Whalers Rest
South Beach, OR

Nestled 150 yards away from the heart of Oregon's magnificent coast across scenic Highway 101, the Whalers Rest resort welcomes travelers year-round. Members savor the nature trails winding throughout the preserve, the cozy indoor pool and hot tub, and the two clubhouses on either side of the property. All 136 full hook-up campsites provide 50-amp service and concrete pads for RVs. Day trippers revel in the nearby convenience of charming Newport, just five miles north over the Yaquina Bay Bridge. But a spectacular location and superior amenities are just the tip of the whale's tail.

Although Whalers Rest is always open, May through October is the peak season for vacation travelers. Beachcombing (agate hunting), crabbing, fishing and kite flying are favorite summer pastimes. In the winter, storm watching is the extreme sport of choice. Whale watching is equally popular, and excursions northward to a year-round resident pod in Depoe Bay eighteen miles away are common.

Closer to your home-away-from-home are sports courts — tennis, volleyball and basketball — ready to host a pick-up game with family and friends. In addition to themed weekends and Saturday evening performances, the Sea Chest (park store) has more than 225 video titles available for rent. But nothing brings folks together like mealtime, and park staff whips up hearty breakfasts and dinners at the Whalers Galley.

Six uncrowded beaches, a historic bayfront, and other attractions await you in Newport, a fun getaway by the bay.

NYE BEACH: A central turnaround with restaurants, shopping, and parking attracts visitors to a pristine ocean expanse at Nye Beach. This colorful seaside village bustles with activity from runners, beachcombers, and folks walking dogs — when they are not dodging in and out of the many establishments, that is! One eatery recommended by the staff at Whalers Rest is the Chowder Bowl Restaurant, which offers quality fare at modest prices.

HISTORIC BAYFRONT: Head north from the preserve over the Yaquina Bay Bridge and take a right, and you're in the Historic Bayfront area of Newport. Eclectic dining and shopping options dot the bayside, and you can relax and observe one of the largest commercial fishing fleets on the Oregon coast. Not content to stay on the sidelines? Rent your own charter from one of several outfits and return with your boat brimming with an assortment of fish, shellfish, and Dungeness crab. Other options include touring the Rogue Brewery or visiting the attractions at Mariner Square.

OREGON COAST AQUARIUM: The Oregon Coast Aquarium is home to the largest open-air seabird aviary in the Northwest. Four indoor galleries, with an emphasis on whales, feature ever-changing displays. You can explore coastal treasures at the "Passages of the Deep" underwater exhibit, where acrylic tubing three inches thick is the only thing separating you from sharks, rays, and other fascinating sea creatures. See their website for current exhibit information and admission rates.

WHALE WATCHING: California Gray Whales migrate between their breeding grounds off Baja, California, and their winter feeding in the Bering Sea twice a year. Whale watchers can spot both migrations from various vantage points along the Oregon Coast, particularly during two peak weeks each year, one in December and one in March. Common viewing areas within a comfortable drive from Whalers Rest include the Depoe Bay Sea Wall, Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint, Cape Foulweather, Devil's Punch Bowl, and the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, among others.

With so many things to see and do, you'll want to beach yourself at Leisure Time Resorts (LTR) Whalers Rest.