Updated: March 26, 2024
Lincoln City is the Oregon Coast town with everything: More miles of sandy beach than any other town on the coast, 7 historic districts to explore, plenty of hiking trails and so many restaurants, you’ll have to keep coming back to try them all.
Discover the best things to do in Lincoln City including beaches, hikes, attractions, major annual events, places to stay and the best places to eat during your visit.
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Contents
- Where is Lincoln City, Oregon?
- Transportation to Lincoln City
- About Lincoln City
- Things to Do in Lincoln City
- Places to Stay in Lincoln City
Hotels
Vacation Rentals
Campgrounds and RV Parks - Best Restaurants and Dining in Lincoln City
- Weather in Lincoln City, Oregon
- Tide Charts for Lincoln City, Oregon
- Annual Events and Festivals in Lincoln City
Where is Lincoln City, Oregon?
Lincoln City is located on the central Oregon Coast in Lincoln County, about a 2-hour drive from Portland (100 miles). One route is via 99W to highway 18 west, then take highway 101 south. An alternate route is via I-5 south to Salem, then take 22 west until it meets the 18.
As you leave the I-5 corridor, you’ll pass through scenic Willamette Valley wine country and then ascend into the wooded coast range.
It’s an easy and popular weekend getaway or day trip from Portland.
Transportation to Lincoln City, Oregon
Driving is the easiest and fastest way to get to Lincoln City but there are car-free options available. 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.
About Lincoln City, Oregon
This area is the coastal homeland of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, a diverse group of more than 20 native tribes with 10 different languages. Lincoln City wasn’t incorporated until 1965, uniting several smaller coastal communities into one city. Today, Lincoln City, Oregon has a population of about 10,000 residents.
As gold miners arrived in the 1850s and land conflicts ensued, the natives were promised a million acres of land as their reservation. After the Dawes Act of 1877 allowed the government to break up tribal lands, more white homesteaders began arriving to the area.
In 1954, congress terminated agreements with the natives, revoking the land and their federally recognized status as a tribe. However, in 1977, the Confederated Tribes succeeded in their fight to repeal the termination of their federally recognized status and regained some of their promised land. The tribe now owns nearly 16,000 acres, including the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City.
Top Things to Do in Lincoln City, Oregon
Head to Lincoln City Beaches
There is 7.5 miles of sandy beach in Lincoln City, more than any other town on Oregon’s coastline. That means there’s plenty of space for dog-walking, sand-castle building, kite-flying and other beach activities.
Beaches in Lincoln City
Siletz Bay is a great Lincoln City beach popular for crabbing and clamming. The bay waters are calm and shallow at low tide and it’s less windy than other beaches.
Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a protected coastal habitat for easy hikes or peaceful nature walks, kayaking and bird watching.
D-River State Recreation Site in Lincoln City is one of the best beaches for kite flying on the Oregon Coast. D-River is also the shortest river in the world at just 120 feet, from Devils Lake to the Pacific Ocean.
The wind on this beach is perfect for kite flying and the town fills up for two big kite festivals here in June and October. It’s one of the top things to do in Lincoln City every year and draws visitors from all over.
🪁 See our calendar of annual events on the Oregon Coast for kite festival dates.
Roads End State Recreation Site is a quieter Lincoln City beach towards the north end of town with tide pools and a secret cove only accessible during low tide. Take care to check the tide schedule before visiting so you don’t get trapped by the incoming tide.
Gleneden Beach is located at the southern end of Lincoln City and offers some peace and quiet from the busier beaches in town. It’s a wide beach good for long walks, agate hunting and rockhounding or just watching waves.
Nelscott Reef is a surf break about a half mile offshore and is a popular Lincoln City surf spot known for big waves. Under the right conditions, swells can reach 25 to 50 feet, drawing surfers to the Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic in Lincoln City every year. Surfers launch from the beach at Canyon Drive Park.
