Need advice for a Western Father / Son trip

[mgeez]

My father recently retired at the age of 72 and I promised for years to take him on a father / son vacation once he retires. The only place he has a desire to see is Howard Hughes Flying boat south of Portland Or. We are from the East coast and I really want to spend more time on the west coast other than the 1 day "Flying Boat", AKA Spruce Goose museum. I am looking for suggestions where else I could take him for the remainder of the week. I have a pile of Southwest buddy passes, so flights are not a problem. He likes Naval and Aircraft museums and tours. We are not into art or shopping. I do not want to drive more than 2 hrs from any Southwest terminal due to his age, although he is more than capable walking 2 miles at a time. I was thinking Hearst Castle, or a wine train in Napa Valley. I was wondering if anybody knows of other places he might be interested in, anywhere west of the Mississippi?

MGEEZ

 

[swift]

If California is in your plan I think your father would love Balboa Park in San Diego. There are some very nice timeshares near by that he would enjoy as well. The Lawrence Welk has a nice golf course if you two enjoy golf. http://www.welkgolfsandiego.com/index.asp

http://www.balboapark.org/

There are so many things to do and see in the Park:
museums ranging from art to science to air and space to natural history or anthropology
performing arts from plays at the Tony Award® -winning Old Globe to concerts on the magnificent Spreckels Organ Pavilion outdoor stage
lush landscaping and lovely gardens
the world famous San Diego Zoo
places for fun with families and recreation for all
and, of course, unique shopping, restaurants and casual outdoor dining.

 

[PStreet1]

In San Diego, I think he would enjoy touring the Midway. I went only because my husband wanted to go--and I found it fascinating. Most of the docents served on her during the war. We planned to spend about 2 hours and spent almost 5 (you can get food there, so you don't have to work around lunch).

 

[mgeez]

I will concentrate on the San Diego area. The Midway is an excellent recommendation. Thanks for the responses.
mgeez

 

[ricoba]

I agree San Diego is a great choice.

If you want to come up to Los Angeles area for a day, he may enjoy visiting the S.S. Lane Victory in San Pedro.

Very close to the Lane Victory, just across the bridge in Long Beach is the Queen Mary.

Over in Palm Springs, they have a very good air museum.

In San Diego, there is the Maritime museum with the Star of India.

 

[riverdees05]

Sounds like a great trip, wish I had done one with my Dad before he passed away.

 

[sun starved Gayle]

It would be a shame if all you saw in Oregon was the Spruce Goose in McMinnville! The museum is in the heart of Oregon wine country with dozens of wineries that you may visit and sample. Really lovely. Wonderful dining opportunities available.

www.willamettewines.com
www.yamhillvalley.org
www.sprucegoose.org

You will be only a short distance from the coast. Again, beautiful scenery around every turn. Highway 101 is a wonderful, yet curvey drive down the coast. In Tillamook, Oregon is a large air museum in an old World War Two blimp hanger with over 30 war planes exhibited among other things.

www.tillamookair.com

On the northern part of the coast near Astoria in Warrenton is Ft. Stevens State Park which was a military installation for over 100 years and is very well preserved with underground bunkers and the like. This was the only spot in the continental US to be fired on by the Japanese. Astoria has The Columbia River Maritme Museum and is an interesting Victorian era town founded by John Jacob Astor.

www.visitftstevens.com
www.crmm.org

None of these things would be more than a two , MAYBE two and a half hour drive from the airport.

Another attraction an hour away to the east from Portland is the Columbia River Gorge. Again beautiful scenery, with major waterfalls. More wine country on the Washington side of the river. This is a major windsurfing destination and watching these guys from the shore is a thrill.

www.crgva.org

And don't forget Washington State right across the river. A short flight from PDX or about a two and a half to three hour drive depending on the traffic will take you to Seattle and the Museum of Flight. They have a retired Aireforce One plane there that you can actually board and a retired Concorde, as well as a Blue Angel simulator and much much more. Anyone interested in avation would love this.

www.museumoffllight.org

If you drove you might want to check out Mt. St. Helens on the way up. Another interesting and worth while stop.

www.mtsthelens.com

Hope this might inspire you to do more than a day trip to the northwest!

Gayle

 

[pcgirl54]

What a nice adventure for you and your Dad. Please keep us posted on your travels with him.

