Through the Fog: How To Road Trip the Oregon Coast

Oregon is officially named the Pacific Wonderland, with its magical shores and fairytale forests, and it’s not hard to see why everyone wants to take a road trip to the coast. The hipster culture of Portland and its eclectic neighborhoods, combined with the giant redwoods of the south, is only a part of what Oregon offers.

This guide will cover the best tidepools, hikes, viewpoints, beaches, hotels, lighthouses, and quirky roadside stops from Astoria at the Washington border to Brookings at the California border.

Here’s an epic road trip through the Oregon Coast:

Tips for the Oregon Coast

• Weather. The Oregon coast is foggy, so even if your road trip is in August, you will likely see fog or rain. Bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket. Pro Tip: In the summer, the sun tends to come out in the afternoon, if it’s going to come out at all.

• Warm Beach Days. The Pacific Northwest beaches are not warm or swimmable- they’re usually foggy, windy, and cold. The beauty of PNW beaches comes from jagged rock formations, low tide revealing starfish, anemones, and other ocean creatures, and gray skies against deep blue waters.

• Tide Tables. You will need them to find the best times to go tide pooling. 

• Sunscreen. You need sunscreen even if it’s cloudy. UV rays penetrate the fog and overcast skies, meaning you can still get sunburned or dark spots.

• Cell Service. It comes and goes, so download your maps and bring a mobile hotspot.

• Hotels are Limited. Book early, hotel options are limited, and they fill up fast.

• Parking is Limited. The northern beaches get especially busy on the summer weekends.

• Beach Bonfires. You can find bundles of firewood in pretty much every seaside town, and a beach bonfire is an Oregon Coast road trip essential!

• Sunset. Oregon Coast sunsets are life-changing every single time. Make time for them every day!

Tidepooling

During high tides, Oregon’s beaches are covered by ocean water. During low tides, the water recedes, leaving behind all kinds of cool things: sea caves, starfish, sea anemones, urchins, crabs, seashells, petrified wood, and other sights that are otherwise concealed by the sea.

Exploring these wonders is called tide-pooling, and the Oregon Coast has some of the world’s finest.

Tips for Tidepooling

• Water Shoes are a must for protecting your feet from the rocky coast.
• Never touch or move living creatures- not on your trip to the Oregon Coast, not anywhere.
• Walk the waterline to avoid being knocked over by sudden strong waves.
• Bring a spare pair of socks and a quick-dry towel.

How much Time do You Need on the Oregon Coast?

From Astoria to Brookings is 380 miles, about 7.5 hours if you drive all the way through (who could do such a thing?).

If you only have 1 Day on the Oregon Coast

If you’re taking a trip to Portland and only have 1 day on the Oregon Coast, I’d suggest Astoria or Cannon Beach. Both of these beaches are closer to Portland; Astoria has history and seaside charm, while Cannon Beach has Haystack Rock and excellent tide pooling.

If you’d like to road trip through the Oregon Coast and not drive, consider this tour from Eugene that covers Florence to Yachats and everything in between.

Astoria

Astoria is a sleepy seaside affair, permanently foggy.

When you stand atop her famous column or walk through her downtown, you get a shared sense of Deja Vu; you instinctively know that the Astoria you’re looking at is the same one seen by travelers since the town’s founding in 1811.

The Astoria-Megler bridge connects Oregon to Washington, so if you’re driving south from Seattle, Astoria will likely be your first stop in the state.

As the oldest city in the state, Astoria is rich in history- Lewis and Clark slept here, the first post office west of the Rockies was born here, and cult favorite The Goonies was filmed here!

What To Do

• Astoria Column. This 125-foot monument has striking views of Astoria and its bridges set against the Pacific at the top and hand-painted murals at the bottom- Oregon loves murals!

• The Goonies House. Real people live here- be respectful and don’t block the driveway. You can find Goonies filming locations all over Astoria and Cannon Beach.

