These Oregon Coast Stops Are Sure To Delight Everyone In The Family
Planning your first trip to the Oregon Coast? This post is for you!
The Oregon Coast covers a lot of territory- 363 miles along the Pacific shoreline to be exact. Figuring out where to go, what to see, and what area to stay can feel a bit overwhelming when you first start planning your trip.
Our Oregon Coast itinerary absolutely delivers with charming coastal towns, magical forest walks with old-growth trees, dramatic ocean beaches, tide pools full of sea life, grand lighthouses, and lots of interesting stops along the way.
I’ve spelled out a detailed day-by-day itinerary that starts in Cannon Beach and travels south down the coast to the tiny town of Yachats along with all the fantastic stops in between. The scenery is absolutely incredible.
Time in the car is limited to 2 hours a day to maximize time for fun stops and exploration. Hiking trails have been chosen for their short length and “wow” factor, and I’ve listed well-reviewed family-friendly restaurants in each town as well as where to stay.
We’ve done all the research, and this road trip down the Oregon Coast is simply awesome.
Also see our Oregon Coast Travel Tips- What To Know Before Your Trip for more info about when to visit, parking permits, tidepooling tips, and a handy packing list.
Oregon Coast Itinerary- Must See Stops From Cannon Beach To Yachats, OR
The Oregon Coast Highway (Highway 101) runs the length of the Oregon Coast keeping the Pacific Ocean in view for much of it.
The highway meanders through coastal towns with excellent restaurants, multiple beach access points, old-growth forest trails, and scenic overlooks along the way. I’ll share some terrific ones with you below.
Here are the stops listed from north to south that are covered in detail in this itinerary. All were simply awesome!
- Cannon Beach (Overnight at Hallmark Resort)– Haystack Rock
- Ecola State Park- Indian Beach and Clatslop Loop Trail
- Oswald West State Park- Short Sand Beach
- Elk Flats Trail To Overlook
- Tillamook Creamery Tour
- Oceanside, OR- Tunnel Beach
- Pacific City (Overnight at Inn at Camp Kiwanda – loved it!)
- Cape Kiwanda Sand Dune
- Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint- Whale watching
- Depoe Bay- Whale Watching Center
- Yaquina Head Lighthouse- Interpretive Center and Cobble Beach
- Newport, OR- Hatfield Marine Science Center or Newport Aquarium
- Yachats, OR- (Overnight at Overleaf Lodge or vacation rental – we liked ours!)
- Cape Perpetua Scenic Area – Captain Cook Trail to Cook’s Chasm, Spouting Horn, Thor’s Well; Giant Spruce Trail; Whispering Spruce Trail
- Heceta Head Lighthouse and Cape Cove Beach
I really liked staying in the towns of Cannon Beach, Pacific City, and Yachats. All were quaint coastal villages with plenty of amenities and close to some of the best stops on the coast.
Should I Stay In Portland or Drive To The Coast Upon Arrival?
If you’re flying to Oregon for this itinerary, you’ll fly into Portland and ideally (but optionally) fly out of Eugene. Returning out of Portland works just fine too. Yachats (the last stop on the itinerary) is 3.5 hours drive from Portland International Airport and just shy of 2 hours to the Eugene Airport.
For this itinerary, it’s a 2 hour drive on Highway 26 from Portland to your first stop in Cannon Beach. Once outside of Portland, the single lane highway (55 mph with the occasional passing lane) mostly travels through farmland and forest as you approach the coast.
It’s a pleasant, easy drive, so if your flight arrives at a reasonable time, head to the coast! If you want to explore Portland a bit or arrive on a late flight, we liked our stay in Portland’s Pearl District, just a 20 minute drive from the airport.
Where To Stay In Portland, OR
The Cambria Hotel-Pearl District is brand new, affordable, and has a terrific location- on a quiet street but close to everything. P.S. Valet parking in the secure private parking lot is $55 night but recommended.
From the hotel, you can walk to a handful of breweries to check out Portland’s craft beer scene (Deschutes, Backwoods Brewing (best pretzel!), and 10 Barrel Brewing), visit Powell’s Books, the nation’s largest independent bookstore, and grab a fantastic breakfast at Cheryl’s (complimentary beignets for the table!) or Screen Door before hitting the road the next day.
FYI- The retro-chic Inn at Northrup Station in Nob Hill is another recommended hotel with free onsite parking, free continental breakfast, and walkable to many restaurants and breweries. The street car stop is right across the street, and your room includes free rides.
Day 1- Cannon Beach, OR
(2 hour drive from Portland)
Cannon Beach is one of the most popular coastal towns in Oregon. It has a very laid back vibe with the feel of a quaint New England town. It leans more upscale with lots of restaurants, art galleries, and a beautiful, long beach with a very recognizable landmark- Haystack Rock.
If you’re lucky, you might even see the resident herd of elk walking the beach.
Of all of our beach stops on the coast, this beach definitely had the most people but it is a super large beach and didn’t feel crowded at all.
Cannon Beach is a terrific base camp to explore 3 fantastic nearby state parks: Ecola State Park, Hug Point State Recreation Site, and Oswald West State Park.
Where To Stay In Cannon Beach
You won’t find any national chain hotels in Cannon Beach, and the prices for lodging during the summer season are crazy expensive.
Hallmark Resort and Surf Sand Resort are great locations, very close to Haystack Rock and the “touristy” hub of town where the shops, galleries, and restaurants are located.
