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The Oregon Coast is one of those places that hardly looks real. Jagged sea stacks rise from the water, forests run right to the edge of the cliffs, and lighthouses sit above beaches that seem to go on forever. Add gray whales, sea lions, tidepools, crabbing, dune buggies, and small coastal towns, and you have one of our favorite road trips in the West.
We have spent about 20 days exploring the Oregon Coast, and this seven-day itinerary follows the route we would recommend to a first-time visitor. It begins in Astoria and works south to Brookings, with enough time to enjoy the stops instead of spending the entire trip in the car. We recommend you change lodging every two nights to reduce backtracking and that you mix in some fun activities with your sightseeing.
This Oregon Coast itinerary includes scenic beaches, cool coastal towns, lighthouses, adventure activities, and some fun places to eat. Plus, the practical details we wish we had known before our first trip. We paid for these experiences ourselves, so the recommendations are based on what we actually enjoyed. If you want even more help planning, take a look at all of our travel guides.
Oregon’s coastline stretches for about 362 miles. It is generally divided into the northern, central, and southern coasts, and Highway 101 connects the small towns and scenic areas along the way. Thanks to Oregon’s Beach Bill, the public has access to the state’s shoreline, which means a road trip can include an incredible number of beaches.
The three regions feel surprisingly different. The northern coast has some of the best-known towns and beaches, like Cannon Beach. The central coast has whale watching, a train ride, and Tillamook cheese. The southern coast feels quieter and has some of our favorite beaches. Plus it tends to be warmer and sunnier there. Seven days lets you sample all three, although you could easily shorten your trip and just spend two or three days in one region.
This is a one-way, north-to-south itinerary. We like traveling south because your car will be on the ocean side of Highway 101, making many scenic pullouts easier to enter and exit. You can reverse the route; either direction will work.
GOOD TO KNOW: The Oregon Coast is longer than it looks on a map. The drive back to Portland from Brookings takes most of a day before stops, so build that return into your plans.
10 BEST Beaches on the Oregon Coast (+ the Ones You Can Skip)
Seaside vs Cannon Beach: Which Oregon Coast Town Should You Visit?
How to Spend One Day in Depoe Bay, Oregon
18 Best Places to Eat on the Oregon Coast
Driving the Oregon Coast HWY 101: 10 Things to Know Before You Go
What We Wish We Knew Before Visiting the Oregon Coast
Copy our done-for-you Oregon Coast plan with exact drives, the best beaches, lighthouses, and tidepooling stops, plus realistic timeframes so you don’t miss the best views.
| Day | Main Stops | Sleep |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Astoria, Fort Stevens, and Seaside | Seaside or Cannon Beach |
| 2 | Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock, and Ecola State Park | Seaside or Cannon Beach |
| 3 | Hug Point, crabbing, Tillamook Creamery, and scenic railroad | Depoe Bay or Newport |
| 4 | Depoe Bay whale watching, Devil’s Punchbowl, and Yaquina Head | Depoe Bay or Newport |
| 5 | Cape Perpetua, Heceta Head, and the Oregon Dunes | Bandon |
| 6 | Bandon Beach, Old Town, and Circles in the Sand | Gold Beach or Brookings |
| 7 | Rogue River jet boats, Samuel H. Boardman, and Brookings | Brookings or Crescent City |
This itinerary begins in Astoria and travels south to Brookings. It is designed for first-time visitors who want to see the coast’s three regions without changing hotels every night or spending the whole trip rushing between viewpoints.
Plan to spend two nights on the northern coast, two nights on the central coast, one night in Bandon, and one night in Gold Beach or Brookings. The trip includes beaches, wildlife, lighthouses, small towns, and several paid activities, but each day can be adjusted for your interests and budget.
The schedule is intentionally flexible because tides and weather matter more here than a rigid clock. Check the tide table and tour times first, then rearrange the stops within each day as needed. If you do not enjoy a fast pace, add one or two nights or concentrate on just the northern and central coasts.
