Welcome to La Cabane de Sirene (Mermaid Cabin), my romantic Seaside cottage on Avenue "S", a perfect escape for inspiration, reflection, renewal.
This cozy cabin is just the right size for a couple's getaway, an artist's retreat or storm watchers' jaunt. Far from your ordinary vacation rental, character and warmth abound. Click here to jump to more pictures of La Cabane de Sirene (Mermaid Cabin).
A short, 3-block stroll to the ocean where you can enjoy views of Tillamook Head and a walk along the 3+ mile promenade that meanders along Seaside Beach. Year-round enjoyment can be found ... whether it is storm-watching, seashell gathering, clamdigging, an evening bonfire or simply sunning and watching the waves.
Seaside is situated directly west of Portland, Oregon. Highway 26 ends at US101 and Seaside.
I fell in love with Seaside the first time I came … it is a fun, sleepy, lowbrow beach town that stole my heart. It is an old timey beach spot, complete with taffy and ice cream shops, arcades for the kids, rental spots for any number of beach type vehicles (pedal cars, kayaks, etc) as well as some more modern conveniences like a few good restaurants, a nice wine bar, cheese shop and antique stores to knock around in.
And when I laid eyes on this little beach cabin, I had to have it. So in June of 2004 I took the plunge and bought my own little Seaside cottage. Avenue “S” has its quirks but after the renovation, it is cozier than ever.
Let me tell you a little more about the cottage and the town ...
La Cabane de Sirene (I am a Francophile and named my little hideaway accordingly, the meaning is "Mermaid Cabin")
• The cabin has 1 Queen bed in the main bedroom, 2 twin beds in the guest room (can be pushed together)
• Bed linens and towels are provided and found in the cabinets in the guest room. Extra blankets on shelf in main bedroom.
• Kitchen is stocked with dishes, utensils, pots/pans, an automatic drip coffee maker, coffee bean grinder, a small toaster, a microwave, an Italian espresso maker and an electric utility pot for boiling water. We provide your first round of coffee beans and cream for your first welcoming pot! On top of the fridge you'll find things helpful for a beach picnic (thermoses, beach blanket, barbeque utensils)
• Visiting La Cabane de Sirene is like visiting a friend's house. There are usually some food items that vary based on last visitor (pasta sauce, pasta, tea, sugar). Sometimes there are some refrigerated items, check the expiration dates! Also some limited spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder). If you use the last of something, please replace it. Also feel free to leave something new for the next visitor! We also provide a welcome bottle of wine for your enjoyment.
• The fireplace is wood burning with a gas lighter. The key to the gas lighter is at the left of the fireplace and requires a match. You can use this for additional heat or to get your fire going. There are fireplace utensils and a screen for your use.
• In the living room there are some coastal books. Also, books on shells, birds, etc. And of course my prerequisite French themes! games for kids and outdoor lawn games too can be found in the guest room cabinet.
• BBQ (weber charcoal grill) and hot dog forks are there for outdoor cooking as well as beach chairs.
• Outdoors, you’ll find an outdoor firepit. Please make sure to extinguish all fires and don’t leave a fire burning unattended. There are a couple of extra chairs in the utility room.
• I’m dog friendly, your pooch is welcome … bless wood floors! Just clean up after, ‘kay?
There's more that we will share with you if you rent the cabin.
Seaside and environs ...
• There is a pub, Goose Hollow, on Avenue U, near Ken's market. The pub is casual, not bad food. Good brews! live music on random nights, they put up a sign to let you know when.
• Also on Avenue U is a funky 9 hole golf course, cheap to play a round even with a cart. They rent clubs and have a low brow bar and café. This café serves breakfast.
• The Avenue U Ken’s market is convenient and local, not as much selection as Safeway on 101, but fine just the same…and hey, we love supporting locals! They won my heart when I found a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, Marlborough region (only my favorite white wine EVER). Do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle.
• There are several restaurants on Broadway in Seaside, along with an assortment of typical beach-town shops, arcade, saltwater taffy, etc. Tora Sushi is excellent, Yummy Wine Bar and Lola’s Cheese shop are worth a look/see. McKeowns has great steaks and week-end brunch; and there is an Italian spot that has music on week-ends.
• Take a walk on the “Prom” a 3 mile paved walk at the beach’s edge, starting at Avenue U you can walk all the way to downtown Seaside. Not quite the boardwalk, but a lovely way to see the town.
• Seaside has a convention center and there is usually something going on in the vicinity … concert, fairs, car shows, etc. check out the local paper for the latest. Check the sidebar link for more info.
• There is a cinema (The Cannes ... hey it is French, I must be in the right place!!) on 101 in Seaside with first run movies, 503-738-0671. Also factory store outlets (yawn) including Nike.
• Just north of Seaside is Gearhart with a nice restaurant “Pacific Way Café”, good food and a personal favorite of mine. Also in Gearhart are some cute antique/vintage shops and a very good ice creamery. Golf course has a nice bar/restaurant. My favorite shop in Gearhart is Pacific Crest Cottage. Tell Joy that Kim from Seaside's Avenue U sent you!
• If you are willing to go 15-20 minutes, one of my favorite restaurants is further north in Astoria – Fulio’s, 1149 Commercial Street, call 503-325-9001 for directions. Astoria is a real fishing port, cruiseliners stop in and there are a number of galleries and shops on Commercial as well as a nice pier. The city is turning, not real fancy though. Nice views where the sea meets the Columbia river, cool old bridge connecting Oregon and Washington. Spring/summer they also have a great week-end market downtown. Funky shops and galleries.
• Astoria also has a theatre company that has quirky plays.
• South of Seaside, I recommend Cannon Beach (about 10 minute drive). A restaurant that will fool you is the Wayfarer, from the outside looks like a typical hotel café, the food is delicious and there is an ocean view, as well, of Haystack rock. Fish tacos rock! Lots of shopping, galleries etc. in the town as well. Lazy Susan’s for breakfast, yum. A great shop similar in feel to my Mignonne is Sesame & Lilies, found on Hemlock. The town is reminiscent of a little Carmel. There is a very appealing Japanese spa that specializes in foot treatments, brochure on the fridge. ahhhhhhh~~~~~~!
• A lot of visitors also enjoy the shops and atmosphere further south in the towns of Manzanita, Wheeler and Nehalem Bay where you’ll also find kayaking and crab boats to rent or hire (no more than 30 minutes or so south).
• Tillamook has the cheese factory, but even better (in my opinion) is Blue Heron Goat Cheese Co., adjacent to Tillamook Cheese Factory on the main drag (101). It has a definite European feel, with lots of imported stuff to browse through and taste. Be sure to check out Oceanside, directly west of Tillamook for a spectacular beach and views.
The fine print:
La Cabane de Sirene is available for up to four visitors ...
• by the week (Friday check-in at 3:00 p.m., check-out by noon) for $600 per week plus a $75 cleaning fee. During "high season" (June, July, August); $675 per week.
• by a 2-night minimum stay (available for reservation 2 weeks or less prior to arrival date) at $120/per night plus a $75 cleaning fee. During "high season" (June, July, August); $145/per night.
How to reserve?
Email Kellie at kmarshborne@yahoo.com with inquiries re: availability. We require full payment via Paypal in advance prior to holding the cabin.
