This adventure took me on an amazing road trip through Oregon, where I explored charming towns, volcanic lakes, beautiful coastlines, and fun places to stay. There was so much to see, and I had an incredible time!

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Exploring Ashland: A Town Full of Books and Theater

My first stop was Ashland, Oregon, a fun and friendly town with lots to explore!

📚 So many bookstores!

• Ashland has some really cool independent bookstores, like Bloomsbury Books, which has a whole section just for Shakespeare!
• I loved browsing through all the books and finding some new stories to read.

🎭 Home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival

• Ashland is famous for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF), which started in 1935 and brings amazing plays to town every year!
• Even if you don’t watch a play, the town has a fun and creative vibe.

🍦 Tasty ice cream & fun places to walk

• I found a great ice cream shop and enjoyed strolling around town.
• The people in Ashland were really nice, and it was such a fun place to explore!

💙 Autism-Friendly Tip: Ashland is a great town for walking and exploring at your own pace, with plenty of quiet spots to take a break.

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Playing at the Rogue River

After leaving Ashland, I made a stop at the Rogue River, which was just as cool as the Sacramento River!

🌊 Beautiful views – The water was clear and sparkled in the sun.
💦 Fun to explore – Some people were rafting, but I just loved skipping rocks and watching the river.

💙 Autism-Friendly Tip: Rivers can be calming and peaceful, great for a sensory break during a road trip.

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Crater Lake National Park – A Volcano Turned Into a Lake!

One of the most amazing places on my trip was Crater Lake National Park.

🌋 A lake inside a volcano!

• Crater Lake was once Mount Mazama, a giant volcano that erupted 7,700 years ago.
• Over time, the crater filled with water and became the deepest lake in the U.S.!

💙 Super Blue Water – The lake is SO blue because it’s filled with rain and snowmelt—no rivers flow into it!

🚗 Rim Drive – We drove around the 33-mile loop around the crater and saw the lake from different viewpoints.

💰 Entrance Fee: $30 per vehicle to visit the park.

💙 Autism-Friendly Tip: Some viewpoints get crowded, so visiting early in the morning or late in the day makes it more peaceful.

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A Fun Stop in Bend, Oregon

Next, I stayed in Bend, Oregon for a night, and it was such a fun city!

🍔 Great food & family-friendly breweries

• Bend has lots of breweries, but most of them are super kid-friendly!
• Many have play areas, games, and amazing burgers and fries.

🏞️ Outdoor fun everywhere

• The city has rivers, mountains, and trails, so there’s always something to explore.
• It’s a great stop for families who love being outdoors!

💙 Autism-Friendly Tip: Bend has a mix of bustling areas and quiet parks, so there’s something for everyone’s comfort level.

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The Allison Inn & Spa – A Family-Friendly Luxury Stay

On my way to the coast, I stayed at The Allison Inn & Spa in Willamette Valley.

🍇 In the heart of Oregon wine country

• Even though the area is known for wineries, the inn was very family-friendly!

🌿 Beautiful grounds to walk around

• There were statues, gardens, and trails to explore.

🏊 Indoor pool fun!

• I loved playing in the pool after a long drive.

💙 Autism-Friendly Tip: The peaceful atmosphere and open spaces make it a great place to relax.

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The Oregon Coast – A Breathtaking Drive from Cannon Beach to Gold Beach

After exploring inland Oregon, it was time to head to the coast!

🏖️ Cannon Beach – I started at this famous beach with its huge Haystack Rock and long, sandy shores.
🏨 Headlands Coastal Lodge – I stayed halfway down the coast, and the views were incredible.
🏄 Gold Beach & Beyond – I made my way south, stopping at different beaches along the way.

🌬️ Climbing a Big Sand Dune

• Near the lodge, I hiked a huge sand dune, but it was super windy and hard to climb!
• Even though it was tough, the view from the top was amazing!

💙 Autism-Friendly Tip: The Oregon Coast has lots of quiet beach spots, perfect for a peaceful sensory experience.

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Driving Through Wildlife Safari in Brookings, Oregon

Before heading back to California, I made a stop at the Wildlife Safari in Brookings.

🚗 A drive-through animal park!

• I got to see animals up close without even leaving the car!
• Some animals walked right up to us, which was so fun.

💙 Autism-Friendly Tip: Drive-through safaris are great for animal lovers who might not enjoy crowded zoos.

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Final Thoughts on My Oregon Road Trip

This was one of my biggest adventures yet, and it was so much fun! I loved exploring rivers, mountains, lakes, and beaches, and I can’t wait for my next trip.

Would I do it again? YES! Oregon has so many more places to explore, and I’d love to come back!

Until next time!

💙 Avery