Top Things to do in Oregon Coast
Top Hotels in Oregon Coast
- 1. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Seaside-Convention Center, an IHG Hotel
- 2. Hallmark Resort
- 3. Inn at Cannon Beach
- 4. Bandon Inn
- 5. The Whaler
- 6. Salishan Coastal Lodge
- 7. Best Western Salbasgeon Inn & Suites of Reedsport
- 8. Starfish Manor Oceanfront Hotel
- 9. Beachfront Manor Hotel
- 10. The Coho Oceanfront Lodge
The 10 Best Outdoor Activities in Oregon Coast, Oregon Coast
The Southern Oregon coast is home to isolated beaches, rugged cliffs with breathtaking views of the Pacific and quaint seaside towns. If you stay in the Bay Area, go whale watching at Coos Bay or explore the region on a bike or a hike along the coastline. Antique shoppers will want to explore old town Bandon while golfers hit the links at the world-renowned Bandon Dunes golf course. And don’t forget to bring your fishing gear – you’ll want to cast for salmon and other Pacific Northwest fish at Gold Beach, one of the region’s top fishing spots.
The Central Oregon Coast is a great place for fishing, clamming, hiking, golfing and other outdoor activities. Take the kids and visit the Sea Lion Caves near Florence, the world’s largest. Head up to Newport for a view of the state’s second-tallest lighthouse and shopping in this seaside town popular with vacationers for the last century. Go fly a kite on the beach in Lincoln City, kite capital of the world.
The Northern Oregon Coast offers a relaxing way to enjoy the region. A stay in the scenic town of Astoria on the Washington border will allow you to explore the western edge of the Lewis and Clark trail, with views of the Columbia River and the Pacific. Walk the sandy beaches in Seaside and Cannon Beach and then grab saltwater taffy and other treats while shopping these seaside towns.
Restaurants in Oregon Coast
1. Haystack Rock
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,201 reviews
Haystack Rock is a unique 235 feet monolith that attracts wildlife and tourists alike and is part of the Oregon Coast’s geological history, formed millions of year ago by lava flows that created many of the dramatic capes and headlands along the coast. Haystack Rock is protected under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a seabird nesting colony and it is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and is a State protected Marine Garden. The Rock is home to nesting seabirds in the summer and marine invertebrates all year. Tidepool seekers are beckoned by its wonders every day. The Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) is a stewardship and environmental educational program whose mission is to protect, through education, the intertidal and bird ecology of the Marine Garden and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge at Haystack Rock. HRAP offers an extensive interpretive program on the beach during the spring and summer months around low tide.
Reviewed By CreateCourageAdvent - Salem, United States
Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach is a huge Oregon Coast attraction. At 235 feet tall, this basalt beauty is one of the best-known symbols of the Oregon Coast in general and an image you see on every Oregon Coast Travel Blog out there (including this one!) At low tide you can explore vast tidepools and walk all the way to the rock itself. Tufted Puffins, Bald Eagles, Brown Pelicans, Common Murres, and many other birds are abundantly present on and around Haystack Rock depending on the season making this location a Pacific Northwest birdwatchers dream come true.
2. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,161 reviews
Reviewed By YvonneP1979
My family and I are lucky enough to call this area home! Cape Perpetua is a regular stop for family or solo day trips. This area is majestic to say the least and there is so much to explore in just a few miles. Go to the top and view the most Amazing view from the historic look out or hike down to a giant spruce tree through a magical forest, check out the Spouting Horn on high tide or venture down to Thors Well on a low tide (high tide can be very dangerous to get close)! Walk along the trails and stand in awe of the Native American shell Middens leftover from hundreds of years of gathering from the ocean!
