How to Spend 3 Accessible Days in Tillamook Coast, Oregon
What's Ahead?
Looking to get away for a long weekend? Tillamook Coast may just be the place you're looking for. This beautiful part of Oregon offers visitors an accessible experience with scenic views, tasty local cuisine, and plenty of activities for all abilities. In this article, we provide a simple three-day itinerary that is accessible for wheelchair-users to ensure you’ll experience the best Tillamook has to offer.
Getting to Tillamook Coast
If you’re too far from Tillamook Coast to drive, you’ll most likely be flying. Since there are no major airports in the area, you'll want to fly into Portland International Airport. It is about an hour and a half drive to Tillamook from Portland.
It is highly recommended to have a vehicle for your visit due to how spread out the area is. Tillamook Coast is full of small, quaint towns to explore, and having a vehicle will give you the freedom to explore as much as you want.
We rented a vehicle from UnitedAccess which offers wheelchair accessible vans with powered ramps. They have a location just down the road from the airport, making it a convenient option.
Where to Stay: Accessible Hotels in Tillamook Coast
Due to the older infrastructure for many buildings, you won't be able to find guaranteed accessible rooms in every town in Tillamook Coast. However, you have a few options for accessible hotels.
Garibaldi is an ideal town to book a hotel because it’s located between many of the top attractions and things to do. When you go out exploring for the day, you'll have many options closer by. But, the best (and most popular) town is Manzanita. However, it'll be more of a drive to some must-see sites, such as Cape Meares Lighthouse. Manzanita to Cape Meares is about an hour. If you don't mind driving that far, then Manzanita is a great place to stay.
We stayed at The Hotel Garibaldi which had a roll-in shower, grab bars, and turning space in both the bedroom and bathroom. Complimentary breakfast was also available each morning. The bed doesn’t have any space underneath, so if you use a Hoyer lift, consider bringing or purchasing bed risers.
3 other hotel options with detailed information:
- Garibaldi Inn at the Bay - Located in Garibaldi
- Coast Cabins - Located in Manzanita
- Ocean Inn - Located in Manzanita
Tillamook Coast Itinerary to Maximize Your Visit
By the time you arrive, it may be late enough in the day where you'll just want to grab a bite to eat and relax. If that's the case, then consider going to Crab Rock Pizza in Garibaldi or Big Wave Cafe in Manzanita.
Now, let's get to the fun part - the excursions!
Day 1: Explore the Natural Beauty
Itinerary for the day:
- Three Capes Scenic Route
- Lunch: Pelican Brewing Co.
- Explore Downtown Tillamook and/or Rockaway Beach
- Dinner: Pacific Restaurant
Three Capes Scenic Route
Begin your adventure with the Three Capes Scenic Route, a scenic 40-mile drive that winds through some of the most beautiful parts of Oregon’s coast. This route takes you to three remarkable capes: Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda, each offering spectacular views, accessible paths, and unique attractions.
At Cape Meares, you’ll find an accessible path leading to the historic Cape Meares Lighthouse, where you can enjoy stunning coastal vistas. The path is moderately steep, so manual wheelchair users might need assistance when returning. Across the parking lot from where the Lighthouse path is, is a short accessible trail that leads to the impressive Octopus Tree, a giant Sitka spruce with a distinctive shape that is worth seeing.
Next, make your way to Cape Lookout, where accessible viewpoints offer breathtaking panoramas of the Oregon coastline. You can enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding old-growth forest that encapsulates the Pacific Northwest.
End your scenic drive at Cape Kiwanda, known for its dramatic cliffs and the iconic Haystack Rock rising from the sea. This is also a great place to stop for lunch.
Lunch: Pelican Brewing Co.
If you're hungry at this point, Cape Kiwanda (Pacific City) has Pelican Brewing - a delicious restaurant with a variety of items on the menu. The fish 'n' chips and clam chowder are outstanding. If you're not too hungry and want to start heading back north, Pelican Brewing also has a location in Tillamook.
Explore Downtown Tillamook and Rockaway Beach
After lunch, spend some time in the afternoon exploring downtown Tillamook’s charming shops. If you enjoy beer or wine, de Garde Brewing is the place to go. If you would like to explore more shops, Rockaway Beach has a nice stretch of shops right next to the beach.
Dinner: Pacific Restaurant
Finish your day with a delightful meal at Pacific Restaurant, located in Tillamook.
Day 2: Immerse Yourself in Local Culture
Itinerary for the day:
- Tillamook Air Museum
- Tillamook Creamery Tour
- Lunch: Tillamook Creamery or Blue Heron French Cheese Co.