GOOD TO KNOW: The weather along the coast can change instantly. One minute you are driving through fog so thick you can’t see the car in front of you. The next moment, you have glorious sunshine. If it’s cloudy and rainy when you get to the beach, there’s a good chance the weather could change within the hour.
The tide schedule may be the most important part of planning an Oregon Coast trip. Low tide reveals tidepools, sea caves, and beaches that may be inaccessible later in the day. Check an official tide table before finalizing each day’s order, especially for Hug Point (currently closed), Devil’s Punchbowl, and Thor’s Well (better at high-tide).
Weather changes quickly, even in summer. Pack a rain jacket, a warm layer, and shoes that can get wet. We also like to keep an extra pair of socks and shoes in the car because a sneaker wave or a misty trail can soak you faster than you expect.
Reserve lodging early. There are strict rules about new building along the coast and many properties are smaller, locally owned motels. Some of these can feel charming while others feel old and run down. It’s best to reserve as soon as you know you are traveling to have the most options available.
Whale tours, jet boat tours, and dune buggy tours often have walk-up availability, but we like to book our tickets in advance so we can make sure we have a spot and that the tour is at a good time for us.
SAFETY TIP: Never turn your back on the ocean. Sneaker waves are big waves that come out of nowhere and knock people over. They can travel much farther up the beach than expected.
Follow this route from north to south, but use the tide schedule to choose the exact order of stops each day. The lodging recommendations keep backtracking to a minimum and give you two nights in both the northern and central regions.
Video length: 28 minutes.
Begin at the northern end of the Oregon Coast in Astoria, a gloomy/moody maritime town at the mouth of the Columbia River. Astoria was established in 1811 and was hoped to be the main port town of the West. Unfortunately, its waters are so dangerous that thousands of ships have sunk here and it’s a big part of Astoria’s history. It has a completely different personality from the beach towns farther south and I think it’s worth a visit.
Stop #1: Visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum
Start at the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Museums are not always at the top of my list, but this one held my attention because it explains why this stretch of water became known as the Graveyard of the Pacific. You will learn about shipwrecks, dangerous bar crossings, and the people who work on the river.
It was really neat to learn about the fishing industry and there is a great display about Japanese soldiers in World War II and the flags they carried on them that were signed by family and friends.
Stop #2: Eat Fish and Chips at Bowpicker
Across the street, order fish and chips from Bowpicker, a retired fishing boat that spent decades at sea. The menu is simple, the line can be long, and the albacore tuna fish and chips are one of the most memorable meals in Astoria. Check the schedule before going because hours can change with weather and season.
I waited for about 30 minutes. A sweet old man who was a local was ahead of me in line. I asked him if it was worth it, and he responded with a resounding “YES!”
Stop #3: See the Peter Iredale Shipwreck
Drive to Fort Stevens State Park to see the rusted remains of the Peter Iredale. The ship ran aground in 1906, and part of its steel skeleton still sits in the sand. It is an easy stop and a super cool photo op.
If you have more time, Fort Stevens State Park has other cool activities like kayaking and forts to explore.
Stop #4: Finish the Day in Seaside
Spend the late afternoon in Seaside. The broad sandy beach is the most family friendly on the coast. There are volleyball nets, people building sand castles, a playground, and even showers. It’s one of the few places I’ve seen people playing in the ocean.
Broadway, the touristy shopping district, has an old-fashioned carnival atmosphere with arcades, candy shops, and quirky storefronts. We love to play Fascination, a rolling ball game, at the Funland Arcade.
Where to eat: Bowpicker is our first choice for lunch. In Seaside, the Chalkboard Cafe works well for a sit-down meal (and amazing pancakes), and Sea Star Gelato is the best dessert stop. Try their Lime Ricky gelato. It’s so good!
Where to stay: Stay in Seaside if you want more lodging choices, a family-friendly beach, and a lively evening. We enjoyed the Sandy Cove Inn. Stay in Cannon Beach if you would rather wake up close to Haystack Rock and do not mind paying more for the setting.
Cannon Beach is the most popular beach on the Oregon Coast. It’s both a beach and a town and is a post we never skip, even though it can be crowded.
