coast in April (Bend, Coos Bay, Astoria: appointed, best towns, for sale)

[esya]

Is the coast in April more like the coastal winter or summer?

How much time to allow to stop in Coos Bay, and Astoria while going up the coast, to get a feel for the places, not as a vacation?

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Originally Posted by esya

Is the coast in April more like the coastal winter or summer?

How much time to allow to stop in Coos Bay, and Astoria while going up the coast, to get a feel for the places, not as a vacation?

The weather question really has no answer. When it rains in April it can be VERY heavy as often those clouds are low & heavy. However, if it's sunny in April it can be very pleasant as the higher humidity makes it seem warmer than it really is. All that to say, plan for anything from torrential downpours to warm & humid days.

In my humble opinion, I wouldn't plan for too much time in Coos Bay. Cape Arago is a definate "can't miss"- but aside from that there's nothing I would jump up & down in that town.

I would plan to take a bit of extra time in Bandon, Cape Purpetua-Seal Rock area, Newport-Pacific City areas. Three Capes Arch is a nice diversion in the Tillamook area. Cannon Beach-Astoria area is a 2 day area as well, with an emphasis on Cannon Beach & Ecola State Park. BTW, when at Ecols State Park, go to Indian beach and walk a short ways up the Cascade head trail for outstanding photos of the beach and 'terrible tilly', the Tillamook Rock Island Lighthouse.

[Waterlily]

If you are thinking of moving to the area then I think you'd need to spend a least a couple of days there to look around. You'd want to see the downtown areas and take a look at the ocean. You'd see the bay from downtown in Coos Bay. You may want to check out the shoping places like grocery stores. The mall is to the north in North Bend.

Just expect the weather can change. Some days are nice and sunny and some are rainy.
It's not as cold as winter during April but it's not going to hot at all.

[tiffela74]

Shore Acres is quite lovely....its well worth the trip...
Recent storms uncovered a very old ship, people have been going out to see that frequently...
Wreckage from the New Carrissa is accessable for upclose viewing...
We have some lovely parks including Mingus park with a very nice Japanese Garden

Honestly, my initial drive thru i was disappointed and not eager to move here. It took actually getting in and around the area and meeting some wonderful people before I decided this was a terrific place to raise my family. Coos bay is kinda like many people...not very impressive at first glance, but when you take the time and make the effort, you very well may fall in love.

Tiffany

[provincal b]

You can spend a day or two in Astoria no problem, one of the best towns in Oregon. Its beautiful there.

As for the weather in April -- flip a coin. As the Oregon aphorism goes, if you dont like the weather here, just wait 15 minutes....

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by provincal b

You can spend a day or two in Astoria no problem, one of the best towns in Oregon. Its beautiful there.

As for the weather in April -- flip a coin. As the Oregon aphorism goes, if you dont like the weather here, just wait 15 minutes....

Astoria is the town with the mayor who got busted for drunk driving three or four times, isn't it?

Seems it was Astoria's mayor.

Maybe it was just busted two or three times.

Edit...

Found an article...

Astoria article about Mayor's DUII problem (http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=35 912 - broken link)

What a Loser. Three times. And what does that tell you about a town? A town with a mayor who puts people's lives at risk.

[provincal b]

Well, I think you'll find that the mayor position in small oregon coast towns is largely a ceremonial position. I wouldn't let that reflect on the townspeople of Astoria too much. In fact, isn't it in a small town, a mark of an honest police force? In many small towns, the police would never DARE book the mayor for anything, right?

Make sure you spend a few hours at the Astor Column, the details on the exterior are remarkable! It tells the story of human habitation and european exploration and on to incorporation into the US... and the view of the town and mouth of the Columbia is unbeatable.

[esya]

Well, gee I think Colorado had a little town whose mayor or city council persons was kicked off....she had a colorful past, shall we say.

Now is the Astor column in Astoria? And where might I find the motorbike? Does it come with an umbrella?

I am getting excited....for clouds and rain and wet.

[provincal b]

Originally Posted by esya

Now is the Astor column in Astoria? And where might I find the motorbike? Does it come with an umbrella?

I am getting excited....for clouds and rain and wet.

Yep, one can hike up there from the main part of town in about 20-30 minutes, or drive up and park next to it if thats more your speed. Once you are up there you can then climb up to the top of the tower to get an amazing view of the mouth of the Columbia, the town of Astoria, the fishing docks, the Pacific ocean and Fort Clatsop, where the Lewis and Clark expedition spent the winter.

You're on your own for the motorbike, lol. And coastal oregonians pretty much always eschew umbrellas unless one is wearing formal wear! Just stick to leather or synthetic shoes and water-resistant coat and hat if you want to face the elements like the locals. Have fun!

Hmmm, wikipedia seems to think its technically called the "astoria" column, but we always knew it as the Astor column because it was built by John Astor's grandson.... In any case -- Astor Column on Wikipedia: Astoria Column - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[esya]

Well re Coos Bay--I came through from southern Washington down the coast a few years ago on a vacation, and the farther away from anywhere I got, the more I liked it. The towns up north were a bit touristy--esp Newport as I recall.

By the time I saw the laundramat in Yachats for sale on a foggy day, I was ready to buy it right then and there. I imagine Yachats is quite a bit more touristy now, too.