Ask any of your friends or family what they think when you mention hot summer days and I guess they are like many of mine and immediately imagine beaches. Some of them may think of the ever-warm climates of San Diego, Miami, or even Hawaii. Some might even venture to dream of the sands of the French and Italian Riviera. However, what I dream of is a little different. I always imagine the words “beach day” scrawled in the sand with bits of seashells underlining the letters somewhere on the Pacific coast of Oregon. While the western half of the state is known for its cooler and more humid climate, the summer season can be quite mild and makes its beaches a perfect destination to escape the intense heat. Once you get there, in addition to just enjoying relaxing on the sand and splashing in the water, you will find many activities along the way to create many new summer memories.
Start at the north end of the Oregon portion of Highway 101 and you will find Astoria. If you are from the generation that embraced the now classic “Goonies”, you will recognize this location immediately. Much of the movie was shot here and there is an annual Goonies Day celebration every June. Even if you’re not a fan of the area’s cinematic history, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the ocean and surrounding mountains by climbing the 600-foot Astoria Column spiral staircase. The Column was completed as a marker commemorating the first permanent settlement west of the Rocky Mountains and docent are regularly available to visitors. For an even more interactive story, be sure to plan visits to Fort Clatsop and Fort Stevens while in Astoria. The former includes a replica of the fort built by explorers Lewis and Clark at the same location and has many hiking trails through forests. The latter was strategic during the Civil War and will also take you to a historic shipwreck as well as offering many bike trails and a freshwater lake for swimming.
For lots of family fun on your beach trip, make a stop 140 miles south of the northern state line in Newport, Oregon. The city is made up of Nye Beach and Bayfront and both offer many opportunities to enjoy the area. A visit to the Oregon Coast Aquarium will delight you and any children you may have on the trip. Exhibits include a variety of ocean mammals, seabirds, and fish. Don’t forget to walk through the aquarium tunnel to surround yourself with marine life while you’re there. Next, you may want to head to Oregon’s tallest lighthouse, Yaquina Head. Here you can take a self-guided tour of the building that was once used as a private home while assisting the US Coast Guard.When you have a little more time left, you can drive to Mariner Square and choose to enjoy one, two or all three attractions. You may want to delve into what underwater life should be like at Oregon Undersea Gardens or search for your favorite celebrity or political figure at Wax Works. For those who yearn for something a little different, perhaps your plaza entrance fee should only be spent at Ripley’s Believe it Or Not museum. Whichever you choose, everyone on this trip is sure to enjoy Newport.
Go two more hours south on Oregon Highway 101 to Coos Bay for plenty of outdoor adventures on and near the beach. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area borders the north side of Coos Bay and offers plenty of room to play. There are some stores that offer good deals to rent a discounted utv, batteries included, for a day on the sand. If 4-wheeling through the dunes seems too intense, try some of the great whale and sea lion sightings available. You can do this from the shore or even take a tour for a chance to see the animals up close and personal. The south side of Coos Bay offers a botanical garden within Shore Acres National Park and is a perfect place for bird watching across the ocean. You can also treat yourself to the freshest seafood dinner possible and try clam digging or fishing!
Finally, for those who want a smaller seaside town with fewer tourists to compete with on those summer days, head to Gold Beach, Oregon, about 30 miles north of the southern state border. Although there is not as much traffic, there is still plenty to do in this quiet place, such as horseback riding, fishing, and windsurfing for the outdoor adventurers. You can also take a breather from the activity and enjoy exploring the history of Gold Beach and the surrounding southern Oregon coast at the Curry Historical Society Museum. The focus is on the first communities in the region and includes the Cabo Blanco lighthouse. The museum is open year-round except January, and the small $ 2.00 entrance fee makes the visit well worth it. With no crowds on the beach, no car jams on the roads, and access to the Rogue River for speedboat rides, Gold Beach is a perfect place to spend your beach days.
Whether in one of the cities listed above or any of the other great places in between, there is fun and the sun really abounds along the beaches of the Oregon Coast. You may have started your beach dreams with more traditional ideas of hot climates and exotic locations, but a real-life visit to any of these Pacific Ocean sites can meet your expectations of a wonderful beach trip alone, with some friends or with the whole family. .
