Lincoln City offers a true Oregon experience with some added rainbow Pride
(Photos by Explore Lincoln City and Steven Lindsey)
STEVEN LINDSEY | Contributing writer
StevenCraigLindsey@GMail.com
Few states in the continental U.S. match the natural splendor of Oregon and its many weird-in-a-good-way cities and towns. From the tree-lined mountains and rugged coastlines of the Pacific Northwest to the numerous wineries across the Willamette Valley (so much pinot noir, so little time!), you’ll find abundant ways to feed your soul. Perhaps as unknown to you now as it was to me when I was invited to visit, Lincoln City offers a quintessentially Oregonian experience.
Best of all, the current marketing campaign for the destination features the message “Come as you are,” designed to inspire responsible tourism, sustainable practices, inclusive experiences and diverse representation. Several businesses along the main stretch (U.S. Route 101) feature some sort of Pride-colored sticker or actual rainbow flags in the front windows to signal LGBTQ+-friendly service.
The destination is a perfect add-on to any trip you may have planned to Portland, which is the closest international airport to Lincoln City. (OK, it’s only three miles closer than Eugene, but still.) Driving from PDX to the coast takes you through majestic pine canopies and lush farmland, including several postcard-worthy vineyards. But it isn’t until the final couple of miles that you finally catch your first glimpse of the ocean.
Nobody would hate you for parking near the beach to dip your toes in the sand before you ever get to your hotel, either. Though the water here is quite cold, even if you never get into the surf, you can enjoy the Pacific. Prepare to be amazed by vibrant sunsets, made that much better when witnessed from a blanket near a beach bonfire. Stick around until darkness falls for starry skies that’ll shock you with the number of visible constellations. It’s not uncommon to see locals and visitors crabbing and clamming along the shoreline or catching a few gray whales splashing around. A local pod of about five dozen feeds offshore between June and October in addition to migration times during spring and winter.
Temperatures in Lincoln City rarely peak above the low 70s during the day and dip to the low 50s most nights all summer long, making this an incredible escape from the Texas heat. And the perfect hot tub scenario, which you can enjoy in a reserved private session when you stay at the Shearwater Inn. Most hotels in town top out at three stars, but Shearwater Inn gives you a lot for a little, including a wonderfully comfortable bed, in-room fireplaces and jetted tubs, and a small balcony facing the ocean, no matter which room you book. (Request a high floor for the best views.) Continental breakfast can be delivered to your room each morning free of charge, too.
Mere steps from the hotel, you can be on the beach, or the edge of the D River (no, not that D). Though it’s up for debate with the citizens of Great Falls, Montana, home to the Roe River, many consider the D River the shortest in the world. It’s a fun photo op and something to mark on your travel bingo card, regardless.
Because this is Oregon, enjoying the great outdoors will always be a top item on the itinerary. Enjoy several easy trails and sites in town, including the Cascade Head Biosphere and Cutler City Wetlands Trailhead. Nearby in Otter Rock, the dramatic Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area shouldn’t be missed.
Lincoln City is also home to several glass blowing studios, one of which is the gay-owned Mor Art Fused Glass Studio, where you can purchase beautiful glass decorative pieces, as well as make your own fused glass portraits, with instruction from the hilarious owners, Dan and Maurice. The city also sponsors the Finders Keepers program, a unique experience in which Float Fairies (no, not that kind of fairy) hide gorgeous, colorful orbs on the beach for anyone to discover and take home. In addition to all the blown glass, one of the city’s real artistic gems is the Lincoln City Cultural Center filled with small galleries and classes ranging from yoga to pottery and events throughout the year.
Lincoln City’s food scene offers a smorgasbord of cuisines, exemplified by The Pines Dine, a village of 12 food trucks where you can choose outdoor or indoor seating, plus a full bar. It’s also the home to regular drag shows and other queer-friendly events. Other dining highlights include Grumblefish Bagels to start your day, Hearth & Table for wood-fired pizzas, and the mom-and-pop Eleanor’s Undertow for sweet treats, especially the marionberry cobbler. For dining with ocean views, visit Kyllos Bar and Grill, Pelican Brewing at Siletz Bay, Fathom’s at Spanish Inn, and Rogue River Steak & Seafood at Chinook Winds Casino Resort. If you’re a gambler, the casino’s worth a visit all on its own.
If all this sounds as amazing as it should now that temps are topping 100 in Dallas, plan a visit soon. Great times include the annual Lincoln City Pride Fest, which takes place the last weekend of Pride Month (June 27 this year), the final year of Queer Wine Fest in McMinnville (June 28), or as a relaxing “after-party vacation” following Portland Pride (July 18-19).
No matter when you go, expect nothing but friendly faces and plentiful reasons to get up early to explore. Because here, every day’s an adventure.
To learn more or build your own itinerary, visit ExploreLincolnCity.com.