{"id":312,"date":"2020-03-13T01:31:19","date_gmt":"2020-03-12T22:31:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/100steps.info\/?p=312"},"modified":"2020-03-13T01:31:19","modified_gmt":"2020-03-12T22:31:19","slug":"alsea-bay-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thisamericandream.com\/alsea-bay-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"Alsea Bay Beach"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I\u2019m always pleased to find beach access within a short number of steps. The bay beach near the Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center is just that, plus includes a convenient view of this modern coastal bridge, so close you can hear the vehicles as they cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The destinations described here form a loop. If walking in sand is not appropriate for you, the picnic area<\/a> and the bridge view bench<\/a> can be visited individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picnic area<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

50 Steps<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"alsea-bay-bridge-view-from-picnic-table-300x225-9400114\"<\/figure>
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A pair of picnic tables overlooks the bayshore and provides seated viewing of the Alsea Bay Bridge.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Terrain: Flat pavement and sidewalk<\/td><\/tr>
Seating: Two picnic tables<\/td><\/tr>
Fee: No<\/td><\/tr>
Restrooms: Near the entrance to the Interpretive Center<\/td><\/tr>
Directions: To reach the Interpretive Center, just south of the Alsea Bridge in Waldport, turn west on Hemlock Street at stoplight or Spring Street (but no light). Take the next right and follow the road until you reach the parking lot. The picnic area is clearly visible to the north of the parking spaces next to the building.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bridge view bench<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

75 Steps<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"alsea-bay-bridge-resting-bench-300x225-7971014\"<\/figure>
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If you can negotiate stairs, and would like to experience the bridge panorama from a bit closer to the beach, this bench sits not far from the bridge\u2019s entrance spires.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Terrain: Flat sidewalk, descent of seven stairs with handrails<\/td><\/tr>
Seating: One backless bench<\/td><\/tr>
Fee: No<\/td><\/tr>
Restrooms: Near the entrance to the Interpretive Center<\/td><\/tr>
Directions: From the indicated parking, head toward the picnic area and then down the stairs to its right. The bench is on the left at the bottom of the stairs.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Beach walk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

200 Steps<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"alsea-bay-bridge-beach-toward-ocean1-300x225-6890320\"<\/figure>
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Beaching walking! The wind through your hair, gulls gliding above and bobbing on swells, sand crunching underfoot, waters lapping against the shoreline, fresh ionized sea air filling your lungs. Nothing is like a walk on the beach!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Terrain: Loose sand for about 30 steps, then decent of seven shallow stairs with handrails. On the beach, there is loose sand for about 25 steps until it firms up closer to the water. May need to sludge through some wet sand for a few steps depending on the tide (we sank a couple of inches).<\/td><\/tr>
Seating: There is a black, flat-topped rock suitable for one person\u2019s resting at the end of the route, next to the returning stairway.<\/td><\/tr>
Fee: No<\/td><\/tr>
Restrooms: Near the entrance to the Interpretive Center<\/td><\/tr>
Directions: From the bridge view bench at the bottom of the first stairway, head left across the sand and descend the second stairway. Follow the water line until you reach the black, flat-topped rock near the returning stairway.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Return from beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

100 Steps<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"alsea-bay-bridge-returning-stairs-300x225-6713794\"<\/figure>
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After reposing on the rock-cum-bench, you can ascend the stairs and return to your car, or head to the Interpretive Center for an educational experience.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Terrain: Climb of seven shallow stairs with handrails, then flat sidewalk and pavement in the parking lot<\/td><\/tr>
Seating: No<\/td><\/tr>
Fee: No<\/td><\/tr>
Restrooms: Near the entrance to the Interpretive Center<\/td><\/tr>
Directions: From the black, flat-topped rock, climb the stairs and return through the parking lot to complete the walk\u2019s loop.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n