If you’re dreaming of salty air, rugged shorelines, and charming seaside towns, an Oregon Coast road trip is the perfect adventure! Stretching over 360 miles from the Columbia River to the California border, the Oregon Coast offers jaw-dropping views, outdoor activities, and plenty of small-town magic. Here’s the ultimate itinerary for exploring the best the northern and central coast has to offer along Highway 101 from Astoria to Florence.
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Oregon Coast Road Trip: Stop #1
Kick off your Oregon Coast road trip in Astoria, the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. This picturesque port town sits where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean and is famous for its dramatic views, rich maritime history, and the iconic Astoria-Megler Bridge, a 4.1-mile steel giant connecting Oregon to Washington.
History lovers should head to the Lewis & Clark National Historical Park, where you can explore Fort Clatsop, a replica of the explorers’ winter encampment. Walk the trails through coastal forest, visit the interpretive center, and learn how Lewis and Clark concluded their journey here in 1805. Don’t forget to turn in your Junior Ranger books while you are here!
And for movie fans, Astoria holds special charm: it was the filming location for the cult classic The Goonies. One of the town’s most famous landmarks is The Goonies House, perched on a hillside with sweeping views of the river below. Several other Goonies filming locations, including the old county jail (now the Oregon Film Museum), are scattered around town and make for a fun mini-tour.
Between the stunning waterfront, historic sites, and pop culture gems, Astoria sets the perfect tone for the adventure ahead.
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Oregon Coast Road Trip: Stop #2
Seaside Beach
Just a 20-minute drive from Astoria, Seaside is a quintessential beach town that blends coastal charm with classic Americana. Known for its wide sandy beach, family-friendly vibe, and walkable downtown, Seaside makes a perfect second stop on your Oregon Coast road trip.
Start with a stroll or bike ride along the Seaside Promenade, a 1.5-mile oceanfront path affectionately called “The Prom.” Lined with vintage-style lampposts, it offers stunning views of the Pacific and is ideal for a relaxing morning walk or sunset stroll. Along the way, you’ll pass the Turnaround at Seaside, a historic marker commemorating the Lewis & Clark Expedition’s arrival to the Pacific.
Oregon Coast Road Trip: Stop #3
Cannon Beach
Just a short drive south from Seaside lies Cannon Beach, one of the most iconic and picturesque destinations on the Oregon Coast—and a must-see on your road trip itinerary. With dramatic coastal cliffs, artisan shops, and the legendary Haystack Rock, this charming town effortlessly blends natural beauty with artistic flair.
Towering 235 feet above the shoreline, Haystack Rock is the centerpiece of Cannon Beach and one of Oregon’s most photographed landmarks. At low tide, explore the tide pools at its base, home to vibrant sea stars, anemones, and colorful marine life. If you’re lucky, you might spot puffins nesting on the rock’s cliffs during the spring and summer months.
Oregon Coast Road Trip: Stop #4
Silver Point Interpretive Overlook
Just a few miles south of Cannon Beach, Silver Point Interpretive Overlook is the kind of stop that makes you pull over even if you hadn’t planned to. From this roadside viewpoint, you’ll get an incredible perspective of Haystack Rock rising from the sea, with miles of coastline stretching in both directions.
Oregon Coast Road Trip: Stop #5
Neahkahnie Viewpoint
As you wind your way up Highway 101 just past Manzanita, the Neahkahnie Mountain Viewpoint rewards you with a jaw-dropping vista. It’s one of the highest drivable points on the Oregon Coast, offering a bird’s-eye view of the expansive Pacific Ocean, often layered in mist or glowing under a coastal sunset.
Oregon Coast Road Trip: Stop #6
The Three Graces
Tucked just before you reach Garibaldi, the Three Graces are a trio of striking sea stacks standing guard in Tillamook Bay. At low tide, you can explore the tide pools and rocky shoreline surrounding them.
Oregon Coast Road Trip: Stop #7
Tillamook Creamery
No Oregon Coast road trip is complete without a visit to the Tillamook Creamery. This iconic stop is more than just a place to taste cheese—it’s a full-on experience with interactive exhibits, a self-guided factory viewing tour, and of course, an epic ice cream counter.
Oregon Coast Road Trip: Stop #8
Depoe Bay
Depoe Bay is a tiny coastal town with a big reputation. Often referred to as the “Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast,” Depoe Bay is one of the best places in the world to spot gray whales—many of which live here year-round.
At just six square acres, Depoe Bay holds the title for the world’s smallest navigable harbor, but don’t let its size fool you. This historic harbor, carved into rugged basalt cliffs, opens directly into the open ocean, making it the perfect launching point for thrilling whale watching tours. Local charter companies offer intimate boat trips that often get you close enough to feel the mist from a whale’s spout. The best times to visit are during the gray whale migrations in winter (December–January) and spring (March–May), but sightings happen nearly all year.
If you’d rather stay on land, Depoe Bay still delivers. The rocky shoreline along Highway 101 features a natural seawall where waves dramatically crash into the lava rock, often spraying water over the sidewalk. There’s even a spouting horn—a blowhole-like formation that shoots seawater high into the air with each wave, thrilling visitors walking by.
Wander through the historic bayfront, lined with charming shops, art galleries, and seafood restaurants. Pick up a locally made souvenir, watch the fishing boats come and go, and grab a bowl of fresh chowder or locally caught fish and chips from one of the cozy harbor cafés.