- Garibaldi Maritime Museum
- Dinner: Garibaldi Portside Bistro
Tillamook Air Museum
The Tillamook Air Museum is housed in a massive World War II blimp hangar, one of the largest wooden structures in the world. The museum showcases a fascinating collection of vintage aircraft, aviation artifacts, and exhibits detailing the history of aviation and the role of blimps during the war. The unique setting and extensive collection make it a must-visit destination for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs.
Tillamook Creamery Tour
No trip to Tillamook would be complete without a visit to the famous Tillamook Creamery. You can take either a self-guided tour or opt for a guided-tour, which is what we did. The tour included a walkthrough of the creamery’s cheese-making process, complete with tastings of their delicious products (like aged-cheddar cheese, yum!) The tour is definitely worth it.
There’s also a dining area with a menu featuring items made with their cheeses, an ice cream shop where you can grab a scoop or two... or three. There is also a big shop on the ground floor where you can grab some Tillamook swag and many of their dairy products. The building is fully accessible, featuring push-button entrances, elevators, and accessible bathrooms.
Lunch: Tillamook Creamery or Blue Heron French Cheese Co.
Since you're there, you may as well grab a bite to eat and some ice cream! However, another fantastic place just down the road is Blue Heron French Cheese Co. This neat business has a menu of grilled sandwiches, soups and salads. It also has wine tasting, a petting-farm, and gift-shop selling cheeses, honey, smoked seafood, and more.
Garibaldi Maritime Museum
This nice little museum offers visitors a glimpse into the rich maritime history of the Pacific Northwest. Dedicated to Captain Robert Gray, the first American to navigate the Columbia River, the museum features exhibits on early sea exploration, shipbuilding, and the fishing industry that once thrived along the Oregon coast. The museum is wheelchair accessible, however, in order to access the 2nd level, you will need to go outside and around the back (there is an incline). But most of the exhibits are on the ground level.
Dinner: Garibaldi Portside Bistro
Unwind and enjoy a nice bistro dinner with a diverse menu, patio seating, and mouth-watering food.
Day 3: Discover Outdoor Wonders of Tillamook Coast
Itinerary for the day:
- Kilchis Point Reserve
- Check out tracked beach chair from Manzanita Visitors Center
- Lunch: Offshore Grill and Coffee House in Manzanita
- Explore Manzanita shops
- Tillamook Forest Center
Kilchis Point Reserve
Start your day by visiting this 200-acre park that features interpretive trails that explore the natural history and Native American heritage of the Tillamook Bay region. The pathways are mostly accessible, with some gentle slopes. The first circle is paved and the rest of the trails are compact-gravel. Home to a variety of plants and animals, it's worth a visit.
Check out tracked beach chair from Manzanita Visitors Center
One of the best parts of this area is the availability of accessibility options, particularly with beach wheelchairs. Visitors with physical disabilities can reserve a track wheelchair in Manzanita (and other locations) and explore the local beaches with easier maneuvering on the sand.
Make sure to reserve one before your trip, as rental times are typically limited to weekends. Manzanita offers a motorized track chair. Availability is on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for a limited time. Make reservations at David’s Chair.
For more information on renting track chairs, click here.
Lunch: Offshore Grill and Coffee House in Manzanita
Explore Manzanita shops
Manzanita is a quaint little beach town that is worth exploring. Grab a coffee at one of the cafes and explore the shops nestled along the street. Keep in mind that they close early, typically around 5pm, so after lunch will be an ideal time to check them out.
Tillamook Forest Center
If you're still feeling up for another activity, consider driving to the Tillamook Forest Center. The center features interactive exhibits, a theater, and a replica of a historic fire lookout tower, providing insights into the forest's history, ecology, and the devastating Tillamook Burn fires. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking trails, a suspension bridge over the Wilson River, and picnic areas. The center aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of forest stewardship and conservation.
Quick Tips for Traveling to Tillamook Coast
Before your visit to Tillamook Coast, here are a few things to consider:
- Stay flexible: being on the Oregon Coast means you won't be able to predict the weather. So, use this itinerary as a preliminary plan and adapt as needed. If the weather is sunny one day, consider doing the outdoor activities because you never know what the weather will be like the following day.
- Pack a raincoat and/or umbrella: the rain comes and goes as it wishes. Make sure to bring a raincoat or bring an umbrella.
- Book activities in advance: Many of the accessible activities and services, such as beach wheelchair rentals and guided tours, require reservations, especially during peak seasons. To avoid any last-minute disappointment, make sure to book your activities and accommodations well in advance to ensure everything is ready for your visit.
With this three-day itinerary, you’ll explore the best of Tillamook Coast in an accessible and stress-free way. From scenic outdoor spots to delicious local meals, every moment is designed for travelers with disabilities to fully enjoy. So pack your bags, and get ready to experience the beauty of Tillamook Coast!
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