The Oregon coast has long been famous for its rugged shoreline, abundance of animal and sea life, as well as the cozy beauty of its towns. A trip down this spectacular coast is a treat for the eyes as well as the stomach, and we want to help you make the best of your trip! Below is a rough itinerary of our favorite spots and suggestions for attractions we particularly enjoyed. Though you can’t really go wrong with a lovely area like the Oregon coast, this guide should get anyone started planning their next road trip.

Days 1 – 3 Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is famous for its brilliant coastline with massive rock features along the beaches, but there’s more than just sun and sand in this popular Oregon coast destination. For the casual tourist, this town holds ample activities that range from relaxation to recreation and everything in between. You could see most of Cannon Beach in a few hours, but we highly recommend spending a few days to enjoy its quaint charms, picturesque scenery, and amazing food.

Things to Do

  • Cannon Beach – No list of Cannon Beach attractions could possibly avoid the behemoth stone icon “Haystack Rock.” The beach upon which Haystack sits is lovely as well and made for a perfect place to sit in the sun for a lazy afternoon. Both sides of Cannon Beach are connected by the sand, so moving from one side of town to the other might as well include a scenic walk on the beach!
  • Food – For such small town, we were pleasantly surprised to find so many delicious food and drink options. From Pelican Brewery and their amazing menu to hole in the wall pizza joints such as Pizza A’ Fetta, we didn’t have a single bad experience while eating and drinking our way through town. Cannon also has a nice selection of high quality cafes and coffee shops, which can add much needed fuel to a visitor’s plans. Check out Insomnia Coffee Cox for the best coffee around!
  • Stores – The quaint shops and stores of Cannon are absolutely worth checking out. Many with picture-perfect storefronts exhibiting the most endearing of small town charms. We found several general stores and art galleries that made a walk through Cannon Beach’s many side streets an absolute pleasure. This town has got charm coming out both ends!
  • Cape Falcon / Oregon Coast Trail – Just outside of Cannon Beach, heading south, there are some really great opportunities for outdoor activities. The Oregon Coast Trail is always an excellent choice fro getting out into nature and making your way from one scenic beach to another. A more specific suggestion, though is to hike the Cape Falcon Trail. Cape Falcon is a beautiful hike that passes an incredible beach where locals spend the day surfing and basking in the warm light of sunny days. Past the beach, hiking will land visitors at a series of stunning overlooks dubbed “Cape Falcon” that are sure to mesmerize even the most jaded nature curmudgeon.

Where to Stay

Camping

Free Campground: Northeast of Cannon beach the is public land that provides a free place to camp or park and RV.

State Parks: There are also several paid RV and tent sites around for something closer to town. Check out Ecola State Beach and Nehalem Bay State Park for cheap campgrounds nearer to the coast.

Turnouts: If you’re like us, though, and wanting to sleep for free and spend your money on experiences in town, we’ve heard that some people have gotten away with spending a few nights in highway turnouts on the north end of town. Be weary of turnouts that sport “No Overnight Parking” signs and be sure to leave no trace if you decide to go the latter route.

Hotels

As with its shops and restaurants, Cannon Beach has an abundance of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and cottages for rent that are dripping with aesthetic harm and sea views. Perched along the hills above the beach, paid accommodations are almost certain to be as beautiful inside as they are on the outside. Check out Inn at Haystack Rock for a cheap accommodation along the coast!

Days 4 – 5 Nehalem Bay

Nehalem State Beach – Located on the beautiful Nehalem Bay, this state beach is rife with grand beauty and outdoor opportunities, just south of Cannon Beach. A park that forces us to make exceptions to our “no paying for camping” two separate time, we obviously have very few bad things to say about Nehalem and now suggest anyone touring the Oregon coast to visit this beautiful stretch of protected nature.

Things to Do

  • Beaches – The main attraction for Nehalem Beach is, well, the beach. After crossing the barrier dunes that shelter the campgrounds from direct ocean breezes, visitors to this massive expanse of sand and sea are treated to spectacular views in all directions. Lining the beach are blankets of golden grasses, adding a stunning fringe than already lovely beach. While on the beach, we suggest people do…beach things…
  • Hiking – There is a lot of hiking and walking in the area that should not be missed. Whether you’re geared up for a real hike or just want to wander the beach for hours on end, stretching your legs is the perfect way to get out an appreciate Nehalem’s hiking trails and beauty.
  • Wildlife – As an added bonus, there is a large quantity of elk living in and around Nehalem. We saw several deer, as well as several birds while in the park, but the crown jewel of the area is the elk herd. Several talkative campers informed us that the amphitheater at dawn is -the place to be if you’re wanting to see these majestic beasts.

Where to Stay

Nehalem Bay State Park – There are other options available, but we highly recommend camping in the state park campgrounds. With elk, beaches, and endless hot showers, this one is a no-brainer.

Day 6 Oceanside

Famous for its quintessentially “Oregon Coast” vibes, Oceanside is a small village placed serenely on the sloping hills above another beautiful beach. Popular with locals and tourists alike, Oceanside is a spot frequented by anyone looking to spend some time on the beach without the crowds of Cannon.

