The Oregon Coast is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. It's wilder and more rugged than the California Coast and that's what I love about it. Definitely a step up from the East River.
Last month we spent the weekend in Yachats, Oregon, a sleepy seaside town on the Central Oregon Coast between Florence (where the sand dunes are) and Newport. It's about 3 hours from Ashland.
We stayed at the lovely Overleaf Lodge where every room has an ocean view and is so close to the water that at night the sound of the waves crashing rings in your ears as you drift off to sleep. We 
got a suite on the top floor in The Restless Waters, a room with a fireplace and hot tub facing the sea. Not a bad location. Plus, it's got a great spa. I had a hot stone massage for the first time here and although I would have preferred a shiatsu, it was definitely relaxing and a nice way to spend an hour. :)
If you go to Yachats, have dinner at the hippest place in town, the Yachats River House and make sure you get the Chuka Ika salad. It is *delicious*.
Yachats is a little north of Cape Perpetua, the highest point on the Oregon Coast and near the world's largest sea lion caves. For a tiny resort community, it has quite a lot to do with several festivals throughout the year, including a wild mushroom festival, and it's surrounded by a variety of state parks. It also has an amazing array of multi-million dollar beach houses. Check it out. I know I'll be back next year.
Visit my Central Oregon Coast photo album for more pix of Yachats and the Overleaf Lodge. Here's a pic from my balcony.
