A Weekend Getaway to the Oregon Coast
After living in Seattle for 8 months, we were itchin’ to check out the oregon coast – and what better time to go than on our 7 year dating anniversary! (ugh, gross, I know)…Anywho, here is a guide on what to do, things to see, where we stayed (which I highly reccommend to anyone and everyone), and even a secret hidden driftwood swing with the most killer + dreamy view.
Day One – Netarts, Oregon
After about a 4 hour drive from Seattle, Washington – we arrived in the sleepy, quiet, quaint, coastal town of Netarts, Oregon where we rented a beautifully updated copper cottage on VRBO (to rent or see the cottage we stayed in click here). The first thing we did was run down to the beach from our rental (which was literally less than a 1 minute walk from the rental – heck ya)! Not your rocky typical pacific northwest beach – white, sandy beach with views of misty and majestic mountains in the distance. It honestly felt like we were on an exotic Hawaiian Island. We explored the low-tide on the beach with our pup and waited to watch our first sunset on the oregon coast. It was dusk, and the warm summer air smelled like beachy bonfires and salty ocean water (best smell combo ever, somebody make this into a candle puuuhlease)? A short 2 minute walk back to our rental, we made dinner and cozied up for the night with the soothing sound of the ocean waves crashing on the distant shore – giddy and excited for what awaited us on day two.
Day 2 – Cape Lookout State Park – Tillamook, Oregon
We awoke to a hazy, misty morning on the beach – which was way more magical than disappointing. We sprung out of bed like crazy kiddos on Christmas morning still in our pajamas, threw on some coats, and b-lined it straight to the beach. Oh, ok…we might’ve needed coffee first though. Luckily, there was a local coffee + espresso shop less than a 5 minute walk from the rental. We strolled through the quiet, little Netarts town until we arrived at the espresso shop. It was the cutest, local, coastal shop ever! Little quirky gifts and ocean memorabilia adorn the store and the nicest local lady made us our coffees (she was a hoot)! We took our coffees to-go (a mocha for me, a cappucino for the lad) and then we b-lined it to the beach.
We explored the hazy, dreamy beach with our coffees, in our pajamas, feet in the sand. Then out of nowhere the clouds parted into bright blue skies and the sun radiated down on the beach. We ran around with our crazy pup, explored the shores for dead (unfortunately) crabs, smooth pebbles, and shells. We made our way down the beach until we came across a little pathway uphill on a dune that led to the most incredible handmade driftwood swing. We ran up the sandy dune, and to the swing. We turned around after a short climb to the swing, and were in complete awe by the view we saw. We took turns swinging and gawking at the view in front of us as we guzzled every last drop of our coffee.
After exploring the beautiful bayside beach, we headed back to our rental to change and pack up our hiking backpacks for a day of hiking at Cape Lookout State Park (click here for the trail)! We hopped into our car and took a short (AND AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS) 10 minute drive along the coast and through a mountain to get to the hiking trail. It was the most perfectly sunny, blue sky day, and we were so pumped to experience this beautiful trail on a day like this one! Cape Lookout trail is a 4.7 mile out and back trail with 810 ft in elevation so it was definitely an easier hike for us! This trail had SO many magnificent views at every turn, and was more beautiful than we could’ve dreamed up.
After a full day of hiking and exploring, we headed back to our rental and took a little cat nap. We awoke refreshed and ready to head down to the beach to enjoy our last beautiful sunset on the oregon coast. We packed up some bubbly, cheese, and a blanket for a romantic sunset picnic in the sand. As the sun sank behind the horizon, people gathered around bonfires under the stars. After our relaxing sunset picnic, we headed back to cook dinner and get some sleep before our last (but definitely not least) day on the coast!
Day 3 – Cape Kiwanda State Park + Cannon Beach
Our final day already?! This whole trip has been such a dream and we never want it to end! We woke up, made a quick breakfast, and packed up all our things in the rental. We bid farewell to our amazing cottage on the bay and made our way to our first stop for the day – Cape Kiwanda State Park. It was about a 25 minute (beautiful, amazing) drive through the mountains and along the coast. We arrived at Cape Kiwanda, which was at first a large, crowded beach area. But to the right of you on the beach, there are these large sand dunes that people are climbing up, which is where you want to go! We climbed up the sandy dunes and arrived on an alien-like planet. A misty atmosphere covered in sand, with large rocky cliffs and magnificent waves crashing against the sandstone. We explored the beautiful alien planet and were in awe by the power and beauty of this place.
We left the beautiful, foggy, Cape Kiwanda and headed to our last stop, the famous Cannon Beach and Haystack rock! We drove on the pacific coast highway (which I highly recommend for anyone traveling to, from, or through oregon) which had the most amazing scenic views along the highway, cute beachy coastal towns, and endless beauty. Before we reached Cannon Beach (which was about a 45 minute drive from Cape Kiwanda) we stopped at a store along the way to pick up everything we needed for an afternoon picnic on the beach! We also stopped by an espresso shop to grab some coffee for our drive as well, because pnw espresso shops are too delicious to ever pass up! You can find them anywhere and everywhere. The PNW is serious about their espresso! After our grocery shop, coffees, and scenic view stops, we finally arrived to Cannon Beach!
It transformed into a beautiful and sunny day for our picnic on Cannon Beach. We ventured in the warm sand towards the majestic haystack rock. We found the perfect spot right in front of the beauty, plopped all our stuff down, sprawled out our blanket, and picnic’d on the white sandy beach. We lounged in the sun and watched the waves crash on the shore and snacked on cold cuts and cheese (ALWAYS CHEESE). It was the perfect ending to the most amazing 7 year anniversary trip a gal could ask for.
