The Oregon Coast is famous for its stunning beaches. Jagged, rocky seastacks protrude from the ocean, and tidepools are filled with sea creatures. Plus sea caves to explore and driftwood to build forts. Not to mention some great hikes that will lead you to secluded beaches.
With dozens of beaches to choose from, it’s not likely you’ll have time to visit them all. Some beaches are Instagram famous and don’t live up to the hype, and others are the real deal.
I’m Cheryl, and my husband and I spent 8 days driving along the Oregon Coast and exploring as many beaches as we could. We’ve been writing travel guides for how to visit the West since 2020 and have helped over 20,000 travel groups have incredible trips. We also have a YouTube channel with over 600 videos.
I can’t wait to share with you our top 10 best beaches on the Oregon Coast and… the ones you can skip.
Before we get into the best beaches, here’s a map of the Oregon Coast so you can get familiar.
The Oregon Coast is filled with great coastal towns, beaches, and activities. When we visited, we started at Astoria in the north and ended at Brookings in the south. They are all connected by HWY 101, and it takes around 8 hours to drive without stopping.
People rarely just drive HWY 101. They make a trip out of it by staying overnight in a few of the towns, making their way up or down the coast.
The northern part of the coast is more overcast and rainy, with more sunshine in the south. However, it’s super common for it to be overcast along the entire coast.
Why it’s worth a stop: Before HWY 101 was built, pioneers on this stretch of the coast had to travel along the beach in their stage coaches. At high tide, it was a problem because their route went underwater. They decided to carve a road into the wall. It’s called “hug point” because you have to hug the wall as you pass through.
This area is unique because there are a few sea caves you can climb in. There is also a tiny waterfall.
Parking: Hug Point State Park. There is a $5 fee to park your car, or you can use the Oregon Pacific Coast Passport
IMPORTANT: It’s common to have to pay ~$12 to park your car at several spots along the Oregon Coast. If you are on a road trip and want to see several sites, pick up the Oregon Pacific Coast Passport. It’s a multi-agency day-use passport that covers entry or day-use fees at dozens of federal fee sites (Forest Service, National Parks Service, and Bureau of Land Management) and Oregon State Park sites along Highway 101 and the Siuslaw National Forest. A 5-day pass costs ~$12 and Fort Stevens is one of the places you can pick one up.
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Why it’s worth a stop: This is not one of the most scenic beaches on the coast, but there is so much to do here! We loved that the beach had lots of sandy areas for volleyball and building sandcastles. Plus, you can hang out at the beach and then walk over to Broadway, the shopping district, to check out some of their unique shops and grab something to eat. We particularly enjoyed World of Gifts, Sea Star Gelato, and Funland– an old school arcade with some unique games.
SKIP IT: There is a paved promenade that goes about a mile along the beach. We walked it and were disappointed in the views. It’s a bit far away from the beach.
Parking: There is free parking at the Seaside Welcome Center on Highway 101 and Broadway, the Oceanway lot near the Seaside Convention Center, or the 12th Avenue lot by the Seaside Promenade. There are also dozens of hotels right along the beachfront. If you are staying at one of those, like we did, you can easily walk to the beach from your hotel.
GOOD TO KNOW: Most of the time, people don’t swim at the beaches of Oregon. The water is cold and the beaches are rocky. Plus, sneaker waves (where a wave comes out of nowhere and knocks you over) can be dangerous. Seaside Beach is one of the beaches where I have seen people get in the water.
FIND OUT: Seaside vs Cannon Beach: Which Oregon Coast Town Should You Visit?
Why it’s worth a stop: This beach is special to me because it was my first beach I saw on the Oregon Coast. I loved looking at the foliage as we drove through Ecola State Park. There were wildflowers everywhere, including delphiniums. We saw it at sunset and it was beautiful. People were taking photos and roasting hot dogs over their beach fires. Plus, there are lots of seastacks and driftwood.
Parking: Indian Beach parking lot, located at the end of Ecola Park Road, which requires an Oregon State Park Pass or a day-use fee.
FUN FACT: If you are a fan of Twilight, Indian Beach is where Jacob and Bella walked along the beach in New Moon.
Why it’s worth a stop: We love that this area has so many things to do… with minimum effort. The Cape Creek Bridge is easy to view from the parking lot and the trails to the Heceta Head Lighthouse are easy and accessible. Below is a great alcove beach.
Parking: The parking lot is right off Highway 101. A day-use parking fee is required, or use the Oregon Pacific Coast Passport.
FUN FACT: Cape Creek Bridge has a Roman aqueduct look and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a 619 ft bridge that leads into a tunnel.
13 road trip ideas across the West so you know where to go, how long to stay, and what to see
*Sample routes from 4–31 days across national parks and hidden gems
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*Season + weather notes to avoid closed roads and peak‑crowd days
*Lodging ideas in the right spots so you cut backtracking
Why it’s worth a stop: This was one of the loveliest hikes to the beach on the coast. It’s flat and easy because many people have to carry a surfboard on this trail. This is the only beach we saw people surfing on during our entire 8-day trip.
