Visitors take a seat on a well-worn church pew by the fiery 2150° F furnace at the Alder House III in Lincoln City, to watch glassblowers at work. As the artisans blow, twirl, and shape pieces in the smoldering "glory hole," they explain each step of the process. The gallery's top-selling items include Japanese fishing net floats ($28-$65 each), replicas of the ones that would wash ashore here years ago. During the annual Glass Festival, whichstretches from October through May, multicolored floats are hidden for beachcombers to discover.

Although much of Oregon's shoreline butts sheer rock faces, the central coast boasts long sandy beaches and tidepools. But the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area tidepools in Quarry Cove near Newport are unique; they're fully accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Paved pathways slope right into the water filled with green anemones, spiky purple sea urchins, and hermit crabs. Those in search of drier pursuits can try Yaquina Head's interpretive center or lighthouse, which sit atop the basaltic rock that was once quarried here.

The view from Heceta Head, or any overlook around Yachats for that matter, is what Oregon guidebooks are made of. Many visitors trek up the stairs to the top of Heceta Head Lighthouse, the state's most famous lighthouse. But a fascinating alternative is a tour in summer of the Heceta Head Light Keeper's House, the historic and haunted home where lighthouse keepers and their families once lived. Guides tell captivating stories about the daily lives of the families and of their spirits that still roam the cliff-side home, now a beautifully restored bed and breakfast (with amazing views out every window).

The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area in nearby Florence is no stranger to view-seekers, either. Join a guided tour at Sandland Adventures for either a speedy delivery to the sand dune summits or a more relaxed run in one of their giant buggies. No promises on covering all 40 miles of this grainy paradise, but at least you'll make a dent.

It pays to plan sunsets wisely while on the coast, especially at the dunes. That way a slow-motion sprint to the top of a sandy ridge won't be for nothing. After all, few spots rival this for the best place to eke out the last moments of an Oregon vacation.