• Shipwreck of the Peter Iredale. At Fort Stevens State Park, you can see the ruins of a ship that crashed into shore in 1906.

• Astoria Riverfront Trolley. Go for a ride on the trolley to sightsee and learn about the city’s past.

• Oregon Film Museum. OFM celebrates everything ever filmed in the state. Located in Astoria’s old Clatsop County Jail, this museum is a great way to spend a few hours.

Where To Stay

• Norblad Hotel. This independently owned, minimalist hotel is located in the heart of Astoria, within walking distance of the best restaurants, coffee houses, and microbreweries.

• Inn at Haystack Rock. Walk to the epic Haystack Rock, restaurants, and bars; the Inn at Haystack Rock has a beautiful garden and firepits to wind down next to in the evening.

• Schooner’s Cove Inn. Best pick for a cute, cozy motel-style stay on the beach, with stunning sunset and seascape views.

Seaside

Sandwiched between the more popular (and busy) Astoria to the North and Cannon Beach to the South, Seaside is a quiet, artsy, charming little town on the Oregon Coast. I recommend Seaside if you happen to be taking a day trip from Portland and want all the benefits of a PNW beach without the crowds.

What To Do

• The Historic Seaside Promenade. 1.5 from the south to the north end of Seaside, boarding the Pacific Ocean.

• Seaside Beach. Another classic Oregon Coast beach to check off your road trip bucket list.

• Lewis and Clark Monument. This bronze statue marks the official end of the Lewis and Clark Trail.

• Tillamook Head National Recreation Trail. South of Seaside, the Tillamook Head trail leads thousands of feet above the Pacific Ocean through old-growth Sitka spruce, one of my favorite trees. Water shoes are essential in the fall and winter months.

Where To Stay

• Sandy Cove Inn. This family-owned hotel is steps from the Oregon coast and historic promenade.

• Inn at the Shore. With views of the ocean from your room and a two-minute walk to the beach, plus free bike rentals, you’ll be able to visit much of Seaside from the Inn at the Shore.

• Inn at the Prom. Facing the Seaside promenade, complimentary bikes, and only a minute’s walk to the beach, this bright and airy hotel is an ideal spot to experience all Seaside has to offer.

Cannon Beach

Probably the most popular beach on the Oregon Coast, Cannon Beach is just a (scenic!) 1.5-hour drive from Portland. Gray beaches with dramatic rock formations have put Cannon Beach on the map as the unofficial representative of the Oregon coast, and no road trip is complete without it.

What To Do

• Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. One of the state’s most recognizable landmarks, partly thanks to its appearance in The Goonies. At low tide, you can walk right up to the rock.

• Living Garden at Cannon Beach. Near Haystack Rock, low tide reveals a living, breathing garden filled with starfish, sea anemones, and small fish.

• Hug Point. This beach is just as good for tide pooling as Cannon Beach but far less crowded.

Where To Stay

• Hallmark Resort in Cannon Beach. Book a beach-view room to get epic views of Haystack Rock, listen to the ocean splash up against the shore, and walk to upscale restaurants.

• Pitton Place. Offering a fully fenced backyard, BBQ, and firepit, Pitton Place is only ten blocks from downtown and two blocks from the ocean but feels like a secluded cabin away from crowds.

• Webb’s Scenic Surf. Family-owned and operated for three generations, each room has views of The Pacific Ocean, The Crescent Rocks, and The Tillamook Lighthouse, all within a short walk from shops and restaurants.

Tillamook and 3 Capes Scenic Loop

If the name Tillamook sounds familiar, that’s because this is the farmland from which the famous cheese and ice cream brand comes, and there are tours. Not to worry, if dairy isn’t your thing (I feel you!), there are still many reasons to stop in Tillamook.

What To Do

• 3 Capes Loop Scenic Drive. This 40-mile scenic road connects Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda on a lovely stretch of Highway 101.

• Cape Meares Lighthouse Scenic Viewpoint. The shortest lighthouse in Oregon offers killer views, hiking trails, picnic areas, and the Octopus Tree, Oregon’s largest Sitka Spruce with a macabre past.

