Ocean-View Rooms with Nautical Décor

In the days when Japanese fishermen used blown-glass balls to float their nets, beachcombers on the Oregon coast would occasionally find the green and blue orbs after they had washed onto the shore from half a world away. Authentic glass floats are a rarity nowadays, but every winter artists in Lincoln City honor the tradition by launching more than 2,000 hand-crafted floats into the ocean. In the weeks that follow, out-of-towners and locals alike comb the rocky coast in search of the colorful ornaments, and they can keep any they happen to find. Guests of the 75-year-old Surftides Lincoln City can easily take part in this extended Easter-egg hunt via the nautical-themed hotel's direct, handicap-friendly access to the scenic beachfront.

Private balconies attached to premium king and double-queen rooms offer more sweeping vistas of the churning sea. Local artwork and artifacts sprinkled throughout the property display a maritime emphasis, with items including a collection of essential sailing knots, a ship in a bottle, and Blackbeard's first razor. After refreshing dips in the indoor heated pool, guests can swirl and sip pinot noir from Eola Hills Wine Cellars, a winery located about 47 miles east in Rickreall.

Lush gardens and a courtyard full of crackling gas fire pits populate the hotel's grounds, which provide a picturesque setting for jaunts on a rented bicycle. At the onsite restaurant and bar, Mist, chefs create dishes such as lobster mac 'n' cheese, wild-mushroom pasta, and grilled halibut using fresh, local ingredients from the sea and organic farms.

Lincoln City, Oregon: Artists' Community on Idyllic Pacific Coast

Pacific waves crash onto Lincoln City's 7.5 miles of picturesque public beaches, which boast ample surfing and whale-watching opportunities. Other nearby bodies of water such as Devils Lake and Siletz Bay test fishing and boating skills. About 10 miles north of Lincoln City stands Cascade Head, a towering, 270-acre headland overlooking the ocean. Trails wind past evergreens and wildflower meadows atop the rugged cliffs, where hikers often hear sea lions barking out rousing sea shanties.

The epicenter of Lincoln City's flourishing art scene lies just a short distance inland. Seaside streets are peppered with dozens of galleries and antique shops, where visitors can see genuine Japanese glass floats. Diners at local seafood eateries, meanwhile, benefit from the Pacific's bounty.