Safely Enjoy Spring Break

1. Take a Hike

There is no better way to refresh yourself and your family than to immerse yourself in nature. Luckily for us, Lincoln City is full of opportunities to do so. Outside of enjoying pristine miles of beach, there is also an abundance of hiking trails making it easy to escape the crowds. While you’re out there, be mindful of others by masking up when you are unable to be six feet apart and being kind to everyone. Maybe even pick up trash if you see it! Lincoln City Parks and Recreation has worked hard this year to maintain our parks and open spaces, which are located centrally all throughout town.

In and around Lincoln City you will find trails ranging from an easy walk in the forest to longer more diverse adventures scaling throughout the hills surrounding local neighborhoods. A few favorite open spaces include Spring Lake and Regatta Grounds. Both are a short driving distance from each other but offer beautiful moderate walks. Spring Lake has a few different routes to explore that hugs the perimeter of a beautiful and still lake surrounded by towering trees. Just down the road is a well-known lakeside park. Regatta Grounds boasts a beautiful view of Devils Lake complete with a dock and picnic tables for relaxing, a wooden sandcastle play structure and even a few small trails where you can visit a 400-year-old grandfather Sitka spruce tree. These are just two of many Open Spaces to explore. Visit Lincoln City Parks and Recreations website for a complete list and start checking them off your list.

2. Watch For Whales

It's that time of year again. Our favorite giant mammals are making their annual migration from their breeding grounds in Mexico, back to the cold waters of Alaska. This phenomenal migration brings people from all over to observe the gray whales who prefer to be 3-5 miles offshore spouting, breaching, and frolicking with their young, visible with the naked eye. Some venture closer to shore providing a truly spectacular show. To learn more about the largest mammal migration on the planet, or to find a whale-watching charter out of Depoe Bay, check out our whale watching blog.

3. Take A Drive

Head south toward Newport and you'll be welcomed with sweeping ocean views and viewpoints where you can pull over for a photo op, or enjoy a picnic. A perfect place to spend the day near the ocean just outside of Lincoln City is Fogarty Creek. It offers a huge parking lot with plenty of picnic tables and a forest to explore. It is a very short walk on a paved path under the bridge to the sand, which makes it easy to pack all your toys and beach accessories. It is more protected than some beaches making it a great place to escape the wind.

Continue further south past Fogarty Creek, and stop in Depoe Bay to see if you can spot some gray whales. These whales love the protection of the area, so much so that there are a few resident whales that frequent these waters all throughout the year. As you continue on your journey, you'll find viewpoints easily accessible off Hwy 101. One place you won't want to miss is Devils Punchbowl just outside of Otter Rock. There is a rocky beach featuring a collapsed sea cave filled with churning surf, plus tide pools and a few trails. This can also be a great spot to watch for whales on a clear day.

If you head North over Cascade Head, you'll also be welcomed with gorgeous scenery. Stop at Neskowin and take a walk on the sand. It's a small beach town with the iconic Proposal Rock and if you time it right, during low tide, you can witness a strange phenomenon and natural wonder known as the Ghost Forest. This eerie sight is the result of an ancient forest that was destroyed during a major earthquake that hit the Cascadia subduction zone in 1700. The tree stumps are averaged to be over 2,000 years old and as the tide goes out, you can explore tide pools surrounding them.