10 Oregon Coastal Towns Locals Say Attract Many Tourists

Oregon’s coastline stretches for 363 miles along the Pacific Ocean, offering some of the most stunning scenery in the country.

Charming coastal towns dot this rugged landscape, each with its own personality and appeal.

Locals have noticed that certain towns draw crowds year after year, thanks to their unique attractions, natural beauty, and welcoming atmosphere.

Whether you’re seeking dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, or quaint downtown streets filled with galleries and cafes, these popular destinations deliver unforgettable experiences that keep visitors coming back for more.

1. Cannon Beach

Haystack Rock towers 235 feet above the sand, creating one of the most photographed scenes on the entire West Coast.

This massive sea stack serves as a nesting site for puffins during spring and summer, drawing bird watchers and nature lovers from across the globe.

Tide pools surrounding the rock reveal colorful sea stars, anemones, and hermit crabs during low tide.

Downtown Cannon Beach features art galleries showcasing local painters, sculptors, and photographers whose work captures the coastal spirit.

Boutique shops line the main street, offering everything from handmade jewelry to cozy beach apparel perfect for foggy mornings.

Restaurants serve fresh seafood caught just offshore, including Dungeness crab and wild salmon prepared with Pacific Northwest flair.

The town maintains a strict building code that keeps chain stores out and preserves its charming village atmosphere.

Visitors often spend hours wandering the beach, watching waves crash against offshore rocks while seagulls circle overhead.

Summer brings the Sandcastle Contest, where artists create elaborate sculptures that transform the beach into an outdoor gallery.

Families return year after year, making Cannon Beach a tradition passed down through generations.

Nearby Ecola State Park offers hiking trails with panoramic ocean views that take your breath away.

The town gets crowded during peak season, but early mornings provide peaceful moments before the crowds arrive.

Local lodging ranges from cozy cottages to upscale resorts, all within walking distance of the shore.

Sunset paints the sky in shades of orange and pink, reflecting off wet sand and creating magical photo opportunities.

2. Newport

Sea lions bark loudly from the docks along the historic bayfront, entertaining crowds who gather to watch their playful antics.

These marine mammals have claimed the wooden piers as their territory, lounging in the sun and occasionally splashing into the water.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium sits just across Yaquina Bay, housing everything from sea otters to jellyfish in carefully designed habitats.

Visitors can walk through underwater tunnels surrounded by sharks, rays, and schools of fish swimming overhead.

Newport’s working waterfront remains active with commercial fishing boats unloading their daily catches of tuna, halibut, and crab.

Seafood markets sell fresh fish directly to customers, and nearby restaurants prepare it within hours of being caught.

The Yaquina Head Lighthouse stands tall on a rocky promontory north of town, its white tower visible for miles.

Guided tours take visitors up the spiral staircase to the top, where views stretch endlessly across the Pacific.

Downtown Newport features antique shops, candy stores, and cafes serving clam chowder that locals swear is the best on the coast.

Nye Beach, a historic neighborhood west of the highway, offers a more bohemian vibe with art galleries and quirky shops.

The area’s long stretch of sand attracts kite flyers, beachcombers, and sunset watchers throughout the year.

Summer festivals celebrate everything from seafood to craft beer, drawing thousands to this central Oregon coastal hub.

Hotels and vacation rentals fill quickly during peak months, so advance planning helps secure the best spots.

Newport’s combination of natural wonders and maritime culture keeps it high on every traveler’s list.

3. Seaside

A concrete promenade stretches along the beach for nearly two miles, providing a perfect path for morning jogs, evening strolls, and people watching.

Families ride rented bikes with colorful canopies, cruising past beachgoers building sandcastles and flying kites in the steady breeze.

Seaside has been a vacation destination since the late 1800s, making it one of Oregon’s oldest resort towns.

The turnaround at the end of Broadway serves as a gathering spot where visitors pose for photos and watch waves roll in.

