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We are looking to spend 5 days around the coast in June 2013. We have found lots of cool lodges to stay in, but they mostly want at least 2 nights minimum stay. Would you recommend hotels and moving around the coast? Or, base ourselves in a lodge and travel from there each day? — Pete

I would recommend you plan your itinerary to base yourself strategically in two places and make day trips north and south from each base. For instance, to explore the South Coast, you could stay in Bandon and spend one day exploring north to the great State Parks southwest of Coos Bay (Shore Acres, Sunset Bay…

October 17, 2012
Gary Hayes
Coast Expert

We are thinking of visiting Oregon in either November, December or during the Spring. One of the things we would like to do is clam digging, is there anyone that offers this activity? – Lori

Most of the razor clamming on the coast is in Clatsop County (Warrenton to Cannon Beach). These beaches have the most stable populations of razor clams. There are other beaches that support razor clams including (north to south): Short Sands (Oswald West State Park); Cape Meares beach; Agate Beach; North Beach and South Beach (Newport);…

Gary Hayes
Coast Expert

If I had 3 days in Oregon, where would I travel to? Love sun, water and rock formations. Love to eat seafood (especially shell fish).

Sounds like you need to plan a trip to the Oregon Coast! If sun is an important part of the equation, you should plan your trip for July, August or September. Of course, the coast is spectacular no matter what the weather, but those are the months with the best chance of dry days and…

October 16, 2012
Gary Hayes
Coast Expert

What is Thor’s Well and where can I see it?

Thor’s Well is located near Spouting Horn at Cook’s Chasm in the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area near Yachats. It can be viewed by taking the Captain Cook Trailhead from the Visitor Center where it is located on the rocky shelf just north of Cook’s Chasm. When tides are right, water surges upward from the bowl…

Gary Hayes
Coast Expert

What is the best time of year to visit Oregon, drive along the scenic coast, antique…? –Gus

The Oregon Coast is different and spectacular in each season. Summer is the warmest and driest, but busiest time. Spring is beautiful with new growth on the foliage, blooming wildflowers and is good for enjoying birds and wildlife. Winter is a favorite for storm watchers and those who like it quiet and secluded. The ocean…

Gary Hayes
Coast Expert

Is there a bad time of the year to visit Oregon (i.e. when is the rainy season)? We are thinking of a visit along the coast and across the Columbia River Gorge in July or august in a couple years; however, we are open to any suggestions of a better time of the year.

No, there is not a bad time of year to visit the Oregon Coast, but there is a rainy season. Between November and January, many parts of the coast average over 10 inches of rain each month. Many people come to the coast during this time to experience the awesome storms that can whip the…

October 15, 2012
Gary Hayes
Coast Expert

We are planning a road trip along the entire Oregon Coast next year. I would like to know when is the best time for whale watching, what wouldn’t you miss, and how long a trip should we take to make it worth our while? We like to hike and would love to do some fun things as well as the scenery and tide pools. Where are the best places to camp along the way?

You didn’t mention what time of year you were planning your trip, but their are two times of year that Gray whales migrate along the Oregon Coast. They travel south during the winter, with mid-December to mid-January beginning the typical peak of migration along the Oregon Coast. The last week of December there is a…

September 10, 2012
Gary Hayes
Coast Expert

We’re coming to Oregon this summer. We want to rent a place on the beach, walk, eat well, see local sites and shop in art galleries. We also want to spend a couple of days in Portland. There are four of us and none of us have ever spent time in Oregon before. Do you have any suggestions for how to set up a couple days in the city and four days on the coast? – Elaine R.

On the Oregon Coast your best bet for art, beach, and eating well is probably Cannon Beach on the North Coast, or Newport on the Central Coast. I’m also partial to Astoria (where I live part-time) for everything you listed, except it’s about 10 miles inland from the beaches, on the south bank of the…

May 15, 2012
Jessie Kirk

My wife and I would like to see the best of the Oregon coast in two or three days. We’ll be doing it after visiting Ashland. Any suggestions? – Rev S.

I’d recommend you stick to the south and central coast, then, if you only have two or three days. I’d think you could enjoy the scenic Highway 42, from Ashland west to Bandon, then north on Highway, 101. If I had three days, two nights, I would probably spend the first night in Florence, see the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, have lunch in Yachats, then the second night in Newport, and spend the morning there (the Oregon Coast Aquarium, beautiful bridge, lovely bayfront) before heading…

Jessie Kirk

I am looking for a place to go to that is on the beach but not too far from Washington state to take my family to in the summer. Suggestions? – Alicia P.

