The Central Oregon Coast is only a two-hour drive from Portland, but this 60-plus-mile stretch of rugged coastline seems worlds away from the city with its sprawling, sandy beaches, dense forests and rocky outcroppings. In addition to pristine natural beauty, the area offers family-friendly activities and modern comforts sure to satisfy clients of all ages.
The Passages of the Deep exhibit
at the Oregon Coast Aquarium
|
Oceanfront accommodations are plentiful along the coast and ideal for watching the sunset or a storm roll in.
The Hallmark Inn and Resort in Newport is well-suited to small families or clients seeking a moderately priced romantic getaway. Ample rooms feature balconies, two-person spa tubs, fireplaces, pillow-top king beds, refrigerators and free Wi-Fi. There’s also an indoor pool and kids’ play area, so clients’ little ones keep busy. The property’s oceanfront restaurant, Georgie’s Beachside Grill, is family-friendly as well.
For clients craving pampering with a view, the Overleaf Lodge offers a range of accommodations — from moderately priced rooms to deluxe suites ideal for families — and soothing spa treatments. All guests enjoy complimentary continental breakfast and access to the oceanfront soaking pool, hot tub, steam room and sauna. The soaking pool is the perfect place to unwind at sunset.
When it comes to unique beachfront bed and breakfasts, the Ocean House Inn in Newport is top-notch. Set on a bluff above beautiful Agate Beach, this romantic spot boasts tastefully decorated rooms (some with fireplaces and Jacuzzis), cozy cottage charm and exceptional hospitality. Outstanding, full-course breakfasts, as well as complimentary wine and snacks, are served in the inviting common areas, helping offset room rates that are slightly higher than its competitors. Enchanting gardens and a private beach path make this an ideal locale for couples and groups of adults rather than families.
For clients on a budget who still want an ocean view and indoor pool, the Agate Beach Best Western and Shiloh Inn Suites Hotel Oceanfront Resort in Newport are good options, with more affordable rates, comfortable rooms and breathtaking views.
When your clients are ready to venture out of their rooms, they’ll find plenty of opportunities to spy sealife. The Oregon Coast Aquarium showcases native seabirds, marine mammals, fish, plants and invertebrates. One highlight is Passages of the Deep, a 1.32-million-gallon exhibit featuring three ocean habitats connected by an underwater tunnel housing 3,500 sea creatures — sharks included — viewed from the safety of an acrylic walkway. The aquarium’s newest
exhibit, Oddwater, is visually stunning and worth checking out. It features custom-crafted, colorful blown glass by area artists inside multiple displays with some of the sea’s oddest-looking creatures.
The Depoe Bay Whale Center is a prime place to spot whales during their migration period (mid-November through mid-May) and learn about them from on-site experts and kid-friendly educational exhibits.Marine Discovery Tours at the Anchor Pier in Newport gives clients of all ages the opportunity to pull crab pots, look for schools of salmon, navigate in the wheelhouse and view plankton on video screens on its naturalist-led Oregon Sea Life Cruise aboard the Discovery, the largest cruise boat on the Oregon coast. The company’s Oregon Rocket inflatable boat is better suited to clients seeking speed along with scenery and
sealife. Crabbing and clamming options also abound in coastal towns for those set on catching their own dinner.
Contact
Agate Beach Best Western
800-547-3310
www.agatebeachinn.com
Commission: 10 percent
Depoe Bay Whale Center
www.depoebaychamber.org
Hallmark Inn and Resort in Newport
888-448-4449
www.hallmarkinns.com
Commission: 10 percent
Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau
800-452-2151
www.oregoncoast.org
Marine Discovery Tours
800-903-2628
www.marinediscovery.com
Ocean House Inn
866-495-3888
www.oceanhouse.com
Commission: 10 percent
Overleaf Lodge
800-338-0507
www.overleaflodge.com
Commission: 10 percent
Shilo Inn Suites Hotel Oceanfront Resort
800-222-2244
www.shiloinns.com
Commission: 15 percent
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