10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Oregon Coast That You Shouldn't Miss

March 16, 2022 Agatha Simes

The Southern Oregon coast is home to isolated beaches, rugged cliffs with breathtaking views of the Pacific and quaint seaside towns. If you stay in the Bay Area, go whale watching at Coos Bay or explore the region on a bike or a hike along the coastline. Antique shoppers will want to explore old town Bandon while golfers hit the links at the world-renowned Bandon Dunes golf course. And don’t forget to bring your fishing gear – you’ll want to cast for salmon and other Pacific Northwest fish at Gold Beach, one of the region’s top fishing spots.

The Central Oregon Coast is a great place for fishing, clamming, hiking, golfing and other outdoor activities. Take the kids and visit the Sea Lion Caves near Florence, the world’s largest. Head up to Newport for a view of the state’s second-tallest lighthouse and shopping in this seaside town popular with vacationers for the last century. Go fly a kite on the beach in Lincoln City, kite capital of the world.

The Northern Oregon Coast offers a relaxing way to enjoy the region. A stay in the scenic town of Astoria on the Washington border will allow you to explore the western edge of the Lewis and Clark trail, with views of the Columbia River and the Pacific. Walk the sandy beaches in Seaside and Cannon Beach and then grab saltwater taffy and other treats while shopping these seaside towns.


Restaurants in Oregon Coast

1. Shore Acres State Park

89428 Cape Arago Hwy, Coos Bay, OR 97420 +1 541-888-3732 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=68
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 816 reviews

Shore Acres State Park

The park has created a "garden for all seasons" and an observation building which offers spectacular views of seascapes and migrating whales.

Reviewed By 928brendaz

I went to see the sunset at Shore acres and experienced a bonus of a spectacular Christmas light display. So glad I stumbled into it.

2. Oswald West State Park

Cannon Beach, OR 97130 +1 800-551-6949 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_195.php
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
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0%
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1%
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5.0 based on 343 reviews

Oswald West State Park

Scenic state park encompassing nearly 2,500 acres of mostly undeveloped land, which is ideal for a variety of outdoor recreation including surfing, kayaking, bird watching, hiking and camping.

Reviewed By wohdonkey - Newark, United States

We stopped here along Highway 101 on our way to Cannon Beach. You can get some great photos from the scenic lookout. We also went to the Devil’s Cauldron which was really worth seeing and just a short hike to get to.

3. High Life Adventures

Excellent
95%
Good
4%
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1%
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5.0 based on 1,463 reviews

High Life Adventures

Enjoy a tour of 8 zip lines in a beautiful setting! Join two tour guides on an exhilarating zip line experience around and over a seven-acre lake. A mile of zipping, sure to create lasting memories for the whole family! Take your team to the next level: We also offer customized Team Building Programs to challenge your group while bringing them together as a team.

4. South Coast Tours

Excellent
97%
Good
3%
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5.0 based on 116 reviews

South Coast Tours

South Coast Tours LLC provides guided SUP, kayaking, fishing, surfing and van tours on the southern Oregon coast. We also rent our kayaks on the Coquille river (Bandon)and the Chetco river (Brookings).

5. Ecola State Park

Off Hwy. 101, Cannon Beach, OR +1 503-436-2844 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_188.php
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
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5.0 based on 1,827 reviews

Ecola State Park

Reviewed By TrailsExplorer

This is a wonderful area to get a taste of the Oregon Coast with some great mountain hikes to view from above and beach hikes to observe the sea stacks.

6. Hug Point State Park

Highway 101, Cannon Beach, OR +1 503-986-0707 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm
Excellent
78%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
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5.0 based on 507 reviews

Hug Point State Park

Reviewed By Brookecn - Denver, United States

Great stop while driving South on 101 from Cannon Beach. The tide was low so we got to walk out on the sand and checkout tide pools and see some anemones, and walk right up to a small waterfall on the beach.

7. Kronenberg Park

1490 11th St SW, Bandon, OR 97411 +1 541-347-2437
Excellent
95%
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5%
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5.0 based on 22 reviews

Kronenberg Park

A park located on the Oregon Coast with access to Coquille Point. From Coquille Point, access the beach or see Oregon Islands Wildlife Refuges, with seabirds, shorebirds, seals, and tide pool creatures.

Reviewed By ANNMARIESFREMONT

If you have time for only one place to see the coastline in Bandon, please go to Coquille Point at the end of 11th Street right next to the Bandon Beach Motel. We have come to Bandon for 31 years and we spend most of out time at this location. Easy paved walk along the bluff...benches to sit on...a great place if mobility is an issue or you can walk down the steps (100+) to the beach and walk. I didn't know it was called Kronenberg Park !! Try to be there at sunset because some are extraordinary like this one last week.

8. Cape Lookout State Park

13000 Whiskey Creek Rd US 101 to Three Capes Scenic Drive Oceanside, Tillamook, OR 97141-9499 +1 800-551-6949 http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=134
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 370 reviews

Cape Lookout State Park

Coastal park offering opportunities for whale watching.

Reviewed By Jcwill5 - McMinnville, United States

My son and I camped for three nights and were super pleased with our experience here. We did the long beach walk north to the end of the sand spit, the shorter beach walk south to the caves and tide pools, and took the long hike up to the cape lookout trail head and then out to the cape (9.4 miles round-trip). Our tent camping site was clean, well laid out, and offered running water, a picnic table, and fire ring. We were graced with bright sunny days and a clear night for star gazing on the beach. This is a real gem of a park, and they have a really fine day use area, too, for one day visitors. We highly recommend it!

9. Fort Clatsop National Memorial

92343 Fort Clatsop Rd, Astoria, OR 97103-8701 +1 503-861-2471 http://www.nps.gov/lewi/planyourvisit/fortclatsop.htm
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
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0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 850 reviews

Fort Clatsop National Memorial

A replica of Lewis & Clark's original fort built during their expedition in 1805.

Reviewed By DavidWG5001

We really enjoyed the Fort Clatsop National Memorial, it gave us a great Lewis & Clark History experience, with well planned displays, exhibits and presentations. You really walk away a bit in wonder at the rigors of their expedition.

10. Hatfield Marine Science Center

2030 SE Marine Science Dr, Newport, OR 97365-5296 +1 541-867-0100 [email protected] http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/
Excellent
69%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 697 reviews

Hatfield Marine Science Center

A series of informative exhibits at the Hatfield Marine Science Center gives visitors a glimpse of hot topics in contemporary marine science research.

Reviewed By travelgirlmel - Hillsboro, United States

Learned a lot fun! Great for people of all ages and is free which is a nice bonus they do ask for donations which makes sense

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