Monthly Archives: March 2023

Teriffic Vacation in Seaside, OR!

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Seaside is a beautiful city located in Clatsop County, Oregon.  Seaside is a tourist hotspot because of its fabulous beaches, chic vacation homes, close proximity to Portland, and interesting events that occur throughout the year.  During the summer, you can watch the widely-known Hood-to-Coast Relay or the beach volleyball tournament; and during the winter, you can enjoy the beautiful beaches and serene atmosphere.  You are bound to have a wonderful vacation experience in Seaside no matter what time of the year you visit!

Oregon beach house rental

oregon beach house rental

The terrific beaches of Seaside will keep you coming back to this city.   Seaside Beach is a scenic, sandy beach with clear waters.  At the beach, you will find volleyball, sandcastles, swing sets, kites and much more!  Seaside Promenade is a beautiful two-mile long walkway along Seaside Beach that you must check out.  You can embark on a soothing, beautiful stroll and watch the sunset or relax and soak in the beauty of the beaches and the glow on the sand produced by the reflection of the street lamps.  You can also start a little fire and listen to the sounds of the waves at night for a truly romantic experience.

Two notable state parks are located near Seaside: Del Rey State Park to the north and Ecola State Park to the south.  At the beautiful Del Rey State Park, you can relax, watch the view of the ocean, and have a wonderful family picnic.  The famous Ecola State Park includes Indian Beach and has unrivaled views of the Oregon Coast.  The park also has a historic dimension to it because you can walk along the Clatsop Loop Trail that has footsteps of Captain Clark and his men.

Seaside offers a variety of sports including swimming, surfing, volleyball, golf, tennis, kite-flying, and crabbing at Seaside’s 12 Avenue Bridge.  Fishing is a popular pastime in the city—anglers will encounter steelhead, trout and salmon in the waters!

One of the prime attractions of Seaside is the Seaside Aquarium which is one of the oldest aquariums on the West Coast.  At the aquarium, you can feed the seals and observe fascinating, native sea creatures.  In some of the underwater areas, you can see some exotic life forms including a spectacular 20-Ray StarFish, a brutal Wolf-Eel, or a deadly Moray Eel.  The Seaside Aquarium is most definitely a fascinating place to check out during your terrific vacation at Seaside!

Seaside has a variety of scrumptious restaurants and eateries.  Fresh seafood and well-known Oregon wines are the specialties at restaurants in Seaside.  Doogers Seafood and Grill is a great restaurant for seafood and Guido & Vito’s Italian Cuisine is a superb Italian bistro.  Seaside is a fantastic city for a vacation for the whole family.  By staying at a beautiful beach house in Oregon, and exploring the different aspects of this city, you are bound to have a terrific vacation!

The 10 Greatest Sea-Side Cliffs in the World

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Cliffs of Moher, Ireland, 217 m above Atlantic Ocean

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland, 217 m above Atlantic Ocean

#10 – The cliffs of Moher – rise 120 meters (394 ft) above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag’s Head, and reach a maximum height of  about 214 meters (702 ft) just north of O’Brien’s Tower. The cliffs boast one of Ireland’s most spectacular views and are probably the most famous cliff  (if not rock formation) in the world.  Not the tallest cliff on our list, but certainly a crowd favorite.

Vixía Herbeira, Northern Galicia, Spain, 621 m above Atlantic Ocean

Vixía Herbeira, Northern Galicia, Spain, 621 m above Atlantic Ocean

#9 – Vixía Herbeira – is a mountain range in north Spain known for it’s beautiful rock formations and hundreds of sheer cliffs…some small some large.  This made our list not because of a single sheer drop, but for the tremendous views all along the coastal mountain.  A must see! Find Beach House Rentals in Spain for your vacation!

Croaghaun, Achill Island, Ireland, 668 m above Atlantic Ocean

Croaghaun, Achill Island, Ireland, 668 m above Atlantic Ocean

#8 – Croaghaun (Irish: Cruachán) - is a mountain in County Mayo, Ireland. It has the highest cliffs in Ireland and the third-highest sea cliffs in Europe at 668 m.  The most satisfying part of these cliffs lie in the fact that they are not reachable by car and you must either park at Keem beach and make the trek from there or park at the supply lake on the way to Keem bay, or go by boat on a rare calm day.

Los Gigantes, Tenerife-Canary Islands, Spain, 637 m above Atlantic Ocean

Los Gigantes, Tenerife-Canary Islands, Spain, 637 m above Atlantic Ocean

#7 – Los Gigantes - or “the Giants” is a resort town in Santiago del Teide residing on the west coast of the Canary Island Tenerife. The town is named after the Giant (literally) cliffs that make its spectacular coast line. Not to be mistaken for the cliffs of Moher, these rise from the sea to a height of 500-800 metres (1,640–2,625 ft) more than twice the size of #10 on our list.  We seem to mention the Canary Islands a lot…and why not?