Hunt for Hidden Treasure - Finders Keepers Lincoln City
While you’re exploring Lincoln City beaches, keep your eye out for hidden treasures. More than 3,000 colorful glass floats made by local Oregon Coast artisans are hidden along Lincoln City beaches, above the tide line. If you find a glass float, you can keep it!
The Lincoln City Finders Keepers program deploys a secret fleet of “float fairies” who covertly stash the glass floats for visitors to find and there are special drops throughout the year. Be sure to take a photo and register your glass float if you are lucky enough to find one.
💎 Find more treasures on the beach with our guide to rockhounding and agate hunting on the Oregon Coast.
😎 Explore all of Oregon’s best beaches!
Kayaking and Paddling Near Lincoln City
Where are the best places for kayaking near Lincoln City? There are several places for excellent kayaking and paddling near Lincoln City, including Devil’s Lake (see Camping, below), Siletz Bay and the maze of tidal channels that make up the Salmon River Estuary near the Otis Junction.
Be mindful of the tide schedule— Oregon’s coastal rivers have strong tidal changes so make sure you are going with the tide and not fighting against it. Also, the water level drops to expose mud flats in some areas during low tide.
🛶 Several operators rent kayaks in Lincoln City, or you can go on a guided kayaking tour with a trusted expert who knows the area well.
Hiking Near Lincoln City
Drift Creek Falls Trail is a popular 3-mile hike near Lincoln City through the Siuslaw National Forest, across a 100-foot-high suspension bridge to a 75-foot waterfall. The river flow for the waterfall is generally at its best between November and June.
The trailhead is about 45 minutes driving east from Lincoln City on a curvy forest road. Use caution when driving in remote areas as roads can be narrow and bumpy.
📍 Other hikes near Lincoln City include God’s Thumb/The Knoll, Spyglass Ridge, Regatta Nature Trail (great for kids) and Cascade Head.
🥾 For more hiking trail locations, see our guide to day hikes on the Oregon Coast.
More fun outdoor activities and attractions near Lincoln City within a 30-minute drive:
- Neskowin Ghost Forest
- Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area
- Drift Creek covered bridge
Explore the Districts of Lincoln City
There’s more to Lincoln City than meets the eye from Highway 101. The town is actually made up of 7 small historic districts, 5 of which are named after the separate little towns that were once there: Roads End, Wecoma, Oceanlake, Delake, Nelscott, Taft and Cutler City.
Roads End is a quiet residential area in the north end of town with beach homes and hikes nearby. Wecoma is just to the south, where Chinook Winds Casino Resort is located.
Oceanlake is Lincoln City’s “downtown” with more gift shops, great restaurants, The Bijou movie theater and antiques stores. Delake is where you’ll find the Lincoln City Cultural Center, a hub for music, theater and the arts. Lincoln City Outlets discount stores are just south across the river.
Nelscott is a small surfer enclave with a few cafes and shops. Taft is home to the Lincoln City Glass Center, where you can watch local artisans at work or learn how to create your own. Visit the North Lincoln County Historical Museum to learn about the city’s past and the history of the glass floats.
Cutler City is where the Siletz River meets Siletz Bay. Here, you’ll find clammers digging in the mudflats at low tide, the Cutler City Wetlands trailhead and Pelican Brewing.
👉 Find more things to do at the Oregon Coast and browse by activity.
See also:
Places to Stay in Lincoln City, OR
Campgrounds Near Lincoln City, Oregon
If you’re looking for campgrounds near Lincoln City, you’re in luck: Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area is one of the few state parks on the Oregon Coast that is actually located within a town. This campground is conveniently located right in Lincoln City on the edge of Devil’s Lake and offers tent sites, RV hookup sites, yurts, a hiker/biker camp, paddling, boating and fishing.
The lake is protected from the harsh coastal winds and is full of freshwater fish, including rainbow trout, perch, largemouth bass and more.
🌲 See our full guide to Oregon Coast campgrounds for more information about coastal camping and how to reserve a campsite.