Haystack Rock rises dramatically from the water, the town is full of flowers and small shops, and Ecola State Park has a great coastal rainforest and beautiful Indian Beach, just outside of town.
Stop #1: Explore Haystack Rock at Low Tide
Plan your beach time around low tide. The water pulls back to reveal tidepools filled with sea stars, anemones, crabs, and other tiny creatures. Haystack Rock is also an important nesting area for seabirds. Bring your binoculars to observe the birds and make sure to ask the volunteers all about the marine life. They have alot to share you’ll learn some cool stuff.
One of our most memorable Oregon Coast experiences was renting recumbent bikes and riding them along the beach. There are more cool sea stacks to explore at Cannon Beach and having a bike made it easier to see them. We rented our bikes at FunCycles and had a great experience.
GOOD TO KNOW: Bike rentals are only available at low tide because the bikes can only be ridden on wet, packed sand.
Stop #2: Explore Cannon Beach’s Shopping District, Hemlock Street
We really enjoy visiting Hemlock Street. The gardens, flowers, galleries, and compact streets make Cannon Beach fu even if there are lots of other travelers. Plus it has some of our favorite places to eat. Grab a slice at Pizza a’fetta, watch taffy being wrapped at Bruce’s Candy Kitchen, or try Tom’s Fish & Chips for some yumm fish tacos or sturgeon.
require an Oregon State Parks Day-Use Parking Permit. One daily permit covers your car at every state park for the whole day, so you only need one per day. It’s $12 a day for out-of-state visitors and $10 for Oregon residents. The America the Beautiful Pass doesn’t work at state parks.
Important: Many stops along the coast require an Oregon State Parks Day-Use Parking Permit. One daily permit covers your car at every state park for the whole day, so you only need one per day. It’s $12 a day for out-of-state visitors and $10 for Oregon residents. The America the Beautiful Pass doesn’t work at state parks.
Stop #3: End at Ecola State Park
In the afternoon, drive through the forest to Ecola State Park. It’s amazing how the scenery turns into a coastal rainforest filled with ferns and lupines. Visit the viewpoints, then continue to Indian Beach if time and conditions allow. This is a beautiful place to finish the day, especially when the clouds break near sunset.
An Amazing Coastal Experience: On our last trip, we roasted hot dogs at Indian Beach. Beach fires are legal, and grocery stores sell wood, lighters, buckets, beach shovels, and picnic supplies. We watched the sun set and it was one of our most memorable experiences. Both the grandparents and teens loved it.
Learn more in our complete Cannon Beach one-day itinerary.
Day three moves you from the northern coast toward Depoe Bay or Newport. There are several great stops, so start early and resist the urge to linger too long at every pullout. The drive is not especially long on paper, but activities and slow coastal traffic quickly fill the day.
Stop #1: Walk to the Waterfall at Hug Point
Time your first stop for low tide at Hug Point. Walk along the beach to find sea caves, a small waterfall, and the remains of an old wagon road carved into the rock. The headland can become difficult or unsafe to pass as the tide rises, so know the tide time and turn around early. NOTE: Hug Point access was washed out early in 2026. Check current conditions to see if it has reopened before visiting.
Stop #2: Go Crabbing at Kelly’s Brighton Marina
Next, try crabbing at Kelly’s Brighton Marina. You can crab from the dock or rent a small boat, and the staff can explain the gear, legal sizes, and current rules. We caught several crabs but did not keep any because they were not legal keepers. That did not matter; the experience itself was fun, affordable, and unlike anything we had done before.
Stop #3: Stop at Tillamook Creamery
Continue to Tillamook Creamery for the self-guided visitor experience, cheese samples, and ice cream. It is a popular stop and can feel busy, but it breaks up the drive and works especially well with kids. Eat lunch here or save room for a meal farther down the coast.
HOT TIP: There are 4 lines to get ice cream- 2 inside and 2 outside. Scope them out before picking one. And… try the Oregon Cherry ice cream. It’s my favorite.
