The west coast of Oregon is more than 350 miles long and is commonly divided into these 3 regions:
- Northern Coast – Astoria to Pacific City, 90 miles
- Central Coast – Lincoln City to Florence, 75 miles
- Southern Coast – Reedsport to Brookings, 134 miles
Northern and Central Oregon Coast beaches are popular with travelers coming from the Portland area, northern and central Willamette Valley or Washington. It takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours to drive west to the beach from the I-5 corridor (Portland, Salem, Eugene, Medford).
The Southern Oregon Coast is a bit more off-the-beaten-path and is closer for people coming from the Medford area or California. Each region has a diverse selection of beaches and they are all well worth a visit.
Choose a region below for maps and directions to the best beaches on the Oregon Coast from north to south.
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Northern Oregon Coast Beaches
The northern Oregon Coast is popular with visitors coming from the Portland-metro area, especially when the forecast calls for sunny weather. Some of these beaches are 15-20 minutes from each other, so it’s easy to visit multiple spots in one day.
There are more than 20 beaches on the northern Oregon Coast within a 2-hour drive from Portland. You’ll find long stretches of sandy beach, rocky capes and cliffs, sea caves, beach waterfalls, giant sea stacks like Haystack Rock and tide pools full of sea creatures.
Browse the best beaches on the northern Oregon Coast from Astoria to Pacific City.
Central Oregon Coast Beaches
In the central Oregon Coast region, towns are a little more spread out and the coastline begins to change shape, offering a dramatic and diverse seascape from sandy beaches to rugged, black basalt shorelines, to towering sand dunes. Here you’ll find some of the best spots for watching waves like Devil’s Punchbowl, Thor’s Well, Spouting Horn, Cook’s Chasm and Devil’s Churn.
Find the best beaches on the central Oregon Coast from Lincoln City to Florence.
💡 Not sure what to pack for your day at the beach? See our beach packing list.
Southern Oregon Coast Beaches
The southern Oregon Coast is less traveled yet offers some of the best beaches in the state. Many striking rock formations can be found in this particular region, including the incredibly photo-worthy Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Here you’ll also find endless rolling sand dunes, sheer cliffs and slightly warmer weather in Oregon’s banana belt.
Explore the best beaches on the southern Oregon Coast from Reedsport to Brookings.
Plan an Oregon Coast Road Trip
🚐 Check out our road trip guide for driving distances between coastal Oregon towns with suggested itineraries to help plan your trip.
Coming from Portland? Take a day trip from Portland to the coast.
If you’d rather explore the coast with a local guide, leave the driving to a pro and book a guided Oregon Coast tour. Get picked up at your hotel and just sit back and enjoy the ride stress-free.
Transportation to the Oregon Coast
Driving is the most convenient way to explore the coast but there are also car-free ways to travel. For air, bus, train, car and camper rental information, see Transportation to the Oregon Coast.
🚗 Save up to 70% on your next car rental through DiscoverCars.
Map of Oregon Beaches
Just click the map of Oregon beaches below to get directions from your location.
