Lincoln City, Oregon

Lincoln City is the oceanfront-view capital of the Pacific Northwest. More local dining rooms and lodgings feature window-wall panoramas of seascapes than anywhere else along the Oregon and Washington coast. This is partially because Lincoln City sprawls for more than seven miles along a shoreline distinguished by gentle bluffs and broad sandy beaches. The location of the heart of town is debatable. But, an important small nucleus of restaurants, shops, and lodgings has been built on both sides of the world’s shortest river (a few hundred feet in length). The temperate climate is notably windy, so kite flying is popular much of the year. In winter, storm-watching has become the town’s main attraction when gigantic windwhipped surf pounds against beaches and bluffs.

Unlike most Oregon towns, the local economy was never based on fishing, lumber or minerals. Instead, residents have always been oriented toward fulfulling the needs of travelers and vacationers. Tourism was given a major boost by the completion of the Oregon Coast Highway (US 101) during the 1930s. In 1965, five villages incorporated as one town to better coordinate their appeal to visitors.

Today, Lincoln City is one of the largest and most popular coastal vacation destinations–with something for all age groups. Galleries, shops, restaurants and lodgings are spread along the coast and main highway throughout the length of town. Collectively, they represent all ranges of price and quality, including some of the Oregon coast’s finest tourist facilities.

For more information, go to Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce.