Weekend Getaway on the Oregon Coast: Beaches, Hikes, and Margaritas!
A couple of our besties just moved to Washington state, so we decided to explore some of the pacific northwest together. We landed on the Oregon coast, in a small beach town called Manzanita.
Day 1. As you know, I love a good luxury resort. But a charming Airbnb that makes you feel like a local is another fave. I love exploring the nooks and crannies of a new home, stocking the fridge with local goodies, and having the option to sip wine (or frozen margaritas, our favorite with these besties) while creating a home-cooked meal. I loved how colorful and clean our Manzanita Airbnb was, and I especially loved the upstairs game room, with views into the trees and sky lights glowing with that golden hour light. Needless to say, day one included all of these activities.
We also hiked up nearby Neahkahnie Mountain, a beautiful winding trail through lush forest, and a payoff off of stunning views down the coast, including all of Manzanita beach!
Day 2. After a 5.5 mile run through Nehalem State Park, we cooked up a brunch for champions, including scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, and pancakes. Then it was beach time! Coolers packed with cans of beer, rose, and champagne, we moseyed the couple blocks from our home to Manzanita beach. We set up our umbrella and beach chairs (another benefit of the Airbnb!) on the uncrowded pristine white sand. Ahh, time to relax!
After the beach, we explored the nearby Elk Flats trail to Treasure Cove. I promptly hopped the protective fence to take in the epic views! We were also lucky enough to see a whale!
Day 3. We drove 30ish minutes to nearby Cannon Beach. More famous than its little sister, Manzanita, it was correspondingly more crowded. Parking at Indian Beach was already full, which actually turned into a blessing! We were forced to park at Ecola Point and hike the one-mile trail from there to Indian Beach. This unexpected hike was possibly the most beautiful of our trip. Through greenery as lush as the rainforest and along cliffs with stunning vistas, we wound our way to the sand. The trail let us off at the opposite end from the parking lot and we entered down a rocky muddy path, which made it feel like we had discovered a secret cove. Magic in the making.
A little beach side yoga, and I'll call it a perfect day!
Where to stay. Manzanita for sure! Cannon Beach was way to crowded. Plus, Manzanita is so charming, with a winery, a few small restaurants, and shops selling beachy trinkets and boho goods (Thai harem pants and incense anyone?). Try an Airbnb! Did you know they have a partnership with Delta, so you can get miles for your rental?
Where to eat. Cook and eat at home! Manzanita has three local grocery stores, with everything you could possible need. We also liked the coffee at Manzanita Winery.
What to do. Check out all the beaches and trails. We loved Neahkahnie trail, Elk Flats trail, and Indian Beach trail. Manzanita beach is beautiful, as was Indian Beach. If you take the Indian Beach trail there are other beaches you can stop at on the way, like Crescent Beach. You can't go wrong!
