Things to do in Oregon Coast, Oregon Coast: The Best Sights & Landmarks

August 21, 2021 Deane Carmody

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. Yachats coastline

241 Highway 101 N, Yachats, OR 97498-9559 +1 541-547-3530 [email protected] http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/siuslaw/recarea/
Excellent
89%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 804 reviews

Yachats coastline

Reviewed By R5216ESlindac - Grants Pass, United States

We keep coming back to Yachats for its wild coastline. You will find a lot of wild, rocky sections, sea stacks, peninsulas for whale watching, and places where the surf blasts up through a blow hole or a cauldron formed by water and rock. Keep your camera handy! Also, the beaches have plenty of agates and other small stones to find, moreso than sea shells. I always take along a bag for my agate treasures. There are tide pools to explore at low tide. And sometimes, a local from Yachats will draw a large maze or walking labyrinth in the low tide beach where the Yachats River empties into the sea. Access is from the south shore of the river. Along the viewpoints and the 804 trail, we've seen gray whales feeding close to shore in July and spouting as they migrate or feed at any time of year. A favorite trail is the Amanda Trail south of Yachats. Stop by the Cape Perpetua Interpretive Center or get a copy of Day Hikes - Oregon Coast by Bonnie Henderson to find this historic trail.

2. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

2400 Highway 101 N, Yachats, OR 97498-9424 +1 541-547-3289 http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/siuslaw/recarea/?recid=42265
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,161 reviews

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

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. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

Highway 101, Brookings, OR 97415 +1 800-551-6949 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_77.php
Excellent
84%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
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5.0 based on 237 reviews

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

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.

4. Our Saviour's Lutheran Church

320 1st Ave, Seaside, OR 97138-5908 +1 503-738-6791 [email protected] http://www.oslc-seaside.org/
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Our Saviour's Lutheran Church

5. Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Seaside

120 Oceanway St, Seaside, OR 97138-5820 +1 503-738-6161 http://www.ourladyofvictoryseaside.org
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Seaside

6. Astoria Column

1 Coxcomb Drive, Astoria, OR 97103 +1 503-325-2963 http://astoriacolumn.org/
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,617 reviews

Astoria Column

A 125-foot column which sits atop of Coxcomb Hill overlooking Astoria.

Reviewed By mgobludrew - Warrenton, United States

this a must do when your in Astoria great view of the whole area bring your camera especially around sunset breath taking also climb the 160 something stairs good family fun cheap too

7. Peter Iredale Ship Wreck

Peter Iredale Rd, Warrenton, OR 97121 https://oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/historical-records/the-wreck-of-the-peter-iredale/#.XNvpLxRKgdU
Excellent
51%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
1%
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4.5 based on 209 reviews

Peter Iredale Ship Wreck

A schooner which was shipwrecked in 1906.

Reviewed By conic360 - Burlington, United States

It's a little of a climb over & down the sand dunes but then just a short walk to the shipwreck. If you prefer, there is an overlook from the parking lot. The beach is wild and beautiful. When we were there, we had it practically to ourselves. This site is part of Fort Stevens State Park which has camping, trails for walking/cycling, historic areas, a disc golf course and a lake to swim in. The weather can be quite nasty so come prepared. We lucked out with calm winds and sunshine.

8. Fort Clatsop National Memorial

92343 Fort Clatsop Rd, Astoria, OR 97103-8701 +1 503-861-2471 http://www.nps.gov/lewi/planyourvisit/fortclatsop.htm
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
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4.5 based on 850 reviews

Fort Clatsop National Memorial

A replica of Lewis & Clark's original fort built during their expedition in 1805.

Reviewed By DavidWG5001

We really enjoyed the Fort Clatsop National Memorial, it gave us a great Lewis & Clark History experience, with well planned displays, exhibits and presentations. You really walk away a bit in wonder at the rigors of their expedition.

9. Hatfield Marine Science Center

2030 SE Marine Science Dr, Newport, OR 97365-5296 +1 541-867-0100 [email protected] http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/
Excellent
69%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
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1%
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4.5 based on 697 reviews

Hatfield Marine Science Center

A series of informative exhibits at the Hatfield Marine Science Center gives visitors a glimpse of hot topics in contemporary marine science research.

Reviewed By travelgirlmel - Hillsboro, United States

Learned a lot fun! Great for people of all ages and is free which is a nice bonus they do ask for donations which makes sense

10. Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

North End of Yaquina Bay, Newport, OR 97365-1347 +1 541-265-5679 http://www.yaquinalights.org/about-yaquina-bay-lighthouse
Excellent
61%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
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4.5 based on 1,210 reviews

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

Nineteenth-century lighthouse is one of a few on the Pacific coast that was built with the light-keeper's quarters in the same building.

Reviewed By JimHNewport_Oregon - Port Ludlow, United States

The best educational lighthouse on the Oregon coast....Bring the kiddos...they'll learn a bunch....and you'll be surprised at how well this is presented...the "man-made" tide pools a bit of a disappointment....an example of why you should not try to duplicate Mother Nature>

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