Driving along the Oregon coast is a breathtaking experience. Even amateur photographers will go home with stacks of Oregon coast images! From the bountiful Oregon flowers blooming almost year round to seashells, sunsets, whale watching, and aquarium experiences, you will find something amazing to enjoy everywhere you look.
Oregon Coast Flowers
Oregon coast flowers are known for their long blooming seasons; daffodils begin blooming as early as February and enourmous rhododendrons bloom almost year-round. Hydrangeas, poppies, and tulips are other commonly-seen Oregon coast flowers. Proud gardeners will carefully tend their Oregon coast flower beds and place jars of huge, bright dahlias on the roadside with a hand-painted sign explaining that if you would like a bouquet, just help yourself and put a few dollars in a nearby box. It’s an experience not to be missed: pulling over at one of these unmanned oregon coast flower stands and selecting flowers to accompany you on your trip! Calla lilies thrive on the Oregon coast; in fact, you can order bouquets or bulbs from any where in the country through a wonderful supplier aptly named Oregon Coastal Flowers. When you’ve returned home and are missing the Oregon coast, flipping through the Oregon coast images you brought back with you, why not order yourself a beautiful bouquet to bring your memories back to life?
Oregon Coast Seashells
The Oregon coast attracts beachcombers aplenty. The Oregon Beach Bill, passed in 1967, allows free beach access to everyone. Oregon coast seashells are prized souvenirs! To hunt for your own coastal treasures, walk along the debris line left by the retreating high tide and keep an eye out for seashells hidden in the seaweed. Seaside cove is known for its abundant starfish and hermit crabs, and nearby Acadia beach is a highly recommended location for finding sand dollars. Also keep an eye out for sea-sculpted driftwood, glass floats, and agates. While hunting for treasures at your feet, be sure to look up now and then to enjoy the dramatic Oregon coast images around you! Rocky cliffs, tidal streams, seabirds and tough little sand-flowers are all part of your Oregon coast experience. The cliffs overlooking the beach can actually be another source for Oregon coast seashells – as long as you don’t mind that they’re terribly old! Storms batter the cliffs and erode them away a bit at a time, so you never know when you might find a fossilized Oregon coast seahell.
Seaside Oregon Coast Sunset
Seaside OR Sunset
A trip to the ocean isn’t complete without enjoying the over-the-top Oregon coast sunsets. Search the internet for Oregon coast sunsets and you will find more sunset photographs than you ever thought existed! Don’t be dismayed by clouds or fog; although they sometimes hide the glorious image of the sun sinking past the curve of the watery horizon, they are just as likely to enhance the beauty of the Oregon coast sunset or even suddenly clear up completely. Embrace this time of day with a romantic beach picnic dinner (even by yourself or with friends!). Watch the sun set past the Oregon coast, and make sure to have a blanket to curl up in while you stay and watch the stars come out – so far from city lights.
Whale Watching, Oregon Coast
Whale watching on the Oregon Coast provides another way to enjoy the coastal scenery. Thousands of gray, humpbacks, and sperm whales pass north in spring (March – June) heading for feeding grounds in Alaska’s Bering sea. In winter, from mid-December to mid-January, they pass south en route to the warmth of Mexico’s Baja lagoons. You can take a casual approach to whale watching on the oregon coast, or set yourself down with binoculars at a comfortable outcrop, or even participate in a volunteer-led whale watching session provided at 24 different locations on the Oregon Coast. Click here for more information about this wonderful program, called “Whale Watching Spoken Here.” For an even closer experience, book a charter boat whale-watching trip. For the most intimate experience of all, contact the Chamber and ask about whale researcher Carrie Newell’s zodiac charters. She will gladly introduce you to the local resident whales, even sharing the names she’s given them.
Oregon Coast Aquarium
When you’re ready to spend some time indoors, you’re ready to visit an Oregon coast aquarium! The Seaside Aquarium is a historic landmark, opened in 1937. Feed seals, enjoy a handshake with a starfish at the touch-tank, and ask about the octopus’ personality. Further south in Newport is the Oregon Coast Aquarium, which has been ranked as one of the top ten aquariums in the country by USA Today. A day spent at an oregon coast aquarium will provide an educational opportunity that children will actually enjoy!