Must-see Places on the Oregon Coast

Are you West Coast fan? if not, you're probably about to be. Before I ever headed to the Oregon Coast I had an entire misunderstanding of what I thought I would experience. I thought it would be cold, windy, and I did not expect beautiful sandy beaches...

If you're like me and you work a full-time job, than hey I think you deserve this! If you're a traveler and are craving a new adventure, well then here are the top 5 places that I recommend.

#1  Seaside, OR

This cute coastal town is always flourishing with positive vibes. Along with the happy atmosphere there is so much to see and do!

-Go to the historical Seaside Aquarium.
 The aquarium was originally built in 1914 and is best known for their characteristic seals. Each seal responds by either slapping their belly, clapping for you, or whatever their move is to get your attention. They all have their own funny personalities and do little tricks for you if you're willing to feed them:) (Don't worry, they're still fed either way)
From the seals, head in to the building and check out the other animals, including the touch tank which allows you to learn about the different species. Don't forget to check out the beautiful Octopus!
Before you leave browse around the gift shop and take home a little piece of the aquarium with ya:)
For more information, check out the Seaside Aquarium's website at;
http://www.seasideaquarium.com/


-Lounge on the beach.
Seaside provides a beautiful wide open beach for the perfect family get away. Play some beach volleyball, build a small fire, fly your kite, or jump in the waves! You can even learn how to surf the waves while in Seaside no matter your skill level. Just search for one of the local surf shops if you're up for it! For calmer waves you can also rent a kayak, canoe, or paddle boats which are provided in the gorgeous scenic waterways.

-Dine and Unwind.
Let me tell you.. Seaside has grown with some of the best dining experiences I've ever had. No joke! After a day of exploring and trying some of the famous Seaside street food such as elephant ears, ice creams, and homemade taffy's, your day will be complete with an extravagant family dinner. Not ready to complete the day? Head to one of the nearby bar and grills and grab yourself a locally brewed beer or choose from a tasteful wine selection. Some even let you take it to go!

Seaside is a fun-filled family get away, a romantic time on the beach, a quick day adventure, or whatever the occasion is you're sure to have an amazing time! The best thing is, everything is nearby and you don't have to walk too far to get to the places you want to experience.
For more information, explore the Seaside website;
http://www.seasideor.com/

For the best experience in Seaside, it's best to book things such as hotels, dining experiences, or other reservations a little in advance as it is one of the favorite places to go in Oregon.


#2  Cannon Beach, OR

Cannon Beach boasts with some amazing views and accesses to the beach. This coastal town provides you with wonderful dining experiences, much entertainment and unforgettable vacation spots.

-Ecola State Park 
This Famous overlook has an amazing view of part of Cannon Beach. The picture above is a view from the paved trail along Ecola. As you follow the trails, keep a look out for Elk and also the occasional cougar, but don't worry Elk are harmless and their are cougar signs all around the park to guide you if you do come across one. Also, on my first trip to this beautiful spot I managed to find a trail made by the many footsteps of others along the east side of the paved trail. From there you can access the beach, but be aware of the tides as it can sometimes be dangerous. You can easily find Ecola State Park by taking a right at the sign that says "Ecola State Park" if you're coming from Portland.

-Lounge on the Beach.
Lounging along Cannon Beach is one of my absolute favorite places to bask in the sun or dip in the water. Beach combing is always a favorite activity, keep an eye out for sand dollars because they're everywhere! Look for crabs trudging through tide pools or even sea stars. Also, it's usually not too crowded and there are tons of little caves that you can check out! Check out this pic from a trip that I took last August. It looks just like the state of Oregon.

-Planning a vacay weekend? You'll need a place to stay and places to dine!
Book your stay at one of the many hotels, resorts, or Airbnb's! Explore the local breweries, grab a bite to eat at one of the many tasty seafood places, or check out the famous savory crepes at Crepe Neptune. For information on places to go and things to see check out:
http://www.cannonbeach.org/


#3 Lincoln City, OR

If your looking for a fun filled beach getaway head to Lincoln City! Where there are stunning resorts with beach access, positive vibes, and the most relaxing scenery.

There is so much to do in Lincoln City that there are too many to list! Here are a few that I've experienced.

-Experience one of the many beautiful beach resorts
One resort that I stayed at offered amazing service, a wonderful relaxing spa, and the best part was opening my eyes each morning to the waves hitting the beach. So plan a relaxing vacay, a romantic getaway, or stop by as you drive along the west coast.

-Slots! Cards! Slots!
If you're like me and a little casino getaway is your thing than you're in the right place! In Lincoln City their are two fun filled elite casinos. Spirit Mountain which is just a little outside of Lincoln City and Chinook Winds which is close to the beach. Each have their own resort's so make sure to book in advance if you're planning to gamble all night! Here are the links to each;
https://www.spiritmountain.com/
http://www.chinookwindscasino.com/

-Beach or Lake?
After a beach day why not take a lake day? Yes, I said lake. Lincoln City is home to a 685 acre lake called Devils Lake. With provided access to recreational activities or throwing in a line you'll keep this place in your memory book. For more places to see and things to do check out this link.
http://www.oregoncoast.org/


#4 Newport, OR
This fun filled family town offers many opportunities to see some fantastic marine wildlife, also don't pass up on the famous Ripley's Believe it or Not museum or the Wax Museum.

-Newport Aquarium
I've recently visited the aquarium and it is fantastic! They have puffins, an octopus, seals and much more! One part I'll never forget is the shark tank, where you can actually walk through a glass tunnel with sharks, stingrays, and other large fish that swim around you. Here's a photo;

-The sea lions

So in the town of Newport, along the boat harbor and across my favorite bridge, there's a pier called the Sea Lion Docks where you can check out some amazing sea lions pretty close, its quite the sight! 

-Do some tourist stuff

Have you ever heard of the Ripley's Believe it or Not? You need to check out this museum either way, it's fascinating and a walk through a giant work of art. 

-Grab some chowder

Grab a bite to eat at the famous Moe's Seafood restaurant. They offer thee best clam chowder I have ever had...(not being dramatic) If you're not a clam chowder or seafood fan than check out the popular diners around the town, every place I've been has provided great service along with quality foods. 

Newport, OR is a favorite vacation spot of many. In my best advice, book your stay and dining experiences ahead of time. 

There are so many more places along the Oregon Coast, that I can probably write an entire book about it. Explore, plan, and have an amazing time! 

Feel free to leave any comments below:)