Beat the cold by coming to the Oregon Coast

I've been told it's pretty cold over there on Oregon's I-5 corridor. I'd say it's probably pretty cold on California's I-5 corridor as well. Well, here on the Oregon Coast, it's cool and sunny. Are you looking to beat the cold? Visit any coastal town along Highway 101 for the weekend to beat the cold.

Right now, Reedsport's temperature is about 53 degrees. For those living near the Equator, that may not sound warm. But for those living in other parts of the Pacific Northwest, it probably sounds quite temperate.

With more than 350 miles of Oregon beach available, there's a place for you on the Oregon Coast. A mini vacation of three to four days could be doable.

Come to Seaside from the Portland area

Traveling to Seaside, I am reminded that the town was Oregon’s first seashore resort. It continues to be one of the Oregon Coast’s most popular destinations with many visitor attractions.

If you decide to go to this coastal city, the Carousel Mall, sand-biking, and the bumper cars and arcade are fun activities for families. The Seaside Convention Center hosts a variety of events through the year. You have to walk the Broadway turnaround at the center of Seaside’s well-known Promenade where a statue designates the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail.

At the south end of town you will find the Lewis and Clark Salt Cairn, where members of the historic expedition extracted salt from seawater. Other fun activities include renting paddle boats to take out on the Necanicum River or riding a bicycle around town.

Other attractions include the Seaside Museum and Seaside Aquarium, where the seals are the star attractions. There are many oceanfront hotels and vacation rentals right on the beach. It is the perfect spot for those who live in the Portland metropolitan area with a desire for a mini vacation.

Day trip to Shore Acres, Southern Oregon Coast

On Sunday, my fiance and I went to Shore Acres State Park, just south of Charleston. This botanical garden has plants in bloom pretty much year round. Admission is $5 per car and they are open seven days a week till sunset. During December, they are open in the evening with their Christmas light demonstration.

It was a quiet, peaceful day trip out past Coos Bay and North Bend yesterday. The weather here on the Oregon Coast is gorgeous right now -- little wind, sunny, and chilly in the morning. We also stopped at Sunset Bay, a beautiful little spot on the Southern Oregon Coast near Shore Acres. There were quite a few persons there looking in tide pools and even sunning themselves on the beach.

After walking through the Gardens, we strolled to the Simpson Beach lookout where some of the best Oregon Coastal, winter-storm pictures have been taken. Huge waves smashed against the cliffs and sea wall as people ooohhed and ahhhed. It is a definite must-see.

On the way home, we stopped at a little bagel shop in Charleston. The new owners also serve authentic, family-style Thai food. While we were not quite hungry for dinner, we will put this spot on our "must return" list.

Escape to Yachats

One the best mini vacations can be found by going to Yachats. Called the Jewel of the Oregon Coast, this little town has many great restaurants, hotels, shops, and sites.

One found memory I have of Yachats is when my boyfriend whisked me away on a Saturday night during a weekend if moving. I barely had time to pack before leaving Gardiner to drive north on Highway 101 for The Adobe Resort. With my heart in my throat, he showed me to one of their spa tub suites. We had a very fine meal in the resort's restaurant.

In the morning, we departed from our coastal hideaway, we stopped at my favorite restaurant, The Drift Inn, for breakfast. If there had been more time, we would have also stopped at Raindogs: A People Store.

When we arrived at my apartment, I was ready to proceed with the final leg of the move to Reedsport. With vigor, we finished up the move before dinner.

Umpqua River Lighthouse, Winchester Bay

In Winchester Bay, the first lighthouse on the Oregon Coast was lit. Built of timber and too close to the Umpqua River, it began to teeter. Just before its collapse, they were able to remove not only people but also equipment. The current Umpqua River Lighthouse is up on the dunes and one of the few remaining working lighthouses.

One of my favorite times to see it is at night when the flashing red and white lights dance on the trees located on the property as it makes its sweep of the ocean. From the parking lot, you can see the wide expanse of dunes and the Umpqua Triangle where some of the sweetest oysters are farmed. It's a must-see on the Oregon Coast especially for those who love lighthouses.

For a Quick Trip Away: Bandon

For a quick trip away, I hit the highway for Bandon. Located on Highway 101 south of Coos Bay, this somewhat-touristy town maintains much of its small-town charm. I always return from this Oregon Coast town refreshed and ready to dive back into my very busy life.

Driving south for an hour from Reedsport, Bandon is a good day trip. There are also many vacation rentals and oceanfront hotels in which to stay the night if you want to stretch your trip into a long weekend. The Inn at Face Rock is a great place to stay that's located on the fairway of Bayfront Loop's own golf course.

For fabulous views of rock-studded, ocean waters, there's the Face Rock viewpoint. I've spent many afternoons staring at this huge rock with the sun going down behind it from either the beach or from my little Honda. When it's raining, I gaze at the seagulls attempting to stay in the air from the inside of Ruby and breathe in the relaxation of those moments.

In Bandon's Old Town, there is the Second Street Gallery with its many paintings hung from tall walls, gorgeous artisan jewelry, and gorgeous pottery. On girl trips, my friends and I always come away with a piece of jewelry or a new blown glass bowl. Next door is Winter River Books where they have a great selection of books, journals, and greeting cards. We also frequent the Bandon Bakery and the Two Loons cafe with its orange water and gourmet sandwiches. The owners of the Two Loons also own High Dock Bistro, which is a spendy restaurant right on the water.

We also take a hike on the driftwood beach where the Coquille River Lighthouse is located. This miniature lighthouse appears to be larger than it really is from across the Coquille River that joins the ocean near its position.

While I do not play golf, there is also Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. This is a world-class golf course located near the entrance of Bandon from the north. There are a few courses and two fine restaurants out there. It comes highly recommended. It is situated off of Highway 101 and I pass by it on the way to and from Bandon.

Smith River Valley trip

A couple of weeks ago, just after some heavy rains here on the Oregon Coast, my fiancé and I went for a drive in his Ford Explorer up Smith River Road for a pancake breakfast at the Grange.

Located between Reedsport and Gardiner, in Coastal Douglas County, there's a beautiful valley that heads east away from Highway 101. While this river is not nearly as large as the nearby Umpqua, there are some gorgeous views and birdwatching opportunities. One marshy area has quite a bit of wildlife and is listed on the new Oregon Coast Birding Trail.

On our way up this steep road, we got a great view of the Smith River Valley. This valley was the scene for an Indian massacre where its namesake Jedediah Smith barely survived. As we climbed this steeper and steeper road, there was more and more branches and rocks on the road. At a certain point, the boulders made our route impassible. My fiancé backed the car down to a wide spot, and then we turned around.

Heading back to town, we felt fortunate to live in such a beautiful place. Check it out sometime.