Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:Manzanita, Oregon
Our Tourist Attractions Expert Says:
Perfect for a relaxing vacation, Manzanita is a small town on Oregon's beautiful north coast. Nestling the northern fringe of Nehalem Bay and studded with coastal rock formations, dunes, and dense inland forests, Manzanita is a popular vacation destination for travelers from Oregon and Washington looking to escape city life.
Manzanita, which means "little apple" in Spanish, has small-town charm, with selective gift stores and boutiques and quiet streets. Its small but thriving art community draws summer attractions like theater and celebrity musical performances. Rather than nondescript hotel chains, Manzanita is populated by small, well maintained inns and vacation rentals, all within walking distance of the beautiful Oregon beaches. Several small, intimate cafes and restaurants are clustered around Main Street and the downtown sector. There are taverns, coffee houses, a few restaurants, a bakery, deli, bistro and a wine shop. For those who desire the culinary or shopping amenities of a city, Tillamook lies approximately 25 miles south.
Seven-mile-long Manzanita Beach is a great spot for families and adventure-seekers. The beach is perfect for fishing, surfing, windsurfing, wildlife viewing and of course, sunbathing. The local Manzanita Ocean Rescue Team is featured in a scene in the movie Tillamook Treasure, filmed in Manzanita in August 2005. If you have more time to spend outdoors, visit Oswald West State Park, also known as "Short Sands" Beach. You can go fishing, hiking, tide pool-combing and surfing, or stroll along the boardwalk. The beach offers free parking and a picnic area and allows camping. Nearby Nehalem State Park is known for its 900 acres of forest trails and scenic vistas. Camping, horseback riding, beachcombing, crabbing and fishing are a few of the park's popular activities.
Golfers will love the Manzanita Golf Course, an executive course with tree-lined fairways, easy walking and some very beautiful holes, especially No. 5, which has a 60-foot drop to the fairway below.
Manzanita is located in Northern Oregon on the coast. It is accessible by U.S. Route 101, about 25 miles south of Seaside and 25 miles north of Tillamook. Manzanita is served by Nehalem Bay State Airport.