Oregon Coast Beach Connection - lodging, dining, news, events and more

A famous little family eatery where the seafood practically gets shuffled from the sea straight into your mouth. Soups and salads include many seafood specialties, including cioppino, chowders, crab Louie and cheese breads. Fish 'n' chips come w/ various fish. Seafood sandwiches with shrimp, tuna or crab, as well as burgers. Dinners like pan fried oysters, fillets of salmon or halibut, sautéed scallops.

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.

the finest in luxury condominium lodging. Every unit is focused on the beauty of the sea and the beach.

20 gorgeous homes sleep up to 18; doubled that with some side-by-side homes. Some pet friendly. Cottages to massive homes; new oceanfront to renovated historic beach houses. All over central coast w/ Lincoln City, Otter Rock, Boiler Bay and Nye Beach. Long list of features, including barbecues, large decks, antique furnishings, wood stoves, gas fireplaces, hardwood floors, Jacuzzis and hot tubs. Most have movies, music, books. Gift basket w/ goodies in each

Breathtaking high panoramic beach views from oceanfront rooms, spacious family suites & fully equipped cottages.  Known for gracious hospitality, the sparkling clean Sea Horse features a heated indoor pool, dramatic oceanfront spa, great whale watching, free deluxe continental breakfast, conference room, free casino shuttle & HBO.  Fireplaces, private decks and spas are available in select rooms.  Close to shops, golf, fishing & restaurants.  Pets are welcome in select rooms.  Senior discounts.  Kids 18 and under stay free in their parent's room.  Very attractive rates.

Oregon Coast event or adventure you can't miss

For over 80 years a favorite of Seaside visitors. 51 oceanfront condos, individually owned and decorated. Suites for couples, small apartments with fireplaces and kitchenettes, one or two bed family units with fireplaces, kitchens and dining rooms. Oceanview cottages sleep anywhere from two to eight, w/ two bedrooms, some with lofts, fireplaces and kitchens. Heated outdoor pool, enormous grounds w/ picnic tables - all at quiet southern end of Seaside.

Lincoln City’s only resort hotel built right on the beach with all oceanfront rooms - nestled against a rugged cliffside overlooking a soft, sandy beach. Dine in penthouse restaurant and bar, for casual meal or candlelight dinner. An array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest favorites, including decadent Sunday buffet. Rooms range from bedrooms to studios to 1-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators to full kitchens. Also, wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise room and year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game room and easy beach access. Full-service conference/meeting rooms for that inspirational retreat; extensive wedding possibilities.

oregon coast lighthouses on dvd

Literally over 100 homes available as vacation rentals – all distinctive and carefully selected to be special. Find them in Yachats, Waldport, Newport, Nye Beach, Otter Rock, Depoe Bay, Gleneden Beach, Lincoln Beach, Lincoln City, Neskowin, Pacific City, Tierra Del Mar and Rockaway Beach. Some pet friendly.

Generously appointed rooms or spacious two-room suites. Continental breakfast. Heated salt-water pool and spa, fitness room, high-speed Internet, some Jacuzzi spas and ADA accessibility. Some pet friendly. Business and meeting facilities. Catering services available.

Suites, duplex units, houses for 2-8 people. Close to everything. All units w/ kitchens; many have fireplaces, decks, jetted tubs. Robes, slippers, luxury bath amenities and more. Award-winning flowers. Featured on Travel Channel.

Feed the seals! One of the oldest aquariums in the U.S. is here in Seaside, Oregon, right on the Promenade

Condo-hotel that offers the amenities of a fine hotel, but also includes ownership of a vacation home on the north Oregon coast. It is a unique opportunity, as condo owners have an opportunity to share in the revenues of their unit. All have either spectacular, nearly aerial views of the ocean and city, or they gaze out at the lush forests of the coast range mountains. There are private balconies in all rooms, which come as studios or units with one bedroom or two - as large as 850 square feet. Each is fully furnished. $189,000 to $449,000, (with most in the $300,000 range.) When owners are not using their units, they may be rented out as hotel rooms, and owners may share in those revenues.

Sumptuous indoor pool heated year round. Lovely ocean views come with many rooms. All units big, extremely comfortable, w/ special touches. Each room contains a microwave, refrigerator, in-room coffee makers, cable TV, and larger kitchen units are available as well. Free parking, choice of smoking or non-smoking rooms. Within walking distance to all of Yachats’ various amenities; short walk to the beaches

Free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the start. All rooms beachfront and up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach: the D River. Each room comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some w/ gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players; movies to rent come with free popcorn. Heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates orspecial occasion packages

 

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.


