Oregon Coast

For a relaxing getaway, journey to the Oregon coast. Set beneath the forested foothills of the Coast Range, its 400 miles of long sandy beaches, rolling dunes and rocky cliffs lend themselves to tranquil days spent beachcombing, whale watching, or building bonfires on the shore at sunset. Breathtaking vistas and dramatic views of waves crashing against rocks are around every corner of the meandering Oregon coast. Highway 101 winds its way through the main communities along the northern coast passing through Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Lincoln City and Newport. These beachfront towns are rich in character and each imparts its own style of coastal living that ranges from historic community to artist colony to fishing village and resort towns with activities and attractions that appeal to tourists. Cozy bed and breakfasts, beachfront resorts, and full service campgrounds are available all along the coast.

Oregon Coast Cities:

Seaside

Seaside is a popular tourist town, just 90 minutes from Portland and a 4-hour drive from Seattle; it's a favorite among those seeking a family vacation. Seaside has 3 miles of soft, sandy beaches are ideal for strolls, sandcastle building or pick-up games of volleyball and Frisbee. The 2 mile long Promenade is the boardwalk of Seaside and connects many of the town's hotels, inns and rental houses to the hub of activity on Broadway. Downtown Seaside is full of fashion boutiques, trinket shops, arcades, fun parks and other activities that entice visitors even on those rainy Oregon Coast days. Seafood restaurants, family eateries and taverns are around every corner and suit a range of dining preferences.

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Cannon Beach

Some of the best crafts, shopping and galleries to be found along the coast are in Cannon Beach. This rustic artist hamlet is 8 miles south of Seaside and is much quieter than its neighbor to the north. Cannon Beach is well suited for an easy stroll through its bookstores and shops, while on route to the bakery for a loaf of Haystack bread or to one of the town's restaurants featuring regional cuisine. Nine miles of sandy beaches run along its shore and are ideal for kite flying or beachcombing. Views along the beach are dominated by the 235-foot high coastal monolith better known as Haystack Rock, which is designated as a marine sanctuary for the intertidal animals and birds that live in its rocky outcrops and tide pools. Just north of Cannon Beach is Ecola State Park, a forested haven of trails for hikers and home to a panoramic viewpoint that looks out over the town, Haystack Rock, and the Coast Range. This vista is one of the most photographed on the Oregon Coast and is a perfect spot to have a picnic and take in a sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

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Lincoln City

Windy days are prevalent in Lincoln City and have earned this coastal community the title of "Kite Capital of the World". With 7 miles of sandy beaches and dunes, Lincoln City is the perfect spot to fly a kite, whale watch, go parasailing, dune climbing or take in a sunset. The resorts and seaside inns that hug the cliffs above the water make for cozy settings to watch storms pound the Oregon coast each winter. Visitors can golf at one of Lincoln City's seven golf courses or fish in nearby Devil's Lake. Lincoln City is centrally located along the coast and is a good spot to stage explorations to nearby towns such as Pacific City to watch the dory fleets out of Cape Kiwanda, head to attractions such as the Tillamook Cheese Factory northeast of town, or embark on a coastal drive to check out Devils Elbow and the Sea Lion Caves. Back in town, cultural attractions and restaurants featuring northwest regional menus or international dining will all be waiting.

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Newport

This popular destination for seafood lovers, just 25 miles south of Lincoln City, is world famous for its Yaquina Bay oysters. Those who wish to experience the thrill of catching a salmon fresh from the ocean can charter boats for salmon or bottom fishing while others may want to stay on shore and dig for clams. Restaurants, shops and galleries are side by side to working canaries and fish-packing plants along the downtown blocks of this coastal town. Newport is home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, which attracts thousands of visitors each year who come to see seals, otters, a giant octopus and the seabird aviary in addition to exploring the 6 acres of trails going through tidepools and rocky caves.

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