The Oregon Coast

The Oregon coast offers a variety of towns and cities, for people to explore, surrounded by sandy beaches, lush forests, rivers full of fish, bays, and the grand Pacific Ocean. With its breath-taking scenery and an abundance of activities and attractions, a trip along the North and Central Oregon Coast is sure to please all ages, tastes & desires.

Astoria, is located where the Pacific Ocean and Columbia River meet. It is also the end of the Lewis & Clark trail and is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. Visit Fort Clatsop, the renovated downtown area, or enjoy the many historical attractions.

Seaside, 20 miles to the south, offers a wide variety of entertaining options. Wide sandy beaches are the highlight, but there are many other things to see and do, such as paddleboard or kayaking the river, bumper cars, galleries, funky beach shops, delicious fudge, and Pronto Pups. Enjoy a stroll along the almost 2-mile “Prom,” which goes along the beachfront. This fun beach town has something for all ages.

Cannon Beach, 8 miles from Seaside, is most often recognized for Haystack Rock which rises 235 feet from the shoreline and is a state-protected marine garden. Cannon Beach has a quaint downtown with a variety of local shops, coffee houses, restaurants, and galleries featuring sculptures, paintings, photography, jewelry, and more. It also supports a theater group and hosts Oregon’s largest Sandcastle Contest in June. It is our privilege to have two locations, Schooner’s Cove Inn & The Wayside Inn, in this seaside destination.  The Wayside Inn is also an Oregon Coast Pet-Friendly hotel.

Manzanita, is a delightful beach community surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain, and beautiful coastal forests. You’ll enjoy a long, peaceful ocean beach, a charming downtown area, and 2 parks for camping and beachcombing. We have a large vacation rental house in Manzanita that is wonderful for large groups or families, Westover House.

Rockaway Beach, is the place to go if you’re looking for a sleepy beach town. With its small downtown, fewer crowds, and beautiful beach it’s the spot on the Oregon Coast for a quiet getaway. It has miles of beaches and was originally designed to be a summer resort destination.

Tillamook, is well-known for its delicious cheese and yummy ice cream.  Stop by the Tillamook Cheese Visitors Center to take the tour and have lunch.  For beautiful scenery, the Three Capes Scenic Loop is the perfect place to start. Beginning in downtown Tillamook, this short 40-mile jaunt along the water reveals some of the most majestic natural landscapes the Oregon coast offers. Tillamook is also the destination for amazing salmon fishing and crabbing with its seven rivers and three bays.

Pacific City, is home to the Dory boats. Watch the Dory Boats launch in the early hours and land in the afternoon, right on the beach!  You can also rent a sandboard for fun on the 200-foot sand dune, borrow one of the town’s cruiser bikes to explore town, or fish in the Big Nestucca for salmon.

Lincoln City, is the locale of three of our other coastal hotels, Looking Glass Inn, Pelican Shores Inn, and Shearwater Inn.  Lincoln City has miles of amazing beaches for kite flying, walking, and exploring.  Throughout the year, search for beautiful glass floats hidden along the shoreline for visitors. Two of the best hikes along the Oregon Coast are in Lincoln City, Cascade Head, and Drift Creek Falls. Walk through groves of Sitka spruces and summer wildflowers – Cascade Head offers panoramic views of the Salmon River estuary, with Cape Foulweather and Devils Lake in the distance. Or hike Drift Creek falls, which has something for everyone, a waterfall, a huge suspension bridge, and a nice view of the Coast Range forest.

Depoe Bay, is home to Grey whales that make their home near this rocky refuge all year, providing up-close wildlife viewing. Tour vessels operate out of Depoe Bay and provide a great way to see these amazing animals up close. Depoe Bay has the smallest navigable fishing harbor in the world. The stone entrance is less than 50 feet wide and more than 100 feet long. Boats attempting to navigate the coast’s waters are often referred to as “shooting the hole. The town has a seawall that provides wonderful ocean views and runs the length of downtown.

Newport, positioned between the mountains, Yaquina Bay, and the mighty Pacific ocean, offers so many attractions and activities. Make sure to check out the renovated Nye Beach area and the bayfront district. Visit the tallest and second oldest lighthouse in Oregon on Yaquina Head or spend an afternoon seeing the amazing animals at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.