Sheryl Anne“The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination, and brings eternal joy to the soul.” – Robert Wyland
Ahhh, Autumn – with its crisp air and falling leaves gracefully painting the ground in red, orange, and gold hues. I believe there is no other season quite so enchanting, so captivatingly beautiful. For me, Autumn is the cozy season – a time to bundle up and take walks with nature, alone with my thoughts, the crunch of vibrantly colored leaves beneath my feet. It is a time of thoughtful introspection. And in this season, year after year, I am drawn to the seashore for a weekend of rest, relaxation, and renewal. I find it along the shores of the Oregon Coast- a perfect autumn respite.
Every year, one of my closest friends and I choose a few days in the fall to slip away to the Oregon Coast, and this year was no exception. 2023 marks the fourth year of our coastal adventures, and I hope to continue the tradition for as many years as we are able to do so. Of course, the Oregon Coast, which sits along the Pacific Ocean, is a beautiful travel destination in the spring and summer with its warm temperatures and sandy beaches as far as the eye can see. So, what makes it so appealing in the fall? Well, for one, the lack of crowds. Booking a trip to the Oregon coast in what is considered the “off-season” assures a restful retreat where you’ll practically have the beach all to yourself! And bonus – the lodging prices are significantly lower.
This year, we started our adventures at the Tillamook Creamery. I highly recommend this free tour to see the cheese-making process. Large picture windows overlook the factory, where you can learn about Tillamook Farms and dairy products. The Creamery is open daily for tours from 10 am-6 pm and is well worth a visit. You can even shop at the Creamery Store for souvenirs, local beers, chocolates, and, of course, cheese!
There is a restaurant on site that I haven’t yet tried, but it seems always to be buzzing with activity, so that’s going on the to-do list for next year. Oh, and don’t forget to stop by the Cheese Mobile for a photo.
After some shopping in Tillamook, we make our way to Cannon Beach, a popular coastal town in Oregon. The drive is beautiful, with stunning ocean views on one side and gorgeous fall foliage on the other. Today, the weather cooperates nicely, save for the occasional gust of wind. Because it’s a chilly day, few other people are on the beach of this typically thriving tourist town.
I could honestly wander the beach forever. It’s my happy place. It doesn’t matter how many times I visit the seashore. Every time I set foot on the smooth golden sand and breathe in the sea air, I’m giddy with excitement. A child-like joy overcomes me, and everyday stresses and demands simply melt away. Wandering down the beach, I am one with the sound of gulls flying overhead and the rhythmic dance of waves kissing the shore, creating a timeless symphony of nature’s beauty and power.
Naturally, all that beachcombing makes a girl hungry. Oro’s Fireside Restaurant is a great place to grab some lunch. The atmosphere is comfortable, the staff is friendly and attentive, and the food is delicious! I ordered a bowl of chowder and a Virgin Mary on this particularly chilly afternoon. Both were outstanding.
With full tummies (and shopping bags), we bid farewell to Cannon Beach and head to Seaside, just a few miles down the road. Once again, we’re taken aback by the lack of traffic and tourists. It’s as if this sleepy little coastal town belongs to us alone.
Our go-to hotel is the Inn At The Shore, a charming, off-the-beaten-path hamlet a short distance from downtown Seaside with stunning waterfront views and easy access to the Promenade. It’s simple, it’s quiet, and it suits us just fine. Our room of choice is an oceanfront two-bedroom suite with a fireplace and plenty of room for making seasonal arts and crafts – a perfect retreat by the sea.
Although we’ve just checked into our cozy cottage room, we feel the ocean’s call and venture out again to explore. We follow the trail to the beach and are greeted by a friendly oceanfront Christmas tree. At least, that’s what I call it. It has grown quite a bit since last year, and I offer a salutation of, “Hello, little tree,” while thinking to myself that I really should bring some festive ornaments to decorate it one year.
Traveling with your best friend is something I recommend everyone do. Our yearly beach adventure is something we both look forward to, and I truly believe the time away helps me to be a better wife, mom, and Nana. Sometimes, we forget to make ourselves a priority. We get caught up in the busyness of life and seemingly endless commitments. But imagine if you took time to focus on you for a little while. Give yourself permission to recharge and refresh once in a while, whatever that looks like for you. The benefits are immeasurable.
