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.