Touring - Another Oregon touring question

I am planning an Oregon coast to San Francisco tour starting in Mid-September. The starting point will be my friends' house in Newburg, a small town in the Willamette valley southwest of Portland. While it is possible that I can get a ride to the coast, I want to be prepared to get there on my bike.

As I see it, there are two routes. One is to head due east, going over 2000 ft. before cresting the coastal range and hitting 101 at Beaver. Another is to head south to someplace like Corvallis (where I have another friend) or Eugene and then to the coast.

Does anyone have any preferences?

Thanks,

Ray

If you head due EAST you will reach the Atlantic before you reach the Pacific.

However - if you head west - -
There are back roads part of the way along Hwy 18, but sometimes you have to get on the main highway. It has good shoulders but can be very busy. Plus the stretch of US 101 north of Newport is not all that great. (Also, pretty high traffic) It's the stretch south of Newport - esp. Yachats - that is incredible.

I've ridden the Willamette Valley. There are some nice back roads, pretty gentle terrain, but camping is tricky - however, you say you have a friend in Corvallis which is a great town. Hwy 34 is a much, much better for cutting thru to the coast. My vote would be via Corvallis.

PS - The Nestucca Road isn't paved all the way - but just a short unpaved stretch.
Some steep climbs - pretty remote.
Then you hit US 101 and some very busy stretches until you get past Newport.

I'll be touring the Oregon Coast starting the 9th of September from Astoria. Send me a message if I can help in any way.

Have fun.

I'm touring Aberdeen, WA to San Fransisco starting Sept 4. That puts me in Astoria Sept 6th. This should be fun !!!!!!

Beers anyone?

I'm not sure if we can meet up as I am planning on leaving Newburg around September 18. That should put you guys about a week ahead of me.

Ray