101 Things To Do Western Oregon

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Looking for the ultimate Oregon Coast experience – look no further than Kelly’s Brighton Marina. Fresh Dungeness Crabs, Chinook Salmon and a variety of bay clams await your arrival – rent a boat to catch your bounty, crab on the dock for the casual approach, or simply choose from their well-stocked live tanks – the end result is the same – dining on the freshest, MOST DELICIOUS SEAFOOD you have ever tasted!! The riverside deck with communal fire pit is the perfect hang out spot for the day. See river otters, harbor seals, blue herons and bald eagles in their natural environment. With 23 years of crabbing experience Kelly, along with his wonderful staff, will ensure that your fun filled day of family friendly entertainment will be a favorite vacation memory for years to come. Whether you come for the day or stay overnight in one of the water front RV and tent sites – Kelly’s Brighton Marina is a must stop destination for any trip to the fabulous Oregon Coast! Call (503) 368-5745 for more information – or visit their website to view the live camera. Come and spend your day on Nehalem Bay.

WHERE:  29200 Hwy 101 N – Rockaway Beach

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CALL: 503-368-5745

www.kellysbrightonmarina.com

Near the shore in the channel leading from Garibaldi to the North Jetty and the Pacific Ocean is a picturesque rock formation known as the Three Graces. The rocks are a favorite of birds and photographers. At the base you will find tide pools and excellent beach combing. These rock formations are composed of sandstone and were likely formed between 20 and 30 million years ago. According to George R. Priest, a geologist with Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, at that time the entire area, including what is now the Coast Range, was an under-sea marine environment and part of the continental shelf, just as the ocean floor off the coast is today. Over time and under pressure, this sand consolidated into sandstone. Then, as the earth’s tectonic plates crashed into each other, they pushed up the coastal mountains and fractured and tilted up a ridge of sandstone along the coastline. Over time, the tides and surf wore away the softer portions of this sandstone, leaving behind the rocks we see today. To get to the beach near the formation, drive a little over a mile north from Garibaldi on Highway 101. The highway hugs the cliffs and there are no parking areas or wide shoulders making it difficult to park near the rocks themselves. It is best to drive past the formation and park near the intersection at Harborview Drive. Then walk back, crossing the railroad tracks to get to the beach.

www.visitgaribaldi.com

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The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit museum organization. It is a mostly volunteer based organization that operates over the former Southern Pacific and Port of Tillamook Bay Railroads. Regularly scheduled trains are operated daily between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach in the summer months and special event trains throughout the year over the rest of the line. The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad has grown from its humble beginnings dodging freight trains in Garibaldi on weekend runs to Rockaway Beach and Wheeler, the sole operator of 46 miles of the railroad between the Tillamook airport and a point 2 miles east of the railroad siding of Enright in the Oregon Coast Range with breathtaking views of the Nehalem and Salmonberry River canyons.

As a Museum Railroad, OCSR is currently making way to expand their Garibaldi Station. Intending to preserve such historical essence by constructing a replica of the Southern Pacific depot style No. 11. A matching office building with public restrooms and a fully functional water tower will accompany the depot. The existing engine house will undergo renovations such as adding energy efficient windows and lighting.

Purchasing tickets is easy when visiting the train schedule via their website. One can do so in advance and avoid making the trip only to fi nd out the train has been sold out! Of course you can still buy tickets onboard the train in the caboose that doubles as ticket office and gift shop. Gifts include shirts, hats, sweaters, toy trains, pins, and much more. While the freight trains are gone, the scenery is second to none.

Depots in Garibaldi, Rockaway Beach and Wheeler are small covered shelters next to the tracks built by the Port of Tillamook Bay.  They support a basic tourist operation known as the Oregon Coast Explorer prior to the founding of the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. The depots are decorated by each of the communities and offer public restrooms nearby. Each depot and community has plenty of activities to offer between train departures.

The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad has also saved the original Pacific Railway and Navigation Depot (later bought by the Southern Pacifi c) in Tillamook from demolition and moved it to the Blue Heron French Cheese Company in Tillamook, Oregon where it will once again serve rail passengers for departures out of Tillamook in the future.

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad has an extensive equipment roster that includes numerous historic steam and diesel locomotives along with a growing fleet of passenger cars, freight cars, and maintenance of way equipment. All of the equipment and track is operated and maintained by the volunteers of the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer contact us at info@oregoncoastscenic.org.

Schedules, ticket sales, special excursion details and more can be found online.

Google Map
www.oregoncoastscenic.org

The Tillamook County Pioneer Museum allows the public to reflect on the diverse people who have called Tillamook County home in the past. From the Tillamook Indians to Captain Gray’s 1788 voyage into Tillamook Bay, the living memorial of those who came before exists on this stretch of the North Oregon coast. All of this rich history is preserved for all to enjoy at the Tillamook Pioneer Museum. There are 35,000 items, plus 10,000 photographs included in this current collection, including prehistoric specimens to modern day. Tillamook County Pioneer Museum is located at 2106 Second St. and open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Closed Mondays and major holidays.

WHERE:  2106 Second St – Tillamook

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CALL:  503-842-4553

www.tcpm.org

With a unique experience of Hangar B, take off on an adventure through aviation history at the world-renowned Naval Air Station Tillamook known as Tillamook Air Museum. Housed in one of the nation’s last remaining World War II blimp hangars, and one of the largest wooden structures in the world, the Tillamook Air Museum is an unforgettable experience for both young and old alike.

Visitors will be astounded by the museum’s display of over 20 aircraft, such as the F-14 Tomcat, A-7 Corsair ll, Mig-17, Aero-Space lines Mini-Guppy and many more. Experience life as a jet pilot by climbing into the cockpit of the museum’s many aircraft trainers, and find out more about aviation history in the museum’s free theater. Explore what life was like in a British Air Raid Shelter from World War II. Take a walk through the Exhibit Hall, with rare wartime and aviation themed artifacts from WW l to the present. Kids will enjoy the new kids play station area. The museum is handicap accessible, visitors are welcome to drive or fly in (by private aircraft where you can land and park nearby), and there is ample parking for RVs.

WHERE:  6030 Hangar Road – Tillamook

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CALL:  503-842-1130

www.tillamookair.com