| Sometimes, the best holiday celebrations aren't | | | | the "Yuletide at Seaside," where the entire town |
| the most famous or obvious ones. | | | | is decked out in all sorts of light configurations. |
| This is especially true on Oregon's coast, where | | | | Highlights include the Holiday Gift Fair on |
| one big secret is that this time of year doesn't | | | | November 25 - 27 at the Seaside Civic & |
| just mean the area's notoriously stormy and wild | | | | Convention Center, the famous Holiday Caroling |
| weather, but that it has many days that are | | | | & Lighted Float Parade on November 26, the |
| unusually dry and warm compared to the rest of | | | | Holiday Lights Tour aboard a bus on December 10 |
| the state. But the most delightful secrets lie in the | | | | and 11, and the Seaside Children's Christmas Party |
| realm of holiday celebrations, which make for | | | | at the Seaside Convention Center on December |
| some memorable discoveries along this famously | | | | 11. Call 800-394-3303 for more information on all |
| pristine stretch of shoreline. | | | | these, or go to |
| On the northern Oregon coast, the holidays begin | | | | If you want to stay on a castle on Oregon's |
| not with the usual celebrations, but with a major | | | | coast and enjoy some special holiday events, you |
| wine event and loads of signature Lewis & | | | | need only look about 15 miles south of Seaside to |
| Clark commemorations. | | | | St. Bernard's Bed & Breakfast. This stunning |
| On November 7, it will have been exactly two | | | | beauty is built to look somewhere between a |
| hundred years since William Clark wrote "Ocian in | | | | medieval structure and a Swiss ski lodge, filled |
| view! O! the Joy!" as he spotted what he thought | | | | with antique furniture and a spicy sense of |
| was the Pacific Ocean (it was actually a big bay | | | | romance and adventure - in an exceptionally |
| just before the ocean). For the next five months, | | | | upscale way. |
| staring in 1805, the Corps of Discovery spent | | | | Every morning means gourmet breakfasts made |
| their time in this part of the Northwest. The | | | | by the able hand of owner Barbara Dau. |
| Lewis & Clark Bicentennial marks this, and | | | | Thanksgiving means Dau's talents will create a |
| things kick off at Fort Stevens (between Seaside | | | | special traditional dinner with her artistic flair. It's |
| and Astoria) on November 11, with the "Opening | | | | open to in-house guests only, and cost is $65, |
| Ceremony - Lewis & Clark Veteran's Day | | | | including fine wines as well. The highlight here, |
| Commemoration." Oregonian and former Miss | | | | aside from the food and wondrous surroundings, |
| America, Katie Harmon (2002), will sing the | | | | is the engaging, convivial atmosphere created by |
| national anthem, and the event will feature | | | | gathering to dine with others you haven't met |
| banners from local tribes and other | | | | before. This, and St. Bernard's special New Year's |
| remembrances of the Corps of Discovery. | | | | Eve traditions, are becoming an increasingly |
| November 14 brings the Dedication Of The Fort | | | | popular addiction for Oregon and Washington |
| To Sea Trail at Fort Ctatsop (near Fort Stevens), | | | | residents. |
| marking the trail from the crew's winter quarters | | | | On New Year's Eve, Dau puts together a |
| to their time on the beaches of Seaside. | | | | six-course gourmet bash, which features dishes |
| Fort Clatsop - the replica of the Corps' winter | | | | from around the world and matching wines for |
| camp - will feature various "Wintering Over | | | | each. It's a culinary and wine-tasting trip across |
| Events" between the Fort and Cannon Beach. This | | | | the globe. It all ends with champagne by a beach |
| replica tragically burned in early October, but the | | | | bonfire that is breathtaking every year. |
| visitor center there is still the center of many of | | | | 800-436-2848. |
| the winter events, including a living history | | | | In Newport - the town with two lighthouses - the |
| program about their Christmas at the camp on | | | | ancient Bayfront gets gussied up in an incredible |
| December 25. On January 7, the celebration | | | | array of lights. Nearby, the historic Nye Beach |
| comes to Cannon Beach (some 25 miles south), | | | | district (known as the "Honeymoon Capitol of the |
| marking the day that Clark, Sacegawea and | | | | World" for various reasons) has an antique charm |
| others traveled to the ocean to see a beached | | | | that's somewhere between old Europe and |
| whale. | | | | turn-of-the-century America with its tiny |
| The adorable resort town of Seaside - which | | | | cobblestone streets. |
| boasts broad, immaculate beaches, the "million | | | | For those who want to celebrate with more than |
| dollar walk" of Broadway Ave., and a cove | | | | a little finery, the stunning bistro-style eatery |
| famous for surfing - will be one of the few cities | | | | Village Market & Deli goes into overdrive with |
| to host a major traveling exhibit on Lewis & | | | | its legendary cuisine, offering special holiday dishes |
| Clark. From November 19 to November 22, you'll | | | | to its partial ocean view, sometimes to the |
| find the "Corps of Discovery II, 200 yrs. To The | | | | shimmering sounds of guest musicians. This |
| Future," with a mobile 250-seat auditorium | | | | pleasure, and the owners' sister business, Blu Cork |
| showing multimedia programs on Lewis & | | | | Wine Bar, are one of Newport's hush-hush holiday |
| Clark's troupe of travelers. Free. 503-861-4403. | | | | knockouts. Blu Cork will feature a stunning |
| Also on November 19, Seaside will abound with | | | | sourdough bread pudding and chocolate cake for |
| the bounty of the vineyard with the | | | | the season that contains a multitude of taste |
| holiday-themed Seaside Downtown Wine Walk. | | | | layers, as well as specialty holiday meats, spreads, |
| The now-annual event features hundreds of folks | | | | terrines, pates and champagne - all surrounded by |
| wandering throughout the downtown area and | | | | its famous wine-themed décor and |
| taste-testing Northwest wines. $5 for the | | | | selection of memorable northwest wines. |
| wristband. 503-717-1914 or | | | | (541-574-9393 for Village Market & Deli). |
| By late November, Seaside really gets lit up with | | | | |