Things to Do

  • Beach – Oceanside’s main attraction is its beach, and for good reason. With massive stone features just off the beach, there aren’t many more dramatic places than this. Families, lovers, animal watchers, bird people, and travelers all flock to this beach for its relative seclusion and relaxed atmosphere.
  • Wineries and Food – Nearby Tillamook is famous for its wines and cheeses, so why not follow up a beautiful location with a taste of Oregon’s fabulous vino? For those abstaining, nearly all wineries have cheese plates and other snacks that are wonderfully composed. For food options in Oceanside, check out Roseanna’s Cafe. They serve seafood, breakfast, and cocktails!
  • Cape Meares Lighthouse – Located just north of Oceanside is the lovely Cape Meares Lighthouse. A short walk from the parking area through a beautiful forest, this lighthouse is the perfect place to grab some pictures of an Oregon Coast icon for the ‘gram. We’ve visited many lighthouses along this coast and have yet to be disappointed. Cape Meares is no exception, and the views from its perch are breathtaking.

Where to Stay

Camping

Near Oceanside can be found in several state park beaches nearby, or inland. For the adventurous traveler, camping is allowed on ALL Oregon beaches, and you’d be hard pressed to find a more scenic spot to pitch a tent. If you are looking for a proper campground, try Cape Lookout State Park!

Hotels

Can also be found in the area, as well as B&B’s like much of the coast provides. We really like the affordable Netarts Surf Inn. Cute, surfer vibes are the theme of the rooms and you can grab a room for less than $80 a night. For additional options, the town of Tillamook is roughly 20 minutes away by car and is considerably larger.

 

Day 7 Tillamook

Located due east of Oceanside is the farming town of Tillamook. Small but quaint, you’d be surprised by all that this small town of fewer than 5,000 people has to offer. Being so coastal, the air temperature is regulated, making this farmland fertile and warm all throughout the year.

Things to Do

  • Food trucks – Since most people require sustenance to continue living, why not have some fun with your dining experience? We ran into several food trucks during our stay in Tillamook, and explored them extensively whenever we were in need of food. We hadn’t stumbled upon many food trucks along our Oregon Coast adventure, so we were happy to mix up our dining options with these moving restaurants.
  • Shopping – As with many old coastal towns, we found Tillamook to be rich with local history and kitsch. Antique Malls in the area are a great way to experience the lives and hobbies of the locals by seeing their booths and sorting through their treasures. We found several antique malls filled tot he brim with Oregon nostalgia as well as items related to forestry, sailing, and the ever present romance novel section.
  • Cheese – The city of Tillamook is famous for its cheese production and no place is quite as well known as the Blue Heron Cheese Company. With incredible cheeses, jams, mustards, meats, and a wine tasting room,  we ended up spending a long time at Blue Heron. Their menu was lovely and we found it difficult to resist their $1 wine pours.

Where to Stay

Harvest Hosts

To deviate from our typical camping strategies, we’d decided on our way into Tillamook to stay at a Harvest Host location right in the parking lot of Blue Heron Cheese Company. To entice visitors to stay, eat, and drink, Blue Heron allows RV’s and motorhomes to park overnight in their parking lot free of charge. We registered with their front desk and were happily allowed to stay for several nights of cheese and wine consumption. For travelers looking to campaign tents, there are several state parks nearby, and Oregons beaches all allow tent camping in the sand.

Hotels

Tillamook is a decently sized town along the Oregon coast and has several hotel options. Check out the Harborview Inn and RV Park nearby. Cheap rates for both rooms and RV spots! While staying overnight in a regular hotel might be all you’re looking for, nearby Oceanside has some more scenic options with their cottages and guest houses.

Day 8 Newport

While many of the  towns along the Oregon Coast may feel very similar, Newport stands out. With a long history with pirates and tall ships, Newport is a particularly fun town to spend a day.

Things to Do

  • Museums – From Ripley’s Believe It or Not to the Maritime Museum chronicling the town’s relationship with wayward pirates, there are several great options in town for getting to know a more illustrious history of this coast. From pirates that were publicly hung back in the 18th century to the tall ships that come into town during the summer months, Newport is full of dangerous fun.
  • Shipyards – Best visited in the warmer months, the harbor is full of working vessels and occasionally docks giant pirate ships akin to those seen in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

Where to Stay

Sylvia Beach Hotel

Ask anyone from the area, and you’re sure to be pointed in the direction of the Sylvia Beach Hotel. We won’t even mention other options (of which there are many), as this coastal “writer’s retreat” hotel is by and large the best around. Individual rooms are styled after the authors they’re named for, and the restaurant/cafe “Table of Contents” famously rejects the use of phones to encourage lively and communal conversation.

Sylvia Beach Hotel Review

 

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Days 9 – 11  Yachats and Devil’s Punchbowl

A classic town that oozes charm, Yachats is the perfect place to rejuvenate the spirit after making your way down the Oregon coast. Although small, anyone who’s been to Yachats can vouch for its large list of visit-worthy establishments and natural attraction.

