The Best Things To Do in Manzanita, Oregon: Your New Favorite Tiny Town on The Oregon Coast

Manzanita Oregon: I’m not sure how you managed to do it, but you escaped the Oregon Coast kitsch and remain a lovely, off-the-beaten-path gem. I hope you always stay that way.

If you haven’t yet visited Manzanita, Oregon, you’ll want to include it in your getaway plans ASAP. It’s a tiny town of just over 600 people on the Oregon Coast. It’s smack dab in the middle of Seaside and Tillamook on Highway 101, yet it remains a (mostly) hidden treasure.

 

Unique things to do in Manzanita, Oregon

If you’ve never heard of Manzanita, Oregon, you’re not alone! Most people living elsewhere in Oregon stick to the better-known cities, and many Oregonians have never been to Manzanita.

So I don’t blame you for wanting to know just what makes this Oregon Coast town special. Well, I have alllll the details for you below with my favorite things to do in Manzanita.

If you’re stopping by Manzanita, OR on an Oregon Coast road trip, don’t forget to snag your copy of my book, Road Trip Games & Activities for Kids! (I promise it’s fun for adults, too!) The e-book and paperback versions include instructions for 33 games, plus ideas to customize each one to suit your crew’s preferences. Simply click the image below to get your copy!

Eat your heart out at the best Manzanita, Oregon restaurants

On a recent trip to Manzanita, we ate at the San Dune Pub (not a typo; it’s actually spelled like that—I know, very confusing), since I’d read they serve chocolate pie off-menu. Alas, the bartender—who had made the pies before her shift started for something like 14 years—got tired of all that baking, so no more chocolate pie. *sob*

The Sand Dune Pub is one of the main Manzanita restaurants in town and has basic pub fare. My table ordered burgers, fried oysters and salad. The main garden salad is seriously a full meal! This Manzanita restaurant also has a large outdoor patio, though we ate inside under a skylight for beautiful natural light.

Other Manzanita Restaurants

You’ll also want to try the famous cinnamon rolls at Bread and Ocean, a cozy bakery in town that also serves deli salads and paninis. They often sell out of the cinnamon rolls, though, so go early to make sure you get one!

If you’re with the kids and need to grab some lunch quick, order a hot dog from Manzanita Mudd Dog. This hot dog cart has picnic table seating, but I recommend taking it to go and eating it on the way to the nearby Manzanita Oregon beach.

Finally, if you are feeling snacky and don’t want a sit-down restaurant in Manzanita, head to Wild Community Cafe. This down-to-earth spot sells grab-and-go bites, makes espresso coffees and other drinks, and has a small natural food store. Don’t forget to leave a little note in its sweet “Thoughts, Wishes & Whims” jar.

Explore Manzanita Beach, Oregon

The reason you come to the Oregon Coast is the beach, right? Manzanita’s beach is wide and long, leaving plenty of space to slowly walk and let the tide’s rhythm relax you. I literally feel my shoulders ease downward out of my ears the second I take a deep breath on the beach. Ahhhhhh.

When I recently went to Manzanita, Oregon with three girlfriends, we couldn’t help but do cartwheels, jump over saltwater puddles and chase huge flocks of seagulls! (Ok, that last part was just me. I couldn’t help it! The seagulls weren’t impressed.)

Also on a recent day, a nonprofit was teaching small teams of people to sift the sand for microplastic debris. Volunteers were cleaning up the tiny pieces of pollution that continue to break down in the water—and get eaten by sealife (and, eventually, humans). I love to see community action!

One of the best things to do in Manzanita, Oregon, is to explore the great outdoors! Throw a rock and you’ll hit an amazing rock on the Oregon Coast: They’re everywhere! Manzanita is no exception.

My favorite hike near Manzanita, Oregon is a 1-mile round-trip, kid-friendly hike to the beach in Oswald West State Park.

Simply park in the large parking area, a 4-minute drive north of Manzanita, take the walking path beneath Highway 101, and follow the signs to the beach. (Or, more realistically, follow the surfers! It’s a super-popular surfing spot.)

Just a half-hour away is another hike near Manzanita in Ecola State Park. The dramatic bluffs offer amazing views of the Pacific Ocean (and, sometimes, migrating whales!).

Go shopping in Manzanita

If it’s a gloomy day and you’re wondering what to do in Manzanita, Oregon, I have the perfect alternative to hitting the beach – Go shopping instead!Like most other towns on the Oregon Coast, Manzanita has plenty of cute shops for browsing. But what I loved about Manzanita is that not every store has the same-old cheap, touristy sweatshirts as every other place.

Manzanita actually has independent shops where you’ll find unique souvenirs and goodies to bring home.

I loved Moxie, a fair trade boutique that buys from artisans all across the world. I bought my girls each an adorable animal figurine, though these handmade cup cozies were calling my name! (How adorable are they?!)

Oregon Coast Clothing Co. sells hats, t-shirts and sweatshirts with an edgier style than you typically see in beach towns. In fact, it would be more at home in Portland than on the Oregon Coast, but lucky us! It found its home in Manzanita. I was especially drawn to its muscle tank tops and hats.

Salt & Paper sells pretty much the only postcards in town. And boy are they beautiful! The Oregon Coast landscape photography puts most other postcards to shame, TBH. (I sent one to my family, since I mail postcards to my family wherever I go!)

Bonus: Salt & Paper also sells delicious taffy made in a gluten-free, nut-free factory, so you can eat taffy without worrying about your allergies.

Manzanita, Oregon: My favorite tiny town on the Oregon Coast

I absolutely love Manzanita, Oregon. Its laid-back, independent vibe speaks my language.

If you’re more about exploring tiny towns than fighting crowds of tourists, you’ll want to visit Manzanita, Oregon. Shop in the independently owned stores. Walk the Manzanita Beach. Sip a cup of coffee and eat fresh-baked bread. Simply enjoy this little Oregon Coast town—I know I did.

Have you been to Manzanita on the Oregon Coast? Did I miss any of your favorite things to do there?

PS – If you are looking for more fun on the Oregon Coast, don’t miss my 24-hour itinerary for nearby Florence, Oregon or my in-depth post on the secluded community of Bella Beach, Oregon.