An Oregon Coast Road Trip has been a dream vacation of mine since I discovered how beautiful the state of Oregon is. Dramatic seaside cliffs, plentiful marine wildlife, crystal clear water, quaint coastal towns, prominent lighthouses….what more could you ask for? The Oregon Coast is one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon, and it is easy to see why. You can make this drive as quickly or slowly as your heart desires. We spent 3 dreamy days exploring the coast, but you could add more time if you prefer to slow down your trip.
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Free Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary
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North to South or South to North?
Most people begin their Oregon Coast road trip in Astoria and travel south towards Newport. Driving this way puts you on the beach side and is much easier turning right into pullouts and viewpoint stops. If I were to do this Oregon Coast road trip again, I would likely drive this route. However, we started this trip near Salem which is closer to Newport than Astoria, so it made sense for us to start on the southern side and travel north. This is how this itinerary is laid out. However, if you prefer to go north to south, you can do this trip in reverse.
Do You Need Park Passes?
There is a lot to unpack here. Most of the stops and viewpoints are part of a state park or National Park Services land, and they will require an entrance fee. In Oregon state parks, the daily parking permit is $5 per day per vehicle and are sold in the parking area of each park. Your daily park pass is good at all state parks you travel to that day, meaning you can move from park to park and only pay the one-day $5 fee. Most of the machines only take credit card, but we did find one that only took exact change cash. So I would recommend bringing both a credit card and small bills. You can also purchase an annual Oregon state park pass here for $30.
For NPS lands such as Devil’s Punchbowl, Thor’s Well, and Yaquina Head Lighthouse, you will have to pay a separate fee. If you have an America the Beautiful Annual National Park Pass (Interagency Pass), you can display this pass on your dashboard and skip the daily fee.
Your other option for park passes (which may be the best option) is the Oregon Pacific Coast Passport. This is an interagency pass that allows access to lands operated by the National Park Services, Bureau of Land Management, and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department along Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. An annual pass is $35 or a 5-day pass is $10. Find out more about this option here.
Best Time to Visit
The best weather for an Oregon coast road trip usually happens in the summer and fall months. Summer is the busiest time of year for this area, but fall runs a close second with adults vacationing here after kids are back in school. The winters are the least crowded but also the coldest and rainiest times. My favorite time to visit is in the springtime when the crowds are pretty much nonexistent and the flowers are blooming. This time of year can also have cool and rainy weather, but I think it adds to the charm of the coast. Also, if you visit during April, you can make a side trip to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival near Salem. We did this, and the tulip fields were breathtaking.
Know Your Tide Times
When doing any coastal trip, tide times can be very important depending on what your plans are. This Oregon Coast road trip is no exception. Thor’s Well is best scene at or near high tide. If you show up at low tide (like I originally did), the well is less than impressive. However, if you are wanting to see tide pools or beachcomb for sand dollars and other shells, you will need to arrive around low tide.
Where to Stay
There are several options for places to stay depending on what towns you end up stopping in. Most of these small towns do not have name brand hotels, so it can be a little worrisome booking an inn that you have never heard of. I loved all the places we stayed at during our Oregon Coast road trip and would recommend them. Here is where we stayed.
Newport – Holiday Inn
Pacific City – Surf and Sand Inn
Cannon Beach – Ecola Creek Lodge
What to Pack
- Water!! I recommend bringing a refillable water bottle or two. Oregon charges a tax on plastic bottles, so it is best if you use a refillable one. Not to mention, it is better for the environment!
- Bug Spray – Keep those pesky bugs away!
- Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun, and do not forget to reapply.
- Hat – More sun protection to block the sun from your face, but the hat can also keep rain off your face.
- Hiking shoes/boots – These are waterproof so walking on the beach or in muddy areas will not be a problem. Here are the men‘s version of the hiking shoes I love.
- Hiking socks – The best way to prevent blisters is by keeping your feet dry. Moisture-wicking socks are the best way to do that.
- Backpack – A backpack is a necessity when hiking to carry your water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. that you may need on your longer hikes.
- RTIC Soft-Sided Cooler – Keep your drinks and your Tillamook cheese souvenirs cool in this soft cooler.
- Packing Cubes – Keep your stuff organized in your luggage with these packing cubes.
- Rain Jacket – Rain can (and probably will) occur at some point while in Oregon, so make sure to pack your men’s or women’s rain jacket.
- Waterproof Pants – If visiting in the rainy season, waterproof pants will help keep your legs dry. Men’s Pants.
- Jacket – Even in warmer months, the temps can be cool so pack a light men’s or women’s jacket.
