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
What to do and see in Oregon Coast, Oregon Coast: The Best Nature & Parks
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. Shore Acres State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 816 reviews
The park has created a "garden for all seasons" and an observation building which offers spectacular views of seascapes and migrating whales.
Reviewed By 928brendaz
I went to see the sunset at Shore acres and experienced a bonus of a spectacular Christmas light display. So glad I stumbled into it.
2. 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.
3. Oswald West State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 343 reviews
Scenic state park encompassing nearly 2,500 acres of mostly undeveloped land, which is ideal for a variety of outdoor recreation including surfing, kayaking, bird watching, hiking and camping.
Reviewed By wohdonkey - Newark, United States
We stopped here along Highway 101 on our way to Cannon Beach. You can get some great photos from the scenic lookout. We also went to the Devil’s Cauldron which was really worth seeing and just a short hike to get to.
4. Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 774 reviews
This scenic coastal spot features a large rock with face-like features.
Reviewed By babydoctoral - Parkland, United States
Face Rock State Park has a myriad of beautiful sea stacks that make for exceptional photography in the right lighting conditions. Face Rock itself is not all that interesting on its own, but the large number of beautiful sea stacks are simply terrific. Definitely worth a stop if you are near Bandon Beach,
5. Ecola State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,827 reviews
Reviewed By TrailsExplorer
This is a wonderful area to get a taste of the Oregon Coast with some great mountain hikes to view from above and beach hikes to observe the sea stacks.
6. Cape Arago State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 344 reviews
Reviewed By OregonTopaz
This park takes awhile to reveal its treasures. The views are spectacular, often times with whales spouting. Above the south cove there is a plaque commemorating Sir Francis Drake's presence in the area. There is also excellent tidepooling at low tide in the south cove. The north cove can at times offer up close views of barking sea lions. Further on that trail, when not closed due to seal pups, there are excellent sea level views of the sandy island where many sea lions congregate. The tide makes a difference in the coves, so check before visiting.
7. 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!
8. Hug Point State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 507 reviews
Reviewed By Brookecn - Denver, United States
Great stop while driving South on 101 from Cannon Beach. The tide was low so we got to walk out on the sand and checkout tide pools and see some anemones, and walk right up to a small waterfall on the beach.
9. Oregon Coast Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,738 reviews
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Newport, on the beautiful Oregon Coast. Our mission is to create unique and engaging experiences that connect you to the Oregon coast and inspire ocean conservation. The Aquarium is a living classroom for all learning styles and ages. As one of Oregon's top tourist attractions, the Aquarium is a vital educational resource for the state, with over 40,000 students visiting the Aquarium each year. The Aquarium strives to be a center of excellence for ocean literacy and plays an active role in conservation and animal rehabilitation efforts.
Reviewed By smashtown2012
Great Family Activity worth The 3hr Trip and Love the jelly fish tank and especially Love The Underwater Tunnels with The Sharks n Stingrays and School of Fish very very cool
10. Columbia River Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,769 reviews
The Columbia River Maritime Museum tells the dramatic and inspiring stories of a mighty river, a vast ocean, and the generations of people who have made their living plying the waters of the region. The Museum is home to the largest collection of maritime artifacts in the Pacific Northwest (over 20,000 pieces in all), as well as a 19,000+ volume research library and more than 30,000 photographs. In addition to permanent and rotating exhibits, the campus includes a lightship, 3D movie theater, gift shop and the Barbey Maritime Center. Classes, workshops, demonstrations, lectures and other educational programs are offered regularly.
Reviewed By C5865LBmaryl - Dodgeville, United States
The museum has so much to explore about the fishing industry, canneries, coast guard rescues, etc. the museum fee also includes touring the light ship Columbia. Spent nearly two hours.
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