coastal visit (Portland, Newport, Lincoln City: hotel, vacation, work)

[migrating]

My husband has been working in Portland for 3+ months and we are, finally, going to join him on Sep 1st even though our home here hasn't sold. We were going to drive, but no one wanted to be in the car for 30+ hours so we decided to fly in around Sep. 1st (tentative) with the movers delivering between the 4th and 7th. Problem is, since it will be so instant, I think we will need to have a time before we jump from one home to the next, kind of like deflating plus there will be a few days where there is no furniture anyways. I thought we could drive out to the coast and stay for a couple of days. Does anyone have a favorite coastal spot? For activities and dwellings? We were looking at Newport but figure that we can do that later and might prefer/enjoy a closer to pdx local favorite. We would like a view of the ocean and maybe one or two activities to do. Any ideas?

[tiffela74]

depends on whats your family fit. Are you looking for a yurt or a cabin? Lots of those available! I think most the basic ones run about 35.00night and thats w/a couple beds....Or if hotel/motels are more your thing, theres some w/incredible views, many many w/beach access, some w/hot tubs right on the deck w/the sounds, sights and smells of the ocean just feet away...are you looking for rocky wild beach, or a long white expance of sand? A quiet spot, or something where theres lot of other people having a good time? Are you more into beachcombing, or kiteboarding? Youve really got your pick along our coast line.
Personally, I LOVE Depoe Bay. Its rugged and beautiful, the waves crashing can be enourmous. The little stores along the strip are filled w/lots of cool beachy things, and the candy is made fresh in front of you. Theres even a place you can try your own hand at fresh taffy pulling. Lots of sealions and ships to watch, and fresh seafood that will make your mouth water even when your tummy is full.
Check around at different motel/hotel/vacation homes. Some are going to off season rates by Sept. You might get lucky.
Good luck! Congrads on your new life here in Oregon! I really hope you'll love it here!
Tiffany

[migrating]

Originally Posted by tiffela74

Are you looking for a yurt or a cabin? Lots of those available! I think most the basic ones run about 35.00night and thats w/a couple beds....Or if hotel/motels are more your thing, theres some w/incredible views, many many w/beach access, some w/hot tubs right on the deck w/the sounds, sights and smells of the ocean just feet away...are you looking for rocky wild beach, or a long white expance of sand? A quiet spot, or something where theres lot of other people having a good time? Are you more into beachcombing, or kiteboarding? Youve really got your pick along our coast line.
Personally, I LOVE Depoe Bay. Its rugged and beautiful, the waves crashing can be enourmous. The little stores along the strip are filled w/lots of cool beachy things, and the candy is made fresh in front of you. Theres even a place you can try your own hand at fresh taffy pulling. Lots of sealions and ships to watch, and fresh seafood that will make your mouth water even when your tummy is full.
Check around at different motel/hotel/vacation homes. Some are going to off season rates by Sept. You might get lucky.
Good luck! Congrads on your new life here in Oregon! I really hope you'll love it here!
Tiffany

What is a yurt? Our family will do well with anyone of those kinds of beaches. I thought that the Oregon coast was mostly rocky so I was counting on that, but my kids would love to comb the beach if there is an area to do that. Is the ocean there too cold to swim in? Usually I would say no crowds but it could be okay for this trip so that doesn't matter. Even though we are flying the trip out there will be tiring because of the flight length with lay overs and emotional because we are leaving home so I think the shorter the drive to the retreat the better. Sea food-yum. Candy-yum! I will do a search on Depoe Bay. It sounds wonderful. Where do you like to stay when you visit there? Could you PM me if that is not allowed? Thank you!

[tiffela74]

Well, I live at the beach, a few hours down from Depoe bay, and im personally anti-camping (ya, its almost sacreligious of an Oregonian I think lol) so its always a day trip for me. Plus, we've not much $$ for the extra's in life, so its pretty out. BUT, my kids LOVE camping, and my folks are really into it, so I do know some of the local campgrounds and some things they boast of. A yurt is a little building, pretty basic, usually roundish w/a tpee type roof. (although completely enclosed) Think odd shaped cabin pretty much.
Unless you have a wet suit, our beaches arent made for prolonged swims. On a hot day, its great to go out and play in, but you have to be prepared ITS COLD WATER!!!!! Brrrrrr. Lincoln City/Newport are pretty close to Depoe bay (Im thinkin about 15miles or so, i could be off by a bit....) and they both have the wider, not really rocky beaches. L.C. is a kite captial, you can see some pretty wild kites out there!!! Id look it up too, they have more places to stay. You might stay somewhere there, and daytrip Depoe Bay. Just a thought.
feel free to PM me if you wish. Always glad to help.
Tiffany

[Idunn]

Newport, OR seemed like the epicenter for commercialization along the Oregon coast. This stretching in almost contiguous fashion from somewhat north of Florence till past Lincoln City.

Florence, OR and vicinity seemed attractive. The Jessie M Honeyman Memorial State Park is also there.

However this may be further south than you wish. An attractive area much closer to Portland is Ecola State Park and vicinity, including Cannon Beach. US 26 would take you directly from Portland to US 101 and the coast.

I'm not sure about lodging specifically but it appears you might find something to your taste. It is certainly beautiful in so many places and the ocean a spell all its own. Just the way to unwind.

