Oregon Coast

http://visittheoregoncoast.com and www.traveloregon.com

I've divided the Oregon coast into three sections:

North click here
Astoria, Gearhart, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem,
Wheeler, Tillamook, Pacific City

Central
Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats, Florence

South click here
North Bend/Coos Bay, Bandon, Port Orford, Gold Beach, Brookings

Central Oregon Coast

Lincoln City needs updating
www.oregoncoast.org

EAT

Otis Café http://otiscafe.tripod.com Otis Junction before reaching Lincoln City, 541.994.2813, true old-fashioned road café Fair Warning: No French fries! But big breakfasts, burgers, hand-dipped shakes, home made pies & sweets. Blackfish Café 2733 NW Hwy. 101 www.blackfishcafe.com, Fair Warning: highly recommended, not tried.

STAY

The O’dysius Hotel www.odysius.com small, European luxury inn steps from the beach near the wee “D” (or Dee) River. Fair Warning: on busy Hwy. 101, but rooms face ocean views.

Note: if anyone has a great place to stay in Lincoln City email me at mj@sleeparoundnw.com

PLAY

http://visittheoregoncoast.com and www.traveloregon.com

More beaches! Kite festivals spring & fall; Smallest River in the World (Dee or “D” you’ll cross it on Hwy. 101). Crazy ocean turmoil at Boiler Bay, Devil’s Punchbowl/Otter Crest and Depoe Bay — catch the spout, sometimes spewing over the highway.

Gleneden

EAT

Salishan Spa & Golf Resort www.salishan.com, 6675 Gleneden Beach Loop Road, 541-764-3825. Dining Room, Grill, Sun Room, Attic Lounge. Side Door Café.

STAY

Salishan Spa & Golf Resort www.salishan.com Hwy. 101, Gleneden Beach, premiere golf resort gracious next-to-nature wood, rock NW design. Tennis, golf, spa, pool, dining facilities. Fair Warning: Art gallery, shops, and some dining across Hwy. 101 from lodging.

Newport
www.newportnet.com and www.nyebeach.org

(bayfront) Once upon a time in the 1970s one of my favorite memories — an accident loading fish to a truck, and oops, the street full of falling, slippery, sliding silvery salmon. I did not see the car crash into Mo’s restaurant, but that must have been a sight too. I can’t guarantee the bayfront will entertain to its historic extent, but it is lively. Barking sea lions, fishing boats, shops, art galleries, restaurants and touristy stuff like Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

(Historic Nye Beach) I’m dancing at Café Mundo to Coyote Bill’s band. I’m being twirled and two-stepped until my dancing partner says, “I’m tired,” and flops down in his chair. I’m not surprised. He’s 83. That’s how it is here on the central Oregon Coast where you can mingle with locals and feel right at home. The café is one of an outstanding handful that you’ll find here. The quaint beachside village has almost doubled in size with the addition of a new condo/shops complex — at first, jarring, but not hugely out of place. For a cozy holiday retreat or even winter blues, this friendly entirely walkable neighborhood enclave has a variety of special places to stay, so head on down, park your car for a few days and enjoy this little haven. [ARCHIVES: Dream Resort (Nye Beach) and All This & the Beach Too]

EAT

(Nye Beach, oceanside)
Arr Place 143 SW Cliff St. south of Performing Art Center, 541.265.4240, local secret, gourmet breakfast & lunch. Georgie’s Beachside Grill 744 SW Elizabeth St. 541.265.9800 when you need the ocean view; Panache www.panachenewport.com at Olive & Cliff Sts, 541.265.2929, small intimate dining. Panini Bakery 232 NW Coast St. 541.265.5033, soups, breads, sandwiches. Café Mundo www.myspace.com/cafemundo, 209 NW Coast St. 541.574.8134, hidden behind the trees eclectic, artsy fun great food & music hang-out. April's 541.265.6855, romantic cozy café bistro-style NW cuisine across from Sylvia Beach Hotel which has it’s own Tables of Content family-style several-course NW fresh gourmet dinners www.sylviabeachhotel.com. Fair Warning: Reservations a must 888.795.8422; no intimate couples dining, purpose of sometimes “Two Truths & a Lie” game is to get strangers engaged. It does. And fun. Really. Loosen up; Village Market & Deli 741 NW 3rd St. 541.574.9393, wine, soups, sandwiches, cheese & meats. Fair Warning: sometimes cool in the former sense of the word service. Café Stephanie 541.265.8082, friendly, cozy coffee-read-the-paper local hangout; wonderful breakfast and lunch (quiche & scones, sandwiches, soups, fish tacos!)

