Oregon's Inspected and Approved Bed and Breakfasts

All B&Bs are not alike. That's one of the great things about B&B, but it's also what makes choosing just the right one for each traveler a challenge. When making your decision on where to book, we suggest that you choose a member of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild which has been inspected and approved and follows the Guild's Standards and Ethics.

Did you know that in the State of Oregon a bed and breakfast with 2 or less rooms are not required to meet any state or county standards?! There is no inspection by county health departments, no food handlers training or permit is required and no entity checks to see if there is even any commercial liability insurance to protect you if you are injured on their property. If they have their own private water system, no county or state agency is checking to see if the water supply is safe.

You never have to worry about any of that when choosing a B&B that is a member of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild! The member inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild (OBBG) have all been inspected and approved by OBBG and even it's small 1 or 2 bedroom B&B members meet state standards and more importantly, OBBG standards which are even higher than the state in many cases!

Here at Sandlake Country Inn we have been proud members of OBBG for more than 15 years and are also licensed and inspected by not only OBBG, but also our county health department twice a year with surprise inspections. Sandlake Country Inn has also been certified "Green" by the OBBG Green Inspected Program.

When making your choice of where to stay, choosing a B&B is a great choice, and choosing an Inspected and Approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast is is not only a great choice, but you can rest assured that you'll be healthy and safe too!

Diane Emineth
Sandlake Country Inn 
8505 Galloway Rd
Cloverdale, OR 97112
"Your Romantic Getaway near Pacific City Oregon"

Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast

It's that time of year again! It's time to bundle up and get on the Oregon Coast beaches to whale watch! The whales have started their migration south to Baja. The official start of the Oregon Coast Winter Whale Watch Week is Sunday, Dec 25, 2011 - Jan 1, 2012. During Whale Watching Week, volunteers will be at selected locations to give you information about the whales, their migration and help with spotting. This program is Whale Spoken Here.

Photo: Oregon State University Marine Mammal Program

An estimated 18,000 gray whales will start their long journey along the Oregon Coast to their breeding grounds in lagoons in Baja, Mexico. Located within just a few minutes of Sandlake Country Inn are 3 excellent Whale Spoken Here spots. On the map below, they are numbers 4, 5 & 6. Many more Oregon coast whale watching sites are within an easy 1 1/2 hour drive (locations 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,& 14).

Best Watching Sites and Times
Winter Whales - Southbound Winter Whale Watching Week - Sun, Dec 26, 2010- Sat., Jan 1, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Trained volunteers will be present at the 26 sites listed on the map (right) to show visitors the gray whales. This is not the only time you can see the whales. About 18,000 gray whales will pass by in about 4 weeks, from mid-December to mid-January. The same locations are still great viewing spots. The main body of whales is about 5 mile off shore, but some can be seen as close as 1-2 miles off shore. During the southern migration whales seldom stop to eat, but travel steadily to the Baja lagoons of Mexico. Spring Whales - Northbound Spring Whale Watching Week - Sat., March 19 - Sat., March 26, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Trained volunteers will be present at the 26 sites on the map (right) to show visitors the gray whales. This is not the only time you can see the whales. About 18,000 whales will pass by our coast during March, April, May and June on their way to Alaska's Bering Sea. Juveniles pass first followed by adults. Last are the mothers and babies. Many of them come close to shore feeding on Oregon's great food supply. In April and May you may be able to see mothers and calves resting in protected coves close to shore. We see this quite often from the Whale Center. The same locations on the map are still great viewing spots. Summer Whales There are about 200-400 gray whales that do not go as far north as Alaska to feed in the summer. We generally have feeding whales on the central coast from July through October. These whales are very close to shore while feeding and can often be seen from many of the same locations on the map.

Diane & Ron Emineth
Sandlake Country Inn
 8505 Galloway Rd
Cloverdale, OR 97112 (near Pacific City)

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Nestucca Bay Wildlife Refuge

What a great time of year to explore south Tillamook County and the Nestucca Bay Wildlife Refuge. All year long, wildlife abound in our area, but fall and spring are especially wonderful for birders to view the migrations of an abundance of species.

Once again, Grant McOmie along with Travel Oregon has produced a beautiful and informative video of our unique area. Grant's Getaway features the Nestucca Bay Wildlife Refuge and Little Nestucca River using  Kayak Tillamook which has guided tours for all levels of ability. Never been in a kayak? No worries, Kayak Tillamook will teach you everything you need to know and provide all the equipment.



Nestucca Bay Wildlife Refuge can also be reached by car. It's located just south of Pacific City off #101 on Christenson Rd. To really appreciate the beauty of the area around Sandlake Country Inn, you need to be able to take your time, get out of your car and get a little physical. After your outing, you can come back to your comfortable room, sooth your tired muscles in your room's jacuzzi tub and maybe even have your dinner delivered to your room.

We look forward to helping you with your adventure!

Diane Emineth
Sandake Country Inn