Driving the Oregon coast always feels like flipping through a book of incredible photos. I want to stop at every lookout point and every cove so I have to remind myself that time exists. Year-round I come here for the solitude, dramatic cliffs, and fresh air. In the summer, these beaches get busy with day trippers so it's a good idea to arrive early to get a parking spot.
Best Beaches in Oregon:
Cannon Beach - 1.5 hours west of Portland, OR
I drove about 1.5 hours from Portland to reach Cannon Beach. Early in the morning, Haystack Rock rose out of the water like something mythic, fringed in mist and seabirds. The sand was flat, hard-packed, perfect for a walk. It felt like a beach designed for reflection.
The wind came in low gusts, steady. I walked for a long while, getting further away from Haystack Rock.
I brought a warm rice bowl with roasted mushrooms, tamari glaze, and shredded carrots. I sat near a driftwood log, tucking into my food. A gull stood ten feet away, watching. After this first visit, I returned several times with my husband and son in tow. We always packed a picnic lunch and stayed for hours.
I enjoy staying at Hi-Tide Oceanfront Inn just steps from the ocean.
“If you’re not humbled here, you’re not paying attention,” I thought.
Cannon Beach At a Glance
- Location: Northern Oregon coast
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning for peace, golden hour for drama
- Vibe: Iconic, moody, meditative
- Highlights: Haystack Rock, tide pools, fog-filtered views
- Facilities: Public restrooms, nearby shops and cafés
- Cost: Free public access; paid parking in town
- Food Nearby: Bakeries and bistros within walking distance
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area - 40 minutes south of Newport, OR
Cape Perpetua is a three-hour drive from Portland so I like to stay overnight.
Cape Perpetua feels alive, like the coastline and the ocean are having a chat. I always enjoy watching the waves coming in and going out. Everyone heads for Thor’s Well but the whole coastline is awesome. If you are in a hurry, check out the view from the overlook. But I highly recommend taking the time to go down the trail closer to the ocean.
I brought a sandwich I picked up from a local cafe in Yachats. I ate perched on a bench along the trail.
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area At a Glance
- Location: Central Oregon coast near Yachats
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-tide for active blowholes; overcast days deepen the mood
- Vibe: Wild, dramatic, awe-inducing
- Highlights: Thor’s Well, Spouting Horn, coastal trails
- Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, day-use parking
- Cost: Day-use fee or recreation pass required
- Food Nearby: Local cafés in Yachats, 10 minutes north
Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park - 20 minutes south of Yachats
The path to the beach at Carl G. Washburne felt longer than I expected, but in a good way. It wound through spruce and fir, cool and quiet, the kind of forest that hushes your thoughts without asking. Then the trees gave way to dunes, and the ocean unfolded all at once—wide, windswept, and empty in the best possible sense.
The sand here was damp and clean, the kind that holds a footprint like a signature. I walked for what felt like a long time and still couldn’t see the end in either direction. No buildings, no crowds. Just gulls, wind, and my own thoughts bouncing off the surf.
I brought red lentils with spinach, ginger, and coconut milk—warm, just spicy enough, and comforting against the breeze. I ate seated on a driftwood log streaked with lichen, my back to the dunes, watching the tide edge in without hurry.
“This is what peace feels like when it doesn’t need to be profound,” I thought.
Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park At a Glance
- Location: Near Florence, Oregon
- Best Time to Visit: Late morning to early afternoon (bring layers)
- Vibe: Quiet, expansive, slightly hidden
- Highlights: Long beach walk, dunes, forested trail approach
- Facilities: Campground, restrooms, day-use parking
- Cost: Free public access
- Food Nearby: Minimal—best to pack your own
Clatsop Spit - 30 minutes from Astoria
Clatsop Spit felt like a beach in constant negotiation with itself. The land here juts out like it’s testing the edge of the Pacific, and the waves push back accordingly. It was more wind than warmth, more drama than leisure. And I loved it for that.
I came for the walk—miles of open sand bordered by the Columbia River on one side and the crashing coast on the other. The beach was scattered with driftwood, some pieces big enough to resemble the ribs of shipwrecks. Every step felt like a history lesson.
