Local Attractions

These are a few of the things you can do and places you can visit while you are staying in Newport.  All are a few minutes away from Cliff House.

***Because of COVID 19 some of these activities have been closed temporarily. Please contact us for the latest updates***

None of these activities are affected by COVID 19 closures.

 

  1. Fly a kite on the beach (kites are available at Walmart)
  2. Become a beachcomber, there is almost 5 miles of beach to enjoy right here.
  3. Watch the harbor seals on the wharf.
  4. Explore the historic wharf area and get takeout from the fish market.

https://beachconnection.net/news/120511128newport_bayfront.php

5. Ride the 4 bikes that we have in the garage.

Bike maps available here.

https://www.newportoregon.gov/dept/cdd/documents/CityofNewportBikePathMaps_Individual.pdf

6. Swing in the hammock.

7. Take a hike and use the Cliff House binoculars to bird spot. These trails are open.

https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/parks/page/mike-miller-park  Drive south over the bridge towards South beach to find this trail.

And/Or….Ocean to Bay trail (my favorite) This trail runs from the Agate Beach wayside tunnel and on to Big Creek Park. It includes boardwalks and bridges through forested areas and over the winding creek it’s quite beautiful and lush. State Park restrooms are located at the wayside. You can walk to the wayside from Cliff House.. Either go onto the beach and turn right or  turn left on Oceanview and follow the road. There is also an option to continue on the trail that climbs up the hill from Big Creek Park. This takes you through more lush forest to NE Fogarty St. Turn left and follow Fogarty to NE 12th st Turn Right. To  NE Benton, turn left onto Benton and follow it to NE Sixth. Turn Right on Sixth and cross the 101. Continue on Sixth to get back to the Nye Historic district. (get takeout from one of the restaurants here as a reward!)

To complete the circuit, you can either walk along the beach to Cliff House or wind your way through the streets to Oceanview DR. the whole hike is about 5 miles.

Corner of NE Harney Dr and NE Big Creek Rd. Newport, OR 97365

 

8. Explore the coast north and south of Newport for a change of scene.

 

Depot bay is North a great place to spot whales and watch the ocean crash onto the sidewalk on windy days. Beautiful place to watch whales in Depoe Bay harbor. Whale Park sits in the middle of Depoe Bay, Oregon on the historic Highway 101. Most days, depending on the surf, waves and weather, grey whales can be seen feeding in the harbor. Some as close as 200 yards from shore.

 

Seal Rock is South and great for tide pools when the tide is out. Check out state park website.

 

https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=147

 

9. Explore Siletz bay (North). Get a clamming license and dig for clams.

 

https://myodfw.com/articles/where-crab-clam-siletz-bay

10. Relax in the hot tub.
11. Read some great books from our library.

 

Most restaurants are offering Takeout, a few are offering dine in.

The aquarium and lighthouse are currently closed but will open in phase two. (dates TBA)

All Grocery stores are open and well stocked.

 

Visit the Aquarium

The Following activities may be affected by COVID closures

Visit the Aquarium.

Newport is the home of the Oregon Coast Aquarium a 23 acre exhibit area which includes "Passages of the Deep" featuring walk through acrylic tubes that get you close and personal to sharks, rays and rockfish. There is a nature trail, out door exhibits and fun for all the family. This aquarium is ranked in the top 10 aquariums in north America and is a must see.

Location:

2820 SE Ferry Slip Road, Newport Oregon 97365

Phone 541-867-3474    or on line     aquarium.org

Check out their schedule and plan your visit around feeding times.

Historic Bayfront

This working Bayfront is one of the oldest parts of town and still retains some old port charm. Galleries, souvenir shops and art abound yet you can still walk right up to a fishing boat and get fresh fish right off the dock.

Coffee and a few good restaurants are mixed with Ripley's Believe It or Not and the Gardens Under the Sea both worth a brows.

Our favorite restaurant on the wharf is Local Ocean at the end of the shopping area. It has a great view of the boat docks and serves amazing food. If you are visiting over a weekend or holiday be sure to book, it's a popular restaurant with locals as well as visitors.

Phone 541 574 7959  On the web.  localocean.net

Further along the main street seals like to pull themselves out on some boat docks that are reserved just for them. Their antics can be viewed from a deck while you sip a coffee or have an ice cream.

The Tallest Lighthouse in Oregon

We love Lighthouses as you may guess when you see the art on the walls. The Yaquina Head Lighthouse is Oregon's tallest. Located on the headland and visible from the private beach trail it's the second oldest, continuously operating, navigational light in Oregon. This beautiful 100 acre site was established as an "Outstanding Natural Area" in 1980 by congress and has several trails offering views of the ocean and rock pools. The interpretative center includes information and exhibits on the preservation and history of the lighthouse as well as the marine life found in the tide pools. During December and January, March and April whales can be spotted less than 1/2 a mile from shore. Some grey whales are resident and can be seen all year round.

