Homes on Gin Ridge in Gearhart, OR
Gearhart, Oregon was recently named one of America’s “Best Little Beach Towns” by Travel & Leisure Magazine, and after one visit you’ll be sold.
From ocean front estates on Gin Ridge to Gearhart House condo’s, you won’t go wrong with a home in Gearhart.
During your stay enjoy golfing, biking, walks on the beach and nearby shopping and fine dining.
History
Founded in the late 1800′s as a resort community for the socialites of Portland, Gearhart was and still is a laid back beach town where even the wicked can get some much needed rest and relaxation. The city of Gearhart has remained steadfast in it’s commitment to remain a quiet community, free from expansive development and commercialization.
Living In Gearhart
Gearhart Oregon is located on the North Oregon coast near Seaside. The city of Gearhart includes several distinct neighborhoods just as unique as the real estate in them. From quaint studios and cottages to impressive ocean front estates, Gearhart will feel like home.
The downtown district in Gearhart consists of a single 4-way stop (the lone traffic signal in town is on highway 101), a handful of shops, local favorites Gearhart Grocery and the Pacific Way Cafe & Bakery, City Hall, a fire station and the post office. From the ‘city center’ where the main roads of Pacific Way and Cottage meet, a short stroll West brings you past some amazing landmark homes of Gearhart en-route to the beach. Turning right at the tennis courts on N. Marion takes you by classic Gearhart properties both new and old and eventually to the Gearhart House condominiums, McMenamins Sandtrap Restaurant, and the historic Gearhart Golf Links. Heading South from Pacific Way on aptly named S. Ocean takes you through the famed Gin Ridge district of Gearhart, home of the earliest ocean front vacation homes in Gearhart. North from the 4-way stop at Pacific Way & Cottage leads you past the Eastern edge of Gearhart Golf Links as you parallel the Ridge Path, South gives you a glimpse of the laid back Gearhart you’ll love as you head toward Little Beach.
Gearhart, Oregon is home to about 1,000 year round residents, but the number can more than triple during the busy summer season. Favorite attractions in Gearhart include golf at Gearhart Golf and the Highlands, dining at the Sandtrap and Pacific Way Cafe, shopping in nearby Seaside and Cannon Beach, and exploring the ocean beach. During your time in Gearhart you have a few good options to lay your head at night: a beach house or condo vacation rental, stay at one of the boutique inn’s, or if staying for the summer season, buying a vacation home in Gearhart might make sense for you.
Historic Landmarks
- Del Rey Beach State Park – Only two miles north of Gearhart, Oregon, you’ll find Del Rey Beach State Park. This natural, unspoiled area is a favorite of people seeking a little outdoor relaxation and adventure.
- Sunset Beach State Park – A historic park further north, Sunset Beach provides a look at the Lewis and Clark Expedition as they traveled between Fort Clatsop, Oregon, and the Pacific Ocean.
- Fort Stevens State Park – The area’s most popular place for camping, Fort Stevens State Park is about 10 miles north up the coast from Gearhart, Oregon. Fort Stevens served as a military defense fort from the Civil War to the end of World War II and it offers a lot of historic buildings, bunkers, and exhibits, some dating to the Civil War.
- Gearhart Golf Links – That three hole sand dune course that opened in 1892 is now an 18 hole public golf course called Gearhart Golf Links. It’s the oldest course in the northwest and offers a classic course and world famous pub.
- McMenamins Sand Trap – Gearhart, Oregon, is home to the famous McMenamins Sand Trap pub where golfers from the around the world stop by for a drink and a meal before or after enjoying a round of golf at Gearhart Golf Links.
- The Highlands Golf Club – Uniquely nestled between sand dunes that overlook the Pacific Ocean, The Highlands Golf Club is the only course with views of the Oregon Coast.
Gearhart Neighborhoods
Gearhart includes several residential developments:
- Shamrock Pines
- Beach Estates
- The Reserve at Gearhart
- Pinehurst Estates
- Surf Pines (technically not in Gearhart but only a few miles North)
For those that favor a more traditional beach house experience the core of downtown is where you’ll find it. The rectangle that runs North-South between Marion and Cottage is very desirable for both full and part time living.
Gearhart Homes For Sale
Gearhart real estate for sale ranges in value from the $100k’s to over $1m for ocean front properties. The predominant value of the average home is around $350,000, and prices are generally higher as you get closer to the ocean beaches.
More affordable Gearhart homes can be found in the Royal Chinook, Beach Estates, Bailey and Dooley developments. Homes in these neighborhoods can be found for under $300,000, a huge discount from just 2 years ago.
When searching Gearhart homes for sale keep in mind that the neighborhood and location is the cause for a wide variety of values (assuming the home is priced correctly). Gearhart homes closer to the beach command a much higher price than those on the East side of the highway. The Pinehurst, Reserve at Gearhart, Highlands and Pacific Palisades and Gin Ridge neighborhoods in Gearhart are either on or very close to the ocean and much more desirable for second homes and weekend getaways.