Neskowin, Oregon
The Oregon coast is home to arguably some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Although the temperatures run cool, late Summer is the single best time to visit while finding some sun and warmer temperatures along the way. Cannon Beach is located along the northern coast, just an hour and a half drive from Portland. While this former quaint coastal town hosts restaurants, shops, local wine, and the famous Haystack Rock, it is always difficult to find parking or space to get away from the crowds. If you must see Cannon Beach, Fall is gorgeous and much less crowded. As native Oregonians with a big, rambunctious dog, it is our goal to find the most secluded Oregon beaches whether we visit for the day, or rent a beach house for the week. Here are some of our favorites! (and to add a plea from the local residents who live year round on the Oregon coast, now is not a great time to visit. Their resources are limited during this time and they are not prepared for Covid outbreaks. Please come visit next Summer when things have hopefully settled down, though!).
This Summer while trying to escape the crowds during Covid, our goal was to find a remote location to rent a house. Neskowin is located further South than Cannon Beach and is a sleepy town that boasts a small store, a hotel, a rental company, pizza shop, and possibly a coffee stand. While the North side of the beach closest to Proposal Rock was busy, if you cross the icy knee deep stream (pictured), the South side of the beach is isolated, has very little beach access, and is home to the Ghost Forest. If you are looking for a place for peace and quiet, this is it.
Manzanita is located just South of Cannon Beach and is similar to what Cannon Beach was back in the 80’s. Here you will find miles of wide open beaches, restaurants, coffee shops, and the infamous (to Oregon locals) http://www.leftcoastsiesta.com/ where you can kick back with a giant burrito and a beer and watch traffic go by on the main drag through town. While Manzanita is arguably one of Oregon’s most gorgeous beaches, it is windy. I am talking kite boarder windy and you will need to wear layers while walking on the beach here. Oregonians are often seen wearing shorts with a thick Patagonia fleece in August! We often drive here for the day and head to the south side of town to the area where kite boarders park to load their gear. There are fewer people and dogs on this end of town and if it’s windy, you can hunker down behind a dune for some reprieve. It’s worth it!
Best Oregon Beaches for:
people watching and sight seeing-Canon Beach
Golf-Bandon (Southern Oregon Coast)
Eclectic Adventures-Astoria (home to the Goonies house, breweries, an awesome Coast Guard Museum, and state parks).
kids-Seaside (think candy stores, kitchy shops, bumper cars and flat beaches)
Whale Watching-Depot Bay
Family Vacation without the crowds-Gearhart
Breweries-Pacific City (drink Pelican beer on the sand)
Couples Retreat-Salishan