For many coastal families, fishermen, and seafood lovers, canning albacore tuna is more than a way to stock the pantry. It has become a late-summer tradition. When Oregon's commercial tuna boats begin returning to port loaded with beautiful Pacific albacore, pressure canners come out, jars get washed, and kitchens up and down the coast turn into small-scale tuna operations.

Hosted by Newport Parks & Recreation, the event brings together local volunteers, businesses, experienced competitors, young surfers and spectators for a weekend celebrating the surf culture that has quietly thrived along the Oregon Coast for generations. The 2026 event is presented by Ossies Surf Shop and features divisions for both adults and youth.

Storm watching season begins taking shape during fall, especially from October into November, when stronger weather systems start rolling across the Pacific. For anyone who loves wild landscapes, crashing surf, photography, or simply watching nature flex a little muscle, it can be one of the most unforgettable times to visit the Oregon Coast.

If I had to pick one Oregon Coast destination specifically for early fall Chinook, Nehalem would be very high on my list. The reason is simple: the Nehalem has an early component of its fall Chinook run that begins showing up during the summer. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, August is generally the peak for these early fish, while the more traditionally timed fall Chinook begin arriving behind them. As of early September 2026, ODFW was reporting Chinook throughout Nehalem Bay and tidewater, with multiple fish being caught daily.