We recently spent a family vacation week along the beautiful Oregon coast — it didn’t disappoint. We stayed in Depoe Bay, a small fishing village that is known for the great whale watching. We saw a gray whale feeding in the bay, and Orca hang around the area too. We could watch for whales from our room but enjoyed the whale watching center as well. Don’t miss it — it features a scope focused on the bay, with the images shown on a huge wall screen real-time.
We drove south to Bandon, home of “Washed Ashore“, a program using trash found on beaches to construct huge sculptures. We viewed displays in the gallery at 250 1st Street SW, Bandon (check hours, some days they close early) and also the display at the Pony Village Mall in North Bend, OR. Fascinating and interesting. What a wonderful program — they even provide workshops so you can learn to make your own art from beach trash!
All up and down the coast, we marveled at the beautiful bridges. If you are into artistic bridges, I can picture a nice wall display of framed photos of the Oregon structures. We enjoyed them all.
Best tidepools that we found were in Lincoln City, where NW 15th Street meets the beach — check tide charts for low tide. The rocks are covered in miniature barnacles which makes walking more safe than at many locations.
Yes, the Sea Lion Caves on 101 in Florence are a tourist attraction, but we found them worth the time and interesting. The deep down cave itself is impressive. When we were there one lone Harbor Seal was lying on this rock, maybe not feeling well. He moved on later in the day. The sea lions were all outside, which was good because they really stink up the place in the winter when they are avoiding bad weather.
The Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach was another must see for the family. Be careful, though, there are at least two other, smaller rocks along 101 that locals might call “haystack rock.” This is the biggest and the original, and supposedly is the home to Tufted Puffins in the summertime. We could see black birds with our binocs but couldn’t see any orange. The beach is nice and long, though.
We ended our coastal trip in Astoria, before heading back to Portland. You can view the Goonie’s house, if you respect the neighbors and don’t get too close. It’s privately owned and lived in. In the short time that we were there, we saw at least three other parties come to take photos, including these “Goonies.”
We had great seafood the whole week. Our recommendations:
Bandon Bait Shop, Bandon. (It really is a bait shop. Best fish and chips!)
Clearwater, Newport Beach. Beautiful views. Great food.
Tidal Raves, Depoe Bay. Really nice little restaurant and within walking distance from our location. Also great views.
South Bay Wild Fish House, Astoria. Small, and seating is not very efficient, but great food. While we were there, three groups of fishermen came off the water to eat. That’s a positive endorsement!
We stayed at Worldmark in Depoe Bay.
Date of travel: August 2024.
Travel Tales amongst my Ramblings 
Enjoyed your blog. Sounds like interesting and relaxing trip. The seafood made me hungry! Not much good seafood in Ohio!
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Nice article. Short and sweet with good highlights and tips. Also good photos.
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I love the Oregon coast, especially around Newport. We were last there about 10 years ago. I was really looking forward to clam chowder at Mo’s and then seafood everywhere. Jim Woods and Velma were driving over from Grants Pass. Mo’s just to be little stands. But when we were driving thru Lincoln, there a whole restaurant, so we stopped. I had clam chowder and fried clam strips. Pete had chowder and just a few clam strips. I got food poisoning, I was so sick. Had to cancel get together with Jim. Couldn’t eat seafood for the rest of the trip. What a disappointment. Do you know they get 200 inches of rain a year? A little too much for me.
Remember my old secretary Dolores Ortega? Her mother had Alzheimers and was a wanderer. She eventually had to quit. She was dating an engineer in facilities named Jerry. They got married and eventually moved to Florence Oregon after her mother passed.
Barb Ballard 928-301-1502
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Stellar photos! I do love traveling vicariously with you…you make it al come alive. Keep on traveling, keep on writing.
Pauline
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Ev, Beautiful photos and loved all the information. What a wonderful rich vacation for you & the boys. Can’t believe we have lived in California for almost 60 years and never been to Oregon. Your blog made me feel, taste and smell the sea. Thanks for bringing me along. Kathy H
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Looks fantastic. We love Oregon. The sand dune rides at Florence, the clam chowder, the gorgeous views, and of course Astoria. Looks like you had a great time!
Gayle
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Enjoyed your blog. Sounds like interesting and relaxing trip. The seafood made me hungry! Not much good seafood in Ohio! Furthermore, I think you hired any Commercial Photographer isn’t it :).
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