: Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor by Gary Hayes

Give the Gift of the Oregon Coast

November 20, 2020 (Updated November 8, 2022)

One coastline, three regions, 32 cities. Add in 363 miles of public beaches and you’ll begin to see why the Oregon Coast is a destination like no other. From Astoria in the north down to Brookings on the Southern Oregon Coast, everyone from history buffs to nature seekers and discerning foodies flock to the Coast for its eclectic shops, local museums and galleries, craft breweries, and award-winning coastal fare. If you know someone who dreams of the Coast even when they’re landlocked, consider giving them a gift this holiday that transports them to the place they love.

A quaint shingled store
Shopping on the Oregon Coast is a fantastic way to support local businesses and get to know the local communities. (Manzanita by Visit Tillamook Coast)
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Shopping​ D​istricts​ on the Oregon Coast

Downtown Astoria beckons with historical architecture and shops filled with local goodies, joining together for a “Shop Plaid” holiday event where shoppers can gather punches on a punchcard from participating local businesses as a way to win prizes. Seaside’s historic Gilbert District is home to antique shops, galleries and bookstores, while the city centers of Cannon Beach and Manzanita are equally wander-worthy.

The Central Oregon Coast’s Lincoln City is a shopper’s haven, with local businesses showing off their festive decor. Walk the charming shops by the seawall in historic Depoe Bay, and Old Town Florence, you can partake in a gnome treasure hunt, a holiday lights car cruise and “shop small” holiday event. In Newport find your favorite shops in the Nye Beach district and Historic Bayfront.

Oregon’s Southern Coast draws fewer crowds, so it’s easy to find some much-welcomed solitude alongside your search for the perfect gift. Artful finds abound in the cultural districts of Port Orford, Bandon’s Old Town and the Coast’s largest city, Coos Bay. Don’t forget to meander the shops of Brookings, ending your gift hunting at the lights festival at Azalea Park.

There's always something fun to find at Beach Books in Seaside, one of the Coast's most iconic destinations for families.

Home Gifts on the Oregon Coast

There’s no better place than the Coast to get a gift card for shore decor. In Astoria Chariot Spirit + Home offers handcrafted and soulful housewares, The Rusty Dahlia has farmhouse accents galore, and The Magical Bee has candles made from natural ingredients sourced in Oregon. Crafted in Seaside has an extensive collection of items made by the Coast’s creative residents, including knitwear, woodcrafts, candles, books and art. In Cannon Beach, Sesame + Lilies offers European-inspired, beachy home goods and DragonFire Gallery is a haven for affordable, original art from Pacific Northwest artists. Finnesterre in Manzanita has everything from cheese knives to stylish kitchen towels. In artsy Lincoln City, Mossy Creek Pottery showcases the work of 40 Northwest ceramic artists. For the readers on your list, a gift card for Beach Books in Seaside, Cloud & Leaf in Manzanita or Robert’s Bookshop in Lincoln City will do the trick. Farther south, Gold Beach Books & Art Gallery is the largest bookstore on the Coast, with rare books and first editions, too. Audiophiles can add to their vinyl collection with a gift card or VIP membership from Output Records in Lincoln City.

Pastel painting hangs on a wall.
Wild Coast Goods in Nehalem is a trove of fun, coastal accents. (Photo by Justin Bailie)

Clothes and Designs on the Oregon Coast

Need a gift for the stylish sea dreamers on your list? Doe & Arrow in Astoria focuses on Pacific Northwest designers and ethically sourced women’s clothes, plus adorable rompers for little ones. Women-owned Moxie Fair Trade in Manzanita supports women’s cooperatives around the world with their comfortable yet stylish women’s clothing and jewelry, while nearby Four Paws on the Beach has plenty of cute dog jackets for those misty beach strolls. With stores in both Seaside and Cannon Beach, C&R Mercantile supplies high-end outdoor-inspired clothing for everyone, including the family pet. In Newport 101 Local by Specifically Pacific offers up amazingly soft hoodies, joggers and accessories designed for the Pacific Northwest state of mind. Everything here is designed locally and hand-printed with ocean-friendly inks. You might find the perfect gift for your irreverent, outdoorsy cousin at Scout Northwest Trading Company with stores in Lincoln City and Seaside. Wild Coast Goods in Nehalem is also a trove of gorgeous handmade jewelry along with house plants and other fun, coastal accents, and in Brookings, Semi Aquatic Gallery is a great spot for surf-inspired art, hats, cards and other gifts.

