Short trip to Oregon coast...suggestions? (Portland, Eugene: buy, to live in, restaurants)

[mam736]

Hi everyone,

My boyfriend and I will be traveling to Oregon, leaving on Friday. We will be spending most of our trip in Eugene and Portland visiting friends, but we will spend a couple of days on the coast. The weather isn't looking too promising, but we are still planning on making the most of our trip!

I've never been to the Oregon coast before and just wondering if anyone has suggestions of what areas of the coast we should check out. We are staying in the Cannon Beach area. A friend recommended Cannon Beach, she said it wasn't as touristy as Seaside or other spots in the area. Not sure how busy the coast is at this time of the year, but if anyone has suggestions for quieter, less-touristy spots around that area, or any specific attractions or destinations, that would be great.

Also, we're hoping to have some yummy seafood, so any restaurant recommendations in the Cannon Beach area would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

[KarlaT2]

I drove down the coast this summer. Newport Aquarium was very cool. There are several Mo's restaurants that have great clam chowder for lunch. It looks like there is one in Cannon Beach.
Welcome to Mo's - Mo's Chowder
Brookings is absolutely beautiful, but that is close to California border. I also found a great rock/mineral place (if you like that stuff) just south of Bandon.
I was born in Oregon, so went to Seaside, Lincoln City, and Cannon Beach as a kid. Loved all of them. It depends on what you are looking for though.

[mam736]

Thanks so much for the suggestions KarlaT2! I make jewelry as a hobby, so I'm very excited to hear about the rock/mineral place! We're going to drive a bit on 101, so if we have time we'll try to make it down there towards Bandon.

If you have any more details on the rock/mineral place, let me know!

[Hoosier]

When we lived in Oregon my wife and I took a weekend trip to Lincoln City. It was very low key and a great place to relax. They had some good restaurants in the area and if you're a shopper like my wife, they do have an amazing outlet there.

[tiffela74]

Cannon Beach is where my husband and I honeymooned..... I like it there.
I agree with heading down south along 101. You'll have some stretches where you wont see the ocean, but when it does open up and get back along it, its simply breathtaking...
It can be a verrrry romantic drive. lots of great places to pull off, check out the amazing scenery, and take some awesome pics.
If you get down to Newport, there is a resturant called The Chalet. I meet up w/my folks there pretty often and we have breakfast/lunch/dinner there. LOVE the food. The turkey dinner, is, get this....REAL turkey! Of course, if youre going for the authentic seafood, its not the place to eat. Just downhome real good standard fare food. If you like crab, you oughta stop off at one of the MANY little seafood stands and get some fresh. YUMMY! If you make it down to Coos Bay, head into Charleston, go to the docks, and head to Fishermans Warf. Its a teeny little place on the docks, they get all the seafood right off their boats, and its all top quality and super fresh. I wont buy anywhere else anymore. Prices are super reasonable too.
Dont forget to get some fresh pulled taffy from Depoe Bay either....Im anti-taffy personally, but everyone else I know loves it. OH!!!! I know, again, if you get to Coos Bay and/or Bandon, go straight to Cranberry Sweets to make your sweettooth verrry verryy happy. Google it, it'll get you a website and more infor.....I just bought a ton from them again last weekend and KILLED my diet. I love the chocolate orange bark best, my little one goes nuts for the Lemon Merangue Pie candy...good variaty, lots of samples...

[mam736]

Thanks Hoosier and tiffela74 for the suggestions! I'm getting very excited for our trip (we leave tomorrow). Although I looked at the weather forecast and it's not looking too promising...heavy rain/wind for Friday and Saturday And of course those are the days we are planning to spend at the coast!

[tiffela74]

too bad you didnt make it last weekend...it was beautiful....
well, more wind and rain is another good excuse to cuddle in closer to each other.
i hope you enjoy your trip, even w/the lack of sunshine...

[KarlaT2]

Originally Posted by mam736

Thanks so much for the suggestions KarlaT2! I make jewelry as a hobby, so I'm very excited to hear about the rock/mineral place! We're going to drive a bit on 101, so if we have time we'll try to make it down there towards Bandon.

If you have any more details on the rock/mineral place, let me know!

The name of it was Jims Gems, and it was on HWY 101 just south of Bandon.
They had a bunch of rough rocks and minerals out in front which caught my eye, and inside has some spheres and other polished and rough stones. It was very cool. I love that kind of stuff too, so was very happy to accidentally come upon one on my drive south down the coast. I bought a really big flourite sphere, and a bunch of rough stones. I used to live in Tucson AZ, so every year went to the Gem and Mineral show there (one of largest in the world). Now that was some good times!!!!!

[Alinka]

Hi, mam,

Although it has been years now, I stayed at the Stephanie Inn which is directly on the beach at Cannon Beach, right near the Haystack (?) rock. Don't know about now, but it then featured a fantastic breakfast and also a wine and cheese hour. These may have been only available to guests.

But they also featured a prix fixe dinner that highlighted local chefs and local products. I know that the dinner was open to taking reservations from those who were not guests, and the meals were wonderful.

The rooms were also very nice. Three floors, and on the beach side, those on the first floor open right out to the beach.

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by mam736

Thanks Hoosier and tiffela74 for the suggestions! I'm getting very excited for our trip (we leave tomorrow). Although I looked at the weather forecast and it's not looking too promising...heavy rain/wind for Friday and Saturday And of course those are the days we are planning to spend at the coast!

Glad I could help. Even in the rain it's fun. We'd walk down the beach in the rain and breathe in the ocean air. Oh do I miss that! The closest I get now is going up to Lake Superior, which is not bad by any means, but you don't get the smell of the salt air. Have a super weekend and let us know how it went!