Garibaldi - A Charming Coastal Town on North Tillamook Bay

Garibaldi is a small historic seaside city on the northern Oregon coast near Tillamook. It started as a small fishing community and still maintains its maritime roots while welcoming nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the state and country.

The marina is the main attraction and source of income for the city. A sizeable commercial fleet operates from the bay while also attracting recreational fishing enthusiasts. There is also a seafood processing plant preparing and preserving salmon, lingcod, ocean-bottom fish, crabs, and shrimp. In addition to the marina, there are plenty of other interesting places in town.

Garibaldi is home to the Maritime Museum, Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, Myrtlewood Factory Outlet, Fishpeople Seafood Market, a variety of eateries, and other interesting spots worth a visit.

The city is a great place to explore the surrounding area from. Tillamook with picturesque Cape Meares, the sandy Tunnel Beach at Oceanside, Neahkahnie Beach with Neahkahnie Mountain, and plenty of other wonders of the Pacific Northwest are just a short drive away from Garibaldi.

Garibaldi Maritine Museum

The city museum showcases the life of Garibaldi as a fishing village back in the day. It also focuses on the sailing world of the late 18th century and displays models of Captain Robert Gray's ships - Columbia Rediviva and Lady Washington. Those two vessels explored the Pacific Northwest in 1787 and 1792. You can also see a variety of other displays including sailor uniforms of that time, musical instruments they used, weaponry, nautical tools, day-to-day items, and more.

112 Garibaldi Ave, Garibaldi, OR 97118
503-322-8411
garibaldimuseum.org

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad

Hop on one of the Oregon Coast Explorer trains operated by Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad to enjoy the scenery between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach. You will ride on a train pulled by the 1910 Heisler Locomotive Works steam engine the same way people traveled over 100 years ago! The round trip takes 1.5 hours. From mid-May to mid-June and from Labor Day to September, excursion operates on weekends only. From mid-June until Labor Day, it runs daily. Tours also run on various holidays throughout the year. Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad provides dinner trains where you can get a light snack or a full meal.

402 American Ave, Garibaldi, OR 97118
503-842-8206
ocsr.net

Garibaldi Marina

At the Garibaldi Marina, you can see commercial fishing vessels venturing into the ocean to bring back salmon, rockfish, ling cod, Dungeness crab, octopus, and other ocean catch. Recreational fishermen either angle straight from the city's piers or head out into the ocean.

302 Mooring Basin Dr, Garibaldi, OR 97118
503-322-3312
garibaldimarina.com

Fishing

You can fish and crab right from the pier at the city's marina. Boats, crab traps, and other necessary item rentals are available here as well. If you don't want to venture into the ocean on your own, multiple outfits in town provide organized fishing (tuna, salmon, and ocean-bottom fish) and crabbing trips. The same charters organize wildlife viewing and whale watching trips.

Miami River and Kilchis River sit south of Garibaldi and are the only rivers in the state with significant runs of chum salmon, the specie typical for Washington, Canada, and Alaska. The catch-and-release season for chum salmon is from mid-September to mid-November. Both rivers are also great for steelhead fishing most of the year and for chinook fishing in spring.

Myrtlewood Factory Outlet

Here you can get unique gifts made from Oregon Myrtlewood, Black Walnut, English Walnut, Maple Burls, Madrone, Twisted Juniper, and other types of lumber. You can buy a variety of decorative pieces, handmade wooden lamps, tabletops, wine holders, decorative rocks, and other household items.

903 N Hwy 101, Garibaldi, OR 97118
503-3223-224
myrtlewoodfactoryoutletgaribaldi.com

Fishpeople Seafood Market

Located at Garibaldi Landing, Fishpeople Seafood Market offers fresh seafood including tuna, rockfish, crab, and shellfish. You can see boats offloading and even talk to fishermen.

500 Biak Ave, Garibaldi, OR 97118
503-360-7899
fishpeopleseafood.com

Eateries

The city is home to many restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy fresh seafood along with American and international cuisines. You can visit Garibaldi's Hook, Line 'n Sinker, Fisherman's Korner Restaurant, Source Oyster And Wine Bar, Bayfront Bakery and Deli, Garibaldi Portside Bistro, and other great places!

Garibaldi Crab Races - Spring Event

This unique event is an old town's tradition, held on the second week of every march at the Old Mill in the town center. Dungeness crabs are placed on an inclined, 4 feet long wooden track and whoever's crab gets across first - wins. Attendees can enjoy drinks and seafood. This is a charity event with proceeds providing glasses and hearing aids for low-income families and individuals residing in Tillamook County.

Garibaldi Days - Summer Event

This is a summer festival held on the fourth weekend of July. It features a big morning parade, various entertainment activities throughout the entire day, live music, a beer garden, food vendors, fireworks, and even a waterball tug-of-war between the city's Fire Department and the local U.S. Coast Guard unit.