Plan the Best Oregon Coast Road Trip: 6 Great Ideas

Written by Brad Lane
Updated May 26, 2022
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Highway 101, also known as the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, is the main thoroughfare for exploring the Oregon Coast. It spans approximately 363 miles, with hundreds of pullouts to enjoy the ocean. Public parks, postcard beaches, and plenty of memorable road trip destinations line the entire route, revealing a lifetime of new weekend trips and longer explorations.

Pacific Coast Scenic Byway near Cannon Beach

Impressive sea stacks and shifting sand dunes are some of the best stops on the Oregon Coast. Other encounters include scenic lighthouses, blazing sunsets, and year-round opportunities to spot whales in the water. And alongside natural appeal, cultural institutions like the Oregon Coast Museum add extra days to an Oregon Coast road trip.

While roadside attractions are bountiful, it's also the journey between destinations that makes for a memorable experience. The smell of saltwater is always present, as is the allure of fresh seafood, and a new sprawling ocean scene unfolds after every bend in the road. The scenic act of driving the Oregon Coast is worth the trip alone.

Anyone with a month-long itinerary might have enough time to properly explore the length of the Oregon Coast. But there's plenty to see within a long weekend or less.

Make the most of your vacation and plan your travels before you go with our list of great ideas for the best Oregon Coast road trip.

1. Oregon Coast Road Trip from Portland: Astoria to Cannon Beach

Some of the best stops on the Oregon Coast are close to Portland. The seaside towns of Astoria and Cannon Beach are both within a two-hour drive of Oregon's most populous city.

Dramatic sea stacks and colorful promenades define the stretch of Highway 101 connecting these coastal communities. From Portland to Astoria, and then south to Cannon Beach before circling back to the City of Roses, is a 200-mile round-trip that offers an excellent city getaway.

Astoria

Astoria is the northernmost town on the Oregon Coast and shares a border with the confluence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. It's less than two hours from Portland and embodies a past-meets-present persona with a historic downtown district and modern restaurants. Visitors should immediately head to the Astoria Riverwalk to take in the best views and unique cultural flavor of the city.

The seasonal Astoria Trolley runs the length of the six-mile Riverwalk and makes for a fun way to get around. And places to visit like the Columbia River Maritime Museum add some cultural context to the area. Noteworthy restaurants for fresh seafood also line the Riverwalk. A top spot for brunch, lunch, or dinner, the Bridgewater Bistro offers meals with a view.

Things to check out inland in Astoria include the Astoria Column and the downtown Flavel House Museum. The Commodore Hotel in downtown Astoria provides a historic place to stay.

Fort Stevens State Park is the place to head when it comes time to explore the coast in Astoria, including the Peter Iredale Shipwreck beach attraction at the state park.

Seaside

The charming city of Seaside offers a fun stop on this Oregon Coast road trip itinerary, 30 minutes south of Astoria on Highway 101. The sprawling beach at Seaside is home to several annual events, like the world's largest beach volleyball tournament. And the 1.5-mile Seaside Promenade separates the city from the sandy beach and connects visitors to the famous Seaside Aquarium.

The imposing Tillamook Head defines Seaside's view on the southern horizon. Ecola State Park encompasses this forested headland and provides a fantastic place to hike or camp. A free backpacker's camp atop Tillamook head offers a sunset view of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse for intrepid explorers.

Cannon Beach

On the southern end of Ecola State Park and Tillamook Head, Cannon Beach epitomizes the rugged beauty of the Oregon Coast. Several sea stacks line the shore of Cannon Beach, visible from the state park's headland hiking trails. The most prominent of these sea stacks, Haystack Rock, offers an iconic backdrop to an idyllic beach scene.

Haystack Rock and the colony of birds that live upon its mossy precipice are a fun sight to see. At super low tide, Haystack Rock also reveals a world of tide pools and multi-colored creatures.

The entirety of Cannon Beach is fun to explore and features plenty of room to find a sandy spot of your own. For a quick bite next to the ocean, the Wayfarer Restaurant offers fresh seafood for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The road-trip appeal of Cannon Beach extends beyond its oceanfront. Other attractions that make Cannon Beach one of the best small towns on the Oregon Coast include boutique shops and art galleries. First-class resorts also draw visitors to Cannon Beach, and coastal views at places like The Ocean Lodge inspire repeat visits.

