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Sea Lion Caves Provide Year Round Entertainment

Whale Off the Oregon Coast

There is absolutely no shortage of things to do in Lincoln City, Oregon. The restaurants, the kites, the beaches, looking for shells, heading out to the wineries, and so, so much more for those staying in Oregon beach rentals.

But if you’re looking for something new for a day trip, one truly unique place to drive to from Oregon vacation rentals is the Seal Lion Caves which are about 90 minutes from Lincoln City, just north of Florence, Oregon.

Lincoln City Oregon Beach
Sand Water Coast Oregon Lincoln City Ocean Beach

Sea Lion Caves is America’s largest sea caves. It is a natural wonder, with the main cave more than twelve stories tall and a football field long.  The group of caves t is called “Sea Lion Caves” because it is the year-round home for the wonderful and entertaining sea lion. But the sea lions are always in the cave. In fact, they spend the majority of the spring and summer on the rocks outside the cave along the coast. 

But that means that if you come in the winter, you’ll be treated to the sight of hundreds of sea lions all around the caves.

What a wonderful way to spend a day or two when at Oregon coast vacation rentals!

But sea lions aren’t the only wildlife that you’ll have a chance to see when you’re at Sea Lion Caves.

Whale Off the Oregon Coast

But not only will you see sea lions in Sea Lion Caves, you’ll also be able to observe many sea birds as they fly in and out of the cave, plus, if you’re there at the right time, you’ll even see some whales off the coast. 

Now, Sea Lion Caves does require a bit of walking up and down hills and sets of stairs, so if you go there from Oregon beach vacation rentals, be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. But the sights and sounds will be very worth the effort. 

Sea Lion Caves is open year-round, except Thanksgiving and Christmas, but you should check their website or call ahead to make sure they’re open, and what might be going on. 

It’s just one more reason to look for beach condo rentals in Lincoln City, Oregon! 

Day Trips From Lincoln City, Oregon Beach Rentals

Oregon Wine Festival

Lincoln City, Oregon beach rentals provide the best accommodations for your stay in Lincoln City, of course. And we’ve talked about many places to go and things to do in Lincoln City, Oregon, and within a few miles of beach condo rentals in Lincoln City, OR.

But Oregon vacation homes near Lincoln City, OR are within a short drive of many great sites and experiences that make for nice day trips. So the next time you stay in one of the many Oregon coast beach rentals in Lincoln City, OR, you might want to try one or more of these great day trips!

First we go east, toward the mountains and wine country. The towns of McMinnville, Dayton, Carlton, and Dundee are all about a one-hour drive from beach home rentals near Lincoln City, OR. In each of them you’ll find welcoming, charming downtowns with interesting shops and winery tasting rooms. But don’t just stay to the downtown area, head out into the hills to find the wineries themselves, where you can see the grapes and see where the magic happens.

Second, don’t miss the majestic lighthouses along the coast. Driving in either along the stunning Oregon coast from the Oregon vacation rentals in Lincoln City, OR will bring you to both the shortest and the tallest lighthouses on the Oregon coast — among others. 

Hiking trails and lighthouses are nearby Oregon beach vacation rentals

About an hour and a half north you’ll find the shortest, Meares Head. This is just 38 feet tall, but in its day its light could be seen 21 nautical miles across the sea. But if you go just 40 minutes south from Oregon beach vacation rentals near Lincoln City, OR, you’ll find the tallest lighthouse along the Oregon coast. This one, at Yaquina Head, stands a mammoth 93 feet tall. This lighthouse is still in use, but tours are available, as is an interpretive center. 

Also within an easy drive, visitors to Lincoln City, OR beach vacation rentals are many natural wonders that visitors shouldn’t miss. These include — but are certainly not limited to — Proposal Rock (you get one guess how it got that name!), Neskowin Ghost Forest, Munson Creek Falls, Haystack Rock, Sea Lion Caves, Cape Perpetual Scenic Area, Thor’s Well, and so many more. 

Suffice to say, while you could spend your entire vacation enjoying Lincoln City, the Oregon coast boasts enough sights and sounds and wonders to bring you back to Oregon vacation beach rentals time and time again.