Oregon Coast Family Vacation from Boise (Portland, Astoria: mortgage, environment, equity)

[Larry Caldwell]

The Oregon Coast often has gorgeous weather in mid-October, and all the tourist hordes have gone home. You couldn't have picked a better time of year.

[Topher]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

The Oregon Coast often has gorgeous weather in mid-October, and all the tourist hordes have gone home. You couldn't have picked a better time of year.

Just got off the phone with a friend who asked the "why in the heck do you want to go to Oregon"question. Think it comes down to seeing the "forest thru the tree's"! Am very pleased thast the weather will be nice when I'm going...

[Oregon gal]

Pacific City if you want small & laid back.
You can stay at the Inn at Cape Kiwanda - look on their website for activity ideas. (They are across the street from the beach)
Icecream store is next door. So is a Doryland Pizza.
I live about 5 miles north of Pacific City and I think you'd like it.
There's fun stuff to do about 20 minutes south of there in Lincoln City too.
Let me know if you need more help.

[Topher]

Originally Posted by Oregon gal

Pacific City if you want small & laid back.
You can stay at the Inn at Cape Kiwanda - look on their website for activity ideas. (They are across the street from the beach)
Icecream store is next door. So is a Doryland Pizza.
I live about 5 miles north of Pacific City and I think you'd like it.
There's fun stuff to do about 20 minutes south of there in Lincoln City too.
Let me know if you need more help.

I shall do that..I really enjoy this site and surfing the web about Oregon.It is hard to not stay on the computer to chat and research. Have been getting brochures in the mail..so far from "Newport" and" Cannon Beach" chamber of commerce.

[Topher]

Oregon Gal..Can you advise on pro's and cons for Pacific City -vs- Lincoln City. Are they very similar?Does one have a better beachs and landscape, whale watching,restaurants etc... Is crime a problem there? Sperling gives both a mid to high score for violent and/or property crimes. Figure it's all relative when you factor in reported incidents and population/households. how's the weather in each city as a general comparison.... thanks

[janb]

I think the closest significant port to Pacific City (and Whale watching) is in Depot Bay (south of Lincoln City). Pacific City is located on an 'inlet / bay', and thus more sand, less rocks / storms / whales. The coast is quite rocky to the north, (and to the south, tho Lincoln City has decent sand and rocks too. No (little) sand in Depot Bay and south for several miles. Getting near Newport, sand returns, but rocks around the 'points' such as Yaquina Head.

[Topher]

Originally Posted by janb

I think the closest significant port to Pacific City (and Whale watching) is in Depot Bay (south of Lincoln City). Pacific City is located on an 'inlet / bay', and thus more sand, less rocks / storms / whales. The coast is quite rocky to the north, (and to the south, tho Lincoln City has decent sand and rocks too. No (little) sand in Depot Bay and south for several miles. Getting near Newport, sand returns, but rocks around the 'points' such as Yaquina Head.

Janb...what is your take on Newport? Nice place to visit but wouldnt want to live there kinda place? just wondering. Real estate and rent seem to be somewhat more reasonable than further north along the coast. Is it an area associated with more risk due to fault lines,etc..I've read where there was a quake there in 1984 I believe. Some posters have mentiioned this and some to avoid crime areas as well........Also read about alot of outdated older structures. Is father time catching up with Newport?

[janb]

I'm not terribly familiar with Newport, so not a good judge. Been there many times, as we did 'Homeschool' field trips to Beverly Beach ~ 5 miles north + aquarium.

Newport is nice, and not a 'has-been'. Quite a lot of new residential development (because it is cheaper than north). It's just not as 'trendy' as points north, but still quite pretty. It does have a WalMart, which I don't shop, but you might. But also a 'Fred Meyer' (local variety / grocery - onestop). It has a commercial port for fishery which is fun to shop. I think it is just far enough from Portland that it is not primary 'tourist' / weekend beach house territory. More 'fulltimers'. I think it has a pretty solid community. The influence of the 'Corvallis / Eugene' weekenders (and evening sunset viewers) have less impact on Newport, because these 'inland' folks are less 'intense'. Metro people tend to drag their 'metro' wherever they frequent. You get lots more 'ROAD RAGE' (and accidents) on hwy 26, 8 and 18 from Portland to the beach, than on hwy 20 (to Newport). Excluding the alcohol impact which is significant on all roads.

[Topher]

Originally Posted by janb

I'm not terribly familiar with Newport, so not a good judge. Been there many times, as we did 'Homeschool' field trips to Beverly Beach ~ 5 miles north + aquarium.

Newport is nice, and not a 'has-been'. Quite a lot of new residential development (because it is cheaper than north). It's just not as 'trendy' as points north, but still quite pretty. It does have a WalMart, which I don't shop, but you might. But also a 'Fred Meyer' (local variety / grocery - onestop). It has a commercial port for fishery which is fun to shop. I think it is just far enough from Portland that it is not primary 'tourist' / weekend beach house territory. More 'fulltimers'. I think it has a pretty solid community. The influence of the 'Corvallis / Eugene' weekenders (and evening sunset viewers) have less impact on Newport, because these 'inland' folks are less 'intense'. Metro people tend to drag their 'metro' wherever they frequent. You get lots more 'ROAD RAGE' (and accidents) on hwy 26, 8 and 18 from Portland to the beach, than on hwy 20 (to Newport). Excluding the alcohol impact which is significant on all roads.

As I am flying in to Portland(10/07) the drive and payoff was a concern. You have helped with your insights. Did read where a frequent poster who lives in Nye Beach area of Newport said that the value of her home has doubled there in 2 years alone! My gawd! How does anyone in the middle-class economic range ech out a comfortable standard of living in these areas? Is my" sailing ship" still leavng the port or is it far out to sea now? thanks....

[Skytripper]

Oregon Gal is on to something......Pacific City is actually not much of a city at all but a very, very small town with little to do but RELAX and ENJOY an awesome beach!
It is only about a half hour north of Lincoln City which has all the stores, restaurants, etc. but not such the great beach, IMO...(Lincoln City Beach, that is).
For just relaxing and enjoying some truly beautiful scenery/beaches on the Oregon coast.....with little else around in the way of touristy stuff, I highly recommend the very tiny hamlets of Pacific City as well as Manzanita.
You should check out Google Earth and zoom right in on both locations.
Manzanita has an awesome beach, great pizza at Morzono's (not sure of spelling but its about the only restaurant in this town). VERY small town about 12 miles SOUTH of Cannon Beach with little to do but relax in the sand.
Same thing at Pacific City......AWESOME view of the Pacific Ocean......but not much else to do.
Two GREAT getaway beach hamlets on the Oregon Coast.....for sure!
Pacific City is close to shops /entertainment/casino with Lincoln City to the south.......Manzanita is not too far from Cannon, Seaside and Astoria.
You would definitely LOVE both beaches though!
October weather starts getting interesting on the coast though.
Hope this info. helps