Travel

Oregon Coast Gems

This family loves our trips to the Oregon Coast. I couldn't even tell you how many trips there have been over the years and when I look back to my own childhood trips, the number is anyone's guess! I have so many wonderful memories at the coast. I have amazing childhood memories that included my parents, my grandma & friends. Later, as a young adult there were some great trips then as well. My sweetie & I honeymooned on the Coast. Since we've added kids to the mix our trips often include grandparents and extended family. It's a special place and each visit is different. If I ever decide to go back to college at some point in my life, it'll be to study the thing I always wanted to study (as long as I can remember) and never did - Marine Biology.

Today I'd like to take you on a quick trip down the coast to some of our favorite spots. You've seen me share this before, but it bears repeating when I can. Many people are unaware of the Federal Program called "Every Kid Outdoors". The goal is to get kids and their families to explore the many amazing and wonderful places that are part of the Federal Parks System. If you have a kid in 4th grade or going into 4th grade, you need to get in on this. When you sign up, your 4th grader is given a free family pass to get into ALL of the National Parks & many State Parks. You can use it starting the day 3rd grade ends up until the day 5th grade starts, so yes, you can get 2 summers worth of use out of it if you do it right. Get yours here. There is no limit to the number of parks or visits - trust me, we tested it!

Starting at the North End of the coast in Astoria there are 2 must-do things. First, the Astoria Column. You need to buy an airplane from the gift shop, trudge up the stairs, launch your airplane and enjoy an unparalleled view before going back down & trying to find said airplane! Second: the Goonies House. Sadly, the last time we were there they had it blocked off so you couldn't get to it anymore, but I did take a picture of the no entrance sign & one from the parking lot of the grocery store down below where you can kinda see the house. Kinda.

Our next stop is Fort Stevens. Fort Stevens was a military installation used to guard the mouth of the Columbia River built towards the end of the Civil War until 1947. Lots of really cool history and remnants to explore. Be sure to visit the wreckage of the Peter Iredale - she ran aground here in 1906 and remains on the beach.

Before you hop back onto Hwy 101 to head South, plan on spending some time at the Lewis & Clark National Historical Park. It's a beautiful and highly educational stop. Plus, it's a gorgeous walk through the forest.

Seaside is reminiscent of the old-fashioned boardwalk you see in old movies. It's charming and a very popular place to visit. For us the best part is the Carousel Mall. Riding the Merry-Go-Round and shopping the cute little stores is my favorite part of Seaside, honestly. It's definitely busy & crowded and not what I want when I go to the coast.

By now you've got to be starving, right? Sounds like it's time to stop in Cannon Beach at Mo's for Chowder & Fish and a beautiful view of Haystack Rock (another Goonies reference). There are some incredible trails, beaches, inlets and hikes all over the coast - you can't make a poor choice if you decide to explore any of them. Just be safe & use common sense. And leave the wildlife alone!

Our next stop is at the very Northernmost tip of Rockaway Beach where the South Jetty of Nehalem Bay is. Just below that jetty, you're going to find yourself on a beach that is nearly always deserted (or almost) in what we call the "Driftwood Graveyard". This area is one of the best ones to explore - driftwood in all shapes & sizes, beautiful beach, jetty covered with tidepools. Everything you imagine an Oregon Coast Beach to be, this is. All of Rockaway Beach is beautiful and one of the easiest beaches for walking on the coast. Spend some time here.

Garibaldi is a bend in the road that is easy to miss. I love the pier in Garibaldi. I've never eaten better or fresher fish in my life than here! Fiserman's Korner buys it straight off the boats daily and you can definitely tell. On Saturdays keep your eyes open for their Farmer's Market on the pier too. If you need a place to stay, we've really enjoyed our stays at the Garibaldi House Inn.

Next stop? Be sure to hit the Tillamook Country Smoker Factory Outlet in Bay City for cheap beef sticks! Those are a must-have for any road trip and this is the cheapest place on the coast to find them. Hmmm...next is Tillamook and what could that possibly mean? Yep. Ice Cream!

In the middle of Tillamook take the turn off to Cape Meares Lighthouse. It's in an immensely beautiful area and it's pretty accessible. Also at this stop, it's worth the little bit of a hike (not a huge hike) to see the Octopus Tree. Continue on down this road to enjoy the scenery and the massive sand dunes at Pacific City. After you leave Pacific City, you'll be back on Hwy 101 headed South.

You are going to find yourself going through the towns of Lincoln City & Depoe Bay next - take the time to check out the view points and, if you time it right, you might catch sight of a whale. This particular stretch of the coast, quite frankly, isn't my favorite. Like Seaside, it's busy and congested and noisy. It's not the "coast" I love so much.

As you drop into Newport, we love driving out to Yaquina Head, Cobble Beach & Agate Beach for the tide pooling, the lighthouse, the marine life and plants. It's like there's a little bit of Mother Nature tucked into this little nook between towns and it's amazing. The one "tourist trap" that's worth doing at least once is a trip to Ripley's Believe It or Not & the Wax Museum. Check here for our favorite Newport places!

It's hard to pick just one place on the Oregon Coast as my favorite, but the area from Waldport to Yachats just might be it. Our best trip to the coast was a week in a house we rented on Wakonda Beach with my parents & my Aunt. The beach was literally just outside the spacious back yard down a short set of easy stairs. It was quiet, peaceful, secluded, extremely walkable and had the only Redwood stump on the Oregon Coast on a beach! While there we got the chance to go crabbing, tried clamming, tide pooling, discovered Pacific Sourdough, Outta Gas Pizza, an air & car show in Florence, Slumgullion at Luna's, Saltwater Taffy, Good Coffee, a flame throwing street performer, fireworks & bonfires on the beach & a Farmers Market. We absolutely love this area!

Further South, we also love everything about Cape Arago. Read more here.

Before we end this journey down the coast and find ourselves in the beautiful Redwoods, there is a hidden little gem south of Port Orford (quite likely the windiest place on the coast!) that is a must do if you are a #boymom or have a dinosaur lover in your family: Prehistoric Gardens. Imagine yourself immersed in huge trees, lots of foilage and surrounded by dinosaurs. You get the idea! It's a little out of the way from everything else, but it's worth getting off the beaten path for it! The first time we went our boys were 3 & 4 and absolutely nuts about dinosaurs. So much fun!

I could spend hours sharing everything I love about the Oregon Coast and the many, many, many adventures I've been blessed enough to experience and I'd never be able to share them all. There is something for everyone and beauty absolutely everywhere. The ocean hypnotizes me and calms my soul, but to have it surrounded by such beauty is a bonus. I love that there's always something new to find, learn or discover with each trip. Sharing that with my family? Makes it even better.

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