Best Places To Visit Along Oregon Coast – The entire Oregon Coast is so breathtaking that it’s easy to see why more than a million tourists visit the 363-mile-long coastline each year. Stretching from Astoria, in the northwest corner of the state, to the Brookings Harbor area, there is so much variety that it’s hard to choose a favorite stop. When visiting, any coastal town can easily satisfy those looking for rest and relaxation. But where is the best place to build a beach house? Oregon is quickly becoming one of the most popular states in the United States for people looking to relocate – and for good reason. Below, we discuss the best towns to live on the Oregon Coast and why.
The Northern Oregon Coast is our top pick for area to move to along the coast. Not only does it have the best economy and job market on the coast, but it also offers everything we love about the coast, within a two to three hour drive of wherever you are. The northern region is definitely the most expensive area to move to, and you may have difficulty finding a house (if you can afford it), but the charm and atmosphere are worth it.
Best Places To Visit Along Oregon Coast
The central coast isn’t too bad either, followed closely by the north coast. Although considered a more “explanatory” area of the beach, it still has hidden gems scattered throughout. The central coast remains a popular tourist destination, but the northern coast region is faring better. It has a decent economy and a good job market, but it has the charm that the Oregon Coast is known for.
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We may be biased, but the South Coast might be the least desirable place to live, unless you’re independently wealthy and want to live in isolation on cheap land. After the stock market crash of the 1990s and mid-2000s, the southern Oregon coast never fully recovered and lacked an economy or job market to support new tenants. It’s probably the cheapest area to move to along the Oregon Coast, but it’s not ideal for those looking for a career or social connections. I am totally drawn to the Oregon Coast. It’s a great place to see a million things. There are beaches, rainforests, shipwrecks, pretty coastal towns, waterfalls, sand dunes and wildlife. If you love hiking but are drawn to the beach, you’ll love this great itinerary of things to do on the Oregon Coast. I will mention all the nice places as well as places to stay and eat. You will fall in love with this incredible state and want to come back every year. I know!
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Well, when it comes to packing, it all depends on what you want to do. If you want to walk along the beach and stop at the lookout points, you only need a warm jacket and a raincoat. If you’re like me and like to hike or do more strenuous activities, find out what to pack below.
The best time to visit this amazing region is all year round! Yes, you heard correctly! We explored around Thanksgiving and although it was cold at times, we were very comfortable.
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You can’t drive on most Oregon beaches. There are, however, a few beaches. There are usually signs indicating whether or not you can drive on the beach, and it can also depend on the seasons. You can find out more about driving on beaches here.
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This beautiful park near Astoria was once a military outpost in the Columbia River Gorge. He served from the Civil War to World War II. It is now a 4,300-acre park with lakes, beaches, trails, campgrounds and a shipwreck.
The wreck of the Peter Iredale ship was high on my list when visiting this park. The wreck occurred on October 25, 1906 and instead of being towed, the ship was broken up. Now it remains on the shore for people to enjoy. It’s a great place to explore for the whole family and there are numerous beaches within a few hours’ walk.
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Seaside Beach is more of a commercial area. There are many restaurants, shops and bars. Unfortunately everything was closed due to Covid when we went so we had a lovely walk along the beach. Even though the stores were closed, many people were enjoying the beach and having a great day.
I loved Ekola State Park. I wish I had known about this area when I first visited Cannon Beach years ago. It offers stunning coastal views, great trails and comfortable beaches.
Ecola Point should be the first area you stop at when visiting the park. You’ll see beautiful Cannon Beach in the distance and there are plenty of picnic tables nearby to enjoy your lunch.
One of the most unique things to do on the Oregon Coast is hiking. The Crescent Beach Trail was probably my favorite hike on this Oregon Coast trip. It wasn’t an easy walk and it made my heart race in places, but I love walking like that! It was a bit muddy in places so bring good walking shoes. We decided to do this tour in the morning to avoid the crowds and were rewarded with having the beach to ourselves. We walked around enjoying the distant waves and sea waves. My dog loved running along the deserted beach.
Oregon Coast: 5 Best Places To Visit
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It’s a low-key, fun beach, popular with surfers and tourists. You can easily relax and enjoy the waves for a few hours.
There are lighthouses, cliffs and beaches along this route. Be careful, the trail on the west side is very muddy, so bring good walking shoes. The road on the east side is less muddy, but visibility is not as good.
Cannon Beach is probably my favorite Pacific Northwest beach I’ve ever seen. This place is a must-visit on any trip to the Oregon Coast. First of all, I love the city. Restaurants, homes and local shops make this place truly attractive. On beautiful summer days, people easily walk around this charming town.
Shore Acres State Park
Haystack Rock is truly spectacular and a great place to watch the sunset. Let me warn you, this beach is usually crowded, but the area is so big it’s easy to spread out.
I almost didn’t make it to Hug Point because I was tired and exhausted after a full day of hiking and walking. I’m so glad I didn’t miss the sunset here because the area was beautiful. The waterfalls and caves make this a really fun area to explore with the whole family. Many families had a nice picnic watching the sunset. The area was very easy to get to and didn’t require a lot of walking.
It can be steep here, so always check the tide before heading there. You can find more information about waves here.
If you like hiking, this 2,484-acre park is a must-see. This park has miles of trails leading to spectacular views of the rainforest, beaches and coastline. Short Sands Beach is a popular and secluded beach that many people enjoy visiting.
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One of the best things to do in Tillamook, Oregon is to stop at the famous creamery. Tillamook Creamery is well known in the Pacific Northwest and I usually buy their cheese at the grocery store. Their ice cream is well known among locals, so even if you’re not hungry for a full meal, you should definitely stop by and try their famous ice cream.
Note: There are many long lines at this factory due to Covid. Many people have complained and said there is no need to go there when Covid restrictions are in place. But I heard that the ice cream range is not as bad as the tours and stores.
Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge is a small but interesting place. We walked with our two dogs and saw views of the lighthouse, octopus and rock. It’s a simple park and go park. The Octopus tree was great to see as it is the largest tree in Oregon.
Cape Meares