We stayed at the Hallmark Resort in a non-oceanview room. The small, cozy room felt a bit like staying in a room at your Grandma’s (not necessarily a bad thing!) I didn’t love the room but it was clean and had a refrigerator and microwave. No AC but a fan was provided and worked fine.
If you can get an oceanview room (and can afford it) that would be the way to go! Otherwise, you pay a lot of money for a very average, non-view room.
However, the biggest plus is that the resort itself is oceanfront and Haystock Rock is right next to it. Hallmark Resort has a small deck that overlooks the ocean and Haystack Rock, and stairs lead down to the large, sandy beach.
Because of this fantastic location, I would stay here again for sure.
The Hallmark Resort offers Adirondack chairs to use on the sandy beach as well as rental bikes if you want to bike around town. It was an easy walk to restaurants and shops from the hotel, and Pelican Brewing is right across the street.
Many make Cannon Beach a multi-day stop to enjoy the coastal village and nearby state parks. For longer stays, you might consider renting an airbnb although we felt 1-2 nights was adequate here.
Day 1- Haystack Rock
Haystack Rock not only provides Instagram-worthy photos, but it is also known as one of the best places on the coast to go tidepooling, a must do experience while traveling the Oregon Coast.
Tidepooling (yes, it’s a verb!) is simply exploring a rocky shoreline at low tide in search of marine life, and Cannon Beach is a great place to do it.
At low tide, you’ll be able to see a variety of sea life like colorful sea stars, green sea anemones, and beds of mussels clinging to the rocks. It’s really super cool, and it’s a fun activity for the whole family.
For more tidepooling tips, see our Oregon Coast Travel Tips- What To Know Before Your Trip.
Tip: In general, the best time to experience the tidepools is an hour to 90 minutes before the low tide. Check the tide tables to see when low and high tides occur each day. Your hotel will probably have it posted or printed as well.
As night falls at Cannon Beach, you’ll see lots of people on the beach enjoying the warmth of a small bonfire and roasting s’mores. Seems to be a thing here.
You can purchase bundles of wood and s’mores kits at some of the hardware stores and groceries in town or from the front desk at the Hallmark Resort (available to the public as well as guests.)
Day 1- Ecola State Park
Just 10 minutes north of Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park is absolutely beautiful with its lush, green forests and huge trees that surround picturesque Indian Beach.
Upon entering the park, the “WOW” factor begins. The drive is absolutely stunning as it winds its way through big trees, leafy ferns, and green everything, everywhere. Loved it!
There are two parking areas in the park: Ecola Point and Indian Beach. Pass Ecola Point and follow signs to Indian Beach. It’s a fairly large parking area here, and we grabbed a spot on a Sunday in August without a problem.
There is no welcome station or Visitor Center at Indian Beach, but you will need to pay to park here using the machine near the entrance to the cul de sac. $10 for in-state and $12 for out-of-state. Remember to place the permit on your dashboard.
Tip: The parking permit is good all day at any state park.
See our Oregon Coast Travel Tips- What To Know Before Your Trip for helpful info about parking permits required along the Oregon Coast.
Ecola State Park- Indian Beach
Indian Beach is a terrific beach to explore anytime but is another good one for tidepooling at low tide. It’s also fun to watch the surfers here, and the rocky shoreline adds dimension to an already beautiful place.
Tip: Look for the decommissioned historic Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, also known as “Terrible Tilly,” just about a mile offshore.
You can take it all in from the overlook at the parking area or take one of the short trails down to the beach. Definitely recommend going down to the beach!
We saw a whale in the distance while we were there so keep an eye out for their “blows” on the ocean surface.
Restrooms (vault toilet) are available in the parking lot.
Ecola State Park- Clatslop Loop Trail
(3.0 mile roundtrip hike, 760 feet elevation gain)
If you are interested in history or just want to hike a trail in the rainforest, the Clatslop Loop Trail leads to a moss-covered six-room concrete World War II bunker leftover from a military radar station.
In addition, the Lewis and Clark team once followed this same route, adding to the trail’s history.
At the end of the trail, you’ll also get a scenic view of the ocean and an above view of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse sitting on a rocky outcrop about a mile out to sea.
Note that this loop trail is currently an out and back trail. The oceanside part of the trail loop is closed due to mud slides. I imagine I would have liked the hike even more with ocean views but still enjoyed the uniqueness of the bunkers at the top.
The trailhead is located on the north end of the parking lot behind the restrooms at the Indian Beach parking area.
It’s a nice wide trail through the fern-laden and mossy Sitka spruce forest, but know that it is steep. You climb 1.5 miles to the top of Tillamook Head gaining 760 feet in elevation.
I think the trail incline is reasonable for older kids but would be hard for the younger ones- it’s a bit of a slog to get up there and not sure they’d appreciate the history.
As you near the top, you’ll pass a picnic pavilion at a hiker’s camp area. From here, it is about 0.2 miles to reach the bunkers.
You’ll eventually walk over 2 wood planks placed on the trail to avoid mud– look to your left for the short side trails that lead to the bunkers.
After exploring and imagining this time period, you can continue on to the overlook where you’ll see the lighthouse in the distance. Turn around here and head back the way you came.
WWII Bunkers 
Another concrete bunker 
One of several WW 2 bunkers on the trail
FYI- There is limited cell reception in the park. You’ll find a pit toilet restroom at the trailhead and at the top of the hike.
