Subject: Re: Hidden Oregon Coast |
Hi Rayna,
I lived in Seaside for 18 years so I know that coast well. Astoria has a wonderful maritime museum...don't miss it. Best place for seafood in Astoria is Ship Inn, a pub-kind of restaurant. It is on Marine Drive almost under the bridge that connects OR & WA. It is on the river side & has a lovely view of passing ships on the Columbia. Very inexpensive & owned by the same couple for 25 years or so. Ecola State Park is at the north end of Cannon Beach & has a wonderful view if the weather is good. Drive thru Cannon Beach even tho it's touristy & congested. The old beach road goes thru there & for 3-4 miles you have terrific views of the ocean & Haystack Rock. South of Cannon Beach is a great OR state wayside, Tolovana Park Wayside, which offers the best, IMHO, access to Haystack Rock. You can walk up the beach, about a mile to Haystack Rock. If there is a low tide, you can visit the tidepools, up close & personal. Doogers on that road, in Tolovana Park (before the wayside) is the best place in Cannon Beach area for seafood. They do razor clams better than anywhere else! South of Cannon Beach maybe 12 miles is Oswald West State park. You can park in the lot & walk down a good, blacktopped trail, about 3/4 mile to a wonderful protected beach. Used to take my kids there a lot! Beautiful area. Just north of Tillamook is the Tillamook creamery which is a dairy farmers' coop for many years. Best ice cream & cheese in the US...just a bit prejudiced...but great! There is a beach loop around the Tillamook area, Cape Meares, worth a drive by & stop for wonderful views. Don't know about hiking. The OR coast highway is quite slow & congested on summer weekends but always worth the drive. How far down are you going? I know you'll enjoy it. There are many hidden & undiscovered areas that you'll happen on. Carol Bailey now in N.ID |