Picking a Vacation Spot on the Oregon Coast (Eugene, Salem: rental, house)

[supertexan]

My family is looking for a location to rent a house on the Oregon Coast. I have never been there, so I was wondering which areas would be best for us. I'd like a quaint town with coffee shops, antique stores and ice cream parlours nearby -- maybe somewhere with a condensed main street area. I don't particularly care if the house we rent is on the beach, but walking distance from the beach would be nice. At this point, I just want to narrow down the location. I hear Seaside, Cannon Beach and Lincoln City are the places with the most amenities. Does anyone have a personal recommendation?

[Silverfall]

I would choose Cannon Beach over Seaside. Seaside is pretty touristy, Cannon Beach more quaint.

I also like Bandon, OR, but it is farther south. You can head towards Florence and hit the dunes and rent dune buggies.

Lincoln City is more spread out just because it is a larger town. I don't think I would call it condensend, compared to the other two choices anyway...

I also like Manzanita.

[tiffela74]

Id go first for Bandon, second for Cannon Beach. Neither will take you too long to wander through though so might wanna keep that in mind.
Im not sure if either has got any antique shops though.....
dont miss Cranberry Sweets if you go to Bandon! Lots of yummy free samples! I can never come out of there w/empty hands. Bad bad bad for the diet! lol
Tiffany

[davefr]

Rockaway Beach has what you want with the exception of antique stores. (it's right on the Ocean).

However if you drive a few miles north to Wheeler and Nehalem you can find antique stores. They're also quaint towns but a little inland from the ocean and right on the Nehalem river.

You might also consider Garibaldi which is on Tillamook Bay.

There's also Netarts and Oceanside with Oceanside being the crown jewel community on the Oregon Coast IMHO. However you won't find any shopping!!

Manzanita also comes pretty close to what you want w/o the antique shops. Manzanita is a little more touristy then the above but it's not as bad as the towns I'll list next.

If you're into real touristy areas then there's Seaside, Cannon Beach, Lincoln City, Newport and Florence. (the only one of them that comes close to quaint is old town Florence), I'd personally avoid them in the order I listed them because I personally hate crowded tourist traps. Some people love that and if it's you're thing then these towns are for you. (lots of typical cafe's, bars, lodging and souvenere shops)

The most spectacular section of the Oregon coast is between Lincoln City and Seaside IMHO. There's lots to do and see.

If you want to see the Southern Oregon coast I'd recommend Bandon and Port Orford. (it's less touristy then up north)

[vnodak]

Originally Posted by supertexan

My family is looking for a location to rent a house on the Oregon Coast. I have never been there, so I was wondering which areas would be best for us. I'd like a quaint town with coffee shops, antique stores and ice cream parlours nearby -- maybe somewhere with a condensed main street area. I don't particularly care if the house we rent is on the beach, but walking distance from the beach would be nice. At this point, I just want to narrow down the location. I hear Seaside, Cannon Beach and Lincoln City are the places with the most amenities. Does anyone have a personal recommendation?

I use to do alot of antique collecting and most of your shops are more inland like Salem has alot and Eugene. Coos Bay/North Bend does have some and Bandon may have one. Bandon has lots of fun shops and good eats. I do not remember much in antique shops in the other areas. Go on line and look in the yellow pages in those areas. All the areas are fun for a visit but each is unique in their own way. You really can not lose. Oh and you might add Florence to your list as that is also a fun place and it has some antique stores.

[fearnofish]

Originally Posted by supertexan

My family is looking for a location to rent a house on the Oregon Coast. I have never been there, so I was wondering which areas would be best for us. I'd like a quaint town with coffee shops, antique stores and ice cream parlours nearby -- maybe somewhere with a condensed main street area. I don't particularly care if the house we rent is on the beach, but walking distance from the beach would be nice. At this point, I just want to narrow down the location. I hear Seaside, Cannon Beach and Lincoln City are the places with the most amenities. Does anyone have a personal recommendation?

I am assuming your trip is over, but this may help someone else. If you are looking for a vacation rental in the Rockaway/Tillamook area then rent it from someone off of Craigslist and do not rent through certain realty agents in the area.