Cape Enniberg, Faroe Islands, 750 m above North Atlantic

Cape Enniberg, Faroe Islands, 750 m above North Atlantic

#6 – Cape Enniberg Cliff - extends 754 m above sea level, which makes it the second highest sea-cliff in Europe.  Views from the water are (clearly) spectacular, but if you want to conquer this giant cliff, you’ll likely need an a trained local guide (especially if you intend to scale it from seaside). Normal hikers can only reach a certain height on a designated trail without a problem, and relentless fog can often be a problem. Regardless, this is one of the most spectacular sheer cliffs over water in all of Europe…and #6 (on our list) in the world.

Mitre Peak, New Zealand, 1683 m above Milford Sound

Mitre Peak, New Zealand, 1683 m above Milford Sound

#5 – Mitre Peak - is an iconic mountain in the South Island of New Zealand and is one of the most photographed peaks in the country.  At over a mile tall (yup that’s right) it’s the tallest peak on our list.  The name comes from the distinctive shape which resembles th mitre headwear worn by Christian bishops.  While this may be the tallest peak on our list (as it’s the tallest seaside peak in the world), it may not have the most sheer “cliff” feature, so we’ve demoted it to #5.  Still, however, its height alone is worthy of the placement.

Hornelen, Norway, 860 m above Frøysjøen

Hornelen, Norway, 860 m above Frøysjøen

#4 – Hornelen - is the highest sea cliff in Europe, and has been used throughout history as a landmark for naval navigation. While the horizontal distance from the summit to the sea shore is around 500 metres, it features sheer cliffs at the top and again at the base which put most single cliffs to shame.  Probably one of the most beautiful spots in Norway, it proudly sits at #4 on our list of sea-side cliffs.

The Lion, New Zealand, 1302 m above Milford Sound

The Lion, New Zealand, 1302 m above Milford Sound

#3 – The Lion – or Mount Kimberly, gets it’s appropriate nick-name from its distinct shape which resembles a crouching lion.  This (nearly) sheer cliff rises to over 1300 feet in a very short distance directly up from the famous Milford Sound and is certainly one of the most impressive seaside cliffs in the world.  This is the second cliff from the Milford Sound (NZ) on our list, and while it’s not as tall as Mitre Peak, its cliff side makes it one of the most impressive cliffs in the world.

Kalaupapa, Hawaii, 1010 m above Pacific Ocean

Kalaupapa, Hawaii, 1010 m above Pacific Ocean

#2 – Kalaupapa – is located on the island of Molokai, it is one of the most impressive rock formations in the state of Hawaii (and probably the world).  These 1000 m tall cliffs stretch for miles along the island plateau from end to end and overlook the peninsula village of Kalaupapa and the pacific ocean.  With all there is to see in Hawaii, this one MUST make it to your list of cliffs.  Helicopter ride anyone? See all of the many Hawaiian beach vacation rentals we have here!

Norway, 604 m above Lysefjorden

Preikestolen, Norway, 604 m above Lysefjorden

#1 – Preikestolen - or Prekestolen, in english means Preacher’s Pulpit or Pulpit Rock, and also goes by the old local name of Hyvlatonnå.  It is a massive cliff 604 metres (1982 feet) above Lysefjorden, opposite the Kjerag plateau, in Forsand, Norway. The top of the cliff is approximately 25 by 25 metres (82 by 82 feet) square and almost flat, and is a famous tourist attraction in Norway.  The mere shape, size, and beauty of this cliff speaks for itself.  It’s the largest straight down cliff into water in the planet and overlooks one of the most beautiful countries in the world.  The unique shape also gives it brownie points for us as it sticks out as if to say: enjoy this view…

Honorable Mentions: Some that did not make our list, but deserve special mentions:

 

Cliffs of Dover, United Kingdom, 100 m over Atlantic Ocean

Cliffs of Dover – not impressive in size, but certainly beautiful (for obvious reasons)

 

Talus Cones, Isfjorden, Norway

Talus Cones, Isfjorden, Norway – Another not so large, but uniquely beautiful cliff side in Norway.

Norway, 604 m above Lysefjorden

5 Underrated Vacation Destinations

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Everyone loves going on vacation and most people usually travel to the same destinations every year, or else they choose different places to go but usually these are always popular tourist destinations. There are so many amazing vacation getaways that many people do not know of, and if they do they may have never thought of them as being a nice vacation hotspot. Since there are so many underrated destinations we cannot list them all so we are going to cover 5 of them with a small description and some videos that may make you want to travel there on your next getaway.

