Best Beaches in Oregon
Searching for the best beaches in Oregon to visit on your next day trip or vacation? Well, you are in the right place! Oregon’s coast is one of the most stunning in the country, with dramatic cliffs, wide sandy shores, and a rugged beauty that feels both wild and welcoming. Having explored the state’s shoreline, I’ve found that Oregon’s beaches are perfect for everything from quiet walks and tide pool discoveries to breathtaking sunsets over the Pacific.
I’ve enjoyed peaceful stretches of sand, charming coastal towns, and scenic spots where the waves crash against towering rocks. From family-friendly beaches to romantic escapes and outdoor adventures, Oregon’s coastline offers something for everyone. Here are the beaches I recommend, and I think you’ll enjoy them too.
1. Cannon Beach - 1.5 hours west of Portland, OR
While I love Portland as a home base, heading out to Cannon Beach is coastal magic with sweeping sea stacks, tide pools teeming with life, and a rugged shoreline that felt wild yet welcoming.
I thought that Cannon Beach is one of the best beaches in Oregon. Why? It had the drama of Oregon’s famous coast but with a charming small-town vibe that made evenings just as enjoyable as the days.
From Portland, it was less than two hours west to reach this seaside town. We stayed at 2-star Hi-Tide Oceanfront Inn just steps from the ocean and I spent two days hiking along windswept bluff trails, exploring Ecola State Park’s rainforest paths, and descending to secluded coves where surfers rode rolling waves. The iconic Haystack Rock—towering 235 feet from the shore—was the star of the show, especially at low tide when I could wander close to see colorful sea anemones, starfish, and crabs.
- Location: Map & Directions
Crescent Beach was a peaceful spot to stroll, while Indian Beach offered dramatic cliffs and a perfect perch for sunset. I also walked into town to enjoy Cannon Beach’s galleries, cozy cafés, and a laid-back coastal atmosphere.
2. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area - 40 minutes south of Newport, OR
Cape Perpetua was one of the most spectacular spots on the Oregon Coast, a place where forested mountains plunge straight into the sea. On top of that, every bend in the trail seemed to reveal another dramatic view. To me, it felt both untamed and welcoming, with a mix of wild shoreline and dense Sitka spruce forest. We stayed at Tillicum Beach Motel for two days.
From Florence, I drove about 20 minutes north and spent two days exploring. I hiked through mossy old-growth forest up to the Cape Perpetua Overlook. Down at the shoreline, I marveled at Thor’s Well and the Devil’s Churn.
- Location: Map & Directions
The Giant Spruce Trail led me to a 500-year-old, 185-foot giant of a tree, while the tidepools at Cook’s Chasm shimmered with sea stars, anemones, and crabs.
3. Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park - 20 minutes south of Yachats
I found Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park to be one of the most peaceful gems on the Oregon Coast—a place where forest, dunes, and ocean all meet in a beautifully balanced way. It didn’t have the same drama as Haystack Rock or Cape Perpetua’s crashing waves, but instead offered a quieter kind of magic: long sandy beaches, mossy trails under towering spruce, and a sense of calm that made me want to linger.
Just north of Florence, the wide, uncrowded beach stretched for miles—perfect for long walks with seabirds wheeling overhead and the occasional gray whale spouting offshore. Inland, I hiked through fern-filled forest trails that wound up to Heceta Head Lighthouse, one of the most photogenic lighthouses on the coast.
- Location: Map & Directions
To me, Carl G. Washburne is one of the coolest, most peaceful places on the Oregon coast, and every visit reminds me why I keep coming back.
4. Clatsop Spit - 30 minutes from Astoria
Clatsop Spit, at the mouth of the Columbia River near Fort Stevens State Park, is one of the most unusual and exciting coastal spots I’ve ever visited. I always feel like it’s a hidden gem, with its wild, windswept landscape stretching for miles and a history that makes it even more fascinating.
We drove about 25 minutes south from Astoria to Clatsop Spit, a 5-mile-long sand peninsula at the mouth of the Columbia River.
- Location: Map & Directions
This area is steeped in history: Fort Stevens State Park (4,300 acres, $5 parking) guarded the river from the Civil War through World War II, and its gun batteries are still open to explore.
5. Cobble Beach, Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area - just north of Newport, OR
Cobble Beach was one of the most mesmerizing stretches of shoreline I’ve ever visited and it completely won me over. I think that Cannon Beach is one of the best beaches in Oregon. Why? When I visited this month, I thought it was wild, musical, and alive with wildlife. Instead of sand, the shore is made up of millions of smooth black basalt cobblestones. I heard every wave rolling in set them tumbling with a hollow, clattering sound.
- Location: Map & Directions
We drove just 10 minutes north from Newport to Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area ($7 per vehicle, covers 3 days).
6. D-River Wayside - 2 hours west of Salem
Amazingly, the D River itself is only 120 feet long at high tide (listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “shortest river in the world”). I stopped by the Lincoln City Cultural Center, housed in a historic 1929 school (free entry).
We drove about 20 minutes north from Depoe Bay to Lincoln City, home to D River State Recreation Site. We were based at 3-star Shearwater Inn ($179), just a short stroll from the sand with fireplaces in every room.
- Location: Map & Directions
I thought the D River Wayside was one of those deceptively simple spots that ends up being unforgettable. Known as the site of the “world’s shortest river,” this tiny stretch of water connects Devil’s Lake to the Pacific Ocean in just 120 feet—but the setting makes it feel much bigger than its size. Wide sandy beach, crashing surf, and the ever-changing river channel gave it a sense of constant motion and life.
