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Other articles in this series: Portland, Oregon highlights, Portland Japanese Garden, Deschutes Brewery tour, Thundering Waters Inn.

It’s hard to write just one post about the Oregon coast, but here’s a sampling of what we discovered there in our five day visit. We stayed in two spots along the coast: Newport and Bandon-by-the-Sea.

Both are well sought after destinations in their own right. Newport’s harbour is picturesque for its fishing industry but not really suited for lodgings. We opted instead to stay at the northern end of town, very close to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse and Nature Reserve.

We found a beautiful B&B (The Tyee Lodge) situated above the ocean with large picture windows and a fireplace, the perfect spot to unwind after four days of Portland city life. The Tyee contains a lot of Native artwork throughout its rooms and living room, so we felt a kinship with our own BC First Nations history and art.

Yaquina Head’s Lighthouse dates back to 1872 and is Oregon’s tallest. It’s unique in that its light has been active since 1873. Originally oil burning, the wicks have been replaced with modern wattage.

The distinct light pattern is two seconds on, two seconds off, two seconds on, 14 seconds off, repeating 24/7. We were just in time for a late morning tour before the crowds thickened.

The Yaquina Head trails are inviting and the nature is at its best in early summer.

[Commom Murre colony]

We had two excellent meals in Newport: a late lunch at Local Ocean Seafoods (always packed!) and dinner at April’s at Nye Beach (reserving is a very good idea). The dishes below are from April’s.

When visiting nearby tiny Nye Beach, don’t forget to check out the famous Sylvia Beach Hotel, with rooms named after famous authors. The hotel is situated on a 45 foot bluff right on the beach. Hotel guests can enjoy one another’s company over mulled wine served upstairs in the library every evening.

Separating Newport from our next destination, Bandon-by-the-Sea, is Cape Perpetua, the highest point on the Oregon coast. Again we lucked out with clear weather, where once on top, we had an awesome view down the southern coast. A couple of hours later, and we pulled into Bandon-by-the-Sea.

Bandon is known for both its yearly Crab Derby and its designation as Oregon’s cranberry capital.

We stayed at the characterful Lighthouse B&B. The innkeeper is in her mid-70′s and the house is currently on the market. Shirley’s had the B&B for decades (our room’s guest book went back to the early 90′s)! We had a lovely view of Bandon’s lighthouse as well as numerous visits from the resident seagulls, who call in for bits of bacon, egg, and anything else that Shirley can think to spoil them with.

A quiet fishing village, Bandon was packed for pre-4th of July festivities. We picked up Dungeness crab one evening at Tony’s Crab Shack and devoured it at the B&B, along with their clam chowder and salad.

The best part about Bandon is waking up early to check out the beach at low tide. There are several bird-watching spots and national wildlife refuges along this part of the coast.

After Bandon, we headed inland to Roseburg.