Just north of boisterous Seaside, but a world away in character and ambience, the tiny town of Gearhart (pop. 995) was the home of influential chef and cookbook author James Beard. Beard’s culinary legacy lives on in the Pacific Way Bakery and Cafe (503/738-0245), a half mile west of US-101 at 601 Pacific Way, which offers the coast’s best coffees and croissants, along with four-star lunches and dinners. Like many places along the Oregon coast, it’s closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
