Kelly's Brighton Marina & Campground — Restaurant in Tillamook

They have a fairly nice place here and always plenty of boats to rent out. I'm conflicted about this place because we've been here over a dozen times to rent boats and go crabbing in the bay. We keep coming back mostly because it's a good reliable place to catch crab. And they always have boats when we go. But there are some things I really dislike about this place. First, they are nazis about checking your crabs when you get back to make sure they're the right size. We don't cheat. We always make sure the crabs are males and are the right size. But they INSIST on checking every crab you caught for you and the people who check will often confiscate a few of our crabs because the way THEY measure them it doesn't measure up quite perfectly. To them, if you take the measuring tool and put it over the crab in the right spot and you can't pick up the crab with the tool, then it's not big enough. I'll show them - "Look! It goes all the way to the edges of each side! There's no gap! That's a legal crab!" but they don't care. If it doesn't "stick" when you pull it up in the air with that tool, it's no good and they take it away. Which I feel is total b.s. They aren't the game wardens. So why they being such Nazis about it? It's annoying as all hell when you've worked your a$$ off for hours in the rain to finally get maybe 8 or 10 good crabs and then they toss 2 of them out for you. I have never experienced that at any other marina along the Oregon coast where we've rented boats and that wouldn't happen if we went out in our own boats and crabbed. So why - when I rent their boats - do we have to go thru this extra layer of scutiny? It's ridiculous. The other thing I really dislike is their 4-hour limit on renting a boat. If I want to rent it for 6 or 8 hours, why can't I? They used to let us but this changed several years ago. And often times we DO want to stay out a few more hours and catch more crab. But this policy prevents us from doing so. I feel like it's also ridiculous. I'm planning to buy my own boat soon and just go out on our own from a boat ramp just to avoid this crap. They do have decent restrooms and pay-by-the-minute showers. Nice fire pits, nice outdoor decor/ambience. But service is really hit and miss at the counter and at the boat docks. Sometimes they're very nice, other times they seem annoyed with you for no good reason. Not the most customer-service friendly establishment. I wish I could rate them higher, because we've used them a lot over the years and spent thousands of dollars there. But the honest truth is: you can probably find a much better...

Kelly's ! Great place, atmosphere and views. Can not go to the coast without stopping at Kelly's . My go to spot for sure. Always welcoming. A place I have crabbed and camped at for many, many years! I have yet to have a terrible time, even when the weather is not the best.

Amenities:

I have stayed at Kelly's in a tent, great sites. In our toy hauler, with rv hook up. Even though the rv spots are sorta parking lot style it makes no difference. The view is amazing, one of a kind. I Have rented a boat from Kelly's,  many times.  Rental includes: 3 baited pots a well maintained boat and an unbeatable experience. I do seem to catch my limit while renting their set up.😊 I Have a boat and my own and crab pots now.

There is a  boat launch and dock you are able to throw a pot off and do some crabbing from.  I Personally caught the biggest crab ever, doing just that. There is also a little store. Where they sell: snacks, bait , beer, and crabbing license. ( and souvenirs etc.)

At Kelly's there is always a fire going and people socializing. I have met many people starting with locals, all throughout Oregon, and as far away as Sweden. There have been a ton of fellow Washingtonians too. Love how social and fun is to hang out. (It does get busy , and I feel it is best to just camp. So you can really enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of this amazing inlet.

And if for some reason it seems , everyone around you have caught their daily limit. Where you have had the misfortune of catching a lot of;  almost , but just not the right size crab, or no keepers if you will. You and your stomach,  at any time, are able to purchase crab, clams and oysters right from Kelly's. Where they cook and clean your catch or theirs,  fresh and delicious! So tasty this is how you become addicted to crabbing.  Nothing taste better than fresh caught crab!  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

The best time to go?

Anytime. I have camped here summer, winter, spring , and fall. Thanksgiving , even Christmas one year . Always fun , always beautiful. It is hands down my most favorite place! Thanks to ; Kelly's staff,  and all the wonderful people I have had the pleasure to meet , swap stories with , and of course...

I have always had good things to say about Kelly's we have been coming to Kelly's since the day it opened. We love it and will definitely come back but I just hope they work on some things. Our experience was with the lady who stays in the 5th wheeler near the entrance, she is the mother of one of the owners her name is Shirlee. She always seems to be in a bad mood and gives a hostile vibe, I always let it go but this time was too much. The dog next to us was barking non stop so I could see why she was fed up, she went to scream at them and at the time she was there ours started barking as well. (he had literally just came out of his kennel) Well, she went in SCREAMING into our campsite, didn't even ask us to quiet down our dog. She literally came in fuming, screaming at us and the dog, in a very rude and bad manner, she just kept going on and on SCREAMING the entire time. I told her she was being very rude and could have talked to us in a nicer form ( I told her calm and quiet) She just kept screaming saying she could kick us out for our dog barking and that she's sitting in her 5th wheeler and tired of hearing the dog bark. then got mad when one of our teenagers made a remark regarding her attitude. (he is 4x younger than her and was upset the way she was acting). It was such a Horrible experience I never imagined to experience that at Kelly's the place that we go to escape from daily life and relax. we were about to have dinner and by the time she left all of the kids were CRYING and traumatized they kept asking why she screamed at us so bad and why she had to do that, my mom who has anxiety was Crying. Nobody wanted to eat anymore, Our evening was ruined. I just hope that they talk to her and let her know that it is not okay to do this, to taunt people the way she did, it does not give a good name to the marina and if she's not fit to work with customers anymore maybe not have her there anymore because it completely ruined our weekend, I really hope to have a better...