Lincoln City stretches along seven miles of Oregon coastline, a string of small communities merged into one long beach town. It is not the most picturesque stop on the Oregon coast — the strip-mall character of Highway 101 through town sees to that — but the beach itself is wide and dramatic, with reliable wind for kite flying and a city-sponsored programme that hides hand-blown glass floats in the sand for visitors to find and keep. The Glass Float Hunt gives otherwise aimless beach walks a purpose.
The D River, which connects Devils Lake to the ocean, runs through the centre of town and holds a claim as one of the shortest rivers in the world. Devils Lake is popular for kayaking and paddleboarding in summer. The Nelscott Reef offshore generates big-wave surfing conditions that draw riders from across the Pacific Northwest. The Chinook Winds Casino at the north end draws visitors from Portland on weekends.
Lincoln City works best as a base for exploring the central Oregon coast. Depoe Bay and its whale-watching boats are just to the south, and the quieter beaches around Neskowin are a short drive north.