Headed to the Oregon Coast? See my recommendations on where to stay, eat and what to do!
Traveling to the Oregon coast is one of those trips that has really stuck with me, and I cannot wait to return.
Why? The landscape was so different than anything we’re used to in the Midwest. I had visited Portland and Seattle several times for work, but this was my first time exploring the less populated areas.
The forests are dense and thick. The coastline is gorgeous, rugged and moody. It is truly a vibe. Food is fresh and simple, the people are friendly, and there is so much opportunity for recreation.
Accomodations
My husband and son don’t know this (yet), but I searched for lodging around Tillamook so that we would be in close proximity to the Tillamook Cheese factory. Don’t judge me!
We landed on a small cabin that overlooked Netarts Bay. I would recommend staying in this area. It’s quiet and the views are spectacular, but also a quick drive into Tillamook for all of your necessities.
As a bonus, I got to visit my beloved Jacobsen Salt Co, which I had no idea was located in Netarts!
What to Do on the Oregon Coast
- Tillamook Creamery: As I mentioned above, I was highly motivated to visit the Tillamook dairy! The City of Tillamook is so very important to the surrounding area, and actually serves as a bit of an agricultural hub. There are more cows than people living there! We did a paid tour at the dairy and enjoyed cheese samples and ice cream. My entire family enjoyed it.
- Go Crabbing: There are several places you can catch crab along the coastline. We visited Kelly’s Brighton Marina, which rented us a boat and the equipment needed to fish for crab along the Nehalem Bay. This was a top experience, and something we’d definitely do again! Kelly’s cleaned and steamed our crabs for us, which we then took home to enjoy for dinner.
- Visit Manzanita: If you’re planning to drive the coast (and you should), you’ll drive through several adorable towns. Manzanita was our favorite! There are plenty of shops, restaurants, art galleries and a beautiful coastline for recreation.
- See the Tide Pools: Check the tide tables to find negative tide times, then visit Tunnel Beach in Oceanside. We were amazed by the amount of starfish and other sea critters we found! If accessible, but tunnel is cool to walk through, but pales in comparison to what you’ll find in the tide pools.
- Eat Fresh Seafood: There are no shortage of fresh seafood restaurants in the area, so take advantage! We loved the Fish Peddler in Bay City, which is a combination restaurant and market. I had a crab melt that was excellent and my family ordered fresh Dungeness crab. But, be prepared to wait! For a more affordable seafood market, I recommend the Old Oregon Smokehouse in Tillamook, which we visited to buy some fish and shellfish to cook at home.
I want to mention that there are ample opportunities to hike and kayak. We did not plan enough days in our trip to do either. More reason to come back!
Getting Around the Oregon Coast
Driving up and down the coast is beautiful! We rented a car so we could move at our own pace. But, if you’d rather not drive, you can take the Oregon Coast Train! This railway runs right along the coastline through most of the coastal towns.
I hope this helps you plan your trip to the Oregon Coast! If there’s something I missed, I’d love to hear from you, because we will definitely be returning. Feel free to leave a comment below.