Oregon’s Pacific coastline extends for 363 miles, most of which is accessible to the public thanks to the state’s landmark “Beach Bill.” This unique legislation ensures that scenic beaches, rugged capes, and historic towns remain open to all, making Highway 101 one of America’s most scenic drives.
As travelers wind southward from the Columbia River to the California border, they encounter a tapestry of environments and cultures, each distinctly Oregonian.
Here are ten stops along the route, arranged north to south. Each entry offers a blend of natural beauty, local history, and practical details, helping travelers create a memorable journey tailored to their interests.
1. Astoria
History whispers from every corner of Astoria, where the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean meet. The town’s story unfolds at the Columbia River Maritime Museum, illuminating the region’s shipping and fishing heritage with hands-on exhibits. For a sweeping perspective, visitors ascend the Astoria Column, winding up its mural-wrapped spiral staircase for panoramic views of the city, river, and forested coastline.
Local eateries serve fresh-caught seafood, and downtown’s Victorian architecture nods to 19th-century prosperity. Each June, the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival celebrates the area’s Nordic roots with music and traditional crafts.
Astoria’s port remains active, supporting both shipping and a lively fishing fleet. The waterfront trolley, restored from the early 1900s, adds a nostalgic touch as it trundles past busy piers and canneries.
2. Cannon Beach
Few images symbolize the Oregon coast quite like Haystack Rock, rising from Cannon Beach’s expansive sands. At low tide, colorful tidepools reveal starfish, sea anemones, and scuttling crabs, drawing nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. Children’s laughter echoes as families explore the beach or fly kites in the brisk coastal breeze.
Art lovers find inspiration in Cannon Beach’s galleries, where local artists showcase glasswork and paintings reflecting the region’s moods. The town’s cafes and bakeries offer a warm refuge from occasional mist, with fresh pastries and coffee fueling strolls through boutique-lined streets.
Annual events like the Sandcastle Contest bring a playful spirit, transforming the shoreline into a temporary sculpture garden. Cannon Beach balances natural beauty with a thriving creative scene, making it a favorite for return visits.
3. Tillamook
Most travelers know Tillamook for its cheese, but there is a quiet richness in the patchwork of farms and wetlands surrounding the town. The Tillamook Creamery’s visitor experience includes cheese tastings and a look into dairy production, attracting curious foodies and families year-round. Beyond dairy, the area’s estuaries and tidal flats provide important habitat for migratory birds, drawing birdwatchers with binoculars in hand.
Just west, Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint offers sweeping views from cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. The 1890s-era lighthouse, compact and photogenic, stands as a sentinel over the headlands.
As tides shift, harbor seals may be spotted basking on offshore rocks. For those interested in local history, the Tillamook Air Museum, housed in a WWII blimp hangar, adds another dimension to the region’s story.
4. Lincoln City
Kites dance above Lincoln City’s seven miles of accessible shoreline, a tradition celebrated during two annual kite festivals. Visitors of all ages try their hand at kite flying or scan the sand for the town’s famous hidden glass floats, hand-crafted by local artisans and placed for beachcombers to discover.
North of the city, Cascade Head Preserve beckons hikers with trails that climb through coastal grasslands and forest. From the summit, sweeping ocean vistas reward those willing to tackle the climb.
Lincoln City’s vibrant arts scene shines in studios where glassblowers work beside their furnaces. In the heart of town, the Lincoln City Cultural Center hosts exhibitions and concerts, providing a year-round cultural hub.
5. Newport
Newport weaves together maritime tradition and lively attractions. The scent of salt and fish mingles in the harbor, where commercial and charter boats prepare for daily journeys. Nearby, the Oregon Coast Aquarium introduces visitors to local marine life through walk-through tanks and interactive exhibits.
History buffs gravitate to Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Oregon’s tallest, which has guided ships since 1873. The rocky headland is also a popular spot for watching gray whales during migration seasons, especially in spring and winter.
Newport’s Historic Bayfront district features seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, and murals depicting local life. Harbor sea lions bark from docks, providing lively entertainment for passersby.
6. Florence and the Oregon Dunes
Adventure begins where the Siuslaw River meets sand and sky in Florence. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area stretches for nearly 40 miles, its wind-carved slopes offering playgrounds for both hikers and off-road enthusiasts. Guided dune buggy tours provide a thrilling way to explore shifting sands and discover hidden oases.
The art deco Siuslaw River Bridge creates a dramatic entrance to downtown, where shops and cafes cluster along quiet streets. In spring, pink rhododendrons bloom along hiking trails, adding color to the muted dune landscape.
Florence’s Old Town preserves the feel of a working coastal community, with galleries and seafood spots overlooking the river. Local artists often depict the dunes’ changing light and form in their work.
7. Coos Bay
Gardens bloom against a backdrop of crashing waves at Shore Acres State Park, just outside Coos Bay. Once the estate of a timber baron, the park’s formal gardens and Japanese lily pond offer a striking contrast to the ragged cliffs beyond. Winter visitors often gather at cliffside viewpoints to watch Pacific storms send waves soaring.
Coos Bay itself is the largest town on Oregon’s southern coast, with a harbor busy with shipping and fishing boats. The downtown area hosts seasonal markets and public art installations, reflecting the town’s ongoing evolution.
Nearby, Cape Arago State Park and the Cape Arago Lighthouse provide additional destinations for those seeking natural or historical sites.
8. Bandon
Legends come alive on Bandon’s beaches, especially at Face Rock, where sea stacks loom like characters in a coastal folktale. Sunset bathes the sand in golden hues, drawing photographers and evening walkers. The Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint provides an ideal spot for observing changing tides and weather patterns.
Inland, bright cranberry bogs color the landscape, especially during autumn harvest. Golfers are drawn to the challenging links at Bandon Dunes, a course consistently ranked among the nation’s best for its natural setting and ocean views.
Quaint downtown shops feature local chocolate and art inspired by the coast. Fishing boats and sea otters can sometimes be spotted offshore, adding to the area’s quiet appeal.
9. Port Orford
Port Orford has quietly stood at the edge of the continent since 1851. Cape Blanco Lighthouse, Oregon’s westernmost point, sits atop a grassy headland battered by wind and surf. Visitors can tour the historic lighthouse and walk cliff-edge trails for unobstructed ocean views.
The small harbor supports a fleet of fishing boats, many using unique dolly docks that lift vessels from water to land each day. Downtown, galleries and cafes showcase works by resident artists and offer a place to warm up after a breezy walk.
For history enthusiasts, the Port Orford Lifeboat Station Museum recounts tales of rescues and coastal life. Wildflowers bloom in spring, attracting photographers and nature lovers seeking quieter corners of the Oregon coast.
10. Brookings
Brookings basks in a milder climate at the southern tip of the Oregon coast, where ocean breezes and redwoods meet. Harris Beach State Park is known for its tidepools and offshore rock formations, providing habitat for sea stars and nesting shorebirds. During spring, wildflowers color the headlands, and visitors comb the sand for agates and driftwood.
Nearby, the Chetco River supports salmon runs and offers paddling opportunities for those wanting a change from saltwater. Brookings’ proximity to Oregon’s only redwoods draws hikers to shaded trails on the California border.
The harbor area features seafood restaurants and boat tours, making it a practical base for travelers exploring the region’s natural diversity. The southern stretch from Coos Bay to Brookings is also known as the Wild Rivers Coast, celebrated for whale watching, its year-round mild ‘banana belt’ climate, and a growing coastal food trail.
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