Top Things to do in Oregon Coast
Top Hotels in Oregon Coast
- 1. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Seaside-Convention Center, an IHG Hotel
- 2. Hallmark Resort
- 3. Inn at Cannon Beach
- 4. Bandon Inn
- 5. The Whaler
- 6. Salishan Coastal Lodge
- 7. Best Western Salbasgeon Inn & Suites of Reedsport
- 8. Starfish Manor Oceanfront Hotel
- 9. Beachfront Manor Hotel
- 10. The Coho Oceanfront Lodge
Countries
What to do and see in Oregon Coast, Oregon Coast: The Best Free Things to do
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
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,201 reviews
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. Oswald West State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 343 reviews
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. Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 774 reviews
This scenic coastal spot features a large rock with face-like features.
Reviewed By babydoctoral - Parkland, United States
Face Rock State Park has a myriad of beautiful sea stacks that make for exceptional photography in the right lighting conditions. Face Rock itself is not all that interesting on its own, but the large number of beautiful sea stacks are simply terrific. Definitely worth a stop if you are near Bandon Beach,
4. Cape Arago State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 344 reviews
Reviewed By OregonTopaz
This park takes awhile to reveal its treasures. The views are spectacular, often times with whales spouting. Above the south cove there is a plaque commemorating Sir Francis Drake's presence in the area. There is also excellent tidepooling at low tide in the south cove. The north cove can at times offer up close views of barking sea lions. Further on that trail, when not closed due to seal pups, there are excellent sea level views of the sandy island where many sea lions congregate. The tide makes a difference in the coves, so check before visiting.
5. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,161 reviews
Reviewed By YvonneP1979
My family and I are lucky enough to call this area home! Cape Perpetua is a regular stop for family or solo day trips. This area is majestic to say the least and there is so much to explore in just a few miles. Go to the top and view the most Amazing view from the historic look out or hike down to a giant spruce tree through a magical forest, check out the Spouting Horn on high tide or venture down to Thors Well on a low tide (high tide can be very dangerous to get close)! Walk along the trails and stand in awe of the Native American shell Middens leftover from hundreds of years of gathering from the ocean!
6. Hug Point State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 507 reviews
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. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 237 reviews
Reviewed By TomBrody - Berkeley, United States
BOARDMAN CORRIDOR is located about 6 miles north of Harris Beach and about 10 miles south of Gold Beach. Harris Beach seems to be the starfish capital of the world, and the tourist will find plenty of photo-opportunities to pose near a pink-colored starfish. Gold Beach is a charming seaside community, where (depending on the restaurant) you can find excellent clam chowder and excellent oyster chowder and where, if you are lucky, you can see whales from your motel room balcony. The Boardman Corridor is free of any commercialization and, in this way, it is like the equally legendary and scenic segment of Route 1 that takes you through Salt Point State Park in northern California. Secret Beach is announced by a tiny sign located near a dirt turnout by Route 1. Secret Beach is abundantly photogenic, and the visitor might be under the impression that he or she has been magically converted into a dab of ink, and reincarnated as a component of a picture postcard. Yes, Secret Beach has picture postcard written all over it. A narrow trail takes you from the dirt turnout, past a few scenic spots, and ultimately to the beach itself. The entire trail can be walked in about 20 minutes. Children should be kept at close hand, because there are some spots along the trail where they might be tempted to go out and explore on their own, and by accident tumble down a steep embankment. Also, visitors need to be very aware of whether the tide is rising, since being trapped between the rising tide and a cliff would be a real bummer. Actually, I would prefer to let my photographs (attached) do all of the talking. Photogenic features of Secret Beach include clusters of mussels attached to boulders, many seastacks both near and far, and sea arches.
8. Cannon Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,470 reviews
Reviewed By AeneasAtSea - Salt Lake City, United States
Cannon Beach is perhaps the most popular beach along the northern Oregon coast, because if its direct and easy access from Portland. And since it's fronted by numerous vacation hotels, condos, etc., it's also one of the most crowded. But if you're not looking for solitude (if you are, drive south a few miles to Arcadia or another nearby beach), the people can be a fun added ingredient. By its famous landmark haystack rock there are tide pools at low tide and puffins to see, so it's a fun beach for kids. And it stretches north and south for quite a ways, so you can walk in the sand and surf to your heart's content. There are several public restrooms at key beach access and parking lot points. Expect to spend a while searching for parking, so plan accordingly. Hemlock Street is the main drag, a block east of the beach, with lots of fun restaurants, stores, galleries, candy venues, a glass blowing studio/store, etc., so it's as much fun as the beach itself. Remember that the coast is typically about 20 degrees cooler than inland, so bring a hoodie or light jacket even on hot days.
9. Harris Beach State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 623 reviews
A year-round state park with spectacular monoliths.
Reviewed By 499JulieS499 - Asheville, United States
This is a small beach, but beautiful! Enjoyed the easy access to the beach and close-by facilities. Climbed a rock thanks to low tide!
10. Hatfield Marine Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 697 reviews
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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