Arcades line the main street, their flashing lights and ringing bells creating a nostalgic carnival atmosphere that kids adore.

Saltwater taffy shops tempt passersby with windows full of brightly colored candies being stretched and twisted by machines.

Restaurants serve everything from fish and chips to gourmet burgers, with outdoor patios offering ocean views.

The Seaside Aquarium, one of the oldest on the West Coast, lets visitors feed harbor seals that bob and splash for attention.

Bumper cars, go-karts, and miniature golf courses provide entertainment when beach weather turns gray and drizzly.

Hotels range from budget-friendly motels to beachfront resorts with pools and hot tubs overlooking the water.

Summer weekends bring huge crowds, transforming the town into a bustling hub of activity and excitement.

Nearby trails lead into Tillamook State Forest, where hikers can escape the beach scene and explore lush coastal mountains.

Seaside embraces its role as a classic beach town, offering simple pleasures that appeal to families seeking unpretentious fun.

The combination of sandy shores, amusement attractions, and easy access makes it a perennial favorite.

4. Astoria

Victorian homes painted in bright colors climb the hillsides above the Columbia River, creating a picturesque backdrop that feels like stepping back in time.

Astoria served as the first permanent American settlement west of the Rockies, and its rich history permeates every street corner.

The Astoria Column rises 125 feet above Coxcomb Hill, offering 360-degree views after climbing 164 steps to the top.

Visitors can purchase small wooden gliders in the gift shop and toss them from the observation deck, watching them soar over the treetops.

Downtown’s historic buildings now house breweries, coffee roasters, bookstores, and restaurants serving everything from Thai food to Italian cuisine.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum showcases the region’s seafaring heritage with exhibits on fishing, shipwrecks, and Coast Guard rescues.

Walking tours guide visitors past locations featured in classic films shot here, including the house from a beloved 1980s adventure movie.

The Riverwalk Trail follows the waterfront for several miles, passing fishing piers, boat launches, and public art installations.

Cargo ships and cruise vessels glide past on the river, heading to or from Portland through one of the world’s most dangerous bar crossings.

Antique shops overflow with treasures salvaged from old homes and estates throughout the region.

Coffee shops and bakeries provide cozy spots to warm up on foggy mornings when mist rolls in from the Pacific.

Astoria’s thriving arts scene includes galleries, theaters, and festivals celebrating local creativity and culture.

The town attracts history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone seeking authentic small-town charm with stunning natural surroundings.

Its location where the river meets the ocean creates a unique atmosphere found nowhere else in Oregon.

5. Lincoln City

Kites of every imaginable shape and color fill the sky above the beach, from simple diamonds to elaborate dragons and octopuses.

Lincoln City hosts international kite festivals twice a year, transforming the shoreline into a spectacular aerial display.

Seven miles of sandy beach provide ample space for walking, running, beachcombing, and watching the waves.

Glass floats hidden along the beach between October and May create a treasure hunt that delights visitors of all ages.

Local artists create these colorful glass orbs, and finding one means you get to keep it as a special souvenir.

Outlet stores draw shoppers looking for deals on clothing, housewares, and outdoor gear from popular brands.

The historic Taft District features galleries showcasing blown glass art, paintings, and handcrafted furniture made by local artisans.

Restaurants serve clam chowder in bread bowls, fish tacos, and marionberry pie that captures the essence of Oregon cuisine.

Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers birdwatching opportunities where herons, egrets, and eagles hunt in shallow waters.

The D River, once listed in record books as the world’s shortest river, connects Devils Lake to the Pacific Ocean.

Visitors can rent kayaks and paddleboards to explore the calm waters of the lake, surrounded by forested hills.

Hotels and vacation rentals line the highway, offering ocean views and easy beach access for families and couples.

Casinos provide evening entertainment with slot machines, table games, and live performances by touring musicians.

Lincoln City combines natural beauty with modern amenities, making it a convenient base for exploring the central coast.

The town’s popularity means summer crowds, but spring and fall offer quieter visits with equally stunning scenery.

