A Close Getaway

Explore the Oregon Coast

Taffy Heaven Sweet tooths (teeth?) love the beach for a lot of reasons — ice-cream, tongue-staining slushies and especially saltwater taffy. If you’re looking for really fresh taffy, head to Bruce’s Candy Kitchen in Cannon Beach for stretchy goodness that satisfies — they make it onsite and have since 1963. Watch the video Last year, the fourth-generation family-owned business made 21 tons of the stuff! Brian Taylor started working at the candy shop when he was in junior high and has been there 12 years. He ended up marrying into the family. He explained that flavor is the most expensive ingredient in taffy, and Bruce’s doesn’t skimp. “Our taffy flavor stays in your mouth 15 minutes after you’ve tasted the taffy,” Taylor said. He still uses the Model K machine that hasn’t changed since it was first built in the early 1900s. He feeds ropes of taffy into the machine, and it cuts it and wraps each bite-sized piece into wax paper. The most popular flavors are cinnamon, peanut butter and peppermint. Details: www.brucescandy.com

Most trips take two things people are short on nowadays — time and money. But that’s no excuse to ditch your dreams of summer fun. Instead, focus on adventures closer to home. The Northwest offers all the ingredients you need for a spectacular, easy-going vacation. When’s the last time you experienced the Oregon coast? Perhaps now’s the perfect time.

“It’s a very comfortable place to be,” said Kevin O’Keane, who lives in Seaside and works at the Pig N’ Pancake restaurant. “We like to bicycle at Fort Stevens historical park, go clamming and crabbing, and my 9-year-old really likes the bumper cars and arcade.” O’Keane knows a lot of tourists because they return, year after year.

After all, there’s more than 300 miles of coastline to explore — depending on your time and budget. Believe it or not, you can pack a lot of fun into a couple days between Astoria and Cannon Beach.

Quirky, Cool Astoria
It’s hard to define Astoria. It’s old, but in a good way. Kind of like a record store. It’s starting to draw younger, hip, artsy types because it’s an affordable and inspiring coastal town. It’s also a family-friendly town full of hardworking people, history galore and lots of hole-in-the-wall places waiting to be discovered.

GET ART Looking for some really cool art or a toy for your niece who has everything? Go to Lunar Boy Gallery on Commercial Street for pink “fairy” swatters, Pookie & Co. toys, Goonies movie T-shirts, and art, of course. Details: lunarboygallery.com

EAT THIS Crazy for quesadillas and big kids’ ice-cream floats? If so, stop at T. Paul’s Herban Café on Commercial Street. Try Faith’s Chocolate Stout Float, which is Original British Chocolate Stout over French vanilla ice-cream. Details: 503.338.5133

If you ask, the locals will send you to the newer BridgeWater Bistro, located in a red building on Basin Street pier adjacent to the Cannery Pier Hotel. Owners (and former 425ers) Tony and Ann Kischner know exactly what they’re doing — they also have owned and operated the Shoalwater Restaurant in Seaview for years. By the fireplace, there’s a Plexi-Glass-covered hole in the floor where you can look down into the cold waters of the Columbia while sipping a lemon drop. Ann bakes bread fresh for guests every morning. Manhattan meets New England in their Shoalwater clam and mussel chowder, which lands somewhere in the middle of “yum.” They are open 7 days a week. Details: bridgewaterbistro.com

SEE A SHOW The revitalization of Astoria is evident when you step inside the beautiful Liberty Theater just down Commercial Street from the Herban Café. The former 1920s-era vaudeville motion picture house hosts live shows and is one of the city’s crown jewels. Details: liberty-theater.org

RIDE THIS For $1, you can ride the Astoria Riverfront Trolley. The round-trip ride is about an hour and runs for three miles along the Columbia River between Basin and 36th streets. Details: oldoregon.com

DRINK THIS Columbia River Coffee Roasters located underneath the green Astoria-Megler Bridge on West Marine Drive is one of Oregon’s tastiest coffee roasters. You won’t even miss your Starbucks when you take a sip of their signature Thundermuck roast. Details: thundermuck.com

STAY HERE Formerly a fish cannery dating back to the late 1800s, the Cannery Pier Hotel now is a luxury getaway tucked on the end of a 600-foot-long pier on the Columbia River with 48 rooms (some pet-friendly) and a day spa. Ask to borrow their 1950s replica bikes and pedal along the river. Details: cannerypierhotel.com

Sunny Seaside
Seaside is a classic beach town full of possibilities. Whether you’re looking for romance, a family-friendly adventure or a place where both grandma and your favorite teen will be happy, Seaside delivers.

SUGAR RUSH Hit Chez Scoop on Broadway for Twinkies hand-dipped in flavors like chocolate, banana and more, and Whoopie pies. Sip on any of the 200 flavors of soda available, including old-school selections like Green River. Or just treat yourself to a great big waffle cone crammed with your favorite Tillamook ice-cream. Next door is The Buzz, a candy store owned by the same folks. Get oldies and goodies, like PEZ, candy cigarettes (gasp!) and homemade fudge. Details: Chez Scoop, 503.717.1800 and The Buzz, 503.717.8808

PLAY HERE The Funland Arcade on Broadway has been updated and now the games don’t accept quarters, they accept credits (sounds like a casino). Play new games like Deal or No Deal, classics like pinball and don’t forget to take a picture in the photo booth! Across the street, order an elephant ear or ride the carousel. Details: shopseaside.com

CHECK IT OUT Go to Swell Times on Broadway and check out their eclectic collections of metal lunch boxes and quirky toys, like a Marie Antoinette doll action figure – yes, her head pops off. Details: 503.738.6680.

HIDDEN GEM Ask locals and they’ll send you to Lil’ Bayou Restaurant & Magnolia Lounge on North Holladay for a special meal that’s a little pricier than the corndog-type fare common around town. Think gumbo, jambalaya, fried green tomatoes and more. Details: lilbayou.net

WORK IT OFF Seaside is a walking town and it’s pet-friendly — many merchants leave water dishes on the sidewalks for dogs. Walk on the beach or along the boardwalk and take in the fresh ocean breeze. At the end of the boardwalk is a tiny aquarium where the kids can feed fish to the seals. Or rent a paddle boat or bike to work off the sugar.

Classy Cannon Beach
Home of Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach is a bit more refined. It’s a laid-back, classy and beautiful little town with plenty of upscale boutiques, art, and a lot of fun places to eat and sip wine. Plus, Cannon Beach is one of the best places on the West Coast to see tufted puffins!

WAKE UP TO THIS In the morning, head to the Cannon Beach Bakery on Hemlock where third-generation Danish bakers serve the real deal starting at 6:30 a.m. Try the Marionberry turnovers and grab a loaf of their popular Haystack bread and save it for dinner! Details: cannonbeachbakery.com

BUY THIS Buy a pretty piece of jewelry (many are handmade) from Josephine’s on Hemlock to remember the trip. Or find a unique gift for someone who has everything.
Details: josephinesincannonbeach.com

DRINK BEER HERE Head to Bill’s Tavern and Brewhouse on Hemlock. It serves up its own brew (root beer, too) in a rustic atmosphere, with one side open to minors. The fish tacos are highly recommended by local fans. Details: 503.436.2202.

STAY HERE Stephanie’s Inn on South Pacific is the place for a romantic getaway, with fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs in all their elegant rooms. Breakfast is complimentary and it is anything but “continental.” Think sausage and bacon gravy over biscuits, fresh fruit, and really good coffee. Details: stephanie-inn.com

For the full story pick up the latest copy of 425 magazine. Subscriptions are available by phone at 425.646.1380 or you may order your subscription online.