After spending time on the docks watching the sea lions, my wife and I like coming here to grab a…read morecoffee, latte or espresso and continue enjoying the waterfront from a completely different perspective.
We have been here before, and one of the first things we noticed this visit was how much the outside viewing deck has improved. What I remember as a much more open deck is now substantially covered, with plenty of picnic-table seating, bar-style seating overlooking the water, and overhead heaters. On a cool or less-than-perfect Oregon coast day, those improvements make a difference.
Now, if your only goal is getting as close as possible to the sea lions, the public viewing dock is still the better experience. There you are practically standing above them. From Surf Town, you are viewing them from a little farther away and, depending on where you sit, some of the deck supports may be between you and the animals. But there is something to be said for sitting down with a hot cup of coffee while watching and listening to dozens of sea lions barking below. The harbor, boats and Yaquina Bay Bridge in the distance only add to the setting.
There is indoor seating as well, including long counter seating facing the water, so you don't necessarily lose the waterfront experience if the weather turns bad.
I also appreciated a little humor from the owners. Under the outside bar seating is a sign reminding people not to sit or stand on the railing or tables. Their warning includes, "Even if your kid thinks they're part sea lion, we promise -- they're not," followed by a reminder that falling over could result in becoming a snack for the locals. Point made.
Yes, you are paying for coffee in a tourist waterfront location, and there are certainly less expensive places to get a cup of coffee. But here, part of what you are paying for is the location. Being able to sit down, enjoy a hot drink, watch the harbor activity and still have the sea lions providing the background entertainment makes this much more than just another coffee stop.
For us, it is a great second stop after visiting the sea-lion docks -- first see them up close, then come here, sit down, warm up with a coffee and enjoy the show from above.
And sometimes, ambience wins.
