Getting There -- Ore. 22 from Salem merges with Ore. 18 before reaching the junction with U.S. 101. From Portland, take Ore. 99W to McMinnville and then head west on Ore. 18.

Visitor Information -- For more information on the area, contact the Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau, 801 SW U.S. 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367 (tel. 800/452-2151 or 541/996-1274).

Festivals -- Annual kite festivals include the Summer Kite Festival in late June and the Fall Kite Festival in early October. In addition, Lincoln City hosts the annual Cascade Head Music Festival in mid- to late June, and in August there's the annual Sandcastle Building Contest. On the nearby Siletz Indian Reservation, the Nesika Illahee, the annual Siletz Pow Wow takes place on the second weekend in August.

Finders Keepers--Each year between mid-October and the end of May, Lincoln City hides more than 2,000 art-glass balls, similar to the much-prized Japanese handblown glass fishing floats that sometimes drift ashore on this coast. Look above the high-tide line for the colorful globes of glass. Some are hidden each week.