We love visiting the Oregon coast in fall. Fall usually means bad weather on the coast, and that means less crowds at your favorite coastal restaurants, trailheads, and other coastal destinations. Here are our top four things to do on the Oregon coast this autumn.
1. Find Peace And Tranquility At Salishan Coastal Lodge And Get In Some Awesome Foggy Coastal Hikes
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There's nothing quite like taking a step back from the stress of the holidays to go whale watching, take a walk through an old growth forest, and spend time with the family at a gorgeous spa.
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Salishan Coastal Lodge in Gleneden Beach has always been a great place to go for the weekend to reconnect with nature.
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There are many nearby trails and beaches to explore during your stay, as well as a golf course, aerial challenge course, and outdoor firepits to spend time with family.
Each room at Salishan Coastal Lodge has a cozy fireplace and relaxing atmosphere.
The rooms at Salishan are tranquil, beautiful, full of rustic charm, and can offer a welcome respite from bad weather or the perfect spot to get away for a few days with family.
Salishan Coastal Lodge has the best spa on the Oregon coast, not to mention outdoor firepits, a cozy fireplace in every room, jaw dropping views and an aerial adventure park!
Check the current offers at Salishan here, and don't forget to check out their Facebook and Instagram.
Photo by Attu012 via Flickr CC2.
We love going out to hike in the fog because it makes for dramatic photos and peaceful hikes with a slightly spooky vibe.
Drift Creek Falls Suspension Bridge / via thePDXphotographer
One of the best spots to hike in the fog is at Drift Creek Falls, which is around 30 minutes (or a 14 and a half mile drive) east of Salishan Coastal Lodge.
Drift Creek Falls / via thePDXphotographer
This hike will take you over a 240 foot long suspension bridge and to a pretty waterfall.
2. Watch Massive Waves During King Tides Crash On The Coast In November
A huge king tide wave. Photo via Oregon King Tides via Flickr CC2.
What exactly are king tides? They're higher than normal tides that occur during full moons and new moons around the world, and usually happen in Oregon a few times a year. In the fall of 2022 the next king tides are from November 24th - 26th, though this weather phenomenon happens every year in November. While the term king tide isn't a scientific name, it's widely used across the US.
King tides and big waves, Shore Acres on the Oregon Coast (Photo by Bonnie Moreland)
I love storm watching on the Oregon coast, particularly if I can watch from a hotel room overlooking the ocean while I'm warm and dry, though many photographers brave the elements every year to document these tides and the large waves they can create in the name of science.
3. Visit The Oregon Coast Aquarium During Bad Weather And Then Stop Off For Fresh Seafood At Clearwater Restaurant
Newport, Oregon has so much to do and see that you could visit every weekend and always go someplace new.
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If you're looking to take a trip to the coast but the weather is bad, one of the best spots to visit is the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
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General admission costs between $14.95 and $24.95 depending on age. There are also behind the scenes tours available as well as a Sea Jelly Touch Encounter, each with their own tickets.
Another species featured in their new Big Bites Exhibit is the Porcupinefish. The teeth of these googly-eyed fishes are fused into a “dental plate” that allows them to crush shelled prey such as snails, urchins and hermit crabs. (Oregon Coast Aquarium)
The aquarium lets you explore undersea life and spend a day with your family while staying warm and dry during rainy weather.
Oregon Coast Aquarium
When you're done with your visit to the aquarium, stop by Clearwater Restaurant for award-winning fresh seafood and a view of the Yaquina Bay bridge.
A lovely (and crabby!) view at Clearwater Restaurant in Newport, Oregon
You can also check out Ripley's Believe It Or Not and the Wax Works Museum to round out your autumn trip to Newport.
4. Chill Out At The Eco Friendly Surf Lodge In Depoe Bay And Go Whale Watching
Entrance To The Harbor in Depoe Bay. Photo by Steve Guttman NYC via Flickr CC2.
Depoe Bay is the world's smallest harbor, but it was also voted the Best Harbor In The US in 2020 by US Harbors. This picturesque little harbor is also considered the whale watching capital of our beautiful state and is the perfect spot to see a few of the 25,000 gray whales that pass by here on their yearly migration.
SCP Depoe Bay
Our favorite place to stay while in Depoe Bay is a minimalistic little surf lodge that's eco-friendly, clean, pretty, and has a view of the harbor. SCP Depoe Bay was built with sustainable and locally sourced materials such as reclaimed wood, and was inspired by the textures and colors of the Oregon Coast.
SCP Depoe Bay
SCP stands for Soul, Community and Planet, which are the values at the core of this surf lodge. The lodge focuses on soul (personal wellness), community (social good), and planet (the environment), and brings these values into every detail of the lodge's design.
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From the Peaceful Room, which you can book if you need some time to relax and focus, to low-energy fixtures and low-flow water fixtures, and donations to the One Tree Planted program, this is one vacation we can really get behind.
Depoe Bay Harbor aerial shot via Wikimedia Commons.
In October SCP announced that guests at SCP Hotels have helped plant more than 100,000 trees by staying at SCP, as well as provide mental health tools and resources to 99,000 adolescents, and provided 82,000 days of light to families in need.
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"Together, we've planted the seeds of change and grown a forest," SCP said in an email about their Every Stay Does Good program.
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Be sure to check out SCP Depoe Bay here, as well as their Instagram and Facebook page.
Gracie's Sea Hag / Facebook
While you're in Depoe Bay don't forget to stop off for a bowl of award-winning clam chowder from Gracie's Sea Hag!
Please Note: Hiking, hiking and exploring in rain and fog, and watching winter storms on the coast are at-your-own-risk activities.
What's your favorite thing to do on the Oregon coast in fall? Let us know in the comments and tag the friends and family you want to go on an autumn adventure with!
