BEACH NEWS YOU CAN USE
Covering 160 miles of Oregon coast travel: Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Wadport, Yachats & Florence.

It's Fall on the Coast: Summer is Here Again.

Family Fun Nightlife Frivolity Subscribe to BC news RSS Feeds Add BC news to YOUR site

Editor's Oregon Coast Travel Picks - Week of Sept. 15

By Andre’ Hagestedt

(Oregon Coast) – A new feature at BeachConnection.net is this roundup of detailed suggestions for fun and repose on various areas of the Oregon coast – most of it stuff the average tourist probably isn’t aware of. These travel tips vary in size and scope, from the most minute aspect of a place or business, events to some new angle from which to view the entire coastline, or just a small section of it. Dining, hotels, beaches, shows, attractions and plenty of beach secrets are what you’ll find in these editor’s picks. But mostly, it’s something you won’t really be aware of. Plus, there will be the occasional freaky fact, like some interesting statistic, little known trivia, strange history, or even something otherworldly, like a ghost story or legend.

Outdoors at Fultano's

Outdoor Dining: I recently discovered that Newport has the highest number of outdoor restaurant spots on all the coast. You’ll find at least 12 of them, if not more: Rogue Ales Public House, Gino’s, Lighthouse Deli (in South Beach), Kam Meng, Shirley’s, Port Dock One, Local Ocean Seafood, The Coffee House, Village Market & Deli, Café Stephanie, Blu Cork Wine Bar and Nye Beach Scoop. The last four are in Nye Beach, where the sands are just a few steps away.

Cannon Beach has probably the next largest number: the Driftwood, Warren House and Gower Street Bistro are just a few. But my fave there has always been Fultano’s Pizza, right on Second Street (just off Hemlock). This place has fabulous pizza, outstanding homemade lasagna, and a unique pasta sauce that is nothing short of delirium inducing.

Cleaning up in Manzanita

Oregon Beach Cleanup, Sept. 16: Try your hand at giving a helping hand anywhere along all of Oregon’s 360 miles of coastline with the Great Fall Oregon Beach Cleanup, put on by SOLV. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., thousands of volunteers gather at designated beach spots, grab bags and then go scouring the beaches of manmade debris and litter. Beside the usual garbage and unpleasantries, oddities are always found. Every one of these has reports of really strange stuff plucked from our sands, like refrigerators from Korea, entire cars that were inexplicably buried, boats - and yes – even kitchen sinks. www.solv.org.

Tide Pool, Depoe Bay

The Tide Pool, Depoe Bay: In this central coast town, the Tide Pool is a major jewel – albeit a somewhat secret one - with excellent drinks, super friendly locals and tourists, and a thoroughly entertaining staff. During the day it’s a fine place to take your family and munch on great grub. The enormous chiliburger is highly recommended.

Then, at night, the place becomes a nifty night spot.

The front half of the bar is wooded and rustic, but the totally trippy and loungy lounge in the back is the real star. They’ve got a varied and interesting jukebox that kicks the asses of most jukeboxes in Portland, and the décor is maritime retro – a glorious, slightly oddball mix of “Finding Nemo” and that “Cocktail Nation” icon flick, “Swingers.” 502 NE Hwy. 101, Depoe Bay. (541) 765-4346.

Manzanita Art Walk, Sept. 23: The Manzanita Merchants Association has been sponsoring a "Third Saturday Art Walk" during the summer months, and the last is coming up during “second summer.” Parts of the main street (Laneda Ave) will be closed – only a couple of blocks - to provide pedestrian access. This includes their four-legged friends for this pet friendly event. You’ll find musical groups of all genres, art, food, children’s chalk art and more. It’s simply a fun time.

