations that include a lodge, cabins and other vacation rentals from condos to brand-new, single-family homes.
The Columbia is the second-largest river in North America, according to the Columbia River Gorge Association. It runs more than 1,200 miles from Idaho to the Pacific Ocean. One of the more popular activities to do along the Columbia River Gorge is visiting the many breathtaking waterfalls the dot the canyon walls such as Multnomah Falls, located just east of Portland on I-84, Lower Oneonta Falls, accessible only during warmer months because reaching the falls requires wading up the creek at Oneonta Gorge, and Wahclella Falls, found near the Bonneville Dam, which is 40 miles east of Portland on I-84.
One resort known as a romantic getaway is the Multnomah Falls Lodge, located on the Historic Columbia River Highway near the town of Bridal Veil. The Multnomah Falls Lodge is known for its panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge and authentic northwestern cuisine served in a romantic setting.
Crater Lake, located about 60 miles north of the southern Oregon town of Klamath Falls, "has inspired people for hundreds of years," according to the U.S. National Park Service, although long central Oregon winters keep much of Crater Lake National Park closed until the summer. A nearby overnight destination is the Crater Lake Lodge, built in 1915 to provide sleeping quarters for visitors to the then-remote Crater Lake National Park.
One of the more overlooked activities---and, arguably, one of the most fun days you will spend in the Pacific Northwest---is dune-buggy riding at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, found just south of the town of Florence in the center of Oregon's coast.
The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area stretches from Florence to Coos Bay, about 40 miles along the Oregon Coast, where high-powered ocean winds sculpted and carved these "sand mountains," some of which tower more than 500-feet high.
Many private businesses offer rentals off ATVs, quads, dune buggies and even guided tours on cars retrofit so drivers and passengers can easily navigate the steep, sandy dunes.
A short drive down Highway 101 between Florence and Coos Bay is the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, a popular destination for couples looking for a honeymoon or romantic getaway in Oregon.
