The Perfect 4-Day Road Trip From California to Oregon – Itinerary and More

Southern and Central Oregon is totally our vibe—waterfalls, moss-draped trees, and deep green forests that feel straight out of a fairytale (or an episode of Gravity Falls, if you’re into that kind of whimsical, mysterious forest energy).

We live in the Bay Area, and for the longest time, we put off a road trip to Oregon. It always felt just out of reach—like something that needed a full week off or a long stretch of vacation days we didn’t have.

But one day, I pulled up the map and actually looked at the drive time. And guess what? It was way more doable than we’d imagined. With just one vacation day and a little planning, we squeezed in the perfect Oregon getaway over 4 days (a 3-day weekend and a vacation day).

In just 4 days, we made it through 1 national park, 4 national forests, and 1 state park—each more magical than the last.

If you’ve been sleeping on Oregon because it feels too far, here’s your sign. In this post, I’m sharing our road trip itinerary, tips, and favorite stops to help you plan your own adventure. It’s a manageable, magical getaway—and such a refreshing change of scenery from California.

How many days do you need for a road trip from California to Oregon?

You could easily spend two weeks road tripping through Oregon — and still feel like there’s more to explore. From the wild coastline to the high desert, lush forests, and charming small towns, Oregon is full of contrasts that deserve time.

That said, our 4-day itinerary focuses on the southern and central regions, which are perfect if you’re short on time but still want to see waterfalls, national parks, hot springs, and lava fields. It’s a great introduction to Oregon’s natural beauty — especially if you’re road tripping up from California.

If you have more time, you could consider:

• Adding the Oregon Coast — with stops like Bandon, Florence, and Cape Perpetua
• Heading north to Portland and exploring the Columbia River Gorge
• Going east to the Alvord Desert, Steens Mountain, or the Painted Hills in the John Day Fossil Beds

Is an Oregon Road Trip worth it?

If you’re driving up from California, you might wonder if the drive is too long for a short trip — we felt that too! But, believe me it’s a 100% worth it — especially if you love the outdoors, scenic drives, and a little bit of that off-the-beaten-path magic.

Oregon has this dreamy mix of geography, landscapes, and quiet highways that wind through it all. One day you’re hiking behind a waterfall, and the next you’re walking on ancient lava fields. There’s something about the pace, the space, and the wildness here that feels different — quieter, softer, slower.

This itinerary will cover a variety of different places the state has to offer — we’ll hike to waterfalls, drive through some of the most scenic roads of the state, visit hot springs in the wild, hike along the purest lake on Earth, walk over ancient lava beds, visit the Zion National Park of Oregon, enjoy Oregon’s summer berries, soak in a historic hot springs bathhouse, walk to the bluest pool we’ve ever seen and more.

Day 0 – Bay Area to Yreka, CA (The Gateway to Oregon)

6 hours of driving – Bay Area → Yreka

We kicked off our Oregon road trip with a late afternoon start from the Bay Area, aiming to get as close to the Oregon border as we could before nightfall. Our drive to Yreka, California took just under 6 hours — not the most exciting part of the trip, but a necessary prep day before four adventure-packed days ahead.

Since we were keeping this trip budget-friendly, we opted to stay in motels throughout — and honestly, this first one was a gem. We stayed at the Super 8 in Yreka, and it was one of the best motel experiences we’ve had. The room was clean, the shower had great pressure, and I truly had no complaints. They even offered a simple but solid breakfast in the morning (think waffles, coffee, yogurt — the basics that hit the spot before a big day). Best part? It was just $70 for the night.

If you’re doing this drive and need a place to crash before crossing into Oregon, I’d highly recommend the place.

Road Trip Essentials: Good Audiobooks

We downloaded the audiobook Murder at the Patel Motel on Audible for our drive, and it made the hours fly by. It’s funny, entertaining, and the perfect companion for long road trip stretches. Highly recommend it if you’re hitting the road soon! And fun coincidence — the Super 8 we stayed at in Yreka was owned by Patels too, which honestly made me smile.

We also ended up completing 1984 by George Orwell, which was also a free audio book.

