Wheeler

I say this about every city over there, but I think Wheeler's my favorite town on the Oregon Coast. It's just that Wheeler is consistently a laid-back, uncrowded place to enjoy the coast even if it's a Saturday in July. I try to go kayaking at least two or three every summer in the bay, and I also try to go visit for a weekend once every winter just because it's so ridiculously affordable. If you don't have a baby you can stay at the Old Wheeler Hotel, and if you do then you can stay at the Wheeler on the Bay. Both places are equally great no matter the weather.
Mayor Walter Trandum took time to autograph our big map of Oregon at the OMA in Salem. He governs a great town that one could probably throw a potato over if they had a few tries and the right spot from which to throw it. You can rent a kayak from several places there on the bay and row up to the city of Nehalem or down to Nehalem Bay State Park if you want to hang out on the beach. The secret is to check the tide tables and try to reach your destination within an hour of when the tide crests so you can go with the tide both ways. And no trip to Wheeler is complete without a meal of fresh fish from the Sea Shack followed by a quick stop at the apothecary/liquor store for lavender oil and vodka. Every liquor store in Oregon should also be an apothecary. It just makes sense.
23 down, 219 to go.