The Oregon Coast is hands down my favorite place I have ever visited. It has everything! Sandy beaches with towering dunes, rocky shorelines, crashing ocean waves, and even mountains! Before I visited Oregon, I had no idea I could get all of my favorite things in one place. But now that I have, I can’t wait to tell you about all the amazing things to do on the Oregon Coast!
What is the Best Time to Visit the Oregon Coast
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Joel and I just spent late summer to early fall on the Oregon Coast. It was a pretty perfect time to visit the Oregon Coast, but I think early summer would have been better. By the time September rolled around, the coast starts to get pretty darn foggy.
So, although you will have a blast on the Oregon Coast literally any time of the year, summer is definitely the best time to visit. Even during the summer months, the coast is often cool thanks to the offshore winds. So, pack a jacket and some layers so you don’t end up freezing.
Oregon is also an amazing place for RV living. There are TONS of RV parks on Oregon’s Coast to stay at. It was honestly overwhelming to choose. But if you dream of falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves, we would recommend you stay a while.
How Long Does it Take to Drive the Oregon Coast?
During our adventure along the entire Oregon Coast, we decided to break up the trip into 2 separate weekends. Although you can drive the entire coastline in just over 7 hours, that doesn’t include stops. Since there are so many things to do along this scenic shoreline, you should really dedicate at least 4 full days to the adventure.
Another consideration is the fact that some things are best at high tide while others are better at low tide. Timing things just right can lengthen your entire adventure. But it is totally worth it to get to see the best of the best.
Things to Do on the Oregon Coast
Here are all the best things to do on the Oregon Coast from south to north. After spending just over 2 months in this beautiful place, Joel and I scoped out all the can’t miss spots. So, keep reading and get excited!
Note: for some of these stopping points, the tide can make a big difference. If that is the case, I noted it for you. Otherwise, feel free to visit any time!) I’d recommend planning using Tides Chart so you visit at the best time of day.
Things to Do on The Southern Oregon Coast
The southern coast is absolutely gorgeous. It as an adventure lover’s paradise. The thing we really loved about the Oregon coast was how unbusy it was.
So many of the top out door places to visit are just swarming with crowds. But that was not our experience on the southern Oregon coast. Even in peak tourist season.
Lone Ranch Beach (Best at Low Tide)
Lone Ranch Beach in Brookings, Oregon was one of the absolute best places to look at tidepools along the Oregon coast. You can see dozens of starfish, sea urchins, and crabs along the shoreline.
The best time to visit is low tide because you can see so much more. Tidepooling is tons of fun for the whole family. It is like a scavenger hunt to see what everyone can find. Just make sure you don’t touch (or take!) anything in the tidepools.
We loved Lone Ranch Beach so much that we went back several times during our extended stay on the Oregon Coast. The best part was, despite how amazing this beach was, there were hardly any people there.
To have the best tide pool experience, we recommend visiting at low tide. Although if you hike along the rocks on the right side of the beach, you can see some tidepools even as the tide starts to rise. If you hike out a little way, you will have the tide pools all to yourself too!
Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor
The name “Scenic Corridor” is an absolutely perfect name for this stretch of highway. The scenery is simply unmatched. Driving along the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, there are multiple pull outs to stop at. But there are a few you definitely don’t want to miss that I’ll talk about next.
Arch Rock Viewpoint
The Arch Rock Viewpoint is just outside of Brookings, Oregon. It is definitely worth stopping at this pull out to take in the views. You’ll be blown away by the sparkling blue waters through the rocks.
There is also a small picnic area. So, depending on when you are passing by, you might enjoy stopping here for a quick lunch.
Natural Bridges
Another awesome stopping point along the Oregon Coast is the Natural Bridges. There is a viewpoint you can see from right outside the car. If you have a little extra time though, I would definitely recommend taking the Viewpoint Trail. It is about three-quarters of a mile but lets you get a way cooler (and less crowded!) view of the natural bridges.
The trail meanders through dense forest. At the end, you are rewarded with absolutely breathtaking views!