DragonFire Gallery, Cannon Beach

Dragonfire Studio & Gallery: A pet friendly art gallery? Indeed it is. So much of the very colorful art here espouses the wonders and pleasures of having dogs and cats, and there’s lots that whimsical, fun and simply stunning. From beautiful landscapes, figure studies, and photography to much that is amusing, this place is a wonder in a wonderful little town. To top it all off, they have an intriguing coffee and tea house that features eco-friendly items and foodstuffs from very conscious companies, including cups that are made from natural substances which are very biodegradable once they hit the landfill. 123 S. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach. 503-436-1533. www.DragonFireStudio.com.

Starfish Point

Starfish Point, Newport: If you haven’t yet stayed at this pretty piece of property, you’re in for numerous surprises. This grandiose beauty overlooks the cliffs of Agate Beach, where a large landscape of dunes populate the beach, creating a scenic labyrinth of sorts as the sand makes its way to the tide. There’s a little private path to the beach from this luxury condominium-style lodging. All the units point to the ocean, and all have multiple levels and a variety of amenities. Each of them boast two bedrooms, two bathrooms, designer kitchens, wireless broadband Internet, fireplaces, Jacuzzi’s and private decks. The mists here drift up from the ocean and stick in the thick trees, creating a dazzling atmosphere. On top of it, they are pet friendly. 140 NW 48th Street, Newport. (541) 265-3751. (800) 870-7795. www.starfishpoint.com.

Trippy Wheeler, on the north coast

Try Something Paranormal on the Coast: There’s an interesting legend in Wheeler, on the north coast, about the “Wheeler Moment,” where serendipitous things just seem to happen. It’s a little like you’re wishing for something and it – or some aspect of it - just falls into your lap. It’s about those weird coincidences where you’re thinking about something you need, and inexplicably, the answer appears out of the blue in some way. Those things happen to everyone every once in a while.

But in Wheeler and chunks of Nehalem Bay, the residents swear it happens more often than anywhere else. I can’t explain it, but I’ve had it happen there too. Some in Newport’s Nye Beach say the same occurs there, and I would have to also agree. I’ve had the same experience there, but it doesn’t happen as often. More here....

This wacky little paranormal legend makes people scoff and snicker at first. But those who are spending decent amounts of time in Wheeler and the bay area generally agree it’s true. Try it yourself: head to the Nehalem Bay and just make a wish. See what happens.

Secret Spot in Yachats: on the north side of the bay, a few steps down the hill from Yachats Wine Trader, you’ll find an unusual access to the bay. There’s a small, winding concrete stairway meandering down to the rocks just above the bay – a spot not easy to spot unless you know what you’re looking for. There’s something mystical, even magical about this place, as if it’s from a fairy tale or something, with loads of colorful fauna floating around it. The rocks are fascinating here at low tide, with a bundle of more colors provided by the starfish colonies visible in some spots. This labyrinth of basalt blackness makes for a lot of climbing and ambling fun.

BREATHTAKING CLIFFTOP IN NEWPORT

STARFISH POINT is located on the Central Oregon Coast - in Newport - and offers only the finest in luxury condominium lodging. At Starfish Point, every unit is focused on the beauty of the sea and the beach.
All of the units boast two bedrooms, two bathrooms, designer kitchens, wireless broadband Internet, fireplaces, Jacuzzi’s and private decks - surrounding you in soothing relaxation. We have a friendly staff dedicated to high quality and superb customer service. 140 NW 48th Street, Newport. (541) 265-3751. (800) 870-7795. www.starfishpoint.com

Weiss' Paradise Suites & Vacation Rentals - Seaside

Unique Luxury Accommodations in Seaside. 1BR Suites, 1BR & 2BR Duplex Units and 3BR Houses, units for 2-8 people. Rent our entire property for 20-26. All units close to beach, river and Broadway St.
Suites are designed for two adults; vacation rental units for families. All units have kitchen and many have fireplace, deck and jetted tub. Enjoy comfy robes & slippers, luxury bath amenities, quality linens and more. See us on The Travel Channel's "Great Escapes" show in August 2006. 741 S. Downing St., Seaside. 800-738-6691. www.SeasideSuites.com