Day 1- Cannon Beach Restaurants
Ecola Seafood– We liked this casual order at the counter seafood joint- nice outdoor seating areas and the prices are reasonable. Fish and chips are good here and there is a kids menu as well.
The Wayfarer is another good option with oceanfront views.
Pelican Brewing– You’ll see this restaurant in multiple towns along the Oregon Coast. We liked the shrimp tacos, and the hamburger was solid. Kids Menu.
Public Coast Brewing Co. is another good option with indoor and outdoor dining. Giant pretzel, wings, burgers, onion rings with an emphasis on locally-sourced ingredients.
Bruce’s Candy Kitchen– Makes for a good stop for the kiddos. I liked their nice selection of Pez dispensers. They also make salt water taffy. (10-7pm)
Pizza a’fetta – Buy the pie or purchase by the slice. Popular place!
The Lazy Susan Cafe, Cannon Beach Bakery, and Sea Level Bakery are good spots for breakfast. We liked the pecan cinnamon rolls and acai bowl at Sea Level. Don’t let the line out the door deter you. It moves fast.
The Bistro and Anna’s Table are good bets for fine-dining.
As you can see, lots of options here. For more ideas, see Portland’s Eater’s The Best Bars and Restaurants in Cannon Beach.
Day 2- Drive From Cannon Beach To Pacific City, OR
(2 hours drive time to Pacific City if driving straight without stops)
Day 2 Breakfast
Grab breakfast to go at Sea Level Bakery in Cannon Beach and drive 15 minutes south on 101 to Oswald West State Park to walk the short, flat half-mile trail to Short Sand Beach- one of our favorite stops on our coastal road trip. The lush trail and the beach itself are high on the “Wow” factor!
Day 2 First Stop- Oswald West State Park
(15 minute drive from Cannon Beach)
Short Sand Beach Trail
(1.2 mile roundtrip, flat, beautiful trail to Short Sand Beach)
Short Sand Beach in Oswald West State Park was one of our favorite beaches, and the 0.6 mile trail to get there through old growth forest was as pretty as Ecola State Park’s Clatslop Trail but much shorter and not steep at all. Our daughter appreciated that!!
Tip: Hug Point State Recreation Area (free to park) was closed while we were traveling the coast but has just recently re-opened. It would be another nice stop to explore tide pools, caves, and a sandy beach. It would be on your way from Cannon Beach to Short Sand Beach.
Short Sand Beach is a beautiful secluded beach surrounded by cliffs and forest with a small waterfall on the north end of the beach. Blumenthal Waterfall is quite small but it was still fun to find.
Short Sand Beach is also a popular surfing spot, so it was fun to explore the beach and its sandstone caves and watch the surfers.
If driving from Cannon Beach, you’ll see the large parking lot on the left, the east side of 101. On Google Maps, it is listed as Lot 20.
It is $12 ($10 if a state resident) to park and the machine is located on the north end of the parking lot near the restrooms (which have flush toilets, yay!)
The trailhead is located to the left of the pay station and goes under Highway 101 so thankfully you don’t have to cross it.
The easy dirt trail follows along a creek, and it feels almost magical with the lush greenery and large Sitka spruce trees dotting the path.
We saw several surfers carrying their boards on the trail, and you could even take a jog stroller on it.
Well-signed trails amongst the giant trees 
Big trees! 
Beginning of trail goes under the highway
There are a number of super short trails that intersect with the Short Sand Beach Trail, and all the trails are clearly marked. We stayed on Short Sand Beach Trail to reach the beach, and then changed it up on the way back.
After about 0.5 miles from the trailhead, you’ll see picnic tables and another restroom before descending down to the beach. I recommend turning right to walk north towards the cliffs and the waterfall (it makes for a fun game of “I Spy” the waterfall!).
We explored some tiny caves in the cliff rock, looked for sea life in the tidepools on the other side of the beach, and watched the surfers. Made for a great morning!
On our return to the parking area, we walked the Short Sand Beach Trail and then went right on the Sitka Spruce Trail (0.2 mile) to Necarney Creek Trail (0.3 mile) to its intersection with the Old Growth Forest Trail (0.2 mile ) which reconnects to Short Sand Beach Trail. on the way back.
Necarney Creek added to the scenery, and we had the trail completely to ourselves, making for a peaceful walk through the forest.
FYI- Note- We had sporadic cell phone coverage while there (AT&T).
Day 2 Second Stop- Elk Flats Rock Trail
(1 mile roundtrip to beautiful ocean and cliffside views; free to park here)
Elk Flats Rock is the next stop on your way to Pacific City. It is located just 1.3 miles south of Short Sand Beach parking area and is worth a quick stop.
A super short trail leads from the parking area to a beautiful overlook of the ocean and surrounding cliffs.
The overlook area is not fenced so be careful around the edges of the rock cliff.
Park in the large gravel pull-off on the right side of Highway 101– just 2 minutes from the Short Sand Trail parking area. Parking is free here.
The trail to Elk Flats Rock is located in the back of the parking lot, roughly in the center. (The Oregon Coast Trail is across the street.)
You’ll come to a trail juncture very shortly- go left to proceed to the overlook. (Going right leads to Devil’s Cauldron Overlook (1/2 mile) which wasn’t as impressive to us.)
Amazing views from the Elk Flats Overlook! 
Parking for Elk Flats Trail 
Trailhead in parking lot
The trail is narrow, a bit overgrown with grasses (glad I was wearing pants), is steep upon descent to the overlook but only for a few yards.