2. Three Capes Scenic Loop

The namesake attractions of the Three Capes Scenic Route are Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda. The 60-mile loop spanning these three capes, beginning in Tillamook and stretching south towards Pacific City before looping back around, is possible to drive in a day.

With distinctly different things to do at all three capes, however, it's best to extend this road trip itinerary to a couple of nights, at least.

Cape Meares

Cape Meares offers a stunning introduction to the Pacific Ocean, northwest of Tillamook. The historic Cape Meares Lighthouse crowns this designated state scenic area and the park service offers guided tours of the lighthouse facility, which was built in the 1890s.

Heading south along the coast from Cape Meares, the cities of Oceanside and Netarts offer local spots for lunch before heading to the next cape.

Cape Lookout

Traveling south from Netarts Bay, visitors next encounter Cape Lookout along the Three Capes Scenic Route. The encompassing Cape Lookout State Park has some of the best hiking trails on the Oregon Coast. Over eight miles of hiking trails tour the peninsula, including a route that takes visitors to the edge of the Earth. And miles of undeveloped ocean are explorable on Netarts Spit on the north side of the park.

Cape Lookout State Park is a prime spot to spend the night on a road trip. Alongside tent and RV camping, the state park campground also features cozy cabins that keep out the ocean mist. The ocean views and hiking trails accessible from the campground make Cape Lookout State Park one of the best campgrounds on the coast.

Cape Kiwanda

Cape Kiwanda completes the trifecta on the Three Capes Scenic Route. And it's unique in that it is comprised of buff-colored sandstone. The dynamic nature of the cape offers sandy slopes to climb and a unique view of an eroded headland.

Another Haystack Rock sits in the ocean offshore from Cape Kiwanda, over 100 feet taller than its similarly named neighbor to the north. Cape Kiwanda shares a shoreline with the community of Pacific City. A popular tourist destination.

Pacific City is home to a thriving fishing industry, including the Pacific City dory fleet. A patio-clad restaurant overlooks the entire beach scene in Pacific City. The community also offers beautiful places to stay before heading back to Tillamook, including the Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa.

3. Central Oregon Coast Road Trip: Lincoln City to Florence

The 75-mile stretch of Highway 101 between Lincoln City and Florence offers several unique trip ideas on the Central Coast. Visitors heading in either direction on this route should expect whale sightings, sea stacks, and white sandy beaches as far as the eye can see. Each community along the way also claims to have the best seafood chowder on the coast.

Lincoln City

the seaside Lincoln City blends a beautiful ocean landscape with a charming coastal community, sixty miles west of Salem. Excellent views of the coastal atmosphere are easy to find in hiking areas near Lincoln City like Cascade Head. And fresh seafood is on the menu at places like Fathom's Restaurant. This flavorful fish house is on the top floor of the Inn at Spanish Head – one of the city's most stylish resorts.

Depoe Bay

Driving south from Lincoln City on Highway 101, visitors next encounter Depoe Bay, also known as the Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast. This ocean-facing community earns its nickname. The western border of downtown Depoe Bay is a sheer cliff face and acts as an amphitheater for year-round whale sightings. The Whale Watching Center at Depoe Bay is a must-visit for interested spectators.

Newport

Yaquina Head Lighthouse | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

Yaquina Head beckons visitors to Newport, 25 miles south of Lincoln City. This outstanding natural area is home to the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast and several hiking opportunities.

The acclaimed Oregon Coast Aquarium is also well worth the visit when traveling through Newport. This family-friendly education space highlights the vibrant ecosystems of the Oregon Coast with live animals and touch-tank experiences.

The Agate Beach Motel in Newport is an excellent place to stay that's near both Yaquina Head and the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Between Newport and Florence, Cape Perpetua offers a long-distance view of the coastline. It's part of Siuslaw National Forest and is accessible via vehicle or a steep hiking trail. Whichever way you travel, this 800-foot cape is a must-visit on this part of the coast.

Less than a mile south of Cape Perpetua, the mystically named Thor's Well offers a unique tidal attraction that is also fun to photograph.

Florence

At the southern end of the route, and sixty miles west of Eugene, adventure awaits where the Siuslaw River meets the Pacific Ocean in Florence. Daily guided tours of Heceta Head Lighthouse are available at the edge of the ocean in Florence. And a commercial elevator ride into Sea Lion Caves is also a must-do, where a symphony of animal noises erupts from hundreds of sea lions.

The River House Inn is a family-friendly and affordable place to stay in Florence to cap off this Central Coast road trip.

