Go Off the Beaten Path along the Oregon Coast

If you live in Oregon, chances are you have been to the Coast and have your favorite places to go and things to do when you are there. If you are planning a visit to Oregon, the coast is more than likely a part of your travel plans as one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. No matter where you begin or how many times you have been, there are always new and exciting things to experience along the Oregon Coast. We have done some of our own research and exploration to find some unique places and activities for you to check out the next time you go traveling down Highway 101.

Seaside is one of the most popular towns in all of Oregon. This quaint town has all the charm you could want in a beach town with a boardwalk, and plenty of shops too. But Seaside has a lesser known side, one which holds a gem waiting to be discovered. At the North end of Seaside is the Necanicum River which flows into the Pacific. You can reach the mouth of the river by crossing it at 12^th Street and then head north to the end of the Seaside Promenade. This area is full of rich nutrients and makes the ideal place for Sand dollars, the pinnacle beach combing treasure. Because this part of North end of Seaside toward the next town, Gearhart and you will find more whole sand dollars than just about anywhere else in the state. But be aware when you go, you may run across live specimens. These are usually a light lavender color and look like they have a laye of velvet hairs all around. Take one of these homes and the resulting smell will not be pleasant. Just look for ones that are white, these are the remnant shells of these one-time urchins, and make for wonderful coastal memories.

the Pacific is also fed by the Columbia River just to the north, Sand dollars are able to thrive, and the beach proves it. Take a stroll along the beach between the

Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach is known the world over, but did you know there is more than one Haystack Rock along the Oregon Coast? There is a taller Haystack Rock in Pacific City, and even a third one in Bandon. Haystack Rock in Pacific City is more than 100 feet taller than the one in Cannon Beach. It stands more than a mile offshore so you can’t get up close to it- but it is quite a sight to behold. The Pacific City Haystack Rock is also a protected wildlife refuge, like the one in Cannon Beach. While you can’t swim out to, boaters have been known to try to reach it- this is not allowed for its protected status, but a good camera can get some great photos. In Bandon Haystack Rock is part of a group of sea stacks, large monoliths that dot the shoreline in the Bandon South Jetty County Park. Looking less like a haystack and more like a hay bale, its sheer size and the surrounding natural landscape make the drive to Bandon worth it. Planning an excursion to visit all the Haystack Rocks on the Oregon Coast could make for a relaxing long weekend.

Another intriguing site along the coast resides in Oceanside, a quaint little town just south of Cape Meares. At the north end of the beach in Oceanside there is a tunnel running through the Cliffside there. The tunnel leads to Tunnel Beach and then on to an amazing treasure around the bend, aptly named Agate Beach.  But you can only access these areas at low tides, so plan your trip accordingly and review current tidal maps so you don’t get caught aware. You can hunt for agates on either beach and are sure to find some beautiful specimens.

For a hauntingly beautiful natural site to view, head to the Central coastal town of Neskowin. Here you will find the Neskowin Ghost Forest, the remains of an ancient Sitka spruce forest which is buried partially in the sand. The forest was discovered after a series of storms in 1997-1998. It is believed that the forest was originally buried 2,000 years ago from either a tsunami or earthquake. When the tide is out up to 100 of these ancient tree stumps can be seen, creating an eerily beautiful sight, a nature lover and photographer’s dream.

A rare site awaits you just north of Florence. This is where you will find the Darlingtonia State Natural Site, a small marsh area which is home to Oregon’s only bug eating plant, Darlingtonia californica, a pitcher plant commonly known as cobra lily. As the only carnivorous plant in Oregon, the natural site is dedicated to the protection of the species which is a rare plant indeed. The name Cobra Lily refers to the elongated tubular leaves which look like a rearing cobra, and a forked leaf that look like fangs.

If you want to experience a bit more action on your next Oregon Coast trip, head down to Florence, the birth place of one of the newest sports around, sandboarding. Instead of surfing along snow, you can now surf along sand, no waves required. The dunes of Florence offer some of the best Sand Master Park is the first sandboard park in the world. Just Oregon took the lead in Windsurfing and Mountain Biking, Sand Surfing is the stuff born of a love of the outdoors. The park has other activities including Dune Buggy tours, sand sledding and boogie boarding. You can also attend a Sand sculpting clinic and play in a giant sandbox.

sand to surf the day away.

Whatever you choose to do at the Oregon Coast, you will find something new and exciting to experience where ever you travel. For a small fee, we at C.P. Trips are here to work with you in planning a stress free Oregon vacation.  Check out our website, cptrips.com and our Visit the Wonders of Oregon page for more information and travel ideas to the 7 Wonders of Oregon. Email us at cptrips@aol.com, or call Cindy Passannante at 503-658-5646 or our Oregon Dream’s Specialist, Julie Hirning at 503-705-8043, today and we can explore the incredible variety of vacation ideas and options waiting for you in our wonderful state of Oregon.

