Visit Manzanita, an upscale Oregon Coast town with seven miles of sandy beach.
Manzanita is 2-hours west of Portland, and is one of Northern Oregon's most popular coastal towns.
The township of Manzanita is a quieter alternative to the bustling tourist town of Cannon Beach, just 15 minutes north. However both towns share the same upscale feel, with chic restaurants, cafes and gift shops, and an abundance of sophisticated overnight lodging.
Manzanita has an amazing setting, with the striking backdrop of Neahkahnie Mountain looming over its sandy beach. The Native Indian translation for Neahkahnie Mountain is "Viewpoint of the Gods", and the incredible vistas from this 1,680 foot mountain don't disappoint. There's a lot of mythology surrounding the area, with colorful tales of Spanish shipwreck treasure buried in the foothills of Neahkahnie Mountain.
5 best things to do in Manzanita
1. Explore cool shops and restaurants along Laneda Avenue.
Manzanita's lovely main street, Laneda Avenue, has a decent selection of spas, art galleries, gift shops, vacations rentals and restaurants.
Some great lunch options include the San Dune Pub or Offshore Grill and Coffee House, with outdoor seating during summer, however no kids are allowed at the San Dune Pub. Stop by the sophisticated Winery at Manzanita for a coffee or meal, and a great selection of wines. Stroll further up Laneda Avenue to the super stylishYolk restaurant for a delicious brunch.
Manzanita's charming Laneda Avenue runs all the way to the ocean.
Browse the lovely gift shops along Laneda Avenue.
There are vibrant flower boxes and plantings along Laneda Avenue.
The Finnesterre gift shop (194 Laneda Avenue) has a beautifully curated selection of ceramics, paintings, home goods and jewelry.
2. Head down to the gorgeous, sandy beach at Manzanita.
After lunch, spend some time exploring Manzanita's quiet beach. The beach runs 7-miles south from the base of Neahkahnie Mountain to the mouth of the Nehalem River.
Look south down Manzanita's beach to the magnificent ridgeline of the Oregon Coastal Range.
The dramatic Neahkahnie Mountain is visible up the north end of Manzanita's beach, and at 1,680 feet tall is the highest headland along the Oregon Coast, towering over other capes like Cape Perpetua (800 feet), Cape Lookout (800 feet) and Cape Foulweather (500 feet).
This is what Manzanita looks like from the top of Neahkahnie Mountain, before Highway 101 makes an incredible descent down the mountain to Manzanita.
Stairs lead down to the beach at the intersection of Laneda Avenue with Ocean Avenue, and sand-dunes flank the dramatic foreshore of Manzanita, protecting it from storm surges.
It gets super windy out on Manzanita's beach due to its exposed location, so bring a sweater and a jacket.
3. Stay at a beautiful inn or vacation rental.
For the ultimate in luxury, book a hotel room at the Inn at Manzanita, or if you'd prefer an oceanfront view, try the Ocean Inn.
Manzanita's Ocean Road runs along the waterfront, with some great vacation rentals to choose from. Vacation rentals can be booked at Sunset Vacation Rentals.
4. Find fun activities for kids, like the toy store, icecream store and playground at Manzanita.
Manzanita has a fabulous playground in a forest setting at the Manzanita City Park (corner of Pacific Avenue and South Third Street). Pick up some ice-cream and candy at Schwietert's on Laneda Avenue, then stop by Toylandia for beach toys, kites, and pinwheels. There's also a great selection of books, games and puzzles.
5. Take a short trip to Oswald West State Park.
Travel a short distance north along Highway 101 to Oswald West State Park. Hike through lush coastal forest along a creek to Short Sand Beach in secluded Smuggler's Cove, one of the most popular surfing beaches on the Oregon Coast.
Best things to do near Manzanita.
- Oswald West State Park - 8 miles north
- Cannon Beach - 15 miles north
- Astoria - 38 miles north
- Fort Stevens State Park - 38 miles north
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