Day 1: Newport to Pacific City
Heceta Head Lighthouse
Heceta Head Lighthouse is 56 feet tall, built in 1894, and is an easy 0.9 mile walk from the parking area. We originally had not planned to visit this lighthouse, but we had arrived at Thor’s Well during low tide and needed to kill some time. Just a few miles south of this lighthouse is the Sea Lion Cave, which would be interesting to see if you have the time.
Thor’s Well
Thor’s Well is an old sea cave that collapsed and now is a sight to see! During high tide, waters rush up through the large natural pipeline and explode in the air. Then the water recedes back down the drainage hole and back into the ocean. You can walk right up to the well, but be careful as the sea can be unpredictable.
Devil’s Churn
From Thor’s Well, you can drive to the Devil’s Churn parking lot or you can walk the Trail of the Restless Way to see this next sight. This trail combined with the Thor’s Well loop and the Devil’s Churn loop is around 1.6 miles.
Cape Perpetua Lookout
Located in the Suislaw National Forest, Cape Perpetua Lookout sits 800 feet above the coast and is the highest drivable point on the Oregon Coast. Here you can get remarkable views of the curvy Pacific Coast Highway hugging the coastline. You can also get a view of the town of Yachat by walking the Whispering Spruce Trail (0.4 miles).
Yachats
After exploring the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, we stopped for lunch at the Blue Whale in Yachats. This town is home to art galleries and gift shops that you can peruse while you are here. The second time I did this Oregon Coast Road Trip, we stopped in Yachats for breakfast at the Drift Inn Hotel and Restaurant. Both options were very tasty!
Newport
As we traveled northward on the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, we stopped at the historic Newport Bayfront for some shopping. Newport had super cute shops with unique gifts and souvenirs. If you choose to spend more time in Newport, there are several other things to do in this area such as the Oregon Coast Aquarium and Hatfield Marine Science Center.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Next, you will stop at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse which sits at 93 feet tall, making it the tallest on your Oregon Coast road trip. Since 1873, this lighthouse has been guiding ships and boats away from the rocky Oregon shores. Make sure to time your visit during low tide so you can check out the tide pools. You could spend hours exploring the micro-habitats for sea stars, urchins, crabs, and other sea life.
Devil’s Punchbowl
Devil’s Punchbowl was formed millions of years ago when two sea caves eroded into one and the ceiling collapsed. Look on from atop the large bowl as waves come crashing into the unique landform. Just to the south of the punchbowl, we watched dozens of surfers riding the waves in the waters below. Near this landmark is a surf shop and a small winery.
Otter Rock
From Devil’s Punchbowl, drive along the Otter Crest Loop until you come to Otter Rock. This viewpoint offers yet another amazing view of the Oregon coast.
Depoe Bay
Depoe Bay and Boiler Bay are great locations to spot resident whales year round. If you are visiting between May and December, you can also board a whale watching tour.
Pacific City
We ended our first day in Pacific City where we ate dinner at Pelican Brewery. Next to the restaurant is Cape Kiwanda. While waiting for our table to be ready, we walked out onto the beach and watched as people sand boarded down the giant sand dunes to the left.
DAY 2: Pacific City to Cannon Beach
Part of this day will be exploring the ocean side of the Three Cape Scenic Loop which consists of Cape Kiwanda (which we explored the evening before), Cape Lookout, and Cape Meares.
Cape Lookout
Our first stop on the Three Capes Scenic Loop was Cape Lookout. It happened to be low tide and as we walked out onto the beach, we noticed several broken sand dollar pieces. As we began looking harder, we were able to find a few whole sand dollars! I had only found 2 sand dollars in my whole life prior to this Oregon Coast road trip: one in the Gulf of Mexico and one in the Caribbean. So I was obviously super excited to find so many! And this launched our sand dollar quest for the rest of this trip.
Oceanside and Tunnel Beach
Oceanside is a super cute town that does not look like any of the other coastal towns on this Oregon Coast road trip. The houses are nestled into the hillside and resemble something you would see in Italy. We walked onto the Oceanside Beach and headed north toward the cliff where the beach ends. Here you will find a manmade tunnel that leads to Tunnel Beach. Make sure to bring a light source with you (your camera flashlight will do) as part of the tunnel is fairly dark. There are some rocks you will have to traverse in this darker area before stepping out to the view you see in the picture above.
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint
Cape Meares is your last stop on the Three Capes Scenic Loop. As you arrive in the parking lot, step out onto the viewing platform to see dramatic views of waves crashing into seaside cliffs.
Cape Meares Lighthouse
Walk down the trail towards the Cape Meares Lighthouse which was first lit in 1890. This stubby lighthouse is the shortest on the Oregon Coast.