It took us 10 minutes to walk the 1/4 mile to reach the overlook that juts into the ocean. The elevation gain is on the return back to the parking area- 306′ elevation change. Note: Could be muddy after rain.
Note: We didn’t stop in Rockaway Beach, but it is another good option for a stop or as a replacement for the Tillamook Creamery stop. Rockaway Beach has a large sandy beach with two huge sea rocks, Twin Rocks, just offshore. You can take a short walk on the Old Growth Big Cedar Trail to see a … spoiler alert… a giant cedar! Or grab a quick bite at Pronto Pup, home of the original corn dog.
Day 2 Third Stop- Tillamook, OR
(45 minute drive from Short Sand Beach)
Tillamook Creamery
Tillamook Creamery is a major tourist attraction in Tillamook, OR. It’s like the Disneyland of cheese but free to enter and no rides.
Just the idea that so many people are interested in cheese making is enough to be intriguing. My family wanted to go, and it’s a worthy stop if you are in the area.
There’s a large parking lot with overflow parking (which is where we parked due to the crowds). One of the first things you’ll notice when exiting your car is the smell of cow fields. This place is the real deal.
It’s a large facility offering a self-guided tour where you can watch the cheese being made, cut, and packaged. The tour has 12 different overlook areas of the cheese-making process with informational placards at each one.
If you don’t want to walk through the self-guided tour line, you can at least catch a peek at the window near the sampling station where you can sample 4 different cheeses along with a tiny spoon of a rotating flavor of Tillamook ice cream.
They also have a large marketplace selling Tillamook swag and artisan cheeses among other things.
Our goal was to take the tour, go to the ice cream counter for a cone, and hit the road. All in all, it was a good visit– it took less than an hour, but I would skip it unless you’re in the vicinity or you need an indoor activity.
Tip: The ice cream counter that is accessible from the outside patio is much less crowded than the one in the dining area. You can also download their app to order online and pick up.
Cones are $4 kid scoop/$5 single scoop which seems like a good price given the size of the scoops.
You can also eat lunch at the creamery, but I recommend going down the road to Blue Heron Cheese & Wine Co. for some truly tasty sandwiches (and a fun gift shop and wine selection for foodies!). We took our sandwiches to go and ate them at our next stop in Oceanside, OR.
Day 2 Fourth Stop- Oceanside, OR
(25 minute drive from Tillamook Creamery; State parking fee)
Tunnel Beach
The unique access to Tunnel Beach made this stop another favorite of the trip. In the 1920’s, a tunnel was built through the Maxwell Point headland by the Rosenburg family to allow visitors to go from Oceanside Beach to what is now called Tunnel Beach.
The tunnel is still there, and it leads to a truly beautiful beach.
To get there, drive to Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site. It’s a fairly large parking area that requires a $12 parking pass/$10 for in-state. There’s a sign with a QR code to pay online (no credit card machine here.)
Once on Oceanside Beach, turn right and walk about 200 yards to Maxwell Point headland. It’s hard to see the entrance to the tunnel in the cliffs until you walk a bit down the beach.
I recommend wearing sandals or other shoes to walk through the tunnel. The first part is smooth concrete (it’s an addition to the original tunnel) but it soon turns into an uneven rock floor and walls. It gets fairly dark mid-way but you can see your way for the most part.
Obviously avoid the tunnel during storm events or unusual high tide events.
Exit to Tunnel Beach 
Tunnel Entrance 
Beginning of tunnel 
The rocky part of the tunnel
Walking through the tunnel is fun, but the beach is even better. Soft sand and lots of rocks and caves to explore. It’s a much more interesting beach than Oceanside Beach on the other side of the tunnel.
Oceanside is a teeny, tiny town and a bit off the beaten path of Highway 101. If you want to grab a bite here, Roseanna’s Cafe (closed on Mon) and Blue Agate Cafe get good reviews.
P.S. We didn’t have cell service in Oceanside, so save your Google Map offline or make notes on how to proceed from here to the final stop of the day in Pacific City.
Day 2- Overnight In Pacific City, OR
(35 minute drive from Tunnel Beach in Oceanside, OR)
We really liked Pacific City. It’s a small coastal town but has everything you need including a large sea stack rising out of the ocean and the Cape Kiwanda Sand Dune that just begs to be climbed.
Where To Stay In Pacific City, OR
We stayed at the newly updated Inn at Camp Kiwanda. All rooms have balconies and ocean views, but it is situated across the road from the beach so your view also includes the road and the parking lot across it.
This didn’t bother us, but you might request a 3rd floor room to get off the road a bit more. The room was large with a Nespresso machine, microwave, and refrigerator, had a nice walk-in shower, and the room was updated and nicely furnished.
Inn at Cape Kiwanda 
View from our room at Inn at Cape Kiwanda. Headlands Lodge is on the right. 
Same View With Fog
On the plus side, it was very affordable compared to Cannon Beach.
The Inn also provides games, camp chairs for the beach, and beach toys. If the fog rolls in, you can also play a quick game of putt putt at Harts Camp or borrow bikes (both free for guests of the Inn).
If you want to be right on the beach, look no further than Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa which is across the street from the Inn. It is super nice, oceanfront, but will be quite a bit more expensive.
Both of these hotels are conveniently located and within walking distance to the beach, the great sand dune, and restaurants.