Stop #4: Ride the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
If the seasonal schedule fits, ride the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach. This is a small, humble attraction rather than a polished luxury train, but the open-air cars, wildflowers, and views along Tillamook Bay make it a charming addition to the day. Plus, it’s the only railroad we’ve even been on that had ocean views!
Optional: Glass floats in Lincoln City
Glass is popular on the Oregon Coast and Lincoln City has a couple of ways to enjoy it. They have a Finders Keepers program where volunteers hide glass floats along the public beach. If you find one, you get to keep it. We looked and didn’t find any but we signed our kids, and my husband, up to make their own glass floats.
We went to Lincoln City Glass Center. They got to make their very own float or jellyfish paper weight and had personalized attention throughout the whole process. It was one of the most memorable things we did.
Where to eat: Tillamook Creamery is the easiest lunch. If you keep a legal crab at Kelly’s, the staff at the marina can cook it for you.
Where to stay: Choose Depoe Bay for a compact yet charming town, oceanfront rooms, and easy whale watching. Choose Newport for more restaurants, family attractions, and lodging choices. You will stay in the same area for two nights.
Day four is devoted to whales, coastal views, and one of our favorite lighthouses. Depoe Bay calls itself the whale watching capital of the Oregon Coast, and resident gray whales can often be spotted nearby. Newport adds the coast’s tallest lighthouse and a good indoor backup for a rainy afternoon. For more ideas, read our complete one-day Depoe Bay itinerary.
Stop #1: Look for Whales in Depoe Bay
Start at the Whale Watching Center and scan the water for spouts. Volunteers can teach you lots about the whales and it’s fun free stop.
Then take a whale watching tour if the ocean conditions cooperate. We’ve done two tours with different operators. Both were great but we prefered our tour on EcoExcursions with marine biologist Carrie Newell.
We got to learn about the whales before our tour in her own museum, and then we rode Zodiac boats while looking for whales. We thought these boats were fun and we didn’t get as seasick as when we rode the larger boats offered by other tour operators. Carrie helped us see two whales plus took us out to see some sea lions.
Stop #2: See Devil’s Punchbowl
Drive south to Devil’s Punchbowl, a large rock formation created when a sea cave collapsed. From above, you can watch waves churn inside the opening. At a suitably low tide, visitors can reach the beach below and explore. It’s super cool, but the route and conditions require caution. The overlook is great even if you stay on top.
When we were able to hike into it, we saw tide pools filled with marine life. Our favorite were the purple crabs hiding in the cracks.
Stop #3: Visit Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Continue to Yaquina Head, home to the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. Walk to the lighthouse and scan the offshore rocks for birds and seals. You can actually go inside the lighthouse during certain hours and they also have the best visitor center on the Oregon Coast (in my opinion).
If it’s a rainy day, the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport is a great backup. They have awesome tide pools where you can actually pick up sea creatures and a great display of seabirds including puffins!
There is also a cool jelly fish display, a glass tunnel where you walk under sharks, and a sea otter exhibit which is really fun. Our whole family enjoyed it and we spent a couple of hours there.
Where to eat: South Beach Fish Market is our pick for an authentic seafood experience. Believe it or not, most of the seafood on the Oregon Coast is caught elsewhere, frozen, and then shipped there. South Beach Fish Market has real Oregon seafood, freshly caught. If you had your fill of seafood, Thai Port is a good choice. Plus it has ocean views.
Our Oregon Coast guide lays out the drives, stops, timing, and best viewpoints so you can spend less time piecing the trip together and more time enjoying it.
Day five is one of the most scenic and varied days of the trip. You will see the black-rock shoreline around Cape Perpetua, another lighthouse, and the enormous sand dunes near Florence before continuing to Bandon. Start early because the stops are spread out and each one deserves time.
Stop #1: Explore Cape Perpetua
At Cape Perpetua, walk along the volcanic shoreline to see Devil’s Churn, the Spouting Horn, and Thor’s Well. These features become most dramatic when waves push water into cracks and openings in the rock. These are best seen at high tide and are really fun to watch.
Yachats is a convenient place for breakfast or a snack. Bread and Roses Bakery is one of our favorite bakeries on the coast. This is a bit embarassing but we stood inline got our baked goods and loved what we ate so much, we got in line a second time!
