Photo:
Camille Gullickson
Cannon Beach has been one of our favorite family travel destinations on the Oregon coast for years, but somehow, we overlooked the quaint little beach town just a short drive farther down the coast: Manzanita. This summer, we visited for the first time, and it is now among our top coastal beach towns to recommend and return to in the future.
Manzanita is a picturesque seaside village along Oregon’s north coast between the Pacific Ocean, Nehalem Bay and landmark Neahkahnie Mountain. The perfect thing about Manzanita is that it is far less crowded than popular Cannon Beach, but all the Cannon Beach attractions are just a short drive away. (Astoria and Tillamook are also near enough for a day trip.) You might find you’re so busy relaxing on Manzanita Beach and exploring Nehalem Bay, though, that you don’t want to leave.
A few fun ideas for things to do in Manzanita include:
Search for sand dollars along beautiful Manzanita Beach.
Our rental was near Nehalem Bay State Park and just a few blocks from this beautiful 7-mile white-sand beach, and we enjoyed wandering the stretch between the park and the little town of Manzanita. This stunning beach has hard-packed sand that makes it easy to explore, and we found it less crowded than Cannon Beach. (There are no sea stacks here, but if that is important to you, iconic Haystack Rock is just a 24-minute drive away.) Locals appreciate the unique microclimate that often means plenty of sunny days, and we were lucky to soak in the fair weather during our beach explorations. Venturing farther north, near the base of Neahkanie Mountain, you will find a nice little area for exploring tide pools.
Local tip: As with most of the coast, the weather is variable, and it’s good to pack a light windbreaker or rain jacket along with your attire for sunny weather. If you plan to swim in the ocean, please know that the water can be quite cold, and a wet suit is recommended.
Stroll, dine and shop along Manzanita’s Laneda Avenue.
The first thing my daughter said when we arrived in the town of Manzanita was “This reminds me of Langley!” I couldn’t agree more; this perfect little beach town features many of the things we like about Langley (on Washington’s Whidbey Island) from the artistic vibe to the cafes. Grab a coffee or goodie (breakfast and lunch are served, too) at the friendly Manzanita Coffee Co., conveniently located near the beach, and stroll up the petite main street, Laneda Avenue. Our first shopping stop was Four Paws on the Beach, a quality dog and cat boutique, for our overly pampered pooch. Another required stop for the kids was Manzanita Sweets (310 Laneda Ave.), a classic coastal candy shop offering everything from saltwater taffy to nostalgic old-timey sweets. For wine-loving parents, The Winery at Manzanita is a dog- and family-friendly tasting room located just a few blocks from the beach. It features a view deck, fire pits, and plenty of snacks and libations (including craft beer and cider).
Hike to breathtaking panoramic views on the Neahkahnie Mountain Trail.
The stunning South Neahkahnie Mountain Trail, within Oswald West State Park, ticks all the boxes for an Oregon Coast Range hike: moderate (3.4 miles and a bit steep, with 1,066-foot elevation and switchbacks); easy to access (less than a 10-minute drive from Manzanita or 20 minutes from Cannon Beach); dog- and (older) kid-friendly; plenty of mossy trees; and a spectacular panoramic views of Nehalem Bay and the Pacific Ocean at the top. “Neah-kah-nie” is a native Tillamook place name that translates to “the place of the creator.” Kids will love learning about the Native American story, dating to the 1600s and passed down through generations, that tells of Spanish sailors who buried treasure somewhere within the mountain. The legend was even featured in a 2006 indie children’s movie, “The Legend of Tillamook’s Gold.”
Local tip: While this hike is described as kid-friendly, I felt it best for older children because it is steep, and there are fallen logs and some scrambling over rocks getting to the top. I did see parents of small children braving it with their little ones in a pack, but the trail is not stroller-friendly. We also left our dog behind, and although I spotted a friendly golden retriever at the top, it must have been an effort getting him up there.
Explore Oswald West State Park’s trails, tide pools and a secluded sandy beach.
Oswald West State Park, located just minutes from Manzanita, has been a favorite stop of ours during past trips to Cannon Beach. Here, you’ll find the wonderful, family-friendly Short Sand Beach Trail (known as “Shorty’s” by locals), which meanders a short way (1.2 miles out and back) through lush coastal rainforest. At the end of the trail is a wonderful sheltered cove and sandy beach that is perfect for learning to surf or just to explore. This is just one of miles of trails within the park’s 2,484 acres, which also includes Neahkahnie Mountain. Leashed pets are welcome.
Take a short drive to the iconic “Pronto Pup” corn dog stand in Rockaway Beach.
On our drive down to Tillamook, we stumbled across the oh-so-Instagrammable Pronto Pup corn dog stand in Rockaway Beach and were interested to learn more about its unique history. More than 80 years ago, the owners were scrambling to feed their customers after rain ruined their hot dog buns, and they came up with the legendary “Pronto Pup” corn dog batter. (Their recipe is comparable to pancake batter.) Kids might enjoy the giant corn dog ride, and I appreciated the affordable prices and that they offer plenty of vegetarian options. Pronto Pup’s fall hours are Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Enjoy a scenic drive along Tillamook’s mustn’t-miss Three Capes Scenic Loop.
I knew that this breathtaking area, while not in Manzanita, was within a reasonable (one-hour) drive, so I added a day trip to the Three Capes Scenic Loop to our itinerary. This beautiful drive connects three scenic capes: Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, Cape Lookout State Park and Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area. Our first stop was Cape Meares, where we enjoyed exploring the lighthouse and taking the short interpretive trail to visit the ancient Sitka spruce called the “Octopus Tree.” This area is also known for its many nesting seabirds, and if your timing is right, you might even spot a migrating gray whale. Cape Lookout has a popular campground and is known for miles of good hiking trails (including in the forest above the ocean) and a nice short nature trail for little kids. Cape Kiwanda, north of Pacific City, is appreciated for having one of the best views of the ocean on the coast as well as good conditions for flying kites.
If you go to Manzanita beach in Oregon …When to go: Temperatures are usually mild and cool on the Oregon coast year-round. We’ve visited at different times of the year and find that the weather can be variable no matter what time of year it is. (Think parkas in summer and sunglasses in winter — you never know!) Generally, June through October are considered the best months overall, with October through April being the rainiest. (I love being in the rainforest when the trees are lush and green, and that means during the rainy season!) Getting there: Manzanita is perfectly drivable from several Pacific Northwest cities: just over four hours by car from Seattle; three hours and 20 minutes from Eugene; and one hour and 45 minutes from Portland. Where to stay: Part of the appeal is that there are no big chain hotels here; rather, you’ll find vacation rentals, boutique stays, bed-and-breakfasts and a nice campground at the state park (presently under construction). We booked our stay through Airbnb and loved being in a home within walking distance of the beach. There was also plenty of room for our family of four and pup to spread out. Where to eat: We enjoyed picking up pizzas (hand-tossed and made to order) and salad from takeout-only Marzano’s Pizza Pie, near the beach, and enjoying our dinner at our rental. For seafood, steak, burgers and more, try Big Wave Cafe, which uses locally sourced ingredients when possible and is a partner of Seafood Watch. If you’re heading to Cannon Beach for the day, Ecola Seafoods restaurant and market is one of our favorites, offering fresh seafood and kid’s meals. |
