LATIMES.COM/TRAVEL SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2019 L9 ROAD TRIPS PLACES TO GO SHORT HOPS, BIG MEMORIES These six adventures pack lot into a little. Splash around the Pacific Northwest or hike in New Mexico. Soak in Colorado’s hot springs or relax amid the oranges in Ojai. GLIDE ALONG THREE SCENIC OREGON CAPES By Alex Pulaski Tillamook Portland Bay approx. Cape 101 60 miles The route: Oregon 131 from Tilla- Meares mook to Cape Meares through 131 Tillamook Netarts and Oceanside, then Oceanside backtrack south on Oregon 131 Netarts 131 and Whiskey Creek Road past Cape Lookout, following Cape Whiskey Lookout Road and Sandlake Creek Road Road south to Cape Kiwanda and 101 Pacific City. Plentiful signs mark Cape Cape Lookout Lookout the Three Capes Scenic Loop Road route. OREGON Pacific Miles: About 75 miles round trip Ocean from Tillamook, or 275 miles round trip from Portland. Sandlake Road Cape Best time: Late spring, summer Kiwanda or fall for best weather and to 101 avoid muddy trails, but we got lucky on a sunny weekend in early Pacific City March. 5 MILES Why: Oregon’s coast is magnifi- Sources: Nextzen, OpenStreetMap cent, and this popular threesome Los Angeles Times of capes — Meares, Lookout and Kiwanda — and environs offer ocean views. A flair for adven- breathtaking views, hikes, ture runs throughout the prop- beaches, ice cream, beer and erty: Note the in-room hooks to adventure. Pastoral Tillamook hang bikes and surfboards. County’s dairies give way to wind- ing roads, tiny towns and the Memorable meal: “Everybody rapidly evolving destination of must get sconed,” proclaim the Pacific City. tie-dyed T-shirts at the Grateful Bread Bakery in Pacific City. Highlights: Start at the Tilla- One bite of a warm blueberry mook Creamery, then add a stop white chocolate scone will dem- (or two or three) along the North onstrate why locals and visitors Coast Food Trail, perhaps at the have kept this breakfast joint gift shop and production facility humming since 1991. for Jacobsen Salt Co., the first Pacific Northwest concern to Tourist trap or treat: A tasty harvest ocean salt since Lewis treat all the way, the Tillamook and Clark in 1805. Hiking oppor- Creamery visitor center has tunities are abundant, starting drawn fans since 1949, and the with a short hike at Cape Meares opening of a new facility in June to the lighthouse, which is open 2018 has improved the experi- May-September. Trails at Cape ence mightily. The new center is Lookout are shady; after about modern and airy and allows for half a mile the trees thin, reveal- better viewing of the cheese- ing a stunning shoreline view to making process. Be prepared for the south. Hike Cape Kiwanda, summer weekend crowds wait- paddle the nearby Nestucca River ing to dig into cheddar cheese and watch the sun go down at curds or Malted Moo Shake ice Pelican Brewing Co. cream. Memorable stay: Since opening Plan to spend: This trip can be in early 2018, Pacific City’s Head- done in a day, even from Port- lands Coastal Lodge & Spa has land, but an overnight stay is aimed high and hit the mark with recommended to enjoy the views Steve McAlister Getty Images sumptuous surroundings and and hikes. VISITORS flock to Multnomah Falls, just outside of Portland, Ore., so get an early start. EMBRACING MT. HOOD Columbia River. Take in views By Alex Pulaski from your balcony or from the 5 WASHINGTON Bingen on-site Riverside restaurant, The route: From Portland, Ore., 205 where the breakfast (think a drive east on Interstate 84, cross 14 tostada with house-made cho- 35 the Bridge of the Gods toll bridge OREGON rizo and roasted poblano pep- Portland 84 to Washington 14 east to Bingen, Mt. Hood pers) is exceptional. Wash. Then head south over the 26 Hood River Bridge (toll) and Memorable meals: Craft brew- 5 Government Oregon 35 through Hood River to eries in Hood River are outstand- 10 MILES Camp 26 Mt. Hood. To return to Portland, ing for food and drink, notably 26 head west on U.S. 26 from Govern- Sources: Nextzen, OpenStreetMap Ferment Brewing Co. for a warm ment Camp. Los Angeles Times hummus and flatbread platter and a complex, herbal Bière de Miles: About 170 miles round trip beer, cider and spectacular views Garde; pFriem Family Brewers from Portland; add 45 miles for a of Mt. Hood to the south and Mt. for a kale salad, crispy Brussels side trip to the Dalles. Adams to the north. sprouts and a smooth pilsner; and Double Mountain Brewery Best time: Summer and fall for Highlights: Multnomah Falls for a mushroom and mozzarella prime weather and farm-fresh draws more than 2 million visitors pizza, live music and a crisp produce. annually for the views and hikes, Kölsch. so try to arrive before 11 a.m. to get Why: The Columbia River Gorge parking. Spend a morning or Tourist trap or treat: It requires National Scenic Area is a wonder- afternoon on a white-water raft- a 25-minute drive east from Hood land of hiking trails and incredible ing trip, where near-nonstop River to the Dalles, but the Na- views. It contains a big chunk of rapids left us soaked and giggling. tional Neon Sign Museum is well the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway, The city of Hood River is a magnet worth it. The streetscape up- which can by enjoyed by adven- for an afternoon stroll through the stairs left me feeling as though I turers in search of world-class vibrant downtown, with shops had stumbled onto Main Street wind surfing on the Columbia, peddling books, outdoor gear, USA, circa 1950. white-water rafting on the White spirits, wine and art. Salmon River or snow skiing at Plan to spend: This loop can Mt. Hood Meadows. Or you can Memorable stay: The comfort- easily be done in a day, but plan Marcus Yam Los Angeles Times take it slowly and enjoy Hood able Best Western Plus Hood to spend the night to enjoy the A PARAGLIDER floats at Cape Kiwanda near Pacific City, River County’s fresh fruit, craft River Inn is perched on the outdoors and urban experience. Ore. Visit the city’s Grateful Bread Bakery for a scone..