A winter trip to the Oregon Coast

By Brett Cihon on December 27, 2011

For many, a summertime trip to the Oregon Coast sounds like hell. There is the heat, the traffic and the raised prices on everything from hotels to hot dogs. There are also the crowds of people, swarming around everywhere, from the shore break to the downtown streets.

Yes, a summertime beach excursion to Oregon can be stressful.

Luckily, there's a perfect solution: Go in the winter.

In the winter, the crowds and the prices are down. The roads are clear and the hotels have vacancies. Everything not so fun about a summer vacation to the beach is pleasantly absent during the winter.

The first thing to do when planning a vacation to the Oregon Coast is decide what beaches you want to see. The Oregon coastline runs roughly parallel to Highway 101 from the north point of Astoria down to the southern-most tip of Brookings.

Each Oregon beach offers its own unique scenery. One of the most popular beaches in the area is Cannon Beach, known for Haystack Rock. This large, tall rock jutting out from the ocean is a popular tourist attraction. Even in the fall, Cannon Beach can draw a bevy of weekend visitors from nearby Portland. The Ocean Lodge (www.theoceanlodge.com) is one of Cannon Beach's most widely-recognized inns, but rooms book up fast so be sure to call ahead.

Another popular beach destination just north of Cannon Beach is Seaside. Though Seaside lacks a recognizable geological feature like Cannon Beach's Haystack Rock, many prefer Seaside because the small town comes all the way up to the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Visitors stroll Seaside's boardwalk at sunset, looking westward as the golden orb sets into the sea. Seaside is a popular resting spot, offering everything from fancy bed and breakfasts to inexpensive motels. For those looking for a place to rest near the beach, the Seashore Inn Hotel (www.seashoreinnor.com) is the place to stay.

Further south, the small town of Manzanita sits close to many idyllic Oregon State Parks. Nehalem Bay State Park, Manhattan Beach State Park and Oswald West State Park all feature a variety of different beach experiences. While Manzanita isn't particularly known for its attractions, its close location to the parks makes the town a great resting location. The Inn at Manzanita (www.innatmanzanita.com) is usually good for a vacancy.

Cannon Beach, Seaside and Manzanita are just three of the many cool towns dotting Highway 101 on the Oregon coast. When planning a fall beach vacation, sometimes the best thing to do is drive until you get a good feeling. With so many beaches around, it's hard to go wrong.

Just bring a jacket. It is winter in the Pacific Northwest, after all.

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