I brought a barley salad with fennel and apple—crunchy, tart, and just a little sweet, like ocean air turned edible. I ate behind a dune, out of the wind, watching distant tankers roll toward the river mouth.
“The sea always reminds you it was here first,” I thought.
Clatsop Spit At a Glance
- Location: Fort Stevens State Park, northwest Oregon
- Best Time to Visit: Morning for low tide, evening for long light
- Vibe: Rugged, wind-sculpted, remote
- Highlights: Columbia River views, shipwreck history, migratory birds
- Facilities: Restrooms, parking, interpretive signs
- Cost: $5 day-use fee
- Food Nearby: Astoria is 20 minutes away—good spots there to stock up
Cobble Beach, Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area - just north of Newport, OR
I didn’t walk onto Cobble Beach. I listened to it first. The sound of the waves tumbling basalt stones created a soft, shifting percussion—like someone slowly shaking a bag of marbles. It was mesmerizing. The stones clattered, settled, and reset with every pull of the tide.
Set just below the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, the beach was steep and small, carved into a crescent with towering cliffs overhead. Every movement was accompanied by sound—steps on slick black stones, gulls echoing off rock walls, waves exhaling through kelp.
I brought roasted carrot and lentil salad with cumin and tahini dressing—deep, smoky, and grounding. I sat on a large flat rock, letting the lighthouse cast its long shadow just over my shoulder.
“Even stillness makes music here,” I thought.
Cobble Beach At a Glance
- Location: Below Yaquina Head, Newport, Oregon
- Best Time to Visit: Low tide for tide pools and gentler footing
- Vibe: Echoing, geologic, immersive
- Highlights: Basalt stones, tide pools, lighthouse above
- Facilities: Restrooms, interpretive center, paved path to overlook
- Cost: $7 vehicle entry fee (or federal recreation pass)
- Food Nearby: Casual eateries and seafood spots in Newport
D-River Wayside - 2 hours west of Salem
D-River Wayside looked almost too small to matter—wedged between Lincoln City’s main drag and the ocean. But once I parked and stepped out onto the sand, it opened up like a secret. The river itself, one of the world’s shortest, flowed straight under the highway and into the surf like it had no time to waste.
Kites filled the sky. Not just a few—dozens, tethered to serious spools, their colors whipping in the wind above the flat sand. There was something festival-like even on a regular Tuesday.
I brought tabbouleh with parsley and lemon, refreshing and fast. I ate leaning against a log just above the waterline, wind in my hair, eyes on the kites.
“Sometimes the best beaches don’t ask for your attention—they snatch it,” I thought.
D-River Wayside At a Glance
- Location: Lincoln City, Oregon
- Best Time to Visit: Midday for wind and kite-flying
- Vibe: Lively, compact, open-sky energy
- Highlights: Kite festivals, river meeting sea, fast beach access
- Facilities: Restrooms, picnic tables, short trail to beach
- Cost: Free public access
- Food Nearby: Walkable to restaurants and cafés in Lincoln City
Harris Beach State Park - Just north of Brookings, OR
Harris Beach hit me all at once—sharp cliffs, scattered sea stacks, and the kind of golden light that makes you stop mid-step. Located near the southern tip of Oregon, it felt wilder than the rest, like the landscape had shrugged off subtlety.
I walked a winding path down to the beach, passing through coastal scrub and wind-bent trees. The beach itself was a blend of sand and pebbles, with tide pools tucked into every nook of rock. A couple of kids shouted joyfully about a sea star. Nearby, someone painted in silence.
I brought sweet potato mash with black beans and lime—soft, rich, citrus-bright. I ate barefoot, sitting on a low boulder, watching gulls hover in place above the crashing surf.
“This is the kind of beach that reminds you how small you are—in a good way,” I thought.
Harris Beach State Park At a Glance
- Location: Brookings, Oregon (south coast)
- Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon for golden light and tide pools
- Vibe: Rugged, cinematic, southern charm
- Highlights: Sea stacks, tide pools, sunsets
- Facilities: Campground, restrooms, picnic areas, day-use parking
- Cost: Free day use
- Food Nearby: Grab-and-go options in Brookings
Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint - 20 minutes south of Yachats
I approached Heceta Head Lighthouse from the north trail—lush and mossy, the kind where every footstep feels like it belongs in a fairytale. When the trees opened up, the view arrived in layers: cliffs, beach, water, sky, and finally, the white beacon of the lighthouse perched high on its green shoulder.
