The Oregon Coast - Fav 5 {Travel Guide}

11/13/2020

Fav 5 Travel Guides are a short list of the best things I've found to do, see, eat, or drink in a particular location. This guide is for the Oregon Coast.

For more from the Pacific Northwest (PNW) check out the Let's See Seattle series with posts like Seattle for Kids and Seattle for Seasoned Visitors.

Because we're moving back to Hawaii, Bryce and I have constructed a bucket list for things to do in the PNW while we're still here.

Visiting Oregon was on that list. We decided on Manzanita because it's closer (to Seattle) than Bend, it's on the ocean, and because of the nearby Tillamook Creamery!

We visited Manzanita with our dear friends Lauren and Nate plus our dog (Jameson), and their two dogs (Dexter and Bailey)!

1. Stop in Astoria

The city of Astoria, Oregon is breathtaking! You can't miss the never ending Astoria-Megler Bridge stretching across the Columbia River.

Astoria is located three hours south of Seattle, WA, and just one hour North of Manzanita, OR.

Because of the bridge and the old brick buildings Astoria immediately reminded me of Pittsburgh, PA, my hometown. Astoria is the oldest city in Oregon and was the first settlement West of the Rocky Mountains! That explains why it looks so old, like a city on the East Coast.

Stop in Astoria for Dutch Brothers coffee, legal dispensaries, and a visit to the Goonies house!

2. Stay on Manzanita Beach

Because Covid cancelled so many of our trips this year we splurged on a great rental for in Manzanita, right on the beach.

We stayed in the "ocean's doorstep" property through Sunset Vacation Rentals. It's on the ocean and one of the nicest places I've ever stayed in my life. The vast wall of windows, the vintage kitchen, and all of the beachy touches made the place perfect.

Living oceanfront was wonderful even if just for a matter of days. The view from indoors, the sounds and smells of the sea from outdoors, and the hot tub, built in fire pit, and wrap around deck were pure perfection.

We had everything we needed to relax and enjoy ourselves and we very rarely left the rental. I did yoga on the deck, we enjoyed dips in the hot tub and fires as often as possible, and even when you're watching TV or reading on the couch the many mirrors on the wall offered a view of the ocean.

The dogs absolutely loved running on the beach, too!

3. Relax at Spa Manzanita

What would make an oceanfront visit even more relaxing? A trip to the spa, of course!

Spa Manzanita was within walking distance of our rental. My friend Lauren and I both got a 1 hour massage at Spa Manzanita. It was one of the best massages of my life and the perfect way to reinforce relaxation for two busy bodys who rarely sit still!

Spa Manzanita took many Covid safety precautions. I wore a mask for the face-up portion of the massage, per the instruction of the massage therapist.

4. Support local shops and businesses

Manzanita is a tiny little beach town. It's got shops, a book store, a grocery store, and plenty of antiques stores to explore.

Walking into town and perusing the shops is just enough activity to jazz up a day in Manzanita, between beach walks and book reading on the deck.

Yes I did buy the rainbow dreadlocks hat and the f*ck off I'm reading socks, both from T-Spot.

5. Visit Tillamook Creamery

The main event of our trip was an outing to the Tillamook Creamery!

While the others were drawn in by the ice cream I was tempted by the CHEESE. We had a great adventure to the creamery and enjoyed so many of the food items there. We learned a ton about cheesemaking, loved the tour, store, and food.

We ordered it all - cheese curds, grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and a milk shake.

See more of the Oregon Coast and the Tillamook Creamery in Tuesday's Figs and Flights {video}.

We all LOVED the Oregon Coast, Manzanita, Tillamook, and our rental home.

I foresee us repeating this exact vacation over and over again in future years, even once we've moved away.

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