Discover New Treasures at the Oregon Coast

If you live in Oregon, or nearby in Washington, chances are you have been to the Oregon Coast. The scenic beauty of the Oregon Coast may even be one of the reasons you moved to the state, should you be from elsewhere originally. Born and raised Oregonians, having grown up with the Oregon Coast easily accessible, will no doubt be full of great suggestions about what to do and where to stay. This region of the state is one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon, and it is easy to see why. All 363 miles of coastline are free and open to the public. All beaches are accessible, and no one person or entity owns it, except for those of us who live here. The region itself is full of a variety of natural wonders and cottage industries that make any trip to the Oregon Coast worth the journey. If you are an Oregonian, when was the last time you went to the coast and tried something new? If you live outside the state, why not plan a few days, or more at the Oregon Coast? You will be glad you did.

There are many aspects of the Oregon Coast which are well known, not only in the state, but across the country and the world. Astoria is famous not only for its history as the first U.S. permanent settlement along the Pacific, but also for its incredible location for movies such as the Goonies. Tillamook Cheese is possibly the biggest brand name for food which has put Oregon on the map of culinary enthusiasts around the world. Newport has the Oregon Coast Aquarium, once home to Keiko the Orca, and is nearby Yaquina Head lighthouse, the tallest in the state. The sand dunes of the Southern Oregon Coast are well known for all the exciting recreational fun available, such as off-roading, hiking and camping, all within the largest expanse of sand dunes in the country. And yet there is so much more to the coast. We have found some exciting and unique places to visit and activities to enjoy and are excited to share them with you.

Should your Oregon Coast travel plans include Astoria, you can reach back further in time and

connect with the original inhabitants of the area, the Chinook tribe. The Barbey Maritime Center is one stop that is a must. Here you can see how the craft of Chinook wood carving has been preserved with demonstrations. Better yet, you can stop by and take a class to learn about it firsthand. The center is next to the Columbia River Maritime Museum, which houses original tribal artifacts for a deeper look into Oregon’s ancient past. The center and museum both offer a wonderful glimpse into Oregon’s character. Beyond the people, products and places that have made Oregon famous, there is a connection to the natural world which is still close by. Here in Oregon, and in particular along the coast, you can get away from the hustle and bustle of every day work life. You can easily leave the city and noise behind with little time needed to realize that you have indeed made your way back into nature.  The wood carvings of the Chinook reflect this in an amazing way.

Most travel along the Oregon Coast by car. But there is one sure way to really get a close up view of all the natural beauty along the Oregon Coast. Stop and take a hike. There are trails all along the coast, it could take a lifetime to walk them all, and there are many great spots worth the effort to reach. There are trails that can fit any fitness level or time frame, from short jaunts off the road to a view point, or trails that can take you ‘off the beaten path’. Cape Meares Scenic Viewpoint offers stunning views along a short jaunt to the lighthouse there. Here you can see wildlife like nowhere else, the largest nesting sites of the common murres, bald eagles and peregrine falcons. If you check out these trails in the fall or winter, Cape Meares makes a great place to spot migrating whales. Located near Yachats along the Central Coast is Cape Perpetua, a rainforest region of the coast which offers some of the most spectacular views of the ocean.  From the top of the cape, on a clear day you can see up to 70 miles of Oregon Coastline and 37 miles out to sea, a stunning place for photos. To experience the quieter side of the Oregon Dunes, go to the John Dellenbach Dunes Trail just south of Reedsport, where the trail and surrounding area is off limits to off-roading vehicles. You can experience a conifer forest, sand dunes, deflation plain and the beach all in one walk, and get a true sense of the nature of this region of Oregon.

You can eat more than just cheese and fresh seafood at the Oregon Coast. If you have a craving for delicious specialty chocolates then a trip to Bandon should be in the works. Located in Coos County, at the head of the Coquille River, the town of Bandon is the perfect stop for a long weekend on the

coast. There is golfing, the Coquille River Lighthouse, spas and incredible parks, but one particular star of Bandon is the specialty Chocolates and Deserts of Coastal Mist chocolate boutique. Here you can enjoy over 130 types of chocolate, caramel bars, sipping chocolate and hand crafted desserts. They also provide “Flight Events” which are chocolate tastings that you can enjoy in the shop or wherever you are staying in Bandon, be it a beach rental or hotel. Coastal Mist is one example of the kind of top of the line products you can find along the Oregon Coast. We have incredible cottage industries in our smaller towns, adding yet another reason to explore the 7 Wonders of Oregon, and that it is always worth the journey.

As you can see there is so much more to the Oregon coast. The next time you are ready for a vacation, whether you are traveling from near or far, why not check out one of these unique Oregon Coast experiences? Be sure to check out our next blog which will help you decide just where to stay the next time you travel to the Oregon Coast. For a small fee, we at C.P. Trips are here to work with you in planning a stress free Oregon vacation.  Check out our website, cptrips.com and our Visit the Wonders of Oregon page for more information and travel ideas to the 7 Wonders of Oregon. Email us at cptrips@aol.com, or call Cindy Passannante at 503-658-5646, or our Oregon Dream’s Specialist, Julie Hirning at 503-705-8043, today and we can explore the incredible variety of vacation ideas and options waiting for you in our wonderful state of Oregon.