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Fab Oregon Coast Weather Ups Tourism, Business Numbers |
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Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Wadport, Yachats & Florence.
1/29/07
Secrets of the Season |
Fab Oregon Coast Weather Ups Tourism, Business Numbers
(Oregon
Coast) – With temperatures in the 50’s and 60’s, Oregon’s
coast was the warmest spot in the state this weekend, and consequently
it was sizzling hot as a destination for travelers.
Saturday, visitors flooded the central coast and created summer-like traffic conditions in towns like Newport and Lincoln City. Newport resident Melissa Haines said she saw something like 60 people cavorting around Fogarty Beach, which is between the two towns.
Later that night, many lodgings in Lincoln County sported “no vacancy” signs, such as Ashley Inn, Ocean Terrace or D Sands in Lincoln City, as well as several in Depoe Bay and Newport.
Inn At Spanish Head, Lincoln City. It's Lincoln City’s only resort hotel built right on the beach with all oceanfront rooms - nestled against a rugged cliffside overlooking a soft, sandy beach. Enjoy dining in the penthouse restaurant and bar - whether you’re in the mood for a casual meal or a candlelight dinner. They offer an array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest favorites, including a decadent Sunday buffet. Rooms range from bedrooms to studios to one-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators to full kitchens. Hotel amenities include wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise room and a year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game room and easy beach access. Full-service conference and meeting rooms for that inspirational retreat; extensive, gorgeous wedding possibilities. Near the south end of Lincoln City at 4009 SW Highway 101. 1-800-452-8127 or 541-996-2161. www.spanishhead.com |
BeachConnection.net editor Andre’ Hagestedt noted some of the bars were extremely busy, especially Roadhouse 101 in Lincoln City. “They were overwhelmed and we actually couldn’t get a drink,” he said. “It was one heck of a party atmosphere though; a lot of fun.”
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| Sunset at Village Market & Deli |
Maxwell’s – a karaoke bar in Lincoln City - had a good, healthy dose of business, said Hagestedt, but it wasn’t too crowded to handle the workload. Meanwhile, some places just didn’t snag attention, such as the eccentric Snug Harbor at the southern end of town. “They reported being slammed on Friday, but no one was there on Saturday,” Hagestedt said.
Up on the north coast, Keith Chandler, manager of Seaside Aquarium, said the aquarium and Seaside did great numbers.
“It was a really good weekend,” Chandler said. “There were a lot of people enjoying the beach.”
To add to the spice of things, aquarium staff had to deal with two seals that had wandered up onshore on the north coast. One yearling decided to take a nap in Cannon Beach; another hung out in Rockaway for a while.
“We know we’re getting lots of people by the amount of phone calls we get on seal strandings,” Chandler said. “We got a ton of calls.”
 |
| Seaside |
In Manzanita, San Dune Inn owner Brian Hines said he was almost completely full on Friday and Saturday, and the rest of the week looked good.
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“Friday was Robert Burns night at the San Dune Pub down the street with haggis, lamb stew and bagpipes,” Hines said. “We can attribute a couple of rooms to that deal. Most people are making reservations three to five days in advance, once the weather forecast firms up. Laneda looked busy whenever I ventured out.
“It’s hard to anticipate the mid week, but maybe the Buick set will light a fuse with all the good weather still.”
At Old Wheeler Hotel, just down the road from Manzanita, Winston Laszlo was extremely pleased with business numbers this weekend and the entire month of January. His hotel was full all weekend.
“These were all reservations, except one gentleman who walked up on Thursday and loved the place so much he extended two more nights,” Laszlo said. “We have been getting a fair amount of walk-up - especially since usually most all of our business is by reservation. The weather is undoubtedly a factor. The entire month has been solid, though. Last January, we had a total of 50 room-nights of occupancy for the entire month (our slowest of the year). This month, we are up to 80 room nights at the moment - and we still have a couple days left.”
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| Landmark Restaurant, Yacahts |
Most bars reported fantastic numbers throughout the weekend, as visitors and locals alike looked to be entertained after the sunny days ended.
“Viva
la January,” said Bruce Olson, owner of Landmark
Restaurant & Lounge in Yachats. His place is a live music hotspot
for the coast and was essentially rockin’ all weekend.
“People packed the restaurant all day Saturday and Sunday, and those in Saturday evening were blessed with an A-plus sunset, with magenta clouds streaming across the estuary, and the gulls and herons backlit by a full spectrum of color,” Olson said. “We had Flat Mountain Girls Friday night and Jake Blair Band Saturday, about as diverse a lineup as you imagine. Both nights were full with plenty of dancing and cheering. We had one group of 12 who took over a part of the bar and partied hearty all evening before filling up a local motel.”