Octopus Tree
Walk past the restrooms on a well-maintained trail for approximately 0.1 miles to witness the Octopus Tree. How this Sitka spruce came to look like this is a bit of a mystery. The tree has no central trunk and measures 46 feet in circumference at the base. It is about 105 feet tall and is estimated to be 250-300 years old.
Tillamook Creamery
The road just past Cape Meares has been closed indefinitely due to slide activity. Therefore, to get to the Tillamook Creamery, you will have to backtrack to Netarts and take 131 towards Tillamook.
When we arrived, we made our way to the café first and ordered cheeseburgers and cheese curds. After lunch, we started the self-guided tour which was really interesting. At the end of the tour, you can taste 3 different kinds of Tillamook cheese, shop in the gift shop, and get a scoop of Tillamook ice cream. You may have a tummy ache by the end of your trip here!
Hug Point
After being on the road for a little while, we decided to stretch our legs at Hug Point. We walked out onto the beach and watched the tide rolling in.
Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock
Cannon Beach was my favorite of all the small coastal towns we visited during our Oregon Coast road trip. The town is small but not too small and provided enough cute shopping to entertain us for a few hours. Cannon Beach is most famous for Haystack Rock which towers over the beach and resembles…you guessed it…a haystack. This is another beach where we were successful at finding sand dollars during low tide.
Ecola State Park
The windy road through lush green forests and ferns is reason enough to explore Ecola State Park. Make sure to visit Ecola Viewpoint to see Tillamook Rock Lighthouse off in the distance. Also allow time to explore Indian Beach and Crescent Beach.
Day 3: Cannon Beach to Astoria (and Beyond)
Fort Stevens State Park
In the morning, we drove straight to Fort Stevens State Park and to the Wreck of Peter Iredale. Peter Iredale ran aground in 1906 where it has been decaying ever since. At low tide, you can walk right up to the ship remains. This beach is where we hit the mother load of sand dollars! We found dozens!
You could spend a lot of time exploring Fort Stevens State Park. The earthen fort was used during the Civil War and World War II to protect from enemy ships entering the mouth of the Columbia River. The 4,300-acre parks also offers many recreational activities such as hiking, biking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
Astoria
We stopped at the Astoria Column, a 125-foot monument that sits atop Coxcomb Hill. Climb the 164-step spiral staircase to the top of the column for views of Astoria and the Columbia River.
The town was a lot bigger than the other coastal towns and way more industrial with half a dozen barges sitting off the coast. So it was a bit off-putting to me. Had I started the trip in Astoria and traveled south, I may have enjoyed it more. But compared to the other amazing towns along the coast, Astoria was underwhelming. So we decided to cut our time in Astoria short and continue our coastal drive north into Washington where we found a couple hidden gems. If you decide to spend more time in Astoria than we did, you can visit other sights such as the Astoria Riverwalk, Flaval House Museum, and Columbia River Maritime Museum.
Cranberry Museum
Located about 30 minutes north of Astoria in Washington is the Cranberry Museum and cranberry farm. The 11-acre farms houses several cranberry bogs that are harvested in October each year for Ocean Spray. You can pick up cranberry products in the gift shop.
Long Beach
Long Beach self-proclaims to be the world’s longest beach. While this is not true, it is one of the world’s longest beaches at 28 miles in length. It is, however, the longest beach on the U.S. West Coast. The town of Long Beach is another cute coastal town with unique shops and restaurants.
Cape Disappointment
Cape Disappointment State Park is a Washington State Park that offers 2 lighthouses, hiking, and a scenic loop drive. There is a $5 daily fee, or you can display a Discover Pass (Washington annual state park pass). We hiked the 1.9-mile Cape Disappointment Trail for great views of Long Beach below. Along the hike we discovered an old wooden water tower hidden in the trees and a concrete structure that remains from World War II. There is also a 0.5-mile hike in the park that has great views of one of the lighthouses. Unfortunately, this trail was closed during our visit, which was a bit of a…disappointment.
After finishing our time at this state park, we drove straight to Portland and stayed the night near the airport to catch our flight the next morning.
Extend Your Vacation
If you want to add travel time to your Oregon Coast Road Trip, you can consider some of the following nearby itineraries:
The Ultimate Pacific Northwest Road Trip: How to Spend 1, 2, 3, or 4 Weeks
How to Hike Oregon’s Trail of Ten Falls
The Greatest Oregon Road Trip: See the Best of Oregon’s Natural Wonders in 14 Days
The Best Day Trips from Portland, Oregon
The Best Hikes in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge
How to Spend 3 Days in Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
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