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Fillets of smoked salmon with a side of creamy cheese dip and greens on charcuterie board
Gift a dinner, Oregon Coast style, from with the Local Ocean DockBox kit. (Photo by Local Ocean / DockBox)

Food and Drink​ on the Oregon Coast

Noshing along the Coast is as diverse as it is delicious, and a gift card for a plate of foraged mussels, albacore tacos — or to-go growlers full of coastally crafted beer — is sure to be a hit. The gourmet pub fare at Astoria’s Fort George Brewery, Seaside Brewery, Cannon Beach’s Public Coast Brewing Co. and 7 Devils Brewing Co. in Coos Bay is as standout as the beer, and they have branded swag to boot. A gift certificate for Pelican Brewing Company can be redeemed at any of their three locations, and one for Mo’s Seafood and Chowder can be redeemed at their nine locations. To gift an evening of fine dining, the chef-prepared meals at Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach are extraordinary. In Pacific City, Meridian Restaurant at Headlands Lodge serves locally sourced gourmet fare with epic views of Cape Kiwanda, and Redfish in Port Orford offers Pacific Northwest flavors sourced by local farms.

Stock the pantries of the foodies on your list with gourmet sea salts from Netarts Bay’s Jacobsen Salt Co., coastal-grown tea blends from North Fork 53 in Nehalem or beans roasted at Sleepy Monk Coffee in Cannon Beach. No holiday home is complete without a bottle of A-O Whisky from Pilot House Distilling in Astoria. The French macarons and cakes at POC-owned Naked Lemon in Astoria are edible art, too. Any couple or family that loves to cook would be tickled to receive a seafood-focused meal kit, DockBox, for a DIY dinner fresh from Local Ocean in Newport.​

Aerial shot of dune buggies criss-crossing tracks in massive dunes with the ocean in the background.
Thrill-seekers will love the chance to hop in a dune buggy and make tracks at the Oregon Dunes. (Spinreel Dune Buggy and ATV Rental by Tim Hurlbut)

Experiences on the Oregon Coast

For those family members who just seem to have everything, the gift of a one-of-a-kind experience at any of the Coast’s top-notch attractions may be the best bet. For culture buffs, a membership to Astoria’s Columbia River Maritime Museum, Lincoln City Cultural Center, Newport’s Oregon Coast Aquarium or a season pass to Tillamook’s Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad are great stocking stuffer ideas; or let them unleash their creativity at Lincoln City Glass Center. For swell seekers, book a private surf session with NW Women’s Surf Camps. Families will love a gift card to High Life Adventures’ zip line or aerial park, or a whale-watching tour with the pros at Dockside Charters in Depoe Bay. Surprise a friend with a dream fishing trip with the experts at CIA (Catch It All) Outfitters, with trips on the North and Central coasts, or South Coast Tours, where you can paddle along the pristine Southern Oregon coastline.

A high-speed dune-buggy ride through the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is ideal for adrenaline junkies — gift a guided tour at Sandland Adventures or Spinreel Dune Buggy, among others. Fishing enthusiasts can set sail with Sharky’s Charters, among many others. Top it off with a massage at Overleaf Spa, Spa Manzanita or Elements by the Sea and make it a happy holiday, indeed.

A purple sunset glows off a cabin's windows at the Oregon Coast.
Coos Bay’s Bay Point Landing is a modern glamping destination with cabins, Airstream suites and RV campsites. (Photo by Bay Point Landing)

Hotels on the Oregon Coast

A gift card for a weekend getaway will give loved ones a much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle. From hip stays at Seaside’s SaltLine Hotel and Coos Bay’s Bay Point Landing to pampered escapes at Pacific City’s Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa and the Salishan Coastal Lodge in Gleneden Beach, there’s a pillow by the sea for everyone on your list. Lighthouse buffs will love the historical Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast, and there’s nothing more romantic than watching the ships go by from a room at Astoria’s Cannery Pier Hotel or The Bowline Hotel, a chic property that’s home to its own restaurant and bar. Eco-friendly travelers can connect with nature at SCP Depoe Bay and WildSpring Guest Habitat in Port Orford. Pacific Reef Hotel and The Wildflower Inn in Gold Beach and Wheeler on the Bay in Wheeler are tucked-away retreats, while Bandon Inn and Cannon Beach’s Tolovana Inn are walkable to eateries, shops and local happenings. The castle-like Arch Cape Inn is one of the most unique bed and breakfasts on the Oregon Coast. Find great hotel deals in Oregon at Expedia and the Oregon Coast Visitors Association.

About The
Author

Michelle Kehm
Michelle Kehm is a writer and author whose work has appeared in Condé Nast Traveler, AFAR, Vogue, Glamour and the NewYorker.com. She’s a native Portlander and is loving rediscovering the Pacific Northwest after a long spell of living in New York City.

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