Part of the joy of planning a vacation is finding that special destination that will make wonderful memories for you and your partner or family. Sometimes one of the best ways to ensure that you have a great vacation is by selecting a location that isn’t necessarily the first place that most people think of, someplace that is a little under the radar of most travelers. If you are looking for an oceanfront vacation that fits this description, you need look no further than the Oregon Coast.
One of the things that sets the Oregon Coast apart when comparing it to other beach destinations is the wide variety of seasons that the region gets. The Oregon Coast is a great place to enjoy the hot sun on the warm sand. The Oregon Coast is a nice place to bundle up and watch the gorgeous power of a fierce storm come rolling in off the ocean. The Oregon Coast is the place to be when you want to experience winter on the beach. And, the Oregon Coast is definitely the place to be when the world wakes up after a long winter. Based solely on the varying climate during different times of the year, the Oregon Coast has it all for everyone who loves the ocean.
Some of the awesome things you don’t want to miss when vacation on the Oregon Coast:
Sea Lion Caves
The only colony of Steller’s Sea Lions that resides on North America year round is located at Sea Lion Caves. The caves are a tourist attraction located almost exactly halfway down the Oregon Coast just north of the town of Florence. It is complete with a gift shop, viewing platform, and elevator that will take you down inside the cave to view the Sea Lions in their own habitat. The best time to view the Sea Lions is in the fall, though some are present for viewing all year long.
Tillamook Cheese Factory
About two miles north of the city of Tillamook, right on famous route 101, is what is known as the Tillamook Cheese Factory. The building is the headquarters of the Tillamook County Creamery Association which is a local dairy co-operative. You can tour the facility and sample the fresh cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and more. A fun time looking at how cheese is made.
Coos Bay
The community of Coos Bay is located on the southern end of the Oregon Coast and is an extremely lively hub of outdoor recreation. People can go fishing, explore the coastline, or drive to the nearby Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. It is truly a great little coastal community.
Oregon Coast Aquarium & Newport Waterfront
A fun time can be had at the Oregon Coast Aquarium for both adults and children alike. There are many hands on exhibits as well as rare opportunities to view the natural surroundings and creatures found in the Pacific Ocean. Located near the Aquarium is also the Newport waterfront which features many tourist attractions as well as great places to eat.
Astoria
Located at the northernmost end of the Oregon Coast, Astoria has a rich history that can be traced back all the way to the time of Lewis & Clark and before. The bridge connecting Oregon to its northern neighbor Washington, the Astoria-Megler Bridge, is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. The bridge spans the mighty Columbia River at its mouth and provides a beautiful view of both the river at its widest point and the ocean that it is flowing into.
Devils Lake and the D River
Devils Lake is located just outside of Lincoln City in the north part of the Oregon Coast. The lake separates the city from the mountains to the west. One of the more interesting sites is the D River which flows only 128 feet from the lake to the Pacific Ocean and is one of the shortest rivers in the world.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area cover more than 27,000 acres and are on the southern portion of the Oregon Coast, stretching about 40 miles from the Coos River to the Siuslaw River. Some sand dunes tower as high as 500 feet above sea level while others reach down to the waves themselves. This is one of the more unique geographic locations in the United States. Many outdoor recreational pursuits are available including off road vehicle use, photography, fishing, canoeing, camping, hiking, horseback riding and more.
Small Town Coastal Life
One of the great attractions that the Oregon Coast has is the lack of a concentrated urban area in the region. The closest large city to the Oregon Coast is Portland which is well inland of the coastal area. The entire coast is littered with small towns and unincorporated communities. Many of these offer rental homes, motels, and resorts and offer a laid back way of enjoying an oceanfront vacation. Some of the communities include: Gold Beach, Brandon, North Bend, Westlake, Dunes City, Florence, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Pacific City, Oceanside, and Seaside. These communities are great ways to enjoy the famous Oregon beaches like Manhattan Beach and Rockaway Beach.
Summary
With its wide variety of outdoor recreational pursuits, its incredible scenery and varying weather patterns, and the relative seclusion in that it is not the most crowded destination in the country, the Oregon Coast is a location that never fails to disappoint almost every type of traveler it encounters.
