• Oregon Coast Hotels and Accomodations
  • Oregon Coast Restaurants

Oregon Coast Adventure

~ Enjoy Oregon

Oregon Coast Adventure

Category Archives: Seaside

Digging for Razor Clams

07 Wednesday Jan 2015

Posted by admin in clam, fishing, Gearhart, Seaside

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

chowder, clam, digging, fried, oregon, razor, shellfish

The best tasting clam in Oregon

The razor clam that inhabits the Oregon beaches is known as Siliqua Patula, it is a very large and delicious clam that can be dug out of the sand during a low tide. This clam is found from all the way north in Alaska down to the middle of California and prefers to live in the beaches with large deposits of sand. If you wake up early in the morning in Seaside on a low tide you will be amazed at how many people are out digging up one of the most delicious dinners the coast has to offer. People can find them during the lowest tides of each cycle when the surf is relatively calm and the clam “shows” meaning that you can see either a small hole, a dimple in the sand, or a disturbance in the receding water from each wave that washes to shore. The razor clam is best when prepared simply with just a light batter and fried, but also can be used in clam chowder, clam fritters, seafood stews and other dishes.

Razor clams are known for moving quickly in the very soft sand with their large digger foot and so once you begin to disturb the area move quickly until you have reached it and pulled it out of the hole. always check your local regulations for the proper season to be able to go clamming and make sure that you know the limit that can be harvested. Steep fines are associated with clam diggers that over harvest or take during out of season. Always have a separate bag for holding the clams for every digger in your party as it is a big no no to put all your clams in one bag or to dig for someone else.
digging razors

When to go clam Digging?

The most popular times to pursue these bivalves is during a low tide. Review the tide tables and look for times that the tide is going to be a low minus tide and preferably the lower minus tides of the month. Clam diggers should plan to get to the beach an hour and half before the low tide to start looking for the signs of clams. Sometimes it can take only a matter of minutes to dig a limit of these tasty morsels while other days it may take up to an hour or more if the surf is rougher and the clams are deeper and not showing as easily.
clams for everyone

What do you need to find clams?

There are two primary tools for digging razor clams. The clam shovel and the clam gun. Of course you can always just use your hands, but you will likely quickly be reminded why these creatures have the word razor in their name. The sharp and thin shells can cut your fingers deep very easily. Due to the soft nature of the shells it is very important to be careful while digging with a shovel as it is very easy to crack or cut them in half, while the bits and pieces are still very edible, they will no longer retain the same impressive look on the plate that a full clam has, so be careful with whatever tool you choose.

The Clam Shovel, is a short handed shovel to mid torso length at the longest and has a very flat blade that is about 9 – 11 inches in depth. It is important when digging with a shovel to position the blade about 4 inches away from the clam show, between the hole and the ocean. Go straight down and barely lift back with the handle and pull the sand straight up. This will remove the dirt without breaking the shovel, for a clam that is deeper you may need to repeat the process a couple of times. These clams move quickly in the wet sand so be ready to reach down and grab them before they disappear into the liquefied sand of the surf.

The clam gun is designed to quickly reach the clam and pull it out in one full motion. the gun will be a circular tube with handles and a vent hole. Simple place the gun over the show, drive it all the way down, put your finger over the air vent and pull up. Make sure to lift with your legs and not your back otherwise you can quickly wear yourself out and even cause an injury to yourself. The wet sand grips the gun tightly and can require some serious pulling on to get moving. Repeat if necessary to reach the shellfish.

Here is how to do it

Getting it done with the shovel. Use the butt end to pound the sand and find the shows and then dig up your prize.

The clam gun makes it quick and easy for anyone to dig a clam in the sand.

Cleaning the Clams

There is lots of ways to clean a razor clam. Some people like to slightly boil them and then quickly place them in ice water to stop the cooking process. This can make the shell removal easier, but risks cooking the meat. I prefer to remove the shells with a oyster knife and then continue to process them, removing the nasty parts of the gut and intestine and cleaning the siphons so that the meat is ready to be panko crusted and fried or chopped up into the best chowder meat ever.
cleaning razor clams Razor Clam with no shell

The standard fried razor clam recipe
razor clam recipe

Oregon Coast Fireworks Shows – 4th of July

02 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by admin in Cannon Beach, Florence, Lincoln City, Newport, Pacific City, Port Orford, Reedsport, Rockaway, Seaside, Tillamook, Warrenton, Yachats

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

4th, beach, coast, fireworks, fourth, july, oregon

The communities along the Oregon coast now how to celebrate Independence day. There are many different options to choose from if you are looking for a good time this upcoming 4th of July weekend. There will be lots of family friendly events and a few places for adults to party as well.
coast fireworks
The following cities will be holding firework shows on either the 3rd or 4th.