Day 1 – Rogue River Forest, Lava Tubes, and the Purest Lake on Earth

5 hours of driving – Yreka → Natural Bridge → Crater Lake → Umpqua Hot Springs → Sutherlin

We hit the road from Yreka around 8:30am after a quick motel breakfast and were so excited to finally cross into Oregon. The skies were clear, the sun was out, and Mount Shasta looked incredible as we stopped at Shasta Valley Vista Point to take in the view one last time before leaving California behind.

As soon as we entered Oregon, we were surrounded by towering pine trees and that quiet, calm forest energy. We were driving through the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest on the Crater Lake Highway — and wow, what a drive. Straight stretches of road framed by green on all sides, sunlight pouring through the trees… it was the kind of drive where you don’t mind the time because everything just feels peaceful and scenic.

First Stop: The Natural Bridge

Our first adventure stop of the day was at the Natural Bridge in the tiny town of Prospect. There’s a short, easy trail here that leads to something super cool: the Rogue River literally disappears into a lava tube, travels underground, and then bursts back out on the other side. The water is fast, loud, and so beautiful — we stood there for a while just watching it rush past. It’s one of those stops you might miss if you’re just focused on getting to Crater Lake, but trust me, it’s worth the short detour.

Quick Stop at Beckie’s for a Berry Treat

On our way to Crater Lake, we passed the well-known Beckie’s Café — the kind of cozy spot people love for their homemade pies. But the wait was over an hour. Instead, we popped over to the little ice cream shop next door and got a scoop of Huckleberry Cheesecake ice cream. And it was absolutely delicious.

Oregon is all about the berries. Huckleberries, marionberries, boysenberries — they’re everywhere. If you see anything berry-flavored on a menu, just say yes.

Crater Lake National Park

We reached Crater Lake National Park around 1:30pm. Even though it was June, most of the park was still closed due to snow — yep, this park doesn’t fully open until July! Still, the Discovery Point Trail (2 miles roundtrip, about 300 feet elevation gain) was open along the rim, so we laced up and walked it.

The views were stunning. The lake is so still, so blue, and so unbelievably clear — it really does look surreal. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S., and also one of the purest and bluest lakes on the planet, fed entirely by snow and rain. It’s unlike any lake we’ve seen.

Drive Through Umpqua National Forest

After Crater Lake, we kept driving — this time into the Umpqua National Forest, which is another one of the beautiful drives of the trip. This stretch is known as the Highway of Waterfalls, and they weren’t kidding. We passed trailheads for waterfalls like Toketee Falls and Watson Falls, both super popular and photogenic. We didn’t stop at either this time because we were headed to a hot spring… priorities, right?

Umpqua Hot Springs

We saved our last few hours of the day for one of Oregon’s wild hot springs: Umpqua Hot Springs. A short 0.5-mile uphill trail leads to a cluster of natural pools nestled on a hillside overlooking the river and forest below. It’s beautiful — but also popular.

When we went, it was crowded, and not everyone followed the usual hot spring etiquette (quiet voices, and general respect for shared space). It honestly took away some of the magic. That said, we managed to snag a pool for a little while and still enjoyed the soak. If I go again, I’d definitely aim for early morning or weekday hours to beat the crowds.

Dinner + Overnight in Sutherlin

From there, we drove to Roseburg, grabbed a casual dinner at a local Mexican spot, and then continued on to Sutherlin, where we stayed the night at Motel 6. Nothing fancy — and honestly, not one I’d recommend — but it got us through the night and ready for Day 2. Much of this stretch of the drive passed through areas that had been burned in past wildfires, a sobering reminder of how much the landscape here has endured and continues to recover.

If you have more time, here are a few other places you can explore on this day.

• Mill and Barr Creek Falls in Prospect
• Pearsony Falls in Prospect
• Avenue of the Boulders in Prospect
• Watson falls in Umpqua National Forest
• Toketee falls in Umpqua National Forest
• Lavendar farms near Ashland and Medford (June and early July)

Day 2 – Waterfalls and the Blue Pool

3.5 hours of driving – Sutherlin → Creswell → Willamette National Forest → Bend

Today was all about waterfalls — and with the foggy, drizzly weather rolling in, it honestly couldn’t have been more perfect for a day in the forest. There’s something about exploring lush green trails under a soft rain that just hits different.

