Secrets of the Season

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

Weekly Tourism Picks for Christmas on the Oregon Coast

Depoe Bay's spouting horn is a big draw in winter

(Oregon Coast) – There’s little fun like a yuletide by the tide.

While it almost certainly won’t snow (99.9 percent chance, that is), the coast has a distinctive and delicious vibe during Christmas. It’s the perfect time to arrange a REAL getaway, huddling together with friends or family by a fire in a sweet vacation rental or lodging somewhere, and digging into a bit of the good life by the sea.

There are a few interesting events taking place this week, but generally there are no events happening over the holidays themselves – and the bulk of the coast is shut down on Sunday and Monday. You will find a few restaurants open, serving up the goodies to the sizable intrepid voyagers to the beach. It’s not the highlight of the tourist season, by any means, but these couple of holiday days are a truly unique time in this place.

Beautiful music in Manzanita

Here are a few interesting suggestions in the realms of beaches, lodgings, events and other travel secrets.

Vox Eclectique sings Christmas Classics, December 23, Manzanita

Eight voices are accompanied by pianist David Carlson. $10 suggested donation for cover charge. 3 p.m. St. Catherine of Alexandria Episcopal Church. 36335 Highway 101, between Manzanita and Nehalem.

Solstice Celebration at the Driftwood Public Library, Lincoln City

December 20. Music by harpist Elizabeth Rudkin, and violinist Zach Konowalchuk and his band, Pieces of Eight. The readings will reflect on various aspects of winter and solstice. In the Distad Reading Room at 7 p.m. SW Hwy 101 #201. Lincoln City, Oregon. 541-996-2277.

Cape Kiwanda State Park

At Pacific City, this cute but rustic hamlet north of Lincoln City is a tiny charmer, but it has enough natural and manmade nooks and crannies to make it a captivating bit of rural exploration. Numerous restaurants, a famous brew pub, a few choice lodgings, more beach than you might know what to do with and even a small airport inhabit this rugged country town with an occasional upscale touch.

Nearby, you’ll find the Cape Kiwanda State Park – an intriguing somewhat spot with some unusual features.

Despite being part of our grand State Park system, this sparkling little gem is pretty much a secret. It’s accessible via a one-lane street tucked off to the side the road - about a mile north of Cape Kiwanda's parking in Pacific City.

This frequently solitary spot features a large sandstone and basalt structure which protrudes out from the cliff face right up to the ocean, providing all kinds of opportunities for climbing or for hiding from the wind. There's even a tiny cave. At lower tides, its tip is exposed and large, freaky basalt columns emerge, letting you explore them.

There's parking at the bottom of the driveway off the road here, as well as a small, rough and rocky auto access to the beach.

Fun Times at Goose Hollow, Seaside.

Every Tuesday night at the Goose Hollow, local legends Bill Hayes and Gary Keiski play their acoustic guitar and fiddle starting at 7 p.m. Every Wednesday night at the Goose Hollow is “Locals” night from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m., with specials and live music. Featured is the local band Dismal Nitch, a.k.a.
Bob, Dave and Dale playing eclectic acoustic sounds. They’re probably the only band named after a bit of Lewis & Clark history.

Look for local artist Jason Lambert, an entertaining and engaging musician with smooth vocals and spectacular strumming, playing at the Goose December 29. 220 Ave U in Seaside. (503) 717-1940.

Inn At Spanish Head, Lincoln City

It’s the gateway to views of spectacular views of waves, sunsets, wildlife and pristine beaches that you’ll fall in love with.

Inn at Spanish Head is that sprawling, gargantuan landmark that is now a part of the landscape of Lincoln City’s stunning line of cliffs. It’s a major resort hotel built right on the beach with all oceanfront rooms - nestled against a rugged cliff overlooking a soft, sandy beach.

The accommodations range from bedrooms to studios to one-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators to full kitchens. Hotel amenities include wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise room and a year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game room and easy beach access.

If you are planning an inspirational retreat, they have full-service conference and meeting rooms. Imagine this ocean view with your wedding: they have an on-site planner, and a variety of packages on the website (or call for info).

If you’re in the mood for a casual meal or a candlelight dinner, their penthouse restaurant and bar also provides these delights. They offer an array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest favorites. Indulge yourself in the scrumptious Sunday Brunch buffet, renowned for its decadent bounty. Near the south end of Lincoln City at 4009 SW Highway 101. 1-800-452-8127 or 541-996-2161. www.spanishhead.com

A Coastal Christmas with Tall Jazz, Newport, December 22 and 23

Celebrate the holiday season with the sounds of this extraordinary jazz group. An astounding CD release is in the works for this group of stellar musicians. They will certainly help you get your Christmas jive on. Blu Cork Wine Bar. Blu Cork is non-smoking, but there is a section of the patio for smokers. The outdoor patio is perfect for imbibing outdoors on those glorious coastal early evenings in this unusually beautiful section of Newport. And pleasant weather for such delights is more common than you might imagine in December. 613 SW Third Street, Newport. 541-265-2257.

Beneath Cape Perpetua

There’s a trailhead here you’ve probably never seen before. In fact, this is an area you’re probably never even thought about exploring – and during the winter, that’s probably for good reason. This area is inaccessible during most winter conditions.

But if things are calm, look perhaps 100 feet north of Cook’s Chasm and you’ll find the trail to the beach beneath towering Cape Perpetua – just south of Yachats. From the top, this view reveals interesting new views of the southern side of Cape Perpetua, where a labyrinth of rocky slabs dots the wet sands, providing a few hundred feet of beach called Cape Cove Beach. A mostly paved path winds its way down here.

This little cove runs a ways into the cliffs, ending at a stream that pours from the earth. The tide gets very close to the inside end of this cove during storms. Powerful storms have obviously deposited enormous logs right up to the edge of the mouth of the stream, some 100 feet from where the tide line is on calmer days. The frightening supremacy of the sea is clear here.

If the winter will allow, you can see bundles of sea life at the foot of Cape Perpetua that are normally underwater. Even among the rocky slabs at the southern end of the beach, many of these are usually beneath the tide line. Strange geologic features dot this place everywhere. It’s a geologist’s dreamscape.

Wander amidst the blob-like rocks for a while in complete solitude. Then gaze up at the top of Cape Perpetua and its rivulets marking the upper part, which look a bit like a vineyard compressed into a small space. This view is ten times more astounding if you’ve actually been at the top of the cape, taking in its grand, enormous panorama. You’ll find it instantly amazing to look up at this vantage point after having seen what’s it like on top.

RELATED STORIES

Annual Holiday Events Bring Sparkle - and Secrets - to Oregon Coast From the most glittering and well known to some hidden holiday celebrations

Stunning Storm Watch Spots on Oregon's Coast Tips for some stunning viewing of the wild waves of the season

Glass Float Giveaway Begins on Central Oregon Coast Newport starts its glass float extravaganza, with numerous other wonders

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

Sampling Wines and Wine Bars on the Oregon Coast Wine shops and wine bars are a growing part of coastal tourism

CONTACT BEACH CONNECTION