We’re regular coasties by now! Matt and I spent the weekend in one of our favorite Oregon towns, Pacific City. I LOVE PACIFIC CITY SO MUCH! This was the first Oregon coast spot I ever visited and I’ve been coming back for over 12 years now. We had the pleasure of lodging at The Inn at Cape Kiwanda, which is right across the street from the beach. You can see and hear the waves crashing from your balcony! It’s also one of the more affordable places to stay if you’re hoping to be as close to the ocean as possible. Bonus: your pups are also welcome!!
There are many reasons to visit Pacific City in the winter - less people, surprisingly mild days with peaks of sunshine and the rain is the PERFECT excuse to stay in bed and watch lots of movies and finish a new book. Plus, BUBBLE BATHS! Obviously, you also have to explore the sandy dunes whenever rain stops. They are seriously magnificent!
A typical day at Cape Kiwanda for us begins at Stimulus Coffee + Bakery. We even have a regular order: Oat milk latte, Lavender London Fog, a couple of the fluffiest bagels you’ve ever tasted and do NOT skip the energy bites. Trust me on this. Then we’ll head into the dunes for a heart racing hike to the top for AMAZING views. Amazing I say. The good, good is found on the backside of the sand dune. It looks like Mars and you can see for miles and miles!
The beach at Cape Kiwanda has been pounded this winter and it was sad to see so much erosion and also so many plastics covering the rocks and sand. Every time we visit, we’re even more motivated to choose sustainable products over single use plastics that, as you know, usually end up in our beautiful oceans. Making these changes can feel overwhelming but start slow and thoughtfully begin adding more sustainable practices into your life. I started out by carrying around my own straw and it was this simple yet effective act that sparked us into doing away with most of the plastic we were using on a regular basis.
After exploring the dunes, you can get a massage at Headlands Lodge, which is right across the street from The Inn. Matt got a deep muscle massage this visit and he loved it. He’s been having some issues in his lower back and the therapist was really able to work out some painful areas. The price is slightly more expensive BUT you are at a gorgeous lodge on the ocean and the massages are delicious so definitely plan to splurge for this. With the massage, you also receive all day access to the spa which includes a gorgeous outdoor hot tub and yoga classes. YOLO, am I right?! And it’s for your health…so go for it.
At night, we always grab dinner + beers at Pelican Brewing. This spot is usually pretty busy year round so put your name in then grab a couple of pints to drink on the outdoor patio while you wait. Time goes by quickly when you’re staring right at the ocean. AND there’s a fire pit! Yes, yes, yes. Every time we’ve gone to the coast, we’re typically in bed by 9 pm. The beds at The Inn at Cape Kiwanda are SO comfortable! And the rooms are very quiet, which I need. The rooms also come with a fireplace so it feels extra cozy when you’re snuggled in to watch movies. By the way, the front office has a movie library AND popcorn! Talk about a date night! The bathtubs are also pretty big so we packed our own bubbles because Matt usually takes 2-3 baths during our winter coast weekends. We obviously have zero problems bathing in hotel bathrooms. I got more important things to worry about. Plus, it’s SO NICE!
A huge thank you to The Inn at Cape Kiwanda for letting us come out and take photos + share our experience in exchange for a stay at their gorgeous space. We will be back. Maybe tomorrow. ;)