Lots of areas need improvement on the Oregon Coast (Coos Bay: motel, house)

[EnricoV]

Of course business is built up, and there are "tacky strips" along the highway. That's so the coast itself stays natural and prestine. To make everything as beautiful as I suppose the OP would wish it to be, would price me out of nice vacations at the coast, and probably bankrupt anyone who tried to make a going of a business there.

I'd say anyone who managed to tour the Oregon Coast and could only complain about the "tacky strips" ought not to go to Venice. They're likely to miss the beauty while trying to spot garbage in the canals.

[boodhabunny]

>As far as coastal businesses, I would let economics, and not more government, decide what works and doesn't.

If you want to attract tourists and vacationers, then the coastal towns should be doing what they can to offer what visiters are seeking in a coastal experience. Obviously, you think they are doing a splendid job, even when visitors are telling you otherwise. I think it's wiser to listen to the visitors impressions and experiences.

I call Lincoln City "Tigard by the Sea" because that is exactly what it looks like now. Is it someplace I'd want to spend my honeymoon? I don't think so!

But if you are happy with staying at cheap motels, eating at McDonalds, shopping at a mall and spending time at a casino, then Lincoln City is your vacation paradise. Knock yourself out!

[boodhabunny]

> To make everything as beautiful as I suppose the OP would wish it to be, would price me out of nice vacations at the coast, and probably bankrupt anyone who tried to make a going of a business there.

Wrong. The small businesses in Big Sur are doing well. In fact, I know at least one very well-established mom and pop business in Big Sur just had their best year ever. That is even after the town was evacauated because of the fires.

I am not an economist but I don't think you can blame the CA financial woes on the zoning ordinances that protect the Big Sur coastline.

[Oregonbeachlover]

Originally Posted by boodhabunny

>As far as coastal businesses, I would let economics, and not more government, decide what works and doesn't.

If you want to attract tourists and vacationers, then the coastal towns should be doing what they can to offer what visiters are seeking in a coastal experience. Obviously, you think they are doing a splendid job, even when visitors are telling you otherwise. I think it's wiser to listen to the visitors impressions and experiences.

I call Lincoln City "Tigard by the Sea" because that is exactly what it looks like now. Is it someplace I'd want to spend my honeymoon? I don't think so!

But if you are happy with staying at cheap motels, eating at McDonalds, shopping at a mall and spending time at a casino, then Lincoln City is your vacation paradise. Knock yourself out!

Whatever costs a small business incurs with more government (on any level) "regulations", if that business can even survive it, the cost WILL ultimately be passed onto the consumer.

I also know that there will always be some people who are not happy, but I think the majority of people do understand what we have here.

[Oregonbeachlover]

Originally Posted by boodhabunny

> To make everything as beautiful as I suppose the OP would wish it to be, would price me out of nice vacations at the coast, and probably bankrupt anyone who tried to make a going of a business there.

Wrong. The small businesses in Big Sur are doing well. In fact, I know at least one very well-established mom and pop business in Big Sur just had their best year ever. That is even after the town was evacauated because of the fires.

I am not an economist but I don't think you can blame the CA financial woes on the zoning ordinances that protect the Big Sur coastline.

I think it is ridiculous to try and compare Big Sur to the Oregon coast. Would you really want Oregon to be more like California? Would you also want the state of Oregon to start charging for the use of a beach?

[boodhabunny]

Have you parked at a state park at the beach lately? Oregon does charge for parking in state parks along the coast. I support Oregon public beaches, yes.

I don't know why you think it's so ridiculous to compare the Big Sur coast to the Oregon Coast. What specifically is ridiculous about it? Big Sur is not like the other parts of the California coastline because they have protected it. Judging by your comments, I'd wager that you have never been there.

I would hate to see the Oregon coast become like the California coast. Big Sur and the Lost Coast are really the only sections of coastline that California has protected. Oregon can do better!

Look at Pacific City. They are now building condos on the sand dunes there. Rampant, runaway develpment that is so short sighted. PC is no longer the quaint little coastal town that it was just a few years ago. They are gone forever. What a shame!

[boodhabunny]

> Whatever costs a small business incurs with more government (on any level) "regulations", if that business can even survive it, the cost WILL ultimately be passed onto the consumer.

I will gladly pay it because the long-term costs of unregulated development is much higher.

