This past weekend on the Oregon Coast felt like one necessary indulgence after another, from the minute we loaded up the Jeep on Friday afternoon to our return to Eugene on Sunday evening.
Our first stop was de Garde Brewing in Tillamook. From my second hand knowledge obtained through my craft beer enthusiast husband, this brewery is world renowned for their beers brewed in the Lambic tradition. In layman’s terms this refers to spontaneous fermentation with wild yeast.
I love everything about the décor and vibe of de Garde, from the dried hop and grain wall hanging, to the functional chalkboard featuring daily selections. This place truly is a hidden gem, tucked away inconspicuously behind the Tillamook Air Museum.
We enjoyed The Purple, an on-premise selection made with black and red Oregon raspberries.
On our way out, we picked up a bottle of The Truffle, made with white Oregon truffles.
The sun was setting by the time we rolled into Lincoln City (some 40 miles from Tillamook) and we were ravenous. Without haste, I called in a to-go order at Mo’s Seafood & Chowder.
Next we checked in to the Salishan Coastal Lodge. Our pet-friendly room was right by the main lodge and overlooked some gorgeous golf greens.
Barley enjoyed the fireplace while we chowed down on our seafood.
Saturday we had brunch at Otis Café in, you guessed it, Otis.
This little diner is easily in my top five favorite places to eat. Ever. Molasses and sourdough wheat bread. Enough said.
On the weekends it is usually crowded, but if you are dining solo or with a partner, you can usually squeeze into a spot at the counter without a wait.
After brunch it was time for some fetch on the beach!
We decided to hike the Drift Creek Falls Trail before heading back to Eugene on Sunday.
The 3-mile round-trip hike is worth it, with a reward at the end: a breathtaking suspension bridge and a 75-foot waterfall.
This weekend was perfection, from sipping world-class beer and relaxing at a luxurious lodge, to simply playing a game of driftwood fetch after some comfort food at a wholesome diner. Not to mention, we hiked through the mossy old-growth trees to a magical waterfall in the Siuslaw National Forest. The Oregon Coast is full of experiences to treasure. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world just getting to live in this beautiful state.