Clousie

Would like some opinions on staying in Gearhart Oregon for a few days. Have stayed in Cannon Beach before and Seaside did not impress me driving though it, so looking for opinions on Gearhart . Suggestions for quiet places to stay on coast north of Cannon Beach would also be appreciated.

tomfuller

Cannon Beach is a bit overpriced IMO. Gearhart is just 3 miles north of Seaside. Seaside has the "Prom" next to the broad sandy beach. Just off the Prom is the spot where some members of "The Corps of Discovery" boiled seawater to make salt to preserve meat for the long trip back east.
The place that I stay in Seaside is this hostel. http://www.seasidehostel.net/
You can rent a kayak or bicycle there. They also have a kitchen and computer access.
Your other choices would be in Astoria.

Fodorite018

We head over to Cannon Beach often. One week we stayed in Gearhart. The rental house we had was nice, but there isn't anything else to do there. We walked down the beach to Seaside a few times, but none of us cares for that town, so other than that we had to get in a car to go do anything. If you truly want a quiet place, then Gearhart might be for you. I can do quiet for a day or two, but then I itch for things to do, lol. The house we were in was in the Highlands, by the little golf course. There is a complex in town of condos for rent as well.

I would check VRBO and Craigslist for rental homes as well as the usual management companies.

Tomsd

You might consider seeing more of the Oregon Coast - and driving down to south of Lincoln City - and staying at the Surfrider - overlooking beautiful Depot Bay.

Clousie

I was also wondering if Gearhart would be "too quiet." Have looked into some possibilities in Manzanita, too.

We've been on much of the Oregon coast at various times, so these three days would just be to get our "west coast fix" before heading back to NJ. We will be leaving from this area to catch an afternoon plane from SEATAC so don't want to go too far south.

Originally we were considering Long Beach WA area, but that appears to be very flat and perhaps commercial. We prefer more quiet areas from which we can hike/walk and see great scenery.

Fodorite018

Manzanita is much better, IMO It is a quiet town, with a beautiful beach though and some nice shops and restaurants. From there to SeaTac is just under 4 hours, so easily doable.

el13207

We love Gearhart and have been going there for three generations. However, it IS very quiet. The beach is beautiful and one of the few left in the area that I am aware of where you can still drive down onto the beach. The Pacific Way Bakery is wonderful for morning coffees and pastries, and the adjoining Café wonderful for dinner. The Gearhart Golf course is also nice if you are a golfer (as is my husband), and the Sand Trap restaurant there is a nice spot for lunch (part of the McMenamin chain). Other than renting a house the only places to stay are Gearhart by the Sea (owner-owned condos which we have found in the past to be overpriced and of spotty quality), the hotel attached to the SandTrap (newly refurbed) and our favorite, the Gearhart Ocean Inn, which is in town, across the corner from the Pacific Way, and not on the beach, but charming in every respect. If you are looking for lots of shops, head elsewhere, but if you like a more upscale Cape Cod-like small town with old-time personality, and if you can either amuse yourself with books and DVDS or drive over to Seaside, Cannon Beach or Astoria for more entertainment, Gearhart is an awesome spot.