Stop #2: Stop at Heceta Head
Continue south to Heceta Head Lighthouse. Even if you do not take a tour, the beach, Cape Creek Bridge, and short walk toward the lighthouse create one of the prettiest stops on Highway 101.
Stop #3: Ride a Dune Buggy
The Oregon Dunes stretch along the coast near Florence and Reedsport, and a dune buggy tour is funnest way to explore them! We’ve done both a scenic tour and an adventurous sandrail tour. Which is best… The sandrail tour? You are in a smaller buggy, you still get to see great scenery (even more than the scenic tour), and you get to go fast and zip around the hills.
It costs more money but our family thought it was worth it. We used Sandland Adventures and found their rates to reasonable.
Where to eat: Start with Bread and Roses Bakery in Yachats, then eat in Florence or Reedsport before the final drive. Bandon also has good dinner options if you arrive early enough.
Where to stay: Sleep in Bandon. It shortens the next morning and gives you a chance to see the sea stacks in soft evening light if you arrive before sunset. We rented a vacation home at the Bandon Inn and it was perfect for our family.
Bandon feels like one of the Oregon Coast’s best-kept secrets. It is often sunnier than the northern coast, Old Town is easy to explore, and the beach is filled with intricate sea stacks and caves. We can never decide if Cannon Beach or Bandon Beach is our favorite.
Stop #1: Walk Bandon Beach
Begin around Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint and walk down to the beach. At lower tide, you can wander among the sea stacks, investigate small caves, and look into tidepools. Face Rock and the surrounding formations change as you move along the sand, so this is a place to slow down instead of taking one picture and leaving.
Stop #2: Downtown Bandon
There are a couple of fun stops. Here you go.
Visit Washed Ashore in Old Town Bandon to see colorful sculptures made from debris collected on beaches. The artwork is fun to look at, but it also makes the amount of plastic entering the ocean impossible to ignore. It is a meaningful stop and a good indoor activity if the weather changes.
Cranberry Sweets & More is a the picture perfect candy shop with sweet, welcoming employees and delicous treats including free samples. We loved trying out all the different types of popcorn. We settled on white cheddar harbanaro and cinnamon roll. Their FruTarts are also amazing. Make sure to try the cranberry one. Bandon is famous for cranberries.
Our kids enjoyed hanging out at the old school arcade, Fin’s Family Fun. There were tons of games to play.
Stop #3: Walk a Circles in the Sand Labyrinth
If the schedule and tide cooperate, join a Circles in the Sand event. Volunteers create a large labyrinth in the sand, and visitors are invited to walk the path before the tide erases it. You can actually help make the labrynth if you show up about an 1 1/2 hours early. We did this and it was one of the most special experiences of our trip. These events do not happen every day, so check the official schedule before building your day around it.
Stop #4: Ride horses on the beach
We’ve done over 10 horseback rides in our travels and our ride with Bandon Beach Riding Stables was one of the best. We booked the 1.5 hour ride, just before sunset and it was gorgeous. Our ride went through grasses, on the sand, and then next to the ocean. We saw seastacks and birds with the amazing sunset in the distance.
It was nice that we could ride beside one another instead of in a singular line. The horses were beautiful and well-cared for and our guides made sure we were safe. We had a moment where my son’s horse got spooked by a kite being flown by someone on the beach. He was bucked off but the guide was there immediately to make sure everything was fine
Where to eat: Order a fresh crab sandwich at Tony’s Crab Shack. It is casual, local, and one of the meals we still talk about from the Oregon Coast.
Where to stay: Drive to Gold Beach if you have an early jet boat departure on day seven. Brookings makes sense if your tour timing allows and you want to shorten the final scenic drive. Staying another night in Bandon is more relaxed, but it creates a long last day.
Finish with an adventure on the Rogue River and some of the wildest coastal scenery in Oregon. This is a full day, so make sure to consider the stops you want to make before or after your tour time so you have time to see everything you want to.
