In a gap between visiting wineries in the Willamette Valley, I had the chance to visit the Oregon coast for the first time.

We stayed at Cannon Beach. It has a spectacular beach, with a distinctive feature – Haystack Rock. This looms up some 230 feet from the beach and is home to seabird colonies, including puffins.

Cannon Beach is famous as the location for 1985 film The Goonies.

We stayed in the Stephanie Inn. It’s a lovely beachfront hotel. There’s something special about staying close to the sea like this. And walking on the beach is quite special: the slight saltiness in the air; the light; the sand underfoot.

Just under two hours’ drive from wine country, the Oregon coast is a really great destination. It’s worth thinking of combining a trip to the Willamette Valley with some time in Portland (a really great city) with some time on the coast. I’m itching to get back.