Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: Oregon Coast Trip July 23-30, 2022 Part 1

(Items with an * will be reviewed at the end of the blog)

Eight years ago, after I had gone through cancer treatment, 3 of my friends joined me in Oregon for an amazing trip to Zig Zag, Oregon up on Mount Hood. We rented an amazing house, visited all the sights, and began a tradition, an almost yearly girls’ trip to different places. This year was an Oregon Coast trip, traveling from Bandon to Seaside.

 I’ve known Debbie since 7^th grade, Kelley and Susie were friends in high school, Anaheim High class of ’73, over 50 years of friendship, and still having fun together. Debbie lives in Menifee, California and Susie lives in Bullhead City, Arizona so they both flew up here on Saturday to Portland, (I live across the river in Vancouver, WA) .  Kelley lives in Shelton, Washington, just up the road so she drove down to meet up with us. 

We spent Saturday night at the Country Inn and Suites* near Portland airport heading out to the coast early Sunday morning.  We ate dinner at a place I have never been to before, Cha Cha Cha  Taqueria* at Cascade Station.  Florence would be our first stop, before heading to Bandon.  That trip, in itself, was quite the adventure.

There are many routes to get to the coast from Portland, depending on where you want to end up, and how much coast driving you want to do. We took highway 26 to 6, where we would have come out near Tillamook, however there was a crash on 6 that sent us on a detour. We decided to drive a much different route than I had ever done before. Beautiful scenery, farm country, wheat fields and rustic barns. This route also took us to McMinnville, where we could check out the Spruce Goose at the air museum. However, it cost $15 to get in and we decided to just peek at it through the window.  Next stop was McDonalds for the potty, and a little something to eat, and the first of many Lucy moments for Debbie.

As we were standing in line at McDonald’s to order, Debbie asked for the keys to get in the trunk for something she needed.  She soon came back in, with a look of terror on her face. She told us she thinks she locked the keys in the trunk! Yes, she did. I thought we would be calling a locksmith, but fortunately Susie had AAA.  Praise the Lord!!  Took him an hour and half to get there, and got the car door open, but the trunk wouldn’t open, the release button wouldn’t work. augh!  He finally got the back seat off, but the hole to the trunk was too small for suitcases to come out or for any of us old ladies to get in.

Taking almost everything but the suitcases out, Debbie finally could see the keys, but couldn’t reach them.  Kelly then enlisted some help from a family with young teens equipped with small bones!  An amazing young lady did get in there and was able to reach the keys!  Hallelujah!  We tried to reward that sweet girl with money, but Mom said no, just pay it forward. I asked the girl her name, it was Grace.  I told her she was our Saving Grace.  So wonderful to experience such kind and generous people. 

The reason it is referred to as a “Lucy moment” is that someone said on FB this sounded like an adventure from “I Love Lucy”. But this was not the last of Debbie’s Lucy moments, 4 or 5 in all and I think I had 1 or 2 myself.  Makes for fun memories, and someday, maybe, we will laugh at it all.

Finally on the road again, we headed for the coast, coming out in Newport OR.  There we visited a hippie store.  Us 70’s girls enjoyed it, taking us back to our high school days.  Getting hungry we then headed south again, stopping in Depoe Bay for dinner at The Chowder Bowl*. The small little town is where Kelley fell in love………with clam chowder!!  Unbelievable, she had never had it before, but she had clam chowder every day for the rest of the trip. (PS, I love Depoe Bay, smallest Harbor in the world and great whale watching opportunities.)

We changed up the itinerary a bit, to be able to get to the motel by 7pm. Our only stop before getting to Florence that evening was at Thor’s Well.  Just south of Yachats OR is Cape Perpetua, and Thor’s well is just one of a few amazing sites in this area.  Thor’s Well is an old sea cave that collapsed, and now is a seemingly bottomless hole, where the ocean shoots up out of it as the waves roll in.  It is best observed at high tide, but I have been there a few times and have not been disappointed.

Near here at milepost 166 is Cleft of the Rock Lighthouse, privately owned.  Not able to visit, but you can see it from the side of the road.  We missed seeing it this trip, but I have seen it before.  No stamp in my passport though.

Finally arrived at our motel a bit after 7 pm and was greeted by a very frazzled but super sweet manager.  It was the Ocean Breeze Motel*, right on Hwy 101.  We all were quickly settled in and sleeping soundly after an eventful day!

