Obviously beach activities like beachcombing, kite flying and building sandcastles tops the list, but there are some other attractions and day trips that I would recommend. Depending on your kids’ ages, the Jennifer Sears Glass Art Studio offers an opportunity for capable youngsters to create their own piece of art glass. Chinook Winds Casino Resort…
For natural wonders between Astoria and Florence, I would suggest starting at Ecola State Park near Cannon Beach. There are wonderful views of the coastline including Oregon’s iconic Haystack Rock and the offshore Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. You can visit Haystack Rock by parking in Cannon Beach and if you visit at low tide you can…
February and early March on the Oregon Coast are part of the quiet seasons, though Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day weekend do see an increase in visitors. This can be a great time for general sightseeing since attractions, State Parks and natural areas are less crowded. You do have to be prepared for a variety…
Nearly all Oregon State Park campgrounds welcome dogs. Pets must be confined by the owner, or on a leash not more than six (6) feet long, and kept under physical control at all times. The closest State Park campground to Florence would be Honeyman State Park. The following link is to Oregon State Parks brochure on…
Temperatures in December and January on the Oregon Coast are typically mild, ranging from low temperatures in the high 30s to high temperatures in the low 50s. Weather can vary greatly this time of year, so be prepared for warmer or colder conditions. You should also be prepared for rain. This is typically the wettest…
The Lewis and Clark National Historical Park encompasses several sites along the Lower Columbia River in both Oregon and Washington. Just south of Astoria is Fort Clatsop, featuring a visitor center and a full-size re-creation of the explorer’s fort built to endure the winter of 1806. There are several other sites you may find interesting…
There are several options for hiking in the Newport area. For a great beach walk, you can walk from Beverly Beach State Park south to Otter Rock where a stairway leads you to the fascinating Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area. There’s also the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, located in the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. This is…
My top choice would be Cape Lookout State Park southwest of Tillamook for the best camping experience. The campground is right next to the beach and there are several miles of hiking trails including one to the end of the cape through old-growth Sitka Spruce rainforest. Bikes are not allowed on State Park trails, so…
North Oregon Coast: For special occasions, it’s hard to beat the experience at Cannon Beach’s Stephanie Inn. This is more of a country inn, not a traditional bed & breakfast home, but it is an exceptional splurge with a great restaurant and fine wines too. You’ll find the best wine list in town at the…
Any part of the coast you visit will offer great options for enjoying fresh, local oysters served in many preparations, from raw to pan-fried or in stews. Here are some of my personal favorites and popular spots all along the coast. On the North Oregon Coast, Bridgewater Bistro in Astoria prides themselves on featuring the…
The top 10 attractions I would recommend include (north to south): Astoria’s historic attractions including the Columbia River Maritime Museum and Lewis and Clark’s Fort Clatsop. Seaside’s automobile turnaround and oceanfront promenade, famous landmarks dating from the 1920s. Ecola State Park and Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. Three Capes Scenic Drive southwest of Tillamook (Cape…
There would be many cities, towns and natural areas I would recommend along the 363-mile Oregon Coast for your September birthday trip. Since you like natural areas with unique geologic formations, I’d recommend a visit to the Central Oregon Coast. Newport is centrally located and is one of the coast’s larger towns, but will offer…
The State Parks closest to Portland that offer yurt camping include the following (north to south): Fort Stevens State Park at the mouth of the Columbia River offers 15 yurts. The park is large and is great for families with access to river, beach, lakes and several miles of hiking and biking trails. The park…
Temperatures are typically mild along the Oregon Coast in November, so only on rare occasions do you need to worry about ice or frost on our roads. This is the rainy season on the coast and it can rain hard and be windy, but the Oregon Coast is spectacular anytime of year and many people…
There are many great places to view migrating Gray Whales in December all along the Oregon Coast. On the North Oregon Coast, I would recommend Ecola State Park near Cannon Beach, the Highway 101 viewpoints from Neahkahnie Mountain near Manzanita or Cape Meares State Park west of Tillamook. On the Central Oregon Coast, I recommend…
There are many beaches along Oregon’s 363 mile coastline where you will find agates. On the North Oregon Coast, I would recommend beaches south of Cannon Beach such as Arcadia Beach or Short Sand Beach (Oswald West State Park). Further south, Oceanside is known for agates where at low tide you can pass through a…
If your idea of romantic spots is sharing spectacular scenery, your visit to the Oregon Coast will be a can’t-miss. I suggest you stop at the Oregon Welcome Center as you cross the state line near Brookings. Be sure to pick up information on the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. You will enter this…
There are some great family attractions on the coast. Obviously the beach is the number one attraction, but many communities also offer the opportunity to catch live crab off the docks which is always a hit with kids. You may want to consider some of the following: Seaside: Indoor carousel, kiddie rides and Seaside Aquarium….
From the coast, the most direct route to Eugene is from Florence on the Oregon Coast via OR 126 (just under 1.5 hours). You didn’t mention where you are traveling from, but it sounds like you may be coming from the north and you could easily spend four days traveling the North and Central coast…
In the Southern Oregon Region, the most beautiful site arguably is Crater Lake, the centerpiece of the state’s only national park and a sacred site to native tribes long before settlers “discovered it.” The summertime and wintertime landscapes each show unique facets of this natural wonder. In Southern Oregon, there are several sites I recommend…
