McMenamins Gearhart Hotel is the McMenamins only hotel on the Coast. It is a smaller property, but it packs a whole bunch into the small buildings and it is definitely worth an overnight stay, or two! If you are thinking about heading out to McMenamins Gearhart Hotel, or debating which McMenamins to visit next, this is the post for you!
McMenamins Gearhart is located just blocks from the Pacific Ocean and on one of Oregon’s nicest golf courses. It is also one of my favorite McMenamins Hotels. So pack your layers and get ready for the Coast – here is my Ultimate Guide to McMenamins Gearhart Hotel!
The Ultimate Guide to McMenamins Gearhart Hotel
McMenamins Gearhart Hotel Quick History
Like so many other McMenamins properties, McMenamins Gearthart Hotel has a long history but the property isn’t exactly “original.” The main building of McMenamins Gearhart Hotel was built in 1890, but it has burned down a few times since that time. Gearhart Golf Links, one of the oldest courses west of the Mississippi, has been around as long as the hotel. It started with Scottish immigrants who moved to Gearhart and dug tin cans in the ground because it looked just like Scottish links courses out there.
Gearhart Golf Links is, and always has been, a public course. The course, and pro shop, are actually owned by the Boyle Family, owners of Columbia Sportswear. The hotel buildings are actually leased to McMenamins. Now you know why the pro shop is packed with Columbia gear!
McMenamins added the Annex, Sand Bar, and Clam Bed in 2018.
McMenamins Gearhart Hotel Location and How to Get There
McMenamins Gearhart Hotel is located approximately 1.5 hours from Portland on the Oregon Coast in Gearhart, Oregon. It sits about three blocks from the Pacific Ocean on an exquisite links golf course.
Although you can take several buses from Portland, and the surrounding area, to reach Gearhart, it is very difficult. Accordingly, this location will really require a vehicle so you can drive to and from the property. There is not much around McMenamins Gearhart Hotel. Downtown Gearhart, which is a very small coastal town, is a short 15 minute walk from the McMenamins, but the closest larger coastal town would be Seaside, which is about a 15 minute drive down the 101.
McMenamis Gearhart Hotel Amenities
The greatest amenity McMenamins Gearhart Hotel has to offer is the Gearhart Golf Links – an 18 hour links course – the first links course west of the Mississippi! The course is truly stunning with wide open fairways and rolling greens. You will likely not lose any balls out there, but given how tough it can be to play, you might spend a lot of the day in the sand (how fitting for being at the coast). Gearhart Golf Links is actually not owned by McMenamins, but the clubhouse is located on the bottom floor of McMenamins Gearhart Hotel and the hotel sits right on the course – between the first tee and 18th tee. It is a great little match up!
When you stay on property, you get a discount for golf at Gearhart Golf Links. I strongly recommend booking your tee time when you book your room as this is a pretty well known, and busy, course. I also strongly recommend the cart. This is a LONG course and walking 18 can be exhausting, but definitely doable. For the discount, which is up to $40 for a foursome, ask for the Resort Guest Card at check in.
Other than the golf course, McMenamins Gearhart Hotel also has a small gym with a golf simulator, three restaurants and bars, fire pits, free bike rentals, a secret room, and the Pacific Ocean as its front yard! McMenamins Gearhart Hotel is now made up of two buildings – the main building and the Annex. The Annex is home to 16 Guest Rooms and the gym. All other Guest Rooms are located in the Main Building.
McMenamins Gearthart Hotel secret room is covered more in my Ultimate Guide to the McMenamins Secret Rooms and Bars!
You can also find a putting green, known as the Clam Bed, out near the Sand Bar where you can pick up a putter and play around without having to commit to playing a full round.
If you want to cruise around the coast, and check out Downtown Gearhart, be sure to grab a bike at reception, free during your stay.
McMenamins Gearhart Hotel Bars and Restaurants
McMenamins Gearhart Hotel is home of the following restaurants and bars:
Sand Trap Pub
The Sand Trap Pub is the largest bar and restaurant at McMenamins Gearhart Hotel. It is located on the main floor of the main building and has a massive bar, high tops, a huge dining room (which is really multiple rooms), and outdoor seating. The Sand Trap Pub has the longest hours, open 7 days a week for all three meals, while all other bars at this location run on limited hours. The Sand Trap Pub has also really taken advantage of the Pacific Ocean front yard and has quite a few special McMenamin items on the menu – think clam chowder and steamers!
Sand Bar
The Sand Bar is the newest bar and it is located in the middle of the golf course right at the turn. You don’t need to play a round to hit up Sand Bar, you’ll just need to walk from the main buildings down the road to reach it. Do not walk on the course – that is very dangerous! It is super cute and has a small bar along with a putting green – the Clam Bed. You can rent golf balls, including sweet glowing balls, and a putter if you want to put around while you grab a drink. It is also a great stop when you are playing a round for a quick drink to take back out for the back 9.
