Oregon Coast - what to see?

[rvgrammady]

I will be on the oregon coast for 2-3 weeks July 4-24. I will be traveling south to north. I have noted "full"days, since these sites are fairly close, I will be leaving before check out and arriving right at check-in and will have that partial day (not noted below).
Mills Casino, North Bend 1 day
florence Thousand Trails 2 days
newport Thousand Trails 3 days
pacific city Thousand Trails2 days
seaside Thousand Trails 3 days
Portland/Columbia River, unknown park 3-4 days

I would like some suggestions as must see/do's. I've got all the travel books, and info from Oregon Coast State Info... there is so much to see and do. Would like some been-there-done-that info.

I do plan on the Aquarium in Newport, and shucks I don't have my paperwork.. but there is a boat trip of the bay/river etc. think Florence? Tillamook Cheese Factory, Lewis & Clark Museum in Astoria.

I am not a hiker/biker. I walk a bit (have bum knee) I have a tow car to sightsee. I like overlooks, mueseums, some shopping (little), maybe boat trips (whale watching), Would like some great local seafood. Somewhere I heard you can get fresh crab they cook for you. Also, some local eateries or must eat here places.

Up on Columbia River, the dam, locks, the sternwheeler boat trip, Mt. Hood wineries, brew pubs.

Thanks for your comments,

Dy in Northern Calif.

[chrishavel]

D.E.Bishop wrote:
Sea Lion Caves are nearby but don't expect to many sealions.

There's a great seal and sea lion haul-out at Strawberry Hill, north of Heceta Head and south of Cape Perpetua. You have to walk down the trail and clamber over a few rocks, but it's pretty reliable viewing and the tidepools are terrific to boot.

Strawberry is part of Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint.

--
Chris, Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept.
oregonstateparks.org
twitter.com/ORStateParks

[2milesup]

Several posters have mentioned the Tillamook Cheese factory. Sample all you want, but save room for their ice cream on the way out. It's wonderful.

In Newport, I'll second the Local Ocean. Also you'll want to find your way to the Chowder Bowl for their clam chowder.

For breakfast or lunch, we enjoyed the Beach Dog café south of Lincoln City.

I'm getting hungry, and we can't get back there until October...

[qtla9111]

amandasgramma wrote:

qtla9111 wrote:
Eat at Local Ocean down the street from the aquarium in Newport. Excellent food. We were there last month.

Local Ocean My pick for the world's best crab cakes. Nothing like I have ever had before.

🙂 🙂 I'm ready to pack up and go.....I have a thing for crab cakes and to think there are good ones in Oregon ---- I'm ready to HEAD OUT!!!!!!

I have always had sad crab cakes, you know, the shell thing with stuffing and fishy smelling crabmeat.

These are real true crab cakes.

Also, someone mentioned the Tillimook Cheese factory. All the cheese you want to taste and the best of the best are the cheese curds. They have a store and sell all their products along with seconds, or end cuts at a very very reasonable price.

[surfman376]

I agree with everyone's posts. I have been stationed up and down the coast for over 10 years now.
-If you want spectacular views hit up every pull off along the highway each offer something different.
-Lighthouses are wonderful too. Umpqua lighthouse has a museum and tours of the light. Heceta head has a small visitor's center.
-Maritime Museum in Astoria
-Any of the dunes tours
-Cape Arago in Charleston has great views
-Octopus tree and Cape Meares Lighthouse just west of Tillamook
-Tillamook Cheese Factory (squeeky cheese)
-watch boats come in and out of the smallest port in the world @ Depoe Bay
The list goes on and on..... When in doubt stop.

Enjoy!

[Carl_n_Susan]

If you are in Florence, do not miss eating at the Waterfront Depot. http://www.thewaterfrontdepot.com/ Reservations are a must. Their crab encrusted halibut is too die for but there are lots of alternative choices.

[fly-swatter]

Do the hike at Cape Lookout State Park. Awesome views and quite an easy walk.