3. Lone Ranch Beach
4. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 237 reviews
Reviewed By TomBrody - Berkeley, United States
BOARDMAN CORRIDOR is located about 6 miles north of Harris Beach and about 10 miles south of Gold Beach. Harris Beach seems to be the starfish capital of the world, and the tourist will find plenty of photo-opportunities to pose near a pink-colored starfish. Gold Beach is a charming seaside community, where (depending on the restaurant) you can find excellent clam chowder and excellent oyster chowder and where, if you are lucky, you can see whales from your motel room balcony. The Boardman Corridor is free of any commercialization and, in this way, it is like the equally legendary and scenic segment of Route 1 that takes you through Salt Point State Park in northern California. Secret Beach is announced by a tiny sign located near a dirt turnout by Route 1. Secret Beach is abundantly photogenic, and the visitor might be under the impression that he or she has been magically converted into a dab of ink, and reincarnated as a component of a picture postcard. Yes, Secret Beach has picture postcard written all over it. A narrow trail takes you from the dirt turnout, past a few scenic spots, and ultimately to the beach itself. The entire trail can be walked in about 20 minutes. Children should be kept at close hand, because there are some spots along the trail where they might be tempted to go out and explore on their own, and by accident tumble down a steep embankment. Also, visitors need to be very aware of whether the tide is rising, since being trapped between the rising tide and a cliff would be a real bummer. Actually, I would prefer to let my photographs (attached) do all of the talking. Photogenic features of Secret Beach include clusters of mussels attached to boulders, many seastacks both near and far, and sea arches.
5. Manzanita Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 282 reviews
Reviewed By R5440352 - Seattle, United States
this is a great beach to walk. From the north end, which runs into the side of Neahkahnie Mountain, to the south end, which runs into the mouth of the Nehalem River, it is about 7 miles, so there is always plenty of room.
6. Oregon Route 38
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By J8600HOmikeb - Coos Bay, United States
Everything you read about this ride that is wonderful is true. One warning. Just before you go across Scottsburg bridge, the road is very narrow especially on the east side. Time your going into the corner when there are no big trucks, motorhomes or big trailers sharing it with you. The new bridge should be finished by the end of 2021. Stop at Dean Creek Elk Durelk season is when you see the most elk. Wonder why, Lol.
7. Bandon State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By babydoctoral - Parkland, United States
Bandon State Park was a very peaceful place to spend a morning. The sea stacks of Devil's Kitchen were especially interesting from a photographic perspective, and I found myself truly enjoying wandering along the beach with my camera. If you are in the area, Bandon Beach State Park is definitely worth a visit.
8. Short Sands Beach
9. Circles in the Sand
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 28 reviews
Circles in the Sand creates walkable art on the beach in Bandon, Oregon. Public schedule is year round with the Summer Season being May through September (check website for dates and times). Labyrinth artist Denny Dyke creates his Dreamfield Labyrinth with a single path meandering through the entire pattern with no wrong turns or dead ends. There is no charge to attend an event and the path is kid and pet friendly.
Reviewed By teetravels18 - Wilsonville, United States
A secret gem of an activity in the quaint little town of Bandon Oregon. An all volunteer team, under the direction of a fantastic man named Denny. They create a labyrinth to walk through (about a half mile) in the sand at low tide among the most beautiful setting on the southern Oregon Coast. Get there early to watch them create and explore the caves and tide pools around. If you want to volunteer to help rake, you can sign up on their website: sandypathbandon.com or on their FB page. It truly is amazing and a wonderful experience. We stayed in old town at the Bandon Inn. Get a top room for a better view and you won’t hear others above you. Another fantastic activity is crabbing off the pier. Rent everything from Tony’s Crab Shack. Then have them clean & cook the delicious crab and eat them right there feet away from catching them. It’s quite the experience.
10. Cobble Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By gwallace87 - South Beloit, United States
Absolutely fascinating to experience a beach of cobble stones. Make sure to go during low tide so you can hear the waves as they move across the cobble stones almost singing. Additionally, you will likely see many sea lions sunning as well as the birds that inhabit the area.