This motel had no breakfast, so we decided to start our day at a local restaurant, The Dunes Café*, for a delicious hot breakfast before getting back on the road.  First stop was the Heceta Head Lighthouse, just north of Florence, OR.  I have been here many times, and it has a scenic walk up to the lighthouse and a beach as well.  Three of us made the 15-minute trek up the trail.  About halfway up there is the lighthouse keepers’ home and is now a bed and breakfast.  Tours are not available currently, but years ago I did get the opportunity to go inside and tour the first floor.  The lighthouse is open, but not to go up the stairs.  The view, however, is spectacular. 

On the way back down, we stopped at the gift shop.  I was able to buy a Lighthouse Passport and got my first stamp there.  I love visiting lighthouses and hope to fill the book up someday.

Lucy moment number 2: Debbie lost her phone somewhere between the bridge (she took a picture of it so knew she had it then) and the car.  She realized it on our drive out so we turned around, (no cell service to call her phone!) and back tracked.  Took a while but Kelly did finally find it in the car between the seats, so we were soon back on the road.

Next stop was the Sea Lion Caves, just south of the lighthouse.  It was very interesting but required many steps!! First down to see them on the rocks below, then again to get to the elevator that takes you down 600 feet to the caves.  We discovered that you had to move around to see all the sea lions throughout the cave.  A lot of fun.  Back up to the top and on the road again. Still had a long way to go. 

We discovered that you had to move around to see all the sea lions throughout the cave.  A lot of fun.  Back up to the top and on the road again. Still had a long way to go. 

We decided to stop in Coo’s Bay for dinner, at The Boat Fish and Chips*.  Susie had been there recently on a road trip with her husband.  Coo’s Bay is a cute town with some interesting shops, but we still had a long way to go.

We did though make a stop at the Umpqua Lighthouse (passport stamp #2 & #3).  It is open for tours, but by reservation only, and we missed the last tour.  The gift shop is awesome, lots of great souvenir ideas.  There is also a museum there, but we didn’t have time for a visit, next time for sure.

Finally arrived at our hotel, Sunset Oceanfront Lodge*, after 7 pm again.  Location was amazing, great view and beach access if you don’t mind the walking.  It was right across from Face Rock Beach, with many rock formations and caves.  Face Rock itself looks like a head laying back in the water, just amazing. While the location was perfect, the room had a lot to be desired. (See review below!)  But we somehow made it work for 3 nights.  

The hotel did have a decent breakfast, and after that we headed to downtown Bandon.  It is a cute little town, with lots of interesting shops and restaurants.  The only problem was many were closed on Tuesday and/or Wednesday, due to staff shortages.  There were enough open for us to enjoy some shopping  (and spending too much money!).

 Just past the stores is the pier, where a lot of people were crabbing. We had the amazing opportunity to talk with a gentleman who had already caught quite a few crabs.  He was very friendly and informative, so we learned a lot of interesting crabbing facts.  Even brought up one of his traps, but the crab was too small and had to get thrown back.  I had been in the seafood business 30 years and even I learned a thing or two. 

Sue and I wondered over to a store called Farm & Sea a specialty market that sells fresh seafood and other specialty items. I got a Lobster roll (fake lobster)  and Sue got a crab dip with crackers.  We relaxed on the pier for a while and enjoyed our snacks.

Next stop was Facerock Creamery, recommended by our friend in Florence.  She said we had to get cheese curds.  We got the last package they had! It is a very small operation but was interesting to visit. Snacked on the cheese curds later that night.

We then went across the street to eat at The Station*, late lunch.  They close at 2 pm, so we got in there just in time.  We decided to go back to the motel, then take a walk on the beach.  A quick drive down the road there was an easier beach access trail and we walked maybe a mile down the beach.  Although a bit cold for my California/Arizona friends, I was loving it, even walked in the water. 

Last day in Bandon before heading north we headed for the Coquille River Lighthouse (and another stamp) at the end of the jetty.  It was old, no longer in operation, but the couple were very nice and informative.  It was a beautiful drive, and the view of course is spectacular.  We stopped at a small beach on our way back. Sand was so super soft, very difficult walking up the hill, but the beach had a lot of driftwood, very beautiful.  On the way back we passed a campground that jogged my memory, I had been camping there before and did some crabbing then.  Probably been 20 years, but the best crab I ever ate! 