6. Florence

Towering sand dunes rise hundreds of feet above sea level, creating a desert-like landscape that seems completely out of place on the Oregon coast.

The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area stretches for 40 miles, offering opportunities for hiking, sandboarding, and off-road vehicle adventures.

Visitors climb the massive dunes for panoramic views of forests, ocean, and endless waves of sand sculpted by wind.

Old Town Florence sits along the Siuslaw River, its historic buildings now filled with shops, galleries, and restaurants.

The Siuslaw River Bridge, built in 1936, showcases beautiful Art Deco design with elegant arches spanning the water.

Fishing boats and pleasure craft motor under the bridge, heading out to sea or returning with their catches.

Sea Lion Caves, located north of town, contains a massive cavern where hundreds of sea lions gather during fall and winter.

Visitors descend in an elevator carved through rock to reach the cave floor, where the sounds and smells are overwhelming.

Heceta Head Lighthouse, perched on a cliff nearby, ranks among the most photographed lighthouses in America.

The keeper’s house now operates as a bed and breakfast, offering overnight stays in a spectacularly scenic location.

Florence’s rhododendron festival in May celebrates the flowering shrubs that bloom throughout the region in vibrant shades of pink and purple.

Fresh seafood restaurants serve Dungeness crab, oysters, and salmon prepared with local ingredients and creative flair.

The combination of dunes, river, ocean, and forest creates diverse recreational opportunities within minutes of downtown.

Campgrounds and RV parks fill with travelers exploring this unique section of the Oregon coast throughout summer months.

Florence offers a perfect blend of natural wonders and small-town hospitality that keeps visitors returning year after year.

7. Bandon

Dramatic rock formations jut from the ocean like ancient sculptures, creating one of the most photographed stretches of coastline in the entire state.

Face Rock, the most famous formation, resembles a woman’s profile gazing up at the sky, inspiring legends told by indigenous peoples for generations.

Photographers arrive before dawn to capture sunrise light painting the rocks in shades of gold and pink.

The beach stretches for miles, scattered with driftwood, tide pools, and countless smaller rock formations that change with the tides.

Old Town Bandon rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1936, now features art galleries, gift shops, and seafood restaurants overlooking the harbor.

Cranberry bogs surround the town, and fall harvests flood the fields with water, creating vivid red carpets visible from the highway.

The Bandon Dunes Golf Resort attracts golfers from around the world to play courses designed to mimic Scottish links.

Even non-golfers appreciate the stunning coastal views and walking trails that wind through the resort property.

Cheese factories offer tastings of artisan cheeses made from local dairy farms, paired with Oregon wines and local jams.

The Coquille River Lighthouse sits at the mouth of the river, accessible by a short walk across jetty rocks.

Storm watching becomes a popular winter activity when massive waves crash against the rocks with thunderous force.

Wildlife refuges nearby provide habitat for migrating birds, seals, and sea lions that rest on offshore rocks.

Bandon’s combination of natural beauty and artistic community creates a relaxed atmosphere that appeals to couples and photographers.

Summer brings steady crowds, but the town never feels overcrowded thanks to its spread-out layout and numerous beach access points.

Visitors often describe Bandon as the most beautiful coastal town they’ve discovered in Oregon.

8. Depoe Bay

Gray whales pass close to shore during their annual migration, making Depoe Bay one of the best places on the coast for whale watching.

Resident whales stay in the area year-round, feeding in the rich waters just beyond the harbor entrance.

The Whale Watching Center, operated by trained volunteers, helps visitors spot spouts and flukes from the seawall.

Charter boats offer close-up encounters, taking small groups out to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

The harbor entrance measures only 50 feet wide, earning Depoe Bay the title of world’s smallest navigable harbor.

Skilled captains navigate the narrow channel with precision, timing their passage with the waves to avoid scraping the rocky walls.

The Spouting Horn, a natural blowhole in the rocks, shoots seawater high into the air when waves hit just right.

