Just twenty minutes north of busy Lincoln City sits little Neskowin, one of the most pleasant "forgotten" towns along the Oregon Coast. Other than a pair of golf courses and a smattering of vacation homes, sleepy Neskowin has few reasons to attract visitors or day-trippers. Yet the former fishing village has been known to charm those who do come here, bringing them back year after year to enjoy the area's ethereal beaches and hidden secrets. And, of course, all the restaurants, shopping, and entertainment one could desire are just a short drive down Highway 101 to Lincoln City.

Neskowin's best-known landmark is Proposal Rock, a tree-topped rocky island named by an early settler after her daughter got engaged on the rock around the end of the 19th century. It's still known as one of the most romantic spots along the Oregon Coast. Other unique geographic features make strolling the beach in Neskowin especially engaging. A "ghost forest" of tree stumps, likely thousands of years old, appears during certain times along the beach, curiously protected, instead of eroded, by the sand and mud along the shore. The lack of crowds make this seemingly endless stretch of sand almost ethereal, and one of the most rewarding places to seek solitude along the coast.

Of course, there are a number of more active ways to spend time in Neskowin. The hike along the Cascade Head Nature Preserve is one of the best along the coast. Kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and golfing are among the other popular activities in Neskowin. The town has only one restaurant, but luckily, the Hawk Creek Cafe is a gem serving up excellent pizzas, sandwiches, salads, breakfasts, and beer!

For additional dining and shopping options, Neskowin sits only fifteen minutes south of charming Pacific City (with its well-known Pelican Pub & Brewery) and twenty minutes north of tourist-friendly Lincoln City. Neskowin is just two hours from Portland, less than an hour and a half from Salem, and five hours from Seattle. The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, the Cheese Factory in Tillamook, and the beautiful lighthouses along the Three Capes Scenic Drive are all within an hour of town... but once you experience the quiet allure of Neskowin, you may not want to leave at all.