December 2017 – Home & Condo Beach Rentals Blog

December 28, 2017

What’s Happening for New Year’s in Lincoln City, Oregon

The New Year is just around the corner, but there are still Lincoln City beach vacation rentals available if you’re planning an excursion to the Oregon Coast! Lincoln City will offer something for everyone this New Year’s Eve, and there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family happy on New Year’s Day. Just don’t wait to book your beach vacation rentals – Lincoln City will fill up fast as the big event approaches!

Whether you prefer a fancy night on the town surrounded by people in their finest attire, a quiet night in front of the fire with your special someone and a bottle of bubbly or a more casual celebration with good music and food, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Lincoln City. Here are a few of the most popular events bringing visitors and locals together in celebration:

New Year’s Eve Bash with the Lincoln Pop Orchestra

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style at the glitzy New Year’s Eve Bash at the Lincoln City Cultural Center. The Lincoln Pops Orchestra will provide the musical backdrop to this glamourous event that includes a champagne or sparkling cider toast at midnight and light hors d’oeuvres throughout the evening for $45 per person or $80 per couple.

“Studio 18” Party at Chinook Winds Casino Resort

The ever-popular Chinook Winds Casino Resort will host a New Year’s Eve “Studio 18” Party with different festivities taking place throughout the premises after 9 p.m. Top Shelf will play party music in the expansive Convention Center; Ty Curtis band will bring its fusion of blues, rock and funk to Aces Sports Bar & Grill; the Beth Willis Rock Duo will be rocking out in Chinook’s Seafood Grill; and DJ Metal will provide music to celebrate the New Year in the Chinook Winds Showroom. Make sure to make your way to the Showroom at midnight for the champagne toast! Admission is free.

Cherry & the Lowboys at Rusty Truck Brewery

If you’re looking for a fun, casual and lively party on New Year’s Eve, then find yourself a spot in the crowd for Cherry & the Lowboys live at Rusty Truck Brewery on the 31^st of December. The brewery, located in the Roadhouse 101 restaurant, will have live music from 9 p.m. onwards and offers a wide selection of craft-brewed beer to complement a full menu of satisfying pub food with modern twists.

Final Nights of the Christmas Light Show

The Christmas Light Show at 2642 NE Holmes Road in Lincoln City will sparkle for the last time on New Year’s Day after running every night from 5 to 10 p.m. since the 7^th of December. If you’re in town for the New Year’s celebrations, make sure to catch this festive experience while you can! The nightly event is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring donations for the Food Pantry.

Special New Year’s Glass Drop

Lincoln City’s famous “Finders Keepers on the beach” – a daily event between mid-October and Memorial Day in which hand-blown glass floats are dropped along the city’s 7½-mile stretch of coastline – will be bigger than ever on New Year’s Day. The Float Fairies will drop 100 colorful glass floats along the beaches for walkers to discover during daylight hours. Anyone lucky enough to find a float will receive a Certificate of Authenticity and information about the artist who created it as soon as they register it online, over the phone or in person at the Lincoln City Visitor Center.

There’s plenty to do during this festive time, but don’t delay in booking your vacation homes or beach condo rentals! Lincoln City, Oregon will be full of life and holiday revelers into the New Year.

December 27, 2017

A Winter Wonderland for Visitors to Lincoln City

With so many outstanding beach rentals, Lincoln City, Oregon is a haven for winter travelers looking to get away to a beautiful patch of the Pacific Northwest during December and January. With a special deal going on – 3^rd nights free at any beach home or condo during the month of December – new and repeat visitors are already enjoying everything that this 7½-mile stretch of beach and quaint surrounding towns have to offer. Lincoln City is particularly magical in the winters when the powerful oceans and stormy skies set a wondrous scene that makes those evenings by the fire even more special. Here are a few of the many reasons why Lincoln City, Oregon is a winter wonderland for coastal travelers:

Accommodations to Suit Every Traveler

A-1 Beach Rentals offers 26 of the best Oregon beach house rentals in Lincoln City and Depoe Bay. This includes cozy condos, modern townhouses, delightful craftsmen and historic homes ranging in size from one bedroom to seven bedrooms and offering a host of unique features and amenities. Whether you’re a couple on a romantic getaway, a young family, a group of friends or a clan of 16 reuniting in style, you can find the appropriate accommodations to suit your needs. A-1’s beach rentals are also located in different areas to suit your plans. So, whether you want private beach access, an effortless walk to the nearby Chinook Winds Casino or close proximity to the tide pools of the Road’s End area, there’s a beach vacation rental to make it possible.

Wild Weather for Adventure-Seekers

Many people visit Lincoln City, Oregon, and the surrounding areas during winter to catch sight of the thrashing winds, pounding waves and general excitement of the seasonal storms. It can be especially exciting for those who have wraparound windows and easy access to the seaside from their beach vacation rentals. Oregon coastal towns like Lincoln City also offer access to wild and rugged landscapes ranging from seaside tidepools to winding rivers to fascinating mountainous areas perfect for hiking and exploring.

