The Oregon Coast: The U.S. Road Trip as Beautiful as Highway 1
GettyAstoria
Astoria, a two-hour ride from Portland, is where your venture begins. Though the quaint coastal town may be most well-known as the setting of the cult classic '80s movie The Goonies, the former port is rich with history and resplendent natural beauty. Scale the Astoria Column for a breathtaking panoramic view of where the Columbia River feeds into the Pacific, stay at the boutique Cannery Pier Hotel, and visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum for a genuinely fascinating look into America’s seafaring past.
GettyCannon Beach
Follow Highway 101 down some 25 miles toward Cannon Beach, where you’ll want to wander through Ecola State Park. Hikes that weave in and out of the lush woods present you with ample outlooks of the ocean. In town, stroll past the shops on Hemlock Street and sample some dark chocolate-covered seafoam, a candy made from egg whites and brown-sugar based syrup sure to stick in your teeth. A short walk away is the beach itself, where you can gaze upon Haystack Rock, a 235-foot monolith protruding out of the water. For a meal, continue cruising south for another hour to Pacific City , where you’ll find The Pelican Pub & Brewery—a perfect oceanside pit stop for fantastic food (fish and chips; 14-hour smoked tri-tip) and house-brewed beer.
GettyDevils Punchbowl State Natural Area
100 miles south, witness a natural wonder at Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area, situated between Depoe Bay and Newport. Here, the rock headland has been worn into a basin by centuries of saltwater and the collapse of two former caves. Watch the water churn and gurgle within, then walk over to nearby Gull Rock, where you're sure to find surfers weathering the waves. During the migration high season, from April through September, the park also provides an ideal vista for whale watching.
GettyNye Beach
Nestled on the north shore of Newport is charming Nye Beach. Spend a night at the Sylvia Beach Hotel, where each of its 20 rooms is themed to classic authors like Jane Austen and Jules Verne, and a communal reading room on the top floor comes with mulled wine—and a view of the sea. Meander past bakeries and bookstores on the surrounding streets, or venture into Newport for a seafood dinner at Georgie’s Beachside Grill. On your way out of town, stop in at Rogue Ales & Spirits, where the renowned brewery also distills Chipotle Whiskey and Voodoo Maple Bacon Vodka on the premises.
GettyCape Perpetua
Twenty-four miles down the coast, a drive through Yachats necessitates a stop at the Yachats Farm Store. Enjoy a craft beer from among their many local taps, and pick up a freshly made sandwich (anything with sauerkraut, as fermented vegetables are their specialty) and a bowl of homemade mushroom soup to go. Your destination—Cape Perpetua, some two miles south—is a pristine setting for a picnic. From the visitor center, follow the Captain Cook Trail down to the beach, where you can read a book in the sand and watch the fog roll in.
GettyHeceta Head Lighthouse
Built in the early 1890s, the iconic Heceta Head Lighthouse—nearly five miles from Cape Perpetua—is perhaps the historic highlight of your road trip. The adjacent light keeper’s house is a lovely bed and breakfast, where in addition to a mouthwatering multi-course morning meal, a flashlight is included in every era-appropriately decorated room. Yet while the lighthouse is certainly an interesting enough landmark in the daylight, the real treat takes place at night: Use your flashlight to wander over to where the lighthouse itself is perched on the bluff, equipped with a fully functioning Fresnel lens that sparkles atop the structure like a ballroom chandelier. For a truly surreal experience, turn off your flashlight and watch as the lighthouse's beams blaze more than 21 miles out into the ocean mist.
GettyShore Acres State Park
Originally the estate of a pioneer timber baron, Shore Acres State Park offers a distinctly different immersion into both Oregon’s flora and fauna and plants and flowers from all over the world. Constructed upon cliffs of sandstone, the grounds include two rose gardens and a Japanese garden. An observation tower, in combination with the high elevation, allows for unencumbered overlooks of the full premises as well as the ocean, where you might catch a glimpse of migrating grey whales. Shore Acres, 77 miles south of Heceta Head, is also home to one of the tallest trees in the world—a 95-foot Monterey Pine with a whopping 208-inch trunk circumference.
GettyBandon Dunes Golf Resort
Twenty-two miles from Shore Acres, enthusiasts of the sport will recognize Bandon Dunes for its reputation as one of the premier golf destinations in the country, home to five distinctive courses that range in difficulty and scenic diversity. Rentals are available for those who prefer not to lug their clubs up and down the coast, and not to worry—additional amenities are available for those who aren't inclined to hit the links. The resort campus consists of six restaurants, a massage center, and an extensive system of walking trails braided through the forest and sand dunes.
Courtesy WildSpringWildSpring
Tucked away in the old-growth woods of Port Orford is a truly unique getaway—WildSpring Guest Habitat. Stay in spacious, modern cabins equipped with a comfortable lounging area (and heated floors!), explore the shaded grounds guaranteed to make guests feel at one with nature, or find your spiritual center in the Walking Labyrinth—a zen maze designed to clear your mind. In the evening, enjoy a soak in the open-air slate hot tub with a clear view of the Pacific, where you can sip a glass of wine and watch the sunset.
GettySamuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
Fifty miles south, and less than a half hour from the California border, diverge from Highway 101 toward the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. This 12-mile stretch of coastline consists of some of the most secluded beaches on the Western seaboard, along with impressive stone formations like Arch Rock and Natural Bridges. A photographer’s paradise, the environment offers ample opportunity to play with lighting. For those feeling especially adventurous, feel free to dip your toes in the surrounding tide pools, but be warned—in Oregon, the ocean is frigid year-round.