We left our motel in Sutherlin around 9am and made our first stop at Creswell Bakery for a hearty breakfast — and wow, it did not disappoint. We ordered a couple of savory pies, a burger, and a marionberry muffin, and everything was so good. The café itself is charming and cozy, with seating surrounded by berry trees outside. It felt like a hidden gem and the perfect start to a forest-filled day.

Into Willamette National Forest

From there, we drove into our third national forest of the trip — Willamette National Forest, via the McKenzie Highway (OR-242), yet another one of Oregon’s scenic byways. Our plan for the day was to hike two different stretches of the McKenzie River Trail, a long lush trail that follows the bright blue McKenzie River and winds through waterfalls, and mossy forests.

Sahalie & Koosah Falls Waterfall Loop

Our first hike of the day was the Waterfall Loop, a 4-mile trail that connects Sahalie Falls, Koosah Falls, and the Carmen Reservoir in one gorgeous loop. This trail felt straight out of a fairytale — the river roared beside us, the rocks were covered in thick green moss, and every inch of the forest looked alive and glowing after the rain.

If you only have time for one hike in this area, let it be this one. It’s easy to follow and the views are incredible. All those classic Oregon nature wallpapers feel like they were taken right from this trail.

Tomolitch Falls (Blue Pool Trail)

Next up was the Tomolitch Blue Pool trail — another stretch of the McKenzie River Trail. This hike is about 4.2 miles round trip and leads to the famous Blue Pool, a vibrant turquoise spring. The pool is created where the McKenzie River bubbles back up from underground lava tubes — a fascinating geologic feature, and truly one of the bluest pools we’ve ever seen.

While the trail to Blue Pool wasn’t quite as magical as the waterfall loop (we were definitely a bit spoiled by that one), it was still a beautiful forest walk with a jaw-dropping payoff at the end.

Dinner in Bend

We had initially planned to stop at Bigelow Hot Springs on our way to Bend, but we were pretty soaked and tired, so we decided to head straight to the city, get checked in, and grab dinner.

Bend really surprised us — it felt way more bougie than any of the other towns we visited on this trip. Fancy homes, boutique hotels, stylish restaurants – it had a totally different vibe. Later, we found out that a lot of people from the Bay Area and Seattle moved here during the pandemic, drawn by the mountains, small-town feel, and remote-work lifestyle. You can definitely feel that outdoorsy-meets-upscale energy all around town.

We went to The Grove — a trendy food hall with tons of delicious options. I had a hard time choosing what to eat (too many good menus!), but we ended up sharing dishes from a Thai spot and a Mediterranean kitchen. Both were fantastic. Highly recommend The Grove if you’re in Bend and want a casual but tasty dinner with options for everyone.

Overnight in Bend

We stayed at Sugarloaf Mountain Motel in Bend for the night. It was fine but nothing particularly memorable. If you’re looking for a cute or cozy place to stay, I’d say look elsewhere. But for a one-night rest stop, it did the job.

If you have more time, here are a few other places you can explore on this day.

• Terwilliger Hot Springs
• Bigelow Hot Springs (very small, so do not go if you have a group of more than 2 people)
• Skylight Cave

Day 3 – A historic Soaking Pool, Red Rock Trail, and a Lava Landscape

5 hours of driving – Bend → Smith Rock → Newberry National Volcanic Monument → Yreka

We let ourselves sleep in a little on Day 3 — after all, today was more about soaking, wandering, and enjoying the last big stretch of our Oregon adventure.

Morning Soak at McMenamins Soaking Pool

One of the things I was personally most excited about on this trip was our reservation at the McMenamins Soaking Pool in Bend. It’s located inside the historic St. Francis School Hotel, which has been transformed into a funky, artsy boutique hotel — and yes, the hotel rooms are usually booked out months in advance (I had already checked!). But luckily, while hiking the day before, we snagged the last two available soaking spots for the morning!