Port Orford, OR (Agate Beach)
During our time on the Oregon Coast, Joel and I actually stayed in Port Orford for a month. It was a great place to have as a home base. The beaches were beautiful. We went for a walk on the beach almost every night after work and almost always had the whole stretch entirely to ourselves.
One of the best beaches to visit in Port Orford is Agate Beach. If you can time it to visit after a strong storm, even better. We found dozens of agates along the shoreline the day after some 15-20-foot waves came crashing! But even if there haven’t been storms recently, you may spot an agate or two if you have keen eyes.
Although Port Orford is a tiny town, it is a great place to stay and relax. We stayed at the Camp Blanco RV park. It is a small park but it is quiet and simple, and the staff was welcoming and helpful! Plus, a monthly stay was super cheap!
Bandon Beach, OR
As you continue north along the Oregon coast, you won’t want to miss a stop in Bandon. The town fondly refers to itself as Bandon by the Sea. There are some cute shops and restaurants, and the beach is amazing.
Bandon Beach is a great place to find a variety of rocks and see some classic Oregon coastline. You can enjoy visiting at high or low tide.
Cape Arago State Park (Best at Low Tide)
Cape Arago State Park is another place you absolutely need to visit along your scenic coastal drive. This state park is a hidden gem for tidepools. Just before you leave the park there is a small parking area with steps that lead down to the beach.
Joel and I visited every few days after work. Every time there was low tide! The sandy beach area is very small, but to the right, you can hike to the point of a rock outcropping. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk, because there are tons of little tide pools around.
We were even lucky enough to sight some whales from this point. Although we weren’t there during the whales’ migratory period, I imagine this would be an excellent place for whale watching during their twice-annual migration period.
There are also a few short out and back trails that let you get close enough to see and hear the sea lions and seals on Simpson Reef. If you drive down the road just a bit further, there is a pull-out that lets you get an even closer view of Simpson Reef. There are literally hundreds of marine animals on this offshore reef. You’ll know you’re in the right place if you hear the barking seals!
Shore Acres State Park
If you pull up to Shore Acres and wonder if you are in Oregon or on Mars, you aren’t alone! This amazing state park on the Oregon Coast has otherworldly rocks. You can hike around on them and listen to the waves slap on the cliff face. We even saw some people fishing from this point.
Another really cool feature of the park is its lush, beautifully manicured gardens. I felt like I was at a fancy estate strolling through the gardens. There is a fee to stop at Shore Acres and dogs aren’t allowed, so you’ll need to plan accordingly.
Even so, it is definitely worth adding to your Oregon Coast bucket list!
Charleston, OR
Charleston, Oregon is another wonderful stopping point along your Oregon Coast adventure. We spent a month in Charleston and the Charleston Marina RV Park. If you choose to camp out here on your trip, you’ll love being able to take a walk around the marina every day. You can even rent a yurt!
Charleston is an excellent place to catch a fishing charter for some deep-sea fishing. It is also home to plenty of seals and sea lions which are regular visitors to the marina.
If you are in Charleston in the summer, another thing you’ll want to do is keep your eyes open for blackberries! There are blackberries all over the place. Along trails, by the side of the road, on the beach. And they sure are delicious. We were able to pick enough blackberries to make a whole pie! All for free!
Northern Oregon Coast Must-See Sites
Southern Oregon is awesome, but don’t stop there! You 100% need to continue your drive up the northern coast of Oregon to fully enjoy this amazing state. Here are our favorite things to do in the northern part of the state.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
We actually opted to dedicate an entire day to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The dedicated and protected area stretches for 40 miles along the Oregon Coast. It runs all the way from Coos Bay to Florence.
One of the largest draws to this area is the off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding. We rented 4-wheelers and cruised along the beach and the dunes. There was something so freeing about racing down the beach with the salty sea breeze whipping.
Pro-tip, rent 4-wheelers earlier in the morning. This will a) save you money (yay!) and b) you’ll have less traffic to contend with. We had the whole beach to ourselves for the first hour or so of the day. There is a long stretch of beach dedicated to driving OHVs so you didn’t have to worry about people walking either.
