Someone once told me that if you were born at or near sea level, you'll always feel more at home there. I'm really not sure if that is true for everyone, but I was born at precisely 144 ft above sea level, nowhere near the Northwest. in fact, I was born in Louisiana. As a military kid we moved a bit before landing in Portland/Vancouver, but essentially I spent my entire childhood under 2000 ft of elevation, And usually within 150 miles of the Ocean. Some of my favorite memories consist of giant trees and the ocean. I definitely feel more at home near the ocean.
It's that feeling that has kept me going back and forth across the Northwest for the better part of 7 years now. Taking the the long way to Portland and Seattle or Portland to Seattle, finding back roads and byways to just take in the beauty. I've learned that each piece of the Northwest is an intricately painted piece of a magnificent puzzle. Central Montana with her Golden Plains, The Sound area of Washington with it's hundreds of micro-climates and The Northern Coastal Oregon area with it's endless beaches and tidal pools. I know I've missed 997 pieces of this puzzle. Put for the sake of this blog I'm only going to focus on one. Sea Level.
I'm going to go bold and say now, that "Sea Level" in this blog is the whole coastal area. Now with that out of the way, let's get some reviews on!
It's that feeling that has kept me going back and forth across the Northwest for the better part of 7 years now. Taking the the long way to Portland and Seattle or Portland to Seattle, finding back roads and byways to just take in the beauty. I've learned that each piece of the Northwest is an intricately painted piece of a magnificent puzzle. Central Montana with her Golden Plains, The Sound area of Washington with it's hundreds of micro-climates and The Northern Coastal Oregon area with it's endless beaches and tidal pools. I know I've missed 997 pieces of this puzzle. Put for the sake of this blog I'm only going to focus on one. Sea Level.
I'm going to go bold and say now, that "Sea Level" in this blog is the whole coastal area. Now with that out of the way, let's get some reviews on!
Stay The Night
Nehalem Bay State Park.
Highway 101 is one of Americas most scenic byways and if you happen to find yourself cruising (or being blown during a autumn storm as we did.) along this stretch of Coastal Oregon and want a change of pace from busy beaches and hotels, then I highly recommend Nehalem. Hidden just outside of Manzanita Oregon, is the perfect stop, Nehalem boasts nice roomy RV spots, central bathrooms with showers, Horse camps, quick beach access and my personal favorite, Yurts. Icing on the cake is , the campground hosts are super sweet and I'm not sure if it's been the same couple over the last 7 years, but they are always really sweet. The Campground is closed until May 21st this year for electrical upgrades. But I do recommend staying in the off season. Heck, I recommend the whole coast in the off season. All for around 35.00 a night. We travel in a group of 3-4 making that about 10-12 a night.
While your here, take a short and view filled drive to Manzanita, forgo the big town stores and get your fixin's at the local market. "The Little Apple" not only has almost all your basics for a campground and then some, meal. They've got the most awesome customer service on the planet.
To Book: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=142
While your here, take a short and view filled drive to Manzanita, forgo the big town stores and get your fixin's at the local market. "The Little Apple" not only has almost all your basics for a campground and then some, meal. They've got the most awesome customer service on the planet.
To Book: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=142
Tolovana & Seaside
When coming up the coast from Manzanita, be sure to stop at Hug Point and Ecola Beaches, definitely worth the stop. But for this blog, I'm passing them up and pointing out a couple tourist must go to points.
You may know it as Cannon Beach or Haystack Rock , or, as my friend Heather calls it "Goonies Beach!" but Tolovana State Park is the epitome of the Northern Oregon coast. Crowned by the Tillamook head to the North and the ever popular Haystack Rock, Tolovana is lined with charming seaside cottages and is perfect for kite flying, walking and sunning, or just to take in the magnificent views of the sea.
SEASIDE.
Seaside is busy little resort town that, to me, is unusual. At least in the prices for trinkets and baubles on it's tourist streets. Pulled taffy, clothing stores and even an arcade can be found.
My husband is a man of many hats, literally. Every trip to Seaside I go out of my way to visit Seaside Mostly Hats, thee guy is super polite and has a bunch of hats for a good price.
Once you've checked out all the stores, make sure to hit the Promenade and beach and don't forget the Aquarium.
I know this is a pretty predictable first blog, but keep coming back, the Northwest holds so many predictable as well as hidden treasures. From the people to the unseen, I'll keep posting new blogs every few days. Have a Northwest adventure you'd like to share? Simply tell us about it in the comments! I'd love to hear it!
Northern Coast 1: Key points.
(Mentioned)
Nehalem Bay State Park
Manzanita
The Little Apple (Manzanita)
Hug Point
Ecola Beach
Tolovana State Park (Cannon Beach Oregon)
Seaside Oregon
Seaside Mostly Hats (Seaside Oregon)
Gearhart Beach
You may know it as Cannon Beach or Haystack Rock , or, as my friend Heather calls it "Goonies Beach!" but Tolovana State Park is the epitome of the Northern Oregon coast. Crowned by the Tillamook head to the North and the ever popular Haystack Rock, Tolovana is lined with charming seaside cottages and is perfect for kite flying, walking and sunning, or just to take in the magnificent views of the sea.
SEASIDE.
Seaside is busy little resort town that, to me, is unusual. At least in the prices for trinkets and baubles on it's tourist streets. Pulled taffy, clothing stores and even an arcade can be found.
My husband is a man of many hats, literally. Every trip to Seaside I go out of my way to visit Seaside Mostly Hats, thee guy is super polite and has a bunch of hats for a good price.
Once you've checked out all the stores, make sure to hit the Promenade and beach and don't forget the Aquarium.
I know this is a pretty predictable first blog, but keep coming back, the Northwest holds so many predictable as well as hidden treasures. From the people to the unseen, I'll keep posting new blogs every few days. Have a Northwest adventure you'd like to share? Simply tell us about it in the comments! I'd love to hear it!
Northern Coast 1: Key points.
(Mentioned)
Nehalem Bay State Park
Manzanita
The Little Apple (Manzanita)
Hug Point
Ecola Beach
Tolovana State Park (Cannon Beach Oregon)
Seaside Oregon
Seaside Mostly Hats (Seaside Oregon)
Gearhart Beach