If you're looking for an affordable beach getaway, you can't go wrong with Manzanita. This Islands article has an informative overview, even if it understates just how lovely and relaxing this place is. As it turns out, the house that appears in the photograph was stayed in by a semi-loyal reader last September. The house was lovely and comfortable but, because it was set lower than the dunes, even though it was technically "beachfront," you could not see the ocean when seated in it. We would suggest you would do better with a second floor condo/townhouse unit walkable to town from which you have a glorious view of the ocean. As we always have stressed, you are better off going with a local rental agency than booking through Airbnb or VRBO, both because you save the exorbitant booking fee and you usually get better service. In Manzanita, Sunset to Sunset Vacation Rentals is the agency to deal with ... they are extremely courteous, prompt, and helpful (e.g., they will photocopy the puzzle page from the Sunday NYT Magazine so both people in your party can enjoy doing them).
PS: You can get a Sunday NYT on Sunday morning at a local coffee shop, and, unlike Phoenix where it would cost you $10, it costs just $6. Go figure.
PPS: 55% of the residences in Manzanita are second homes of people who do not rent them out. This tends to push up the rental prices, but keeps down the number of people milling around.
PPPS: Neah-Kah-Nie Bistro used to be touted as the best restaurant in Manzanita. It was snooty and expensive, the service was terrible, and the food was mediocre. The good news is that (although its website is still up as if nothing has happened) it has closed and something else is occupying its space. Now Yolk is the beneficiary of rave reviews. The food is excellent, and the prices are okay, but beware: The typical wait for a table is an hour (they don't take reservations or do to-go orders), and, when you get inside (a very small space of 10 tables), you are bombarded with blasting music that, as they say in rural Oregon, could kill a moose. Recent reviews on Yelp and Trip Advisor reflect our view.
PPPPS: Speaking of restaurants, what is really bizarre is that "the season" here is relatively short, and yet, most of the restaurants are open at most 4 days out of the week. Even the morning coffee shop is not open every weekday. Go figure.
PPPPPS: Flying into Phoenix on a mid-summer's night is always iffy. Don't be surprised if you're diverted to Las Vegas because of thermals, winds, and thunderstorms in Phoenix.
PPPPPPS: One benefit of walking 13,500+ steps per day is you get to enjoy Manzanita's burritos, sandwiches (on baquette), Marionberry scones, and more, and gain less than a pound.
[EOP]
