Newport, Oregon

After traveling all day and taking in many sights we headed for the town of Newport, Oregon, which would be our home-base for the next two nights as we continued exploring the Oregon Coast.

Newport is home to two lighthouses — including the tallest in Oregon,(We'll save the Yaquina Head Lighthouse as a separate post)and beaches prime for spotting whales, bald eagles and agates in the sand. 

History of Yaquina Bay

Remains of the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

Perhaps Newport’s most iconic landmark is the gorgeous Yaquina Bay Bridge. More than just a way to cross the bay, the bridge is an ambassador for the city and a magnificent piece of art-deco architecture.

Yaquina Bay Bridge looking towards the Bay

View of Yaquina Bay Bridge from the bay

In Newport you can learn about marine life at the Oregon Coast Aquarium and OMSI’s Coastal Discovery Center. 

This greets you at the Oregon Undersea Garden

Newport's colorful bay front buildings and docks

The wooden sea lion docks at Port Dock One on Newport’s Bay Front have provided a haul-out for sea lions for over 18 years. These docks provide a unique opportunity for the public to observe these amusing and interesting (and stinky) animals close up. For many, this is the quintessential Newport experience and one we had to see for ourselves!

Sea lions at the sea lion docks in Newport

These two were.....how do you say......courting?

She posed for our camera!

We decided to stay at the Hallmark Resort in Newport.  This hotel is located along Newport's beach front and our room had an amazing view of the beach where we could see the Yaquina Head Lighthouse in the distance. Our room had been newly renovated and was fresh, clean, and spacious.  We were not disappointed by our accommodations! 

View of Hallmark Resort from the beach

After checking in to our hotel we headed to the Rogue Ales Bayfront Public House for a late night dinner and an exciting game of trivia offered by Mr. Bill's Traveling Trivia Show.  All of Rogue’s brews and spirits are produced in South Beach at the brewery and distillery at the foot of the Yaquina Bay Bridge. 

Rogue Ales Public House

With bellies full of delicious grub and spirits we headed back to the hotel to get a goodnight's sleep and prepare for our next destination....Depoe Bay!