[tiffela74]

theres thousands of areas to park at along the Oregon coast where it doesnt cost anything at all. We just parked at a small park area yesterday, it was a simple gravel parking lot, with probably 15 picnic tables scattered about, each with either an incredible view of the ocean, or nestled in the shelter of trees. Well maintained and totally free. And I know of many many many areas just like this. Of course theres the other parks and all that do cost. IMO, most of them are well worth the minimal fee. And if you dont want to pay the fee, go park up the road a few miles either way, the beach itself is free.
Theres miles and miles and miles of coastline where there is no developments. No grocery, no condos, no hotels, just clean beautiful coastline.
One thing I love about our coast, is theres pretty much a coastal town for any taste. If I want to do some serious shopping and get some great deals, I go up to Lincoln City to the outlet malls. Then take a break to go watch some of the totally cool kites that people are flying by the hundreds at times, just a few miles down the road. Then its off to beachcomb for the handblown glass floats that are placed along the sand. Havent found one yet, but I'll never tire of looking.
When I was teen, I loved the fair atmosphere of Seaside. The arcade, the crowds, the beach volleyball. Now that Im older, I prefer the solitude of 80% of the coast has to offer. Yachats was my happy place this weekend. We sat and watched the water shoot up in sprays from the blowholes and cheered with the handful of other people who were there watching too. We went hunting for agates and came home with pocketfuls, including a red one as big as my sons fist. Spent probably 2hrs down on a pristine beach and never saw anyone outside our own family. which was a REALLY good thing since i lost my footing at one point and slid ALL the way down a muddy hillside on my butt. We stopped off at probably 15 different places EASY along the stretch between Waldport and Florence and not once did we see garbage anywhere. Most people take personal pride in our coast, and we want to keep it clean. So we do. Homes along the way vary from houses I couldnt afford on my wildest dreams, to tiny shacks Im amazed to see survive winter after winter. And where not all of them would go on the cover of house beautiful, none were any place I would fear knocking on a door. Nothing I would be ashamed of certainly.
Each town, city, and wild desolate area along our coast is beautiful to someone. To some of us, ALL of it is wonderful and has its own draw.
for me, I wouldnt want to live anywhere else.

[EnricoV]

Originally Posted by boodhabunny

> To make everything as beautiful as I suppose the OP would wish it to be, would price me out of nice vacations at the coast, and probably bankrupt anyone who tried to make a going of a business there.

Wrong. The small businesses in Big Sur are doing well. In fact, I know at least one very well-established mom and pop business in Big Sur just had their best year ever. That is even after the town was evacauated because of the fires.

I am not an economist but I don't think you can blame the CA financial woes on the zoning ordinances that protect the Big Sur coastline.

But to compare the business that a tourist town in So Cal to the business that a tourist town in Oregon could do is laughable. Criminey, it's like saying a dive shop in Juneau ought to be able to survive and thrive, because one in Maui does.

No one suggested you were an economist, much less did I say anything about California.

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by Oregonbeachlover

I think it is ridiculous to try and compare Big Sur to the Oregon coast. Would you really want Oregon to be more like California? Would you also want the state of Oregon to start charging for the use of a beach?

Big Sur is amazing, and so is the Oregon Coast. They both deserve to be protected and cared for. Each are home to plant and animal life who are threatened and endangered, and each are popular tourist destinations because of their awesome beauty. This - humans and nature - is a historically toxic mix, so we must do all we can to tread lightly, and preserve what's there.

The 363 miles of coastline in Oregon is protected public land, and open to all (and has been since 1967) but there are fee's and rates you must pay to access some of the areas, so it's not as if the entire coastline is totally "free of charge". You can buy passes, or just pay at the park. I think majority of the day use areas are free of charge, but not all. I just wanted to point that out so that someone who might be planning a visit has a heads up. It's the same in California.

There are a lot of "big box" stores along the coast, but if you dig a little deeper, there are the smaller treasures, too. The more you go, the more you familarize yourself with the good stuff. Ask around, people are surprisingly friendly. Don't judge places based on outward appearances. Think - oysters. Not so pretty perhaps on the outside, but there's the possibility of finding a pearl inside. We ignore the big box places and ugly stuff, and focus on the small places. We find the fresh crab and the locally harvested foods and the mom and pop family-run places and enjoy what we went out there for - relaxing on the coast. We also ignore the hotels and prefer to yurt or tent camp. We like having the ocean lull us to sleep - it always sounds louder at night. We sleep better knowing we're saving a bunch of money and supporting our local economy, too.

I think what you get out of a visit to the coast - or anyplace - has a lot to do with your attitude and personal outlook. If you're thinking positive, you'll enjoy yourself no matter where you are.