Cannon Beach offers great shopping and art galleries, most within the two block downtown area. Mo’s offers casual dining with an ocean view and Wayfarer Restaurant offers more upscale dining with views. One of my favorite things for a rainy day is a visit to Icefire Glassworks in midtown Cannon Beach where you can often watch glassblowers at work. Other indoor attractions include the Cannon Beach History Center and live theater at the Coaster Theatre Playhouse.

As you travel south, you could consider a stop at the Tillamook County Creamery visitor center, home to Tillamook Cheese. There is a self-guided tour, samples, food and shopping. In Lincoln City, the Jennifer Sears Glass Art Studio is another opportunity to watch glass blowing, or blow your own piece of art glass with the help of the artists there. Lincoln City also features a large outlet shopping center connected by covered walkways. There are a number of ocean view restaurants, but my top choice for views would be Fathoms on the 10th floor of the Inn at Spanish Head. Chinook Winds Casino is the other major indoor attraction in Lincoln City.

In Depoe Bay, the Whale Watch Center operated by Oregon State Parks is one of the best places to spot whales nearly year-round on the Oregon Coast. Tidal Raves offers nice ocean front dining and you can watch for whales from your table. In Newport, the Oregon Coast Aquarium makes a great rainy day stop. Other indoor attractions include a maritime museum, wax museum and Ripley’s Believe it or Not on the historic bay front where you will also find interesting shops and bay view dining. Georgie’s Beachside Grill offers ocean view dining. Yachats is just minutes away from the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area that features an indoor visitor center. A little further down the coast is Sea Lion Caves offering an elevator down to a large sea cave often occupied by sea lions during inclement weather.