Tips for Visiting Bend & travel to there

So...I LOVED our trip to Northern-most California and the Central Oregon.  We explored the Bend area, as well as Shasta and Redding, California.  Fell in love with the area...and I can tell you that this will NOT be our last trip there!!

Because it is fire season, we did little-to-no-planning for the trip ( hadn't even decided where we would go until 1-2 weeks prior) to ensure there were no fires or smoke in the area.

We decided upon Bend because we had never been.  We had heard that the weather in October could range form 80's to 40's...and that was about right!!  The beginning of our trip started with high 70's and 80's and by the end fo the trip there were snow in the forecast!  Loved having the range of seasons, although made it challenging to pack.

It was an 8 hour drive from the bay area, so we decided to break up the driving and stopped/played at the half way point, Redding.  Initially we just expected to stop for sleep, but then we quickly realized there were things to explore there.  

Here are the the HIGHLIGHTS from REDDING/SHASTA:

• Sundial bridge @turtlebay_redding, which is an impressive bridge that crosses over the Sacramento River.  Day or night ( we did both) and each had a totally different experience.  It is part of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park which looks fun, we just ran out of time.
• @CavernsShasta was an awesome boat ride across Shasta Lake to a remote cave for a cave tour, lead by Cave Dave (who was so informative and amazing!)  I have done a lot of caves in the past, but this was intimate even though it was lead by a tour guide.  It is a historical
• Outdoor dining was little tricky(since there as not too much), but we scored a great dinner and breakfast @mosaic_redding, not to mention the outdoor seating was like in a jungle!  

In Bend we stayed at 2 different places - First we spent 4 days in Sunriver (20 miles south of Bend) and stayed at the @riverpines house - couldn’t have been more perfect!  It was a log cabin that had tons of activities and amenities, including a fuse ball table, a ping pong table, a basketball hoop, kayak’s, fat tire bikes & cruiser bikes, a  Pac Man video game, and a Hottub.  All of this nestled in the woods.  We had loads of fun here.

Then we also stayed at @riverhousebend, which was a great hotel right on the Deschutes River.

Some of the ACTIVITIES we explored in the the BEND area was:

• We kayaked/paddle boarded 7 miles down the Deschutes River @sunriverresort.  Words can’t articulate the beauty of this ride!  We were lucky as it was the last day on the river before they packed up for the winter - and it just so happened to be the last warm day as well.  Best river float I have ever done!  Plus we saw blue herons, loads of chipmunks, and even a river otter.  Best part, is that they had a bus waiting for us to bring us back up the river.
• Hiked and explored Lava Tunnel Caves at Boyd Cave @bendtrails.  Have never hiked the high desert, and it was so interesting.  The kids loved seeing all the lava rocks and especially exploring the lava tunnel cave.  They are now officially spelunkers!
• Visited the @highdesertmuseum - I was very impressed with this museum. Loads of information of the area as well as early settlers. Plus they have 3 river otters that are too cute!  It is a must , if you are i the area. And all ages were in engaged.
• Paulina Creek Falls and Lake in the Newberry Volcanic Monument.  There is a short trail to the top, and then a little longer trail to the bottom for better views.  After taking both and having a picnic lunch, we decided to keep hiking to the Lake.  
• Crater Lake is a MUST!!  It is an old Volcano Lake that is so incredible.  You can drive along the rim and stop at different trails around the opening.  The bonus part was the snow!  Because ou

PLACES TO EAT:

• At @10barrelbrewing, they had an awesome outdoor fire to keep everyone warm for outdoor dining. The beer was awesome and the kids meals we served on a frisbee, which they got to keep!
• We stopped for and afternoon drink/eat and couldn’t have found a better spot to do it.  @bendbrewingco was one of the only beer gardens that was right on the river.  So beautiful with the leaves changing colors.  
• @thumpcoffee - yum, yum, yum!  Their drip coffee was wonderful - but the real winner was the breakfast sandwich!   When I had lived in Portland, the one thing I remember was the the best breakfasts and it seems Bend has that going for them too!

I highly recommend visiting Bend...and especially in October.  I would bet visiting during summer and/or winter has it's own specialness, but I can tell you that during Fall there so much to do, the weather was perfect and the contrast of the changing of the leaves added so much beauty!

Vacations are so important for mental health...and after a hiatus from traveling, I couldn't have been more happy with this trip as well as rejuvenated.

 
What is your next trip???