Updated May 1, 2024
Between Neahkahnie Mountain and Nehalem Bay sits the little town of Manzanita, Oregon, a mellow alternative to its popular northern neighbor, Cannon Beach. There are a variety of things to do in Manzanita from its quaint downtown dotted with local cafes, restaurants and shops to the beautiful stretch of unspoiled beach at the end of its main street.
You won’t find any national hotel chains here– just a laid-back, small coastal Oregon town. A few minutes away, the coastal communities of Nehalem and Wheeler also offer relief from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Contents
- Where is Manzanita, Oregon?
- Transportation to Manzanita
- About Manzanita
- Things to Do in Manzanita
- Places to Stay in Manzanita
Hotels
Vacation Rentals
Campgrounds and RV Parks - Restaurants and Dining in Manzanita
- Weather in Manzanita, Oregon
- Tide Charts for Manzanita, Oregon
- Annual Events and Festivals in Manzanita
This page may contain affiliate links where we earn a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Our suggestions are based on our own experience and thorough research. Full disclosure.
Where is Manzanita, Oregon?
Manzanita is located on the northern Oregon Coast in Tillamook County, about 1 hour and 45 minutes driving from Portland (90 miles). One route from Portland is to take Highway 26 west over the coast range to Highway 101 south.
An alternate route is to take Highway 26 west to Highway 53 south to Nehalem (curvy road but about 5 miles shorter). It’s the perfect distance for a weekend getaway or day trip from Portland.
Transportation to Manzanita
Driving is the easiest and fastest way to get to Manzanita. For air, bus, train, car and camper rental information, see Transportation to the Oregon Coast.
🚗 Save up to 70% on your next car rental through DiscoverCars.
About Manzanita
This area was originally the native homeland of the Tillamook tribe. The few remaining natives who survived smallpox and the arrival of white settlers were relocated to reservations in the 1850s.
The city of Manzanita was planned as a beach resort town dating back to the early 1900s. Tourists would arrive in Mohler by train and take a stagecoach to the shore.
After Highway 101 was completed in 1940 connecting Oregon’s coastal communities, Manzanita was incorporated as a town in 1946. Today, Manzanita has remained small, with a population of about 600 residents.
Top Things to Do in Manzanita
Explore Oswald West State Park
One of the most scenic parks in Oregon is just a few minutes north of Manzanita. Oswald West State Park spans 2,484 acres including a day-use area, miles of hiking trails and sandy beaches. There is no overnight camping in this park, but Cape Falcon trail and Neahkahnie Mountain trail are popular day hikes and Smuggler Cove, Devil’s Cauldron and Treasure Cove are fun areas to explore.
Short Sand Beach (“Shorty’s”) is a popular surfing spot and secluded beach surrounded by coastal cliffs with some good tide pools. Blumenthal Falls is at the north end of the beach. Short Sand is reachable by an easy, half-mile walk through coastal forest.
If you’re not up for a hike, pull off at the Neahkahnie Viewpoint to soak up the view and snap a photo.
Check Out Laneda Avenue
Take a stroll down Laneda Avenue, the main street in Manzanita, with shops, dining and beach access all within a walkable distance. You’ll find a variety of souvenirs and gifts, local boutique shops, bike and board rentals, independent bookstores, cafes and restaurants.
Walk Along Manzanita Beach
At the end of Laneda Avenue, Manzanita Beach stretches for miles with scenic Neahkahnie Mountain rising in the north. Manzanita Beach is a wide, open, 7-mile-long beach great for walking on packed sand. This beach is dog-friendly and a lot less crowded than popular Cannon Beach.
👉 Explore more of the best beaches on the northern Oregon Coast.
Camp and Play at Nehalem Bay State Park
Just south of Manzanita, Nehalem Bay State Park is situated on a narrow sand spit at the mouth of the Nehalem River with the Pacific Ocean on one side and Nehalem Bay on the other. The park is surrounded by serene water, shore pines, rolling sand dunes and a variety of wildlife.
It’s not uncommon to see deer and elk grazing as well as a mix of sea and shore birds including pelicans, sandpipers, plovers, herons, ducks and geese.
🐦 Find more of the best bird-watching spots on the Oregon Coast.
Outdoor activities at Nehalem Bay State Park include overnight camping, horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, fishing, crabbing, bird watching and biking. An easy, scenic bike loop will take you around Nehalem Bay (2 miles round trip) or all the way into Manzanita (3 miles one way).
Oregon Beach Rides provides guided horseback rides on the beach and the Nehalem River is known for excellent salmon fishing.
