Where is the Oregon Coast?
The Oregon Coast is located on the westernmost edge of the state of Oregon in the western United States. The Pacific Ocean is to the west and the Oregon Coast Range to the east. It is roughly 362 miles (583 km) from north to south. Oregon is bordered by California state in the south and the Columbia River divides Oregon and Washington in the north. See Oregon Coast Cities and Towns for a map and details.
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How do I get to the Oregon Coast?
The easiest way to reach the Oregon Coast is by driving. Travelers flying into Portland International Airport (PDX) can rent a car and drive westward to reach the coast in about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your destination. For information on buses and ground transportation, see Oregon Coast Transportation.
What month is best for the Oregon Coast?
We think the Oregon Coast is beautiful year-round. Summer is the most popular time to visit the Oregon Coast, but it’s also the most crowded. Fall is lovely in Oregon and after Labor Day (first Monday of September), once the kids are back in school, you’ll find fewer people in campgrounds and less-crowded tourist areas.
The weather can still be very warm during the day in early September with cooler mornings and nights. See Oregon Coast Weather – When to Visit for a complete breakdown of the seasons.
What time of year is cheapest to go to Oregon?
The cheapest time of year is winter, with colder temperatures, more rainfall and no crowds. Flights will be cheaper in January and February. Summer is high tourism season, so June through August will bring more crowds and higher prices.
See our guide to the Best Oregon Coast Hotels and Vacation Rentals for help deciding on a place to stay.
Does it snow in Cannon Beach, Oregon?
It rarely snows on the beach in Oregon, but it does happen. More frequently, winter will bring ice storms, wind and rain.
What city on the Oregon Coast has the best weather?
Brookings in southern Oregon is often 20 degrees F warmer than other nearby regions. Temperatures in the middle of winter can stay in the mid-60s F. As a result, flowers are often blooming year-round. Otherwise, most of the Oregon Coast has similar weather. See Oregon Coast Weather -When to Visit for more details.
What part of the Oregon Coast is the prettiest or most scenic?
Highway 101 just north of Brookings leads through Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, one of the most dramatic and scenic stretches of highway on the entire coast. Cape Perpetua is also very scenic and highly photographed, as well as Three Capes Scenic drive including Cape Meares, Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda. To be honest though, the whole coast is pretty!
See our guide to Oregon Coast towns and cities for details about each location.
How do I plan a road trip on the Oregon Coast?
Your road trip route will follow Highway 101, which runs north and south, the entire length of the Oregon Coast (about 363 miles). This makes it easy to work your way up or down the coast, stopping to explore the sights along the way. See our Oregon Coast Road Trip Guide to get an idea of where you’d like to stop.
We highly recommend camping as the best way to experience the natural beauty of this region. Check out our guide to State Park campgrounds on the Oregon Coast for a complete list of where to camp.
Many of our state parks have RV sites with full hookups, as well as tent sites, hiker/biker camps, horse camps, group sites, yurts and deluxe cabins available for rent.
There are several privately owned RV parks and campgrounds along the coast off highway 101. Services and facilities can vary widely, so be sure to check reviews on Google maps or use a trip planning app like RV Life.
How many days do you need to see the Oregon Coast on a road trip?
We’d recommend at least 10-14 days to see the whole coast, or a minimum of 3-4 days in each region (north, central and south). Our Oregon Coast Road Trip Guide has more details and sample itineraries.
How long does it take to drive the Oregon Coast?
It would take more than 7 hours to drive the whole coast. We’ve driven the entire Oregon coastline and would recommend taking your time. Plan out an Oregon Coast road trip itinerary to make the most out of your time.
Highway 101 is full of twists and turns, slow moving traffic at times, and there are several scenic viewpoints and interesting towns to stop at along the way.
Which Oregon Coast town is the best?
The best town depends on what you like. If you love to have a lot of options, stay in bigger towns like Astoria, Lincoln City or Newport. If you want to get away from it all and have some peace and quiet, stay in smaller towns like Manzanita or Yachats or head to the south coast.
There are so many great towns it’s hard to choose “the best,” so we encourage you to pick a region to explore and find out for yourself!
What time of year is best for the Oregon Coast Trail?
It rains a lot on the Oregon Coast, so the best time for hiking is in the driest months of mid-June/July through early September. For more information, visit Oregon Coast Trail Foundation.