Of course, there are a large number of vacation rentals (airbnb) if you are staying for more than a couple of days. We would love to return here and do just that!
Day 2 Dinner in Pacific City
Pelican Brewing sits right on the beach, across the street from the Inn at Camp Kiwanda, and has a large outdoor patio. The wait can be long, but you can order takeout and pick it up at their takeout window.
Cape Kiwanda Marketplace is also within walking distance of the hotel. It’s not a full-service grocery store by any means but provides the basics including a decent wine selection and some grab and go items.
P.S. The small Chester’s Thrifway is the closest grocery store located about 5 minutes away.
Day 3- Pacific City, OR
Day 3 Breakfast
Stimulus Coffee serves breakfast sandwiches and baked goods and is conveniently located on the first floor of the Cape Kiwanda Inn. Just across the street, you’ll find Ben and Jeff’s Burgers & Tacos which is another great option for breakfast burritos.
A bit further from the hotel, Grateful Bread (closed Tuesday and Wednesday) offers a large variety of yummy scrambles, omelettes and breakfast classics as well as a nice selection of sandwiches. For a grab and go, get one of their tasty scones!
Nearby is Village Coffee Shoppe which has more of a classic diner breakfast.
Day 3- Cape Kiwanda
There’s a lot of activity at this beach with all the surfers, the families climbing up and running down the great dune, and the dory fishing boats honking their horns as they wash up on shore to be trailered out by trucks.
That being said, it’s a very peaceful and picturesque beach and long enough to enjoy a nice walk. Unlike Haystock Rock in Cannon Beach, the sea stack in Pacific City is offshore so you can’t walk to it even at low tide.
Day 3- Climb Up Cape Kiwanda Sand Dune
Why should you climb the great dune? Because it’s there! And it’s a fun and unique experience. The fantastic views are your reward. Know that there is a hard way to reach the top of the dunes and an easier way.
As you approach the dunes, many just launch right in and go straight up. We found it easier to follow the trail going up the left side of the dune and then proceeding up. This route isn’t nearly as steep.
The great sand dune in Pacific City. Recommend going left rather than straight up! 
View from the top of the great dune
If you want to walk just a short way up the dune, you can proceed to the left of the dune and walk up to an overlook area at the top of Cape Kiwanda. This is the huge tree-toppd rock face that you see jutting into the ocean from the beach.
I recommend wearing or bringing sandals if you decide to explore any of the viewpoints on the way up to the dunes. While the dune has super soft sand, the fenced-off overlooks just below the dune are a bit rocky. (I wore my hiking shoes.)
It’s a nice overlook, and we even saw a whale from there. Keep your eyes open for the whale’s blows on the surface of the ocean!
If you haven’t walked here from your lodging in Pacific City, you will need to pay the $10 (in-state) or $12 (out-of-state) parking fee at the credit card station in the lot next to Pelican Brewery.
FYI- There is free parking 3 miles north of here at McPhillips Beach, a vehicle access beach. I wouldn’t want to take my car on the beach for fear of getting stuck, but McPhillips Beach offers a different viewpoint of Cape Kiwanda and the rock formations are Instagram-worthy.
Lunch Options In Pacific City
For a quick bite, you can buy pizza by the slice at Doryland Pizza or try the tacos at Ben and Jeff’s Burgers and Tacos. The line moves quickly and there’s a kids menu as well.
Pelican Brewing is an excellent oceanfront option, especially great if you can get a table on the back outdoor patio.
Dinner Options In Pacific City
Pelican Brewing, the Meridian Restaurant in Headlands Lodge (fine dining), and the casual Pacific City Beach Walk (loved their version of pad Thai!) are all good options.
Day 4- Drive From Pacific City To Yachats
(1 hour and 45 minutes to Yachats if driving straight there)
Breakfast
Grab breakfast at Stimulus Coffee, Grateful Bread, or Village Coffee Shoppe in Pacific City before heading out.
Day 4 Stop 1- Depoe Bay, OR
Whale Watching Center
(55 minute drive from Pacific City)
Depoe Bay is known for being a terrific place to see the resident gray whales that stay year-round as well as migrating whales during certain parts of the year. Depoe Bay is the self-proclaimed “Whale Watching Capital Of The Oregon Coast.”
If you want to take a whale watching tour on a boat, this is your place. Or, if you want to stay land bound, you can visit the Whale Watching Center and walk along the adjacent sea wall that provides great views to the ocean.
The Whale Watching Center is staffed by volunteers as well as Oregon State Park employees to help you spy these amazing creatures. The Center’s large oceanview windows provide the perfect view along with binoculars for you to use.
Whale Center 
Whale Center Exhibit 
Sea Wall In Depoe Bay
Informational displays along with an impressively large jaw bone of a gray whale make for a worthwhile stop.
Highway 101 goes right through the town of Depoe Bay. Look for a parking spot along the seawall before reaching the Whale Center. It’s free to park here or you can turn left and look for parking on the side streets.
This general area is a good location for seeing whales. Just north of Depoe Bay is Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint (free parking). Or, you can proceed 2 miles south of Depoe Bay on Highway 101 to Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint, another great place to spy whales, picnic, and take advantage of its flush toilets. Also free parking.
Lunch In Depoe Bay
After hopefully spotting a whale, Depoe Bay is a good place to grab a bite. Sticks Restaurant (be sure to try the potato tornado on a stick), Gracie’s Sea Hag and Tidal Raves (also has a kids menu.) round out excellent seafood options.
