Manzanita and Nehalem, Oregon – Quiet Living on the Tillamook Coast

Situated about 14 miles south of Cannon Beach in Tillamook County, Manzanita is a lovely, inviting, mostly residential village, with direct beach access from nearly every part of town.  And that beach… it’s gorgeous, wide, and 7 miles long! Just don’t bring your swimsuit. The beaches here on the Oregon coast are for walking or running, gazing, beachcombing, napping, reading, wildlife-watching, even surfing, but the water is too cold for most people to enjoy swimming without a wetsuit.

Also like the rest of the Oregon Coast, air temperatures are relatively mild year-round, moderated by the ocean, though the breeze can make it feel cooler. Any given day can bring rain, sunshine, and fog. If you and your family want to experience a climate different from home, chances are, this region will feel different. The only weather it rarely sees is snow.

The city park in Manzanita is surrounded by big shade trees and has a great playground for younger kids. It also has beach volleyball, tennis, and pickleball courts, ready for a game with the new friends your family makes in town.

Similar to other towns on the north Oregon coast, Manzanita gets its share of tourist traffic in the summer—especially on the weekends, with Portlanders and other PNW residents seeking reprieve from the higher temps inland. The shoulder seasons of spring and October-November may be the sweet spot for a mid-term stay of a few weeks or months.

Consider Manzanita for going car-free for a while

Manzanita is genuinely walkable and bikeable. It’s a small town with low traffic volume and flat streets. For shopping, there is a market and deli in town, and a larger grocery store near the highway with a full produce section and seafood counter. Both can be reached safely by bike or on foot.

Local public transit authorities along the coast have aligned their bus services for your convenience. It’s called NWConnector, and it lets you enjoy the scenery on Highway 101 and make day trips to other Oregon Coast towns like Cannon Beach and Astoria without needing to rent a car. This could be especially useful if your family’s home is over a thousand miles away and a cross-country road trip isn’t part of the experience you’re seeking.

If someone needs medical care during your stay, Adventist Health operates an urgent care clinic in Manzanita.  The nearest 24-hour care is 23 miles north at the hospital in Seaside.

Nehalem

Nehalem sits just east of Manzanita, tucked along the Nehalem River. The river bends through town, fishing boats move slowly across the water, and mist often settles over the hills. It’s scenic and peaceful, with a more lived-in feel than some of the curated tourist towns along the Oregon coast. Nehalem has a compact main street with a grocery store, a handful of restaurants, a couple of antique and artisan shops, and the rhythm of a community that goes about its day regardless of who’s visiting.

Most supplies require some driving, but if you plan to have a car, you’ll save on rental accommodations and have a little more space if you make Nehalem your home base.

Nehalem is ideal for remote workers who need quiet, like writers, researchers, or someone who is taking a sabbatical to work on a project. It’s also great for people who love nature, like kayaking on the bay. It’s a calm retreat.

Honorable Mention: Wheeler

Just a few minutes south of Nehalem, Wheeler also sits right on the Nehalem River with a noticeably different feel from its coastal neighbors. The town is tucked slightly inland, and that translates to more sunshine and fewer foggy, misty mornings than you get directly on the Pacific. For travelers who like the Oregon Coast but don’t want to be in the full weight of PNW weather every day, consider spending time in Wheeler. The town is tiny—just a handful of streets—but it has a relaxed charm, water views, and easy access to fishing and walking along the riverfront.

Wheeler is popular for paddlesports like stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and kayaking, with little coves and offshoots of the river and Nehalem Bay that are safe for beginners. You may see herons, osprey, and harbor seals. Even if you are experienced paddlers, be aware that Oregon’s laws may be different than where you’re from. You will be required to have life jackets “on board” and carry a whistle and a permit. The local marina can help you get set up.

Wheeler is not walkable in the sense of Manzanita, but if you plan to have a car and can find accommodations there, it works well as a  budget-friendlier place to stay, with nearby access to coastal beaches. There aren’t many listings on public sites, but savvy searchers might find something on Facebook Marketplace or local ads. We found one listing on Furnished Finder. One caveat to keep in mind: road noise from Highway 101 is pretty noticeable in town and the neighborhood near the city park uphill as well. Even just as a place to spend a day, we think Wheeler is one of the Oregon Coast’s underrated spots.

Family activities in Manzanita and the Tillamook Coast:

• Do the 2 1/2 mile climb hike up Neahkahnie Mountain, or the 5 mile round trip through lush spruce forest at Cape Falcon. Be sure to bring a camera for the views
• Get a cup of chowder made with Oregon razor clams at Buttercup in Nehalem
• Rent horses with Oregon Beach rides for riding near Nehalem Bay State Park (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
• Try bodyboarding at Short Sand Beach. If you don’t have boards or wetsuits, they can be rented at Cleanline Surf Shop in Cannon Beach. If you like it and you’re doing an extended stay, buy your own
• See a show at Riverbend Players Community Theater in Nehalem
• Bird watching can exciting when the birds are different from home and include owls, herons, and eagles. The Tillamook Coast web site has a great list of where to go and what you can see.  This book helps identify them with color photos and drawings
• Take a class together, like ceramics, sewing, or writing, at Hoffman Center for the Arts
• Rent paddleboards or kayaks at Wheeler Marina and “ride the tide” up the Nehalem River
• Fly kites. The wildly windy coast and wide beaches are perfect for it. See what tricks you can master!
• Visit the famous Tillamook Creamery in the nearby city of Tillamook. Try the Marionberry Pie ice cream, made with Oregon marionberries
• Volunteer together to give back to your temporary home away from home. Whatever you love (animals, the outdoors, social causes, the arts), there are plenty of options
• Take a drive to Newport when the California sea lions are at the Port Docks (generally autumn through early spring). They can weigh over 800 pounds!
• Buy the Lonely Planet guide for more ideas throughout the Pacific Northwest, including city visits to Portland, which is 80 miles from Manzanita and Nehalem.

Where to stay for a month or longer in Manzanita and Nehalem area:

Manzanita is a relatively upscale destination, and the prices reflect it. Expect to pay $7,000-10,000+ per month for a two bedroom condo or small house, more if your travel must be in July or August. If that is outside your budget, we always suggest looking outside the prime vacation real estate to nearby locales with their own unique attributes. Or consider the off-season, when you have more room to negotiate.

The neighborhood near Nehalem Bay State Park is charming and quiet. Most are two-story houses and tucked back enough to be sheltered from strong winds, but a short walk to the beach, or a longer walk or bike ride into town is very doable. The state park’s paved trails are safe places to walk or jog right in the neighborhood. If you can score a long-term rental there, we don’t think you’d regret it.

If you’re willing and able to pay a security deposit, there are listings on Furnished Finder for homes in Nehalem for $2,500-$3,000 per month. Some have water views and accept pets.

Other resources:

Tillamook Indians of the Oregon Coast, now out of print but still available used and via the North Tillamook Library, gives accounts of the native Tillamook tribe that lived in this region.

This book, co-written by the Nehalem Valley Historical Society, gives you the history of the area since the 1800s when it was first settled by whites.

Day Hiking Oregon Coast, by Oregonian Bonnie Henderson, is full of family-friendly hikes. The 3rd edition is due for release in April, 2026.