Best Vacation Home Rentals on the Oregon Coast
Over the 8 years plus living in Oregon people are always asking me what is the best vacation spot on the Oregon Coast. The obsession with the Oregon Coast is real. The jagged rocky coastline juxtaposition by dense forest, the sand dunes juxtaposition the best surf spots is as robust and unique as Oregon.
The Oregon coast offers vacations for just about any type of traveler. Hidden camping spots along the beach, RV parking in the Dunes, Redwood forest treehouses or lakehouses in Coos Bay and Florence all offer different activities and pricepoints for each type of traveler. Crabbing, golfing, mountain biking, ATVing and sand surfing are just a few of the outdoor enthusiast activities. So I start there with my traveler. What adventure are you looking for? Then like one of those books we read in the fourth grade in the 90s we “pick our own adventure.” and the itinerary goes from there.
Recently, my family and I rented an RV locally in Grants Pass from Outdoorsy https://www.outdoorsy.com/ and headed North to Florence. Florence is home to one of many Oregon Coast Sand Dunes as well as home to some of the best lakes in all of Oregon. 10-mile lake and Woahink Lake offer close proximity to the ocean with warmer calmer water than the Oregon Coast. Bring your paddle board, ski boat or sand surf right down to the lakefront. Stay the night in your RV at one of the many Dunes campgrounds: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=95
My sister reached out and is traveling with 4 friends. They are coming from all over the United States. She wanted beach views and a quaint walkable downtown with good restaurants. With this criteria my personal opinion is California does it better. If you want the surf vibe, shopping and beach head to Newport Beach or Venice Beach in California. The closest Oregon equivalents are Seaside, Manzanita and Pacific City as a quieter, more low-key vibe.
What Oregon has that is unique to Oregon it’s 100% natural beauty. You’re not getting the commercially enhanced California version here. Jagged coastline, jetty boats, insane pine trees, hiking through coastal rainforests and sand dunes scatter along the coastline.
My criteria for beach houses on the Oregon coast include these 3 things to always include:
1) Hot Tub. Oregon Coast is cold, foggy and rainy. A hot tub after an Oregon day is a good thing.
2) Sweatshirts and a wetsuit. Always bring layers and a sweatshirt helps with the Oregon rain and wind. Leave your shorts, flip flops and tank tops at home.
3) Lots of games, good books and fun things to do indoors.
In the 5 options below you’ll see inspired design is among the top of our criteria. As a design firm we strongly believe the aesthetics of a house are as important to us as the price, location and views.
Blue Ocean Beauty located on Cape Meares: https://www.vacasa.com/unit/14337 features a convenient location, gorgeous pine and staggering rock formation views. Close proximity to Tillamook cheese factory, Cape Meares lighthouse and Bayocean Peninsula Park.
The Clay Miller House - Gearhart, OR https://www.vacasa.com/unit/3006
A lovely quiet town 3 miles north of Seaside. Features big grassy coastline with tucked away Sand Dunes, big pine trees and loads of character.
Olivia Beach in Lincoln City boasts close proximity to a larger coastal town but still maintains its Cape Cod picture perfect charm. A newer development perched on the cliffs above the beach below features charming homes with large front porches, hot tubs, community pool, playground and community beach firepite. Lots of activities close by with a Marina for fishing, lake trips and family friendly outings: https://www.oliviabeachrentals.com
Tillamook Treehouse with 5 Star Amenities. Perched up above the coastline this modern treehouse has all the amenities of a 5 star hotel with sprawling views overlooking Tillamook Bay. Visit the famed Tillamook Creamery, watch the Jetty boats or explore Tillamook State Forest close by. https://evolve.com/vacation-rentals/us/or/bay-city/442093
Seaside Beachfront. And if I hadn’t already talked you out of Oregon’s quaint beach towns with surf shops and beautiful sprawling white sand beaches. This vacation home in Seaside, Oregon home would do the trick. Steps from the sand with close proximity to chowder and downtown entertainment. https://www.vrbo.com/1700141?_branch_match_id=769800128723220828&adultsCount=5&arrival=2021-10-21&childAgeString=%7B%7D&departure=2021-10-24&oc=1uLpqQ4K3bU8N8qd2FXcL&utm_campaign=earned%3Avrbo%3Ashare%3AXXX%3AUS%3Aios&utm_content=1700141&utm_medium=social&utm_source=direct