Western South Dakota/Black Hills Country

This area of the United States is very well known, and it gets its fair share of tourists but it is still one of the more underrated destinations for vacationing. In the Black Hills country you can see some amazing landscapes as well as some other amazing things such as Mt. Rushmore. There is plenty of history to discover throughout the area as well since this area has a well known town called Deadwood, which even has a show based on the towns history. Some of the other major attractions that may be for you include some extraordinary fishing, camping, hiking and mountain biking.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a historic island nation in the Caribbean, whose national heritage reaches back over 500 years. This rich and metropolitan nation has over 800 miles of coastline, with white sandy beaches, diving attractions, and access to unspoiled nature with a caribbean rental. Two popular destinations in the Dominican Republic are Cabrera and Casa De Campo. Cabrera is an unspoiled paradise, home to a national park reserve, which is rarely visited by tourists. Casa De Campo is a resort town on the southern coast of the island, which features amenities like challenging golf and luxurious, private oceanfront villas in Dominican Republic.

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

The Valley of Fire State Park is the oldest state park in Nevada and it was made a State Park in 1935, and it is only about an hour from Las Vegas. The largest attraction in the park is the huge rock formations that were made thousands of years ago from shifting sand dunes. There is a visitor center there which can help you learn the history of the park and can also help you discover some of the adventures that can be found there. Lake Mead is also located in this area and archeological buffs will be amazed by the petroglyphs that are located throughout the park.

Santander Region, Colombia

One of the most beautiful regions in South America is the Santander Region in the Northeast part of Colombia. The beaches and landscapes of the area are covered in white sand which makes for a beautiful view throughout the region. There are many things to do in the area and you will encounter other tourists, just not as many as some of the more popular getaways in South America. The capital city of Bucaramanga is referred to as “The Beautiful City” and one of the amazing natural wonders you can see while there is the Chicamocha river canyon, where you can ride one of the longest cable car systems in the world and see breathtaking scenery.

Chacala, Nayarit, Mexico

Chacala is not nearly as popular as Mexico’s tourist hot spots such as Acapulco, in fact Chacala is just a small fishing village about 60 miles north of Puerto Vallarta in the Mexican Riviera region. The people that do travel to Chacala consider it one of the unknown secrets of Mexico. It is an amazing and tropical destination where you can see all kinds of wildlife and there are all kinds of jungle trails to hike and nice quiet white sandy beaches to roam to make for a romantic and relaxing escape. Find Beach Front Villas for rent in Mexico.

10 Best Beach Moments in the Movies

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Did you ever see a commercial for a burger joint and say to yourself… “I’ve got to have that RIGHT NOW?” I’ve done it more than my fair share of times. And it doesn’t just happen with commercials either, sometimes a good movie can do it.
It happened to me late Spring where I saw a movie with a really good beach on it and I said to myself “I don’t have anything planned for the summer and I’m so going to the beach.” As I got to thinking about it, I realized that there were a bunch of very memorable beach scenes in movies and I decided that it’d be a great idea to compile a list. Here it is and I hope that it meets your satisfaction. Enjoy!

10. “Saving Private Ryan” (1998)


Ok, so Normandy is not your typical “beach scene” but it is certainly the most memorable. It garners a spot because of its power and unflinching look at the heart of war. It also gets a spot because it is probably the single most important event in History to take place on a beach. If you want a hair-raising experience, get a good tour guide and visit this beach. Find a beach rental in Europe.

9. “Dr. No” 1962

The Bond franchise has spawned over 20 movies and therefore over 20 “Bond Babes”… but for all the excellent scenes of all of the films, none have quite the impact or richness of Ursula Andress walking out of the ocean in a bikini that has become part of pop culture and synonymous with sexy. James Bond Beach sits on a small peninsula at Oracabessa Bay, approximately 10 miles or 16 kilometres from the Jamaican north coast town of Ocho Rios. The beach is noted for its water sports centre, its “crystal clear” water, and its mountains that reach “straight down to the sea.” Other amenities, include a bar and a restaurant. The area has also served as a concert venue for Rihanna, Ziggy Marley, and Lauryn Hill. Find a vacation beach house in Central America.

8. “Pirates of the Caribean: At Worlds End” 2007

So now let’s get this straight. You’re dead, your heart is stuck in a locker, you have to take command of an undersea ship where you help user lost souls into another world, and you only get to come to a desolate island once every 10 years?!?!? But you have Keira Knightly coming to visit you on your shore leave? Not a bad proposition. “At World’s End” filmed the last scene at Pohaku Mauliuli Beach on the small island of Molokai, Hawaii. Find Beach Houses and Villas in Hawaii.

