Manzanita Travel Guide

Tillamook County transit district operates several bus routes that connect Tillamook to surrounding communities, including Manzanita. From here, you can go north to Cannon Beach or south to Tillamook. The service is called "Deviated Fixed Route Bus Service", which means that the driver is allowed to deviate from the fixed route by as much as ¾ of a mile from the route in order to leave a passenger off at their desired location.

To be picked up at a deviated location, it is necessary to call the Tillamook Couny Transportation District and arrange the arrival of the bus, so that the driver knows where to find you.

Manzanita to Garibaldi is one fare zone. South of there is a second fare zone. Going north from Manzanita to Cannon Beach crosses another fare zone. The cheapest fare is $1, but as you add zones the price increases.

Buses are equipped with bike racks, but they seem to be busy on many days - even in the winter.

The bus stop shelter for Manzanita shown in the photograph is on 5th Street between Laneda Avenue and Dorcas Lane. It has a public parking lot.

Winter storms bring big waves and very high surf which can really churn things up. The resulting foam gets pretty impressive along the beach. So high, in fact, you can lose your dog or small child in it. Be warned.

Most Oregon beaches post warnings about undertow being present. This is a condition where water that waves have spilled onto the beach is returning to the ocean and it returns fast enough to knock you over and takes you out to sea. If you are so unlucky, remember not to fight the current, since you lose most of the time. The water is also very cold. What you do is let the current take you out beyond the breakers and then just swim parrallel to the beach and come back in with the waves. Of course, easier for me to write than you to execute ;-]

I recently discovered this unusually cute little place, off Manzanita's main road, called San Dune Inn.

Run by this cool British dude named Brian, he's a bit of a coastal character. Total kick in the pants to talk to.

Not only is it REALLY dog-friendly, but very family friendly too - for kids of all ages. Not many lodging spots can claim to have a vast array of freebies like bikes, game equipment, popcorn and movies. But San Dune does. Stay at this charming, unassuming place and you'll find stuff for volleyball and other games suitable for the sand, as well as beach balls, bikes and simple sandcastle-making gear like buckets. It's a kid's dream come true.

Heck, I took part in it. Grabbed a bike and went sauntering around the beach in the middle of the night. Sooooo fun.

They've got a great selection of movies too. Sucked in all the M. Night Shaliman flicks. Very cool.