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Got the coveted WM Depoe Bay reservation 13 months out for 7/5 to 7/12. I'm an owner.
Flew to Portland arriving around 11:30 AM on the 4th of July. Highly recommend flying on this day as it was cheaper and the airport was soooo slow. No one in line for TSA. I had precheck and the rest had usual line. Didn't even matter. We both came out at the same time. Spent the day seeing the requisite tourist sites for my DD. Powell's Books (an entire City block...and a map to help you understand where the books are located. Overwhelming, but a must for literary folks.) Voodoo donuts and the Keep Portland Weird mural. It was so hot. Oregon was a having a heat wave and we were smack in the middle of it.
Got out of there and headed to a tiny town called Cascade Locks. Spent two nights at the Best Western Plus Columbia River Inn. NICEST BW I have ever stayed in. Columbia river view. Comp breakfast next door at the Char Grill (think they were in the process of changing of the name when we were there...doesn't matter....the town is so tiny-you will know it) Fireworks that we could mostly see from our balcony. Took the Columbia River Scenic by way. Started at Vista House and continued on what amounts to a 13 waterfall drive. Ending with the Big Kahuna. Multnomah Falls. Most accessible by parking and just walking up...some require a hike. Also took the Columbia River Gorge Stern-wheeler cruise. Slow. But a super way to learn the history of the area and spend a day on the water.
Off to WM Depoe Bay. All units are oceanfront. The property sits up top a cliff. No sandy beach here. Does not matter. There were whales and more whales. The units are HUGE. We had a 2bd 2 bath Phase !. No a/c...you don't need it as it never reached higher than 68 degrees when we were there. I knew this, so I packed pants and a jacket but I really wish I had packed more than one long sleeved shirt. Crazy to go from 98 to 68 in just a couple of hours drive. The entire rear of the unit is windows and a slider. We turned one of the chairs toward the ocean and started referring to it as the in patient chair. I know, Not PC...but the occupants would sit there for hours...staring out the window at the ocean and whales with a glazed, happy look on their face.
The resort itself is great for families. 3 pools, rec rooms, play grounds. We did not partake in any of the amenities but I can see why it's a tough trade and why families like it. And why the carpet, while plush and well padded is also dirty and worn.
Our days mostly consisted of watching whales, one activity and a lunch or dinner and then back to watching whales. The resort has Carrie Newell whale researcher come in one night a week and hold a forum that my DH and DD found quite informative. She also runs the whale museum and whale watching tours. We really didn't need that, we could see the whales and the boats right off our balcony.
We also spent time in Newport. The OSU Marine Science center was informative. It has elementary field trip written all over it...but it's by donation and if you have young ones, it's perfect with hands on activities about ocean life, earthquakes, tsunami's, etc. My DD chose this over the Aquarium.
We went tidepooling. Check the tide schedule. We set out just before low tide. We were able to see Sea stars, anemones, mussels, sand crabs and really cool caves that aren't accessible at high tide. Fantastic. We ventured on to the Yaquina Head Natural Preserve Area where the light house is. This was the only place where there was a cost to enter. I think we paid 7.00 for a 3 day pass. There are informative guides to help you with tidepooling, ID cards,etc. But it was really busy and somewhat commercial for our liking. We had just seen everything you could see there in a more natural state. I did appreciate the lesson on respecting on the marine life, but we are already conscientious observers...so your choice.
We ate local. We are not fancy diners. We enjoyed the chowder and the atmosphere in Nye Beach. We enjoyed our stop at the South Beach fish market...but know that while they are selling whole crab at 16.99 a pound that the Thriftway market has it for 5.99 a pound. It's all fresh. Same ocean, right?
We took a most fabulous hike at Drift Creek Falls. Not far at all from Depoe Bay. Less than 2 mile hike. Well marked and maintained trail. Through the forest, by a creek and ultimately a suspension bridge and water fall. That is what impressed me most about Oregon. Every trail head and public space was well marked, well maintained and restroom facilities are available EVERYWHERE....I mean at the end of some desolate road where you least expect it and CLEAN.
We really enjoyed our time there. As long as you realize that a coastal vacation does not equate to a warm beach vacation like Hawaii/California/Caribbean and you accept it for what it is...then I think you will be fine.