Visitors gather along the seawall to watch and wait for the dramatic sprays that can reach 60 feet high.

Restaurants with ocean-view windows serve fresh seafood while diners watch for whale spouts between bites.

Gift shops sell whale-themed souvenirs, from stuffed animals to artwork created by local painters and craftspeople.

Rocky shores on either side of town offer tide pooling opportunities where colorful sea life clings to rocks.

State parks north and south provide hiking trails with clifftop views that stretch for miles along the rugged coastline.

Depoe Bay’s small size means it can feel crowded during peak whale watching season, but the experience is worth the crowds.

Many visitors make it a quick stop while driving the coast, but those who linger discover its unique charm and natural wonders.

The town’s focus on marine life and ocean access makes it essential for anyone passionate about whales and coastal ecosystems.

9. Brookings

Mild weather year-round earns Brookings the nickname of Oregon’s pulse, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing even in winter.

Azaleas bloom as early as February, splashing the town with vibrant colors when most of the coast remains dormant.

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor stretches north of town, showcasing 12 miles of the most dramatic coastal scenery imaginable.

Natural bridges, secret beaches, and clifftop viewpoints appear around every curve of Highway 101 through this protected area.

Hiking trails descend from parking areas to hidden coves where driftwood piles against rocks and waves crash with mesmerizing rhythm.

Arch Rock, Thunder Rock Cove, and Natural Bridges are just a few of the named viewpoints that stop traffic throughout the day.

Photographers spend hours waiting for perfect light, capturing images that could grace any travel magazine cover.

Downtown Brookings offers a mix of practical shops serving locals and tourist-oriented boutiques selling coastal gifts.

The Chetco River flows through town, popular with salmon and steelhead anglers who wade its clear waters.

Harris Beach State Park sits just north of downtown, featuring tide pools, sea stacks, and camping facilities.

Bird Island, visible from the beach, hosts nesting seabirds protected from human disturbance.

Brookings’ southern location near the California border makes it a convenient first or last stop for coast travelers.

The combination of mild climate, stunning scenery, and relaxed pace attracts retirees and visitors seeking escape from harsher weather elsewhere.

Summer brings steady tourist traffic, but the town handles crowds well with adequate parking and beach access points.

Many consider this stretch of coast Oregon’s best-kept secret, though word continues to spread about its exceptional beauty.

10. Yachats

Rocky shores dominate the coastline here, creating endless tide pools filled with colorful sea stars, anemones, and darting fish.

The 804 Trail winds along the coastline for several miles, offering level walking with constant ocean views and beach access.

Spouting horns and blowholes pepper the rocky shore, creating natural fountains when waves surge through underground channels.

Cape Perpetua rises 800 feet above the ocean just south of town, providing the highest viewpoint on the Oregon coast.

Hiking trails through old-growth forests lead to viewpoints where visitors can see 40 miles of coastline on clear days.

The Civilian Conservation Corps built stone shelters at various viewpoints during the 1930s, and they still provide wind protection today.

Thor’s Well, a seemingly bottomless hole in the rocks, appears to drain the ocean during high tide and large swells.

Photographers gather at dawn and dusk to capture this natural phenomenon, though caution is essential near the slippery rocks.

Downtown Yachats consists of just a few blocks, but they’re packed with galleries, bookstores, and restaurants emphasizing local ingredients.

The town embraces environmental consciousness, with many businesses focusing on sustainability and ocean conservation.

Smelt Sands State Recreation Site offers easy beach access right in town, perfect for sunset walks and tide pooling.

Gray whales pass close to shore during migration, and resident whales feed in nearby waters throughout summer.

Yachats attracts visitors seeking a quieter, more contemplative coastal experience focused on nature rather than amusement.

Vacation rentals and small inns provide accommodation, though advance booking is essential during summer and holiday weekends.

The combination of dramatic geology, accessible trails, and artistic community makes Yachats a favorite among those who’ve discovered its charms.