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The ultimate Guide to the Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast is one of my favorite road trips to go on! It’s famous for its beautiful beaches, sunsets, and endless opportunities for coastal adventures. Here is the complete guide to all the best stops to make. The stops are made to start from the northern most part of Oregon to the southern coast but can be reversed if coming from the other direction.

  • Astoria - is the northern most part of the Oregon coast and the prefect place to start. It’s known for its local brews, hikes, and quirky culture. The famous movie “the Goonies’ was also filmed here in the 1980’s

    • Hike to Cathedral Tree (1.5 mile hike)

    • Peter Iredale Shipwreck at For Stevens State Park- a beautiful beach you can drive right on the sand with amazing views, best to come during sunset. During low tide, you can get right up to the historic shipwreck

  • Seaside

    • Tillamook Head - take a hike here and see the scenic bluff

    • Seaside Beach - I like seaside, but its nothing compared to Cannon Beach. If you have time, then stop here, otherwise skip and head to Cannon Beach instead

    • Ecola State Park -this state park connects Seaside to Cannon Beach and a must see stop.

  • Cannon Beach - One of my absolute favorite spots to go, and a great place to take your dogs. This is a popular stop you must see see and can get crowded on a nice day. It’s recognizable by the large sea stacks (Haystack Rock) close to the beach and you can walk for miles and miles with gorgeous views and its dog friendly.

 
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  • Hug Point - About a 10 min drive from Cannon Beach, with way less people. There are coves to explore and seasonal waterfalls, depending on the time of day and year you go, Come during low tide to explore inside the coves.

  • Oswald West State Park

  • Tillamook Creamery - You can’t go to Tillamook and not stop at the creamery for some ice cream! Known for its Tillamook cheeses, this is a popular stop on your way to Pacific city. There is also a really good seafood shack across the street.

  • Three Capes Scenic Route - located in Pacific City and another beautiful must see stop. It’s off highway 101 but worth it for the views. There are gorgeous panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, and you can hike up the sandy dunes and make your way to the three capes; Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda.

 
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  • Devil’s Punchbowl- the punch bowl was likely created by the collapse of the roof over two sea caves, then shaped by wave action. A beautiful place to explore with a scenic picnic stop at the top, and a short 2.4 mile hike to the punchbowl.

  • Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area - One of the largest expanses of temperate coastal sand dunes in the world.

 
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  • Bandon, Oregon

    • Bandon Beach - Bandon and it’s surrounding areas are famous for their wide beaches. One of its most defining features is its many sea stacks and marine life. Its a beautiful place to stop and catch the sunrise and a lively city to stay a night or two in. It’s one of my favorite beaches along the coast, and far less crowded than Cannon Beach.

    • Tony’s Crab Shack - Located in Bandon, Oregon, it has some of the best seafood in town. A must stop-spot for a quick meal

 
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  • Samuel H. Boardman State Park - Gorgeous stacks and stunning views from all over, this is the one stop that has a little bit of everything. Samuel H. Boardman State Park consists of 12 miles along the Oregon Coast, in between Gold Beach and Brookings off Highway 101 with endless pullouts, viewpoints, picnic spots and trailheads. The best time to visit here is late summer and early fall, for the best weather and less rainfall.

    • Natural Bridges - The most famous stop of the rock formations creating a natural bridge, you’ve likely seen photos of this place on social media. From the parking lot, there’s a viewpoint on the trail to the left, and to the right is a very short trail leading to the most epic viewpoint in all of Oregon and possibly even the entire west coast. Upon reaching the Pacific Ocean, you’ll be met with breathtaking snapshots of the seven arch rocks and blowholes known as Natural Bridges.

    • Seal Cove & Thunder Rock - Access to this view is on the northside of the natural bridges trail, you can’t miss it.

    • Arch Beach - A seriously-stunning place to stop in Samuel H Boardman, especially during sunrise or sunset. There’s a picnic area, and you can walk down from the paved parking lot to an overlook which features a number of sea stacks and islands