You’re in luck, as Oregon’s north coast has plenty of places to stay at the beach.  You’ll find lots of rentals and hotels and lovely beaches in Pacific City, Rockaway Beach, Manzanita, Cannon Beach, Seaside, and Astoria (though Astoria is actually about a 10 miles inland, it’s the closes to Washington – right across the…

Jessie Kirk

Are there tour destinations from Portland to Astoria?

There are several routes you could take to Astoria from Portland. If you take Highway 30, there aren’t too many tourist destinations, but there are a few viewpoints over the Columbia River. Highway 26 is another option, and along that route you’ll find various viewpoints and parks that are worth visiting, also places like Camp…

Jessie Kirk

We have four days off and four kids, about six hundred bucks and want to camp in a yurt but close to places for us to do cheap stuff with the kids ages from six to thirteen. Do you have any recomendations? – Jennie H.

If it were me, I would definitely try South Beach State Park, just south of the bridge in Newport. It has both yurts and tent camping, an educational program and pretty easy access to the beach. It is also next to a paved path that will take you down the jetty and under the bridge…

May 7, 2012
Jessie Kirk

Any suggestion where I might go by myself during this spring break? – Shane

If I were you… I’d head to the coast on the Greyhound Bus because there is something there I think you’d love to do! Sand Boarding! I haven’t been duning but my husband and son have and they had a blast!  Florence is the best place to go sand duning and so I hope you check it  out and that it works for you!  And about food… well, try the Waterfront Depot and Bar! They’ve seafood and steaks on the menu!

April 26, 2012
Debbie Lusk

What are the fishing opportunities on the Oregon coast the last week of April. I assume steelhead will be over. Would a charter for bottom fish be worthwhile?

There are a few opportunities for fishing the last week of April on the Oregon coast. Sea perch start to move into the bays, the coastal lakes are regularly stocked with rainbow trout by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and there are a few winter steelhead around but it is the end of…

David Johnson
Fishing Expert

We are driving to Port Orford to visit the prehistoric gardens, then to Bandon for the Wildlife Zoo and then working our way back to Tillamook. We are looking for some special sights and sounds to visit on Highway 101. We’ve been to the lighthouses on the Oregon coast but are wondering about some not so common sights.What do you recommend?

If you’re doing the Prehistoric Gardens and the wildlife park, you would probably like the Sea Lion Caves, between Florence and Yachats on Highway 101. And, if you’re looking for unusual sights on Highway 101 as you head north, look for: Otter Crest Loop, between Newport and Depoe Bay Boiler Bay — especially at really…

Jessie Kirk

Can you surf in Oregon? Do you have to reserve in advance accomodation? – Francois C.

You certainly can surf in Oregon, but you’ll need a wetsuit, booties and a hood as well as a board. You’ll also need to know a lot about the local swells and weather, so you should check in at the local surf shop before you go. They usually have full rental packages (between $100 and…

Jessie Kirk

We hope to drive from San Francisco, CA to Portland along the coast but only have four days. Is that enough time to enjoy the most outstanding features? Will a standard medium size car do the trick? – Ethel

I think that four days is enough time, but you might consider taking the fast, inland route up 1-5 from San Francisco to Medford and Grants Pass, Oregon. Then, head west to Coos Bay — that would be a day’s journey by itself, but once you got there, you could slow down and really enjoy…

Jessie Kirk

I would like to take a tour to the Oregon coast from Portland but I have only 5 to 6 hours for this trip. I would love to stop at Astoria first and then to the coast, but I have no idea where to go next. Could you suggest any interesting attractions or beaches?

Five to six hours might be just enough time. You can get to Astoria on Highway 30 from Portland in about 2 hours.  From there you can travel south on 101 to Seaside, Cannon Beach, etc., and return to Portland on Highway 26 – which is again about a 2 hour trip.  On 101 you’ll…

April 20, 2012
Jessie Kirk

We’re interested in renting a home on or near the beach in Oregon for a few weeks this summer. We have kids ages 5, 6, and 12 and are looking for a sandy beach, relaxed quiet community with great fishing, biking and playgrounds. What areas do you suggest? – Lauri

In order to enjoy boating and easy docking, you’re going to have to find a place that is not oceanfront, but more like a bay, inland lake or river. I’m picturing a few places like that on the Nehalem River, and on the Nestucca River, both in Tillamook County. I just did a quick search…

April 19, 2012
Jessie Kirk

If I plan to do the coast ride by myself, what would you recommend to prepare for the trip from North – South on Rt. 101?

The Oregon coast is a pretty fantastic stretch of coastline, complete with a ton of off-bike adventures and amenities to make the whole thing enjoyable. Late September/Early October would be a nice time–after the summer rush, but before the weather really starts to get inhospitable to long days of pedaling. I’ll say right off I…

March 12, 2012
Otis Rubottom
Cycling Expert