 

[mgeez]

You will be only a short distance from the coast. Again, beautiful scenery around every turn. Highway 101 is a wonderful, yet curvey drive down the coast. In Tillamook, Oregon is a large air museum in an old World War Two blimp hanger with over 30 war planes exhibited among other things.

www.tillamookair.com

Gayle

Thanks so much Gayle. We never heard of Tilamook. It is now on our list of "must see" while in Oregon.
Mgeez

 

[bevans]

The Marine Corp Museum in San Diego is really great if he enjoys military style museums. He would find a lot of interesting history firsthand about the corp. Curt

 

[applegirl]

Oregon really is a beautiful state. You should try to see what you can there before venturing down to San Diego. While in San Diego, don't forget Temecula is about an hour away and is our nice SoCal wine country.

Definitely go to Balboa Park! So much to offer. Also, go see the Del Coronado Hotel on Coronado Island while in the neighborhood. Maybe watch "Some Like It Hot" before you go!

Janna

 

[Bill4728]

Oregon really is a beautiful state. You should try to see what you can there before venturing down to San Diego.


Janna

Although we love the SoCal area including San Diego. getting from Oregon to SD is a trip!!

If the Sprouse goose is the main reason for a west coast trip, I'd spend your time visiting Oregon & Washington.

 

[ricoba]

Although we love the SoCal area including San Diego. getting from Oregon to SD is a trip!!

If the Sprouse goose is the main reason for a west coast trip, I'd spend your time visiting Oregon & Washington.

I agree Bill, even though I gave local SoCal sites to see, I think there is lots to see and do in Oregon & Washington

In Seattle there is the Museum of Flight at the old Boeing Field.

And in Everett there is a tour of the Boeing plant.

 

[mlsmn]

Palm Springs has an air museum

 

[mgeez]

Thanks to all for the suggestions/recommendations. I put a trip together for my father based on many of your posts. Fly BWI to San Diego Oct 4, 3 days for Miramar Air Show, USS Midway tour, Balboa Park, Harbor cruise. Fly to Portland for 3 days for Evergreen Museum (Spruce Goose), Tilamook Air Museum, and if time, a winery tour. Fly to Albuquerque for 2 days for Balloon Fiesta.
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
Mgeez

 

[riverdees05]

Sounds like a really nice trip, what a great son you are to take your father to all these neat places. Have a wonderful time, just remember that he is 72 and may go at a slower pace than you.

 

[funtime]

Just got back from Tahoe with my 92 yr. old folks!

Took Mom and Dad to Tahoe for a week's stay at Lake Tahoe. I can heartily recommend it. It is so incredibly beautiful. You can fly into Reno and there are many timeshares to stay at. We were at the Wyndham in Zephr Cove, but there's a beautiful Marriott, a Hyatt, and many more.

There are many interesting things to do including boat rides on the lake. Scenic hikes around the lake and touring turn of the century waterfront mansions. We enjoyed the buffet at Harrah's casino with a stunning view of the lake from the 18th floor. You can also take a gondola ride up the mountain which is also an incredible experience.

We also drove over to Virginia City and Carson City in Nevada which were very interesting. We took a turn of the century train trip in Virginia City. There were also mines to visit, but they were closed when we were there.

The week went very fast. It's a great trip. There were many seniors out travelling. And we really felt like we were on vacation. It's truly a vacation destination. That's what we love about timeshares. You can really manage to travel with very elderly and still have a relaxed time.

 

[PStreet1]

Great trip. One caution: reservations can be very difficult to get for Balloon Festival.

 

[RDB]

There's much to do and see within 2 1/2 drive of Portland and Seattle airports.
Read these trip reports for many links in the western Oregon/Washington:

http://www.freewebs.com/tripwest/weekthree.htm and
http://www.freewebs.com/tripwest/weekfour.htm

Have an enjoyable time with Dad.

Robert

 

[RDB]

Another link you may care to look through before leaving Portland.
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2141/itinerary/53147

Robert

 

[mgeez]

Great trip. One caution: reservations can be very difficult to get for Balloon Festival.

Yes, I found out reservations were limited. I tried Reserving with Marriott Rewards, but no luck. Fortunately I had around 50,000 HHonors left and was able to get 2 nights at a Homeward Suites in ABQ.
I also added a daytrip to Seattle to the Museum of Flight. We will fly from SEA to ABQ Friday to catch the last weekend of events at Baloon Festival.

 

[PStreet1]

You're going to have a great trip! What a nice thing for both of you to have to remember. When you're in Albuquerque, check out El Pinto restaurant. It has charm and good food, and is a locals favorite also. It's in the North Valley. Take I-25 north to the exit for the Sandia Casino. For the Casino, you turn right. For El Pinto, you'll turn left. Be sure to call for reservations if you go, and get specific directions from them.

If you are interested in cliff art, the national momument there is a 30 min. drive, and a lot of the art is touchable within a 1 minute walk from the car--none of the trails are difficult, but some are so short and level that you can't even really call them "trails." It's the easiest place to see cliff art you'll ever find.