Oregon Coast Trip Report
Oct 3rd, 2004, 07:32 PM
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Oregon Coast Trip Report
Thanks to everyone at Fodor's who helped me plan this trip. Here is how it turned out...
We drove to the coast from Portland. The cherries that were being sold on the side of the road were out of this world!! Our first stop was Ecola State Park. Too bad it was completely fogged in. I grew up in the area so the fog was nothing new. The others with us thought it was pretty cool. We weren't able to see Haystack rock so we headed into Cannon Beach.
Cannon Beach was very nice and by far had the best shopping of anywhere we went. The little stores lined either side of the street for a few blocks. It was a mix of Oregon items, arts, crafts, etc. It was a nice spot for upscale shopping and some lovely items to remember the trip by. There were a lot of restaurants that we wandered by that smelled great. We ended up at Pizza a'Fetta - very good! I was told to skip Mo's by more people than I can count. We were told if we were to go to head to the one in Lincoln City.
Our next stop was the Tillamook Cheese Factory. The fog hindered any site seeing from Cannon Beach to there. The cheese factory didn't take long. We tasted the cheeses, picked up a few jams and jellies, and grabbed ice cream. The marionberry pie ice cream was fabulous! We did stop at the Blue Heron Cheese and Wine Factory. I wouldn't stop again. I didn't care for their cheeses and they had the same selection of jams, jellies, etc.
From Tillmook we headed for the Three Capes Loop. It was poorly marked and we ended up doing a couple of turn arounds throughout the drive. It was a nice example of how different the beaches are from one another in Oregon. Cape Meares was quite nice - the Octopus tree and the lighthouse were interesting. We wandered around the beach at Cape Lookout. I don't know if we ever got to Cape Kiawanda. The road was marked poorly but we made a few other stops. All in all it was a nice detour that was beautiful and not too time consuming.
From there we drove to Depoe Bay where we stayed the night at the Channel House. I highly recommend this Inn. Our room decorated nicely and was very inviting. There was a hot tub on the porch. We had dinner at the SeaHag. The food was good but no frills or fancy decor. We had gotten in about 9 and a lot of the other restaurants were closing already. Breakfast the following morning was served in a small room that overlooked the ocean. The food was okay. Nicely served but a continental breakfast. My only complaint about the inn would be the views. It wasn't much of an issue for me but the view wasn't great. The area in front of the property was rock and then water. To the side it was the bridge into town.
We decided to not drive back to Lincoln City. A lot of the little towns were filled with the same sorts of stores. We still stopped at all of them but it was pretty much the same things. From Depoe Bay took a quick detour to the Devil's punch bowl. Nothing to scream about but we happened to catch the whales migrating back. That was amazing!
In Newport we stopped at the aquarium. It is a nice aquarium highlighting the animals in the area. It maybe took an hour. This is a must stop if you aren't from the area.
We stopped briefly at the Sea Lion Caves. The cave was practically empty because it was warm outside. I think this is probably better in the winter when the animals come in the cave for warmth. Seal Rock that was closer to Newport was packed with seals.
We ended our trip in North Bend / Coos Bay (where I grew up). For those who don't know the area make sure to stop at Sunset Beach, Cape Arago, Horsefall Beach, and make a day trip to Bandon. Good restaurants are Gino's Pizza (a local favorite), Kum Yon's, and the Pancake Mill for breakfast.
On our next trip back we will be stopping in Astoria as recommended by Kimamom. Cannon Beach will be a spot I look forward to returning to. The Stephanie Inn was recommended by so many people I'll have to give it a try.
Thanks again to everyone who helped fill in the blanks on this trip!
We drove to the coast from Portland. The cherries that were being sold on the side of the road were out of this world!! Our first stop was Ecola State Park. Too bad it was completely fogged in. I grew up in the area so the fog was nothing new. The others with us thought it was pretty cool. We weren't able to see Haystack rock so we headed into Cannon Beach.
Cannon Beach was very nice and by far had the best shopping of anywhere we went. The little stores lined either side of the street for a few blocks. It was a mix of Oregon items, arts, crafts, etc. It was a nice spot for upscale shopping and some lovely items to remember the trip by. There were a lot of restaurants that we wandered by that smelled great. We ended up at Pizza a'Fetta - very good! I was told to skip Mo's by more people than I can count. We were told if we were to go to head to the one in Lincoln City.
Our next stop was the Tillamook Cheese Factory. The fog hindered any site seeing from Cannon Beach to there. The cheese factory didn't take long. We tasted the cheeses, picked up a few jams and jellies, and grabbed ice cream. The marionberry pie ice cream was fabulous! We did stop at the Blue Heron Cheese and Wine Factory. I wouldn't stop again. I didn't care for their cheeses and they had the same selection of jams, jellies, etc.
