Things to do in our corner of the world

• First and foremost – relax, sleep late – we take life easy here
• Amble along miles of sandy beach
• Beach comb – hunt for agates, jasper and jade or driftwood and glass floats
• Photograph a great sunset – we have more than our fair share of fantastic ocean sunsets
• Fly a kite – not having enough wind is rarely a problem
• Storm watch – especially in the winter – go up to Seal Rock and watch the waves crash against the rocks
• Whale watch – the great grays swim past twice each year from December to January on their way south and then from March to June when they return north – the Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center is headquarters for “Whale Watching Spoken Here” –  in addition, you might catch a glimpse of the “resident” gray whales that spend months during the summer and fall feeding close to shore
• Seal and sea lion watch – two sand spits in town are prime seal basking locations – one is at the north end of the bay entrance extending from Bayshore and one just east of the bridge – good views are available just south of downtown off of Highway 101 or from the port docks or from the bridge itself – or you can drive a short distance to the Sea Lion Caves about 18 miles south
• Pick blackberries – in late July through August if you stand still for too long you might just be covered with blackberry vines – they are abundant – the picking is great at Blackberry Camp located 18 miles east of Waldport on the Alsea Highway (Route 34)
• Golf – Crestview Hills offers a nine hole, easy to walk course just south of town off Range Dr that is open dawn to dusk – other courses aren’t far away either
• Fish – let me count the ways
1. During the fall run of Chinook salmon up the Alsea River, you can troll in the tidal zone or bobber fish along the river and creeks.  We sometimes even see some brave souls fly fishing.
2. During winter months, anglers float the upper river in drift boats for winter steelhead.
3. During the spring seasonal runs of perch and herring to the bay, the whole family can enjoy fishing from the dock or from a boat.
4. Even surf fishing can be attempted – the seals certainly seem to like it.

• Go crabbing or clamming – at the Port dock in Old Town Waldport you can rent everything you need for a modest cost – then your catch can be cleaned and cooked for you right there – we make it fun and so easy to enjoy this delicacy
• Get the best view of the Oregon Coast you have ever seen – just go 11 miles south of Waldport to Cape Perpetua – on a clear day you can see forever
• Ride a horse on the beach, on a trail, or in a corral – C & M stables is just 28 miles south of Waldport
• Drive a dune buggy – if you are really adventurous, the sand dunes of Florence (35 miles south) offer heart–stopping action – 45+ degree sloped ridges
• Visit a lighthouse – we have three to choose from, all open to visitors in the summer and all just a short drive from Waldport
1. Heceta Head is less than 25 miles south on Highway 101
2. Yaquina Head is the tallest at 93 feet and is located just 19 miles north
3. Yaquina Bay is the closest, at the south end of Newport, 16 miles north

• Visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium at the south end of Newport – it is home to more than 15,000 marine animals – the “Passages of the Deep” and new Claws exhibits are extraordinary
• Visit the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Visitor’s Center also in Yaquina Bay at the south end of Newport – it features interactive hands–on exhibits and aquaria that highlight the research conducted there – interesting for kids of all ages
• Shop – we have galleries, antique stores, flea markets, even an outlet mall north in Lincoln City – something for every taste and budget
• Eat, drink and be merry – whatever you are in the mood for, you will find it here – from fine dining to cheap eats, from micro breweries to West Coast wine shops

     – we seem to have a little bit of everything here on the Central Oregon Coast
     – stay a month, a week or even a weekend – you’ll be glad you did!