{"id":233818,"date":"2021-07-08T08:00:03","date_gmt":"2021-07-08T12:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=233818"},"modified":"2024-10-08T09:56:10","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T13:56:10","slug":"things-to-see-do-oregon-coast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/things-to-see-do-oregon-coast\/","title":{"rendered":"The 13 Best Things to See & Do on the Oregon Coast"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/p>\n

Foggy, seeming perpetually damp, vibrantly green, and filled with tiny fishing villages, Oregon\u2019s coast reminds me a lot of my home region of New England<\/a>. Not so much weather-wise \u2014 New England isn’t as damp \u2014 but they both have a similar spirit. Here, like there, seafood is king, the towns are tiny and tight-knit, and the people are hardy and welcoming. <\/p>\n

Having driven this part of the Pacific coast twice now, I can confidently say that this stretch of road is one of the most scenic in the country. While the distance from Astoria in the north to Brookings in the south looks vast on a map, it\u2019s not: you can actually drive along the region\u2019s spine, Route 101, from end to end in a day. <\/p>\n

But why would you want to do that? <\/p>\n

It\u2019s far better to drive for a few hours, stop to eat and enjoy the surroundings, then hop to another area the following day (or two). While you could spend lots of time here, I think a week would give you enough time to see the main sights and explore the area\u2019s abundant nature.<\/p>\n

During my drive down the coast<\/a>, I bounced from town to town, consuming my weight in oysters and other tasty seafood while basking in the peace and tranquility of the coastal towns. <\/p>\n

If you find yourself on this stretch of coast, wondering what to do and where to eat, here is my list of the best things to do on the Oregon coast:<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

1. Hike the Oregon Coast Trail<\/h3>\n

\"A
\nThis 425-mile (684-kilometer) trail stretches down the Oregon coast. It\u2019s relatively easy, with some moderate sections, and almost 40% of it is along the beach. It takes around a month to hike the entire trail, but it\u2019s divided into 10 sections to better facilitate shorter hikes if you just want to get out for a day.<\/p>\n

You can jump on the trail pretty much anywhere you want for day hikes, such as Arch Cape to Oswald West State Park (4.1 miles), Yachats to Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint (3.8 miles), and Sunset Bay State Park to Cape Arago State Park (2.3 miles).
\n <\/p>\n

2. Eat your weight in oysters<\/h3>\n

\"A
\nI\u2019ve grown to love oysters over the years. Their plump and juicy bodies, sweet taste, and creamy texture. I love that they take the taste of the water around them so no two oysters from different regions of the world are quite the same. And, thankfully, the friend I road-tripped with also loves oysters. We ate about four dozen every day. The oysters here are rich, sweet, and meaty \u2014 and they\u2019re sold everywhere so you won\u2019t need to look far to find them. <\/p>\n

My favorite spots were Shucker\u2019s Oyster Bar (Lincoln City), Oregon Oyster Farm (Newport), Mo\u2019s Seafood & Chowder (Newport), and Clausen Oysters (North Bend). You can get a half dozen for around $15 USD, though if you go to the oyster farms, they are cheaper.
\n <\/p>\n

3. Explore Fort Stevens State Park<\/h3>\n

Located north of Thor\u2019s Well (see below) at the very northwestern tip of Oregon, Fort Stevens was a military base that guarded the Columbia River. The fort was in service from the Civil War to World War II, eventually being converted into a massive 4,300-acre park, where you can tour the remaining gun batteries and underground tunnels, hike, rent bikes, go boating, and camp. There is also a cool shipwreck on the beach. The Peter Iredale<\/em> ran aground here in 1906, and while the ship was mostly stripped for scrap, its hull remains and makes for some great photos. <\/p>\n

Admission to the park is $5 USD per vehicle and camping costs $24 USD per night for a basic tent plot (they also have yurts for $54 USD and deluxe cabins for rent for $98 USD).
\n <\/p>\n

4. Climb the dunes at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nThis sprawling sea of windswept sand dunes spans over 7,000 acres and 40 miles (64 kilometers) between Florence and Coos Bay. It’s the largest such expanse in North America. The dunes range in age from 7,000 to over 100,000 years old. They were formed as the nearby mountains eroded and washed downriver, only to be blown back ashore by coastal winds. The area even partially inspired Frank Herbert to write his sci-fi classic Dune<\/em>.<\/p>\n

You can hike the dunes or go off-roading, and there are also places to camp, fish, and kayak nearby. Dune buggy rentals start at $129-189 USD per hour, while kayaks cost $45 USD per day ($65-75 USD for a double kayak).
\n <\/p>\n

5. Check out Thor\u2019s Well<\/h3>\n

\"Thor's
\nThis coastal sinkhole near Cape Perpetua makes for a neat place to stop. Known as the Drainpipe of the Pacific, Thor\u2019s Well is a large natural sinkhole embedded in the rugged rocky coast that looks especially cool during high tide or stormy weather. While it can be dangerous to get too close (it\u2019s very easy to get swept away into the water or rocks), you\u2019ll nevertheless see tons of tourists posing for pictures near the well. You won\u2019t need more than ten or fifteen minutes here.
\n <\/p>\n

6. Drive the Three Capes Scenic Route<\/h3>\n

This 40-mile (65 kilometer) route stretches along the northern section of the coast from Tillamook to Pacific City. Named after Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda, this route offers ample opportunities to enjoy sweeping panoramas of the coast. You\u2019ll pass through small towns and dense forests, with plenty of chances to stop for photos, beach walks, or a picnic. If you\u2019re visiting from March through June, keep an eye out for migrating whales.
\n <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

7. Relax at Cannon Beach<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nThis iconic beach is tucked away in the northwest of the state. It\u2019s long and sandy and is best known for the photogenic Haystack Rock, which is a giant rock jutting out of the ocean just offshore. There are plenty of tide pools and places to picnic here, and the town itself (also called Cannon Beach) is full of all kinds of caf\u00e9s and artisanal shops. You can stop just snap a photo or spend a few hours relaxing and enjoy the view.
\n <\/p>\n

8. See the sea lion caves<\/h3>\n

\"Sea
\nJust 15 minutes south of Thor\u2019s Well on Route 101, this privately owned wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary is home to around 200 sea lions. You can walk (or take a short elevator ride) down to an observation platform, where you can see them up close as they lounge around on rocks. Be sure to go when the sea lions are in season or you won\u2019t see many. You only need 30-60 minutes here. It\u2019s an especially good place to stop if you\u2019re traveling with kids. Admission is $18 USD.
\n <\/p>\n

9. Dive into all the seafood<\/h3>\n

Oregon is known for its delicious (and abundant) seafood. From wild salmon to oysters to clams to halibut to albacore and shrimp, you can find some of the freshest seafood in the country here. Most of what you\u2019ll eat was caught that day by a local fisherman. There\u2019s an endless supply of restaurants to choose from, from hole-in-the-wall dives to fancy, high-end establishments. I mean, eating fresh seafood is one of the main reasons people come to this part of the country! <\/p>\n

My favorites are Local Ocean Seafoods and Mo\u2019s Seafood & Chowder (both in Newport), Waterfront Depot Restaurant (Florence), Tony\u2019s Crab Shack (Bandon), and Barnacle Bistro (Gold Beach).
\n <\/p>\n

10. Hit the beach<\/h3>\n

\"A
\nThere are plenty of picturesque beaches in Oregon other than the famous Cannon Beach. The coast is pretty windy and the water rough so \u201cbeach season\u201d has a pretty short window. But, if you are looking for some beaches, other ones I liked include: <\/p>\n