Calm Days and Quaint Indoor Pursuits

Although winter storms do appear every year on the Central Oregon Coast, there are also a surprising number of calm days with blue skies during these colder months. If you stay a week here in the winter, there’s a good chance you’ll see both sides of the weather spectrum during your stay. The calmer days provide a perfect backdrop for leisurely walks on the beach and visits to local shops, art galleries, museums, theatres and cultural centers. This area is also a mecca for food and wine lovers, with fine restaurants and wineries offering up a range of delightful products to sample.

Outlet Shopping, Casino Action & More

While Lincoln City has the feel of a small town, it also offers big city pursuits such as the Lincoln City Outlets premier shopping mall and Chinook Winds Casino Resort with its many venues for gaming, live entertainment, dining, and conventions. There are also plentiful local activities throughout the year, including the winter months, which range from cooking classes for adults to art and craft classes for kids to fun festivals for the whole family.

You don’t need any special reason to visit Lincoln City this winter season, but as you can see there is plenty going on. Book your accommodations today and see what this winter wonderland is all about!

December 18, 2017

Christmas Time in Lincoln City, Oregon

Summer isn’t the only time of year to enjoy some time away in one of our well-appointed beach vacation rentals. Lincoln City has plenty to offer visitors during the Christmas season. It’s a good thing that Lincoln City beach vacation rentals are available year-round, so you can enjoy everything this coastal area offers this magical time of year. Here are just a few of the events and attractions that bring visitors and locals together in the spirit of the season:

Stay 2 nights in a Beach Home or Condo in December and your 3rd Night is Free!

Visit the Christmas Cottage Year-Round

At the Christmas Cottage, located at 3305 SW Highway 101 in Lincoln City, “it’s Christmas 363 days a year” from 10am to 5:30pm. The holiday-themed store is only closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, so you can peruse the more than 25,000 unique ornaments from all over the world – plus cards, stationery and more – almost every day.

North Pole Express at Chinook Winds Play Palace

The Annual North Pole Express returns to Chinook Winds Play Palace for its 5^th year every Friday and Saturday this December. Kids will love taking a ride through the ‘virtual’ North Pole and visiting Santa Claus, who makes sure every child aged 3-11 leaves with a unique gift. The magical train journey runs from 5:45-8pm on Fridays and 12:45-3pm on Saturdays for $17.95 per person, including hot cocoa and cookies.

Angels Holiday Ball at Chinook Winds Casino Resort

The Angels Holiday Ball featuring Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts will make for a charmed evening at Chinook Winds Casino Resort this December 2^nd from 4:30-11pm. The $75 admission ticket includes a steak or seafood dinner, delectable dessert, no-host bar, silent auction, live auction of Christmas trees and an exciting raffle.

Free Pixie Ornament Workshop for Children

The North Lincoln County Historical Museum will host a FREE Pixie Ornament Workshop for kids aged 6-12 on the 7^th and 8^th of December from 3:30-5:30pm. The museum will provide art supplies such as beads and jewels, as well as an assembled pixie to decorate, and every child leaves with their own unique creation to hang on the tree. Make sure to call (541) 996-6614 to save a spot for your child, because this is sure to be a popular activity!

A Whale of a Christmas in Depoe Bay

While the main Christmas tree in downtown Lincoln City is lit the weekend following Thanksgiving, the Depoe Bay Christmas tree is lit on December 7^th during its own special ceremony. Enjoy music from carolers and take in all the festive decorations, then enjoy a Christmas Holiday Dinner in the Community Hall.

Jingle Bell 5K Jog & Walk

The 5th Annual Jingle Bell 5K Jog/Walk returns to the Lincoln City Community Center this December 16^th at 9:30am. Whether you walk, jog or run, you are welcome to participate in this exciting event! Costumes are encouraged, and baby strollers and pets are also welcome. All participants are given their own festive jingle bell. Visit LincolnCity.org to register!

Christmas Eve Concert with Kids Sing Out

Kids Sing Out, also known as KSO, will bless the Lincoln City Cultural Center with their angelic songs this December 24^th at 7pm. This free event features sacred Christmas hymns as well as secular holiday classics, and admission is free to all.

Whether you choose a big beach house for the whole family or one of our cozy beach condo rentals, Lincoln City, Oregon is full of surprises to keep you in the festive mood this holiday season. Book your vacation rental today and enjoy your Christmas season on the Oregon coast!

December 8, 2017

Storm Chasing on the Oregon Coast

The early winter months are a perfect time to book one of our Oregon beach house rentals and experience Mother Nature in all her glory. The central Oregon coast comes alive during this time of year when storm-chasing is a favorite pastime of locals and visitors alike. Lincoln City will be your central hub for an adventure like no other as you watch the storms surge, the waves crash against the rocks, the rains pound the ground and the winds carry you away. There is also plenty to keep you occupied if the weather is calm, from food and drink to art and music. This is one sort of vacation where you won’t be wishing for calm weather, though. The following itinerary should help you see what kind of stormy adventures lie ahead on the central Oregon coast.