Short Sand Beach is located at Oswald West State Park, which is pretty popular. On the day we visited, there were volunteers monitoring the sea stacks and making sure that visitors were not touching the marine life.
Parking: There are several parking lots at Oswald West State Park, but you’ll want to use the main parking lot on the west side of Highway 101.
WHO IS OSWALD WEST?: Oswald West was a governor of Oregon who fought to make all of Oregon’s beaches public land. He succeeded, and that is why there are so many public beaches along the Oregon Coast. I just have to say, the state of Oregon does an incredible job caring for its beaches. They are always clean and I often see volunteers protecting the wildlife and teaching the public about the birds and marine life.
Why it’s worth a stop: This is along the Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor. There are great views just driving here. There is tidepooling and there are driftwood huts that people have built. There are also pretty views and lots of short sea stacks. We saw pelicans hunting when we visited. The only negative is that the picnic tables are destroyed. It looks like they have been destroyed for a while. Hopefully, they will be repaired soon because the tables are in some spots for epic views of the sea.
Parking: Head south on U.S. Route 101 from Brookings, Oregon, and turn right onto the Lone Ranch Road. Drive about 0.2 miles down this road to find the parking area located just above Lone Ranch Beach.
WHAT IS THE SAMUEL H. BOARDMAN STATE SCENIC CORRIDOR?: It’s a 12-mile, epically scenic drive between Gold Beach and Brookings. There are hiking trails along it and lots of scenic viewpoints, including Arch Rock and Natural Bridges. Try to fit it in if you can.
We have a love/hate relationship with Instagram. Sometimes the photos we see inspire and get us traveling to places we have never heard of. Sometimes what you see in the photo is just as cool in real life… and sometimes it isn’t. Since we write travel guides, we try to visit ALL the beaches so we can help other travelers prioritize.
Below is a list of beaches that we visited that we didn’t feel lived up to the hype. These aren’t bad beaches, but we didn’t feel they were worth our time and hiking steps.
ABOUT THE TIDES: When you visit the Oregon Coast beaches, it’s important that you understand that many things revolve around the tides. If you want to tidepool (see sea creatures), you must visit at low tide. If you want to see waterspouts, high tide is the time to view them. Going at the wrong time of day will completely ruin your experience. It’s easy to look up the tides online, or many of the touristy areas have a printed tide chart you can pick up.
Our next four beaches are in a complete class of their own and it was very hard to rank them. If possible, try to visit all of them because each is amazing.
Why it’s worth a stop: This is one of those Instagram-famous stops that actually lives up to the hype. It’s just gorgeous- maybe the prettiest beach we saw. The sea stacks are all super close to each other, though I didn’t notice any signs of birds living on them. There are also two very small waterfalls that flow into the beach. It’s small, only about two football fields in length, and you can’t see it from the road. You have to hike a steep, 10-minute trail down to the beach that I think is pretty treacherous. Use the trailhead on the right side of the parking lot—it’s less steep than the other one.
Parking: Find the trail entrance to Secret Beach about 1/3 mile south of milepost 345 on U.S. 101 in Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.
Why it’s worth a stop: This is a very strange formation that scientists guess collapsed inward and now it’s a big bowl to look at from above or into from below. We visited at low tide so we could actually walk into it. It was a short and steep hike, but we saw sea stars, purple crabs, and anemones. It was one of the best places we tidepooled on our trip! There were also volunteers there who had a table set up with all sorts of bones and seashells to teach us about the marine life.
We also hiked above Devils Punchbowl so we could look down into it. We met a volunteer from the Friends of the Otter Rock Marine Reserve who taught us about the bird species that were hanging out on the rocks. She also told us that at high tide, Devils Punchbowl fills up with water and splashes around. And… that you can sometimes see grey whales from here. We loved our time at Devils Punchbowl for so many reasons!
Parking: There is a designated parking lot on the Otter Crest Loop. It is usually full by 11:00 am.
BIRDING AT THE BEACHES: Watching birds on the sea stacks is one of the most delightful things about the Oregon Coast. Black oystercatchers and puffins were some of our favorites. We saw a pair of nesting black oystercatchers chase off an eagle to protect their newborn chicks. Make sure to bring your binoculars so you don’t miss out on all the action.
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Why it’s worth a stop: Bandon Beach took our breath away! We saw sea lions, sea stacks (Face Rock looks like a face poking out of the water), and bright orange and purple sea stars when we went tidepooling. There were also great sea caves to explore, but what was most special for us is that we got to participate in Circles in the Sand.
Circles in the Sand is about sharing love and care. A labyrinth maker outlines an easy-to-follow maze along the beach, and volunteers help rake the paths. Anyone can walk the labyrinth. It’s really fun and special. It happens about once a month on Bandon Beach. If you want to help make the labyrinth, look up what days they are doing it and show up an hour before they open it. They will have rakes you can use and train you how to do it.
Parking: There is free public parking at Bandon Beach at the end of 11th Street or by using the access points at Coquille Point, the South Jetty, and other locations along Beach Loop Drive
Why it’s worth a stop: I know it’s cliché to visit Haystack Rock, but it is one of the 100 most photographed places on the planet! It’s famous for a reason and you shouldn’t miss it. The first time I saw Haystack Rock was from a parking lot. It was so big, I thought it was a mountain!
