What to do and see in Oregon Coast, Oregon Coast: The Best Beaches

October 17, 2021 Diedre Savory

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. Haystack Rock

Us 101, Cannon Beach, OR 97110
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3,201 reviews

Haystack Rock

Haystack Rock is a unique 235 feet monolith that attracts wildlife and tourists alike and is part of the Oregon Coast’s geological history, formed millions of year ago by lava flows that created many of the dramatic capes and headlands along the coast. Haystack Rock is protected under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a seabird nesting colony and it is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and is a State protected Marine Garden. The Rock is home to nesting seabirds in the summer and marine invertebrates all year. Tidepool seekers are beckoned by its wonders every day. The Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) is a stewardship and environmental educational program whose mission is to protect, through education, the intertidal and bird ecology of the Marine Garden and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge at Haystack Rock. HRAP offers an extensive interpretive program on the beach during the spring and summer months around low tide.

Reviewed By CreateCourageAdvent - Salem, United States

Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach is a huge Oregon Coast attraction. At 235 feet tall, this basalt beauty is one of the best-known symbols of the Oregon Coast in general and an image you see on every Oregon Coast Travel Blog out there (including this one!) At low tide you can explore vast tidepools and walk all the way to the rock itself. Tufted Puffins, Bald Eagles, Brown Pelicans, Common Murres, and many other birds are abundantly present on and around Haystack Rock depending on the season making this location a Pacific Northwest birdwatchers dream come true.

2. Lone Ranch Beach

HIghway 101, Brookings, OR
Excellent
89%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 113 reviews

Lone Ranch Beach

3. Manzanita Beach

Reed Road, Manzanita, OR 97130
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 282 reviews

Manzanita Beach

Reviewed By R5440352 - Seattle, United States

this is a great beach to walk. From the north end, which runs into the side of Neahkahnie Mountain, to the south end, which runs into the mouth of the Nehalem River, it is about 7 miles, so there is always plenty of room.

4. Coquille Point

Portland Avenue SW, Bandon, OR 97411
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 52 reviews

Coquille Point

Reviewed By Paradise52293383895

It is a lovely beach, nice for a walk, listen to the waves, rest and relax, love the scenery. Love the ocean.

5. Bandon State Park

Beach Loop Drive, Bandon, OR 97411 http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm
Excellent
84%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 67 reviews

Bandon State Park

Reviewed By babydoctoral - Parkland, United States

Bandon State Park was a very peaceful place to spend a morning. The sea stacks of Devil's Kitchen were especially interesting from a photographic perspective, and I found myself truly enjoying wandering along the beach with my camera. If you are in the area, Bandon Beach State Park is definitely worth a visit.

6. Short Sands Beach

Manzanita, OR 97130
Excellent
90%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 21 reviews

Short Sands Beach

Reviewed By danielt668

Take the hike and see part of the coast most people drive right on by. Rain or shine a great reward awaits.

7. Circles in the Sand

off Beach Loop Road at Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, Bandon, OR 97411 +1 541-808-4496 [email protected] http://www.sandypathbandon.com/
Excellent
89%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 28 reviews

Circles in the Sand

Circles in the Sand creates walkable art on the beach in Bandon, Oregon. Public schedule is year round with the Summer Season being May through September (check website for dates and times). Labyrinth artist Denny Dyke creates his Dreamfield Labyrinth with a single path meandering through the entire pattern with no wrong turns or dead ends. There is no charge to attend an event and the path is kid and pet friendly.

Reviewed By teetravels18 - Wilsonville, United States

A secret gem of an activity in the quaint little town of Bandon Oregon. An all volunteer team, under the direction of a fantastic man named Denny. They create a labyrinth to walk through (about a half mile) in the sand at low tide among the most beautiful setting on the southern Oregon Coast. Get there early to watch them create and explore the caves and tide pools around. If you want to volunteer to help rake, you can sign up on their website: sandypathbandon.com or on their FB page. It truly is amazing and a wonderful experience. We stayed in old town at the Bandon Inn. Get a top room for a better view and you won’t hear others above you. Another fantastic activity is crabbing off the pier. Rent everything from Tony’s Crab Shack. Then have them clean & cook the delicious crab and eat them right there feet away from catching them. It’s quite the experience.

8. Stonefield Beach State Recreation Site

95330 Us-101, Florence, OR 97439-8202
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Stonefield Beach State Recreation Site

9. Bob Creek Wayside

Lowry Lane, Florence, OR 97439 https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=88
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3 reviews

Bob Creek Wayside

Reviewed By robbygc - Toronto, Canada

This Bob Creek Wayside is perfect to find tide pools. However, if the ocean is too wild, it would be impossible to see the urchins and so on. There are basalt sheets in the ocean. There is a picnic table and parking. There is driftwood as well! There are trees as well and lots of amazing rocks and boulders. It is so refreshing being near the ocean. Worthwhile to see!

10. Cobble Beach

NW Lighthouse Drive, Newport, OR 97365
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 9 reviews

Cobble Beach

Reviewed By gwallace87 - South Beloit, United States

Absolutely fascinating to experience a beach of cobble stones. Make sure to go during low tide so you can hear the waves as they move across the cobble stones almost singing. Additionally, you will likely see many sea lions sunning as well as the birds that inhabit the area.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.