Road Trip to Oregon - Vineyard and Beach Spots (Day 4 & 5)
South Beach State Park, OregonIn the last days of our Oregon road trip, we visited some great places. We had a quick wine tasting at Wilamette Valley Vineyards near Salem, Oregon, and explored many attractions along the central coast of Oregon. To top it off, we enjoyed a fantastic seafood combo. With that, our road trip in Oregon came to a wonderful end!
6 places to visit in central coast of Oregon
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Willamette Valley Vineyard near Salem, Oregon
Wilamette Valley Vineyard, near Salem, Oregon, is well-known for its delicious wines and beautiful views. It was a nice break for us since our road trip had been quite busy until this point. This vineyard has a special climate because it's close to the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by mountains. This creates a cool and perfect environment for growing grapes like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They really care about how they grow their grapes, focusing on being eco-friendly, which makes their wines show the unique qualities of the region.
Visiting Wilamette Valley Vineyards is a great experience. You can check out their big estate, including a nice tasting room and outside seating space with vineyards and valley views all around. The staff is really friendly and will tell you about their award-winning wines and the history of the vineyard. You can even try some tasty food and wine combinations, which make your tasting experience even better. They also had some live music, which was really cool.
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Lincoln City Beach
After our visit to Wilamette Valley Vineyard, we drove to Lincoln City Beach. It was a refreshing change of scenery, and we'd been eager to experience the Pacific Northwest again. We had fond memories of Canon Beach from years ago and were excited to explore this area. Lincoln City Beach in Oregon boasts vast, golden sands that stretch as far as the eye can see. You can take a leisurely stroll or bask in the sun while enjoying the fresh ocean breeze, although it can get pretty windy. Here, you can appreciate the mighty Pacific Ocean waves and explore a charming coastal town nearby. The town offers quaint shops, delicious fresh seafood, and stunning views of the rugged coastline.
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Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint
We headed south and made a stop at Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint, which is a popular destination located on the Oregon coast. The viewpoint offers stunning vistas of the Pacific Ocean and is an ideal spot for whale watching during their migration season. Visitors can also witness the remains of the J. Marhoffer shipwreck, which ran aground in 1910. Additionally, there are picnic tables and restrooms available for visitors to enjoy a relaxing day by the ocean.
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Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Yaquina Head Lighthouse is easy to spot with its tall white tower standing on rugged cliffs. This lighthouse was built in 1873, and it's the tallest one in Oregon. Over the years, it has helped many ships navigate through dangerous waters. The surrounding area, known as the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, lets visitors explore different coastal environments, see amazing ocean views, and even spot marine animals.
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South Beach State Park - Campground and beach
Located on the central Oregon coast, South Beach State Park offers visitors a pristine natural environment with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The park boasts miles of sandy beaches, hiking trails, and campsites for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. Whether you come for a day trip or stay for a week, South Beach State Park is the perfect destination for those looking to experience the beauty of the Oregon coast.
For our fourth night on the road trip, we stayed at the park campground. We had a quick dinner and watched an exciting NBA playoff game (luckily, we had good cell reception there), and then we called it a night.
South Beach Fish Market
On our way back home, we made a stop at the South Beach Fish Market. They serve a variety of seafood made with locally sourced ingredients. We tried their fish and chips along with clam chowder, and it was absolutely delicious. It left us eager to return and sample more items from their menu in the future. If you're in this area, you definitely should give it a try.