We then headed back to downtown, and to a museum called Washed Ashore.  All the exhibits are made up of trash pulled from the ocean.  Sad, but very informative. (future blog)   

Headed back down to the pier for food, we ate at the Bait Shop*!  Yes, that is what it is, but also a fast-food type restaurant. 

Back at the hotel, I decided to walk on the beach myself.  Across from the hotel are steps down to the beach, 143 of them!  Yes, I did it, and the walk was amazing. I got to see the caves and interesting rock formations up close, and more walking in the ocean.  One of the events we really wanted to see was the Circles in the Sand, but it wasn’t happening until Friday after we were gone.  But I did see a bit of it in the sand, it was awesome. 

Next day, we headed north,  238 miles to Seaside and the blog for part 2 of our adventure coming soon!

Reviews

Hotels:

Country Inn and Suites, 7025 NE Alderwood Rd  Portland, OR Nice hotel and very convenient to the airport.  Room was big and beds comfortable.  Restaurant in hotel, but for dinner we went out.  Breakfast was good and we were able to get some snacks for the road.  There was a gentleman that worked there that was so nice and helpful, went above and beyond when I needed some coffee. 

Ocean Breeze Motel, 85165 US-101 Florence, OR We LOVED this small motel, right on Highway 101.  The manager was super nice and so energetic, running this place with only her granddaughter and 1 housekeeper!  The room was big and comfortable, and décor was impressive.  Only draw back was no breakfast, but I would definitely stay here again! 

Sunset Oceanfront Lodge, 1865 Beach Loop Rd  Bandon OR I must confess, when I booked this room, the description DID say rustic!  And it was that.  The room only had double beds, was VERY small, and the color scheme was very retro, yellow I believe.  The beds weren’t too bad comfort wise, but SO small for two old ladies in each bed.  The shower was difficult to figure out, but we did.  The view however was amazing but there was a lot of fog most of the time.  Easy access to the beach if you don’t mind a lot of stairs or a short drive down the road.  Staff was very nice, and there was a laundry facility that we used,  and breakfast was good.  Probably wouldn’t book here again, unless desperate.   At the time I booked it, there didn’t seem to be a lot of availability in Bandon, but when we were there, we saw lots of other options.  Beach house rental piqued our interest for sure.

Restaurants:

Cha Cha Cha Taqueria, 10107 NE Cascade Station Pkwy Portland OR                                                                Even though I live close to this restaurant, this was my first time here.  The staff was awesome, especially our server, he was moving fast! The food was delicious.  We had tacos, taquitos and I enjoyed an enchilada.  I did want Camarones but they were out. 

Chowder Bowl, 40 US-101 Depoe Bay, OR                                                                                    We all agreed the clam chowder here was delicious, thus began Kelley’s journey to eat all the clam chowder she could!!  I had the sea scallops, they were fantastic.  Debbie had the chicken strips and chips, but wasn’t impressed, not crispy enough.  I have eaten here before and always have enjoyed.

The Dunes Café, 1780 OR-126 Florence, OR                                                                                                        They had a breakfast special, smoked brisket omelet, which Susie and I shared, it was fantastic and filling even just having half.  Kelley enjoyed some GIANT pancakes!  Very busy, so service was a tad slow. We did observe people at the counter got served faster.

Boat Fish and Chips, 102 Hall Ave Coo’s Bay, OR                                                                                        We stopped here on the recommendation of Susie, she had been there before with her husband when they did a road trip up the coast.  Kelley of course enjoyed her bread bowl clam chowder.  I had fried cod and oysters with fries and Cole slaw.  Cod was good, oysters didn’t taste fresh, but the Cole slaw was so yummy.  Service here was VERY slow, restaurant was full. 

The Station,  635 2^nd St SE Bandon, OR                                                                                                                        I enjoyed a crab melt sandwich, and tater tots, it was good, but the crab was imitation crab. Debbie had a club sandwich, and sweet potato fries.  The clam chowder had bacon in it, which I love, but it wasn’t quite as thick as others we had. Service was top notch.  They made a mistake with one of the meals, and more than made it right.  Will definitely go back here when in Bandon.

Bandon Bait, 1101 1^st St SE, downtown Bandon, OR                                                                                            We all just enjoyed some fish and chips, shrimp and fish wraps, and of course clam chowder.  Seating is outside, but it was a beautiful day.  Very popular eatery in Bandon downtown, noticed a lot of locals eating there.