The Oregon Coast
OCEAN BEACHES, SCENIC DRIVES, AND GOOD FOOD.
The Oregon Coast has fantastic restaurants and breweries, epic seascapes, charming campgrounds, and tiny towns with eclectic boardwalks. If you choose to explore the coast, you’ll have endless opportunities for adventures. We recommend taking a week for this trip to check out everything your heart desires. You’ll start by driving south on I-5, stopping in Portland and Eugene to stock up on provisions. You’ll spend the rest of your week meandering slowly back up the coast along Highway 101.
Our itinerary suggests campgrounds, restaurants, hikes, scenic viewpoints, and more along the Oregon Coast. Please note that many Oregon State Parks along this coastal route offer wonderful campgrounds; we've suggested a few, but they’re all great options. You can continue this itinerary northward to make a loop around the Olympic Peninsula for a more extended trip.
Day 1: Seattle to Florence, OR (344 miles, 6 hours)
Make a quick stop at Macrina Bakery in SODO for sandwiches or pastries on your way out of town. Then begin heading south towards Portland.
We love stopping in Portland for a few hours to break up this long day on the road. Head to Alder Street and wander amidst hundreds of food carts for more options. Next, grab a box of Blue Star Donuts, a “local’s favorite” in Portland.
Wrap up your journey with a stop at Powell’s City of Books, where you can choose from over a million new and used books. Pick up a growler or six-pack of beer from Ecliptic Brewing to enjoy during your trip. In the mood for a sweet treat? Salt and Straw is a delicious option for ice cream.
After exploring Portland, continue south towards Eugene, a well-known college town. Consider stopping here for provisions, as this is your last major outpost before you start your journey up Highway 101. We usually stop at Brun’s Apple Market for groceries, then pop across the street for dinner at Tacovore.
If you’re tired of driving, you can snag a campsite at Fall Creek State Recreation Area, right outside Eugene. If you can still drive another hour, head west on Route 126 from Eugene toward Florence. Swing by Morning Glory Farm & Espresso for a caffeine pick-me-up and a jar of homemade jam.
One idea for your first night on the coast is the Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park, where you can explore dozens of massive dunes surrounding a gorgeous lake. Honeyman offers showers, bathrooms, running water, kayak and sandboard rentals, and dozens of hiking trails. It’s also a popular option for ATV enthusiasts. Book a campsite in Loop F for direct dune access if you can.
Photo Courtesty: Kelsey Bumstead
Day 2: Florence to Cape Perpetua (23 miles, .5 hours)
After yesterday’s long day of driving, you deserve a day of relaxation. Today’s itinerary starts with dunes and ends with cliffs; the route is just 23 miles.
Need breakfast? River Roasters is much-loved by Florence locals, and downtown also offers small grocery stores for picking up your breakfast supplies. Start your day by exploring the dunes; even if you didn’t camp at Honeyman State Park, it’s an excellent place for an adventure. You can rent a sandboard or a kayak at the lake or wander one of the trails.
If you’re feeling adventurous, head to Sand Master Park for some tobogganing on the Oregon Dunes. If you’re feeling even more adventurous, find nearby Torex ATV Rentals and pick up your ride for the day. If you’re more of a hiker, the John Dellenback Dunes Trail and Carter Dunes Trail offer brutal but gratifying ways to see the unique landscape on foot. Finally, if you like seeing the dunes on horseback, check out C&M Stables.
After your dune adventures, begin your trip down Highway 101. Kids will love the Sea Lion Caves, where you can get up close and personal with hundreds of sea lions in an underground cave. Next up is Heceta Head State Park, where an iconic lighthouse awaits.
After your hike or lighthouse wander, eat a picnic lunch at a viewpoint along 101; our favorite is the windy but almost always deserted Muriel Viewpoint.
Finally, head to Cape Perpetua, where you’ll be camping for the night near Yachats. Stop at Cook’s Chasm, which contains Thor’s Well and Spouting Horn. Don’t miss Devil’s Churn, a narrow inlet back down on Highway 101. The force of Mother Nature will leave you mesmerized by the waves crashing.
If you’re hungry, pop into Yachats for a scoop of ice cream at Toppers or a coffee at Green Salmon Coffee Company. Hop back into the van for a 5-minute drive to Cape Perpetua Campground.
The Cape Perpetua Campground doesn’t have showers, but it does have clean bathrooms with running water. (Pro tip: Sites 30, 24, and 38 are perfect for van lifers).
If the Cape Perpetua Campground is full, consider the nearby Beachside State Park (showers available), Carl Washburne State Park (showers available), and Tillicum Beach State Park (running water and flush toilets only; no showers).