[tiffela74]

oh, and if you google YURT, you'll get pics and infor on em.
btw, I like Idunn's recommendation of Ecola State park and Cannon Beach. hubby and I honeymooned in Cannon Beach. Very beautiful, and around Haystack Rock theres lots of cool tidepools to explore when the tides out.

[Kathleenh54]

Tiff, just out of curiosity, why are you anti-camping? I've never gone but lately have been thinking that a camper would be a nice thing to have and camping could be fun. My worry is the other campers - the noisy ones with too many dogs and loud music playing. Am I being overly sensitive to that?

[tiffela74]

lol, well, see, I grew up here in Oregon, with camping fanatic parents. We went EVERY weekend, rain,shine,snow,storms, no matter, we went. If the campgrounds were closed, they found logging roads to camp on. We went camping when I had a horrific case of strep throat, ended up having to go into the hospital overnight due to it, and the next day, right back to the campground. My mom fell on an anvil and busted her arm one weekend when my dad had driven down before us (to secure a spot of course) and so my brother and I helped her splint and tape it, and off we went, with my then 12 yr old brother doing the gear shift since she couldnt use her arm. She got it cast the following monday. I missed out on an awful lot of things my friends did growing up, because we were always out camping. Now odd enough, my folks still do it, and my brother LOVES to as well. its just me that hates it so. I know Im a rarity, most people i know adore camping. They all think its great fun, whether it be in a tent, or a camper trailer. Everyone from those who like to go to the group camps where youve got 30 others in a big ole circle more or less and everyone meets up in the middle for group campfire, and those who like the peaceful quiet secluded campgrounds. Theres really something for every camper out here. Just not for me. Dont let my dislike of it push you away from camping. and no, i dont think youre over sensitive at all...why in the world would anyone want to listen to someone elses dogs barking, music blaring, and every personal issues those campers may have? lol Many campgrounds will have a camp host that will take care of issues like that for you.
Tiffany

[migrating]

I am counting on that ocean spell! Ecola State Park and Cannon beach sound nice and they are about an hour closer to Portland than Newport is. I am getting 2.5 to Newport and just under 1.5 to Cannon on mapquest, sound right? Hay stack rock will be fun, the kids will enjoy that. Anything else anyone recommends to see there? The net is great and helps us in sooo many ways, but personal advice is still better, so thank you for it.

Wow, I can relate to camping. My parents kinda of indoctrinated me the same way. They actually traveled (homeless, if you can be considered that and still have a van) and I remember sleeping under the stars, no tent, and waking up to ant attacks. They saw it differently, it was an adventure! I have to admit there were some good times. I always figured that the addition of a tent would make all of the difference so we (me and hubby) tried it that way but found out that wasn't the problem. Last time we took our kidos camping one sliced his leg and needed stitches so we spent the night in the er (he was camp dirty and couldn't shower for 3 days because of the stitches), the other cried the whole time because she was too uncomfy to nap, I was due with number three in two weeks and hubby had worked the overnight shift the night before we went. The next day the rain came. It took days to dry everything out and the tent was the worse! That was over 10 years ago and I was thinking it is about time to try again. At least one more time just in case we like it. Just not the weekend we first get there!

I have to admit, that whole OR camp, woodsy thing is kind of intimidating. It reminds me of when I relo'd with my parents to WI from San Diego and my dad told me the Univ. of WI in River falls was a farmers school! Huh?? I couldn't imagine, really couldn't even begin to imagine, what he meant until I got there and then it ended up being just a normal school (for the most part)! Every time I ask my husband what we are going to do when we get to Portland he says HIKE, like that is all there is to do there! Hmm... I am glad to hear you guys are local and aren't avid campers (but I still hope we try it and like it) Maybe a yurt would be a good start! Anyone else have a hard time saying that with out giggling? Real life Dr. Seuss! Wasn't it Yurtle the turtle? hehe

[tiffela74]

LOL - yurtle turtle...im gonna think of that each and every time now, thanks a lot! lol
most of the campgrounds do have cabins and/or yurts. Some of the cabins I actually could be convinced to stay in, once a year or so, they can come w/seperate bedrooms, kitchens w/all appliances, bathroom w/good showers, pretty much a mini hotel room. Its just for me, also the whole, "WHY?!!!?" Why would I want to leave the comfort of my home to go stay somewhere else when as an Oregonian, I can get to pretty much anything (mountains, ski areas, lakes, rivers, ocean, etc) in a matter of hours, tops. why not just go for a day, then come home to your own home? anyhow......back to the cabins, most are pretty basic, but they can come deluxe. Check out Oregon State Parks, and each one should list what they offer.
now, at Cannon Beach, they have a terrific little town there w/lots of neat little stores. I love to spend a day browsing. If you go up to Seaside (not too far north of CB) your kids will find tons to do. They have kites you can fly, and kites you can attach to a little sandbike thing and ride....2people bikes, and sand buggies. A arcade, lots of shops, a carosel, beach volleyball, all sorts of activities. Its pretty popular w/the older kids, especially around spring break.
Oh, and another great thing...you can get fresh crab in any of our oceanside towns. My personal fav. is just a plain crab cocktail w/a side of garlic butter....oohhhhhhh yummmm!!!! finish it up w/some local made fresh fudge, oh yeah...life is good here.
Tiffany