TRIPPER TILLAMOOK COAST

Part Two: Tillamook to Neskowin

TILLAMOOK COUNTY BOASTS 75 MILES OF COASTLINE WITH EXPANSIVE, SANDY BEACHES, QUIET BAYS, AND RUGGED OUTCROPPINGS. Wet winters keep the region lush and the mild temperatures ensure year-round, outdoor possibilities. The Three Capes Scenic Loop, a 40-mile jaunt along the water, reveals some of the most majestic natural landscapes that the Oregon coast has to offer. The road is easy to follow, with ample signage that leads travelers west from the City of Tillamook. tillamookcoast.com/what-to-do/threecapes-scenic-route

In this issue we cover Tillamook to Neskowin. Part One of our Tillamook Coast article ran in the January/February issue and covered Manzanita to Bay City.

THINGS TO SEE & DO

Tillamook Air Museum

6030 Hangar Road, Tillamook tillamookair.com

The Tillamook Air Museum is housed in a former blimp hangar, originally built by the U.S. Navy in 1943. The hangar is over 15 stories high and covers an area of 7 acres. There is a gift shop and a collection of vintage military and civilian aircraft, vehicles and mementos. The on-site café is operated by Fat Head BBQ.

Cape Meares State Park

stateparks.oregon.gov/index. cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=131

Cape Meares State Park is open yearround for day use and its cliffside location provides a terrific vantage point for whale watching and views of the Three Capes to the south. The park’s trails wind through old-growth Sitka spruce and the rocky cliffs are seasonal nesting habitat to many varieties of seabirds. No longer in use and at 38 feet high, the shortest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast, the Cape Meares Lighthouse is accessible from the parking area by a paved, moderately-sloped walkway.

Jacobson Salt Co.

9820 Whiskey Creek Road, Netarts jacobsensalt.com

Open in 2011, Jacobsen Salt Co. harvests salt water from Netarts Bay and processes it on site. They specialize in flake finishing and kosher salt products. Their gift shop carries their full line of natural and flavorinfused salts as well as honey and salted caramels. Items are sold individually or in special bundles, making it the perfect stop for take-home gifts.

Cape

Lookout State

Park stateparks.oregon.gov/index. cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=134

Located south of Netarts Bay, Cape Lookout State Park offers full-service camping with cabins and yurts, RV and tent sites are available by reservation. The park is in the middle of a wildlife refuge and has 8 miles of improved hiking trails open to both day-use and overnight visitors. The website has a link to a trail map and highlights the flora of the area.

Bob Straub State Park stateparks.oregon.gov/index. cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=133

It is a short walk over the dunes from the day-use parking area to a wide-open stretch of beach just south of Pacific City. Bob Straub State Park, named for Oregon’s 31st governor, is on the Nestucca Spit and has trails for hiking and horseback riding.

Headlands Coastal Lodge and Spa

33000 Cape Kiwanda Drive, Pacific City headlandslodge.com

In Pacific City just north of the dory fleet boat launch, Headlands Coastal Lodge and Spa is an ocean-front property offering lodging, fine dining, and spa services. A Chef’s Tasting Menu with wine pairings is available at their restaurant, Meridian. Tidepools is their spa and wellness center. The hotel staff are happy to arrange adventure excursions like kayaking, hiking, clamming, or crabbing. And your fresh catch can be brought back and boiled up for dinner.

SaraSotas

1911 2nd Street, Tillamook facebook.com/SaraSotas

While this cute little bakery serves up some big cinnamon rolls, they attract a crowd at lunchtime too with homemade soups and scones. Recent soup offerings include Cheesy Chicken Tortilla and Pot Roast with Vegetables. Savory scones like Garlic Herb Cream Cheese and sweet scones like Marionberry are also on the menu.

Meatloaf dinner at Dutch Mill Cafe

Dutch Mill Cafe

206 Main Avenue, Tillamook dutchmilldiner.com

The Dutch Mill Café décor is a nod to the 1950’s with a classic café menu to match. House specialties include Hot Beef Sandwich, Meatloaf, and Chicken Fried Steak all served with mashed potatoes and mixed veg. They also serve handpressed burgers and milkshakes. Be sure to visit the back room filled with vintage coin-op rides for the kiddos and take in the collection of Coca Cola signs and antique gas pumps.