Rockaway Beach – July 4
Rockaway Beach is home to a full weekend of fun. The firework show begins at dusk and is hosted by the local fire department near the Wayside. Get a spot on the beach and enjoy the show. During the day the morning is the local parade. The Lions Club will be putting on their Fun Day at the Beach with activities for kids and it will be the 8th annual Firecracker Weiner Nationals dachshund races at the local park.

Click for a full schedule of events for Rockaway Beach 4th of July

Manzanita – July 4
The Manzanita parade starts at 1PM. The city sanctioned fireworks display is planned to start at 10PM on the beach at Manzanita, the show is expected to last about 20 minutes.

Cannon Beach – July 4
Cannon Beach will have a firedancer show on the beach and several other Puffin friendly activities to be careful not to harm to the birds that reside in the area during the summer. There is a concert from 7 – 9 PM at the City Park and several other planned events. http://www.cannonbeach.org/events

Tillamook – July 4
The Blue Heron is the place to be if you are in the Tillamook area and looking for a more adult friendly environment. Live music and wine tasting.
wine tasting on july 4th Blue Heron on Facebook

Seaside – July 4
The Seaside chamber of commerce puts on a great family fun focused Fourth of July celebration.
11AM – Parade starts at The Seaside Museum
12PM – 4PM Seaside Museum Old Fashioned Social
1:30PM – Drum & Bugle Corps. Show at Broadway Field
Late Afternoon – Stunt Kite Show
10PM – Seaside July 4th Fireworks Display on the Beach

Pacific City – July 5
The fireworks show will at Bob Straub State Park at dusk. http://www.pacificcityfireworks.com/

Lincoln City – July 4
There is a ton of activities in Lincoln City this weekend. Here is a brief schedule of events.
8-11AM – Pancake Breakfast at Glenden Beach
9AM – 3PM Craft Fair and Food Court at Glenden Beach
1PM Parade at Glenden Beach
Dusk Fireworks show over Siletz Bay.
More details about Lincoln City 4th of July Celebrations

If you decide to do a little shopping at the Tangier Outlets in Lincoln city make sure and take advantage of these coupons and any other special holiday discounts that may be going on.

Depoe Bay no longer holding fireworks display due to bird sensitivity.

Yachats July 4
Enjoy the fun and whimsical la de da parade at Noon that is put on by the Yachats Area Chamber of Commerce. The afternoon is the mouth of the river is home to a rubber ducky race in the river and in the evening there will be a public fireworks show.

Florence – July 4
There will be live outdoor music in Old Town and a fireworks display over the Siuslaw river. Local shops and restaurants will be open late to accommodate people out celebrating the holiday.

Seaside Fourth of July Celebrations

03 Wednesday Jul 2013

Posted by admin in Seaside

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

beach, fireworks, independence day, parade, seaside

Seaside Oregon 4th of July activities will begin at 11AM with an Independence Day parade that includes the Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corp at the Seaside Museum & Historical Society and continue through and around downtown Seaside. From noon to 4PM there is a whole lot of activities to keep the kids busy, seaside really has a ton of different things lined up for everyone to enjoy. Activities include: a cake walk, face painting, live music, variety of small games, food boths, raffle drawings, silent auction, and bingo. Take a few minutes in between the activities and check out the museum for free as well.

Fireworks Show
The fireworks show at seaside gets started at 10PM and is centered around the beach at the turnaround. The Seaside Chamber of Commerce puts on an excellent fireworks display and the expansive beach area makes a perfect place to set up a few blankets and enjoy the show from the sand or from the view of your hotel window if you are staying right on the beach.