The Horn Public House has standard pub food options as well as seafood (sit upstairs for ocean views!)
Note About Lincoln City– On the way from Pacific City to Depoe Bay, you’ll drive through Lincoln City. It’s a larger town with fast food shops, an outlet mall, and a large beach. We did not stop here, but I wanted to share something interesting about Lincoln City.
Every year, volunteers place more than 3,000 glass floats along Lincoln City’s 7.5 miles of beaches. If you happen to find one on your beach stroll, you get to keep it. What a lovely surprise that would be! Worth a detour? Perhaps!
You can also blow your own glass float at the Lincoln City Glass Center, which could be pretty cool.
Day 4 Stop 2- Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
(15 minute drive from Depoe Bay; America the Beautiful Pass works here)
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is home to the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. This is a really interesting stop not only for the lighthouse but also for the unique stretch of Oregon coastline formed by ancient lava flows.
The Interpretive Center with interesting displays on marine life and the history of the lighthouse is also interesting and worthwhile.
If you have a national park pass (The America The Beautiful Pass), it is free. You can also pay $7 for a pass at the gate which is usually manned or you can pay at the self-pay station just beyond it.
Tip: If you have the digital America The Beautiful Park Pass, print out a copy for your trip so you can place it on your dashboard at Yaquina Head and Cape Perpetua (both federal parks).
Yaquina Head Interpretive Center
The Yaquina Head Interpretive Center is worth a quick walk through. It has educational exhibits on gray whales (much of it was repetitive if you went to the Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay) but the history of the lighthouse exhibit was interesting as was the 15 min movie.
There is also a kids station with coloring sheets and a scavenger hunt experience, so there’s something for everyone. A small gift shop and flush toilets are also available.
Lighthouse Trail
(about a half-mile each way including Cobble Beach)
From the Interpretive Center, you can walk the paved Lighthouse Trail to reach the lighthouse. It’s an easy half-mile walk with ocean views along the way. Or, you can hop back in your car and drive to the parking lot that is adjacent to the lighthouse.
We enjoyed the walk and I recommend doing it, but I would park closer if it was a windy and cold day.
Interpretive Center 
Paved Lighthouse Trail 
Stairs to Cobble Beach
The Yaquina Head Lighthouse
It’s definitely worth a visit to see this beautiful working lighthouse built in 1873. The setting is expansive and the ocean views are terrific.
Tip: Bring binoculars- the sea rocks and cliffs surrounding the lighthouse host a large number of sea birds- cormorants, murres, and even puffins.
If you plan ahead, you can even reserve a spot to tour the inside of the lighthouse. It’s a guided tour of the first floor and reservations can be made online 90 days ahead of your visit.
Tip: If you have time, you can take the 0.7 mile Salal Hill Trail for views of the lighthouse from above.
Cobble Beach
From the Lighthouse Trail near the lighthouse, you’ll find a wooden staircase that leads down to Cobble Beach. Instead of traditional sand, the beach features smooth, black basalt rocks formed over time from ancient lava flows. Pretty cool!
At high tide, they make the most fascinating “clack-clack-clack” sound as the waves come in and recede.
At low tide, Cobble Beach is known as one of the best spots on the coast to explore tide pools and a ranger is often on sight to answer questions.
We were there at high tide and really enjoyed the unique sights and sounds of these rocks.
Tip: Look for seals near the beach!
Click here to view the brochure and map for Yaquina Head Outstanding National Area.
Day 4- Stop 3- Newport, OR
(17 min drive from Yaquina Head Lighthouse)
Newport, like Lincoln City, feels like a commercially busy town compared to Cannon Beach, Pacific City, and Depoe Bay. It has multiple stop lights, fast food restaurants, a Starbucks for those who miss your usual, and a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.
On the plus side, it has two excellent attractions that warrant a stop here- The Newport Aquarium and the Hatfield Marine Science Center.
Hatfield Marine Science Center
The Hatfield Marine Science Center is an excellent alternative to the Newport Aquarium if you are short on time, and it is a very affordable stop.
Plan on spending about an hour at this fun and interesting hands-on discovery museum focused on unique coastal geology and the ocean environment.
Some highlights include a tide pool touch zone with sea stars, anemones, and urchins, wave-making exhibits to simulate and learn about tsunamis, a topography sandbox, and a really cool octopus.
We also enjoyed “the sound translator” where you select a sea creature, speak into the “sea shell” and it translates your voice to the sound of that particular sea creature. (my favorite was the beluga whale)
All of this for $5 a person. You can pay at the front desk when you enter.
Don’t miss the whale skeleton! 
Hatfield Marine Science Center In Newport
P.S. Don’t miss the life-sized whale skeleton outside. Follow the trail to the right of the front entrance and walk behind the building. This is a free exhibit!
Newport Aquarium
Your kiddos may also like seeing the marine life at the Newport Aquarium ($29.99 adults; $23.99 kids). Plan at least 2 hours for a full experience there with exhibits both inside and outside.
Newport Restaurants
Head to Newport’s Historic Bayfront where you’ll find the seafood restaurant Local Ocean as well as the town’s resident sea lions sunning on the docks. The South Beach Fish Market and Georgie’s (kids menu is a plus) are other reputable seafood stops.
For a more casual bite, Nana’s Irish Pub in nearby Nye Beach gets excellent reviews.
