On the Northern Oregon coast, we were chasing something simple: quiet mornings with books, long meanders along the ocean, and stillness, having just come off of a busy month of work and travel. At the same time, our curiosity pulled us toward more discovery: new (to us) natural wine shops, conversations with people about farming and fermentation, and moments of learning that remind us constantly why travel is not just about a place but about connection. We were even fortunate enough to get our hands dirty and help out with a day of wine harvest at Cristom! A very full trip indeed.
Arch Cape/Gearhart
Stay: The Shelter House in Arch Cape
Tucked between Cannon Beach and Manzanita, Arch Cape is one of the Oregon coast’s best-kept secrets - a tiny, unincorporated community that feels worlds away from the bustle of the highway despite being actually very close. Named after the natural arch that once framed its shoreline, this stretch of coast has always been quieter than its neighbors, drawing people who come not for the crowds but for a sense of serenity and retreat. Wide sandy beaches, dramatic headlands, and forest that spills nearly to the sea create the backdrop. Mornings stretch lazily and evenings are marked by the rhythm of crashing waves - and shockingly, very few other sounds.
Shelter House captures this spirit perfectly, so it’s plopped in exactly the right place. Designed by the same team behind Inn the Ground (where we stayed last year and fell in love with their thoughtful aesthetic), the home blends Scandinavian minimalism with Pacific Northwest warmth and coastal culture. Clean lines, warm wood, stone, and massive windows that frame the ocean are defining characteristics of the home and every corner feels intentional and most important to us: cozy.
The kitchen is one of its greatest joys: well equipped for real cooking, not just reheating takeout. One evening we brought back fresh seafood from a local market - oysters and fish - and cooked an entire dinner, shucked oysters, and sipped wine whilst watching the sun dip into the Pacific. Basically it was 3 of us that night at the dinner table: me, Erick, and the coastline.
A special highlight was the firepit just a few sandy steps off of the back deck. We carried blankets and spent the sunset to dark hours bundled by the flame, still doable even in mid to late September as summer turned to fall. There’s something so elemental about sitting by flames while the Pacific rolls in just beyond, the sound of the crashing surf syncing with the crackle of the wood. The horizon turned fold, then violet, and then finally fell into darkness. By day, we loved walking out at low tide and having what felt like miles of shoreline nearly to ourselves. That solitude is part of Arch Cape’s quiet magic: it invites you in and lets you be. Something we certainly needed.
Inside, the experience is just as restorative. The interiors are stunning and warm, filled with thoughtfully selected art that gives each room character and depth without overwhelming the organic nature of the design itself. We loved the way every object felt chosen with care, right down to the shelves lined with books. Whatever you were searching for - inspiration, knowledge, a hand to hold you through grief - there was something to be found for you, a gesture of hospitality that we deeply appreciated.
If you’re looking for a place to reconnect with yourself, nature, with the person you love (and that includes furry friends, because they are welcome at the Shelter House!), this is that place. A deeply restorative exhale.
Places to Eat/Drink: Starting with the furthest north, we recommend Daughters and Gearhart Market (check for seasonal opening times) in Gearhart.
Daughters Wine Shop is a cozy, beautifully curated spot tucked into the coastal town. The space feels more like a gathering place than a traditional wine store - bright, inviting, and thoughtfully designed with shelves of bottles that lean heavily toward natural, small-production, and biodynamic winemakers. You quickly realize that every label has as story it just can’t wait to share.
What makes Daughters especially memorable is its owner, Megan, who greets you with a big smile and genuine excitement the moment you walk in. She has a way of making you feel instantly welcome, and her energy sets the tone for the visit. Megan, a former marketing guru in the wine industry before opening Daughters, isn’t just slinging bottles of wine… she wants to help curate your wine journey, whether that means picking the perfect bottle for a beach picnic, something special for dinner, or introducing you to a winemaker you may have never heard of (she introduced me to a stunning, funky Chilean skin contact white which made me rethink everything I knew about Chilean wines… see?!) Her goal is simple: to ensure you leave not only with good wine (and likely a pour or two while in the shop), but with a sense of joy in the process of choosing it.
For anyone traveling along the Oregon coast, even if you’re just passing through, go say hi to Megan and check out this hidden gem. Part shop, part bar, part snack, part experience, and 100% rooted in the spirit of good wine and good people. Bravo!