After an evening of mocktails, charcuterie (with Tillamook cheese, of course), and Christmas movies, I drift off to the sound of the ocean roaring in the distance. It’s been a great trip so far, and I can’t wait to see what else the coast has in store for us.
After a restful night’s sleep, I awaken refreshed and ready to take on the day. The first order of business is coffee enjoyed on the balcony overlooking a spectacular sunrise, followed by a brisk walk on the beach. A misty rain is falling, so we bundle up in our hats and gloves before heading out to the beach, which is completely bare of visitors. The only life visible is the occasional gull or heron singing their morning song.
We have a full day ahead of us, so we get ready to head to downtown Seaside to check out the shops. It’s a Monday, and there are even fewer folks out and about, making it easy to find parking. An energizing stop at Beach Day Coffee is a must. Their handcrafted coffee drinks and homemade pastries made in-house are a must. Today, I opted for a seasonal eggnog latte and a fluffy bacon cheddar scone. I’m not kidding when I say it was probably the best scone I’ve ever had!
With coffee in hand, we head outside to the end of the Promenade. The wind blows lightly, and there is a chill in the air, but we can’t resist another walk on the beach.
The beach at Seaside beckons the child within to come out and play with two swing sets to be enjoyed by kids of all ages. Who can resist a ride on the swings? Certainly not me!
I hop on and start the gentle motion of pumping my legs, slowly at first, before soaring higher and higher, toes to the sky, evoking timeless memories of carefree childhood joy. You’re never too old to swing, especially when it includes a view like this! Pure bliss!
Feeling refreshed, we wander through Seaside’s charming downtown shops. One of my favorites, Tipton’s, already has a great selection of Christmas gifts and decor.
Soft piano music plays gently in the background, creating a warm and welcoming ambiance for shoppers. I can’t resist buying a little something every time I visit, and the staff is always gracious and lovely.
The Carousel Mall has a wide selection of souvenirs, gifts, and clothing, as well as, you guessed it, a working Carousel.
Another favorite stop in Seaside is a magical literary haven called Beach Books. I love perusing the aisles of bestsellers, rom-coms, and poetry, often purchasing a book or two to read on the beach or perhaps giving one as a gift when I return home.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, the friendly staff are happy to order books for you.
We’ve shopped to our heart’s content, and there’s still a lot of daylight left, so we decide to journey back to Cannon Beach. Along the way, we stop at Tolvana Beach State Recreation Site to take advantage of another beautiful beach. From here, you can see the backside of Haystack and other basalt rocks towering over the sea.
Similarly, Ecola State Park offers breathtaking cliffside views between Seaside and Cannon Beach, although getting there is a bit of an adventure. The narrow road is full of switchbacks and sharp curves through a lush Sitka forest, but the scenery and views are worth the trip. Just take it slow and watch for oncoming traffic.
We spend the afternoon dining on halibut and chips at Bill’s Tavern and Brewhouse, then shopping for genuine alpaca beanies at West of the Moon in Cannon Beach. Daylight is slipping away, and it’s time to return to our room in Seaside.
After another peaceful night’s rest, we rise and prepare to say goodbye to the ocean for another year. We start with an early morning walk on the Promenade before setting out to Pig N Pancake, our traditional final-day breakfast stop.
I treat myself to the same meal every year: a small stack of pecan pancakes smothered in whipped butter and maple syrup.
We make a brief stop at Schwietert’s Cones & Candy for some treats to take home. I opted for the chocolate orange sticks, a family favorite!
Naturally, we had to say goodbye to the beach before we left. Tina managed to befriend a seagull with an injured leg, and the sun came out to greet us, making it very difficult to leave.
But alas, all good things must come to an end, and it was time to head home refreshed, recharged, renewed, and very much looking forward to next year’s adventure. Thank you, Oregon Coast. You were the autumnal respite I was seeking, and I will be back.
Thank you for following along on another adventure. I hope I have inspired you to get out and explore! Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion, and be sure to follow my Ramble & Prose Instagram page.
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