Head for the central Oregon Coast, past beautiful Siletz Bay, and you'll discover Gleneden Beach, complete with its rugged cliffs and endless views. This is home to all sorts of amazing wildlife, plus lots of special viewing sites where you can watch it. The uber-smart Salishan Spa & Golf Resort is yours and the scenic Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area is in the neighbourhood, a vast hollow rock formation shaped like a punch bowl.
The Cascade Dining Room, in Salishan Resort, is famed for its great food and brilliant sea views.
There are some lovely hiking trails. The Yaquina Head Lighthouse is Oregon's highest at a dizzying 93 feet, with 114 stairs to climb for stunning ocean views. And Cape Foulweather was discovered by our very own Captain James Cook in 1778, 500 feet up and an excellent location for watching whales.
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A calendar-full of annual festivals to join in with and experience the local vibe
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Surfing competitions and kite flying
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Mushroom cook-offs and seafood 'n' chowder cook-offs
Take a road trip along Three Capes Loop, north of Gleneden Beach and a truly spectacular narrow, winding drive through deep forests and enormous dunes.
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The Cascade's casual little sister is the Cedar Tree restaurant, also in the resort, with picture windows of its own and clear views into the kitchen. Their breakfasts are, apparently, 'extensive' and involve much more variety than the usual stateside early morning fare. Yum.
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The Salishan resort also has an 18 hole golf course with splendid views
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The resort also includes a small mall, gallery, wine shop, deli, souvenir shops and a spa
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The wind is a major attraction on this section of the Oregon coast, which makes kite flying one of its best-loved activities
You'll find a choice of camping and RV sites at nearby Beverly Beach State Park and South Beach State Park, both south of Gleneden. And lovely South Beach offers great kayaking.
Cape Kiwanda is the windiest place on this coast. The stiff winds make big, dramatic waves crash onto the shore with the sound of thunder, making it a sight worth seeing. Wow.
The coastline here is studded with little towns, each with its own personality. Depoe Bay is six miles from Gleneden and Lincoln Beach is just two miles away. Lincoln City is seven miles away, Otter Rock 11 miles, Seal Rock 29 miles and Toledo 25. Newport itself is just 18 miles from Gleneden, perfect for a taste of big city living Oregon-style. Gleneden is tiny but there's plenty to do and see. The art galleries are excellent, showcasing lots of great local art and the perfect place to pick up a unique souvenir. You can catch a musical or play at Eden Hall or visit craggy, wild Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint with its wind-whipped seas and breathtaking ocean views.
Why 'Boiler' Bay? In 1910 the J Marhoffer sank offshore and you can still see its boiler at low tide. This is one of the state's best birding sites, home to shearwaters, jaegers, albatrosses, grebes, pelicans, loons, oystercatchers and more. Head for D River Recreation Area, home to the planet's shortest river at 120 feet long, flowing from Devils Lake into the sea. The recreation area hosts the annual 'Finders Keepers' event where hand-blown glass floats are floated off for lucky people to find and keep. Or find Fogarty Creek, where the creek and ocean meet, with its wind-free, sheltered picnic areas.