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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

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.

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

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.

A castle on the coast. Fine antiques, gourmet breakfast, luxury w/ ocean views, pet friendly. Social hour in the eve. Have to see to believe. East Ocean Rd., just north of the Arch Cape Tunnel. Arch Cape, Oregon (s. of Cannon Beach and Seaside). www.archcapehouse.com. 800-436-2848

 

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.


Published
01/11/09


The Twists and Turns of Oregon Coast Winter Weather

Pleasant sunsets like this - at Cape Foulweather - happen more often than people think during the winter.

(Oregon Coast) - In between the major storms, the days of thrashing wind, and the gloom of gray skies and goopy slorp, there’s a real Oregon coast. The shocker in Oregon's tourism industry is that winter on the coast isn't all it seems, even with its notoriously crazed tempests. There are at least a few fairly nice days in between the stormy squalls and near-gale force winds. Weather statistics bring out the truth, and it’s stranger than fiction.

These runs of wild weather either chase valley visitors away or draw them in to watch the tidal drama. But there’s often more than a sprinkling of blue skies and nice vibes in the winter than you’re probably aware of. On top of it all, meteorologists will admit you don’t get the full picture when it comes to coastal forecasts, and there is even a kind of secret miniature summer tucked away near the end of winter.

Pleasant, even sunny, slightly balmy days do exist with some regularity on these shores between November and February – more than you know.

The Truth About Weather Is Out There, or Up There

Lorna Davis, Director of Tourism Development for the Newport Chamber of Commerce, said she definitely sees runs of nice weather on the coast in winter, and it’s not uncommon to find extraordinarily warm days popping up out of the blue. “Every month brings really different weather,” she said. “It’s not just storms during winter and fall, but there are instances of glorious weather.

The Nehalem Bay on a quiet winter day.

“It’s as typical as it is not typical, if that makes any sense. These days do happen. You just don’t know when.”

Just as in the I-5 corridor, sunny days pop up in winter. But there’s a big difference between those clear winter days in the valley and those on the coast.

Rod Hill, meteorologist with KATU TV (channel 2) in Portland, said the moderate climate of the coast keeps those nicer days even nicer than those in the valley.

When those clear days happen – and it’s not all the time, that’s for certain – they’re colder in the valley because of the east winds bringing colder air. “Cold air settles here,” Hill said. “On the coast you don’t get that cold air vection. It’s more moderate because it’s next to the ocean, which is about 50 degrees. So on the coast it can be around 50, 52 or 53 degrees, while in the valley it’s 42 or 44.”

Hill adds that the coast range blocks the cold air dynamics from the east, helping to keep the moderate temps by the seashore.

Talk to locals, and you'll often hear how December can yield days warmer than some days in June. In fact, to this day, many still talk about those stunning, unforgettable few days in late December 1993 when it was windless, a clear blue sky and temperatures were around 65.

Winter storm waves smacking the lava rocks near Depoe Bay make for spectacular seasonal sights.

Davis noted the balmy Christmas day in 2001 when temperatures were around 68 in Gleneden Beach. “We get that – and maybe more than people in the valley know.”

Even Hill admits that valley residents may not be getting the full picture on just how pleasant conditions really can be on the coast in winter.

“The coast has more of these nice days than is typically forecast,” Hill told BeachConnection.net in 2006. “I will say that. It’s forecast as being worse than it really is quite often, I will admit that. We are trying to improve upon that.”

It seems Portland meteorologists have improved since then to some degree. You can actually see the increased attention to the Oregon coast since 2006, and there does seem to be more accuracy in predicting weather patterns there.

Statistics Can Speak Louder Than Words

Hill noted statistics in the almanacs will back this up as well. According to one of his almanac sources, the average percentage of cloudy days in Astoria in the month of January is 66 percent – meaning 66 percent of days in January were cloudy and not so nice in Astoria. Yet in Portland, the average is 68 percent of days in January were cloudy.

Rockaway's south jetty in the dead of winter.

The average for Portland in December was 70 percent cloudy conditions through the month, while the north coast experienced only 64 percent of those kinds of days. February was a dead tie at 63 percent, Hill said.

Those were averages of those months over a selected number of years. But it shows the general trend.

Weather data collected over the years by the Hatfield Marine Science Center also backs this up. It fortifies another bit of local wisdom about weather trends as well: things tend to get a little drier and nicer in winter until you get a host of really nice days in February.

According to the Hatfield's web site, http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/weather/summaries/index.html, you can see an increase of pleasant days over the three months.

If you look at December 2001, there were five days where there was zero precipitation, and a total of five days where there was only about a tenth of an inch of rain. Temperatures were usually in the low 40's and winds were around 28 mph. While none of the data indicated anything about whether it was sunny or not, it’s a safe assumption that there was at least some sun among those dry days. Only two days rained over an inch, and temperatures throughout that month ranged from 47 to 54 degrees.

Winter Days w/ Little or No Rain
  Dec '01 -
Jan '02 -
Feb '02 -
10 days
7 days
15 days

The following month, January of 2002, had a total of seven days that had a tenth of an inch of precipitation or none at all. Two days were at 60 degrees, but these had winds of around 50 mph and precipitation of two inches, however.

In February 2002, a total of eleven days had zero rain, and four had .02 inches or less. Highest wind gusts on those days ranged from 19 to 30 mph, and temperatures on these days were generally in the low- to mid-50's. Half the month was less than .02 inches of rain or less.

