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Coastal Oregon – The Road Less Traveled

Tags: BC Getaways, Featured, Features, Hotels, Islands and Beaches, Oregon, West Coast Road Trip


West Coast Road Trip (continued) 

Netarts Oregon Coast Road Trip Sunset Silhouette
We had reached the destination of our road trip (Portland, Oregon) and the journey home was imminent. Normally when heading home from anywhere I start thinking about all the things I need to get done back home… but not this time. Though we would be home in mere days I knew there were still exciting adventures ahead in coastal Oregon. The truth is, at every stop on this road trip I saw something unexpected. Each place was totally unlike the last and yet we hadn’t actually traveled far at all. I realized that every place is special and every place has something to explore.

My good friend Jason Jue told me something about this that I’ve never forgotten. He is the happiest person I know. I asked, if you could sum it up, how do you stay happy? He told me, “I never have expectations about anything. And get lost once in a while.” 

The Oregon Coast Magazine publishes a free Mile-by-Mile Guide of the entire Oregon Coast which you can download, print or request a printed copy that will be mailed to you. Two and a half hours down the coast you’ll hit the town of Florence – if you’re an animal lover like me, stop at the country’s largest sea cave and it’s filled with sea lions.

Quick Stop in Tillamook
We left Portland and went to the Coast, to the city of Tillamook. Why Tillamook, you ask? I love cheese, I love ice cream, I’m near the town, so why not? It was a good call. Tillamook Farms is 1.5 hours west of Portland. I cycled through their buffet style cheese tastings at least twice before zipping through the self-guided factory tour. They have a gift shop that I can only describe as totally entertaining and made for a lot of silly photos and good laughs. And the ice cream… they have an ice cream shop with flavors that sound (and taste) heavenly and soft as clouds.

Beachfront Accommodations In Netarts
We stayed the night at the Terimore Motel in the nearby coastal town of Netarts, Oregon. It’s an older and somewhat rundown property that offers cottages, cabins and regular rooms. But the real star here is their private access right onto the beach. We arrived just in time to enjoy the sunset and it was a really fantastic moment. Pure quiet… not a soul anywhere….it was dreamy…
Netarts Oregon Coast Road Trip Orange Sunset at Beach

Empty and mysterious is the beach in Netarts, Oregon.

Netarts Oregon Coast Road Trip Orange Sunset on Beach

My tribute photo to the Oregon State Tree: The Douglas Fir.

Netarts Oregon Coast Road Trip Sunset Stairs to Beach

Our private path from the Terimore Motel to the beach.

Netarts Oregon Coast Road Trip Sunset Rocky Beach

Sunset reflections on the pebble-filled shore.

Netarts Oregon Coast Road Trip Sunset Beach Bench

The view from the motel’s ocean-front deck.

Terimore Motel Lodges Cottages Netarts Oregon Coast

The Terimore Motel located on the Oregon Coast.

On our way out of town the next day, I couldn’t help but notice this wild local thrift store in Netarts called Lex’s Cool Stuff (below). What a trip. I had to include it in this post because it really says something. What exactly, I’m not sure.

Netarts Oregon Coast Road Trip Lexs Cool Stuff Thrift Shop

Welcome to “Lex’s Cool Stuff” in Netarts, Oregon.

This series is called the Road Less Traveled for a reason. There are dozens of popular places along coastal Oregon to visit. But here, in this small, quiet town of Netarts which is not even on some maps, I found exactly what I was looking for and didn’t even know it.

Never Stop Exploring.
Helpful Guides for Planning a Visit to Oregon:
Oregon Coast Visitors Association Complete Coastal Guide (this is the best guide in my opinion)
Travel Oregon (Tourism Office) Complete Guide to the Oregon Coast

Trip Advisor Top Oregon Destinations & Activities
List of current Oregon Coast Guide Books

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Meet Suzette
suzetteHoly crap, you found me. That’s fantastic. I’m Suzette and I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve built a successful career as a travel photographer where I have the opportunity to work from anywhere in the world, and run this blog where I share inspiration for YOUR travel photography. This website is specifically for those of us who love to wander with our cameras. We take it slow. We are curious. We love nature and the outdoors. Most of all, we love taking great photographs.

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