[crabbin_cabin]

Between Florence ( make sure you try the pie at Nina&Kathleen's restaurant in Florence before you leave) and Newport be sure to stop at the Cape Perpetua visitor center - on your right for easy exit as you drive north - for exceptional views and interpretive information!

[DaveG39]

19 July weekend there is a kite festival in Brookings harbor

[DougE]

I did a survey in November. "Must See" Oregon Survey

[korbe]

When we travel from the south to north along the Oregon coast, and since we like to walk the beaches, we will use standard vehicle operating features and turn down to the beach side parking lots and enjoy the day.

[D_E_Bishop]

Okay, Oregon Coast, where to start. Haceta Head Lighthouse is the most photographed LH on the West Coast, there is a day use area at the base of the lighthouse, really nice for walking and looking for sea stones. Sea Lion Caves are nearby but don't expect to many sealions,

Rogue Brewery near the aquarium and their Public House in Old Newport, Wood Studio near Public House. Made in Oregon Shop.

Mo's is not the great family seafood place it was back when Mo was alive and you would find her at the Rogue Public House after work, Gracie's Sea Hag is much better and while you're in Depot Bay, next to the Sea Hag is the best taffy on the coast and great whale watching rides or sit on the sea wall and watch for free.

If you like watching waves and or surfers, try the South Jetty in Florence, you do not have to pay the day use fee for the dunes if you are going to the jetty. Just east of Florence is Cushman, a few campsites but their claim to fame was that the grateful dead hid their bus behind the big white house and camped on the island in the river.

Woahink Lake and Honeyman Campground south of Florence. It's best Memorial Weekend for the rhodies but still a nice place to visit.

Fort Stevens, Cape Foulweather, Dismal Niche and Fort Clapsop. All famous for the location where the Corp of Discovery first reached the ocean.

Full Sail Ale in Hood River upstream from Portland and Bonnyville Dam.

Best breakfast on the Oregon Coast is the Otis Café. Little red place outside Lincoln City on the road to Portland. Do not order a full order of the German Potatoes for one person.

Don't miss the glass blowers on the southside of Lincoln City, you can blow your own glass float if you want. Check on the activities at the Lincoln City Community Center. They had a Oregon Coast Creole festival. Lots of great variations of seafood gumbo.

Well if I continue to fill your next three trips to the coast, I won't get the HDMI cable installed in our rig's bedroom. If you need more PM me and I open the post with more.

Don't forget the Otis Café.

[kellertx5er]

stickdog wrote:
Do make it down to Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach and try to do it at low tide for the tide pools, may be the last chance to see the Sea Stars before the all waste away.

X2 for Cannon Beach and Haystack rock. Really picturesque quaint little town.

[rr2254545]

vermilye wrote:
Depending on your interests, you might check out the Tillamook Cheese factory tour & the Tillamook Air Museum. There are also many lighthouses to see along the way, some that don't require a lot of walking to get to.

Air museum at Tillamook was disappointing this past January, they are using a large portion of it to store RV's indoors - shame

[ksg5000]

Hope you enjoy your trip.

If your unhappy with your Thousand Trail setup you can always find a State Park that is nearby and they aren't expensive and some of the best in the country - wouldn't be surprised is they are better than the Thousand Trail campgrounds.

Camping in Oregon is different than Calif - not as crowded even during the summer - but weekends when kids are out of school are the exception. Keep that in mind.

Consider staying at Gold Beach - on the way - beautiful with a nice State Park.

You will like Newport Aquarium - you can also find whale watching trips on the wharf downtown near some restaurants. North of Newport is Beverly Beach State Park - one of the nicest Parks in the country. Lincoln City has decent Casino if you want to gamble - probably can use parking lot overnight if you like as well.

Canon Beach south of Seaside is a must see - eat at Moe's (great clam chowder)and has nice RV parking and view of Haystack Rock. It's just south of Canon Beach near Tolovana Inn. Canon Beach has lots of touristy shops - need to drive into town and parking can be a challenge - hit it on a weekday.

Consider stopping at Tillamook Cheese Factory - nice break.