• Cape Lookout State Park. Has more of those moody Oregon coast vibes and is great for whale watching from shore (you’ll need binoculars).

• Cape Kiwanda. The smallest cape on this route is not to be underestimated. Cape Kiwanda is just as striking as her sisters, plus she has sand dunes and some of the best surfing on the Oregon Coast.

Depoe Bay

Home to a pod of gray whales and tall seaside cliffs that create a natural vantage point, Depoe Bay is the whale-watching capital of Oregon.

The whales are offshore from Depoe Bay from March to December, meaning you can spot them pretty much any time of the year.

What To Do

• Devil’s Punchbowl. This is one of Oregon’s bucket list experiences that you’ve undoubtedly seen on YouTube. The Devil’s Punch Bowl was created by the collapse of 2 sea caves, and the name came from the waves entering the bowl and violently churning, similar to a washing machine.

• Whale Watching. Tours will take you closer to where the whale pod is and give you an up-close look, or you can grab some binoculars and hit the shore.

• Saltwater Taffy. Ainslee’s is colorful and yummy, and you can watch their taffy stretching process while you shop.

Where To Stay

• Victoria’s Cottage. A cheerful cottage with beach access and walking distance to fine dining, Victoria’s Cottage is loaded with amenities and activities and is also within minutes of craft breweries and excellent restaurants.

• Inn at Arch Rock. Sitting atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a private beach during the summer protected from the wind, and incredible ocean views from the rooms, Inn at Arch Rock is a cozy boutique stay.

Yachats

Pronounced “YAH-hots,” this village on the Central Oregon coast is bordered by the Pacific and the lush Siuslaw National Forest. Yachats is blessed with Oregon’s dramatic beaches and wild mountainscape and is less busy than Florence and Newport.

What To Do

• Thor’s Well. Thor’s Well is a collapsed sea cave that appears to be the opening to a bottomless pit. During high tide, water rushes into the well and shoots back up to 20 feet into the air. As synonymous with Oregon as Crater Lake, Thor’s Well is one of the state’s top attractions, a must-see on your road trip to the coast.

Pro Tip: The best time to visit Thor’s Well is 1 hour before the high tide to watch it fill up with water. The Well looks the most violent and has the most foam during high tide.

• Cape Perpetua. 800 feet over the Pacific Ocean, Cape Perpetua is the highest viewpoint accessible by car on the Oregon Coast.

• Yachats State Recreation Center. This is a quick stop, accessible by car. Watch for whales and waves from the viewing platform.

Where To Stay

• Fireside Motel. Take a walk to the charming town of Yachats from this oceanfront hotel, or follow the trail parallel to the ocean; this hotel is excellent for exploring tide pools right from your door.

• Optiaqua. A spacious vacation home with unobstructed ocean views from the deck to watch stunning sunsets, and only 3 miles away from restaurants and unique shops in Yachats Village.

• Patty’s Sea Perch. With an oceanfront patio, whimsical decor, an outdoor hot tub with million-dollar views, and a quick walk to the beach, Patty’s is a peach!

Newport

Lighthouses, cascading views, Agate hunting, Bald Eagle and seal watching, and tide pools- that is, Newport, Oregon. The land is ancient, having once been the home of the Yacona Indians for at least 3,000 years.

What To Do

• Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. Made in Paris in 1868 and shipped to Oregon, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse was seen in the 2002 film The Ring and The Nancy Drew Mysteries. 

• Agate Hunting at Agate Beach. This is also an excellent spot for a beach picnic.

• Sea Lion Docks. Sea lions love to lay on the rocks and the docs at Yaquina Bay, with Port Dock One being the most common place to see them up close.

Where To Stay

• Little Creek Cove Beach Resort. Spacious rooms, private beach access, and oceanfront views, all less than 10 minutes from Newport.

