I made the reservation a bit hastily — it dawned on me it was spring break and we were running out of options on the Oregon coast, or Washington coast for that matter.

After some quick searches filtering for pet-friendly rentals, I only had a few options that were anywhere near affordable, so I pulled the trigger much faster than I usually would have.

Lucky for me, it turned out great and the home was better than I could have imagined.

I ended booking Shipwreck on Booking.com, but it’s listed other places as well. I always encourage shopping around for the best rates on different sites as they can be wildly different. I noticed a huge price difference between sites when I added in my pup- look out for things like that!

Shipwreck is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath home made out of shipping containers, set back from Cape Kiwanda Drive on the main road in Pacific City on the Oregon coast. Despite being on a main road, the setback gives you enough distance that you never feel too exposed. The front yard has parking for at least 3 cars, two benches, a fire pit, and plenty of firewood — we had a bit of a tough time getting the fire going since the wood was a little damp, but great to have the option in drier months.

Out back is a deck with chairs and a grill, which leads down to a grassy area below and a side yard with a picnic table and string lights. Noted for a future summer visit. It’s also fully fenced in, so you won’t need to worry about your pup.

Back deck

Kitchen

The 700 square foot home felt far more spacious than that sounds — ultra modern with lots of windows, cellulose blinds for full light control, and a layout that maximized every inch. My husband, Louise our 12 year old pup, and I were completely comfortable for two nights, and wished we were there longer.

The kitchen was incredibly well-stocked — complete with not one but two coffee machines, a Keurig and a Breville, all the pots, pans, serving and grilling supplies you could need, and to our surprise, a glut of spices and even a mortar and pestle. Depending on the management company, you often find nothing left over — this was a welcome surprise.

Living room

One of several puzzles provided

The home was an incredible balance between modern and cozy. Super clean, a good amount of games and puzzles, and blankets and pillows to really get cozy on the sprawling wide couch. The dining table was big enough to dine on one side and have a puzzle going on the other — we learned that a 252 piece puzzle is the perfect two-night commitment for us.

The bedrooms were equally well done — not kitschy beach vibes at all. The king size bed was super comfortable and I slept like a champ. The second bedroom had a queen, even more closet space, and a door leading out to the back deck. Both rooms had TVs and good bedside lighting.

The bathroom had a walk-in shower I wanted to live in. The water pressure was excellent, the water got hotter than I needed — a rarity — and the shower doors actually kept the water in, which seems to be rarer and rarer these days. A washer and dryer were available in the hallway too, though we never needed them.

Beach access is just across Cape Kiwanda Drive. There’s a gated community across the street, but you can walk right through the pedestrian gate — keep your eyes peeled for the beach access signs once you get to the road running parallel to the beach. From there you’ll see the famed Haystack Rock and a stunning layered hillside view. There’s a large dune up north closer to the shops that looks like a great walk — we’ll have to save that for next time when Louise is feeling a little fresher.

Dune

Gate across the street

For our first night dinner, Los Caporales Mexican Restaurant was a great call — friendly, family-owned, with a dizzyingly large menu and great salsa. West Co. Fish, just up the road from them, sells the catch straight off their Dory boats. The rock fish fillets we picked up were some of the best we’d ever had, and we can’t wait to dig into the canned tuna we bought from them. Their operation is weather dependent, so you can safely count on them being open Saturdays 11-4, but it’s best to just stop by.

For groceries, hit up Chester’s Thriftway, just a bit further up the road from West Co. Fish. They have a great selection of produce and a wonderful spice selection. I’d skip Hart’s market in Pacific City altogether. Their selection was strange and insanely overpriced.

I do a deeper dive on Pacific City and Cloverdale here– read my thought of the hits and misses in the area.

But honestly, the detail that won me over completely was the dog setup for Louise. Not only were there plenty of blankets and towels for her, but there was an entire basket of toys in the corner, and her food and water bowl area had a placemat and a little mood-lighting night light. It was as comfortable for her as it was for us.

Shipwreck was a fabulous find, and there’s plenty of meat left on the bone in that area to legitimize another stay. Finding a pet-friendly vacation home that truly caters to furry family members is such a treat, and Shipwreck is firmly on that list!

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The post Shipwreck, Pacific City Oregon: A Vacation Home Review appeared first on Carry On Better.

With no street taco stands within walking distance, staying in Los Cerritos in Baja Sur proved more challenging than expected when it came to the dining variety I have come to expect on a stay in Mexico.

Luckily, the sandy beaches and laid back vibe of this tiny surf community help drown out the limitation, as there are still great eateries to explore.

And while I initially balked at the prices at La Tuna (compounded by the plummetting US dollar), they were on par with every other beachfront restaurant.

Unlike the other spots on the shoreline, however, the food that came out of their kitchen genuinely amazed me — which was no small feat considering I was fully prepared to think it was overpriced and not worth it.

To be fair, paying the equivalent of $12 for two tacos anywhere feels unconscionable. I expect prices like that in LA or New York — or even at a high-end Mexican restaurant in Portland.

Like most Los Cerritos Beach restaurants, pricing reflects the beachfront location — but the quality here stands out and makes it well worth the price.

The location can’t be beat- the front patio begins on the beach, but then a few steps up brings you onto the covered deck. Although anywhere on Cerritos Beach offers dynamite views of the sunsets, having a meal here and looking out onto the ocean is a gratifying experience that shouldn’t be overlooked.

I can’t lie- the tacos were some of the best I’ve ever had — and I ended up eating there every day of my stay in Los Cerritos. The Arrachera tacos and the Tierra y Mar tacos(shrimp and steak) are meals I’ve thought about often in the weeks since. The steak and shrimp were cooked perfectly each time, but it was a layer of fried cheese tucked between the tortilla and filling that took them to another level. Topped with pickled red onions, fresh greens, impeccably ripe avocado, and finished with sesame seeds, these dishes involved a lot of eyes-closed chewing while I truly tried to savor each bite.

A screw-top container of house-made chili crisp with peanuts became my obsession. The chunky, deep-red oil coated my fingers as I went back for more, mildly horrified at the mess I made of the serving spoon — but it was worth it.

The chips and guacamole were solid and great to share, and the shrimp ceviche ate like a full meal — grated carrots, celery, and cilantro mixed with shrimp, topped with avocado, and finished with a generous drizzle of that chili crisp pooling at the bottom of the plate.

The drinks held up too. Margaritas and mezcalitas — margaritas made with mezcal — were equally refreshing on hot afternoons and warm evenings.

As for the space itself, La Tuna is gorgeous — easily the most beautiful restaurant on Los Cerritos Beach. The front opens onto a sprawling patio set directly on the sand, with poufs, blankets, lounge chairs, umbrellas, couches, and low tables. A few steps up is a covered, open-air dining room and bar, complete with swing seats.

By day, you can see the ocean from your table; at night, string lights crisscross the dining room and patio, making the whole place glow and easy to spot from down the beach. Blue and green scalloped tiles line the bar front, popping against matte concrete with a beautiful inlaid arch. Wicker ceilings, pendant lights, tropical plants everywhere — chef’s kiss.

If you’re deciding where to eat near Todos Santos or looking for the best restaurants in Los Cerritos Beach, La Tuna is one of the strongest options right on the sand for lunch or dinner.

If you’re spending time in Los Cerritos Beach and figuring out where to eat, this is hands down the best restaurant within walking distance. The surf-centric town wakes up late and closes early, and by 8pm there were nights when La Tuna was the only place still serving its full menu. That alone makes it worth knowing about.

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The post Where to Eat in Los Cerritos Beach: La Tuna Restaurant Review appeared first on Carry On Better.