Use this multiday itinerary to enhance an extended stay at the beach!
Although it’s common knowledge that Lincoln City has more than enough great restaurants, events and activities to fill an extended stay, here are a few specific suggestions to help make every visit to the beach the very best. Choose to follow this list faithfully, mix it up, or veer off at any point to explore other unexpected possibilities that may present themselves.
Day One: Start the day with a hearty breakfast at The Wildflower Grill, where beautiful views of forest and creak complement a wide variety of delicious items on the menu, or stop at coastal favorite Pig ‘n Pancake for specialty pancakes and much more. After breakfast, drive or bike through curvy streets, quaint cottages and beachy scenery to Road’s End State Recreation Site, Lincoln City’s northernmost access point to miles of sandy beach. Stroll and beachcomb along the water’s edge and explore tide pools and even a secret beach if the tide is low enough or hike The Knoll to see amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and coastline. After an active morning at the beach, grab some lunch from one of the restaurants at Lighthouse Square. Pub Fish and Chips offers crispy hand-battered cod or halibut as well as fresh steamer clams and popcorn shrimp. McMenamins Lighthouse Brewpub
serves excellent pub food and great handcrafted ales, wines and spirits, or enjoy classic burgers and shakes from a bygone era at 60’s Café and Diner. Maybe it’s time to relax with some fresh-made ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery, or recharge with a cup of coffee or other feel-good beverages from Nyla’s Cup of Jo or Human Bean? Both of these coffee kiosks are along Highway 101 heading south from Lighthouse Square. Bring the kids (of all ages) to Game Over Arcade for new and retro video games and pinball machines, or shop for antiques at The Little Antique Mall, Granny’s Attic, and Rocking Horse Mall in Lincoln City’s Wecoma District. After playing games or shopping for antiques, visit local favorite Gallucci’s Pizzeria for a casual dinner, or enjoy the very freshest seafood with an amazing view of the ocean from Kyllos Seafood and Grill.
Day Two: Begin your second day at the beach with a delicious breakfast at either Hilltop Inn (for the early risers, it’s open at 7 AM) or Salt (opens at 9 AM for those who want to sleep in). Salt features a wide variety of coffee drinks, breakfast burritos, bagels and wraps, while Hilltop Inn offers traditional breakfast combos; both restaurants also serve lunch, and Salt carries a variety of gifts for sale as well. Let’s go shopping! Oregon has no sales tax, and outlet malls throughout the state offer unbeatable deals. The Lincoln City Outlets are home to some of the best prices on national name brand products available anywhere, and also feature a variety of shops that showcase local and regional gifts, clothes, art, food and drink. While shopping the mall, treat the kids in the family to arcade games at Galaxy Game Room and custom frozen yogurt flavors and combinations at Ocean Freeze. Lunch is also available in the mall. Enjoy pub food and exceptional craft beer at Gilgamesh Brewing, sushi and other outstanding Japanese and Chinese cuisine at Momiji Express or Toky Roll Sushi and Poki. Get back to shopping all of the deals after lunch, or venture over to Chinook Winds Casino to try your luck at an assortment of games of chance. Chinook Winds is a full-service casino owned and operated by the Siletz Tribe, and also offers lodging, childcare, an arcade for kids, golf, and rotating acts of entertainment. The casino also has some diverse dinner options, dine onsite at Chinook’s Seafood Grill, Rogue River Grill, Siletz Bay Buffet, or La Bahia Mexican Grill.
Day Three: Both Otis Café and Nelscott Breakfast House serve up large portions of amazing comfort food and are a great way to start the day. After breakfast, access the beach from the Nelscott District; this beach is perfect for strolling and beachcombing and is one of the best surfing spots on the Oregon Coast. ZuhG Life Surf Shop, located on the same shopping strip as Nelscott Breakfast House, has everything for surfing, and even provides lessons to those who would like to try surfing but never have or may need a refresher course. The Nelscott shopping strip is also home to Christmas Cottage, where Christmas ornaments and other gifts are on display all year, and Rock Your World gem and jewelry gallery, which has a fantastic collection of finished and rough stones, fossils, crystals and handmade jewelry. Left Coast Coffee Shop and Perk 101 are also on the Nelscott strip and are perfect for a late morning or midday burst of energy. Walk across Highway 101 and check out Robert’s Bookshop, home to a vast selection of used books and assorted literature-themed essentials found in mazelike aisles that feel magical. La Roca is a little Mexican restaurant in Nelscott perfect for lunch or dinner, although a more formal dinner spot with a million-dollar view can be found in Fathoms Restaurant and Bar located just south at the Inn at Spanish Head.
Coming to the beach for only a day? Or maybe staying for more than a weekend or three-day getaway? Visit explorelincolncity.com for other itineraries, ideas and specific events that may be of interest.