Pot Bunker Bar
Pot Bunker Bar is actually two bars in one – both located in the basement of the main building and sharing a bar in the middle. One side (Pot Bunker Snack Shop) has an awesome vintage counter and the other (Pot Bunker Bar) has tables and chairs with a raging fireplace. Pot Bunker Bar has more limited hours, but not as limited as Sand Bar, and is a great stop before you tee off or after a round. Or just to grab a drink or meal during your stop or stay. I highly recommend grabbing a drink at the counter, which feels like an old soda fountain, and then having a meal in the other side by the fire.
McMenamins Gearhart Hotel Guest Rooms
McMenamins Gearhart Hotel guest rooms are located in both the main building and the Annex. All rooms have TV’s and private bathrooms, but there is no AC. This will only matter maybe 4 days a year, but since we happened to stay on one of those days, I will note this for you all!
The Annex is a new building so the rooms are newer, but they made it feel just like the main building and super McMenamins so I am not sure if you’ll really even notice. All rooms have a queen or king size bed or bunk beds (limited), TV’s, private bathrooms!, and USB plug-ins. Certain rooms are designated at pet-friendly, so you can bring a pup or two along too.
Check in is at 3 pm and check out is at 11 am. Perfect timing for a checkout if you want to play a later round of golf or want to check out a few Oregon coastal towns.
McMenamins Gearhart Packing Tips
Most of this might seem obvious if you are a regular at the Oregon Coast, but here are a few packing tips for your next McMenamins Gearhart visit:
- Lightweight clothing to sleep in during summer months (no AC)
- Layers – always, it is the Oregon Coast and no matter how warm the day is, the night will be cold
- Rain Boots/Boots during rain season (so any time except summer)
- Throw Blanket so you can enjoy the beautiful scenery all day and night and cozy up by a fire pit
- Water Bottle which you can fill at any of the bars
- Growler which you can also fill at any of the bars and your room will come with pint glasses
- Golf attire if you plan to play a round – almost all golf courses in Oregon have no dress code, Gearhart Golf Links is an exception – no tank tops, polo required, etc.
- Rain Jackets – no matter the time of year
- Flip Flops or Sneakers to wear around the property
- Your McMenamins Passport
- Your Favorite Game
McMenamins Gearhart Hotel Tips
Visit the Secret Room
McMenamins Gearhart Hotel has a secret room! I won’t tell you exactly where it is, that would take all of the fun out of it. But, a quick hint for your McMenamins Gearhart Hotel stay – McMenamins only starting to build secret rooms recently, so new construction is a good place to start. And don’t waste your time on the ground, the gentleman who live in the secret room did too much to spend eternity in ground floor rooms.
Be sure to find the secret room at McMenamins Gearhart Hotel during your next visit.
Play a Round of Golf
This one is probably pretty obvious, but you really should take full advantage of Gearhart Golf Links. Be sure to book ahead of time, this course is popular. One great perk of playing golf in Oregon is that you don’t need to be out there at 5 am for the best weather, pick a midday time and you will have plenty of time to explore and play a round.
Be aware that Gearhart Golf Links does have a dress code and unlike almost every other course in Oregon, it is enforced. Be sure to pack the right attire if you plan to play and as always, bring a rain jacket and layers. You can bring your McMenamins drinks, and food, on the course with you so be sure to grab drinks at Pot Bunker before you head out and grab one at the Sand Bar at the turn!
Putt Around with a Drink at Sand Bar
Sand Bar is the cutest new addition to McMenamins Gearhart Hotel. You will need to walk there from the main building and annex along the road, but the very short walk is definitely worth it. You can grab snacks and drinks at Sand Bar, hang out and play games, or you can grab a putter and balls from the bartender and play on the putting green – the Clam Bed. They even have glow in the dark balls to use when its dark.
Sand Bar has limited hours, so be sure to plan out when you will venture that way during your stay to avoid missing out.
Grab a Counter Drink at Pot Bunker Bar
As I mentioned above, Pot Bunker Bar has two sides. One side is the Pot Bunker Snack Shop and this is the side with the awesome old school counter. You should definitely have a drink or eat on both sides of Pot Bunker Bar since they both have very different feels – despite sharing a bar.
I love an old school soda fountain and diner counter so the Pot Bunker Snack shop is right up my alley. I recommend grabbing a drink at the counter and just enjoying the setting. You can also grab drinks here before you head out on the course. There is a food menu as well if you want to enjoy a lunch at the counter!
Play a Game at Pot Bunker Bar
On the other side of Pot Bunker Bar is the Bar portion. This side has a totally different feel. You will find an old wooden bar, a massive fireplace, and tables. With the cozy feel, TV’s, and tables, I recommend spending a bit of time in the Pot Bunk Bar with your favorite game!
Pot Bunker Bar is a great place to have a drink and play some bananagrams or cribbage. You can order from the Sand Trap Pub menu so you can eat too. This is the smallest and coziest bar in the main building so I recommend spending some time there in the evening.
Enjoy Breakfast at Sand Trap Pub
McMenamins Gearhart Hotel is a bit unique because although there are multiple bars and restaurants on property, they all have one menu. This means that you will have one set of food options for the whole stay.
My advice – have dinner at Pot Bunker Bar, where you can get all comfy and enjoy the ambiance, and then have brunch at the Sand Trap Pub. Sand Trap Pub is the largest restaurant on the property so it can become a bit more hectic at dinner time. Keep in mind, the menu is currently the same no matter where you eat.
