Back in the saddle
Refresh body and soul at Salishan Coastal Lodge
Story & photos by Gretchen Ammerman
Oregon Coast TODAY
I weave my bike between hanging mini-hammocks and a set of Adirondack chairs circling an infinity fire on a misty morning in early August. In one chair, a woman is sipping a cup of coffee; her golden retriever by her side. Another person is working on his laptop at a picnic table. This is the new Salishan Coastal Lodge, where the current owners are banking on the fact that they can provide an experience for a growing brand of visitor. Kind of a bonfire-on-the-beach crowd who still want to return to a nice room once the fire dies down, and get up the next morning, eat something healthy, and go play in the natural environment for which the Central Coast is growing increasingly renowned.
Salishan first opened to the public in the 1960s, providing short-term lodging and a golf course. It has changed hands quite a few times since then, but the newest owners want to restore it in a way that both honors the original vision and takes full advantage of what a large property like this has to offer if you take care of it right.
“Fifty five years ago a man named John Gray opened Salishan Lodge,” said Managing Director David Hall. “When we bought it, we heard that so many people who live here affectionally refer to it as ‘The Lodge,’ but it had been rebranded ‘Salishan Resort’ by one of the previous owners. As we got more familiar with the history, the construction and the property, which includes old-growth trees and stretches of the coast, to us the name ‘lodge’ just fit. So, we have re-embraced Gray’s original vision of a coastal lodge and have rebranded it to support that.”
I was heading on my bike to the new “pump track,” one of the amenities that has been added recently as part of the new outdoor adventure mission of the new owners. I brought my own gear, but bikes and helmets are available for visitors who might show up after having left the bike at home and have a “doh” moment when they see the newly constructed course, which features three fixed, elevated platforms and a teeter-totter style obstacle. The course was finalized after trial, error and a few “can we do this” ideas.
“Through test rides we discovered there were some safety features that could be added,” Hall said. “Once we got that done, we came back and added a few more fun obstacles.”
The course is beginner to intermediate level and is open to riders age 12 and older. It is also open and free of charge, for now, to non guests, who just need to come to the front desk and sign a waiver.
I spent more time on the course, only stopping for a bit to talk to two boys under age 12 who wanted to know how I was liking it. They were sad that they were too young to ride it themselves, but I cheered them up by telling them (and their mom) about Salishan’s new trees course, which is open to adventurers aged eight an older. After taking a few more circuits, I was winded, but in the good way.
“We’re blessed with a lot of beautiful land and it was important to us to incorporate things beyond the golf course that are based on wellness, not just adventure,” Hall said. “There is a reason this is a bicycle course, not a motocross course. We want to keep it purer and closer to nature.”
The new ownership, which was finalized in early 2018, decided early on that the outside of the property was as much, if not more, important than the inside.
“From the beginning. our emphasis has been on eco-adventure,” Hall said. “We’ve invested heavily in what is likely the largest adventure course on the coast; people love climbing in the trees.”
The aerial park, which is also open to the public, features 15 platforms and 21 “elements,” which include uneven walkways, upended oak barrels and swirling, person-sized frames, all suspended high in the air between beautiful native trees.
Fear of heights is extremely common and nothing to be embarrassed about, but shouldn’t stop people from trying the park. Through the entire experience, you are connected to overhead cables at two points, with lugs on each side that “communicate” with one another so if one become detached, the other automatically locks. It’s called the “smart belay system” (CLiC-iTs),” and definitely makes you feel like you’d have to try extra hard to even come close to being in peril at any time. You also don’t have to follow anyone else's path if it makes you uncomfortable.
“We will safely teach you how to climb trees at the trees adventure park, but then you can be on your own to explore what you want.” Hall said. “We are all about personal freedom and giving people the skills to enjoy the outdoors. When there isn’t a fire ban, we will even help teach people how to build a beach bonfire.”
Personal freedom has also led management to reconsider the way they will present Yoga for guests.
“We are in the process of finding a new home for Yoga,” Hall said. “People’s lives don't always match up with schedules we decide on, so we are looking at something similar to Peloton, where it’s a live stream experience but you still feel like you have an instructor. That way, people can schedule an interactive experience or a streamed one that has all the benefits but just isn’t interactive.”
The business also has made partnerships with two local shops, ZuhG Surf Shop and Safari Town Surf Shop, to provide even more outdoor opportunities like surfing, stand up paddleboarding and kayaking.
“We enjoy our relationships with ZuhG and Safari Town,” Hall said. “It’s great to encourage our guests to do as much as they can outside and support some of our fellow local businesses. Last week we had a family of six that worked with Tony [Gile, owner of Safari Town Surf Shop] to rent some surfboards. They kept their boards for four days and surfed every day.”
Safari Town also offers kayak tours of Devils Lake and fat bike rentals, but ZuhG is all about the board sports and loves being able to share the stoke.
“I just had a group come in that were staying at Salishan and wanted surf lessons,” said ZuhG owner Bryan Nichols. “It was great having Salishan send them our way knowing they were ready for some fun in the ocean.”
If you are interested in the beach bonfires mentioned earlier, bundles of firewood are for sale in another part of the property that’s seen a pretty big change.
“What used to be the Sunroom Restaurant is now Provisions Market,” Hall said. “We offer healthy items in the take away cafe, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free food and lots of smoothie options, but we also sell things for you to put in a picnic basket or backpack and take with you on your next adventure. We really focus on products that are indigenous to the PNW; even our t-shirts are made locally.”
And once you are nice and tired and ready to be pampered, book a table at another local product, The Bay House. After decades on the Siletz Bay, during which it earned a four-diamond rating from AAA, The Bay House has moved to the lodge, bringing with it locally grown Executive Chef Kevin Ryan. Have a fine dining experience where you won’t get looked at sideways if you leave a little sand behind when you are finished with your meal.
For more details, go to Salishan.com.