See Portland Eater’s Where To Eat, Drink, and Relax in Newport, OR
Day 4 Final Stop- Overnight In Yachats, OR
(30 min drive from Newport to Yachats)
Yachats (pronounced “YAH-hots”) is a very small coastal town with good restaurants, coffee houses, and an excellent location to explore the nearby Cape Perpetua Scenic Area.
FYI- From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the town offers a free trolley service to Cape Perpetua Visitor Center with stops at local hotels and restaurants/shops in Yachats.
The shoreline here is less crowded and looks more rugged and dramatic with black basalt rock formations taking the place of sand along some stretches of the ocean.
There’s still plenty of sandy beaches though along with some significant rock formations (which also means excellent tide pooling.)
Tip: Yachats Beach where the Yachats River meets the ocean is a great place for agate hunting!
Where To Stay In Yachats
You’ll find plenty of vacation rentals in the area as well as a handful of hotels. We stayed in an oceanview 3 bedroom house (VRBO) and really liked the location, the hot tub, and the amazing views from the living room and front deck.
Overleaf Lodge would be my top choice for a hotel stay. All rooms are oceanfront with a patio or balcony to take in the ocean views, and breakfast is included in the room rate.
Some rooms also have fireplaces and kitchenettes. The lodge is located one mile from the restaurants in town, and you’ll have easy access right behind the lodge to the paved 1.9 mile long 804 Trail to enjoy oceanfront strolls.
The free trolley also stops at Overleaf for convenient transportation to town and beyond.
Day 5- Yachats, OR
Breakfast
Bread & Roses Bakery and Green Salmon Coffee are good options for orders to go. Beach Street Kitchen and the Drift Inn are perfect for breakfast or a nice brunch.
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
One of the many reasons to stay in Yachats is its proximity to Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. There’s lots to see and do in this area- easy trails through lush forests, interesting geological formations, expansive views from oceanside cliffs, a lighthouse, and multiple places to explore tide pools.
Cape Perpetua has two different areas to explore: the Visitor Center area and the Cape Perpetua Overlook area. Each has its own parking, so you’ll have to drive to two different areas as well but they are super close.
Tip: To best plan your day, know when low and high tide occurs to best experience some of the activities for this day.
Cape Perpetua Visitor Center
Take the Yachats Trolley or drive 3 miles south from Yachats on Highway 101 to reach the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center. You’ll turn left off Highway 101 to reach the Visitor Center.
Make this your first stop to get your bearings. Two of the best trails lead straight from the Visitor Center- Giant Spruce Trail and Captain Cook Trail.
There is a $5 fee to park here, but it is free with an America The Beautiful Pass (annual national park pass) if you have one. Otherwise, you can pay at the Visitor Center and place the permit on your dashboard.
The Visitor Center lists the tide levels for the day, has interesting educational exhibits, and offers various programs like guided walks with a ranger.
Tip: Ask for a Junior Ranger Booklet for the kids to complete.
The views of the ocean from their wall of windows is impressive as well, and binoculars and a spotting scope are available to look for whales.
Open daily during the summer 10am-4pm daily and 10:00am to 4:00pm, Tuesday – Sunday during winter.
Captain Cook Trail
(0.8 mile roundtrip; paved)
The Captain Cook Trail leads right from the Visitor Center down to the beach area with nice views along the way. You’ll wall through a tunnel to go under the highway and then left to head towards Spouting Horn and Thor’s Well.
You should really try to go at or near high tide to get the most from this trail, but the tide pools are terrific at low tide if you happen to arrive at that time.
When you reach the beach area, you’ll see two fascinating features at high tide: Spouting Horn and Thor’s Well.
Spouting Horn 
Thor’s Well
You can view both from the platform at the end of the paved trail or make your way down the stairs to the beach.
Spouting Horn is located south of the observation platform on the far side of the chasm. If you are there at high tide, you can’t miss it. The waves flow against the rock and the water shoots up like a whale’s blow.
Thor’s Well is even more interesting to watch. Look to the ocean and you will see the waves roll in, fill the large “well” (a large hole in the basalt rock), and then drop out immediately once filled. And repeat. Must be high tide to see it.
It’s hard to describe it, but I can assure you it’s mesmerizing. Someone nearby described both of these features as the “bidet and toilet of the Pacific.” Ha!
P.S. Be very aware of sneaker waves and show caution at high tide. Thor’s Well can be dangerous.
Tip: If you are short on time and don’t plant to go to the Visitor Center or want to skip the walk on the Captain Cook Trail, you can park at the pullout on the right side of Highway 101, just south of the Visitor Center.
From here, you can access the end part of the Captain Cook Trail. Just go left on the trail, and you’ll be at the viewing platform in just a few minutes.
Giant Spruce Trail
(2 miles roundtrip; easy)
The Giant Spruce Trail also starts at the Visitor Center. It’s an easy 2 mile roundtrip hike through lush green forest ending at a gigantic 500 year-old Sitka Spruce tree. The giant spruce is more than 185 feet tall with a circumference of 40 feet.
Lots of ferns, moss, big trees, a creek, a couple of bridge crossings, and the giant tree make this a fun and interesting trail.
Giant Spruce in Cape Perpetua 
Giant Spruce Trail- lush rainforest 
One of many large trees on the way to the Giant Spruce
Cape Perpetua Overlook and Whispering Spruce Trail
(0.25 mile round trip)
Hop back in the car to reach the Cape Perpetua Overlook Area. Perched 800′ above sea level, the views of the coastline from here are expansive and impressive.