Neskowin Nest Loft

48880 Highway 101 S, Neskowin airbnb.com/rooms/628362902681321219

Located above Neskowin Trading Company and remodeled in 2021, Nest Loft is a two-bedroom/2-bath nightlyrental apartment. It boasts a cook’s kitchen and can be stocked with groceries by the market staff in time for your arrival. It is a short, flat walk to the beach, Proposal Rock, or the quiet streets of Neskowin.

Recess Food Truck

1910 Main Avenue N, Tillamook facebook.com/recessfood

You cannot miss this bright turquoise food truck parked north of Tillamook’s downtown. Their slogan, “Where Food is our Playground” matches their menu item names: Kick The Can Cobb Salad and Red Rover BBQ Wrap, for example. Their signature beverage, Head’s Up Citrus Shake-up has fresh-squeezed lemon, lime, and orange juices served over ice. The staff is friendly, the portions are generous, and there is plenty of outdoor seating in the adjoining picnic area.

Pacific Restaurant

205 Main Avenue, Tillamook pacific-restaurant.com

Pacific Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. In addition to serving locally-harvested seafood, 90% of the vegetables served are grown nearby. This community-oriented restaurant often hosts non-profit events and has a full bar including local wines and beers.

The Schooner Restaurant & Lounge

2065 Boat Basin Road, Netarts theschooner.net

This Oregon Coast standout sits besides Netarts Bay with a water-view outdoor deck and fresh, local oysters on the menu! Besides great seafood selections, they have burgers, salads, pizzas, and a kid’s menu. On Saturday nights the restaurant is a live-music venue with bar specials and no cover charge.

Places To Shop

Pelican Brewing Company

33180 Cape Kiwanda Drive, Pacific City pelicanbrewing.com

Just south of Cape Kiwanda, Pelican Brewing Company sits on the beach with views of Haystack Rock and the dory fleet. At home in Pacific City since 1996, this always busy brewpub’s signature items: Clam Chowder, Beer Sausage Flatbread, and Fish & Chips, top a well-rounded, family-friendly menu. The drinks menu features Pelican Brewing’s award-winning beers which are also available to go.

West Elliott Boutique

209 Main Avenue, Tillamook facebook.com/profile. php?id=100057086965032

This family-owned shop on Main in Tillamook sells on-trend women’s apparel, jewelry, and accessories. They also have a selection of baby clothes and gift items such as candles, bath bombs, essential oils, and home décor.

Say Cheese

Neskowin Trading Company

48880 Highway 101 S, Neskowin neskowinstore.com

Located in the Village of Neskowin, this site has housed a market since 1901. Besides groceries, Neskowin Trading Company has a fresh deli and a wellstocked wine department. They sell “grab ‘n go” meals for residents and overnight visitors. It is a great place to stop for picnic provisions and beach supplies, or a sweatshirt if the weather is chilly!

Salty Raven

109 Main Avenue, Tillamook saltyraven.net

Tillamook Creamery

4165 Highway 101 N, Tillamook tillamook.com/visit-us/creamery

A long-time Oregon Coast destination, the “House that Cheddar Built” gives visitors the chance to watch cheese being made, shop for cheese and related products, and last but not least, eat ice cream. We recommend the Ice Cream Flight – 3 delicious scoops of your choice from their most popular flavors. Pose for a photo in their mini VW van, painted to resemble a brick of Tillamook cheddar!

Featuring t-shirts, hats, and utilitarian merch, this shop is full of “seriously cool goods” with nature-themed artwork by owner, Seasons Kaz Sparks. Sizes run from infant to 4X. Salty Raven has an online store and second retail location in Cannon Beach. In addition to designing apparel, Seasons is a children’s author/ illustrator and her books about a seagull named “Gerry” are sold here.

Blue Heron French Cheese Company

2001 Blue Heron Drive, Tillamook blueheronoregon.com

Opened in 1979, Brie cheese is the specialty at this family-owned creamery. The tasting room has local wines, cheese sampling, and a deli. There is a petting zoo and candy shop (with an amazing selection of old-school treats) for the kids. Share and enjoy a charcuterie board in their outdoor eating area.