Secrets of the Season

Family Fun Nightlife Frivolity Subscribe to BC news RSS Feeds Add BC news to YOUR site

Sun and Fun To Remain on Oregon Coast

Odd haze out to sea during sunset (Newport, late October)

(Oregon Coast) – “It's absolutely gorgeous - this is like the last weekend of perfect weather before it gets darker and colder and stormy,” said Danielle Emerick, manager of Newport Hotel Starfish Point.

She echoes the sentiment of many watching the weather along the Oregon coast, which has been stunning for over a week, and is predicted to stay that way most of the time for the next week. Temperatures may be a bit chilly at times – in the 50’s – but the sun remains strong, winds at a minimum and the finds in the natural world are amazing left and right.

The forecast calls for some possible cloudy and rainy periods this week, but mostly it’s expected to remain the warm, clear conditions that have been reminiscent of the usual second summer atmosphere that the coast missed out on this September and October. On the coast are the same kind of blue skies as in the valley and Portland area, but you’ve got the added benefits of all the natural wonders that the coast can throw at you. See more at Oregon Coast Weather

Strange haze on the horizon at Depoe Bay, just before sundown

“I would tell everyone to come on down,” Emerick said. “Winter rates are in effect, restaurants aren’t crowded, no lines at attractions, and with the weather the way it is, it’s like summer without the hassles. Do bring a warm coat, it’s not as hot as summer either.”

In Seaside, Chris Bendickson – who runs the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites – said the hotel has been quite swamped. “Seaside has been getting a good number of walk-ins each evening due to the nice weather,” Bendickson said. “Rates have been fairly low which I believe is helping to keep folks here a bit longer. The weather forecasts that I am seeing are certainly calling for dryer days and only one or two evenings of light showers for the upcoming week.”

Last weekend, some unusual conditions offshore were creating an extraordinary amount of haze, perhaps 12 miles out or more. Some have postulated it was smoke from the California wildfires or other fires in the coast range drifting around the ocean. In any case, it caused some extra wild sunset conditions, with more intense colors than normal.

Depoe Bay's wild waves during sunny conditions this past week

Waves were also acting rather crazy, as if another storm was headed this way. Big waves are created by large winds far out to sea. But those circumstances changed later this week.

“We've had gorgeous red and gold sunsets,” said Peg Leoni, of Troller’s Lodge in Depoe Bay. “The ocean was calm earlier this week but very active, very loud last night.”

Newport beach expert Guy DiTorrice echoed that. “Waves have been mild to moderate,” he said. “Not seeing a lot of surfers out there, from Beverly Beach to South Beach. But there are some folks catching waves.”

Newport’s A.T. Ronan, who heads up the Oyster Cloyster feast happening Saturday night at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, said it’s perfect weather to visit the beach and attend the gala.

Wild beach finds like this one could be possible: a Japanese glass float found by Danielle Emerick of Newport two years ago

The weird sunsets have dissipated a bit, say locals, but with clear skies like these, they’re still enormously spectacular. “Sunsets have been absolutely color-filled - deep reds and purples,” DiTorrice said. “But haven't seen any green flashes as we always have some sort of partial cloud cover toward the west. Yes, we're going to get some smoke from the California fires, but there are also some huge slash burns east of Lincoln City/Siletz and Newport/Toledo that look like huge fog banks at altitudes higher than the Coast Range that were heading west this past weekend.”

Nature is putting on a show in other ways, said Bendickson.

“I have seen quite a few deer and elk along Hwy 101 just south of the Relief Pitcher Tavern,” he said. “It is a beautiful sight every time I see the herds, and even though I have witnessed it many times over the years, I still stop to take time to enjoy the view.

Beaches are deserted but sunny this week (pictured: a secret spot near Pacific City)

“I have also seen a lot of different birds in the area over the past week. I’m not an expert in ornithology, but there seems to be some species that I have not seen in the area in the past. I wonder if they have flown north to get away from the fires in southern California.”

It’s a little bit late to call it the famed “second summer” phenomenon – which generally brings extremely warm conditions to coast. But it didn’t really happen on time this year, instead showing up in between big storms.

“This is what us coasties usually experience in early October through mid-November,” DiTorrice said. “Those early storms last month did two things: took the knees out of some of our regular visitor business and got us serious beachcombers excited about sand moving off the beaches.”

Then there’s the whole beachcombing aspect of the coast, which was in hyperdrive last week, after the previous week’s storms scoured lots of sand away and left interesting debris everywhere.

Seaside: things are clear and pleasant this week

All that sort of stuff easily falls under DiTorrice’s expertise, who runs beach fossil tours under the name Oregon Fossil Guy.

“Beachcombing is superb this time of year,” he said. “No crowds. Sand is carpeted and covers many rocky areas and gravel bars that make winter walking a little more cautious.

“This is the time of year when some driftwood collecting takes place. The beach debris has had the whole summer to dry out and the pieces at the high-tide areas and below bluffs have been tossed around enough that there's a good supply of twisted, bark-free pieces folks find so attractive to score.

“This is also the time of year where you'll find the last of the summer stuff - empty plastic bottles, empty foreign-languaged shampoo or soap containers, pieces of former Styrofoam coolers and some of the plastic floats. Oh yeah, you'll also find an occasional plastic sand shovel - the ones that usually accompany the sand pails younger folks use on the beach. Strange thing, always find the little shovels - seven so far this year - but never the buckets. I use them to stabilize my float shelf at home.”

Leoni has a less complex outlook on the coast, but just as pertinent.

“We think the coast is great no matter what the weather,” she said. “Layers of clothing and something water repellant is all you ever need.”

Inn at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms. Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly. Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com.

RELATED STORIES

Prepare for Freaky, Creepy Mole Crabs on Oregon Coast Beaches The little critters make the tideline bubble and feel really weird as they run across your feet

Watching Transformations of Oregon Coast Beaches Seasons change and so do beaches, revealing different sides and a variety of eye-popping sights

Structures Found on Oregon Beach May Be 80,000 Years Old - They are the remnants of a forest apparently 80,000 years old, found at Hug Point

Day or Night Mysteries and Merriment on Oregon Coast It's more than just nightlife that comes to life, but the beaches offer major opportunities

Oregon Coast Travel Site Goes Wireless Provides Lodging Reports - Oregon Coast Beach Connection now has mobile lodging and dining listings, along with weekly lodging availability reports

CONTACT BEACH CONNECTION