A Stormy Experience Like No Other

While summer is the busiest time of year for Lincoln City’s beach vacation rentals, Oregon offers a thrillingly unique coastal environment when winter rolls around. There is a certain electricity in the air as storms draw near and the winds start to whip the air into a frenzy. Weather forecasts can tell you when a storm is approaching, but you can also listen for the sounds of birds singing and chattering wildly before growing eerily calm.

As the mighty sea rages against the coastal lands, you will want to stay away from hiking trails and watch the ocean from a distance. This makes for an ideal time to enjoy a day at a local spa, take a cooking class or learn about the local culture at a museum or gallery. If the grey skies fail to produce any rain, though, you will find that the hiking trails are just as spectacular even when the sun is hiding behind the clouds. After a day of enjoying Lincoln City, you’ll also be happy to enjoy a pre-dinner drink as you take in the view from one of our ocean-facing beach rentals. Lincoln City, Oregon is known for excellent coastal viewpoints and many of our finest vacation rentals boast equally stunning views with windows that wrap round the structure.

As your storm-chasing adventure continues, you may want to leave Lincoln City and take a day trip north through Pacific City, up to Tillamook, into Rockaway Beach and to the Cannon Beach. The drive will showcase many of the area’s best natural wonders, and the arty community of Cannon Beach will offer a comfortable setting as you prepare for the next leg of your journey – the South Jetty in Fort Stevens State Park. Whether the skies are calm, or storms are on the way, the observation deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean in one direction and the Columbia River in the other direction will take your breath away. At this point, though, you may well be ready for the 2½-hour drive back to Lincoln City for the night.

Ongoing Activities to Round Out Your Days

Storm-chasing is a wonderful way to spend your days, but you’ll want to enjoy some other aspects of Lincoln City during your stay. You can take a walk on the beach to find one of the colorfully decorated, hand-blown glass floats that are dropped in various hiding spots every day when the weather permits between October and May as part of “Finders Keepers on the Beach.” Or, live music at the Snug Harbor Bar & Grill and Roadhouse 101 every weekend may tickle your fancy. You may also want to check out The People Are Dancing Again, an ongoing exhibit at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum featuring artifacts such as basketry and beadwork, interpretive panels and fascinating photographs. Book your Oregon beach house rental today and see just how much this area has to offer as winter approaches!

December 1, 2017

Winter Storm-Watching is Happening Now in Lincoln City, OR!

There’s no time like the present to book your Oregon beach house rentals if you’re looking to do some storm-watching this winter. Storm-watching is one of the biggest attractions along the Central Oregon Coast during the late-autumn and winter months, bringing scores of visitors and locals to the beach areas for a wild and spectacular event. This sort of viewing party doesn’t have to take place outdoors in the elements, though. From the comfort of one of our fully equipped beach rentals, Lincoln City, Oregon will come alive with Mother Nature’s wrath right outside the ocean-facing windows. If you’re still not sure about this storm-watching thing, though, keep reading to learn what it’s all about!

Why Storm-Watching?

Simply put, the winter storms that roll into Lincoln City and the rest of the Oregon Coast during November and December are exciting to watch. The wild wave action and fierce winds put on a good show, and it’s fun to snuggle up next to a warm fire with a glass of wine or mug of hot cocoa while you watch the storms roll in from the safety of your beach rental. The storms come and go quickly, but they can be seen approaching from miles out. Massive, dark clouds and rough, choppy seas creep closer and closer as viewers stare in awe of nature’s power.

The storm isn’t the end of the party, though. Once a storm has receded and the tide is out, it’s treasure time! Just make sure to bring a good raincoat and pair of waterproof boots so you can head out to the beach and see the aftermath that the storm has left behind. You’ll find plenty of foam, driftwood, small rocks, crab shells and all kinds of other treasures littered throughout the sand.

What Else Besides Storms?

Of course, there’s always a chance that the storms will pass you by when you’ve planned a whole weekend around storm-watching. Not to worry. In Lincoln City, which is famed for its ‘Glass Floats on the Beach’, you might find a hand-blown glass float hidden in the grass line after a storm has passed you by. If you’re not so lucky, you can always pick up a hand-blown glass float made by one of the area’s local artists at a reputable art gallery or shop. Either way, you will have a one-of-a-kind souvenir of your time in Lincoln City, whether you were caught up in a storm or not.

There are plenty of other things to do besides storm-watching as well, because even those that catch a storm don’t necessarily want to spend the entire weekend inside their beach vacation rentals. Oregon is known for fantastic produce, so you can fill your time with fine dining, local wine and craft-brewed beers if that’s your sort of thing. If it’s shopping you desire, you will want to explore the Lincoln City Outlets and the numerous quaint shops dotting the main streets. Culture vultures will also find plenty to do, with local theatre productions, museums, galleries and more.

The storms aren’t the only reason to visit Lincoln City and the rest of the Central Oregon Coast during the winter, but they’re certainly one exciting show. A-1 Beach Rentals are filling up fast, though, so book your place today and find yourself in the eye of the storm!