Visit Wheeler, Oregon
Just 10 minutes south of Manzanita, you’ll find Wheeler, a tiny former lumber town on the Nehalem River with a population of about 400 people. If you’re looking for haunted places in Oregon, the Old Wheeler Hotel sits across from the train depot and is reportedly a haven for ghosts. There’s also a small marina and a few shops and eateries in town.
The Wheeler Depot is part of the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Historic steam train rides along the coast depart from Garibaldi or Rockaway Beach.
You may also like:
- Things to do at the Oregon Coast (browse by activity)
- Guided tours of the Oregon Coast
- The tiny hillside village of Oceanside, Oregon
Campgrounds and RV Parks Near Manzanita
Nehalem Bay State Park is open year round and offers tent and full-hookup RV campsites, horse camping, hiker/biker campsites, airport camp with primitive fly-in campsites and yurt rentals (more details above).
🌲 See our guide to State Park camping on the Oregon Coast for a complete list of campgrounds in the northern coast region with more information about how to reserve campsites.
About 15 minutes south of Manzanita, Kelly’s Brighton Marina & Campground offers tent and RV campsites along with crab boat rentals and crabbing off the docks. They’ll even cook your catch!
🚐 There are several privately owned RV parks and campgrounds along the Oregon Coast off Highway 101. Services and facilities can vary widely, so be sure to check reviews on Google Maps or use a trusted trip-planning app like RV Life to read unbiased reviews of campgrounds by other RVers Try it free!
Restaurants and Dining in Manzanita
Most of the restaurants in Manzanita are located along Laneda Avenue.
Grab a coffee at Manzanita News & Espresso, plus a few pastries and locally made gifts while you’re at it.
Local pick: Big Wave Cafe serves seafood, steaks, burgers and breakfasts with a focus on local ingredients.
For pizza to go, Marzano’s Pizza Pie is the place for take out. It does get busy during peak times so plan accordingly.
For a nice lunch near the beach, Offshore Grill and Coffee House serves salads, soups and sandwiches. For dinner they offer more upscale fine dining options like seafood and steak.
🍎 Manzanita Grocery and Deli – The Little Apple is a great local grocery store for picking up food before heading out to the beach. Customize your own made-to-order sandwich from the deli, grab some snacks and you’ll be all set for a picnic.
The San Dune Pub is a casual local spot for drinks and live music.
Restaurants and Dining in Nehalem
Head to Riverside Fish n’ Chips on the Nehalem River for fast and friendly fish n’ chips with a river view.
Wanda’s Cafe + Bakery in Nehalem serves up hearty breakfasts and sandwiches for lunch, plus homemade breads, cinnamon rolls and baked goods.
Restaurants and Dining in Wheeler
For smoked salmon and bagels, NeahKahNie Smoke House in Wheeler is the spot. Don’t forget to grab extra to take home.
The Salmonberry serves local seafood, handmade pasta and woodfire pizza plus seasonal specials. On sunny days, the waterfront deck is a nice spot to sit and enjoy the view in Wheeler.
🍴 Find more of the best food and dining on the Oregon Coast with our Restaurant Guide.
Weather in Manzanita, Oregon
The weather in Manzanita, Oregon is generally cool (50s-60s F) and damp with frequent rain throughout the year, with the exception of July and August. Temperatures rarely get too hot in summer with highs in the 60s-70s. Lows dip down into the 30s in winter but snow is rare. Spring and Autumn are a mix of sunny and rainy days.
Like most of the Oregon Coast, the beaches are usually breezy and cool. It’s a good idea to wear layers and bring rain gear. For more help on what to wear to the Oregon Coast, see our seasonal guide or download our free packing list.
Tide Charts for Manzanita and the Oregon Coast
There are two low tides and two high tides every day on Oregon’s coast. Low tide is the time for beachcombing, clamming, tide pools and cave exploration.
For your safety, be aware of the tide schedule before boating or heading out to beaches and always keep an eye on the water level. Use extreme caution in rocky areas near the water, where sneaker waves can (and do) strike.
🌊 Check tide tables or ask at state park offices, local visitor information centers and many stores and hotels for a free tide table booklet.
🦀 Find the best tide pools on the Oregon Coast near Manzanita.
Annual Events and Festivals in Manzanita, Oregon
Looking for more fun things to do in Manzanita? Here’s a list of major events to help you plan your trip.
January – Manzanita Polar Plunge
July – 4th of July festivities and parade in Manzanita, Oregon
September – Muttzanita annual dog festival in Manzanita
For more details and events, see the official visitor information site Explore Manzanita, Oregon.
👉 See our calendar for more Events on the Oregon Coast.
Taking a road trip? From Manzanita, drive 12 minutes north to Arch Cape, 20 minutes north to Cannon Beach or 38 minutes south to Rockaway Beach to continue exploring Oregon Coast towns.