From Tillmook we headed for the Three Capes Loop. It was poorly marked and we ended up doing a couple of turn arounds throughout the drive. It was a nice example of how different the beaches are from one another in Oregon. Cape Meares was quite nice - the Octopus tree and the lighthouse were interesting. We wandered around the beach at Cape Lookout. I don't know if we ever got to Cape Kiawanda. The road was marked poorly but we made a few other stops. All in all it was a nice detour that was beautiful and not too time consuming.
From there we drove to Depoe Bay where we stayed the night at the Channel House. I highly recommend this Inn. Our room decorated nicely and was very inviting. There was a hot tub on the porch. We had dinner at the SeaHag. The food was good but no frills or fancy decor. We had gotten in about 9 and a lot of the other restaurants were closing already. Breakfast the following morning was served in a small room that overlooked the ocean. The food was okay. Nicely served but a continental breakfast. My only complaint about the inn would be the views. It wasn't much of an issue for me but the view wasn't great. The area in front of the property was rock and then water. To the side it was the bridge into town.
We decided to not drive back to Lincoln City. A lot of the little towns were filled with the same sorts of stores. We still stopped at all of them but it was pretty much the same things. From Depoe Bay took a quick detour to the Devil's punch bowl. Nothing to scream about but we happened to catch the whales migrating back. That was amazing!
In Newport we stopped at the aquarium. It is a nice aquarium highlighting the animals in the area. It maybe took an hour. This is a must stop if you aren't from the area.
We stopped briefly at the Sea Lion Caves. The cave was practically empty because it was warm outside. I think this is probably better in the winter when the animals come in the cave for warmth. Seal Rock that was closer to Newport was packed with seals.
We ended our trip in North Bend / Coos Bay (where I grew up). For those who don't know the area make sure to stop at Sunset Beach, Cape Arago, Horsefall Beach, and make a day trip to Bandon. Good restaurants are Gino's Pizza (a local favorite), Kum Yon's, and the Pancake Mill for breakfast.
On our next trip back we will be stopping in Astoria as recommended by Kimamom. Cannon Beach will be a spot I look forward to returning to. The Stephanie Inn was recommended by so many people I'll have to give it a try.
Thanks again to everyone who helped fill in the blanks on this trip!
May 23rd, 2005, 08:25 PM
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If I'm not mistaken the weather has a lot to do with the sea lions being in or out of the caves. They go where ever it is warmest. August and September are typically the warmest months. The Pacific Ocean is very cold. In June and July the water is cold but the land is warmer creating the wind that ultimately cools the temperatures. By August and September the water is closer to the lands temperature and there is less wind creating a wonderful Indian summer effect.
We were there in August and there were only 20 or so sea lions in the caves. It was beautiful outside so they were on the standing rocks out in the ocean. You could hear the echo of their barks on shore. I grew up in the area and during the cooler months the caves are packed with barely any rock visible because they are jammed in the caves so tightly. I guess this may be one of those things you judge when you get there. If it is warm and sunny out I wouldn't bother stopping. Hope this helps!
We were there in August and there were only 20 or so sea lions in the caves. It was beautiful outside so they were on the standing rocks out in the ocean. You could hear the echo of their barks on shore. I grew up in the area and during the cooler months the caves are packed with barely any rock visible because they are jammed in the caves so tightly. I guess this may be one of those things you judge when you get there. If it is warm and sunny out I wouldn't bother stopping. Hope this helps!
May 31st, 2005, 07:56 AM
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"Crowded" is a relative word, Modeen. At breakfast yesterday in Cannon Beach, we had a chat with a woman from Vermont. Memorial Day weekend being one of Cannon Beach's busiest of the year, we asked her if she minded all the people. Her response was that we in Oregon don't know crowds. And that from a woman who lives in Vermont!
Jun 1st, 2005, 08:56 AM
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Hi Modeen,
We didn't stay overnight in Cannon Beach but when we go back I'm looking forward to the Stephanie Inn!
And it wasn't crowded. I was pleansantly surpised by the lack of RV's on the road. But as beachbum stated crowded is relative and Oregon is a large state with a low population. I think that is part of the draw. Needless to say you won't have problems getting into restaurants, finding parking, or finding places where you can enjoy the solitude of the beach. The only thing you definitely need to do in advance is book a room.
Hope this helps!
Rachel
We didn't stay overnight in Cannon Beach but when we go back I'm looking forward to the Stephanie Inn!
And it wasn't crowded. I was pleansantly surpised by the lack of RV's on the road. But as beachbum stated crowded is relative and Oregon is a large state with a low population. I think that is part of the draw. Needless to say you won't have problems getting into restaurants, finding parking, or finding places where you can enjoy the solitude of the beach. The only thing you definitely need to do in advance is book a room.
Hope this helps!
Rachel
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