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Travel Tips for an Oregon Coast Spring Break
(Oregon Coast) - With much of Oregon now officially kickin’ it and on break from school, the Oregon coast is the likeliest choice for many – and for good reason. The possibilities for fun are obvious: goofing around the sand, getting a little wet in the surf, downing the tempting grub and exploring some natural wonders. There are also numerous treasures that aren’t obvious, and a few aspects to the coast at this time of year that are probably surprises. In essence, there’s more to spring break on the Oregon coast than meets the traveler’s eye. Tips for the Road and the Beach
The big rule for the coast almost any time of year: take along a change of clothes or two. The weather can go up and down within minutes, which creates some unusual and memorable spectacles - but it’s a pain in the butt if you’re on a long beach walk during a spell of sunny weather and you get soaked by a sudden rainsquall because you didn’t bring your coast. Nasty. Or, if you’re goofing around the sand and fall in a tide pool or a creek, you’re going to wish you’d brought along an extra pair of pants or something. This happens a lot easier than you think. Make sure you bring a coat if you’re going to wander too far from your car. And whatever you do, make sure you bring along more than one pair of shoes and socks. It’s way too easy to get these wet – and they usually stay that way for a whole day. You’ll want to wear sandals or flip-flops for sure while bouncing around the sand.
You don’t have to leave the good life behind while taking the kids to the coast. Even with the little ones, upscale and luxurious options abound. In the ritzy resort town of Cannon Beach, near a famed Lewis & Clark landmark, Fultano's Pizza sits and emits wonderful smells of Italian cuisine. With an outdoor patio here, you can still see some of the sights available at the end of Second Street, and enjoy exceptional - even gourmet quality - cuisine at a family pizza joint price. Fultano's delivers to local hotels, and they feature slices for lunch. There are many of the standbys, as well as gourmet varieties like the Margherita (garlic and herb olive oil, three cheeses, red onion and more), a Greek-themed specialty, a Goat Cheese pizza, and specialties with Teriyaki Chicken, Linguica, BBQ Chicken and a variety of seafood selections. One item features a distinctive sausage with mashed grapes for the sauce, providing a subtle, sweet tang. The sausage is spicy and zippy, making a nice balance to the slight sweetness.
One must-try is their pasta (about $10). They have a homemade tomato sauce that is one stunning, mother-of-all sauces, and their meatballs are a serious delicacy. Still, even with its decent wine and microbrew selection, this is a place that welcomes the kiddies nicely. 200 N. Hemlock and Second Street. (503) 436-9717. Drive north to Seaside, and you'll find a beach town full of things to do for children - most notably Broadway Ave., with its almost dozen arcade businesses, ice cream vendors, kooky gift shops, bumper cars and other attractions. See the Seaside Virtual tour for more.
In mysterious and moody Manzanita, the San Dune Inn provides a vast array of freebies like bikes, game equipment, popcorn and movies. It’s perfect for families or pet lovers (as they’re extremely dog friendly), and it’s a charming, slightly quirky place that’s immaculate and cozy. Stay at this charming, unassuming place just blocks from the beach and you'll find stuff for volleyball and other games suitable for the sand, as well as beach balls, bikes and simple sandcastle-making gear like buckets. www.sanduneinn.com. 503-368-5163. For a complete list of prime spring break vacation rentals and lodgings in Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport and Yachats, click here. Places to Go – Beaches to See
The beach begins at the end of Laneda Ave., but another road runs along side the shore from that elbow until it dead-ends in the tree-smothered neighborhoods beneath Highway 101 and looming Neahkahnie Mountain. On the way, access to the sand is easy, with just a few steps down sandy or slightly rocky passages to this endlessly fascinating beach.
The Nehalem Bay Spit runs for a couple miles to the south, with entrances at one hidden end of Manzanita, and then the main entrance to the park a mile away - just outside of the tiny town of Nehalem. If the weather is cooperating, these viewpoints are perfect for taking in the views and the sunsets, and of course, the beaches – well, we don’t need to explain that to you, now do we?
Seal Rock began its days as a budding resort town back in the last century, but various failed business deals resulted in this tiny town being surrounded by wondrous, unspoiled natural attractions. Seal Rock State Park is one large chunk of fun, with a variety of rock structures, rock-dotted sandy beaches and weird grooves made of basalt (actually geologic oddities and hints of fault lines) to climb around on. There's one section near the tide line where the basalt rocks form a small channel that creates some unique climbing opportunities at lower tides. If you're looking for a hidden spot around here: a tad north of the entrance to Seal Rock State Park sits a small path down to the beach. Look for Grebe St. and this access is nearby.
At the very northern end of town, between the casino and Road's End State Park, look for the sign pointing to NW 50th amidst the placid neighborhoods. Follow that to its end, where it meets NW Jetty, and you'll find an abandoned gravel "driveway" which winds its way down to the beach. Along the way, there's another tunnel-like path that looks a little like the famed Hobbit Trail (see this link), although that doesn't seem to lead anywhere. Down on the beach, it's the only access for about half a mile in either direction. There are some interesting rock features here created by a crumbling cliff, and the sand is pristine and more than a little pleasant.
The beach here is a glorious scene, ripe with a myriad of opportunities. Maxwell Point is the stately rock structure jutting into the ocean here, with its secret tunnel to the other side, where a pristine and magnificent beach awaits. If you've got the time, a leisurely stroll or drive through this town's tiny back streets is highly suggested. The ocean view and the neighborhood tour are nothing short of a visual kick in the head. Travel these roads to the very top, where the panoramic perspective of the Pacific is nothing short of hair-raising. You're essentially atop the highest point in the area. You actually have to look down to see the gargantuan Three Arch Rocks. More About Oregon Coast lodging..... |
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