Hello,Eveyone. My question is in regards to the state of Oregon. I am thinking on a fall trip to the state for the first time, just love that rugged coastline. Anyone ever been to Newport?. Surfin the web and it sure sounded to be a quaint type of town.Will probably start in Portland and head south along the coast but did want to see it along with Depoe bay and Coos Bay. Any insight would be greatly appreciated...Thanks

Newport is one of my favorite towns on the coast. But it's not entirely quaint. Driving down the middle on highway 101, you see all the commercial sprawl you see anywhere else: a Wal-mart, a McDonalds, even a Starbucks now. It's also a pretty big town (given the Wal-Mart). But if you get off 101, it gets better.

Newport has definite charm. There is an artsy section near Nye Beach. The bayfront on the opposite side of the highway is kind of cheesy but there are some sea lions that hang out on one of the docks there and they will bark at you like the lazy animals they are:

http://www.portlandbridges.com/00,5D...rt-oregon.html

(There are other pictures of the bayfront and the amazing Yaquina Bay Bridge on that link as well.)

Nye Beach is also a great beach in my opinion. I love to walk down there:

http://www.portlandbridges.com/00,DR...rt-oregon.html

Yaquina Head has a beautiful old lighthouse with a great natural area as well.

And we shouldn't forget the Oregon Coast Aquarium, maybe not in a league with Monterey's or anything but still worth a visit.

Andrew,..thank you very much for taking the time to respond to my post. Really appreciate the effort and time spent. Did I misread the web site from the chamber of commerce? According to that source, the town has less than 10,000. residents. I did read that the town is also spread out and actually covers about 44 sq. miles in all. I wonder also if all those poor weather/gray skies stories everyone talks about is actually that big of a deal. Coastline reminds me of Maine, I assume the weather is similar? Thanks in advance

Andrew, greats pics by the way! Very helpful.

Newport can be mild and even cold in the summers. It can be very windy and chilly on the beach. Keep in mind too that in Oregon, it's pretty much too cold to swim in the ocean almost all year. It's not that kind of a beach.

It doesn't really remind me of the Maine coast except for the lighthouse a little. Then again I've been to the Maine coast only twice. Still seems different to me.

Newport is the county seat, so the Wal-Mart et al. serve the entire region not just the town. As I said, I dig the place but it helps to get off 101. And if you like bridges don't miss he Yaquina Bay Bridge pictured on my site - one of my favorite bridges in the world.

Andrew..I will be sure to check back on your photographs..you must be or should be a professional judging by your work. Most of the pictures I found on the various sites show people in long pants,shirts and/or jackets. Sometimes cool is "kool". On that note, I bid you a goodnight from Detroitland. Please dont hesitate with any other advice you may have as I make future posts. This is a learning process for me......

The Nye Beach area is quaint - look into the Sylvia Beach Hotel - each room is named after an author and decorated accordingly to a theme - even have an Edgar Allen Poe room - its not a luxury hotel- kind of funky - but a fun place to stay right on the water.

The town I like to stay in is Yachats - a little farther south - very quaint

What did you read about Coos Bay that makes you want to go there? It's a coastal town, yes, but not actually on the coast. And the hay days of lumber and shipping, which gave Coos Bay its vitality, are long gone. So, drive right through Coos Bay and head to Bandon. Port Orford would be nice too. Some of the best seascapes of the entire coast on the beaches near there.