The Central Coast

For centuries mariners grappled with how to navigate channels up and down the Oregon Coast. The Columbia Bar, for instance, sits where the Columbia River empties into the Pacific Ocean — and has been the site of roughly 2,000 shipwrecks since 1792. Though nowadays things are much safer with jetties and bar pilots, the bar’s rough waters earned it the nickname “Graveyard of the Pacific.” Other passages have less dramatic but no less powerful stories of their own.

Though better known for oceanside fish and chips and DIY crabbing and clamming in its many bays, the Oregon Coast is also the home of rolling pasture land and a long history of making cheese. The lush green pastures of the Coast Range foothills are home to herds of Holsteins and Jerseys, and some pretty cute goats, too, whose milk is the basis for delicious cheeses. Add one of these cheesy spots to your next Coast visit, or plan a whole cheese-tasting road trip.

For many people, winter is a time to slow down, get cozy, relax and reflect — and the Oregon Coast is just the place to do it. While the natural beauty of the Coast is enough to inspire a deep sense of peace in those who visit, it also features excellent hotels and spas where wellness takes center stage, many of which offer enticing off-season rates. Here are some of our favorite places for your winter wellness retreat.

As a new style in the cycling world, gravel riding has exploded in popularity across the country. Defined by its versatility, gravel biking allows riders to traverse a variety of less trafficked, nontechnical terrains that deliver ample opportunity for solitude, scenery and a variety of distances. Visitors find gravel riding perfect for mountainous states like Oregon due to the abundance of trails and nearly 30,000 national forest service roads in the state, where cyclists can explore for miles.

If you and your kids want to learn about marine life, the Oregon Coast has you covered. You’ll find everything from aquariums with kid-friendly touch pools to interactive museums that uncover some of the ocean’s many mysteries. One must-see is Newport’s Oregon Coast Aquarium, which features a new giant Pacific octopus habitat designed to resemble a natural seafloor. “The wraparound viewing window gives guests the chance to see the octopus as it feeds, plays and displays its colorful camouflage,” says Jeremy Burke, the aquarium's director of marketing and visitor services.

With 363 miles of pristine coastline, the Oregon Coast is a dream vacation for beach-loving dogs. In addition to long stretches of sandy shores for splashing, your dog can sniff along fragrant evergreen trails that lead to ocean views, then chill on a friendly restaurant patio. Here are some ideas to map out your next coastal quest with your best buddy. For a place to stay, choose a dog-friendly hotel on the Coast.