Where can I go hiking on the Oregon Coast?
The Oregon Coast has miles and miles of beautiful hiking trails to explore. See our guide to the Top Trails for Easy Day Hikes on the Oregon Coast.
Where is the Oregon Coast Aquarium?
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located in Newport, Oregon.
Does the Oregon Coast have sharks?
There have been 31 shark attacks reported on the Oregon Coast, so yes there are sharks in the water, though attacks are not that common. For more information, see The Oregonian newspaper’s detailed shark report.
Where are the best tide pools on the Oregon Coast?
See our Oregon Coast Tide Pools Guide to find the best tide pool areas.
What is a King Tide?
King tide is a term often used to describe exceptionally high tides or the highest tides of the year occurring with the full moon in winter. Find out where and when to watch the king tides on the Oregon Coast.
When is high tide or low tide near me on the Oregon Coast?
There are two low tides and two high tides every day in Oregon. Check current Oregon Coast tide tables for the daily high and low tide times nearest to your location.
Can you swim in the ocean on the Oregon Coast?
Swimming in the ocean is possible on the Oregon Coast and people do surf with wetsuits, but the water is cold (55 F or colder) year-round, including summer. Even strong swimmers can get caught in deadly rip currents and undertows.
Some areas can be hazardous for swimming due to rocks or driftwood in the water. Only swim in designated areas at your own risk and heed warning signs.
Many Oregonians head to our rivers and lakes for summer swimming, rafting and tubing.
Essential Beach Safety for the Oregon Coast
The ocean waves in Oregon are very powerful and unpredictable. Please enjoy the beaches safely and follow these guidelines.
- Know the tide schedule before visiting the beach so you don’t get trapped by incoming tides. Visit about 1 hour before low tide, as the water is still receding.
- Bring a flashlight for exploring tunnels or sea caves.
- Wear sturdy footwear. Rocks are often slippery at the beach.
- Watch out for sneaker waves on the Oregon Coast. These waves appear out of nowhere and are dangerously fast and powerful. Don’t turn your back to the ocean.
- Rip currents are strong undertows that can sweep you off your feet. Admire the ocean from a safe distance or stay in shallow, calm water when wading.
Stay back from cliff edges as erosion can cause the ground to become unstable. Beware of falling rocks, stay behind safety fences and stay off jetties.
Can you camp on the beach in Oregon?
Oregon’s public beach bill passed in 1967 makes the beach public for all, but that doesn’t mean you can camp wherever you want on “The People’s Coast.” Each beach has state and local laws with their own restrictions for camping.
For example, beach camping is not allowed adjacent to any Oregon state park, or within most city limits. Overnight parking is also prohibited in many areas near the beach and there may be no services like restrooms or water.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department does not confirm any areas to be legal for beach camping.
If you’re looking for the best Oregon beach camping, stay in one of the many state park campgrounds along the Oregon Coast. Besides, it can be very windy on the beach and isn’t ideal for tent camping.
Can you make a campfire on the beach in Oregon?
Beach bonfires are an old pastime on the Oregon Coast, and it is legal to build a fire on the beach unless otherwise posted. Firewood should be purchased locally at parks or grocery stores. It is illegal to bring firewood into the state of Oregon from a state outside of Oregon, Washington or Idaho.
Always check local fire restrictions and practice fire safety to prevent wildfires.
Bring some folding chairs or set up a blanket further away from the water. Sometimes you can find an existing campfire spot to reuse. Remember to pack out any garbage and be careful not to leave garbage out where it can (and will) easily blow away.
Where are the best beaches in Oregon?
There are plenty of beaches to choose from on Oregon’s coastline including miles of flat, sandy beach great for long walks. For the more adventurous, there are also rocky, wave-spouting beaches and rolling sand dunes. Explore the best beaches in Oregon.
Where is the best whale watching on the Oregon Coast?
The best town known for whale watching in Oregon is Depoe Bay and there are many other good viewing points along the coast to see whales. Find out more about when and where to go whale watching on the Oregon Coast.
This FAQ is growing! If you have a question you’d like answered, just send an email to editor [at] oregoncoastweekend.com and we’ll do our best to list well-researched and current answers to the most frequent questions. Feel free to bookmark this page and check back every so often.
Need more travel information? See Oregon Coast Travel Resources.