Day 3: Cape Perpetua to Newport (35 miles, 1 hour)
Your third day starts with a trip up to Cape Perpetua Overlook. You can hike up from your campsite by following the St. Perpetua Trail, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views 800 feet above the ocean! The route is also driveable. If you’re looking for a hiking challenge, Amanda Trail leaves from the Cape Perpetua Overlook and offers seven miles of views.
Before you pack up the van, you’ll also want to check out the Giant Spruce Trail, located within the Cape Perpetua Campground. On this short hike, you’ll see a 550-year-old, 185-foot-tall Sitka Spruce tree with a circumference of 40 feet.
After all that activity, it’s time for some lunch! Don't miss Yachats Brewing and Farmstore, where you’ll find local beer and kombucha on tap, plus tasty food and a shop with books, garden supplies, and more.
The Green Salmon Coffee Company is another great lunch option in Yachats, offering funky coffee drinks, inventive sandwiches, and a massive list of loose-leaf tea options. It’s also worth taking time to wander the shops in town. When satisfied with your curiosities, motor north toward Newport, stopping at the Seal Rock Lookout and the Ocean Beaches Glass Blowing gallery.
While we usually recommend spending your evening cooking at camp, tonight we recommend heading into Newport, one of the largest towns you’ll encounter on your tour up the coast. Newport is home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, which has a tremendous deep-sea exhibit. If it’s raining (or you love marine life), this aquarium is worth exploring for an afternoon.
In Newport, you’ll also find one of the best seafood joints on the coast: Local Ocean Seafood. They serve local oysters, crab, and fish. And while you’re there, shop their market for something to bring on the road. The Fish Peddler’s Market is also a good option for a casual dinner in Newport. If you’re a beer lover, check out Rogue Brewing; their taproom is on the water.
Finally, after a full day of views, good food, and adventures, check into your campsite at Beverly Beach State Park, which has hot showers and is right past Newport. If that’s booked up, try South Beach State Park (they have hot showers, too).
Day 4: Newport to Manzanita (95 miles, 2.5 hours)
Today you’ll head toward Manzanita. Drive along the Three Capes Scenic Route. We promise it’s worth the extra mileage. Start your day at the Yaquina Head Natural Area, home to the tallest lighthouse in Oregon. While there, walk along the spit of land that juts into the ocean and get your hands wet exploring the tidepools.
Next, check out the Devil’s Punchbowl at Otter Rock, another sinkhole with water rushing in and out. Stop in Depoe Bay, a well-known whale-watching spot, if you like a boardwalk stroll. Left Coast Coffee, the Horn Public House, and Restaurant Beck are highly recommended.
Follow signs off 101 to the Three Capes Scenic Route. Then, after about 40 minutes, you’ll arrive at the first cape: Cape Kiwanda, famous for its flat-bottomed Dory Fleet and its very own Haystack Rock. You can even drive your van out onto the sand here! This cape is home to Pelican Brewing: Pacific City, an unbeatable lunch spot.
Next, follow the scenic route to the second cape, Cape Lookout. If you’re sleepy, consider camping here, surrounded by long stretches of primarily isolated beaches decorated with sea glass. This area also offers a fantastic hike called Cape Lookout Hike, which is 5 miles long. The third cape, Cape Meares, is just 10 minutes down the road and home to some epic lighthouse views.
As you return to Highway 101, stop at the Jacobsen Salt Factory in Tillamook. You're likely to be the only visitors, but that won't stop the folks at Jacobsen from letting you sample all their infused salts. Have an aviation buff in the family? While in Tillamook, you may also want to visit the Tillamook Air Museum. Located in a World War II Navy blimp hangar, their collection spans over 20 aircraft and exhibits. Tillamook is also home to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, which sees millions of visitors annually.
Need some ice cream to top off that cheese and wine? Head to Buttercup in Nehalem, where they have delicious and unique ice cream flavors (and chowder, too!). Just past Tillamook, you’ll also find Fish Peddler, a roadside joint that sells fresh oysters and seafood to go. Dinner, anyone? Finally, after another long day of exploring, find your way to Nehalem Bay State Park. Hot showers await!
This campground boasts sandy shores and seal watching. For bonus points, book a sunset horseback trail ride with Oregon Beach Rides, which operates right from the park during the summer months. If Nehalem Bay State Park is full, as it sometimes can be during the summer months, consider camping at the first-come, first-serve Nehalem Falls Campground (no showers).
