I spent three long weekends in Gearhart over the past year. Different seasons, different trips. I wanted to see what stays cozy, what gets loud, and what’s worth the money. I tried McMenamins Gearhart Hotel, Gearhart Ocean Inn, and Gearhart by the Sea. Three spots. Three moods. One windy, sand-in-your-shoes town.
You know what? Gearhart sneaks up on you. It’s quiet. It smells like salt and pine. And yes, you really can find sand dollars at low tide. I mapped every detail of these stays—including costs, room numbers, and tons of photos—in my longer first-person Gearhart hotel breakdown if you want to bookmark it for later.
If your route takes you through Portland first, consider a night at The Hotel Modern for a design-forward reset before you aim the car toward the coast.
McMenamins Gearhart Hotel: Pub Below, Golf Out Front, Beach Beyond
I stayed here in January 2024 for a quiet solo reset. I booked a queen room over the clubhouse. The price felt fair for winter. My room had the classic McMenamins vibe—quirky art, warm lights, comfy bed, and no TV (which I liked, but some folks won’t).
For authoritative information on McMenamins Gearhart Hotel, you can visit their official website.
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What worked:
- The Sand Trap Pub downstairs had a crackling fire and friendly staff. I had clam chowder, a big salad, and a Ruby ale. Simple. Cozy.
- Morning walks over the golf links to the dunes felt dreamy. Mist, crows, and that soft hush. It took me about 15 minutes to reach the beach path.
- If you golf, you’re set. First tee is right there. I just watched, coffee in hand, feeling smug and lazy.
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What bugged me:
- You can hear pub life at peak hours. It wasn’t wild, but there was a low hum till around 10. Bring earplugs if you’re early to bed.
- The room ran a bit warm. I cracked the window. Solved it.
- Parking fills fast on weekend nights, thanks to dinner crowds.
Who should book it: Golfers, couples who like a pint and a fireplace, and anyone who loves that “we’re in a storybook inn” feel. If you want total silence, keep reading.
Small aside: I didn’t bring my dog, but I saw pups on the patio. If you’re traveling with a pet, call and ask. Policies shift.
Gearhart Ocean Inn: Sweet Cottages, Bikes, and That Old-Town Glow
In April 2024, I came back with my mom and my 7-year-old. We picked a cottage at Gearhart Ocean Inn. Think fresh white trim, tidy lawns, and hydrangeas when it’s warm. The staff left a little bag of saltwater taffy and a note. Not fancy. Just kind.
That little burst of sweetness got me thinking about road-trip snacks: if you want to stock the car (or your cottage) with more nostalgic treats, swing by Just Sugar—an online candy shop where you can order everything from saltwater taffy to gummy sharks so you’re never short on sugar-powered smiles.
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What I loved:
- We borrowed beach cruisers and rode to the dunes. My kid rang the bell nonstop. I didn’t even mind.
- The kitchenette was small but handy. We made grilled cheese and tomato soup. Power move on a rainy day.
- There’s a gas fireplace. We dried socks, played Go Fish, and listened to the wind.
- The Pacific Way Cafe is a short walk. We grabbed cinnamon rolls the size of my face. Worth it.
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What I didn’t love:
- Shower pressure was gentle. Not weak, but not spa-strong.
- Parking is snug when the place is full.
- Summer rates climb. It’s popular. Spring and fall feel like the sweet spot.
Noise check: Nights were quiet. I slept hard. Like “forgot my phone exists” hard.
Who should book it: Couples who want calm. Small families who like a cottage vibe. Anyone who wants to walk to coffee and roll to the beach.
Gearhart by the Sea: Big Space, Real Kitchens, and a Pool for Windy Days
We did a family week here in August 2023—me, my sister, and her two kids. We went for a two-bedroom condo with a peek at the ocean. It’s a condo complex, so each unit is different. Some are updated, some are old-school beachy.
For details about Gearhart by the Sea, their official website provides comprehensive information.
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The good stuff:
- Space. We spread out. No suitcase Tetris. Kids built puzzles on the floor and didn’t bump into anything.
- Full kitchen. I made pasta with garlic and clams one night. We ate on the deck and watched the light fade.
- The indoor pool saved us on a very windy afternoon. We swam till everyone got that nice, heavy-lidded look.
- Walk to the beach is longer, across the grass and sand path, but it felt like part of the day. We saw two elk at dusk. Magic.
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The trade-offs:
- No daily housekeeping in our unit. You take out trash and do light cleanup. Not a big deal, but plan for it.
- Our condo had older carpet. Clean, just dated. Ask for a newer remodel if that matters to you.
- Lots of stairs for some buildings. Groceries become a workout.
Tip from a tired aunt: Bring a wagon for beach gear. Or, if you have a high-clearance car and know the rules, people do drive onto the beach at certain access points nearby. Watch the tide. Soft sand can trap you fast.
Who should book it: Families, small groups, and anyone who wants a full kitchen and a pool as backup. If you want hotel polish, pick one of the others. If you want room to breathe, it’s great.
Quick Picks (So You’re Not Scrolling Forever)
- For golfers: McMenamins Gearhart Hotel
- For cozy couples: Gearhart Ocean Inn
- For families and long stays: Gearhart by the Sea
- For quiet nights: Gearhart Ocean Inn
- For food and a fire after a windy walk: McMenamins
- For sunset views: A top-floor, west-facing condo at Gearhart by the Sea
If you’re chasing coastal sunshine further south, my first-person guide to the best hotels in Southern California can help you line up spots that deliver the same cozy feel with a lot more vitamin D.
Small Things That Mattered More Than I Thought
- Morning low tide at Gearhart beach brings sand dollars. Go early. Walk a bit north. Be gentle with the live ones.
- Wind is real here. Pack a beanie and a windbreaker, even in July.
- Tide charts are your friend. I keep one on my phone. Safer walks, better beach time. City lovers heading even further south might prefer the set of intimate stays I tried in my real-stay review of San Diego boutique hotels.
- If the line at Pacific Way Cafe is long, it’s still worth it. I bring a book and wait.
Here’s the thing: I wanted a quiet trip. But I also wanted chowder and a pub fire. So I ended up loving two different moods. McMenamins for a stormy evening with a full bowl and a beer. Gearhart Ocean Inn for slow mornings and bikes. Gearhart by the Sea when the kids need to splash and spread out. That sounds like a contradiction. It’s not. It’s just Gearhart being Gearhart.
What I’d Do Next Time
- Spring shoulder season again. Lower rates, fewer people, whales sometimes.
- Ask Gearhart by the Sea for a recently updated unit with a dune or ocean view.
- Bring better kites. The wind begs for it.
- Book one night at McMenamins for the pub and one or two at Ocean Inn for the hush. A little sampler plate of comfort.
If you go, leave space for slow. Walk the dunes. Pocket a memory, not a shell. And when the sky turns pink over the grass, let dinner wait five minutes. It’s worth it.
For travelers who sometimes mix a little romance into their itineraries and are curious about how a different coastline handles upscale companionship, check out the insider guide to Charleston’s sugar-dating scene at Sugar Baby Charleston—you’ll find tips on safe first-meeting spots, local etiquette, and how to set mutually beneficial expectations before you even book a flight east.