Oregon Coast Aquarium is located in Newport only 30 minutes south of Lincoln City. One of Oregon’s most popular attractions, visitors come for the sea-life feeding presentations, touch pools, and incredible underwater shark tunnel and open sea exhibit, Passages of the Deep. Next door to the aquarium is the interactive Hatfield Marine Science Center. Don’t miss the giant Pacific octopus tank. Here you will gain a renewed understanding of Oregon’s coastal life and habitats, and how to be better stewards of the coast’s irreplaceable natural spaces. Cape Perpetua, towering 800 feet over the ocean, is the highest viewpoint accessible by car on the Oregon Coast. This area encompasses 2,700 acres of coastal habitat and boasts a 26-mile trail system. At the Cape’s base, a massive sinkhole known as Thor’s Well seems to magically swallow fathoms of water. This site is best experienced during high tides and storms, but only at a safe distance. Just to the south, a spouting horn called Cook’s Chasm dramatically projects ocean water high into the air. PHOTO COURTESY OF BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM/LIJUAN PHOTO COURTESY OF OREGON COAST AQUARIUM Sea Lion Caves is a privately owned wildlife reserve and bird sanctuary located just north of Florence. The site is considered to be America’s largest sea cave, best observed in winter months, when you’ll see hundreds of sea lions in caverns on any given day. When spring arrives, it’s breeding and birthing time, and the sea lions move to rocky ledges near the Heceta Lighthouse for the warmer seasons. EXPLORELINCOLNCITY.COM | 69
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