What to Do: Check out the Gearhart Market. Hike at Hug Point. Visit Del Rey Beach. Stumble into Pacific Way Bakery and Cafe. Or drive a bit further north and check out Astoria (look up our other blogs for Astoria reccs!)
Cannon Beach/Manzanita/Nehalem/Wheeler/Rockaway Beach
Stay: Coast Cabins in Manzanita
These are a collection of design-forward retreats just a few blocks from the beach in the laid back town of Manzanita. Each cabin blends the intimacy of a private hideaway with the aesthetic of a boutique hotel, with clean lines, natural wood and stone, and interiors curated with modern details. What makes a stay here so memorable is the balance of seclusion and community. Some cabins are tucked into a quiet forested setting with private decks and hot tubs, while others are closer to town, merely steps away from cafes, wine shops and Manzanita’s 7-mile stretch of sandy beach. Whether you want to curl up fireside with a book, or spend the day hiking Neahkahnie Mountain and returning to soak under the stars, the cabins create the perfect home base.
Places to Eat/Drink: Kellys Brighton Marina is always our favorite stop with a personal crabbing experience and endless amounts of oysters and crab to consume to your heart’s delight, Yolk, Wanda’s, Manzanita Coffee, Salmonberry.
What to Do: Check out Haystack Rock, Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach Book Company, Sea Level Bakery + Coffee, the Neahkahnie Mountain Trail, Salt & Pepper, Wheeler Marina, Nehalem Bay Winery, go to Wild Coast Goods in Nehalem. Walk Rockaway Beach, go to Kelly’s Brighton Marina, check out the Tillamook Creamery.
Pacific City/Lincoln City
Stay: Upper Left Cabins in Tierra del Mar
Just north of Pacific City in the tiny coastal stretch of Tierra Del Mar, the Upper Left Cabins offer a modern, design-forward way to experience the Oregon coast. Our AirBnB rental was the perfect balance of minimalist + artsy + PNW retreat and we adored the wood ceilings and quirky surfer themed art + Copenhagen-like lamps all throughout. Step outside and you’re just a few short steps from Tierra Del Mar’s wide, quiet beach, with views of Cape Kiwanda rising to the south. Inside, the house was incredibly well equipped with a well-stocked kitchen and cozy details throughout.
What made our cabin stand out was its sense of place. They’re modern but yet not in the least bit sterile, curated without losing an ease and comfortability. For travelers like us who are seeking a dog-friendly, family-friendly stay with simplicity, style, and proximity… this is an AirBnB find worth bookmarking!
Places to Eat/Drink: Sea Horsey Bottle Shop is our top pick not just because it is owned by friends, but because it’s also one of the coolest wine shops we’ve ever stepped foot in. Tucked into Lincoln City, its owned by Michelle and Shawn, two incredibly dynamic, passionate individuals who have built the shop around their love of wine, their community and the stories that bring the two together. The focus here is firmly on the Pacific Northwest, with every shelf highlighting bottles from the Columbia Gorge, Willamette Valley and beyond, chosen not just for quality but for the people and places behind them. When you walk in, you don’t just haphazardly browse labels and pick the prettiest one; you are invited into Michelle and Shawn’s world. They’ll happily regale you with tales from their scouting trips through the Gorge, where they meet winemakers, taste at the source, and bring back bottles that carry the character of the region. Its this sense of firsthand passion and discovery that makes the collection so live.
What sets Sea Horsey apart is undeniably its owners. They are magnetic, brimming with knowledge but also a strong desire to provide their customer with a sense of fun and curiosity. They leave you at ease, to laugh, learn, and undoubtedly leave the shop with a bottle or two that feels just right for you.
Other strong recommendations include: The Riverhouse, Beach Walk, Grateful Bread, Stimulus Coffee + Bakery, Pelican Brewing Co, Blackfish Cafe, Tidal Raves (Depoe Bay),The Wild Flower Grill, Hearth & Table, J’s Fish + Chips.
Bonus: We were also visiting on this trip to help out with wine harvest at Cristom Vineyards. We love frequenting the Willamette Valley and surrounding areas and would be remiss if we didn’t mention a few of our favorite wineries and restaurants out that way as well. Top picks: Johan Vineyards in Rickreall (we are happy wine club members!), Cristom Vineyards, Corollary Wines (make an appointment), Artists Block, and finally Red Hills Market in Dundee for the best sandwiches + pastries in the game.
