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Excessive Heat Watch for North Oregon Coast, But Locals Laugh it Off

Arcadia Beach - just s. of Cannon Beach: the parking lot was overflowing with cars on Tuesday

(Oregon Coast) – In some places on the Oregon coast, they’re reporting 100 degrees. In Cannon Beach, it’s as high as 99. But wherever you are on the coastline, it’s packed with people.

Officials have issued an excessive heat watch for even the Oregon coast - although the bulk of the heat is on the northern third of the shoreline, from Pacific City northward.

The Newport area is clocking in around 68 degrees, allowing some to actually get away from the inferno.

Visitor centers are reporting a fair amount of cranky visitors – probably because of the heat - with the Cannon Beach Chamber saying some are upset there are nearly no lodgings with air conditioning. A representative there said one man seemed to want her to make reservations for her for September.

One motel in Manzanita saw a couple leave disgruntled because of no air conditioning.

Coastal lodgings are getting loads of calls and turning on the “no vacancy” signs left and right.

Manzanita

On Monday, they were busy making preparations for a veritable tsunami of folks looking in vain to get away from it all. Yet not everyone was willing to believe the heat would actually hit.

Monday afternoon, in Depoe Bay, Trollers Lodge owner Peg Leoni was waiting to see what happens.

“I'll believe it when I start to sweat,” she said. “It is now 58 and the fog just lifted. We’ve have had less than a half mile visibility all day. Coastal weather forecasts are more voodoo than science. Depoe Bay is cool in more ways than one.”

“It is supposed to be hot,” said Donna Weiss, of Weiss’ Paradise Suites in Seaside. “She also had a wait-and-see approach on the weather. “As soon as the full sun came out at about 5 p.m., it has gotten warmer. It doesn't get hot that often to really be a concern. I do have to say, I do not remember it ever being extremely hot at night in the last 16 years. Our bedroom is upstairs and usually opening the window is all that is needed.”

Brian Hines, owner of San Dune Inn in Manzanita, said if the heat wave hits hard on the coast, the beach often offers plenty of respite. There is often a “wall of cool” right near the tide line, or if you’re lucky, the winds may be cooling things off even on days like this.

One man was talking to BeachConnection.net and said things were quite nice up on the beach, with a cool breeze interspersed with a warm one.

One pair of girls staying at the San Dune actually got a little cold on Monday.

“The breezes still kick up on the beach between 1 and 4 p.m.,” Hines said on Monday. “In fact, had a couple of bikini clad maidens who decided it was better to bask in our barbecue and relaxation area rather than face the beach breezes.”

“About twice a year - when it hits 90 here on the coast - we have one or two calls where the first question is ‘do you have A/C?’ In any event, it'll be cooler than Portland.”

Hines was wrong about that, with temps about neck and neck with Portland, unless you were on the central coast.

Depoe Bay

The heat wave meant a wave a load of calls to lodgings up and down the coast.

Hines said he’s getting inundated.

“Lots of calls and reservations,” Hines said. “We’re full Tuesday and a few rooms still open for Wednesday.”

Weiss said the calls are coming in about lodging and with other questions probably beyond her realm of knowledge.

“We have had calls but most people are asking us what the weather will be,” she said. “Well, if I knew that I would probably also win the lottery tonight.

“The reason we love the coast is because of the fact that it is almost never too hot or too cold. Living at the beach is prefect. So what if a few days a year the temp gets to 80? Most people worry too much, life is short, enjoy it while you are here. Now rain on the other hand is another topic all together.”

When the heat hits the beach, stick near the tide line (pictured: Winema Beach)

The days promise to be nasty, even on the coast. But that will likely appeal to many, especially those who have longed for even a little bit of the California vibe on Oregon’s beaches.

Nighttime will mean the real relief.

“The good thing about the beach is that it cools off at night significantly,” Hines said.

Heat waves always bring out the most interesting stories in the lodging industry.

“In the past I think we have had the most problems with guests from Florida - of all places,” Hines said. “They’ve always wanted A/C, whatever the temp and time of year.”

In the meantime, coastal lodgings are fairly prepared to keep guests cool.

Fun with bikes at the San Dune Inn, Manzanita

“We installed fans in our units some years ago,” Weiss said. “It has helped to cool down when necessary. We advise guests to let the cool morning air into the unit and then close the front windows, blinds and drapes – which face the sun in the afternoon. This seems to work very well for us.”

Hines said his units also have ceiling fans as well, which usually do the trick during such weather.

In Lincoln City, Beachfront Manor Hotel is the new kid on the block, and thus the word isn’t completely out about this beachside beauty. Owner Diana Dunlap said they haven’t maxed out yet on those heat refugees from the valley, so they’re looking to coax new customers in with a “heat wave” special.

Seaside

“We would love to give those Portland/valley people some place to escape the heat, ” Dunlap said. She’s offering guests $99 a night for a non-view room that sleeps up to four. These rooms also features luxury linens and flat screen TV’s. (Call 800-972-6155.)

With the cooler temps of the central coast, that area is the place to be.

Weiss is looking forward to the reactions of some of the tourists and heat refugees.

“We laugh when the marine fog and mist comes in and they complain because it is too cold,” Weiss said. “Wasn't that the idea coming to the beach to escape the heat?”

Meanwhile, on Monday, other coastal innkeepers were simply enjoying the warmth before the big heat storm. Barbara Dau, owner of the castle-like Arch Cape House just south of Cannon Beach, is full for the week. So she’s kicking back with friends just a bit.

“We're sipping chilled Riesling-Pinot Gris blends on the flower-bordered patio at the forest's edge, or on the sun-drenched deck overlooking the ocean,” Dau said. “There is the occasional mysterious fog floating over us, creating the quintessential coastal experience. This is the Oregon coast at its best.”

Inn at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms. Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly. Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com.

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