whale watching on oregon coast
Jan 23rd, 2010, 07:14 PM
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whale watching on oregon coast
Hi - we are a couple in our 40's and would like to visit the Oregon coast to see the whales. I read that whale week is end of March. We would fly into Portland and stay there 2 nights. Then rent a car and drive. Some questions:
1) Are there 3 beach towns that we could drive to and spend 2 nights in each town? Or should we only do 2 towns for 3 nights each? I read that Cannon sounds nice.
2) Where would be a good town to watch the whales?
3) What is the weather temperature like? Are the roads snowy?
Thanks.
1) Are there 3 beach towns that we could drive to and spend 2 nights in each town? Or should we only do 2 towns for 3 nights each? I read that Cannon sounds nice.
2) Where would be a good town to watch the whales?
3) What is the weather temperature like? Are the roads snowy?
Thanks.
Jan 23rd, 2010, 08:33 PM
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I think the best place for whale watching is Depoe Bay- where you can take a boat out to watch the whales. The harbor at Depoe Bay is the one that was used in the filming of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" . There is a great place to stay there- The Channel House Inn- some of the rooms have hot tubs on the deck over looking the ocean.
Cannon Beach is a nice beach town but don't think there is much whale watching there.
Roads are not usually snowy but it does happen sometimes- mostly they are 2 lanes and lots of curves.
Weather will be cool, maybe rainy- you never know at the coast-
You may see whales from the lighthouse at Heceta Head- which is one of my favorite stops on the coast- but I think the best bet is going out in a boat.
Cannon Beach is a nice beach town but don't think there is much whale watching there.
Roads are not usually snowy but it does happen sometimes- mostly they are 2 lanes and lots of curves.
Weather will be cool, maybe rainy- you never know at the coast-
You may see whales from the lighthouse at Heceta Head- which is one of my favorite stops on the coast- but I think the best bet is going out in a boat.
Jan 24th, 2010, 05:37 PM
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We took a good whale watching boat out of Newport, where there is also a very good aquarium.
My choices for towns to stay are Cannon Beach, Newport, and Yachats. We always like to visit Cape Perpetua (about two miles south of Yachats) and, if we are with first-time visitors, we take them to the Sea Lion Caves, which are about eighteen miles south of Cape Perpetua.
This part of the coast offers many great ocean views from Highway 101.
My choices for towns to stay are Cannon Beach, Newport, and Yachats. We always like to visit Cape Perpetua (about two miles south of Yachats) and, if we are with first-time visitors, we take them to the Sea Lion Caves, which are about eighteen miles south of Cape Perpetua.
This part of the coast offers many great ocean views from Highway 101.
Jan 24th, 2010, 06:06 PM
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Thanks. Trying to get an itinerary now.
1) Figure 3 nights in Portland. Any good centrally located hotel recommendations? Do we need a car for 3nights or pick up the car when we leave?
2) Is it better to drive up or down the coast? Figure we would spend 1 night in Cannon area to relax and check out the area. Any hotel recommendations? Would like to stay on beach.
3) Drive to whale watching area for 2 nights, either Depoe Bay (channel house looks very nice) or Newport (any recomendations here?)
4) Then drive to Portland airport. How long would that take on the inland highway?
1) Figure 3 nights in Portland. Any good centrally located hotel recommendations? Do we need a car for 3nights or pick up the car when we leave?
2) Is it better to drive up or down the coast? Figure we would spend 1 night in Cannon area to relax and check out the area. Any hotel recommendations? Would like to stay on beach.
3) Drive to whale watching area for 2 nights, either Depoe Bay (channel house looks very nice) or Newport (any recomendations here?)
4) Then drive to Portland airport. How long would that take on the inland highway?
Jan 25th, 2010, 12:10 PM
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In downtown Portland, we like the Heathman Hotel and The Benson. Check out the Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach, it is right on the ocean. Let me know if you would like dining recs for this area, we spend several weeks a year at our beach cottage in nearby Seaside, this is a beautiful area to spend time in! ***kim*** 
Feb 1st, 2010, 09:40 AM
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If you're still out there, labern.....
1) Most often recommended downtown hotel in Portland is Hotel Monaco, but other good choices would be Hotel Lucia, Vintage Plaza, Paramount, or the relatively new, The Nines. The Benson and Heathman are both fine, but have a reputation as being more stodgy/stuffy than others. You would need a car to see the Columbia River Gorge, and you might want a car if you're interested in the Japanese Gardens, but otherwise you shouldn't have any trouble getting to what you'll want to see, either on foot, or by MAX and/or the streetcart.