Another tip is that if you want to really take on the dunes, you’ll need to rent a powerful 4-wheeler or other OHV. We weren’t able to make it up some of the larger dunes with our rentals, but it was still an amazing time!
Thor’s Well (Best at High Tide)
After visiting the dunes, continue north along the Oregon coast until you reach Thor’s Well. You definitely want to plan this one to visit at high tide! The rocky shore has an area that fills with water as the waves roll in at high tide (Thor’s Well itself). Then as the water recedes, it rushes down the deep tube in a cascading wave.
Thor’s Well is a popular place to visit. But people in Oregon are super cool. Even though it was a bit crowded, people took turns to make sure everyone could see the well from close up and take photos.
Thor’s Well is very close to the ocean, so be on the lookout for sneaker waves and keep small children and pets close!
Seal Rock (Best at Low Tide)
Although we didn’t spend a lot of time at Seal Rock, it is definitely worth making a quick stop if you are driving the entire Oregon Coast. At low tide, there are some tide pools. Unlike many of the other locations we stopped at, Seal Rock had sandier tide pools.
You will also have a great opportunity for wildlife viewing at Seal Rock. There are seals, sea lions, and plenty of birds. There are also amazing views of the offshore rocks.
Devil’s Punchbowl (Good at Either High or Low Tide)
It is hard to believe that there are still SO many more things to see along the Oregon Coast. Believe me, this place is amazing!!
Next up is the Devil’s Punchbowl. Geologists believe the Devil’s Punchbowl formed after two sea cave roofs collapsed. It is awesome to view from above. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even kayak the area.
At low tide, you’re sometimes able to walk right into the Devil’s Punchbowl. Just make sure you keep an eye on the tide so you don’t get caught out when the water rises.
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area/Haystack Rock (Best at Low Tide)
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is an excellent place to enjoy long stretches of sandy beach. You’ll also get to see Haystack Rock, an iconic Oregon Coast landmark. This giant rock jutting out of the ocean looks like, well, a haystack!
There are also opportunities to look at tide pools here. Although, our secret spots at Cape Arago and Lone Ranch Beach were better by far.
Although we enjoyed the quick stop here, this area was WAY busier than the rest of the Oregon coast. If you are looking for peace and serenity, the further south, the better. The Cape Kiwanda area is a popular destination for people day-tripping from Portland.
Cape Lookout State Park
This is another quick stop to make along the drive. Cape Lookout is a great place to stop for a photo op and take in the views. You won’t need a lot of time here, but it is worth stopping at!
Ecola State Park
This was one of my absolute favorite places along the entire Oregon coast. Ecola State Park is such a beautiful place where the mountains meet the sea. It is just up the hill from the Cape Kiwanda Natural Area.
The views are way better, you can still see Haystack Rock, and there were NO crowds. Win, win, win. We brought along pasta and a camp stove and cooked some dinner at Ecola.
There were a few hiking trails that were closed when we were there. But if you want to plan a longer day here, you could probably take in even more views.
If Ecola State Park looks oddly familiar, it’s because you might have seen it before. If you remember watching the Goonies, you’ll recognize the shore from the final scene in the movie!
Fort Stevens State Park
The last stop on this amazing multi-day Oregon Coast adventure is Fort Stevens State Park. The park offers hiking, beachcombing, and kayaking. The Oregon Coast Trail has its northern-most trailhead starting from this park.
The most recognizable feature of this state park is the historic shipwreck. What was once a glorious ship is now just bones on the shore. But it is a pretty cool photo op!
The Perfect Oregon Coast Adventure
Oregon is hands down one of the coolest states around. You’ll definitely want to dedicate at least 4 days to fully enjoy the entire coastline. You will enjoy breathtaking views on the entire drive. The coolest thing about this trip is that there are tons of stopping points, but the drive itself is awesome too.
We hope you love the Oregon coast as much as we do. Even though we have traveled and lived in some pretty awesome places including New Mexico, Minnesota, and Michigan, Oregon comes in at the top of the list. It is definitely somewhere we can’t wait to go back to!!
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