Enjoy the Firepit
McMenamins does a really good firepit – they are basically the leaders in outdoor heating options and have focused on firepits long before dining regulations. McMenamins Gearhart Hotel is no exception. You will find several large firepits just behind the main building. Enjoy them!
I recommend bringing a throw blanket since it can get cool, or even cold, at night. Its also a great place to sit and read a book or just sit back and enjoy the environment.
Go on an Art Tour
McMenamins wouldn’t be McMenamins without art. McMenamins Gearhart Hotel has a lot of great art to check out. You can pull up the Art Tour on McMenamins Gearhart Hotel website and go on a scavenger hunt all around the property to check out these pieces. The Art section of the McMenamins Gearhart Hotel website will tell you all about of the most important, and coolest, pieces around the property. I recommend finding some that you love that may not be listed on the website too. With so much art, you are bound to find a few cool, and maybe weird, pieces!
Walk to, and on, the Beach
This is another one that seems extremely obvious to me, but I will say it anyway. Go to the beach!! You are just three blocks from the Pacific Ocean, a very short and easy walk, so hurry up and get down there. You can drive on the beach in this area, but you are so close that I recommend walking down at least once.
The beach in Gearhart is perfect for taking a long walk. You can also bring supplies and make a campfire on the beach and spend a bit more time just taking it all in!
Enjoy a Cigar
Once you pick up your favorite McMenamins 50/50 blend, head out to the firepit and enjoy a cigar! Golf and cigars are a perfect match so why not indulge a bit during your stay at McMenamins Gearhart Hotel. You cannot smoke indoors, of course, but there is plenty of property around the buildings to sit down and enjoy a cigar while you watch the golfers or check out the stars.
Eat Up the Coastal Inspired Special Menu Items
McMenamins Gearhart Hotel, and specifically the Sand Trap Pub and Pot Bunker Bar, have some delicious coastal inspired food items. Be sure not to miss these. While you might not find these at many other locations, you will find clam chowder, crab mac and cheese, crab fondue, poke, and steamers here! You are just steps away from the Pacific Ocean so it is a great spot to enjoy some specialty seafood dishes.
The clam chowder is New England style and full of a lot of clam. The Crab Mac and Cheese has SO much crab in it, think huge chunks of crab in it and on top. I think the steamers are probably the most ordered item that I see when I visit so they must be delicious. The poke is tuna poke and comes with perfectly crisp wonton chips. If you are feeling a little less adventurous, but still want to go with seafood, the halibut fish and chips are a great choice.
You can still find all of your McMenamins favorites at Gearhart Hotel, but why not try something new! If you can hear the ocean from your window, it’s probably an ideal place to enjoy some seafood. Feeling hungry? Check out the menu here.
Collect Gearthart Hotel’s Stamps and a Few More
If you don’t have a McMenamins Passport yet, all I can say is…GET ONE! You get so much free stuff. If you finish just a few pages you earn enough prizes to cover the cost.
McMenamins Gearhart Hotel has three (3) McMenamins Passport stamps – the Hotel stamp; Sand Trap Pub; and Pot Bunker Bar. Once you get all three stamps, you get your McMenamins Gearhart prize. The price for this location is Livingstone’s Choice, which just means you will get to pick from a variety of McMenamins items.
We finished our first McMenamins Gearhart Hotel section pretty quickly and went for the coasters we collect and a sweet divot tool.
You can also pick up some Experience Stamps while at McMenamins Gearhart Hotel. First, and most obvious, Play Golf! You can also get your Stay the Night stamp, Play a Game stamp, Try a Beer Flight, Try a Wine Flight, and Try a Distillery Flight. If you have the insert, you can also check off the Buy a Pint of McMenamins Hard Cider, Make Merry on Your Birthday (if you plan right), Have a Pint with your Pup (dog friendly hotel!), and Buy a Bottle of McMenamins Spirits. Since McMenamins Gearhart Hotel also hosts events, be sure to watch out for those too!
Don’t forget for every four Experience Stamps you get a $20 gift card. Plan it right and you could end up covering some of your hotel bill or your bar tab with gift cards during your stay!
Request an Annex Room
My last tip is to request an Annex Room! While the main building is super fun, and all rooms on property have bathrooms and TVs, the Annex Rooms are usually quieter. If you want to head to bed a bit earlier than last call or sleep in through breakfast, an Annex Room will give you a bit more peace and quiet. Also, these rooms are really new so that is always a fun experience.
Annex Rooms include queen and king size rooms and are not any more expensive than the main building. If you specifically want an Annex Room be sure to book by phone or call the hotel after you book online and put in the request.
I always have to mention the Frequent Guest Program when I talk about McMenamins hotels so learn more about that here! Nothing is better than a free hotel staycation!
I hope you loved my Ultimate Guide to McMenamins Gearhart Hotel! The Coast is calling so pack your bags of layering clothes along with my packing list and hit the road! Do you have a favorite thing to do at McMenamins Gearhart Hotel? Let me know in the Comments!
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