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

 

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.
All homes are immaculate and smoke free; some pet friendly (with a fee). Some with broadband, indoor or outdoor hot tubs, fireplaces, decks, and fire pits or barbecues. Call about tempting winter specials that go until March (not valid holidays, however). www.archcaperentals.com 866-436-1607.

 

Staggeringly Cool Ideas for Oregon Coast Romance Be it the season of Valentine's or be it any time of the year, Oregon's coastline has essentially cornered the market for cuddle-inducing possibilities and gushy activities for the hand-holding set

Day or Night Mysteries and Merriment on Oregon Coast It's more than just nightlife that comes to life, but the beaches offer major opportunities

Oregon Coast Travel Site Goes Wireless Provides Lodging Reports - Oregon Coast Beach Connection now has mobile lodging and dining listings, along with weekly lodging availability reports

 

Twisted Tales of an Oregon Coast Holiday

 

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.

07/24/08

Secrets of the Season

Twisted Tales of an Oregon Coast Holiday

By Andre' Hagestedt

Lincoln City in moments quieter than the Fourth of July weekend

(Oregon Coast) - Again it's the fourth of July, which is not merely a holiday to me and the Oregon coast - it's a season. Well, more correctly it's a series of celebrations along the coast that last three days or more, especially this year, as the holiday fell on a weekend. Then, normally, the coast has big shindigs from the third through the fifth of July, depending on what area you're dealing with. But in this case, the whole holiday turned into more of a half week kind of thing, filled with beachy discoveries, fireworks, fine food, more fireworks and plenty of bar jaunts of one bizarre kind or another.

This year, the fourth fell on a Friday, and the third is the big celebration in Depoe Bay. This time around, with the oppressive heat turning me to mush in the Portland area, I couldn't wait for the third and sped out of P-town early to the night in Lincoln City on July 2.

An ATV trail at the Sand Lake Campground area

I began the drive by heading down Highway 6, munching in Tillamook, then briefly taking in the massive dunes of the Sand Beach Campground area, off Galloway Road, near the junction of Sand Lake Road and the Three Capes Loop.

Rarely do I tread upon beaches I haven't explored before: I've literally documented every single beach access from Astoria to Florence, some 180 miles. But that doesn't mean I've walked the entire length of that stretch of coast, although I'm very close to having done that - within a few miles, actually. This beach is one of those I haven't thoroughly explored before, and in fact parts of it I've never walked on in my 12 years of detailing the coastline.

This is one stunning, even peculiar area, which definitely resembles some post-apocalyptic world where sand dunes and beachy fauna have replaced civilization. Except for the proliferation of noisy, perhaps even dangerous ATV's, which lend the place a "Mad Max" feel.

The secretive beach at Sand Lake, beyond the ATV running ground

Tread the quarter mile of dunes dirtied by manic vehicles (and sometimes laden with glass and other undesirable materials) and you’ll find a dirty beach for a ways. But beyond the borders for the ATV’s exists a pristine, even rarely walked upon beach, on either side of the border. I only walked the southern section, however.

You eventually round a bend towards the odd little bay formed around Whalen Island State Park, all the while with Pacific City’s Cape Kiwanda still in the distance. There’s some magic in this place, in spite of the periodic intrusion of meathead vehicle noise.

This and the constant ruddy state of Pacific City’s beaches has led me to firmly believe driving on any part of our beaches, no matter how small the allowed territory, should be forever banned. It sucks, dear Oregon politicians. Get rid of it.

Lincoln City's Siletz Bay was packed with people on the fourth, as people claimed their fireworks-watching spot while enjoying the area's qualities.

Within an hour I’m settled in Lincoln City, working feverishly on my laptop for this website. By midnight, I’ve hit my fave Lincoln City bar, Maxwell’s, for a spot of karaoke on a dead Wednesday night. I ddi David Bowie’s “Young Americans” to a handful of half-attentive folks, changing the brief acapella section near the end (where he sings “ain’t there one damn song that can make me break down and cry) to some other obscenity-laden rant about why can’t we find more legal ways to download episodes of the new season of "Battlestar Galactica." Yes, when drinking, the big nerd in me comes out flailing.

The next day I’m staying with a friend in Depoe Bay – Angie, who works at the Depoe Bay Winery. There’s a sneakily addictive little eatery down the way called Avast (more of Depoe Bay’s new pirate theme), with a really scrumptious chili dog I can’t get enough of. They also have incredible seafood specialties, and an obscenely good clam chowder that has been described as “so addictive it’s like crack.” I managed to lunch or breakfast there every time I've been in Depoe Bay these days.