Beach at Seaside, Oregon

CC-BY 2.0 – http://www.flickr.com/photos/benkun2000/

Remember to be careful and smart about being on the beach this weekend. If you make a beach fire keep it modest, make sure to put it out properly and be careful with the fireworks that you are lighting off.

Here is the Seaside Independence Day Parade Map provided by the seaside of Chamber of Commerce

View Seaside Oregon July 4th Parade Route in a larger map

Important information from the Seaside Chamber of Commerce that is good information for any fourth of July beach goer.

Please Read Our Ordinances And Special Considerations

NO FIREWORKS ZONE….. The fenced off sections to the north and south of the turnaround are “fireworks free zones”. This area is for those who wish to view the fireworks show in a “safe zone”. NO FIREWORKS PLEASE!

BONFIRES: Bonfires are allowed on the beach away from beach grass and large drift logs. Bonfires must not exceed 3 foot square in size.

DIGGING PITS: DIGGING LARGE PITS PROHIBITED-MAXIMUM FINE $700 IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, DIGGING FIRE PITS OR SHELTERS LARGER THAN 6 FEET IN DIAMETER AND 2 FEET DEEP IS PROHIBITED. (Seaside Municipal Code 96.23—Public Nuisance)

ILLEGAL FIREWORKS: ILLEGAL FIREWORKS PROHIBITED– violators will be ticketed! THE POSSESSION AND/OR USE OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS (MORTARS, FIRECRACKERS, MISSILES, ROMAN CANDLES, ETC.) IS PROHIBITED IN THE CITY OF SEASIDE – ILLEGAL FIREWORKS ARE SUBJECT TO CONFISCATION – THIS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND VIOLATORS ARE SUBJECT TO ARREST WITH A FINE OF $500.00 PER VIOLATION (ORS 480.110 to 480.165).

TREASURE THE BEACH: The BEACH DRIVE BUCCANEERS will be handing out SOLV trash bags during the parade & on the beach before the fireworks display. TAKE YOUR TRASH OFF THE BEACH WHEN YOU LEAVE! Bags may be left next to trash cans along the Prom………….

Razor Clams in Clatsop County Weekend of May 25 – 27

24 Friday May 2013

Posted by admin in Astoria, Beach, clam, Food, Seaside

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

astoria, beach, clams, memorial weekend, razor, seaside

Excellent Tides This Weekend

This upcoming Memorial day weekend is time for a great low tide for Razor clams at the Oregon north coast beaches in Clatsop County.  Between Seaside and Astoria there will be a lot of clams harvested.  The low tides are in the early mornings bottoming out around 8 – 9 AM, check the local tide location (http://www.saltwatertides.com/dynamic.dir/oregonsites.html)  where you will be going.  Get to the clamming grounds an hour and half early so you have time to dig a full limit, if you have never done it before you will need a little time to get the hang of everything.

Oregon beach harvested razor clams

The weather for the weekend looks to be a little off with occasional rain so be ready to be out in a typical wet Oregon spring shower.  Other critical components to remember to have include: digging device either a long flat clam shovel or a clam gun which is one of those long tubes with handles, a shellfish license, individual bags for every person in your group to carry their own clams.
Remember that everyone has to dig themselves and carry their own harvest.

Watch and Learn How to Clam for Razors

And how to do it with a shovel


Make sure you do not bend the shovel back hard, pull straight up to remove the sand in order to avoid breaking the clam in half. They are very brittle and crack easy, so be careful, because they will cut you if you are not watching what you are doing when removing them from the sand.

The beaches will be busy but there is plenty of clams despite it being crowded if the surf stays sort of mellow everyone should be able to have a really good morning exercise collecting for an awesome evening dinner meal. Have fun and enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend!

Drive from Portland to the Oregon Coast

30 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by admin in Seaside, Tillamook

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

day trip, drive, hwy26, oregon coast, portland, travel, weekend vacation

The Oregon North Coast is the perfect day trip destination or weekend getaway location for the residents of the Greater Portland Area. The beach is only about 1 hour and 30 minutes away and there is activities for everyone regardless of the kinds of things you enjoy to do.

