I’ve had the pleasure of driving the majority of the Pacific Coast Highway (“PCH”) including large swaths of the Oregon Coast on multiple occasions between June and September, mostly traveling solo. There’s only a small section of the northern Oregon Coast that I haven’t completed, but I plan to this summer.
You will experience jaw dropping awesomeness, unique coastlines, and small towns with character anywhere along the Oregon Coast. The whole coast of Oregon is fantastic. These five destinations are particularly awe-inspiring and I recommend you add a few, or all of them if you can, to your Oregon Coast road trip itinerary.
5 Can’t Miss Spots for Your Oregon Coast Road Trip
1. BANDON, OREGON
Bandon, sometimes referred to as Bandon-by-the-Sea, is indisputably one of the cutest and friendliest small towns on the Oregon Coast (and well, anywhere).
Enjoy the Coquille River and Pacific Ocean, ample outdoor activities, an adorable old town, and grab some clam chowda’ in a bread bowl. Seriously, don’t skip the bread bowl. I love my bread bowl chowder from Bandon Fish Market.
Plan Your Bandon, OR Trip
Search for Hotels near Bandon, OR
Browse Bandon, OR area restaurants
2. CAPE KIWANDA, OREGON
Cape Kiwanda is a small area with big appeal. It has wide, uncrowded beaches, affordable vacation rentals, and Haystack Rock, a large coastal rock perched just off shore. (Not to be confused with the other two Haystack Rocks off Oregon’s coast – whose idea was that?!)
If you’re into craft beer, enjoy a memorable flight of beer samples at Pelican Bay Brewing Company. Or better yet, go for the annual Cape Kiwanda Longboard Classic & Brewfest, a surf competition complete with beer tent with regional breweries serving their top pours. (Note: the festival is cancelled for 2020 due to COVID-19.) Feeling more like some ice cream or cheese? Take a 35-minute(ish) detour inland to Tillamook Creamery.
Plan Your Cape Kiwanda, OR Trip
Search for hotels near Cape Kiwanda, OR
Browse Cape Kiwanda area restaurants
LIKE TRAVEL PHOTOS? Click here to check out my Etsy store with some of my favorite prints (including some from this post) so you can bring a little adventure into your home or office.
3. SAMUEL H. BOARDMAN SCENIC CORRIDOR
The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is a 12-mile section of the Oregon Coast that is can’t miss. It’s my favorite section. Just thinking about it makes me want to get in the car and go. Along it you will find rugged coastal views, tree covered stretches of Highway 101, stunning beach sunsets, and the often photographed, never fully captured, Natural Bridges.
Plan Your Trip to Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
Search for hotels near Brookings, OR
Browse Brookings area restaurants
4. CANNON BEACH, OREGON
If you go to the Oregon Coast, someone will ask you, did you see the beach from the Goonies*? Cannon Beach is that beach. It’s also been shown in these other movies you might know.
The beach is sandy, wide, and beautiful, you can walk to Haystack Rock (another one) at low tide, the town is adorable, but it’s also crowded. None-the-less, Cannon Beach is an Oregon classic and you might as well stop while you’re nearby, especially if you’re a movie buff.
*Fun fact: I’ve never seen the Goonies. Yes, really. One day I’ll watch it.
Plan Your Trip to Cannon Beach, OR
Search for hotels near Cannon Beach, OR
Browse Cannon Beach area restaurants
5. SHORT SAND BEACH, OREGON
To get to Short Sand Beach in West Oswald State Park you have to walk about a mile through an old growth forest with a babbling stream. Then you arrive to a beautiful beach cove.
Short Sand Beach looks and feels like a secret spot but it’s well-known among Oregonians, especially surfers. None-the-less, it’s amah-zing and worth a visit. In summer, you won’t be alone on the beach, but you also won’t feel like you’re at Miami Beach during Spring Beak. Even on the 4thof July, I could find a nice spot to myself.
Plan Your Trip to Short Sand Beach, OR
Search for hotels near Manzanita, OR
Browse Manzanita area restaurants
Did I miss one of your favorite Oregon Coast stops? Feel free to drop it like it’s hot – into my inbox, or in the comments below. 🙂
Gear Check: Oregon Coast Road Trip
Make sure to add these items to your packing list for your Oregon Coast Road Trip. Not sure where to shop? Try REI and Amazon.
Water Resistant Jacket – Cool mornings and nights and rainy weather are common on the Oregon Coast.
Hiking Shoes – The Oregon Coast is largely woods meets the beach. You may have to walk some trails to get to your beach of choice and or want to go for a scenic coastal cliff hike. Pack hiking shoes or hiking sandals.
Sunglasses – Even though Oregon is known for its moody, overcast weather, it still gets sunny days, especially in summer.
Backpack – You often have to walk further to get to the beach in Oregon compared to other coastal destinations. Make it easy on yourself – throw your stuff in a backpack to avoid multiple car trips and switching your beach bag from arm to arm.
Towel – Because beach and water.
My Oregon Coast Road Trip Picks
Click image or description to shop the item.
Atlas – Large sections of the Oregon Coast drive have little to no cell phone service. Don’t rely on being able to look-up directions, embrace your analog side and get yourself an Atlas. You could buy an Oregon Coast map, but for the price, you might as well get an Atlas and stay prepared for future adventures in different areas.
Guidebook – There are so many incredible spots along Oregon’s 363 mile coast line. A good guidebook will help you find the stops bests suited for you and avoid “I wish I knew about that…” thoughts post-trip.
