Introduction to Lincoln City

88 miles SW of Portland, 44 miles S of Tillamook, 25 miles N of Newport

Lincoln City is the Oregon coast's number-one family destination, and despite the name, it is not really a city at all. It's a collection of five small towns that grew together over the years that now stretch for miles along the coast. Today there's no specific downtown, and though there may be more motel rooms here than anywhere else on the Oregon coast, there's little to distinguish most of the thousands of rooms. However, families looking for a long beach and steady winds for flying kites will likely enjoy Lincoln City. Motel rates here, though often high for what you get, are generally better than those in beach towns that are longer on charm. You'll also find an abundance of vacation homes for rent here. Likewise, restaurants catering to big families and small pocketbooks are the norm. Such restaurants purvey hot meals rather than haute cuisine, and you can eat your fill of seafood without going broke.

Once referred to as "20 miracle miles," Lincoln City is no longer the miracle it once was. Miracle miles have become congested sprawl, and a summer weekend in Lincoln City can mean coping with bumper-to-bumper traffic. Not surprisingly, many have come to think of this as "20 miserable miles." If at all possible, come during the week or during the off season to avoid the crowds.

Once you get off U.S. 101, though, Lincoln City has neighborhoods as charming as any on the coast, and at the south end of town, in the Taft District, the city has been working hard to bring back a historical character and provide an attractive, pedestrian-friendly area. In Gleneden Beach, just south of Lincoln City, you'll find the coast's most prestigious resort. Also in the Lincoln City area are some of Oregon's best art galleries and some interesting artists' studios.