Trails take you to the tide pools where rangers help you learn about sea creatures and birds. At low tide seals can be spotted resting on the sea weed beds. Hike up the hill for a spectacular view of the Oregon coast and spot the resident whales as they feed.

There is a fee station at the entrance to the headland and your entry ticket lasts for 3 days so you can make repeat visits

The Lighthouse headland is also accessible on foot from Cliff House. It's a long walk out and back (just under 6 miles round trip) but on a nice day well worth it (take water with you). Walk north on Agate beach to the very end and you will see some stairs that lead up to the road. Turn left at the top to access the headland trails. The park is free to foot and non motorized traffic.

The Lighthouse is open for ranger lead tours but you do need to reserve spots and in the summer as it gets pretty busy. Book a tour before you arrive to avoid disappointment

Phone 541 574 3100    or visit      blm.gov   for more information.

Lets Go Fly A Kite

The Oregon coast provides the perfect wind conditions for kite flying. A unique mix of warm equatorial air with a cold polar effect create just the right amount of lift off the breezy beaches

Numerous kite festivals are hosted up and down the Oregon coast and attract competitors from Europe, Australia and Asia. Lincoln city, just a few miles north, usually holds its festivals in June and September, but why wait for a festival? Visit our local kite shop right here in Newport.

"The Kite Company" has been in business for over 25 years and has the largest kite store on the pacific coast. Experienced kite flyers will help you choose the perfect kite for your needs and share the best places to fly it.

The Kite Company 407 SW Coast Highway Newport OR 97365.

Phone 541 265 2004  or on the web at    thekitecompany.com

Ride a Fat Tire Bike.

Our beach is flat and 6 miles long so getting around town on a bike is a snip. The fat tires make it easy and comfortable to ride along on the sand. It's a great family activity especially when you can plan a route around town that includes a few stop offs at places of refreshment along the way.

We recommend Bike Newport their store is just up the street. All bikes come with a helmet and they can recommend great places to ride. With the Oregon Coast Trail passing right by the end of the drive you cant fail to enjoy this beautiful coastline on 2 wheels.

Bike Newport     150 NW 6th Street Newport OR 97365

Call to reserve your bike  541 265 9917

Find Jump Off Joe

A piece of local history

Several local myths exist surrounding Jump Off Joe and how it got its name. This 100ft sandstone sea stack was once the division between Nye and Agate beaches. Extending 150 feet into the surf it was quite the tourist attraction in the early 1900's when the only way to get around the rocky obstacle was to climb over and "Jump off Joe".

Periodic photographs taken by the US Geological society show Joe's gradual disappearance over approximately 100 years. Just south of Joe's location the Yaquina Bay jetties extend into the ocean for over a mile, changing sand accumulation and wave action. Erosion thought to be caused by these jetties gradually separated Joe from the mainland.

Joe's main body became a sea stack peppered with remnants of ice age rock and a photogenic arch. If you look carefully at low tide you can still see the remnants of this whale like rock and imagine its height and girth.

Walk south at the bottom of the beach trail heading towards Nye Beach to see what is left of Joe.

Go for a Hike. Big Creek Forest Park Hike.

You can hike and or take your bike along this trail. Big Creek Forest Park Hike officially starts at Agate Beach trail head. But the trail head is about a 15 min walk from the house so you can start this hike from Cliff House. I prefer it as a circular route, so rather than turning around at the end and retracing your steps head left on Fogarty and jog right, then left onto NE Eads St. Head south down Eads St to 6th,  turn Right on 6th. Stay on 6th crossing the 101 coast highway. This will bring you into the Historic Nye Beach district where you can get some ice cream, coffee & Pastries at Café Stephanie's or stop off at the new Tap Room or Irish Pub before returning along the beach to the Private beach access point and Cliff House.

The trail begins at the Agate Beach Trail head and goes through a tunnel under the 101. Don't be put off by the sound of the busy road as the trail soon heads away and you are captivated by Ash and Sitka Spruce Trees covered in moss. The well crafted board walks keep you above boggy ground and let you observe the flora and fauna of this very special trail.

The first section of trail ends at NE Big Creek Road. Take a right here and continue to Big Creek Park. Follow the trail up the hill and past the water tanks. Eventually the trail will end on Fogarty St. Retrace your steps or follow the directions above to make this a 5 mile loop back to Cliff House.

Sitca Spruce covered in moss

Hiking trail

Skunk Cabbage

Woodland fern

Big Creek Hike

City Park

Visit OregonHikers.org  and search for  "Big Creek Forest Park Hike" for a full description.