Day 5: Manzanita to Fort Stevens (40 miles, 1 hour)
Next door to Nehalem Bay State Park is the laid-back beach town of Manzanita, which is a great place to park and stroll for a bit. Stop at Manzanita Fresh Foods to replenish your supplies if needed. You might also want to visit the candy shop in downtown Manzanita or buy a kite at the general store.
Before you leave the area, consider taking a hike up Neah-kah-nie Mountain, a 5-mile hike with epic views that are popular with the locals. You can also rent kayaks from Wheeler on the Bay, about 10 minutes south of Nehalem Bay State Park.
From Manzanita, swing by Short Sands Beach, aka Oswald West State Park, to watch the surfers, then stop at Hug Point. When the tide is out, you can walk out onto the beach and be greeted with sweeping views. Next, continue up the coast to Cannon Beach. Dip your toes in the ocean in Cannon Beach, and check out Haystack Rock.
Next, grab crepes for lunch, or stop by Pelican Brewing’s second location for another dose of quality beer. Roll through Schwietert’s for some salt water taffy, and pick up a loaf of the famous Haystack Bread from Cannon Beach Bakery. (Pro tip: You’ll also want to nab a marionberry turnover for breakfast the following day, and we promise you won’t be disappointed by their butter sugar cookies.) If you need coffee, we love the Sleepy Monk and Sealevel Bakery. If you need a grocery stop before you head out, Fresh Foods is a great local spot to stock up on reserves. Now it’s on to Ecola State Park, just five minutes away. As you drive, queue up the soundtrack to Goonies: this is where many outdoor shots were filmed!
In Ecola State Park, consider eating your lunch at Indian Beach, then hiking the Clatsop Loop Trail, which is about 3 miles round trip and winds through the forest and along the coast, with time to explore an old bunker and views of a far-out lighthouse. As you continue north, a special treat awaits: Oregon Helicopters Seaside offers coast tours for as low as $65 per person!
Once you’ve soaked up the coastal views, it’s time to head north to Fort Stevens State Park. This is the biggest park west of the Mississippi, and in addition to camping, it features forts and defensive walls that date back to the Civil War. It’s also fully decked out, with flush toilets, hot showers, and dozens of other amenities.
Hungry? Catch your dinner! Fort Stevens is an excellent spot for razor clamming. The nearby KOA campground rents all the gear you will need, and the beach at Fort Stevens is one of the best clamming grounds on the coast. You might also consider waiting to unpack your van, as the observation tower at the end of Fort Stevens’ spit offers epic sunset views.
Day 6: Fort Stevens to Cape Disappointment (30 miles, 1 hour)
Start your morning by walking to the beach to explore the Peter Iredale Shipwreck. Then take a quick detour into Fort Steve’s bunkers and defensive forts.
While we know you could spend all day at the ruins (us too!), it’s time to head into Astoria, a charming town with a rich maritime history. To learn more about the past, visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Otherwise, tour Goonie’s filming locations, including the jailhouse (get your mugshot taken!), the Astoria Column, and Mikey’s house.
While in Astoria, grab a burger and a brew at the Fort George Brewery or the Buoy Beer Company (which has a glass-paneled floor through which you can sometimes spot sleeping sea lions!). Don't miss Pilot House Distillery either, where you'll be welcomed like a local and given the opportunity to sample local spirits and shrubs. When ready to return to the woods, head north on Route 101 across the four-mile Astoria-Megler bridge to cross from Oregon into Washington!
Next, you have a choice: you’ll probably want to check out Cape Disappointment State Park, where you can hike or drive up to the North Head Lighthouse for an excellent guided tour of the rough waters where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. You can camp here for the night if you’d like; many campsites are just steps from the beach. Stroll the 2-mile beach at sunset and maybe enjoy a beach bonfire for the evening. This is also an excellent place for stargazing!
If you want to keep rolling, power through to the surf town of Westport, WA (about two hours away), and stay at our good friends Loge Campgrounds. Contact us for a discount on this property! They have a pretty sweet property: part campground, part lodge, part hostel, all awesome. On your way, stop at Goose Point Oysters, a little spot where you can open your oysters on a deck right in front of the fishing boats.
Day 7: Cape Disappointment to Seattle (170 miles, 3 hours)
If you stay at Cape Disappointment, grab breakfast at the healthy roadside eatery Roots or lunch at Streetside Taco. They have cheap (but delicious!) tacos, including a riff on Banh Mi.
If you stay in Westport, catch breakfast at the bare-bones but delicious local diner, Blue Buoy, then pick up a good fish cut at Merino’s to take home with you. Watch surfers in Half Moon Bay, then set your compass and make your way back to Seattle!