2) Usual recommendation is to drive down the coast, but in March, I might suggest doing it south to north. In the rare event that you might see it, the sun would be low enough in the sky to possibly get in your eyes if you're driving north to south. Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach is a beautiful place; but a hike (1.5 miles?) to/from the small downtown center. Something closer, and also a great choice would be SurfSand Resort: http://www.surfsand.com/. I've been taking my family there for years. Or, right next to Ocean Lodge, the budget busting Stephanie Inn.
3) If budget isn't an issue, consider Whale Cove Inn, just south of Depoe Bay: http://www.whalecoveinn.com/. It's a sister property of the Channel House, and maybe the nicest lodging on the coast. Otherwise, I've heard good things about Elizabeth Street Inn in Newport; haven't stayed there myself though. If you'd consider as far south as Yachats: http://www.overleaflodge.com/. Not really a luxury place, but I think maybe the best of any lodging setting on the entire Oregon coast.
4) Another reason to drive the coast south to north is that it shortens the drive returning to Portland. Cannon Beach to PDX should be 1.75 hours +/- depending on traffic. From Newport or Depoe Bay, it should be just under 3 hours.
Regardless of whatever else you do, you should drive hwy 101 between Newport and Florence, where you'll find Cape Perpetua and Haceta Head. Personally, I'd pass on Sea Lion Caves though. You'll see sea lions on the bayfront docks in Newport if you're interested. And without having to pay the $10 (or whatever).
One last comment.... I wonder how many coming to Oregon for whale watching actually see whales. I don't doubt that they're migrating during those times of the year, but I'm enough of a cynic to think that "whale watching" weeks are designated with the primary purpose of attracting visitors during the otherwise quiet off-season. That said, I wouldn't let the possibility of not seeing a whale deter you from making this trip. The Oregon coast is beautiful any time of year.
1) Most often recommended downtown hotel in Portland is Hotel Monaco, but other good choices would be Hotel Lucia, Vintage Plaza, Paramount, or the relatively new, The Nines. The Benson and Heathman are both fine, but have a reputation as being more stodgy/stuffy than others. You would need a car to see the Columbia River Gorge, and you might want a car if you're interested in the Japanese Gardens, but otherwise you shouldn't have any trouble getting to what you'll want to see, either on foot, or by MAX and/or the streetcart.
2) Usual recommendation is to drive down the coast, but in March, I might suggest doing it south to north. In the rare event that you might see it, the sun would be low enough in the sky to possibly get in your eyes if you're driving north to south. Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach is a beautiful place; but a hike (1.5 miles?) to/from the small downtown center. Something closer, and also a great choice would be SurfSand Resort: http://www.surfsand.com/. I've been taking my family there for years. Or, right next to Ocean Lodge, the budget busting Stephanie Inn.
3) If budget isn't an issue, consider Whale Cove Inn, just south of Depoe Bay: http://www.whalecoveinn.com/. It's a sister property of the Channel House, and maybe the nicest lodging on the coast. Otherwise, I've heard good things about Elizabeth Street Inn in Newport; haven't stayed there myself though. If you'd consider as far south as Yachats: http://www.overleaflodge.com/. Not really a luxury place, but I think maybe the best of any lodging setting on the entire Oregon coast.
4) Another reason to drive the coast south to north is that it shortens the drive returning to Portland. Cannon Beach to PDX should be 1.75 hours +/- depending on traffic. From Newport or Depoe Bay, it should be just under 3 hours.
Regardless of whatever else you do, you should drive hwy 101 between Newport and Florence, where you'll find Cape Perpetua and Haceta Head. Personally, I'd pass on Sea Lion Caves though. You'll see sea lions on the bayfront docks in Newport if you're interested. And without having to pay the $10 (or whatever).
One last comment.... I wonder how many coming to Oregon for whale watching actually see whales. I don't doubt that they're migrating during those times of the year, but I'm enough of a cynic to think that "whale watching" weeks are designated with the primary purpose of attracting visitors during the otherwise quiet off-season. That said, I wouldn't let the possibility of not seeing a whale deter you from making this trip. The Oregon coast is beautiful any time of year.
