This Coastal City In Oregon Has Stunning Beaches Just North Of California

On the West Coast, California's majestic beaches bask in the spotlight. Stretching north along the Pacific and passing top-tier surf towns across the state, the beautiful sands and sunny skies invite visitors to unwind. However, the scenery (and the sun) doesn't stop once you cross into Oregon. Just 6 miles north of the state line in Brookings, you'll find a rocky shore, stunning sunsets, and plenty of beautiful beaches with tide pools, along with reasons not to get back on Highway 101 and head home.

Brookings was originally called Chetco and was founded in 1913 as a small logging town, taking its name from John Brookings, an owner of the California & Oregon Lumber Company. Although the sawmill failed nearly a decade later, the region became the world's center of Easter lily bulb production, due to the mild climate. You'll have 60-degree days on the beach in the dead of winter, and summer average highs in the 60s and 70s, so you won't be roasting, even when the sun is out.

Since Brookings' nearest commercial airport is in California, you'll have to drive. If you're starting your West Coast road trip from Portland or San Francisco, expect a half day's drive to Southwestern Oregon. The miles will fly by, though, as the Pacific coastline in both states offers breathtaking sights along the way. The nearest major airport is in Medford, about 125 miles away. Visitors coming from California can also hop on an Advanced Air flight from Hawthorne or Oakland San Francisco Bay Airports to nearby Crescent City, half an hour south. Rental cars are available at the above-mentioned airports.

Every mile of the 362-mile-long Oregon Coast is majestic, including the first mile at Crissey Field State Recreation Site, just south of Brookings. This former airfield has been redeveloped into a 40-acre park with a welcoming visitors center, and is packed with beautiful scenery, including driftwood-covered beaches and wetlands where you'll likely see birds all year. In the park, take the 1.3-mile Winchuck Loop Trail, an easy walk for the whole family. You can also continue down to California, though you'd likely never know you'd crossed unless you have a GPS.

In the center of Brookings, you'll find hidden gems and magnificent views of the Oregon Coast at Chetco Point Park — once you get past the sewer treatment plant. In the park, have a picnic, play a game of horseshoes, or take a short hike across a wooden bridge to Chetco Point, a rugged rocky peninsula jettisoning out above the ocean. From here, you'll be able to see as far as California on a clear day. Tread north to crescent moon-shaped Mill Beach, and you'll find tide pools teeming with life at low tide. Be careful not to disturb them.

The beaches listed above close at night, though that doesn't mean you won't be able to fall asleep to the sound of waves on shore. Visitors looking to camp out shouldn't miss heading a few miles north of town to Harris Beach State Park, one of Oregon's best places for winter camping. As an added cherry on top, you may spot whales offshore during this time.

When it comes to dining on the Oregon Coast, seafood is the name of the game. In Brookings, you'll find plenty of options for a tasty meal. Along the estuary where the Chetco River meets the Pacific, you'll find a handful of local establishments to dive into the local culinary scene. The Hungry Clam has a 4.3-star rating with over 2,300 reviews on Google and serves classics like clam chowder, plenty of seafood baskets, and burgers and fries. Catalyst Seafood, which has over 1,500 Google reviews, catches its own menu and serves it (and other local morsels from the sea) to your liking. If homemade pizza and beer in a nautical themed establishment are more your style, Zola's on the Water has a wide selection of Oregon brews paired with views of the water.

Brookings also has a wide mix of accommodations near the water for visitors to take in the scenery. Mermaid's Muse Bed & Breakfast overlooks the ocean, and visitors who are looking for a romantic weekend can soak in the views while soaking in a private balcony hot tub. For a more traditional hotel, the Beachfront Inn is just steps from Sport Haven Beach, where you can enjoy fishing, surfing, and magical sunsets followed by a campfire. Visitors looking for more affordable accommodation will find several more affordable classic roadside motels along Highway 101 (renamed Chetco Avenue in town). Once you've explored Brookings, don't miss heading north to the Samuel H. Boardman Corridor, a 12-mile stretch of beautiful coastline. Past that, the views won't stop, but you should stop in the largest bay on the Oregon Coast.