Going to the Oregon north coast towns of Tillamook, Garibaldi, Rockaway Beach, Canon Beach, Seaside, Astoria, Manzanita, and many other great spots along the North Coast are excellent destinations for a weekend trip from Portland, Or. Travel west on Highway 26 and either stay on HWY 26 all the way to the Oregon Coast Highway that runs north and south or take the exit for HWY 6 near Banks, Oregon and go along the Wilson river to Tillamook, Or. Plan a trip to visit the Oregon Coast to go for walks on long beaches,agate and shell searching, shop at the antique and boutique shops, or go fishing and crabbing in the rivers, bay, and Pacific ocean or just spend a day looking at various sites the Oregon beaches and towns along the coast have all kinds of thing to enjoy.

View from Wilson River Road

View off the Wilson River Highway on the way to the coast

Traveling Directions from Portland to Tillamook

View Larger Map

Traveling Directions from Portland to Seaside

View Larger Map

Crabbing Locations from Shore – Piers & Bridges

11 Sunday Nov 2012

Posted by admin in crab, garibaldi, Newport, Outdoor Location, pier, Seaside

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

bait, boat, bridge, catch, crab, crabbing, dock, pier, pot, rent, ring, shore, trap

Public Crabbing Locations on the Oregon Coast

You don’t need to have a boat in order to catch dungeness crab on the Oregon coast, you will need crab traps or rings and some bait, but that is all that is required to get a few for dinner. There are several piers, docks, and bridges that provide excellent places to try your luck at crabbing. The best times of year to give it a go are generally from the middle of summer until the heaviest of winter rains are upon us in mid to late December. The areas that are most accessible for people bound to shore also tend to be in the bays which get inundated with fresh water which the crab naturally move away from as the rains get more intense. Going 2 hours before the high tide and staying until 1-2 hours after generally is the best time of day to give it a go, but some places you can leave your traps in overnight and be surprised with a loaded pot first thing in the morning. If you do not own your own crab rings there are a few places that will rent them for a nominal fee as well so even if you are just heading to the beach for the weekend you can still get out and relax at the pier and go crabbing.

Crabbing Essentials

1. Crab Pots – Most people will use crab rings which are best pulled every 15 – 20 minutes, however you can also use the square or circle pots that can be soaked for 45 minutes to overnight in between checks.

2. Crab Bait – Almost anything will work, the most common types of bait though are fish carcasses which can be purchased from some of the marinas and chicken is a popular alternative.

3. Measuring Stick – You can only keep male crabs that are at least 5 3/4 inch in size, the measure will have a picture of how to tell the difference between male and females and where to place the measure device to make sure you only keep legal sized ones.

4. A Bucket – You need to have something to keep your catch in so they do not walk away on you.

The following are a few of the most popular shore crabbing locations. There are others, but this should get you started.

Seaside, Oregon – 12th Street Bridge


View Larger Map

Nehalem Bay – Jetty Fishery Marina


View Larger Map

An alternative location on Nehalem Bay that also has all of the carbbing supplies available to rent is Kelly’s Brighton Marina

View Larger Map

Both of the locations in Nehalem bay also offer boat rentals if you want to give it a try from the water for a half or full day.

Garibaldi, Oregon Tillamook Bay – Old Coast Guard Pier


View Larger Map

The Garibaldi Marina rents boats for getting out into the bay and there is also a dock at the south end of the port area that is great for tossing a pot in the water.

View Larger Map

Newport, Oregon – The Newport Pier



View Larger Map

If you have never participated in harvesting enough crab for a delicious sustainable Oregon Coast dinner than make sure and give this fun activity a try the next time you are vacationing at the beach. It is always rewarding to catch your dinner. If you are unfamiliar with cooking your catch ask around at the marinas as they often a crab cooker with boiling water and for a nominal charge they will cook your fresh crab for you. Otherwise a pot of boiling water and some sea salt does the trick, bring it to a boil and drop in the crab for 10 – 15 minutes. Cooking them whole is very acceptable way to process the crab. Like any delicacy there is a 101 ways to do it and if you enjoy the time crabbing and get out and do it more you can vary the way you cook and eat the crab, but a simple boil in salt water and melted butter for dipping is always a winner.

Salt Making in Seaside with Seaside Museum & Historical Society

11 Saturday Aug 2012

Posted by admin in Seaside

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

coast, historical society, making, museum lewis & clark, oregon, salt, seaside

U.S. President Thomas Jefferson assigned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark the task of exploring the unknown territory in the West. They were to study the plants, animal, and geography; make contacts with the Native Americans; find out if there were resources of economic value, and find the Northwest Passage to Asia. During their arduous journey, they managed all except the last.

