A Family-Friendly Getaway in Gleneden Beach

Kids, teens and grown-ups will find plenty to love at Salishan Coastal Lodge by SCP Hotels.
December 15, 2022

There’s just something about the Oregon Coast that puts you at ease. If you’re looking to relax, reconnect and let the routine of everyday life wash away with each rolling wave, then load up the family car and head down Highway 18 toward the Central Oregon Coast.

A child and adult walk on platforms high above the ground

All Kinds of Families Find a Place at Salishan Coastal Lodge

Only 2 miles south of bustling Lincoln City, Gleneden Beach is known for its proximity to Siletz Bay, where breezy beach grasses seamlessly merge with a roughly 1,400-acre estuary.

A crown jewel of this beachside community is the sprawling Salishan Coastal Lodge by SCP Hotels. First opened in 1965, the historic lodge is situated among towering Douglas firs and looks out over up-close views of Siletz Bay and the sapphire Pacific. Inside you’ll find cozy yet spacious rooms with modern amenities, all enveloped by coastal forests with on-site hiking trails, a championship golf course, a spectacular spa, locally sourced dining and more. Families of all sizes will find lodging that suits, from welcoming rooms with one king bed to the newly renovated three-bedroom, three-bathroom Jacobsen Suite. You’re even welcome to bring your four-legged family members along to one of the many dog-friendly rooms. 

Kids run on beach path

Day 1: Outdoor Family Adventure With Bikes, Hikes and Golf Links

After an easy afternoon check-in, it’s time to stretch those legs and have some fun. Lodge guests can borrow beach cruisers for pedaling along the shores of Siletz Bay or the sands of Gleneden Beach. Or book time at the on-site tennis and pickleball courts (open year-round), then relax in the indoor pool and hot tub. 

Ready to start exploring? Take the whole family on a hike on Salishan’s 250-acre forested campus. Trailheads are within walking distance of your room, which means you can leave your car in the lot. Grab a map at the front desk, then head out on miles of trails weaving through old-growth forests and alongside sandy beaches and Siletz Bay. Be on the lookout for blue herons, red-tailed hawks, Canada geese and other birds among the spruce and alders. 

If you want your nature with a side of sport, visit the Audubon International-certified Salishan Golf Links, where lodge guests receive preferred tee times. The course was restored in 2004, spearheaded by Portland-born PGA pro Peter Jacobsen. Each of the course’s 18 holes boasts a beautiful backdrop, from seaside views to mammoth pines, cedars and spruces. Looking to try your hand at golf for the first time? The course also offers private or small-group lessons to lodge guests. 

After all that activity, everyone is sure to be hungry. You won’t have to go far for tasty eats. Have dinner at The Attic, a cozy lounge with an outdoor patio positioned for prime sunset viewing. Adults will appreciate the mixologist-created cocktail menu while kids dig into pizzas, burgers and jackfruit tacos.

For dessert grab a s’mores kit, complete with all the marshmallow fixings, from Provisions Market. Then head to one of the lodge’s two large outdoor fire pits to get your toast on beneath the stars.

A person sits in a hot tub with views of the ocean through large windows

Day 2: Relax at the Spa, Do Yoga and Load Up on Locally Made Treats

Start the morning off with breakfast burritos, cinnamon French toast with berries and pure maple syrup, and fresh-brewed coffee at Provisions Market. (The entire menu is also available as room service if you’d rather linger by the fireplace.)

Next, get in some sun salutations. At Salishan, private and customizable yoga sessions are bookable through The Spa at Salishan for individuals, couples or small groups. Your instructor will tailor a practice just for you, whether you’re brand-new to yoga or start each day with a headstand.

Now that you’re nice and relaxed, flow into a rejuvenating massage or facial at The Spa at Salishan. Overlooking Siletz Bay, the spa specializes in treatments featuring organic botanicals, silica-rich volcanic body scrub, micro-algae mud and more. You can also enjoy the spa’s facilities before or after your treatment, including indoor and outdoor hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas and a hearth room right on the bay.

While you’re being pampered, book some playtime for the kids. For youngsters who aren’t afraid of heights, the on-site aerial park (for ages 8 and above) has 15 tree-top platforms where you can safely soar through the forest, including a platform 70 feet high in an impressive coastal spruce. Or check out the bike skills course with banked turns, wood-plank tracks, jumps and more. The course is free for riders who bring their own mountain bikes, but the lodge also rents bikes for $25 for two hours (great for older kids ages 12 and up).

Before packing up and hitting the road, head across the street from the lodge to The Marketplace. Part of the lodge campus, the aptly named marketplace has more than 10 boutiques and eateries in an outdoor, mall-like setting. Shop for artisan-made gifts, home decor and more at Unique and Knotty, or browse toys and games galore at Hopscotch Toys. Before heading home, grab an order of fish and chips or clam chowder from Squatchsami Food Truck & Outpost. Or there’s Beachcrest Brewing Company, with 12 rotating taps plus shareable dishes like wood-fired pizza, jumbo pretzels, and house-made hummus and flatbread – a perfect spot to relax and refuel for parents and kids alike. Protip: Salishan guests get two complimentary 4-ounce tasters — just show your room key. 


If you go Choose from several special offers including a $100 lodge credit per day for your adventure on the Coast, save up to 25% when you extend your stay, or unlimited rounds of golf for two people at Salishan Golf Links on the day of arrival or day of departure.

About The
Author

Tiffany Hill
Tiffany Hill is the managing editor of PDX Parent magazine. She's from Honolulu, now living in Portland, and specializes in travel, culture and business writing. When she’s not on assignment, you can find her playing roller derby.

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