If you’re planning a road trip up the Oregon coast, here are the best pit stops for outdoors lovers.
Oregon coastline by Cannon Beach. Magnus Manske. CC BY 2.0
The Oregon coast is often overlooked, with west coast travelers often favoring SoCal’s bustling beaches and LA’s celebrity-fueled hotspots. Most road trippers don’t think to venture north past the Bay Area, unaware that there’s more to explore up Highway 101. For those seeking a summer road trip, consider escaping the crowds and finding solace amongst the Oregon coastline’s towering bluffs, colossal rock formations, seashell-studded beaches and historic lighthouses. After driving up the Oregon coast, from Harris Beach to Astoria, here are my recommended stops for outdoors lovers seeking a scenic getaway.
Haystack Rock. Dries Buytaert. CC BY-NC 4.0
Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach
Haystack Rock is one of the most famous landmarks in Oregon, featured in iconic movies like "The Goonies" and "Point Break." The rock formation is 235 feet tall and home to a diverse array of bird life, such as the tufted puffin and western gull. If you have time, be sure to explore the quaint coastal town of Cannon Beach, replete with art galleries, cafes and gift shops.
Devil’s Punchbowl at low tide. Flickr @liquidcrash. CC BY-SA 2.0
Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area
Devil’s Punchbowl is located in Otter Rock, a unique rock formation resembling a punch bowl that fills with water during high tide. Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area is a popular whale-watching site, especially during late summer and early fall.
Three Capes Scenic Loop at Cape Lookout. Flickr @Jasperdo. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Three Capes Scenic Loop
The Three Capes Scenic Loop is arguably the most scenic drive in Oregon, starting in Tillamook and ending in Pacific City. The drive takes roughly two hours without stopping, passing through idyllic towns, farms and forests. For scenic viewpoints, consider stopping at Cape Meares, Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda. It’s hard to find a better campground than the one at Cape Lookout State Beach, with its close proximity to the ocean and surrounding lush greenery. For other campgrounds along the Oregon coast, consider South Beach, Umpqua Lighthouse and Harris Beach.
Cobble Beach at Yaquina Head. Jeff Hollett. CC BY-SA 4.0
Cobble Beach
Cobble Beach is near the fishing town of Newport, and like its name suggests, is a beach made up of cobblestones. Cobble Beach is one of the most abundant tide pool zones along the Oregon Coast, and visitors can easily spot sea anemones, mussels and starfish. Be sure to check out the historic lighthouse at Yaquina Head, a short walk from the beach.
Person sliding down sand at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Matt Kieffer. CC BY-SA 2.0
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
For those looking for an action-packed, adventurous getaway, consider visiting the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The dunes are located in Reedsport, Oregon, spanning forty miles along the coastline, making them the largest coastal sand dunes in North America and among the largest globally. The area offers abundant opportunities for outdoor activities, including ATV riding, sandboarding and mountain biking.
Oregon’s beaches can not be underestimated, radiating an untouched beauty as if devoid of human life. While driving up the Oregon coast only takes eight hours, travelers might want to stretch out their road trip over four days, with just two hours of driving each day, to truly savor the wonders of the region. While the Oregon coast is worth visiting during any season, for minimal rain and maximum sunlight, I recommend planning a road trip during July or August. The Oregon coast is one of the best stretches of drive in the Pacific Northwest, and I highly recommend a trip up the 101 this summer.
Agnes Volland
Agnes is a student at UC Berkeley majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies and minoring in Creative Writing, with a research focus on road trip culture in America. She currently writes for BARE Magazine and Caravan Travel & Style Magazine. She is working on a novel that follows two sisters as they road trip down Highway 40, from California to Oklahoma. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in journalism, publishing, or research.