🚐 Several privately owned RV parks and campgrounds can be found along the Oregon Coast off Highway 101. Services and facilities can vary widely, so be sure to check reviews on Google Maps or use a trusted trip-planning app like RV Life to read unbiased reviews of campgrounds by other RVers. Try it free!
Best Restaurants and Dining in Lincoln City, Oregon
There are so many restaurants in Lincoln City, it’s hard to recommend just a few! From the best seafood restaurants to hearty northwest breakfasts, here are some of our top picks:
🍳 Wildflower Grill in Lincoln City serves breakfast in a homey atmosphere featuring fresh-baked bread and crab cake benedicts. Nelscott Cafe is also a solid breakfast spot and Otis Cafe serves breakfast all day.
Dory Cove is a local favorite in Lincoln City on Highway 101. Grab a hearty breakfast, lunch or dinner with reasonable prices, good food, service and a laid-back atmosphere. Stop in at Mr. Bill’s Village Smokehouse for smoked fish and jerky while you’re there.
Kyllo’s Seafood and Grill is a popular spot for fresh seafood in Lincoln City with a beautiful view. Be prepared to wait during peak times.
Don’t miss Yatai Sushi for creative, fresh take-out sushi rolls and poke bowls.
Mo’s has been dishing up bowls of clam chowder on the Oregon Coast since 1946 and many of us Oregonians remember going to Mo’s as a kid. It’s now a chain with several locations on the coast including Lincoln City, Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Otter Rock, Newport (the original) and Florence.
Be sure to pick up some smoked salmon from Barnacle Bill’s Seafood Market before you leave town. They’ve been a familiar local stop for fresh seafood in Lincoln City since 1949.
🍴 See our full listings of the best restaurants on the Oregon Coast.
🍺 Try these Oregon Coast craft breweries.
Weather in Lincoln City, Oregon
The weather in Lincoln City is generally cool (50s-60s F) and damp with frequent rain throughout the year, with the exception of July and August. Temperatures rarely get too hot in summer with highs in the 60s-70s. Lows dip down into the 30s in winter but snow is rare. Spring and Autumn are a mix of sunny and rainy days.
🤷♀️ Not sure what to pack for your trip to the Oregon Coast? The beaches are usually breezy and cool. It’s a good idea to wear layers and bring rain gear. See our guide on what to wear to the Oregon Coast for a free downloadable packing list and more details.
Tide Charts for Lincoln City and the Oregon Coast
There are two low tides and two high tides every day on Oregon’s coast. Low tide is a good time for beachcombing, tide pools, cave exploration and clamming. Most of Lincoln City’s main beaches are wide with plenty of space for walking at any time of day.
For your safety, be aware of the tide schedule before boating or heading out to more remote beaches and always keep an eye on the water level. Use extreme caution in rocky areas near the water, where sneaker waves can (and do) strike.
🌊 Check tide tables or ask at state park offices, local visitor information centers and many stores and hotels for a free tide table booklet.
🦀 Find the best tide pools near Lincoln City.
Annual Events and Festivals in Lincoln City, Oregon
Looking for more fun things to do in Lincoln City? Here’s a list of major annual events to help you plan your trip.
February – Lincoln City Antique and Collectibles Week
March – Festival of Illusions, Lincoln City
April – Great Oregon Coast Garage Sale in Lincoln City
June – Summer Kite Festival, Lincoln City, Oregon
August – Sandcastle Contest in Lincoln City
September – Lincoln City Oregon Fall Kite Festival
October – Haunted Taft, Lincoln City
December – Deck the Dock Holiday Lighting in Lincoln City
For more details and events, visit Explore Lincoln City, Oregon.
👉 See our calendar for more annual events on the Oregon Coast.
Taking a road trip? From Lincoln City, drive 30 minutes north to Pacific City, or 20 minutes south to Depoe Bay to continue exploring Oregon Coast towns.
Enjoy your visit to Lincoln City and feel free to bookmark this page or pin it for future reference!
