When the forecast calls for sun in Oregon, we soak it up while we can. Of course, we think the coast is beautiful in any weather, but sunny days are especially glorious.
Following is a list of the top things to do at the Oregon Coast on a sunny day to help inspire you to get outside and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.
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1. Go on a Coastal Hike
Hiking is one of the most popular things to do on a sunny day at the Oregon Coast, so plan to arrive in the early morning. Early birds will get the best parking spots at trailheads and encounter fewer people on trails.
Recent winter storms have closed some popular coastal hiking trails due to downed trees and landslides. Check the park website for the latest information about closures and trail conditions.
🥾 Some of the best Oregon beach hiking trails can be found in State Parks. See our list of coastal hikes in Oregon for pictures, directions and details.
2. Go Camping Along the Oregon Coast
As soon as the weather warms up, Oregon’s coastal campgrounds start to fill up as well. As of January 2024, last-minute, same-day online reservations are now allowed. You still have the best chance of securing a campsite if you reserve in advance but check the website and snag a last-minute campsite if you can.
🌲 See our guide to Oregon Coast Campgrounds for details on camping along the coast from north to south.
Remember to reserve your summer campsites early on the coast before they fill up!
3. Go for a Bike Ride
A coastal bike ride is a great way to take in the scenery at a slower pace and breathe in some fresh ocean air on sunny days.
Popular bike trails include the Oregon Coast Bike Route, the Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway in Port Orford and coastal Oregon State Parks like South Beach and Fort Stevens have miles of paved and well-maintained, designated bike paths without motorized traffic.
🚲 Get more details on Oregon Coast cycling and biking.
4. Explore Oregon Coast Tide Pools
Tide pools are shallow areas of seawater left behind when the tide goes out and they are found in rocky areas along the entire Oregon coastline. These pools are exploding with sea creatures to discover and tidepooling is a fun activity for kids and adults alike.
Cannon Beach is known for some of the best tide pools on the coast. Sunny days provide the best visibility and are perfect for exploring the tide pools around Haystack Rock at low tide. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, near Newport also has some excellent tide pools.
🔎 Find more of the best tide pools on the Oregon Coast.
5. Go Fishing, Clamming or Crabbing
The ocean waters, coastal rivers and calm bays provide excellent fishing, clamming and crabbing opportunities all year along the Oregon Coast. These activities are regulated by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and depend on the seasons.
🦀 More about fishing, clamming and crabbing along the Oregon Coast
6. Go Whale Watching in Depoe Bay
The gray whales return to the Oregon Coast in March with the annual spring migration. Depoe Bay is one of the best places to see whales, but there are several points all along the coast where you can spot whales from the shore.
🐳 More about whale watching in Oregon
7. Go Kayaking or Paddling
Kayaking, canoeing, rafting and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) opportunities are plentiful on the Oregon Coast with many waterways flowing into calm coastal bays and protected areas perfect for viewing wildlife.
Nature preserves like the Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Lincoln City and Nestucca Bay Wildlife Refuge in Pacific City offer protected areas to view birds, deer and other wildlife while paddling.
The Tillamook Water Trail in Tillamook, Alsea River Water Trail in Waldport and Lower Umpqua River in Reedsport also offer miles of watersheds to explore.
🛶 More on kayaking the Oregon Coast
8. Go Bird Watching
The Oregon Coast is a birding paradise with a large variety of different species to encounter. Birds flock to Oregon’s beaches, bays, estuaries, headlands and sea stacks each year to feed and nest.
Bird watching on the coast is excellent year-round, but sunny days are perfect for grabbing your binoculars and heading to the beaches in search of seabirds and shorebirds.
9. Go Beachcombing and Rockhounding
Oregon beaches are lined with interesting rocks like agates and other treasures including shells, fossils, beach glass and driftwood.
Rockhounding on the beach is especially good after winter storms when the sun comes out for the best visibility.
🔎 Learn more about the best beaches for rockhounding and agate hunting on the Oregon Coast.
10. Explore the Oregon Dunes
See the real place that inspired the Dune novels and movies! The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is one of the largest expanses of coastal sand dunes in the world, and it’s right here on the Oregon Coast.
Exploring the Oregon Dunes is one of the most popular things to do in the central-southern coast towns of Florence, Reedsport and Coos Bay, especially in sunny weather.
Enjoy outdoor activities like off-highway vehicle (OHV) and dune buggy rides, hiking, fishing, paddling, swimming, horseback riding, biking, wildlife viewing, birding, picnicking and camping.
👉 See our complete guide to the Oregon Dunes
11. Find the Best Restaurants on the Oregon Coast
Sunny days at the coast are great for sitting outside and enjoying a bite and a beverage with a spectacular view.
🍴 See our guide to the best Oregon Coast restaurants for food and dining recommendations by city from north to south.
👀 Also check out: Best Restaurants with Ocean Views
12. Find the Best Places to Stay on the Oregon Coast
After a busy day of outdoor activities, relax in your beachfront hotel room and fall asleep to the sound of the ocean.
🛌 From Cannon Beach resorts to cheap hotels in Seaside to oceanfront motels in Yachats, see our picks for the best places to stay on the Oregon Coast from Astoria to Brookings.
You may also be interested in browsing our entire list of Activities, which includes even more ideas for things to do at the Oregon Coast rain or shine.
📍 Interested in a specific town? Get detailed guides on Oregon Coast towns from north to south including things to do and the best places to stay and eat in each town.
🚙 If you’re in the Portland area, we also have a list of day trips from Portland to the coast.
