Near the sea
February 13, 2016 4:05 PM Subscribe
Where would you go if you wanted to stay at a cottage near the sea for a short vacation?
We are traveling to the West (CA/Seattle) and have an opportunity to chose where we stay. This is a short-4 days vacation and I want to be near the sea/ocean, in a nice cottage/hotel. Somewhere close enough to the ocean to walk on the beach and hopefully a place not too crowded. Two places we have nailed down is WA and California. In WA, anywhere on the ocean coast is great and in CA any ocean near LA or close is good. Not a red necky place is a must (E.g. Eastern WA is not an option). Any recos for lodging would be great too. I don't know much about California and its ocean places so anything other than the above you think is perfect as a getaway would be awesome. Thanks
We are traveling to the West (CA/Seattle) and have an opportunity to chose where we stay. This is a short-4 days vacation and I want to be near the sea/ocean, in a nice cottage/hotel. Somewhere close enough to the ocean to walk on the beach and hopefully a place not too crowded. Two places we have nailed down is WA and California. In WA, anywhere on the ocean coast is great and in CA any ocean near LA or close is good. Not a red necky place is a must (E.g. Eastern WA is not an option). Any recos for lodging would be great too. I don't know much about California and its ocean places so anything other than the above you think is perfect as a getaway would be awesome. Thanks
Seabrook, WA is really nice. They have all size cottages to rent. It's a planned community so it looks a bit like the Truman Show. I stayed there in October for a week and it was wonderful.
posted by ilovewinter at 4:32 PM on February 13, 2016
posted by ilovewinter at 4:32 PM on February 13, 2016
Response by poster: We are flying into Sea Tac or LA/SF in California.
posted by stepup at 4:34 PM on February 13, 2016
posted by stepup at 4:34 PM on February 13, 2016
Long Beach in Washington has many VBROs available. Small town, some good restaurants, beautiful area. You can drive on the beach, great kite flying.
posted by jennstra at 4:35 PM on February 13, 2016
posted by jennstra at 4:35 PM on February 13, 2016
Consider the San Juan Islands too, where AirBnB and VRBO options abound. You can also take a ferry to Victoria, Canada for a day trip, which is nice.
posted by carmicha at 5:04 PM on February 13, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 5:04 PM on February 13, 2016 [7 favorites]
Just to clarify--are you open to the San Francisco area? You say LA in the main question, but mention SF in the comments.
posted by mollymayhem at 6:24 PM on February 13, 2016
posted by mollymayhem at 6:24 PM on February 13, 2016
Canon Beach is worth the drive from Seattle and has beautiful on the beach accommodations. It can get busy in the warmer months but if you head south towards Tillamook there are little towns to stay in.
posted by toomanycurls at 6:38 PM on February 13, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by toomanycurls at 6:38 PM on February 13, 2016 [2 favorites]
Sea Ranch or general Mendocino area in Northern CA--one of my favorite places on earth.
posted by lovableiago at 7:16 PM on February 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by lovableiago at 7:16 PM on February 13, 2016 [1 favorite]
Oregon's coast is exactly what you're looking for, actually. I'd fly into Portland and drive to Cannon Beach or Newport. Magical little towns.
posted by Capri at 7:28 PM on February 13, 2016
posted by Capri at 7:28 PM on February 13, 2016
Manzanita, just south of Cannon Beach and a little bit smaller, quieter, than Cannon Beach, is where my family has often vacationed. Great pie shop!
posted by chapps at 7:31 PM on February 13, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by chapps at 7:31 PM on February 13, 2016 [2 favorites]
Bellingham WA: The old town is a funky little town on the Salish Sea -- not the open ocean, it looks out toward Vancouver Island, so better for activities such as kayaking--not so much for viewing the big swells.
posted by chapps at 7:40 PM on February 13, 2016
posted by chapps at 7:40 PM on February 13, 2016
Kalaloch Lodge, Olympic National Park. There is a lodge, but there are also cabins that overlook the ocean. Here's a webcam feed of the view.
The lodge itself has a restaurant and little gift shop as well. You can explore the tide pools with all of the colorful starfish and anemones and mollusks.
I have also stayed in Ocean Shores, and it's affordable and there are lots of sand dollars, but it's kind of dirty and run down and they let cars drive right on the beach.
posted by Ostara at 7:45 PM on February 13, 2016 [4 favorites]
The lodge itself has a restaurant and little gift shop as well. You can explore the tide pools with all of the colorful starfish and anemones and mollusks.