I'm open to any questions you may have about the area.
Happy traveling!
Flew to Portland arriving around 11:30 AM on the 4th of July. Highly recommend flying on this day as it was cheaper and the airport was soooo slow. No one in line for TSA. I had precheck and the rest had usual line. Didn't even matter. We both came out at the same time. Spent the day seeing the requisite tourist sites for my DD. Powell's Books (an entire City block...and a map to help you understand where the books are located. Overwhelming, but a must for literary folks.) Voodoo donuts and the Keep Portland Weird mural. It was so hot. Oregon was a having a heat wave and we were smack in the middle of it.
Got out of there and headed to a tiny town called Cascade Locks. Spent two nights at the Best Western Plus Columbia River Inn. NICEST BW I have ever stayed in. Columbia river view. Comp breakfast next door at the Char Grill (think they were in the process of changing of the name when we were there...doesn't matter....the town is so tiny-you will know it) Fireworks that we could mostly see from our balcony. Took the Columbia River Scenic by way. Started at Vista House and continued on what amounts to a 13 waterfall drive. Ending with the Big Kahuna. Multnomah Falls. Most accessible by parking and just walking up...some require a hike. Also took the Columbia River Gorge Stern-wheeler cruise. Slow. But a super way to learn the history of the area and spend a day on the water.
Off to WM Depoe Bay. All units are oceanfront. The property sits up top a cliff. No sandy beach here. Does not matter. There were whales and more whales. The units are HUGE. We had a 2bd 2 bath Phase !. No a/c...you don't need it as it never reached higher than 68 degrees when we were there. I knew this, so I packed pants and a jacket but I really wish I had packed more than one long sleeved shirt. Crazy to go from 98 to 68 in just a couple of hours drive. The entire rear of the unit is windows and a slider. We turned one of the chairs toward the ocean and started referring to it as the in patient chair. I know, Not PC...but the occupants would sit there for hours...staring out the window at the ocean and whales with a glazed, happy look on their face.
The resort itself is great for families. 3 pools, rec rooms, play grounds. We did not partake in any of the amenities but I can see why it's a tough trade and why families like it. And why the carpet, while plush and well padded is also dirty and worn.
Our days mostly consisted of watching whales, one activity and a lunch or dinner and then back to watching whales. The resort has Carrie Newell whale researcher come in one night a week and hold a forum that my DH and DD found quite informative. She also runs the whale museum and whale watching tours. We really didn't need that, we could see the whales and the boats right off our balcony.
We also spent time in Newport. The OSU Marine Science center was informative. It has elementary field trip written all over it...but it's by donation and if you have young ones, it's perfect with hands on activities about ocean life, earthquakes, tsunami's, etc. My DD chose this over the Aquarium.
We went tidepooling. Check the tide schedule. We set out just before low tide. We were able to see Sea stars, anemones, mussels, sand crabs and really cool caves that aren't accessible at high tide. Fantastic. We ventured on to the Yaquina Head Natural Preserve Area where the light house is. This was the only place where there was a cost to enter. I think we paid 7.00 for a 3 day pass. There are informative guides to help you with tidepooling, ID cards,etc. But it was really busy and somewhat commercial for our liking. We had just seen everything you could see there in a more natural state. I did appreciate the lesson on respecting on the marine life, but we are already conscientious observers...so your choice.
We ate local. We are not fancy diners. We enjoyed the chowder and the atmosphere in Nye Beach. We enjoyed our stop at the South Beach fish market...but know that while they are selling whole crab at 16.99 a pound that the Thriftway market has it for 5.99 a pound. It's all fresh. Same ocean, right?
We took a most fabulous hike at Drift Creek Falls. Not far at all from Depoe Bay. Less than 2 mile hike. Well marked and maintained trail. Through the forest, by a creek and ultimately a suspension bridge and water fall. That is what impressed me most about Oregon. Every trail head and public space was well marked, well maintained and restroom facilities are available EVERYWHERE....I mean at the end of some desolate road where you least expect it and CLEAN.
We really enjoyed our time there. As long as you realize that a coastal vacation does not equate to a warm beach vacation like Hawaii/California/Caribbean and you accept it for what it is...then I think you will be fine.
I'm open to any questions you may have about the area.
Happy traveling!
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