We’re already five days into June and to be honest, I’m still not sure where the first half of the year went! Memorial Day weekend was stunning in Seattle but I went with some friends to Manzanita, Oregon and had a blast! I couldn’t wait to share some pictures and memories of our time we spent there!
Smugglers Cove
What a perfect hideaway for a beach! There are two parking lots (and public restrooms thank you Jesus!) and it’s a short hike to get to the beach. The beach is huge and won’t have a problem finding a spot to park your gear! Smugglers Cove is a great spot for those who love to surf – or even boogey board like me! Grab a frizbee, maybe a dog (there were a ton of dogs there), and enjoy a nice day at the beach!
Neahkahnie Mountain Trail Hike
90% sure I didn’t spell that right, but thankfully the hike itself is easier than its spelling! This hike is four miles roundtrip and it involves lots of switchbacks and (somewhat) steep grades. At least it felt steep at the pace my group was hiking! Unfortunately I didn’t take any photos because we went on a foggy morning. I would recommend going later in the day when the fog has had a chance to burn off – you might be able to see the view at the top better! If you get claustrophobic or you’re afraid of heights I would go on a day when there’s less foot traffic. The “top” of the hike is this big rock and there’s not a lot of room for people to stand. We went on a crowded day and it definitely made me nervous since I’m not too crazy about heights!
Nehalem Bay State Park Camping
I’m still getting used to the whole camping thing, but this place was so nice! I have decided it deserves the title “Glamping” because of how nice it was! There’s a communal bathroom with hot showers, clean bathrooms and well stocked supplies (i.e. toilet paper, paper towels, soap, etc.) and that was a huge win for me! The camp sites vary in size which was nice too! Our campsite was really cool because it had a super sneaky pathway that lead straight to the beach! The trail was gorgeous! I was inspired and wanted to take a few photos by the beautiful wildflowers!
The Trip to Manzanita Overall
I had so much fun and I would highly recommend visiting Manzanita to anyone who enjoys spending some time outside! It was really nice to give myself a break and get away. I didn’t know how much I needed it until I went back to work on Tuesday feeling extra rejuvinated. Manzanita was such a beautiful town and I was impressed by how beautiful the beaches were!