It’s Thursday the third, and I wander aimlessly around the central coast as a thickening fog slowly envelopes the whole area. The fireworks display in Depoe Bay is starting to look doomed.

Depoe Bay's fireworks were dispersed by a big fogbank, creating an eerie flash and glow in the distance

Just before dusk, I get together with my Newport pals Robert and Deb, and we indulge in lots of silliness at the Tide Pool, the bar near the secret spot we’ve staked out for our annual meeting for Depoe Bay’s show. We arrive at this hidden section of cliffs with a good view of the Boiler Bay area almost a mile away (where they shoot off the fireworks), and sure enough, the fog is thick and unforgiving. The fireworks are totally lame to many, but not to me, as the strange effects caused by the cloud cover create an unusual feel and look to my more discerning eyes. By the end of the show, most had already left this area. But I was fascinated by the dispersed flash and fuzzy, bright firework shapes, often resembling some sci-fi movie about the end of the world. It was irresistible.

Later in the evening, it’s more carousing at local bars in Depoe Bay, although I was blown off by the karaoke DJ and the bartender was a total bitch for some reason.

Last year's celebration in Depoe Bay bars featured all of us - including my friend Deb - playing with funky 3D glasses and wacky lights.

Friday morning meant more food at Avast, and then a long, slow trip back up the coast to Manzanita - some 100 miles. The beaches whizzed by, the Fourth of July traffic was snarled and slow moving, especially through Lincoln City, and I wound breathing an intense sigh of relief as I passed beyond the city’s limits to the more open highway just south of Cascade Head and Neskowin. The beaches and streets of Pacific City were nuts. The stretch between there and Tillamook, including Tierra Del Mar and the Galloway Road area, was quite crammed with vehicles and tourists. Bay City, the Tillamook Bay and Garibaldi and its giant “G” carved into the hillside were also buzzing with tourists. Rockaway Beach was an exercise in holding back road rage, with its scores of human beings and their cars jockeying for good spots for its big celebration later that evening.

I didn’t stop until I got into Nehalem, munching down on fine pasta at the new Pizza Garden in town (owned by famed madman pizza chef Phil Kaufman, who ran the original Guido’s a few years ago in Wheeler.)

A little bit of the Canadian show "Trailer Park Boys" in Rockaway: Abby-Normal and I wandering the beach with mixed drinks.

My original plan was to indulge in Seaside’s massive display, then crawl around its insane bars, but my Rockaway pal Abby (whom I call Abby-Normal) beckoned to me and I ended up hanging with her at Rockaway’s wild and wooly celebration. Her parents live a couple blocks from the beach. We took advantage of their copious bar, made some mixed drinks, and headed for the sand to watch the big stuff go off.

Lately, I, as well as numerous other friends around Portland and the coast, have become completely immersed in the underground Canadian TV show “Trailer Park Boys.” One of those regular characters constantly has a rum and coke in his hand, no matter what the situation. He’s even been known to crawl out of car accidents, drink still intact. It’s hilarious. In an homage to that character, Julian, we proudly carried our mixed drinks on the beach that night.

Rockaway's finale is pretty impressive for a relatively small locale (photo from 2006)

Then the really kooky stuff happened: the local bars. We dug our roots into the Blue Water, which featured an extensive outdoor section right on the beach, as well as a bulging host of wacky locals and wild tourists. One dude, who never wore a shirt (also like another character on Trailer Park Boys), was slimy and sketchy to say the least, and seemed anxious to come and join Abby and me. I managed to ignore his requests for company and shielded Abby from the unpleasantness of this unwanted weirdo.

Karaoke was on tap, and one of my favorite tunes to do is Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill" - a stunning, interesting pop tune if there ever was one. It's also in a strange time signature (not 4/4), and I sometimes love messing with the minds of all the drunks and announcing over the mic "I'll buy a drink for the first person who can guess the time signature on this tune." Once, someone actually got it. The other 20 or so times I’ve challenged the audience, no one has ever come close.

So, at the end of the song, I ask if anyone guessed it. A horde of people shouted out odd answers, including one lady who screamed "69" - which makes no sense, but it's funny. Now, being the innate lounge lizard I am, I quipped over the mic: “I think I just propositioned - someone just yelled 69.”

A fabulous meat and cheese plate I indulged in this weekend at Newport's Village Market & Deli, which features their own unbelievably outstanding housemade pate.

All of a sudden, the KJ, who was right next to me, grumbled: “that’s my wife.”

