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Delicious Seafood and Delightful Views in Charleston, Oregon
Seven hours from Seattle, the charm of seaside Oregon awaits
This article originally appeared in the February 2016 issue of Seattle magazine.
Where: Charleston, Oregon, a quaint fishing town nestled beside the mouth of Coos Bay.
A seven-hour drive from downtown Seattle, Charleston is far from big-city distractions, and boasts scenic views, small-town charm and outstanding seafood. Why: Did we mention seafood? Join locals to feast on freshly caught Dungeness crab at the Charleston Merchants Annual Crab Feed (2/13, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Old Charleston School House, Seven Devils Road; 800.824.8486; oregonsadventurecoast.com), a tradition for almost 60 years. Side trip: About 4 miles from the crabbing festivities sits Shore Acres State Park, another historic gem set on land that once was part of the estate of a pioneer timber baron.
Shore Acres offers everything from a beautifully manicured formal garden (with some winter blooms) and Japanese garden to a more rugged coastal cliff path offering brilliant views and a secluded sandy cove perfect for a quiet stroll. Don’t forget your windbreaker to combat those frigid gusts.
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A New Perspective on the Oregon Coast
Beyond the usual suspects like Astoria and Cannon Beach lie 300 miles of open road.
The Oregon Coast is a beguiling drive year-round, but autumn is when it feels most vital. The colors deepen, whales loiter in the shallows, and kites swoop against gray skies dappled with bursts of sunlight. At Tillamook Bay, Highway 101 veers inland through fifty miles of old-growth forest before re-emerging along the water. On this…
Inn at Langley: Where the Shore Meets the Sky
After a property-wide redesign, the Whidbey Island retreat reopens with a locally inspired take on vacationing in the Pacific Northwest.
Michelin-star chef Johnny Spero never planned to end up in the Pacific Northwest. A lifelong East Coaster born and raised in Baltimore, he began his culinary career at 16, working for a series of big-name chefs and restaurants before opening his own establishments in Washington, D.C., including Reverie, which earned him his Michelin star in…
The Northwest’s Gateway to Wine, Culture & Adventure
Escape the crowds. Slow down. Savor fall in the Lewis Clark Valley. As autumn paints the hillsides in gold, crimson, and amber, the Lewis Clark Valley becomes a picture-perfect place to slow down and savor the season. Where Washington and Idaho meet, fall brings crisp days, colorful landscapes, harvest among the vines, and plenty of…
Meet West Seattle’s “Freelance Beaver Detective”
A group of urban beavers helped Pamela Adams through a tough time. Now she’s returning the favor.
Pamela Adams was living in Port Townsend when her marriage fell apart. Little did she know at the time that she would soon find love again while doggedly pursuing the Five Families—not the ones of Mafia lore, but a four-legged sort living along the Longfellow Creek Watershed. Prior to moving to Washington, Adams resided in…