I have also stayed in Ocean Shores, and it's affordable and there are lots of sand dollars, but it's kind of dirty and run down and they let cars drive right on the beach.
posted by Ostara at 7:45 PM on February 13, 2016 [4 favorites]
If Puget Sound is oceany enough for you, I'd suggest Vashon Island. Easy to get to (20 minute drive then 20 minute ferry from the airport) which is nice since you only have a few days. But despite its proximity to Seattle, it still feels very country, of the "crunchy granola" type. Cute small downtown, nice beaches, good bike riding.
If you want more options of things to do, Bainbridge Island or that area might be good. It's a bit more built up, but gets rural pretty quickly and has some amazing beaches (also has a cute downtown). It's also an island, but you can drive over bridges to the Kitsap Peninsula or Olympic Peninsula, so you have a lot more options of things to do.
posted by lunasol at 8:09 PM on February 13, 2016
If you want more options of things to do, Bainbridge Island or that area might be good. It's a bit more built up, but gets rural pretty quickly and has some amazing beaches (also has a cute downtown). It's also an island, but you can drive over bridges to the Kitsap Peninsula or Olympic Peninsula, so you have a lot more options of things to do.
posted by lunasol at 8:09 PM on February 13, 2016
Half Moon Bay near SFO is lovely. It's also close to some Redwoods hiking areas.
posted by vignettist at 8:52 PM on February 13, 2016
posted by vignettist at 8:52 PM on February 13, 2016
Nthing Oregon shore over Washington. Washington shore resorts have cold fog until at least noon until August at the earliest. Oregon has clear days at sunrise beginning in March. Now, a cold fog on a winter shore has its attractions, but in general, they are restricted to locals and it sounds like you are traveling.
The farther south you go on the PNW coast, the earlier in the year the fog diminishes.
Have a great trip. The PNW is the best place in the entire world.
posted by mwhybark at 9:51 PM on February 13, 2016
The farther south you go on the PNW coast, the earlier in the year the fog diminishes.
Have a great trip. The PNW is the best place in the entire world.
posted by mwhybark at 9:51 PM on February 13, 2016
Kalaloch is easily the most beautiful and remote place I have ever been, no doubt. But it was a cold and foggy beauty.
posted by mwhybark at 9:53 PM on February 13, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by mwhybark at 9:53 PM on February 13, 2016 [2 favorites]
Stinson Beach, CA. Rent a house, esp. the ones not in the gated community section.
posted by zippy at 10:39 PM on February 13, 2016
posted by zippy at 10:39 PM on February 13, 2016
Newport/Astoria/Cannon Beach, Oregon.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 11:52 PM on February 13, 2016
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 11:52 PM on February 13, 2016
Manzanita or Neskowin in Oregon
posted by Jacqueline at 5:55 AM on February 14, 2016
posted by Jacqueline at 5:55 AM on February 14, 2016
The San Juan / Canadian Gulf Islands are the most magical place in the world.
posted by kaspen at 4:28 PM on February 14, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by kaspen at 4:28 PM on February 14, 2016 [1 favorite]
Seabrook Washington is NOT "on the beach" or "by the sea." It's across the highway and on a very steep bluff. But 2 miles down the road is Pacific Beach, Washington, which is directly on the beach, and has lots of cottages and nice motel rooms. Highly recommended, but several hours from the airport. There's not much in the way of beach front strolls in the San Juans, and fond as I am of Bellingham (being a true blue 'hamster myself) there's no cabins-on-the-water up here. Ocean Shores is commonly referred to as Open Sores by the natives.
If you only have 4 days, you don't want to spend a lot of time driving to your destination. SeaTac is not close to any shoreline; we're talking hours and hours of driving. I agree with Capri: fly into Portland and go to Cannon Beach or Newport for cottage rentals on the sand.
posted by kestralwing at 9:36 PM on February 14, 2016
If you only have 4 days, you don't want to spend a lot of time driving to your destination. SeaTac is not close to any shoreline; we're talking hours and hours of driving. I agree with Capri: fly into Portland and go to Cannon Beach or Newport for cottage rentals on the sand.
posted by kestralwing at 9:36 PM on February 14, 2016
« Older Synth question: What’s the difference between eg... | Yes, this will be my first smartphone Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by carmicha at 4:30 PM on February 13, 2016