The pool itself was gorgeous — it felt like a Roman-style courtyard bath, with beautiful tilework and warm 102°F water. We soaked for an hour in the peaceful ambiance, and it was exactly what we needed after two big hiking days.

Tip: The soaking pool has lockers and changing rooms on-site, but make sure to bring your own towel if you’re visiting — they don’t provide them!

Hiking in Smith Rock State Park

Post-soak, we headed to one of Oregon’s most iconic state parks: Smith Rock. This place completely blew us away. The towering red rock cliffs, the winding river, the desert palette — it honestly felt like we were in a mini Zion National Park.

We hiked the popular Misery Ridge Trail, which is steep and rocky but so rewarding. At the top, the panoramic views reminded me a bit of Angel’s Landing. If you’re into rock climbing, this park is a paradise — we saw climbers everywhere scaling the cliffs. It’s one of the top climbing destinations in the country!

Ice Cream Break

After the hike, we couldn’t resist another sweet treat and stopped by Juniper Junction for round two of huckleberry ice cream. Safe to say, Oregon’s berry obsession rubbed off on us. We’re now fully on board.

Entering the Lava Lands

Next, we drove through our fourth and final national forest of the trip — the Deschutes National Forest — to reach Newberry National Volcanic Monument, a place I hadn’t expected to fall in love with… but absolutely did.

We originally wanted to explore the Lava River Cave, but permits were already booked up (lesson learned: reserve ahead!). Instead, we explored the Lava Butte area and walked the Trail of Molten Land from the visitor center. The trail winds through an otherworldly landscape of ancient lava flows and jagged rock formations, and it honestly felt like we were walking on another planet.

Tip: There are shuttles that can take you to the top of the Lava Butte for an amazing view! You can check for information about the shuttles here.

I was surprised by how much I loved it here — I hadn’t expected the lava landscape to be so compelling, but I couldn’t stop staring. I already want to come back and spend more time exploring this area properly. This stop was a true hidden gem.

Back to California

From there, we started our drive back south — eventually landing back in Yreka for one last night at our favorite Patel motel: the Super 8, back where our Oregon adventure began.

If you have more time, here are a few other places you can explore on this day.

• Crescent Moon Ranch
• Drive the Cascade Lake Scenic Byway
• Lava River Cave (needs permits)
• Tumalo Falls
• Paulina Creek falls and Big Obsidian Flow
• Fort Rock State Natural Area
• Spring Creek

Day 4 – Coffee, Curry, and the Road Back Home

6 hours of driving – Yreka → Mt. Shasta → Arbuckle → Bay Area

Morning Coffee with a Mountain View

Our first stop was in Mt. Shasta at Theory Coffee Roasters — a cozy little café that hit the spot for a slow breakfast and a solid caffeine fix. Driving there with a view of the snow-capped mountain in the background felt like the perfect sendoff from this part of the state.

A Quick Detour to Shasta Lake

We took a brief detour off the highway onto Turntable Bay Road to get a look at Shasta Lake. The water levels were decent, and the view from the bridge was peaceful and quiet — a nice stretch-your-legs stop if you’re driving along I-5.

Lunch at the I-5 Dhaba

And then, of course, for our last stop, I had to make us stop for Indian food in the Central Valley — I believe the Indian food there is more authentic than in the Bay. We found I-5 Dhaba in Arbuckle, which is mainly a stop for truckers, and it was amazing. Total hole-in-the-wall vibes, super no-frills, but the food was packed with flavor and clearly made with love. If you’re ever driving through that stretch of I-5 and craving good Indian food, I highly recommend this place.

Oregon surprised us with its stunning waterfalls, deep forests, clear lakes, and lava fields — all within reach for a quick getaway from the Bay Area. With just four days and a bit of planning, you can experience amazing hikes, hot springs, and charming towns without needing a long vacation. If you’ve been on the fence about visiting Oregon, trust me — this trip is totally doable and absolutely worth it.

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