Thirty-three hardy souls left Camp Dubois, Illinois on May 14, 1804, and Lewis joined the group a few days later. Only one person died during their incredible journey, Sergeant Charles Floyd died of what was probably acute appendicitis. The Expedition made contact with over 20 different Native American tribes, without whose help they might have starved. When they reached the Pacific Ocean they took a vote to decide whether to spend the winter on the North or South side of the Columbia River. Everyone in the group was allowed an equal vote, probably the first vote for both a female (Sacagawea) and a slave (York).

The decision was that they would stay on the South side, where they built Fort Clatsop. The group had run out of salt before they reached the Columbia River; having salt to make food taste good was important for morale. However it was essential for preserving the meat to make the trip back to the East. A place about 15 miles from the fort seemed good for making salt, and between January 2, 1806, and February 20, 1806, with the help of the local Clatsop and Tillamook Indians, they made 3 ½ bushels of salt.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday (August 17, 18, 19, 2012), starting at 4 PM Friday and running continuously until 3 PM Sunday, salt will be again made on the Seaside beach. The Seaside Museum and Historical Society, with Ft. Clatsop Nat. Park and the city of Seaside join to provide an authentic reenactment of what making salt was like for the Lewis & Clark Expedition. The actual site used by the saltmakers is a few blocks from where the reenactment occurs. That location was established by the Oregon Historical Society in 1900 from the memories of Jenny Michel of Seaside, a Native American who remembered being told about it as a child. On the way to participate in the saltmaking, you can stop at the memorial.

When you reach the sign reading “You Are Now Entering the Year 1806,” you will be greeted by a museum volunteer who will brief you on what to expect in the year 1806. The actual professional interpreters have studied hard and know the history of the person they are portraying, the language used in 1806, and how the person they are representing would respond to situations. They can tell you their ‘personal’ stories about the cross continental journey.

The interpreters set up camp for 48 hours, and during that time they actually make salt. You can have the pleasure of watching them carry water from the ocean and boil it down to make salt. You also have the opportunity to interact with the interpreters and even trade with them as the Native Americans did.

Come to Seaside and the thrill of stepping into the past to make salt. The saltmakers preformed an invaluable task for the Lewis & Clark expedition ensuring that they had salt to preserve their meat. The courageous individuals who were part of the Expedition returned with plant and animal specimens, extensive notes, and maps they made throughout their journey. They succeeded in their assignment, except for finding the Northwest Passage, which did not exist.
Article written by Mary Boyer

For more information about this fun historical experience.
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM22FZ
http://www.seasidemuseum.org/saltmakerspromo.cfm
http://visittheoregoncoast.com/2009/07/29/the-lewis-clark-salt-makers-return/
http://www.nps.gov/lewi/planyourvisit/saltworks.htm

← Older posts

♣ Recent Posts

  • Sharks along the Oregon North Coast
  • Swimming Dolphins Off Oregon Coast
  • Oregon Sport Fishing Halibut Season 2015
  • Underwater Look At Tide Pool
  • Oregon North Coast Boat Launch Locations

♣ Archives

  • September 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • July 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • January 2014
  • October 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011

♣ Categories

  • Antique & Thrift Store
  • Astoria
  • Bandon
  • Bar
  • Beach
  • Boat Launch
  • Breakfast
  • Brookings
  • Cannon Beach
  • clam
  • Cloverdale
  • Coos Bay
  • crab
  • Depoe Bay
  • fishing
  • Florence
  • Food
  • garibaldi
  • Gearhart
  • General
  • Lincoln City
  • Lodging
  • Lunch
  • Nehalem
  • Newport
  • Oregon Coast Treasure
  • Outdoor Location
  • Pacific City
  • Pictures
  • pier
  • Port Orford
  • Reedsport
  • Restaurant
  • Rockaway
  • Seaside
  • Shopping Destination
  • Tillamook
  • Uncategorized
  • Warrenton
  • Wheeler
  • Yachats

Proudly powered by WordPress Theme: Chateau by Ignacio Ricci.