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Oregon Coast: Experiencing the Northwest's storm-watching capital
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One of the best things about living in or around Eugene is the proximity to the Oregon Coast. During the summer months, Cannon Beach, Seaside, Brookings and Bandon offer ideal locations for a romantic getaway or a stay in an Oregon Coast vacation rental.
But it is the wintertime when the Oregon Coast really sets the trend. Winter storm watching has been an Oregon tradition for as long as visitors have been making their way to the rugged coastline. Locations like Depoe Bay, Manzanita and Port Orford offer ideal settings for taking in Oregon’s most impressive natural spectacle.
Travelers can snuggle in next to a warm fireplace, or take in the drama of 70-mile-an-hour winds, rain and crashing surf from one’s hotel window. In some hotels, a cozy seating area has been upgraded to a viewing station, where hot coffee or a glass of wine adds the perfect touch to social occasion of watching Mother Nature’s beauty.
Nestled at the base of the 1,634-foot Neahkahnie Mountain, just off of Highway 101 on the North Coast, the tiny town of Manzanita is one of Oregon’s smallest vacation destinations. During the summer Manzanita is brimming with vacationers who have come to take advantage of its many vacation rentals.
Manzanita’s quiet ambiance however, is most evident during the winter. Travelers who come here during the winter months enjoy the solitude and quiet that this little coastal town has to offer. The beach is an easy block walk from many parts of the town, leading to an impressive view of the sheer cliff of the mountain and the exploding waves. Some of the vacation rentals look out over the coast, while others are clustered around Manzanita’s downtown shopping center, wine bar and cafes.
Visitors will want to check out the view from the wayside just north of Manzanita on Highway 101. There’s no comfortable shelter with hot coffee and relaxed seating, but the view is impressive any time of the year.
Depoe Bay, 14 miles north of Newport, touts itself as the world’s smallest active harbor. The harbor is tucked behind a stone face and a bridge that serves as an overpass for Highway 101. Many visitors stop just to watch vessels navigate their way through the entrance. During stormy weather, this can be a challenge even for the experienced, and there’s no doubt that there have been bets waged and lost on the unlucky navigator.
But it is Depoe Bay’s surroundings that truly makes this a storm-watching stopover. Boiler Bay State Park, approximately 1 mile north of Depoe Bay, offers stirring images of Mother Nature. Cheap hotel rates during the winter are an incentive for stopping at this small fishing harbor. Depoe Bay also has a whale center, and whale-watching tours are available during the early months of the year.
Port Orford, approximately 26 miles south of Bandon on the South Coast, is vintage maritime beauty. Rugged monoliths dot the coastline, providing a captivating view of the Pacific Ocean. During winter storms, its unique concrete fishing dock provides a spectacular view of Port Orford’s rocky climes under siege. The small seafood restaurant, Griff’s, on the fishing dock, has an excellent view of the waves, as well as hot coffee and good food. The dock serves as a unique haul-out point for its small fishing fleet. When the weather is clear, visitors can watch the boats being launched and docked.
Port Orford has several inexpensive motels and bed and breakfast inns near the beach, some with tremendous views of the Port Orford coastline. Coast Guard Hill, above the town, has the best view of all, with miles of meandering paths. The 0.3 mile path to the site of the old Coast Guard tower has sweeping views of the surrounding area.
Port Orford’s popular fine dining restaurant, Paula’s, is located across from Battle Rock Beach, in the downtown quarter. Good breakfast specials can be found at the north end of town.
Tips for the perfect storm-watching excursion
- Don’t stand on jetties, storm walls or areas that are close to the waves.
- Be mindful of the wind in high, unprotected places.
- Respect the surf.
- Stay off of beaches when there are tidal warnings.
- Dress warm, and arm yourself with a warm drink for those chilly but exhilarating moments.
Happy storm watching!
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