It’s a half-mile walk to get there. We visited at low tide and saw so many sea creatures. There were volunteers keeping people off the rocks and teaching us about the sea stars. It was really interesting. There are tons of birds hanging out here and you can see puffins, seagulls, and many different species. We rented recumbent bikes from Funcycles. These low-to-the-ground trikes were perfect for cruising along the beach and enabled us to see even more sea stacks than Haystack Rock. There was a little bit of a learning curve, but we figured it out fast.
Cannon Beach is both a beach and a city. After we explored the beach, we spent the rest of the day in Cannon Beach (the city). We walked a mile on Hemlock Street, the downtown shopping area. There are wonderful flowers in Cannon Beach and the walk is a wonderful way to enjoy them. There are many great restaurants. Pizza a’fetta was inexpensive and delicious and we also loved picking out a sweet treat from Bruce’s Candy Kitchen.
Parking: If you can, park at Haystack Rock Parking Lot. It’s the closest. We parked at 7:30 am and there were a few spots still available.
BUNNIES ON THE BEACHES: If you drive to Tolovana Beach (part of Cannon Beach), you will see cute little bunnies munching on flowers in the grass near Mo’s Seafood and Chowder. Grab a bite to eat. The chowder is good and you’ll have a great view of the ocean.
If hearing about Mo’s Seafood and Chowder got you thinking about food, I’ve got some great places for you to try. The Oregon Coast was interesting because there are a few restaurant chains that are unique to the coastal towns that you won’t find anywhere else. Here are the places we tried and why we loved them. Read more in our article 15 Best Places to Eat on the Oregon Coast (Seafood, Views & More).
| Tony’s Crab Shack (Bandon) | Tiny, casual shack on the dock, fresh off-the-boat seafood. We loved their crab sandwich |
| Thai Port (Newport) | Authentic Thai food right on the coast with views of the water. It was a nice change if you’ve had your fill of seafood |
| Tillamook Creamery (Tillamook) | Awesome cheese and ice cream (they serve regular food too) |
| Pronto Pup (Rockaway Beach) | Huge corn dogs and yummy fries. Home of the world’s largest corn dog (it’s on the roof!) |
| Mo’s Seafood and Chowder (most Oregon Coast Towns) | People love to hate on this place, but there are always great views of the ocean and we thought their clam chowder was great! |
| Sea Star Gelato (Seaside) | Homemade gelato and the best we’ve ever had (and we’ve been to Italy!) We love their unique flavors |
| Bowpicker Fish and Chips (Astoria) | Albacore tuna, secret recipe for the batter, and served out of a retired fishing boat. Fun and delicious. |
| Tom’s Fish and Chips (Cannon Beach) | Inexpensive and had amazing fish tacos |
| Pizza a’fetta (Cannon Beach and Seaside) | Ranked in the top 50 pizza places in the country! Crust is perfect- soft and crunchy at the same time. Buy a whole pie or by the slice. |
When is the best time of year to visit? July through September is when you are most likely to get some sunshine and less rain. It’s also the most crowded.
How bad are the crowds? Not too bad at all! We were pleasantly surprised and rarely felt like somewhere we visited was too crowded to have a good time. We traveled in July, which is peak tourist season, too. The most crowded place we visited was the Tillamook Creamery, but we still enjoyed it.
What should I do if it’s rainy? If it doesn’t rain while you are visiting, you are a rare four-leaf clover! Plan on rain by bringing a rain jacket, an umbrella, and a spare pair of shoes. The good news is that the weather changes frequently. The clouds may roll through, or it might rain in one town but not the next.
Will I have cell service? Cell reception is spotty. Count on having it in the towns but not on the roads between them.
How many days does it take to visit the Oregon Coast? We were able to do all the activities listed above, plus check out many towns and beaches in 8 days. You could easily shorten this trip to 3-5 days by only doing portions of the coast or skipping some of the activities. You could also extend it a few more days and explore at a more leisurely pace.
#10 Hug Point Beach
#9 Seaside Beach
#8 Indian Beach at Ecola State Park
#7 Heceta Beach
#6 Short Sand Beach
#5 Lone Ranch Beach + Picnic Area
#4 Secret Beach
#3 Devils Punchbowl Beach
#2 Bandon Beach
#1 Cannon Beach
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It includes step-by-step itineraries for Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Oregon Coast, with suggested overnights, daily plans, and realistic drive times so you’re not wasting days in the car. We specialize in Western road trips, spend 70+ days a year on the road, and more than 24,000 travelers have used our guides for their trips.
Click the PNW Bundle to see all the amazing things you can do. If you’re only visiting the Oregon Coast, you can also grab just the Oregon Coast guide.
Driving the Oregon Coast HWY 101: 10 Things to Know Before You Go
One PERFECT DAY at Crater Lake National Park (+ Where to Stay and Eat)
What We Wish We Knew Before Visiting the Oregon Coast
Quick and Easy Guide to Hiking in Mount Rainier
A Perfect 6 Day Itinerary for Olympic (For First Timers)
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