• Sea Mist Cottage. Best pick for families! This modern beach cottage has 3 bedrooms, views of the ocean from the living room, and multiple dining options only a mile away.

• Starfish Point. Minutes away from the 101, beach access lit all night long, crabbing equipment and crab cookers, and incredible ocean views of Agate Beach and the Yaquina headland area, there is plenty to explore at these newly renovated condos.

Florence

Just an hour from Eugene, Florence is a world away: the Siuslaw River meets the ocean, and miles of sand dunes and pensive fog cumulate on top of a charming seaside town.

What To Do

• Sea Lion Caves. A privately-owned wildlife sanctuary since 1932, this natural cave system is a favorite of sea lions. The entrance to the caves is $14.

• Explore the Sand Dunes. The Oregon Dunes are 40 miles of sand dunes connected to Florence, hauntingly beautiful and highly underrated. You can take a tour, learn to sandboard, or ride an ATV.

• Heceta Head Lighthouse. Built in 1892, Heceta Head is one of the most photographed spots on the coast; many people make the trip to Oregon just to see it. The red roof of the lighthouse is the cherry on top of the icy blue Pacific. 

Bonus: You can sleep at Heceta Head! This B&B is the last remaining Lightkeeper’s cottage on the West Coast. 

• Darlingtonia State Natural Site. The Darlingtonia is a rare carnivorous that only grows wildly in Southern Oregon and Northern California. I think they look like little colorful snakeheads- they’re adorable!

Where To Stay

Since Newport and Florence are so close, the same accommodations are central to both places.

Coos Bay

Of all the cities on this coast, Coos Bay is perhaps the most deeply shaped by its people. Artistic and thoughtful, historic Coos Bay has many historic buildings, a theatre, shops, restaurants, galleries, and oceanside parks.

What To Do

• Cape Arago State Park. This is where to listen to the seals and sea lions and hunt for beach treasures in Coos Bay.

• Coos Bay Boardwalk. This is a true boardwalk, with thousands of wooden planks, and takes about half an hour to walk completely through. Information about Coos Bay’s history, a seafood market, and a simple restaurant make up the boardwalk.

• The Egyptian Theatre. This “Egyptian Revival” style theatre was opened in 1925 and exclusively screens cult classics and independent films.

Where To Stay

• Seagate Cottage. Classic and modern with a rustic twist, this cottage has all the amenities you can think of, a great backyard surrounded by large trees and wildlife and a beach trail down to the bay.

• Forest Ridge Retreat. Drive into Coors Bay and North Bend to explore historic downtown districts full of shops, galleries, and restaurants.

• Edgewater Coos Bay. This privately owned rustic motel sitting along the Rogue River is within walking distance of many restaurants and a short drive to desirable coastal hikes near the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway.

Brookings

Brookings beaches have been my absolute favorite to tidepool at!

Secret Beach, in particular, truly felt like an epic adventure, and I’ll always remember it as one of the best days of my life.

The town of Brookings is 6 miles from the California border and has a kickass coffee shop.

What To Do

• Secret Beach. Secret Beach is actually 4 beaches, but how many you can access depends on the tide.

• Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor. This 12-mile drive with all the best of Oregon’s coastal wonders- foggy cliffs, towering spruce, and jagged rock formations in the ocean.

• Oregon Redwood Trail. This trail gives you the chance to see some of Oregon’s old-growth Redwoods.

Where To Stay

• The Beachfront Inn. With views of the ocean from your room, within walking distance of the beach, an outdoor heated pool, plus several restaurants and bars nearby, this hotel is the perfect mix of seclusion and convenience.

• Blue Coast Inn and Suites. This affordable hotel is within a 10-minute walk to the beach, close to a variety of shops and restaurants in downtown Brookings, and an 8-minute drive to The Port of Brookings Harbor.

• Tanbark Shores Guest Suite. Owned by a lovely couple, this suite will feel like a home away from home; it offers impeccable views; grab dinner from a local restaurant and enjoy the Ocean floor deck or sun porch.

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