If you love the ocean, any getaway to the Oregon Coast can make you feel like a million bucks. Breathing in the salty air, catching a whale spouting from a cliffside trail, digging clams for an impromptu dinner over a campfire — all these experiences are Oregon luxuries with little to no cost. But for special occasions or just an unforgettable experience, the state’s 363 miles of coastline provide many ways to splurge.
Kayak Among Massive Rocks on the South Coast
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Though a jet-boat or float tour on the Rogue River is always fun, adventurous visitors to the South Coast can book nature-focused tours on the high seas. Get up close and personal with rocky outcroppings and marine life — even harbor seals and resident gray whales — by kayaking with South Coast Tours. Paddling trips can be just a few hours around Port Orford Heads or a longer excursion to waters south of Gold Beach. Check the website for other offerings, which include guided wildlife-watching excursions on a rigid-hull inflatable boat.
Eat
Contemplate the contours of the Coast as you dine overlooking Battle Rock and the cliffs to the south at Redfish. Magnificent sunsets, craft cocktails and locally sourced seafood come from bays nearby and from the local fishing fleet. Visit the Hawthorne Gallery next door, owned by the same family, if you’re fascinated by the abstract art on the dining room walls. For more seafood and local farms, explore the Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail.
Stay
A grand resort-style destination with a lawn spilling down to the Rogue River banks near Gold Beach, Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge offers every luxury amenity a visitor might want, from on-site dining featuring the lodge’s own garden and local seafood to a range of wellness activities at its spa. Borrow an e-bike from the resort for rambling, head off kayaking, or simply enjoy the wood-burning sauna and serene natural environment at this adult-only destination. Deluxe suites have outdoor soaking tubs that make stargazing and relaxation even more special. The resort also offers unique glass cabins with creek or river views, and private lodgings suitable for groups.
Wellness and Wild Seas on the Central Coast
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Sometimes luxury just means taking a quiet and peaceful break. Yachats, a small town on a bend of Highway 101 north of Florence, offers peace of mind in a beautiful oceanside setting. Take a stroll on the public path or make an appointment to view the interior of the vibrant Gerdemann Botanic Preserve across the highway. Just south of town, Cape Perpetua’s trail system has even more — from easy hikes to strenuous climbs — for meditative forest walks and spotting whales at ocean overlooks. If you’re looking for a high-seas adventure, book a seasonal private fishing charter out of Newport, 24 miles north.
Eat
With a globally inspired menu and dishes featuring healthy grains, farm-fresh vegetables and locally caught Chinook salmon, Ona Restaurant & Lounge is perfect for a quiet supper. Enjoy a glass of Oregon pinot noir in the dining room or heated outdoor seating section overlooking the mouth of the Yachats River. Green Salmon, a classic brunch spot just down the street, sells fair-trade, custom-roasted coffee and unique tea blends to stimulate creative work and sweet dreams. The Central Coast Food Trail has many more options to enjoy in the area.
Stay
One of the many spa amenities at the Overleaf Lodge & Spa is the warm indoor soaking pool with large windows that frame brilliant sunsets. Guests enjoy the pool as part of their stay; a day-use fee applies for others. Stays include full breakfasts and wine tastings in a cozy lobby that features ocean views and a crackling fireplace — great for watching winter storms. For even more privacy, consider booking a cottage on the grounds.
Catch Your Dinner on the North Coast
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Astoria offers multiple ways to experience its fishing heritage via guided trips on small, all-inclusive boats that navigate the surrounding waters and take you to the best fishing spots. Even better: Your expert guide provides all the gear, advice and fillet services when you reel in the big one. Salmon and steelhead still reign supreme on Lower Columbia River charters, but visitors looking for a change of pace might try to navigate the nooks and crannies of nearshore, colorful lingcod or rockfish with a groundfish charter. Be sure to save some time for a glimpse of Astoria’s seafaring history at the Columbia River Maritime Museum.
Eat
Brimming with pescatarian dining options, the North Coast knows its seafood. In Astoria opt for intimate fine dining at Daphne, which crafts weekly changing creative cuisine from the docks and farms in the area. Try the set menu for your entire table and a bottle of wine off the well-curated list. Another popular option is a fresh, handmade pasta dinner at cheery Fedé Trattoria, sitting on the Riverwalk and serving traditional Italian dishes, as well as refreshing spritzes and housemade limoncello. The morning after, try a two-egg breakfast with aebleskivers — Danish pancakes served with jam and syrup — at Stranded in the heart of downtown. Check out the North Coast Food Trail for other local restaurants and seafood markets, or stop by one of the many wine bars and shops for sips and community.
Stay
Astoria’s luxury hotels offer comfortable beds, maritime decor, and dramatic views of ships from river-view rooms and lounging areas. Options include spacious rooms at the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa — situated on its own historic pier next to the Astoria-Megler Bridge that affords stunning river views — and the downtown riverside’s Bowline Hotel. This former seafood-processing plant was transformed into a 40-room boutique property with high ceilings and local art, plus a sophisticated bar and lounge with craft cocktails, Nordic-influenced bites and outdoor riverfront seating.
