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Oregon Coast Picks for Week One of Spring Break |
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Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.
03/18/08
Secrets of the Season |
Oregon Coast Picks for Week One of Spring Break
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| Whale watching is king this week (photo courtesy Whale Watch Center) |
(Oregon Coast) – There's a bundle of stuff happening on the coast this weekend, just as the main spring break week for most Oregon schools kicks into gear.
It’s the week where volunteers hit the high vantage points to help people see the migrating whales, it’s bunches of spring vacation activities throughout Seaside, and it’s loads of fun lurking in hidden places for those adults who don’t have kids.
As usual, BeachConnection.net’s picks feature some ideas for nature exploration as well as lodging spots you may have overlooked – along with the events you shouldn't miss.
Arch
Cape Property Services.
Dozens of homes in that dreamy,
rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch
Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the
sea. |
Spring Whale Watch Week, March 22 to March 29. It’s the big one. Watch the great beasts make their way past the Oregon coast during their peak migration time.
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| Catch sight of whales atop Cape Kiwanda |
Trained volunteers at 28 "Whale Watching Spoken Here" sites help visitors spot gray whales. The volunteers are on duty 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to help visitors see the marine animals and offer information about their migration.
On the south central coast you’ll find them at Cape Perpetua Overlook (near Yachats); Cape Perpetua Interpretive Center (near Yachats); Cook's Chasm Turnout (near Yachats); Sea Lion Caves Turnout (north of Florence); large Highway 101 turnout south of tunnel (north of Florence). On the central coast, Inn at Spanish Head Lobby on 10th floor (Lincoln City); Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint (just north of Depoe Bay); The Whale Watching Center/Depoe Bay Sea Wall; Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint (between Newport and Depoe Bay); Cape Foulweather (just north of Newport); Devil's Punchbowl State Natural Area (just north of Newport); Yaquina Head Lighthouse (Newport); Don A. Davis City Kiosk (Newport’s Nye Beach); and Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site (Newport). In Tillamook County you’ll find them at Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint; Cape Lookout State Park (2.5 mile hike to site at tip of the Cape); Cape Kiwanda (Pacific City). On the north Oregon coast, you’ll find them at Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Ilwaco, Washington; Ecola State Park (Cannon Beach). 541-765-3407. www.whalespoken.org.
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| Seaside |
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Whale Events at Hatfield Marine Science Center. Get your science on during whale watch week – but in depth. From March 22 – 29, it’s marine mammal classes, films, whale tales and displays. There’s a Gray Whale calf project where the bones get cleaned. Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 Marine Science Dr., Newport, Oregon. Admission by suggested donation. 541-867-0100. http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu
Spring Break in Seaside. It’s the king of the vacation break for the coast, for lots of families from the northwest, even the nation. Some of these include a Community Egg Hunt for children up to eight years old from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on March 22. Broadway Park. Seaside, Oregon. 503-738-3311.
Also that day at the same park, the Hot Dog Feed and Bunny visit kicks in at 11 a.m., going until 2 p.m. It’s all a fundraiser for Seaside SK8 ‘N Ride. $3.50 charge for the Hot Dog “Meal Deal” and you will need to bring your own camera for photos of the Bunny visit. Broadway Park. Seaside, Oregon. 503-738-3311.
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| Cannon Beach |
Spring Break Olympics in Cannon Beach. It happens March 26. All sorts of fun, games and activities are planned, including pizza. 5 to 11 years old. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Free. Adult must accompany child. Cannon Beach Chamber, downtown Cannon Beach. 503-436-2623.
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Nature Lecture at Hatfield: Oystercatchers. It happens on Thursday, March 20. Ben Grupe presents "Opportunistic Oystercatchers at the All-You-Can-Eat Sea Urchin Buffet." In 2006, a unique ecological event at Cape Arago led to large-scale predation of sea urchins by oystercatchers and other predators. Ben Grupe, drawing upon several years of field observations, will use photographs and video to illustrate Black Oystercatcher foraging behaviors and describe a fascinating set of food web relationships. This Yaquina Birders & Naturalists meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center Education Wing, Room 30/32. Please use the Staff Entrance (NOT the entrance to the Visitor's Center), follow the signs, and park near the Library. Cost: free. 541-265-2965.
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| The bar scene on the coast will be particularly interesting in the next weeks |
Bar Wars on the Coast. For those over 21, there’s quite a bit to do all up and down the coast. Yachats has the fabulous Landmark and its full roster of live music. Newport has the wacky atmosphere of Moby Dick’s and the Sand Bar (in Nye Beach). Lincoln City’s Snug Harbor is a vast landscape of strange sights and occurrences – perfect for Portland hipsters looking for a serious bar adventure. Karaoke is king at Maxwell’s, which has a warm, friendly staff, spirited KJ’s and a crowd that can be quite the kick in the pants.