4. Exploring the Sand Dunes of Southern Oregon: Florence to Coos Bay

One of the largest expanses of coastal sand dunes lies between Florence and Coos Bay on the Southern Oregon Coast. It's possible to spend several days exploring the shifting landscapes between these coastal communities. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (NRA) oversees several dune areas for hiking and driving off-road vehicles on this unique part of the coast.

Florence

In Florence, the South Jetty Area features separate areas for hiking and off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. The nearby dunes surrounding the Siltcoos River feature two prominent campgrounds to spend the night.

The Oregon Dunes Day Use Area is farther south and is off-limits for OHV users. These engine restrictions make this day-use area popular for hikers and wildlife watchers.

An upscale dinner at The Waterfront Depot Restaurant in Florence tops off a great day in the sand dunes, and the nearby Ocean Breeze Motel provides a comfortable place to stay.

Reedsport

Visitors heading south on Highway 101 encounter the Tahkenitch Area of Oregon Dunes NRA. Hikers enjoy this area on their own, with OHV restrictions in place. The neighboring community of Reedsport offers an excellent place to refuel on a road trip.

Reedsport eateries like Harbor Light Restaurant and Leona's Sugar Shack entice visitors with local flare. The Fir Grove Motel also offers local charm and is excellent value for family stays.

Coos Bay

South of Reedsport on Highway 101, Umpqua Lighthouse State Park draws visitors with a 65-foot beaming attraction. Further south, the largest area to operate OHVs is between the Spinreel Campground and Horsfall Lake. And the adjacent cities of Coos Bay and North Bend provide several excellent places to spend the night or catch a bite to eat.

For the best seafood experience, Captain's Choice Fish House in North Bend offers fresh-caught entrees and appetizers. The Best Western Holiday Hotel provides free breakfast and a dependable place to stay in Coos Bay.

5. Get Outdoors in Southern Oregon: Coos Bay to Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor

The coast continues with scenic attractions south of Coos Bay. This stretch tends to be less crowded than other parts of the coast, especially compared to up north. Don't let the lack of crowds deter a visit though, as the 80-mile stretch of coast between Coos Bay and Gold Beach has several worthwhile detours.

Bandon

The rugged southern Oregon coast is on full display in Bandon, approximately a 30-minute drive south of Coos Bay. Sea stacks tower along the coast of this small town, offering stunning landscapes and places to explore. Coquille Point and Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint offer some of the broadest views of this coastline.

Gold Beach

Gold Beach is a charming fishing town an hour south of Bandon. It's where the Rogue River meets the ocean, and many visitors enjoy the upriver jet boat rides by local outfitters. Other popular tourist attractions in Gold Beach include prehistoric gardens, a disintegrating shipwreck, and a charming downtown district filled with fresh seafood options.

Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor

One of the most beautiful stretches of the Oregon coast is a few miles south of Gold Beach, starting with the Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor. Highway 101 begins to ascend less than 10 miles south of Gold Beach, until reaching the top of the cape, 200 feet above the ocean. This view alone is worth the road trip.

Enormous sea stacks dot the coast south of Cape Sebastian. This postcard coast spans all the way to the Pistol River and Arch Rock, and the beginning of another iconic road trip destination – the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.

6. The Best Oregon Coast Scenic Drive: Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

In the far southwest corner of Oregon, the most breathtaking Oregon Coast road trip travels through the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Named after the first superintendent of Oregon State Parks, this 12-mile linear park features cliff sides, sea stacks, and miles of rugged hiking trails. The park is also well known for its secret beaches and whale spotting in the spring and fall.

Only 12 miles in length, the many pullovers and trailheads within Samuel H. Boardman easily take up an entire day of exploring. Visitors can park at a trailhead and spend the day traversing the area by hiking trail. Alternatively, a day is well spent driving between parking areas and stopping at whatever attraction catches the eye.

A few must-sees in the scenic corridor include Cape Ferrelo, Natural Bridges, and Thunder Rock Cove. Other eye-catching features of Samuel H. Boardman, like the Lone Ranch Picnic Area and the Thomas Creek Bridge, are worthy of a few more hours to explore.

The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is located between Gold Beach and Brookings on Highway 101. These two cities offer restaurants and hotels to bookend a drive through Samuel H. Boardman. The Pacific Reef Hotel in Gold Beach and the Beachfront Inn in Brookings both offer ocean-facing rooms. Few facilities besides nature and the highway are in the scenic corridor, so it's best to pack a lunch.