Things to Do

  • Devil’s Punchbowl – A dramatic chasm of violent waves smashing against the shoreline, the Devil’s Punchbowl is as photogenic as it is mesmerizing. Located just North of Yachats, the Devil’s Punchbowl and Seal Rocks are a perfect stop on the way into town. Sitting atop the punchbowl and watching the nesting birds is absolutely amazing, and the geological brilliance of the caves is hard to beat.
  • Whale Watching – A massive pod of Gray Whales live permanently in this specific region, and whale watching is as easy as sitting on a bench and waiting for a few minutes with your eyes fixes on the beautiful coastal waters.
    • Surfing – For the adventurous traveler with a penchant for braving notoriously frigid water, surfing is a popular activity at the nearby beach. The whales in the area make for surfing near the Devil’s Punchbowl particularly spectacular as the curious water beasts are often curious and cruise through the pack of floating surfers. For non-surfers this area is still amazing for spectating and hoping to see the errant whale while monitoring the waves and surfers looking for big waves.
    • Cafes line the street leading to the Devil’s Punchbowl, so a nice latte or tea is within a short walk’s distance from the parking area. On typically overcast coastal days, a warm beverage in hand while watching whale and surfers is a necessity. Our favorite was the The Drift Inn Hotel and Restaurant with their quirky and fun interiors and historic building.

Yaquina Lighthouse

A classic example of lighthouse design and history, a stop at Yaquina is a perfect stop for stretching your legs and getting a glimpse into the area’s past.

Things to Do

  • Seal Watching – while walking to the Yaquina Lighthouse from the information center, a walkway leads down a wooden staircase to a small, secluded beach. With great views of the rocky cliffs the hold Yaquina, the beach also has a group of seals that frequent the area and are entertaining to watch.
  • Guided Lighthouse Tour – For the price of $0, visitors can take a guided tour of the beautiful lighthouse to see what life was like living in such an inhospitable place before machine automation. Informative guides do a great job of showing the “old ways” and presenting what life for the families that maintained these beacons was actually like. The tours are free, but make sure you arrive early and reserve a spot, as they limit the number of visitors to 12 per tour. When you climb the lighthouse staircase the top, you’ll understand why they limit the number.
  • Hiking – Though the 1/3 mile walk to the Yaquina Lighthouse from the information center is very easy, better views of the lighthouse and surrounding area can be better enjoyed from the hilltop north of the access road. Check out this site for more information about hikes in the area!

Thor’s Well

Probably the most “Instagram Famous” of Yachats’ attractions, Thor’s Well is well worth the visit. Another “Oregon coast anomaly,” walking down onto the rocks to see Thor’s Well fill and drain dramatically is sure to be as enjoyable as the Devil’s Punchbowl, but with closer access. You can walk right up to Thor’s Well to take your own photos, but be careful of the powerful violence of the swell responsible for this spectacular synergy of stone and water.

Where to Stay

Camping

The nearby Cape Perpetua Campground is an obvious choice for those wishing to pitch a tent, and the area is beautiful. For RVers, parking in the lot for visiting Thor’s Well is also “allowed/tolerated” and we stayed here for two nights in a row.

Hotel 

The famous Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport might be the most famous and well trafficked lodging along this stretch of the Oregon coast, but Yachats has some pretty amazing places to stay as well. The Drift Inn has some spectacularly airy rooms that we wish we’d stayed in. As an added bonus, the seaside area near the Driftwood Inn is a lovely place to spend an afternoon, watching the sea.

Day 12 – 13 Florence

At the end of a multi-day (or week) trip down the Oregon coast, we like to mix it up with something out of the ordinary. With Florence at the end of this trip, we highly recommend spending a day or two enjoying this quintessential coastal town.

Things To Do

  • Naturalist Options – Joaquin Miller State Park is a pristine coastal park that has an incredible jetty containing numerous day-use areas. Located just a few miles from Florence, this park allows visitors to get away from civilization while still enjoying the coastal brilliance that made the area famous.
  • Town – Like many of the towns along Hwy 101, Florence is small and full of local life. Shops and antique malls are filled to the brim with reminders of the coastal life past generations survived, mixed with its love for the sea and sail. We’re particularly fond of sailing culture, and Florence’s shops pandered to our preferences effortlessly. Cafes, restaurants with views, and a casino are all available, and make the transition back to normal life smoother.

Where to Stay

Camping

Port of Siuslaw and Joaquin Miller State Park campgrounds are an obvious choice for the tent camper, as both have beautiful coastal tent sites as well as RV hookups. A free option for RVs can be found at the Three Rivers Casino, where a free membership includes a night’s stay in the parking lot, with additional nights being earned easily from playing the slots with that free sign-up money!

Hotels

Driftwood Shores and other resorts just north of Florence are perfect for a night in plush comfort at the end of a fun trip down Oregon’s coast. Most of these places have immediate beach access and the sands are far less busy than most areas, making for a relaxing stroll between meals.

Have you ever traveled the Oregon Coast? Are there any places that we missed? We love hearing from you in the comments below!
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