Now, at the time I didn’t realize the brevity of this and assumed he was just joking with me (although I don’t doubt it was his wife). But shortly thereafter, I slowly realized it seemed he really thought I’d transgressed some comedic boundary, and he wasn’t just playing around with me. I think it’s entirely possible the guy had some odd jealousy problem going on. This really hit home when I later complimented him on his KJ abilities, and he just gave me what appeared to be a dirty look.

Geez dude….have a sense of humor.

Manzanita's beaches at dusk

The fifth of July held more promise for fireworks fun, as Pacific City often holds theirs on the fifth. I didn’t feel like driving back down that 70-mile stretch, so I simply moped around my Manzanita pad for the day, having breakfast (around 1 p.m.) at Pizza Garden again. Eventually, I hooked up with friends Rachel and Dave and got them hooked on Trailer Park Boys via a DVD of season four that I’d rented from Netflix. I suppose it’s now part of my duty to spread the word on this unbelievably hilarious show. It’s amazing how many people in Portland and the north coast are already aware of this comedic gem.

As night fell, there were more odd adventures in local wateringhole The Wateringhole in Nehalem. Somehow, a kooky argument broke out over which deceased rock star had more social impact: John Lennon or Dimebag Phillips from Anthrax. The gentleman in Phillips’ corner got really upset and had to leave the table. Sigh, whatever.

Barview's Jetty Park features a mysterious lookout building

As Sunday rolled around, it was time for me to end my wacky little trip up and down the coast. But first I went south to explore some parts of Garibaldi and Tillamook Bay, including that goofy “B” painted on the side of the hill at Barview. It’s like the low budget little brother of the giant G looming over Garibaldi. Apparently, Barview wasn’t willing to be completely overshadowed.

At Barview, the Jetty Park was filled with a plethora of visitors. There were those simply there to take snapshots or gawk at the north jetty of Tillamook Bay, with its constant barrage of waves battering the sides, making this curious, continuous splashing action down its length.

The boulders along the shore of the park provide a fab view of the jetty of Tillamook Bay.

Some were there at the boulders that created part of the shoreline here – a shoreline where the sandy beaches typical of Rockaway Beach meet the rugged cove and rocky sands of the edge of Tillamook Bay. Those folks were capturing some sort of sea life, clams or something.

Others were climbing the odd lookout-like structure that sits at one end of a cove within this little cove. Barview Jetty Park, besides being a much-loved campground, is a varied environment, with a lot to occupy your time with.

Down the road, in Garibaldi, the giant smokestack now seems to be host to a small campground. A small village of tents have popped up beneath it. There’s even a sign saying “Welcome to the Old Mill Resort.” Not exactly a luxury spa, but it’s an interesting, even humorous campground – if that’s actually what it is.

Garibaldi's seemingly endless pier

The long pier at Garibaldi seems to go on forever, but there were plenty of people lined along its enormous length on this big vacation weekend. The water of the bay was a pristine blue under the warm, sunny skies of this day.

From here, it was a quick jaunt down to my fave spot for quiet and solitude: the beaches of the tiny village of Cape Meares (which lies just beneath the cliff of the same name). On this day, there were plenty of people here on this dramatic beach, but it is always ultra-relaxing, no matter that a bevy of people are buzzing around. It’s still easy to be alone and take in this unusually pristine beach, at least for a while.

The soothing beach at Cape Meares during more peaceful moments

This spot, like so many other times, was my last stop – a brief moment or two to suck in that regenerating energy only the ocean is capable of imparting, just before I zip to our Portland office along winding, forested Highway 6. A favorite little ritual of mine pops up again – a heretofore unknown quirk I can’t seem to resist. Just before turning my back on the ocean and stepping into my car to begin the drive inland, I turn quickly to the sea and mumble, “goodbye ocean.”

Sentimental as hell. But I’m a wuss for the coast.

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Nehalem Bay

Newly renovated, 30 upscale rooms, on north end of Lincoln City, close to everything. Spa-like feeling, w/ luxury linens & robes, pillow top mattresses, flat screen TV's, granite counters and more all add to pampering. Oceanfront and ocean view units w/ gas fireplace. Hot Tub units. Romance packages. Luxury Room for every budget: meeting and wedding spaces too.

17 lavish, beachfront suites feature Jacuzzi or outdoor hot tub, gas fireplace, luxury robes & linens, TV, two-headed showers. Three large suites have kitchens. Private deck w/ BBQ available. No smoking or pets. Perfect for romantic getaway, honeymoon.

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.

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.

 

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.

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

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