The Terradrift giveaway is on! Enter here for a chance to win over $1,000 in outdoor gear!
Oregon–pretty much the whole state–is a gold mine of outdoor adventure. There’s mountain biking, hiking around mountains in Mt. Hood, backpacking, kayaking, and so much more. And the Oregon Coast is no exception. Between sandy beaches, whale watching, sandboarding, biking and hiking, you’ll never run out of things to do. But if you want to avoid the crowds, follow this coastal Oregon road trip itinerary for fewer people and plenty of quality outdoor time, epic views, and moody Pacific Northwest weather.
Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary
This Oregon Coast itinerary will take you all the way down the state from top to bottom. Or flip it and go from the bottom up. Dealer’s choice. Give yourself at least a week to complete it, and remember: there are a plethora of parks and viewpoints scattered between each town, so give yourself plenty of time to stop, enjoy the views, and squeeze in a quick hike between official stops.
What to Expect
As you plan your trip, remember that driving the Oregon Coast is a practice in patience. Most of Highway 101 is a curving, undulating road that weaves toward the coast and away over and over again, often with only one lane of traffic in each direction, sporadic passing lanes, and tons of opportunities to pull off at viewpoints or visit state parks (some of which require day-use fees, some don’t). So take your time, pack your motion sickness meds if you struggle with that, and be prepared to be wow-ed by the old growth pine forests surrounding you most of the way.
Also important to note: restaurant options in many of these smaller towns are limited, so especially if you have dietary restrictions (or are vegan like we are), pack plenty of snacks and meal options so you don’t go hungry if (and when) the only place with decent options for you is closed the days you’re nearby. Trust us on this one.
Garibaldi
Start in Garibaldi, Oregon, which may sound like a strange recommendation for a vegan to give since the small fishing village is known better as the home of Tillamook Creamery and crabbing operations than for anything else. BUT! Plan to spend a morning or afternoon at least so you can take a tour of Oregon Seaweed and sign up for a seaweed foraging tour with Shifting Tides. You’ll need to reserve those activities in advance, but we promise you’ll learn some super cool stuff about how sustainable and nutritious different types of seaweed are! Plus, foraging = free snacks! There’s not much else in Garibaldi for visitors (besides tons of wild blackberries growing by the train tracks near the crabbing dock), so half a day is plenty of time.
Depoe Bay
On your way to Depoe Bay, make a pit stop in Lincoln City to stock up on supplies or grab lunch, because where you’re headed is another small town with limited shopping and dining options. But what it lacks in modern conveniences it more than makes up for in whales. Yup, this small town is a whale-watching hot spot. There are tons of tours available if you’d like to go out on a boat for an hour or three to see if you can spot a whale up close, but we saw several grey whales just by watching for them from the OPRD Whale Watching Center and the overlook down the block! Just don’t forget your binoculars and zoom lens. There’s also a small, walkable downtown with a few shops (some kitschy tourist shops, some posh boutiques), restaurants, and the Whale Watching Center. And just down the road is Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint where you may be able to spot seals on the rocks at low tide, whales in the bay, and lovely rocky coastline, all via a short walk through green woods.
Where to Stay: SCP Depoe Bay
Looking for a cool, comfy, sustainable hotel in Depoe Bay, Oregon? Check out the SCP Depoe Bay (Soul, Community, Planet) located at the tiniest marina. The rooms are modern and have rad coastal vibes, there are cozy community spaces, including a yoga room, and a simple breakfast with coffee and tea are included. There’s even a laundry room! It feels like staying in your rich cousin’s oversized seaside cottage in all the best ways.
Florence
Next, head to Florence, but feel free to stop in Newport for supplies, the beach, or the aquarium if that’s your thing. You should also make time to park and hike to Haceta Head Lighthouse. It’s up a hill on a bluff, but it’s a short walk (round trip won’t take more than 30 minutes) and you’ll get some nice views. In Florence itself, book a sandboarding lesson or rent a board for an hour or a couple of days. The pros at Sand Master Park can teach you how to shred on the dunes right next to the shop (which is kinda similar to snowboarding, but also quite unique). If you want to travel farther afield, you can take your rental board to Honeyman State Park or South Jetty Beach, too. Then have a picnic at Exploding Whale Memorial Park (yup, that happened here) and enjoy sunset (or sunrise) on Haceta Beach near Driftwood Shores Resort.
Bandon
On your way to Bandon, there’s plenty to see, including dunes and ocean views and Bullards Beach State Park where there’s tons of camping, beach access, paved bike paths, and a lighthouse at the end. Then, once you reach the town, head to Coquille Point and Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint. Not only do they offer picturesque views of big rocks and powerful waves, there is also a designated refuge area for birds and other animals and a rock that has a very cool tale attached to it. Plan to take the stairs down to the beach for a leisurely stroll, look through rock arches, search for sea stars, and enjoy the scenery.
Oh, and stop in North Bend and Coos Bay on your way down for historic downtowns, lovely cafes, health food stores to re-up on snacks, and So It Goes Coffee Shop for literary-themed (especially Kurt Vonnegut) treats and drinks.
Where to Stay: Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge
While it’s located 7 miles inland from the coast, a stay at this lodge is worth the short drive. Modernized lodge rooms are cozy and inviting, but there are also 12 glass cabins on the riverfront property that are posh as all get out and super duper relaxing. Plus there’s a pool and wood-fired sauna and a fine dining restaurant on site that can prepare vegan meals with a bit of advanced notice. It’s not a budget stay, but makes for a relaxing escape if you’re open to the splurge.
Southern Oregon
Want to head aaaaall the way down? You should, because there’s more to see and experience, including Arch Rock, Natural Bridge, and Cape Verello Viewpoint, many of which are practically guaranteed to be foggy, moody, and mystical in the morning before the fog and sea mist burn off later in the day. But our favorite stop was Whaleshead Beach, where a wide, rocky beach offered an excuse to wander aimlessly in the fog, search for sea creatures, dip our toes in the ocean, and marvel at the scenery. The road down to the parking lot is steep, gravely, and marred with potholes, so take it slow or park your car near the top and hoof it down. There’s also plenty of hiking along the waterfront stretch of road known as Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor, so pull up AllTrails and get your body moving. If you keep heading south or want to head east toward Medford, Ashland, or Klamath Falls and beautiful Crater Lake National Park, you’ll hit California in minutes. Make sure to stop and take a hike among the massive old growth forests in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
Bottom Line: Road Trip on the Oregon Coast
If you’re planning on driving the Oregon Coast and want peace and quiet as well as easy access to the outdoors, this Oregon coast itinerary is for you. You’re likely to have plenty of space to yourself and solitude is practically guaranteed, especially if you visit during shoulder season like spring and fall, so enjoy the peace, quiet, and misty beaches.
Did we miss any A+ stops along this route? Let us know in the comments! Then head to Oregon and wander on!
Alisha is a freelance outdoor journalist and photographer based in Ogden, UT. She loves backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and snowboarding (even though she’s terrible at it). She’s also pretty sure she’s addicted to coffee. alishamcdarris.com