Stop #1: Ride Jerry’s Rogue Jets
Take a jet boat trip from Gold Beach into the Rogue River canyon. We have ridden with Jerry’s Rogue River Adventuers twice and love the Whitewater Express tour because it combines wildlife, scenery, narration, and tons of fun. Plus it includes lunch. We love that the boats go fast and that the captain will often do 360’s where the whole boat gets splashed. Getting wet is part of the fun because the river can get hot. We paid our own way and would gladly do it again.
HOT TIP: Sit in the front row behind the windshield if you don’t want to get drenched! They also offer the Mail Route Tour that is less wild.
Different trips cover different distances and may include different meal stops, so choose the route that fits your schedule and comfort level.
Stop #2: Drive Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
Continue south through the 18-mile Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. There are lots of beautiful viewpoints with cliffs, natural bridges, sea stacks, and beaches appear one after another. You will not have time for every viewpoint and trail, so choose a few based on weather, daylight, and how much hiking you want to do.
Secret Beach is a must. It’s one of the prettiest beaches on the coast.
Finish in Brookings, or continue to Crescent City if your larger road trip takes you into northern California. Brookings has a noticeably different climate and breaks away for the charmingn feel of the coastal towns. If Portland is your next destination, plan for a long return drive or add another night along the way.
For this itinerary, changing hotels every night would create unnecessary work. Use three main bases and move only when the route requires it. Coastal lodging is often older and simpler than a large resort, but a clean local motel with an ocean view can be part of the charm.
IS CANNON BEACH WORTH THE EXTRA COST? We think it is worth visiting, but you do not have to sleep there. Seaside is often the more practical base, and Cannon Beach is an easy day trip. Read our full comparison of Seaside vs. Cannon Beach.
The Oregon Coast has excellent seafood, but our favorite meals were not always in formal restaurants. Some came from a fishing boat, a small crab shack, a bakery, or a market counter. There are tons of great local places. Here are some of our favorites.
For more choices by town and type of meal, see our complete guide to the best places to eat on the Oregon Coast.
For a deeper look at road conditions, safety, and planning, read 10 things to know before driving Highway 101 and what we wish we knew before visiting the Oregon Coast.
Late spring through early fall gives you the best chance of fitting in seasonal tours and longer days. July and August are popular because the weather is generally drier, but lodging is more expensive and the best-known towns are crowded. September can be especially pleasant, with fewer families traveling after school begins and stretches of good weather.
October can still bring beautiful days, but tours and businesses begin reducing their schedules. Winter is dramatic and much quieter, with storms, powerful waves, and more closures. If this is your first trip and you want to follow the full itinerary, summer or early fall is the simplest choice.
We have only traveled there in July and August and have never felt that it was too crowded to be enjoyable. We were grateful for sunnier days and less rain.
Portland International Airport is the most convenient major airport for beginning this route in Astoria. From Portland, drive northwest to Astoria, then follow Highway 101 south for the rest of the trip. If you are driving from Seattle, allow additional time to reach the northern coast.
Because this itinerary ends near the California border, returning to Portland requires a long drive. You can break it up with another night, continue into northern California, or compare the total cost of flying into one airport and out of another. Rental-car drop fees can make a one-way rental expensive, so price the complete trip before booking.
Seven days is enough to experience the Oregon Coast’s three regions. You’ll get to see plenty of the highlights and you’ll probably return home a little tired! You will also likely feel like you didn’t get to explore a few things and want to plan another trip there.
That’s what happened to us. We missed riding horses, glass-blowing, and building a fire on the beach at Ecola State Park. We made sure to do that on our second trip.
The Oregon Coast is both beautiful and fun. Seeing the sea stacks, whales, forests, lighthouses, and tidepools is amazing. The adventures like crabbing, dune buggies, horseback rides, and jet boats make me want to return.
Use this seven-day Oregon Coast itinerary to get you thinking about what YOU want to do. Then adjust each day for the tides and weather. Leave room for unexpected viewpoints and quiet beaches. I hope you make it there and have a great time. It’s one of my family’s favorite trips.
Pair the Oregon Coast with Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier, or more of the Pacific Northwest using our step-by-step trip plans.
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