7. Harris Beach State Park - Just north of Brookings, OR
I thought Harris Beach was one of the most stunningly scenic parks on the entire Oregon coast—a place where rugged sea stacks rise from turquoise waters, tide pools brim with life, and the sunsets are nothing short of spectacular. It had that classic “end of the road” vibe too, perched near the California border, which made it feel both dramatic and tucked away.
From Brookings, it was just minutes to reach the park, but I ended up spending two full days exploring from my base at 3-star Beachfront Inn. I walked along the long stretch of sandy beach, dotted with driftwood and sculpted rocks, and spent hours peering into tide pools where purple sea urchins, starfish, and anemones thrived.
- Location: Map & Directions
The hiking trails led me to cliffside viewpoints where I could watch gray whales spout offshore, especially during their spring and winter migrations.
8. Horsfall Beach - 2 miles north of Coos Bay
I drove about an hour south from Florence to Horsfall Beach. I loved the big sky and sand on a windy summer day. The road first wound past tall pines before breaking open into sprawling dunes.
Horsfall Beach was one of the most untamed stretches of sand I visited on the coast—wide, windswept, and endlessly inviting. Just a couple miles north of Coos Bay, it felt like a place where the elements ruled. It had the perfect mix of solitude and raw beauty. 3-star Best Western Salbasgeon Inn & Suites Of Reedsport is about half an hour north from Horsfall Beach if you are staying overnight.
- Location: Map & Directions
I spent a morning here exploring both beach and dunes. The shoreline seemed to go on forever, with just a few other walkers in the distance and shorebirds racing the waves. Inland, the massive sand dunes rose like desert hill. From the top, I could see ocean in one direction and forested hills in the other, a striking contrast.
9. Lincoln City Beach
Lincoln City Beach is one of my favorite stretches of sand on the Oregon coast, and every visit from Portland (2 hours away) feels like discovering a spectacular gem. Lincoln City offers a blend of natural beauty and community energy that made it easy to spend a few carefree days here.
- Location: Map & Directions
Right in the heart of town, it offers miles of shoreline that feel vibrant, joyful, and full of energy no matter the season. In the winter and spring, locals hunt for glass floats hidden in the sand as part of the annual “Finders Keepers” tradition so the beach itself was part of the town’s personality.
10. Meyers Creek Beach
The rugged seascape of Meyers Beach on the southern Oregon coast was absolutely unforgettable. Stretching for miles, the wide sandy shoreline was framed by towering sea stacks, tidepools teeming with life, and the rhythmic crash of Pacific waves against the cliffs.
- Location: Map & Directions
I drove just under an hour north from Brookings and spent a full day exploring the beach. I walked along the sand at low tide, weaving between tidepools brimming with starfish, sea anemones, and tiny crabs, while pelicans and gulls glided overhead.
11. Nye Beach in Newport, Oregon
The historic seaside neighborhood of Nye Beach in Newport, Oregon felt like stepping into a charming blend of coastal beauty and old-world character. With its broad sandy shoreline, quirky shops, art galleries, and cozy cafés lining the bluff, it was both a cultural hub and a perfect place to breathe in the salty Pacific air.
- Location: Map & Directions
12. Oceanside, Oregon
The tiny coastal village of Oceanside felt like a hidden gem tucked along the Three Capes Scenic Route. Nestled between dramatic cliffs and a long, sandy beach, it offered both rugged beauty and a quiet, off-the-beaten-path charm. With its iconic sea stacks — the “Three Arch Rocks” rising just offshore.
From my last stop in Newport, I drove a little over an hour north and stayed for two days at Three Arch Inn. I spent mornings walking along Oceanside Beach, where the tide revealed a hidden tunnel carved through Maxwell Point, leading to a more secluded stretch of shoreline.
- Location: Map & Directions
I also ventured to nearby viewpoints along the Cape Meares Scenic Loop. Standing at Cape Meares Lighthouse I looked out across the endless Pacific while waves crashed far below.
13. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
This surreal stretch of shifting sand and sea was a highlight on my coastal road trip – towering dunes, hidden forests, and vast ocean horizons made it feel like stepping into another world. Whether hiking, riding, or simply wandering the windswept ridges, it was the perfect place to slow down and soak in nature’s extremes.
From the Byway, I drove a couple of hours south and based myself in Florence, where I mixed adrenaline-pumping dune adventures with mellow evenings in town. My days were filled with off-roading, sand-boarding, and hiking to tucked-away lakes, while sunsets often found me perched high on a dune, watching golden light melt into the Pacific.
- Location: Map & Directions
I also explored the nearby historic Heceta Head Lighthouse, its beam cutting through the evening fog while sea lions barked in the distance. Between the ocean, the forests, and the ever-changing sandscapes, the Oregon Dunes felt both raw and magical – an unforgettable stop on the journey.
14. Seaside Beach, Oregon
This lively stretch of Oregon coastline was a highlight of my Pacific Northwest road trip – a wide, sandy beach lined with a historic promenade, playful surf, and a festive small-town vibe made it the perfect spot to balance relaxation and fun. Whether strolling barefoot along the shoreline or people-watching from the boardwalk, Seaside delivered that quintessential coastal charm.
- Location: Map & Directions
My days were filled with flying kites, tide-pooling, and biking along the Promenade, while evenings often ended with saltwater taffy in hand as the sun dipped low over the horizon. I also ventured to nearby Ecola State Park.
Conclusion
For me, Oregon’s beaches are a collection of vibrant, unique, and absolutely spectacular experiences. Some beaches feel romantic and peaceful, perfect for a weekend getaway, while others are joyful playgrounds for families, full of tide pools, dunes, and endless shoreline to explore. And for me, Oregon’s coastline is one of the absolute best treasures in the Pacific Northwest, offering cool adventures, romantic escapes, and unforgettable family moments every single time.
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