You can drive the 2 mile road up to the overlook, or if you are feeling the need for a good workout, you can hike to it from below on the Saint Perpetua Trail (steep 2.8 miles roundtrip).
The turnoff to the Overlook is located just north of the Visitor Center on the east side of the road. Look for the Cape Perpetua Day Use/Campground sign and follow that road 2 miles to the top. (Veer left at entrance to the road; don’t enter the campground. Further up the road, you’ll veer left again to reach the top.)
The parking area is fairly small but the turnaround here is pretty quick if you can’t get a spot. We did not have a problem mid-day in August.
You’ll see trailhead signs for the Whispering Spruce Trail. on the ocean side of the parking lot.
Once on the Whispering Spruce Trail, you immediately come to a nice viewing area with amazing long distance views of the coastline. Linger here and then follow the trail north into the forest to reach the cool rock shelter built by the CCC in 1934.
This is a great photo op, and the views continue!
The Whispering Spruce Trail is listed as a quarter mile loop from the parking area, but we walked to the rock shelter and back rather than completing a loop. The total for us was 0.18 miles roundtrip.
Dinner In Yachats
You have some excellent food options in Yachats, which is another terrific reason to stay here. Luna Sea Fish House has excellent fish and chips- nicely breaded and not overly greasy. They were wonderful. Indoor and outdoor seating as well.
Be sure to go next door to Turtle Island Gift Shop and see the amazing amount of hand crafted (all local to Oregon) items. You might also want to check out the amazing selection at the rock shop around the corner. Even if you’re not into rocks, it’s quite impressive.
The popular Drift Inn & Restaurant is across the street from Luna Sea and has a nice well-rounded menu including seafood. If the weather is nice, the garden patio is the place to be. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
If you have a vacation rental, the Yachats Mercantile sells ready made soups and entrees from the freezer made by the Drift Inn Restaurant next door. They also have fresh baked bread and scones.
Wild Craft Cider is another good option for dinner or perhaps a snack and tasting flight.
Day 5- Heceta Head Lighthouse Near Florence, OR
(25 minute drive from Yachats)
Breakfast
Grab breakfast in Yachats before driving south to Heceta Head Lighthouse with possible stops at Sea Lion Caves and Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint. Breakfast options in Yachats include:
- Bread & Roses Bakery
- Green Salmon Coffee
- Beach Street Kitchen
- Drift Inn for sit down or grab a scone at the Mercantile next door
Stop 1- Heceta Head Lighthouse
Just north of Florence and 25 minutes south of Yachats, Heceta Head Lighthouse is a fantastic stop. A half-mile trail leads to the lighthouse and fantastic views. Kids will like the fact that you can actually go inside this lighthouse.
You can visit the first floor of the lighthouse from 11am-3pm during the summer and 11am-2pm during the winter. Nothing too exciting inside, just a few exhibits and volunteers to answer questions, but still fun.
Heceta Head Lighthouse 
Cape Cove Beach
Unlike the Yaquina Head Lighthouse which has adjacent parking if you choose to skip the trail, Heceta Head Lighthouse requires a 1 mile roundtrip walk to reach it. It’s a nice wide trail and easy despite the slight incline.
Purchase a day pass to park in the large parking area. $12 for out of staters/$10 in-state. The parking pass machine is located at the trailhead on the northern side of the parking lot.
It’s a crushed gravel trail but smooth enough that you could even take a jog stroller up it. On the way up to the lighthouse, you’ll walk under a canopy of trees, pass the historic lightkeeper’s house (now a bed & breakfast), and just beyond that is a small gift shop with a nice selection of souvenirs and snacks/drinks.
You’ll eventually arrive at the lighthouse where you’ll have fantastic views from the overlook area. Volunteers are present after 11am to answer any questions.
Short trail to Lighthouse 
Inside the lighthouse 
Lens of the Lighthouse
Tip: Be sure to take the side trail just before the lighthouse to walk up the hill a few yards to view the lighthouse lens from a closer distance. The Heceta Head Lighthouse has the brightest lens on the Oregon Coast.
Once you return back to the parking lot, take some time to explore Cape Cove Beach if you have time.
Stop 2- Sea Lion Caves
You could also combine Heceta Head Lighthouse with a possible stop at the nearby Sea Lion Caves, a tourist attraction where you can see America’s largest naturally formed basalt rock sea cave. Over 12 stories high and as wide as a football field and home to the Steller sea lions. $18 adults; $12 kids; free under 4 years of age.
Note: We stopped at Heceta Head Lighthouse on the way to our return flight in Eugene, so we didn’t have the time to explore the caves. It gets some mixed reviews, but it seems like it would be something the kids would like- elevators, caves, water, strange smells, and sea lions!
Stop 3- Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint
Another beautiful stretch of coastline can be found at Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint which is located just a few miles south of Yachats. You could stop here on your way to the lighthouse or upon your return.
The park includes 4 different pullouts from Highway 101: Gwynn Creek, Neptune, Strawberry Hill, and Bob Creek.
Agate hunting at Bob Creek is noted to be excellent, and Neptune Beach is known for a natural cave at its south end (low tide only) and tidepools.
Parking is free at each of the 4 pullouts.
That wraps up this Oregon Coast Itinerary! It’s a fantastic road trip with amazing scenery. I loved the short walks through the forest and the dramatic coastline. Have a simply awesome trip! – Amy
P.S. The Travel Tips post below also has a handy, dandy packing list!