(bayfront)
Saffron Salmon www.saffronsalmon.com 859 SW Bay Blvd. 541.265.8921, elegant fine dining w/ bay view; Rogue Ales Public House www.rogue.com hand-crafted ales and food. Fair Warning: if you like grungy local pubs; a bit better at the distillery across bay. Canyon Way Bookstore & Restaurant 1216 SW Canyon Way 541.265.8319; fantastic warren books, neat stuff. Fair Warning: tired restaurant atmosphere, used to be the place to eat in town, still good, but better competition now, like Local Ocean www.localocean.net hip, sophisticated fresh-as-you-can-get-it seafood market & grill.

STAY

Lots of motels http://discovernewport.com

(oceanside) Sylvia Beach Hotel www.sylviabeachhotel.com Possibly the most wonderfully eccentric hotel on any coast. For book lovers, each room designed after a famous author. Breakfasts are large and yummy, but it’s dinners that shine, where excellent meals are served family style to keep conversation amongst strangers flowing. After all, that’s the heartbeat of the Sylvia Beach Hotel where books and camaraderie are intrinsic to its charm. Fair Warning: No TVs, CD players or radios and no phones on purpose. Beyond shabby chic, it’s like putting on a favorite old sweater — a bit saggy here and there, but oh, so comfortable. Beloved by some; eek! for others. Magic happens here. [ARCHIVES: All This and the Beach Too] The Grand Victorian B&B / Vintage Cottage www.grandvictorianOR.com classic B&B a few blocks from the beach with 1940s remodeled cottage suitable for families. Complimentary check-in appetizers and evening desserts (and ice cream in freezers), made-to-order breakfasts. The Tea Party English Boarding Rooms www.retrobeachbungalow.com cozy rooms above the tearoom, so British you’ll forget exactly where you are — flowered chintz, dark wood paneling, the iron (faux coal) fireplace and just enough bric-a-brac without being too fussy. Steps from the beach, shops and cafes, a perfect hideaway. Elizabeth Street Inn www.elizabethstreetinn.com on the bluff above the beach you’ve got your very nice indeed motel-like privacy with your own TV, fireplace, balcony and serene ocean views. If you want to visit, you can hang out for complimentary evening salmon chowder or large continental breakfast (fresh scones). Indoor pool too!

(bayside) Anchor Pier Lodge www.anchorpier.com, former Bering Sea crabber, Don Mathews, and his wife, Fran have created terrific themed rooms like the handsome “Captain’s Quarters” and the clever “Surfer Dude” (high-gloss surfboard sink counter). Watch gulls and waterfront activity or entertain friends on your private balcony overlooking the boat docks and the bay. Fair Warning: “lodge,” not! Working bayfront activity and seals can be noisy.

[ARCHIVES: Dream Resort]

PLAY

http://discovernewport.com Yaquina Head Oustanding Natural Area (tidepools, puffins, waterfowl) and lighthouse www.blm.gov; everything sea mammal and fish (sharks!) at Oregon Coast Aquarium www.aquarium.org and next door Hatfield Marine Science Center (by donation) http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu.

Yachats
www.yachats.org

STAY

Many motels and B&B’s on the oceanfront — to be updated.

Florence
Horseback riding on flat beaches, careening down towering sand dunes, exploring the historic riverfront and just a few miles north the spectacularly rugged coastline with the Sea Lion Caves, Heceta Head Lighthouse, and awesome headland views from Cape Perpetua.

STAY

Heceta Head Lighthouse B&B ww.hecetalighthouse.com Queen Ann lighthouse keeper’s quarters high on headland near lighthouse. Period furniture, famous seven-course gourmet breakfast included. Fair Warning: daytime Interpretive Center with tours. Odd configuration of rooms due to joining two residences; some shared baths, some without views, but fantastic location. Near Florence: Coast House www.coasthouseflorence.com unique five-level art-filled enchanting cabin-like structure near the Sea Lion Caves. Exceptional hideaway in a breathtaking setting atop headland with spectacular rugged coastline views. Fair Warning: unconventional sleeping lofts, outdoor shower, compost toilets; must walk down woodsy path to lodging; not appropriate for free-spirited children or pets.

PLAY

http://visittheoregoncoast.com and www.traveloregon.com

26 miles of trails at Cape Perpetua Scenic Area plus hold-your-breath mountaintop views www.yachats.org near Yachats; Heceta Head Lighthouse (B&B too) www.hecetalighthouse.com; Elevator down inside the cliff to smelly Sea Lion Caves; 5 miles north of Florence Plants eat insects! Nice boardwalk through boggy fen at Darlington State Botanical Wayside; Oregon Dune National Recreation Area www.fs.fed.us biking, hiking, horseback riding, look out for crazy dune buggies. Working river waterfront shops & galleries too.