My Recent Oregon Coast Trip

by Mike
(Lakewood, WA)

Beautiful Oregon Coast

Even as I live in Washington State, I try to make it to the Oregon Coast as often as possible.


My most recent journey involved doing a huge loop from the Willamette Valley to Lincoln City and staying at a hotel called Palace Inn & Suites. It was a comfortable place and the breakfast they offered was extraordinary! Not only did they serve the usual continental offerings, there were hot Belgian waffles, juices, milk, bagels w/ jam and cream cheese, muffins (the BIG ones) and hot cereal! WOW!


I headed up the coast and took the old Scenic Coast Highway route that meanders out from the tiny burg of Otis northward through some of the most beautiful forests imaginable, and meets back up with the current Hwy 101 near Neskowin. There must have been some trails that I passed, and I sure wish I had time to explore them! As I make my way north, I take the "Three Capes Scenic Loop" through Pacific City, Netarts, Oceanside, Cape Lookout, Cape Meares and then into Tillamook. In Oceanside, there's a concrete tunnel that passes below the hillside north of the wayside beach and ends up at a beautiful beach on the other side! It was almost like being in a Goonies movie!


Of course driving through Tillamook almost always means stopping at the world-famous Cheese Factory and sampling all the offerings! I decided to purchase a scoop of their seasonal Pumpkin Pie ice cream..mmmmmmm! Heavenly! Up the coast I went..Bay City, Nehalem, Wheeler (great antique shops), Manzanita, along the scenic cliff-side pull-outs near beautiful Oswald West State Park and on to Arch Cape, Cannon Beach, Seaside and finally Astoria! I took the movie homes tour and enjoyed taking in some late-day views from the Astor Column at sunset. Wow! I'm a big-time Goonies fan, so I really had to see that house, even though I've seen it before.


And after driving the long Columbia River mouth crossing, I hesitantly drove home, but happy to know the Oregon Coast was only a few hours' drive when I need the rejuvenating sea mist to cleanse my mind.