How To Confuse An Oregonian (Portland, Salem: radio, bike, money)

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by Cloudy Dayz

Exactly, "going to the beach" insinuates that you plan to lie on the sand and sunbathe, and go swimming in the ocean. That is not the same activities Oregonians do when they say they are "going to the Coast. It's as different as night and day.

I agree with you completely. That's why I never understood why my Oregon friends always referred to going to the Coast as going to the beach. I even remember when I was very new to Portland asking them why they did that since the definition of beach to me was as you describe. It's what we did in Chicago when we wanted to go swimming with lifeguards and places for changing into swimsuits and sitting on a blanket in the sand having a picnic etc.

Their answers were always that the PNW definition of going to the beach is different than the Midwest or California or other places where people went to swim and play in the sand.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by Minervah

I agree with you completely. That's why I never understood why my Oregon friends always referred to going to the Coast as going to the beach. I even remember when I was very new to Portland asking them why they did that since the definition of beach to me was as you describe. It's what we did in Chicago when we wanted to go swimming with lifeguards and places for changing into swimsuits and sitting on a blanket in the sand having a picnic etc.

Their answers were always that the PNW definition of going to the beach is different than the Midwest or California or other places where people went to swim and play in the sand.

I don't know about Portland, but in Eugene, we have those green ODOT signs with the wording "Ocean Beaches." I've seen them elsewhere in the state -- can't recall where offhand.

I've always just figured that people say what they say and we all know what they mean.

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I don't know about Portland, but in Eugene, we have those green ODOT signs with the wording "Ocean Beaches." I've seen them elsewhere in the state -- can't recall where offhand.

I've always just figured that people say what they say and we all know what they mean.

I believe you are thinking of old signs. ODOT uses Oregon Coast on the current signs, unless they are referring to a specific beach.

[Metlakatla]

So? The one in Eugene says Ocean Beaches. So does the one in Dundee. SMH.

[sorupaa]

In japan they usually say sea/ ocean more then beach. I always say beach, I’ve never said I’m going to the ocean. But I probably would say that now since the ocean if pretty far because I moved. Oregon coast doesn’t sound very good. It sounds like Oregon cost, where you buy stuf like it’s a store. I’m kidding

[leastprime]

The Beach is very different from the "Coast" in Oregon. There are a lot of Beaches and each is isolated from the next geograhically.
The Beach can be very cold and windy while just a hundred yards inland can be be very sunny and warm. It's an amazing phenomenon. And yes, I never go to the Beach when it's +90 in the Valley, because the Beach is too cold. I'll go to the Beach House (inland 1000 yards).

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

So? The one in Eugene says Ocean Beaches. So does the one in Dundee. SMH.

Again I believe you are thinking of the past. ODOT's current signs all say "Oregon Coast". I haven't seen any "Ocean Beaches" signs in years, except for the ones in Grants Pass for US-199. I would guess those retain "Ocean Beaches" because ODOT prefers that to "California Coast".

I would be interested to know what the story behind the Ocean Beaches signs was. I have a suspicion that the Oregon Tourism Commission probably had something to do with it. Maybe they thought that Ocean Beaches sounded better and was more likely to get tourists to get off I-5 and drive over to the coast. Whatever the reason was, they don't use those signs anymore.

[Metlakatla]

^ Could very well be I'm thinking of the past, now that you mention it. Out of curiosity, though, I actually looked it up and found this, so it would seem the signs are still in use in some areas.

To Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach and Manzanita – take I-5 north to Portland, then take 217 exit near Lake Oswego, following “Oregon Beaches” sign – take 217 to Hwy 26, then to coast.

Oregon Coast Map and Mileage Chart - Map of Oregon Coast and Miles

[Tulippsy]

I live on the coast and I go to the beach.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

So? The one in Eugene says Ocean Beaches. So does the one in Dundee. SMH.

Study your geology. From Eugene you end up in Florence, and the Oregon Dunes. Lotsa sand. From Dundee you end up in Lincoln City. Lotsa sand. Seaside-Cannon Beach has lotsa sand too. Oregon has at least four coastal beaches that I know of, and at least 200 miles of rocky headlands. That's not to speak of the tidal mud flats. Lotsa clams.