Oregon Coast - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 594

( 503-368-7450; 500 Laneda Ave; 7:30am-5pm) This friendly, slightly funky and cozy
cafe has good coffee and pastries, along with an interesting selection of magazines for
sale. Nice outdoor seating for those warm summer days.
Getting There & Away
Tillamook County Transportation (The Wave; 503-815-8283; www.tillamookbus.com )
Buses stop on 5th St near Laneda Ave and connect to Tillamook, Cannon Beach and
Portland a few times daily.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Nehalem & Wheeler
Nearly 4 miles south of Manzanita, the Nehalem River creates a wide estuarial valley
and bay that are protected from the ocean by a 3-mile sand spit. Straddling the river, the
historic fishing villages of Nehalem and Wheeler have become centers for antiques and
river recreation - and are home to a couple of truly fine restaurants.
Activities
Nehalem Bay State Park ( 503-368-5154; www.oregonstateparks.org ; 9500 Sandpiper Lane;
day-use fee $5) has a good 2-mile walk, or sandy bike ride, on the Spit Trail, which fin-
ishes up at the end of a peaceful peninsula. Meanwhile, the quiet, bird-rich waters of Ne-
halem Bay are good for contemplative kayaking and birdwatching; rent kayaks and ca-
noes at Wheeler Marina ( 503-368-5780; www.wheelermarina.net ; 580 Marine Dr; per hour
single/double kayaks $22/28, canoes $28) .
Sleeping & Eating
Bunk House MOTEL$
( 503-368-2865; www.thebunkhousemotel.biz ; 36315 N US 101; d $46-126; ) Located in Ne-
halem, this is a homely spot with seven good rooms (the cheapest share a bathroom) and
two cabins. All rooms are clean and cozy, with quilts on the beds, and some have full kit-
chen and dining areas. Casual restaurant on premises.
Nehalem Bay State Park CAMPGROUND$