Oregon Coast Road Trip: Stop #9
Devil’s Punchbowl
Tucked along the coast near Otter Rock, Devil’s Punchbowl is one of those mysterious places that seems to exist in its own elemental world. Formed by the collapse of sea caves, this natural bowl-shaped formation becomes a swirling, frothing spectacle when the tide rolls in. Waves crash and churn within the hollow rock, echoing off the walls like a living, breathing force of nature. It’s equal parts beautiful and a little bit wild—exactly what you want from a stop on the Oregon Coast.
The best time to see the Punchbowl in action is during high tide, when the ocean floods in and thrashes about, creating a mesmerizing natural show. At low tide, the surrounding beach becomes a tide-pooler’s paradise. You can stroll down to the nearby rocks and discover a mini-universe of starfish, anemones, and other coastal creatures tucked in the crevices.
It’s also a great place to just linger and soak up the atmosphere. There’s a small overlook with interpretive signs, offering background on how this unique formation came to be, and the views of the coastline to the north and south are breathtaking.
Oregon Coast Road Trip: Stop #10
Newport
Midway down the Oregon Coast, Newport offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, coastal culture, and small-town charm. It’s one of the most dynamic stops on your Oregon Coast road trip, known for its working fishing port, sweeping ocean views, and marine life encounters.
Deep sea fishing is a popular activity in Newport, with charters departing daily from the harbor. Whether you’re reeling in rockfish, lingcod, or Dungeness crab, it’s an exhilarating way to experience the Pacific firsthand. Don’t worry if you’re new to fishing—most charters are beginner-friendly and provide all the gear.
Back on land, Newport’s historic bayfront is a bustling hub filled with seafood restaurants, galleries, and salty character. Watch commercial fishing boats unload their catch, say hello to the sea lions lounging along the docks, and pop into local shops for souvenirs or nautical trinkets.
Just north of town, check out Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, where a scenic lighthouse stands tall above volcanic cliffs. It’s a prime spot for tide pooling, whale watching, and soaking in panoramic ocean views.
Oregon Coast Road Trip: Stop #11
Seal Rock
Nestled along a quieter stretch of Highway 101, Seal Rock is a peaceful and picturesque stop where sea stacks rise from the surf and harbor seals often bask on the rocks offshore. The main viewpoint offers a sweeping look at the coastline, with dramatic basalt formations jutting from the water, constantly battered by the waves.
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Oregon Coast Road Trip: Stop #12
Cape Perpetua
Just south of Yachats, Cape Perpetua rises 800 feet above the ocean, offering some of the most dramatic views on the entire Oregon Coast. Start at the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center, part of the Siuslaw National Forest, where you can grab maps, learn about local geology and wildlife, and take in sweeping views right from the deck.
From there, follow the trail to Devil’s Churn, a narrow inlet where waves crash with incredible force, echoing through the rocks like thunder. At high tide, it’s a dramatic and humbling display of the Pacific’s power.
Nearby, Thor’s Well and Spouting Horn put on an equally wild show, with seawater shooting skyward through blowholes in the volcanic rock—perfect for photography.
If you’re up for a short hike, trails wind through old-growth forest past giant Sitka spruce and lush ferns. One of the best rewards is the Cape Perpetua Overlook, the highest point on the Oregon Coast accessible by car, offering panoramic views of the rugged shoreline below.
Oregon Coast Road Trip: Stop #13
Sea Lion Caves in Florence
As you wind your way toward the southern stretch of your Oregon Coast road trip, make time for one of the coast’s most unique and awe-inspiring natural attractions: the Sea Lion Caves in Florence. Touted as America’s largest sea cave, this incredible coastal wonder offers a front-row seat to Oregon’s wild side.
Carved by the relentless pounding of Pacific surf over thousands of years, the Sea Lion Caves are a massive network of caverns set into a basalt cliffside 11 stories below the surface. The main chamber, stretching the length of a football field and as high as a 12-story building, is home to hundreds of wild Steller sea lions—especially during fall and winter months when they gather to rest, bark, and jostle for the best rocky perch.
Above ground, clifftop viewing decks offer panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. These vantage points are prime spots for gray whale watching, especially during the migration seasons in late winter and spring. Interpretive displays explain the geology, wildlife, and history of the area, adding depth to the experience.
The Family Verdict
An Oregon Coast road trip is the perfect mix of natural wonder, seaside nostalgia, and small-town exploration. Whether you’re marveling at sea stacks, spotting whales, or fishing in the Pacific, every stop along the way offers something unforgettable!
Make sure to check out our adventures in Mount Saint Helens Ape Cave Lava Tubes, Olympic National Park, Crater Lake National Park, and Redwood National Park. Also, follow along on our road trip through the Pacific Northwest!
Follow along on our other amazing family travel adventures at www.adventureisinoursouls.com.
Recommended Supplies
Don’t miss out on these recommended supplies for your family adventure!
For Packing:
For the Airport / Airplane:
Basics:
Outdoors:
- Pocket Binoculars
- Travel Umbrella
- Adult Hiking Hydration Backpack
- Kid’s Hiking Hydration Backpack
- Water Bladder Cleaning Tablets
- Microfiber Towels
- Women’s All Around Jacket
- Women’s Water-Resistant Hiking Pants, These and These
- Women’s Quick Dry Pants and These
- Women’s Quick Dry Shirts
- Women’s Long Sleeve UV Rash Guard
- Women’s Hiking Socks
- Women’s Rain Jacket
- Kid’s Quick Dry Pants
- Kid’s Quick Dry Shorts
- Kid’s Quick Dry Shirts
- Kid’s Long Sleeve UV Rash Guard
- Kid’s Hiking Socks and These
- Kids Rain Jacket
- Kid’s Rain Pants
- Foldable Kid’s Hat
- Men’s Rain Jacket