7. “10” 1979

One of the most classic scenes featuring a beach in film history, filmed in Malibu, California. If you’re over 40 then you likely remember this scene. The humor and appeal of Bo Derek running opposed to Dudley Moore has not diminished at all years later. Find California beach rentals here.

6. “Top Gun” 1987

It’s about as classic and memorable a scene from the 80’s can get. The Kenny Loggins backtrack only makes things even more Reganesque. As I look back at it now I realize that the greatest special effect in the entire film is making it appear as if Tom Cruise is actually tall enough to pull off a spike.

5. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” 2004

A brilliant film about love and loss and the lengths that we will go to in order to shield ourselves from pain. Having erased each other from one another’s minds, Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) have killed the memories of each other. But as true love has a way of surviving in even the most tragic circumstances they manage to bring themselves back together again as Clementine tells Joel “Meet me in Montauk.” the beach where they met and shared some of their best times. Without memory of each other they manage to find love again.

4. “Cast Away” 2000

If there is one actor on this planet that can carry an entire movie where he exists by himself and his only co-star is a Volleyball, it would be Tom Hanks. Told in essentially 2 parts being about 4 years apart, the 2nd half of the story opens with a fish being speared and the camera pans out to see Tom Hanks, looking tan and guant, yards away on a beach. The viewer instantly realizes that he has overwhelmingly adapted to his environment and this beach has become his home.

3. “Point Break” 1991

I couldn’t find a video of the infamous “Beach Party Scene” where Keanu Reeves’ “Special Agent Johnny Utah” meets Lorri Petty’s “Tyler”. So instead I’ve left you with the next best thing… Reno 911 and Human Giants awesome attempt to remake “Point Break.” If you grew up in the 80’s and early 90’s you can see how cheesy and delightful Point Break was. The perfect Summer movie.

2. “Rocky III” 1982

Once bitter rivals, Rocky and Apollo Creed meet as friends and compatriots in Rocky III to help Rocky prepare to face the vicious and fearsome Clubber Lang (played with frightening conviction by Mr. T). To help Rocky prepare, Apollo sets him forth in one of the most quintessential training montages in film history, culminating with a beach run and frolic in the surf.

1. “From Here to Eternity” 1953

Without a shadow of a doubt, the most remarkable and memorable film scene including a beach has to be 1953’s “From Here to Eternity.” Featuring Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr, this film made beach kissing seem infinitely romantic. Never mind the sand in odd places or salt water going in your ears and nose… this film made a spontaneous and passionate kiss on the beach the cornerstone of any great relationship.

5 of the Most Beautiful Beaches in the World

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Jose Ignacio, Uruguay

Jose Ignacio is an old fishing village in Uruguay that has now become a popular tourist destination. The beach is very beautiful and relaxing and there are plenty of fun things to do, including many water sports, fishing, horseback riding along the beach and some of the best seafood restaurants in the world. There are also many fun nighttime activities on the beach with all kinds of fun music and dance. You may even be surprised and see a celebrity while on vacation there, as it has become a hot bed for famous vacationers because of the breathtaking beauty.

Currimundi Lake, Queensland, Australia

Currimundi Beach is located on the sunshine coast of Australia and is famous for its amazing surfing and fishing. It is a must visit for anyone travelling to the area that enjoys beautiful beaches and fun in the water. Currimundi Lake is what the area is mostly known for, but there are many other exciting things to do that are close to the famed saltwater lake.

Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island, the Bahamas

Pink Sands Beach is located on Harbour Island, which is one of the less known islands in the Bahamas. It is still popular among tourists, just not as commercial and busy as the larger islands that are always very busy with casinos and many other tourist traps. If you are looking for a laid back vacation with a beautiful beach then Harbour Island and the Pink Sands Beach is probably perfect for you. Find Beach Houses for rent in the Bahamas.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora is home to another beautiful beach and is another popular getaway for many tourists because of this. The island itself is very secluded and relies heavily on tourism to sustain. Given how beautiful the island is they have no problems attracting thousands and thousands of visitors from around the world year round. If you are a fan of snorkeling or scuba diving then you will definitely want to consider Bora Bora since the lagoon there is one of the best places in the world for these activities.

Anse Source D’Argent, French Polynesia, Seychelles

Anse Source D’Argent is considered by many to be the most beautiful beach in the world. The beach has beautiful pink sands and huge granite boulders arranged naturally around the beach, and these do nothing but enhance the beauty of the beach. These boulders are shaped by the weather over many many years and they have some very unique and interesting shapes and curves. The beach is surrounded by reefs, so there is great snorkeling and scuba diving here as well, and the beach is also one of the most photographed beaches in the world because of it’s beauty. It is a popular tourist island but it is not as commercial as many other well known beach getaways, and it is not loaded with huge hotels and casinos like many other islands that are similar.