Up north, don’t miss the San Dune Pub in Manzanita or the Lighthouse Pub in Nehalem. In Cannon Beach, there’s oodles of wonder waiting at the Warren House, with scrumptious microbrews and an interesting conversation always to be had.
In Seaside, there’s a lot going on. Girtle’s has live music on the weekends. But if you’re there on a weeknight, you’ll likely catch the mind-bogglingly huge selection of karaoke tunes. KJ Bucky recently acquired a massive 100,000 songs in a computer system so big it just may take over the world someday. Do you have the guts to sing along with a future Terminator? 311 Broadway. (503) 738-8417.
The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.theoceanlodge.com |
On the other side of town, Spokane singer Matthew Winters plays Goose Hollow on March 29. Rooted in the atmosphere of his home town, Winters has been labeled an “indie/acoustic rogue.” He has had shorts stints in bands ranging from political to hip hop. Now, coming into his own solo style, he has focused on a solely acoustic sound that has acted as the groundwork for all his music. myspace.com/matthewwintersmusic. $4 Cover Charge. Goose Hollow, 220 Ave U in Seaside, right next to Ken’s Market. 503.717.1940.
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| Arch Cape House |
Cool Lodging of the Week: Arch Cape House, just south of Cannon Beach. This one’s for the grownups. You can, quite literally, stay in a castle on the coast. This is a remarkable structure that is built to look just like a castle, with a bit of Swiss ski lodge thrown in. Ironically, you see Arch Cape's Castle Rock from here. There’s a charming little wine social hour in the evening, then a gourmet breakfast in the morning. Antiques line the walls and room of the entire building, and each unit is lavishly appointed with a different identity. Look for East Ocean Rd., just north of the Arch Cape Tunnel. Four miles south of Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.archcapehouse.com. 800-436-2848. Read the full story on it here.
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| Hobbit Beach |
Freaky Beach Secret of Lane County. It’s called the Hobbit Trail – and it’s a secret. So don’t tell anybody.
It’s so named because the eerie tunnel-like earthen walls that surround you at certain points upon your descent. But it’s a place sometimes favored by creative-types from the Eugene area who often construct wildly imaginative structures from the natural objects lying around, like amazing gardens of rocks, things you might find in Japanese gardens, strange rune-like figures from stones or whimsical carvings in the sandstone.
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Or maybe it is occupied by gnomes who scurry away from their constructions upon the approach of any human being?
There’s something mysterious and mystical about this spot. Not to mention, it’s an unofficial nude beach for some of the valley hippy kids.
You can find this hard-to-spot trailhead about two miles south of Carl G. Washburne State Park. There’s a breathtaking trail from here that meanders a little over a mile through forestland and the occasional stunning viewpoint, eventually twisting and switching back periodically to wind up in back of the Heceta Head Lighthouse. Look for signs to the “Valley Trail.”
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| High up on Cape lookout |
Hiking Cape Lookout. West of Tillamook, and between Pacific City and Oceanside, sits Cape Lookout with three major trails. The Cape Trail makes a five-mile loop around the entire cape, winding up at the tip of this majestic outcropping where, if the weather permits, you can catch sight of Cascade Head and Cape Foulweather - some 40 miles to the south.
About a half mile down the Cape Trail - at one of the first railed lookout spots - there's the Crash Sight Memorial, where a World War II B-17 bomber slammed into the headland in 1942.
The South Trail veers off to the left of the Cape Trail, taking you down to a hidden cove and a secluded, very sandy beach - eventually connecting to the Sand Beach campground area about four miles to the south. The North Trail leads you down to Cape Lookout State Park and the picnic areas, about two miles of walking.
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Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
 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. |
A1 Beach Rentals, Lincoln City. Perfect for large family vacations all the way down to a getaway lodging for two - with over 25 vacation rental homes to choose from. A breathtaking collection of craftsman or traditional beachfront homes, or oceanview houses – from one to seven bedrooms. In various areas of Lincoln City and overlooking the beach, with some in Depoe Bay. All kinds of amenities are available, like hot tubs, decks, BBQ, rock fireplaces, beamed ceilings and more. Some are new, some are historic charmers. Lincoln City, Oregon. 1-(503)-232-5984. www.a1beachrentals.com. |
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Lincoln City Vacation Homes Something for everyone: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All are either oceanfront or just a few steps away – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets allowed in some homes – ask first. Each comes with complete kitchens. Most have seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778. |
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