Oregon Coastal Access Guide, Second Edition: A Mile by Mile Guide to Scenic and Recreational Attractions (Oregon Sea Grant)

Oh the memories this book brings back. :-) The Oregon Coast is a strange place. Giant Fir forests, huge sand dunes, tall rocky cliffs with crashing waves, some of the most plentiful and fun agate hunting in the world, fossils, clams, whales, sea lions, seals, crabs, mussels, tidal pools, giant dead driftwood trees, wild winter storms, cheese and craft beer makers, artist retreats, surfing, golfing, and grand 1930s architecture vie for your attention. All of these and more are organized very logically in this book by milestones on Coastal HIghway 101. The book starts with the northenmost point, where Oregon is separated from Washington by the massive Columbia river and ends at its southermost point, near California, where you start to see palm trees. In between these 300 or so miles there hundreds of things to experience or see. Not all the cool places are listed here (They didn't get around to mentioning Thor's Well, for instance) and places that tend to come and go (like restaurants) are not listed, but for those new to the Oregon coast or visiting, and looking for some high points with maybe a little history, geology, and anthropology thrown in (or all the best state parks and scenic overlooks), it is a very valuable resource. While Thor's Well can be easily looked up online, who else but the author of this book is going to explain in detail how to crab in Siletz bay or dig for mussels and clams, describe what the founders of The Pixie Kitchen got up to after their restaurant became so popular in downtown Lincoln City, and tell the stories of the interesting and tragic shipwrecks this rocky coast has caused. Towns, state parks, hiking trails, and cool road side-trips you can take off of Hwy 101 are also described in great detail along every mile. This is a great book to take in the car with you as you travel the amazing Oregon Coast.

Great for first time vacationers to the Oregon Coast. I checked books out from the library. I ordered other books. The Oregon Coastal Access Guide is the best by far. As it states it's a mile to mile guide. Miles 0-131, towns, sight to see, camp grounds, visitor centers etc. Helpful sections regarding expected temperatures, how to dress, information on every lighthouse and historical bridges, business hours, if handicap accessible, if toilets available. Coastal shoreline hazards, information regarding high tides/low tides. It will help prioritize your travel plans.

My friend and I used this book as a resource as we traveled up the Oregon coast. My biggest complaint would be that we were going from the south to the north, so we had to kind of read the book backward. Most of the directions to attractions were clear and it definitely gave us ideas of places to go and things to see. If it had been easier to navigate the book backward for a trip going from south to north, I would have given it 5 stars.

Recently I vacationed along the Oregon coast and this book was priceless!! It gave me hints and tips that no other book detailed. This book details each rest-stop, outlet, inlet, viewpoint, beach access, bridge, museum, trail and park you could possibly imagine and more. It also served as an incredible resource - with it, I hit sites I would have otherwise missed. It was essential when I was trying to go over my photography and recount where all I had been. Before leaving (for vacation) I bought several books - but my favorites ended up being this one and The Photographer's Guide to the Oregon Coast: Where to Find Perfect Shots and How to Take Them (Middleton, Barbee) - I took them everywhere. I cannot praise this book enough!

This book is very detailed on information needed to plan a vacation trip along the Oregon Coast. It's laid out by milemarker along Hwy 101, has lots of travel tips, places to stay, activities, and things to look into, such as parks, museums, etc. It has adequate lodging and dining information, although this informaiton may degrade quickly over time. Amazon promoted the book to me as a photo guide for planning a trip to photograph scenics. I would rate it a "1" on that point, as what passes for scenic photo suggestions are few in number and trivil in content.

Great book for a coastal adventure!!!!

Exactly as described

I loved the way this book is laid out. It has boxes you can highlight for places to see. The information was great. The only thing I wasn't pleased about but understand why it was done is that the book starts from the top or Oregon at the Washington/Oregon boarder and works it's way down to California. As a California resident and traveling from California to Oregon I had a hard time keeping my place in the book while we were traveling. I was traveling with a group of 5 rvs and everyone wanted to read this book. It was a great help in determining thing that were near each city. I have to say this helped make my trip not only enjoyable but complete for the amount of time I had. I recommend this book.

Great book! I've been down the coast a few times before and wish I bought this for my first trip. Lots of great suggestions and descriptions.