Hello Friends,

When you come to stay at the Oregon Coast, try something different: Go berry picking. Let’s face, it some days the winds blow in strong enough to make the beach no fun at all. That’s when a hike into the local hills for Black Berries is in order. Not only do you get exercise and adventure, but at the end of the day you can have a tasty, burgeoning bucket of antioxidant- and vitamin C-rich Black Berries to enjoy.

Here in Oregon we have mainly two types of Black Berries available, Marion Berries and Evergreen or Himalayan Black Berries.

Marion Berries where created here at Oregon State University in the 40’s. They’re a cross between Chehalem Black Berry and Ollie Berry. The result has been called the Queen of Blackberries, a rich juicy berry with hints of cabernet grapes and none of the bitterness of an Evergreen Blackberry. Marion Berries are big luscious, and sweet, truly the perfect Black Berry. They’re mostly available at farm stands and you-pick berry farms. They like to grow along the ground or trellised. Their canes can be easily 20 feet long, but they have far fewer thorns than do Evergreen Black Berries.

If cheap and easy is what you’re after, the Evergreen Black Berry is right up your alley. They grow wild along the roadside, in fields, and in vacant lots or abandoned places. Their canes are loaded with thorns, and their berries have harder seeds than Marion Black Berries, but they’re loaded with sweet, juicy goodness just the same. Most of the locals decry the Evergreen, but you’ll find them frozen in many a freezer just the same. For the best Evergreen Black Berries, seek out stands near springs or other water sources. Evergreen Black Berries fed by extra water are generally sweeter and juicier than their less pampered cousins.

To use your harvest you can make a truly Oregon Dessert iike the Hazelnut Blackberry Crisp or a Blackberry Cobbler. To preserve your harvest for the long cold days of winter, simply rinse the berries, pat them dry, and place them on a cookie sheet in the freezer. Once they’re frozen seal them in a plastic bag or vacuum sealed bag.

We hope to see you soon at The Lighthouse Inn,

Denise and Louis,

Owners of the Lighthouse Inn
Florence, Oregon

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You have won a one night stay in one of our Queen rooms.

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The Summer Deal

10% Off *

Reserve a room in the Summer and you get 10% off your stay.

To get your deals each month fill out the form on the right side of the page or below if you are on mobile device to get yours. We do have a special sign up coupon for you too when you confirm.

SUMMER
EVENTS

Jul. 24-25: A Wave of Quilts
Aug. 1: Cool at the Coast Summer Golf Spectacular
Aug. 15: 18th Annual Coin Show
Aug. 22: 5th Annual Siuslaw Open Charity Golf Tournament

Places to Pick Berries

When summer is in full swing at the coast wild berries will be ripening for the next few weeks in Florence and surrounding areas. Berries can be found in many spots (some of which require a country drive and some hiking). However, if you want to take the easy way out, these places are all easily accessible from the Lighthouse Inn and have been good sources for berries for the past several years.