Fast forward a year. According to the Hatfield site, six days in December of 2003 had either zero precipitation or less than .02 inches (nearly nothing). All these happened after the 15th, and were in the 40 and 50 degree ranges.

Lincoln City's Nelscott district.

In January of 2004, only four days were .02 inches of rain or less, with most days in the low 50's. Three days of the months rained more than three inches, so it wasn't a banner month for sunbathing, and lower in pleasant periods than other Januaries on record. But February of that year continued the legend, with ten days mostly in the low 50's and less than .02 inches of rain. Winds were 20 mph or less on these days. Two days were about 60 degrees, however. Most of the other days had half an inch or less of rain.

In short, it means most years have the same pattern: about a week or slightly more of absolutely dry days - or almost completely dry days - in December and January, with temperatures floating around the 50's. By February, you've often got almost two weeks of no rain and somewhat spring-like temperatures that beat that stereotype of nasty coastal weather.

Slightly warmer than winter in the valley? You bet. And the data from these years - and other years - seems to show a general tendency that corroborates the locals.

The data on the Hatfield’s site doesn't even address those days when it was a mix of weather, with sunny, warm temperatures alternating with rainstorms. These are quite typical, and probably raises the occurrence of really nice days that are waiting for you (even if the whole day may not be super swell).

Seaside on a balmy, February day

That Odd, Mini-Summer at Winter's End

Then, come February, the real shockers begin. There’s what is nicknamed the “mini-summer” in the middle of the month, with something close to 10 days – on average – of exceptionally warm, sun-filled weather that mimics nice summer days.

Davis said that “mini-summer” of February is really spectacular. “It’s always really weird,” she said. “It’s so warm. There’s always about six days of really banner, balmy weather in February. Then you can turn around and have a half a foot of snow in early March.”

Hill said this is not all that unusual, except that on the coast, the moderate climate element can heighten the glorious weather factor.

“In fact, a lot of areas of the country have that,” Hill said. “By this time, you’ve gone through the early sunsets, dark days and the wettest three months of the year. February is over that hump.

“The days are have been getting longer for five weeks and you’ve added enough daylight hours so that the weather is warmer. You get that much daylight increase and you start to get a climate shift.”

Oceanside on a cold but crisp winter day.

Beware The Laws of Averages

Then there was the unforgettable run of extremely warm weather in early 2005, which saw temps on the coast in the high 60's and low 70's from January through to March. That was, of course, a freakish fluke, but notable nonetheless.

Last year was atypically wetter and windier, with a nasty windstorm that tore up the coast. January ‘08 wound up quite normal, but spring saw more snow than usual – even on the coast. 2007 and 08 have had their wild mood swings compared to the balmy winter of ’05.

In spite of horrid snowstorms in December, the last month of 2008 actually wound up slightly drier than usual – believe it or not. But of course, January ’09 has brought on some nasty floods to the coast, although they didn’t wind up as hefty as experts predicted.

Yachats at a sunny moment in January.

Then, the weekend of January 10, the coast basked beneath glorious sun and almost spring-like conditions with barely a sprinkle.

The lesson to be learned from all this is that there can be averages, but they can be thrown out the window

It May Not Be Second Summer, But….

Still, between the valley meteorologists’ admittedly not-so-completely accurate forecasts and your decent chances of finding lovely atmospheric conditions on certain surprise days, Davis said these days of offer a lot.

”It’s full of incredible opportunities,” Davis said. “Like whale watching in winter. It might be crisp and cool, but it will be blue skies and the coast will be clear. You’ll have unencumbered travel. If there’s great weather predicted in summer, Newport’s population of 10,000 jumps to 30,000. But if the weather is nice in winter, you’ll just get some traffic. Tourists are looking for an authentic experience, and the coast has it this time of year. Besides, you’ll want to scoop up the lodging discounts and two-for-one specials.”



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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ASTORIA
Where the Columbia meets the Pacific, Land of Lewis & Clark and loads of atmosphere & history


SEASIDE
The Promenade, Tillamook Head, family fun & broad, sandy beaches

CANNON BEACH
A mysterious lighthouse, upscale yet earthy, a huge monolith, fine eateries & an art mecca


NEHALEM BAY
Manzanita's beaches, Nehalem and Wheeler's quirky beauty; laid back Rockaway


TILLAMOOK BAY
Garibaldi, Barview, Bay City, Tillamook & an oceanfront ghost town


THREE CAPES LOOP
The hidden secret of the coast: Cape Meares, a lighthouse, Oceanside, Netarts and Pacific City


LINCOLN CITY & THE CORRIDOR OF MYSTERY
Miles & miles of unbroken beaches, Cascade Head, Neskowin and many manmade attractions
DEPOE BAY
A spouting horn downtown, freaky hidden cliffs and whales, whales, whales
NEWPORT
Time-tripping Nye Beach, a bustling bayfront, marine science-central and two lighthouses

WALDPORT / SEAL ROCK
Pristine, even secretive sands and wild geologic landmarks

YACHATS
Constantly dramatic wave action, a mix of the rugged & upscale

UPPER LANE COUNTY
25 miles of deserted beaches & oodles of wonders

FLORENCE
A lighthouse, ancient bayfront and miles and miles of fluffy dunes

Secrets of the Season

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

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.

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