“It felt like summer,” said Deb Trusty, co-owner of Village Market & Deli in Newport. “I don’t necessarily mean in the weather, but in terms of numbers of people. We did great this weekend.”
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| Dozens exploring Nye Beach on Sunday |
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While their sister business, Blu Cork Wine Bar, did okay, Trusty said, the Village Market was hopping with people who had stories of a busy weekend all around town. “You could tell there was a big influx of tourists,” she said. “One couple who came in said they got the last room at the Hallmark Resort. Yesterday was one of those days where you’re asked to stand in the photos of tourists. And I know there were a lot of people out enjoying the beach because I swept up a cupful of sand from the floor at closing tonight.”
Near Cannon Beach, Arch Cape House owner Barbara Dau was at capacity as well. Seventy percent of her guests at the castle-like B&B booked at least a week ahead of time, the other thirty percent a few days before. The big Murder Mystery Weekend took place in Cannon Beach this weekend, but Dau said her guests appeared to know nothing about the event.
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| Arch Cape House |
While things were obviously busy, Dau said the north coast wasn’t so busy that it was uncomfortable.
“I had trouble getting reservations for my guests at the best restaurants,” Dau said. “I was in Seaside today. It was an amazing spring day in January. And basically, there was no one there. It was all the pleasure and none of the hassle. My guests had no trouble finding parking but Manzanita and Cannon Beach were lively and active. It was the best of both worlds: fabulous weather and space to breathe.”
A1 Beach Rentals, Lincoln City. Perfect for large family vacations all the way down to a getaway lodging for two - with over 25 vacation rental homes to choose from. A breathtaking collection of craftsman or traditional beachfront homes, or oceanview houses – from one to seven bedrooms. In various areas of Lincoln City and overlooking the beach, with some in Depoe Bay. All kinds of amenities are available, like hot tubs, decks, BBQ, rock fireplaces, beamed ceilings and more. Some are new, some are historic charmers. Lincoln City, Oregon. 1-(503)-232-5984. www.a1beachrentals.com. |
Not everyone reported sky-high numbers, however. And some – like Dau - had a different perception of how the weekend went. “Our town has been quiet,” said Judy Joubert, of another castle-like B&B, Stone Crest Cellar, near Newport. “We have had a weekend of no guests.”
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| Stone Crest Cellar |
Still, Trusty and Chandler both believed the week would mean better than average numbers for weekdays with the continued stellar weather. “I had two tables today of locals who were to see what was in Nye Beach and take advantage of the weather,” Trusty said on Sunday. “They don’t want to come around here in summer when it’s packed, but they were happy to find us and said they’d be back.”
The warm weekend also
meant some wild and unusual sights and events, as well as one scientific
find for some BeachConnection.net staff members. Also spotted was the
strange “green flash at sunset,” some enormous and atypical
wave action, and the remarkable discovery that some tide pool creatures
make noises. Click here
for more on this out of the ordinary story.
Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms at the Tradewinds Motel are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones with data ports. The oceanfronts all have a queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and a private deck. Some oceanfront units come with all those amenities but the kitchens. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed with a queen bed, small fridge, and coffee maker – sizable for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. There is an elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite that has two bedrooms, coming with a kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For those wanting bigger accommodations for family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms are pet friendly.523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Getting a free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the beginning. Every room is beachfront, and it's all right up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach, next to the D River. Each room, comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some have gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players with movies available for renting (and movie rentals come with free popcorn). There's a heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep anywhere from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates are available, and they offer special occasion packages as well. To make a reservation and see a virtual tour of the rooms, visit our website at www.dsandsmotel.com. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925. |
Weiss' Paradise Suites & Vacation Rentals - Seaside
Unique Luxury Accommodations in Seaside. 1BR Suites,
1BR & 2BR Duplex Units and 3BR Houses, units for 2-8 people.
Rent our entire property for 20-26. All units close to beach, river
and Broadway St. |
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Lincoln City Vacation Homes There’s something for everyone among this selection of wondrous homes: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All the homes are either oceanfront or just a few steps away from the sand – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies, depending on the home: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets are allowed in some homes – ask ahead. Each comes with complete kitchens so you’ll have a home away from home. Most have the seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778. |
For weekly updated info on lodgings and accomodation reviews, see the Travel News section