Below, the beach was crescent-shaped and backed by steep rock. The surf was steady but soft, curling in with a kind of rhythm that seemed tied to the beam of the lighthouse itself.
I brought roasted cauliflower, couscous, and a lemon-garlic dressing—warm, nutty, and simple. I ate sitting on a bench halfway up the trail, the ocean humming below, and the lighthouse turning slowly above me.
“Some places shine even when it’s not their turn,” I thought.
Heceta Head Lighthouse At a Glance
- Location: North of Florence, Oregon
- Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon for light and trail shade
- Vibe: Historic, serene, cliff-top wonder
- Highlights: Lighthouse views, beach below, coastal trail
- Facilities: Restrooms, trail access, lighthouse tours (seasonal)
- Cost: $5 day-use fee
- Food Nearby: Florence cafés and roadside diners along Highway 101
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.
I parked and walked toward the ocean. The sand was soft and deep, shifting underfoot. There were very few people but many sanderlings skipping along the surf.
“Not all solitude feels quiet,” I thought because of the wind.
I decided not to eat my lunch on the dunes because it was too windy. I drove to North Bend right after and had coffee and a sandwich at The Tin Rooster cage.
Years later, I came back and stayed at Best Western Salbasgeon Inn & Suites Of Reedsport about half an hour north from Horsfall Beach.
Horsfall Beach At a Glance
- Location: Near North Bend, Oregon (south coast)
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning for minimal wind, late day for shadows
- Vibe: Remote, windswept, expansive
- Highlights: Sand dunes, ATV access, long walks
- Facilities: Day-use parking, restrooms, dune trailheads
- Cost: Free or U.S. Forest Service day pass
- Food Nearby: North Bend and Coos Bay for hot meals and supplies
Lincoln City Beach
Lincoln City Beach was a 2-hour (each way) day trip from Portland. The sand stretched wide and the waves rolled in long and steady. There were surfers out in the water in the summer. Kids were building fortresses of sand.
I thought that Lincoln City was a nice place to live with residents having such a lovely beach right on their doorstep.
I walked along the shoreline with bare feet, sinking into relaxation. Every few steps I picked up a stone, studied it, then let it go.
I had a fresh, delicious, made-to-order sandwich at Salt in town.
Lincoln City Beach At a Glance
- Location: Lincoln City, Oregon
- Best Time to Visit: Morning low tide for beachcombing, afternoon for kites
- Vibe: Welcoming, walkable, everyday ocean
- Highlights: Driftwood, glass float hunting, community shoreline
- Facilities: Easy beach access, restrooms, lots of parking
- Cost: Free public access
- Food Nearby: Coffee shops, fish & chips spots, and picnic-friendly delis in town
Conclusion: The Oregon Coast Doesn’t Perform—It Endures
From towering sea stacks to whispering cobble stones, Oregon’s beaches didn’t just show me variety—they showed me honesty. This coast didn’t dress itself up to be liked. It stayed raw, windblown, unpredictable. And in that, I found calm.
Each stop offered something different: a mood, a rhythm, a space to stand and feel what needed feeling. I left with shoes full of sand and a phone full of gray-blue skies that somehow felt warmer than they looked.
“You don’t go to Oregon’s coast for perfect weather,” I thought, “you go to remember you’re weathered too—and still standing.”
More to explore...
Jump to a Spot...
- • Cannon Beach - 1.5 hours west of Portland, OR
- • Cape Perpetua Scenic Area - 40 minutes south of Newport, OR
- • Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park - 20 minutes south of Yachats
- • Clatsop Spit - 30 minutes from Astoria
- • Cobble Beach, Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area - just north of Newport, OR
- • D-River Wayside - 2 hours west of Salem
- • Harris Beach State Park - Just north of Brookings, OR
- • Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint - 20 minutes south of Yachats
- • Horsfall Beach - 2 miles north of Coos Bay
- • Lincoln City Beach
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