Oregon Romantic Getaways

A trip to the Oregon Coast is always ideal, and fortunately it is an easy getaway to make.  So even if you only have one night free, you can still savor a little romance on Oregon’s rugged coastline and one of the best Oregon scenic drives.  The following Oregon scenic byways itinerary from Pacific City and along the Three Capes Scenic Drive makes for a fun overnight trip, but if you wish to share one extra night with the music of crashing waves singing you to sleep, you can elongate the drive up to Rockaway Beach.

Directions:

• Begin at Kiwanda State Park
• Head south on Kiwanda Drive to Pacific City (2 miles)
• Head North on Cape Kiwanda Drive (over 2 miles); slight left at Sandlake Rd (6 miles)
• Left at Cape Lookout Rd (6 miles)
• Left at Netarts Bay Road to Cape Lookout State Park
• Return to Netarts Bay Road, turn left (5 miles)
• Continue onto OR-131 E/Netarts Highway to Tillamook (5 miles)
• Return to OR-131 W/3rd Street, turn left (2 miles)
• Right at Bayocean Rd (5 miles)
• Left at Cape Meares Loop to Cape Meares

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• From Cape Meares Loop, turn right at Bayocean Road NW (5 miles)
• Left at OR-131 E/Netarts Highway W (2 miles)
• Left at Ivy Avenue, right at Front Street, left at US-101 N Main Avenue/Oregon Coast Highway to Rockaway Beach(15 miles)

Begin your coastal romantic adventure in the late afternoon at Kiwanda State Park.  You can climb to the top of Cape Kiwanda, and then sit together with your lover, whispering “sweet-nothings” to one another and admiring the stunning view of Haystack Rock.  Spend the night nearby at the luxurious Pacific City Inn at Cape Kiwanda, which features ocean views from every room and Jacuzzi tubs!  Step downstairs for dinner and a drink at the Inn’s Pelican Pub and Brewery.  And after dinner, do not miss the opportunity to take a walk on the beach, watch the sun set into the Pacific, and kiss under the stars.

Begin the next day with mouth-watering homemade French toast at the Grateful Bread Bakery & Restaurant in Pacific City before driving north to Cape Lookout.  Here you can continue to enjoy the fresh salty air ad beautiful natural surroundings on one of the many nature walks and hikes.

A journey to this region could not be complete without a side trip to Tillamook Cheese Factory.  Here you can take a tour to see how the best cheese in Oregon is made, and taste samples.  Enjoy a deliciously melty grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of soup for lunch at their café, and do not forget to stop by their ice creamery as well!

Continue your scenic drive northward to see the final of the three capes, Cape Meare.  Take time to marvel at the six-trunked octopus tree, and climb to the top of Meare’s lighthouse for a breathtaking viewof the Pacific and a romantic photo.  If you have limited time for your coastal journey, you can return home at this point.  But if you want the excursion to last just one night longer, continue around Tillamook Bay up to Rockaway Beach and spend one more romantic evening in the Tradewinds Hotel.  Nibble on delicious smoked fish for dinner at Karla’s Smokehouse.

The next morning, breakfast at the Beach Pancake House and then return home.  This simple drive around the Three Capes is a perfect and easy quick weekend getaway, great for the spontaneous romantic traveler.