Planning a trip to the Oregon Coast? Then beaches, lighthouses, viewpoints, and coastal hikes are probably part of your itinerary already. But what about Oregon’s coast towns? Besides the natural wonders, Oregon is home to charming coastal towns that are worth stopping by – not only to find a place to stay or eat.

In this article, you’ll find a description of Oregon coast towns from North to South, plus a list of things to do nearby. I’ve also included a recommendation on where to stay on the Oregon Coast for each part: North, Central, and South Coast.

Map of Oregon Coast Towns

This is a growing blog post. In this first part, I’ve listed 5 Oregon Coast towns on the North Oregon Coast (from Astoria to Pacific City). Those coastal towns can be reached from Portland within 1.5 – 2 hours. Bookmark this article as the following are coming soon: Central Oregon Coast (Lincoln City – Florence) and South Oregon Coast (Coos Bay – Brookings).

Astoria to Pacific City:
Northern Oregon Coast Towns

Astoria – Oregon’s most historic coast town

Located at the Mouth of the Columbia River makes Astoria technically not a real Oregon coastal town. But its unique location and history make Astoria a must-stop on your Oregon road trip. Astoria is the oldest town in Oregon and was the first American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains when it was founded in 1811. Its past in the fur and logging industry makes Astoria the most historic Oregon coast town and a very important port city.  

But Astoria is not only famous for its history! Well-known as a filming location for the American Comedy, The Goonies Astoria attracts many visitors year-round. Also, nature-wise Astoria has lots to offer: Its unique location at the northwestern tip of Oregon makes it a great hub to start your Oregon road trip South or head over the 4.07 miles (6.55 km) long Astoria-Megler Bridge to visit adjacent Washington State.

Things to do in Astoria

• Have coffee and homemade cake at The Coffee Girl, located in the West’s oldest cannery building
• Watch the wild sea lions sunbathing at Historic Pier 39
• Visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum
• Climb the Astoria Column for panoramic views of Astoria and the Columbia River
• Take a self-guided Goonies Film Location tour
• Visit the Peter Iredale shipwreck at Fort Stevens State Park
• Hike 1.5 miles to Cathedral Tree
• Drive across Astoria-Megler-Bridge for a day trip to Washington and explore Cape Disappointment State Park and Long Beach

Seaside – love or hate this Oregon Coast Town!

Driving towards Seaside always gives me give me an earworm of “Seaside”, the famous song from the Kooks, and makes me imagine a picturesque coastal town. The truth is: Seaside’s long and wide beach feels uncharacteristic and lacks the dramatic scenery the Oregon Coast is known for. Maybe it’s just because of the missing sea stacks…

Seaside’s beach promenade and main street are quite touristy. The carousel at Seaside Carousel Mall makes you feel like walking through an amusement park, and the view into the shops and Funland Seaside Arcade feels like time traveling back to the 90s. However, Seaside might not have the greatest reputation among Oregon coast towns, but definitely has a special charm that can only be found here. If you dive a little deeper there are great spots to find in the city and around.

Things to do in Seaside

• Walk to Seaside’s Painted Rock Beach
• Watch surfers hit the waves at The Cove
• Find cute coastal cabins further down the Seaside promenade
• Look for colorful murals around town
• Hike Tillamook Head Trail and find “Terrible Tilly” out in the Pacific Ocean
• Go crabbing along the 1.5 miles (2,4km) long beach
• Smooth your muscles in the sauna and heated pool at Ashore Hotel

Cannon Beach –
Most popular Oregon Coast Town

Not only because of its proximity to Portland (just follow Highway 26 for 1.5 hrs) but also due to its great infrastructure including accommodation, restaurants, and shops, Cannon Beach attracts locals and visitors alike. There is one sight that makes Cannon Beach the most popular coastal town in Oregon: The iconic Haystack Rock. The 235 ft (72 m) tall sea stack can be admired from far away and explored by foot during low tide. This makes it a playground for beach lovers, tide-poolers, and bird-lovers. Look for bald eagles, pelicans, seagulls, and tufted puffins!

Things to do in Cannon Beach

• Have breakfast at Sea Level Bakery
• Take at least one selfie in front of Oregon’s landmark: Haystack Rock
• Explore Ecola State Park
• Hike to Indian Beach and enjoy the view from the cliffs
• Find a waterfall located right on the beach at Hug Point State Park (only accessible during low tide)

Manzanita –
Most relaxed town on the North Oregon Coast

Only a stone’s throw south of Cannon Beach, following Highway 101 for 20 minutes, you’ll find Manzanita. This Oregon coast town attracts notable locals and those who seek solitude. Less tourist infrastructure makes Manzanita a getaway for self-sufficient weekenders from Portland and those who just want to soak in the coastal vibes in more tranquil surroundings.

Things to do in Manzanita

• Rent an ocean-front cabin and enjoy yourself soaking in the ocean vibes
• Hike Neahkahnie Mountain for a real workout and breathtaking views above Nehalem Bay
• Explore Oswald West State Park
• Walk to “Shorty” (Short Sands Beach) and meet some surfer dudes
• Hike the Cape Falcon Trail

Tillamook – Oregon’s cheesiest coastal town

When leaving Portland West on Highway 26 and 6 you’ll straight get to Tillamook, probably the cheesiest Oregon coast town. Located not directly on the Pacific Ocean, but the Tillamook Bay this coastal town impresses a farm-style vibe with lush meadows, red barns, and grazing cows. Honestly, I felt like driving through rural parts of Germany when I first visited Tillamook and this was just something I didn’t expect from an Oregon coast town. And the cows are there for a reason: Tillamook is home to the famous Tillamook Creamery whose products you’ve probably seen in various supermarkets already: Cheese, yogurt, ice cream, anything milky you can think of.

Visiting the Tillamook Creamery is a must! On a self-guided tour, you’ll learn all about the cheese-making process, and have the chance to look behind the scenes of the production chain and try samples. It took me a while until I visited the Tillamook Creamery as it’s just always busy. But I promise: It’s absolutely worth it!

The small villages located around Tillamook Bay and Netarts Bay are the perfect retreat for all who seek tranquility and seclusion. Due to several landslides over the past years at Cape Meares State Park, the towns of Oceanside, Netarts and Cape Meares can only be reached by one side, which leads to fewer tourists compared to the easier accessible Oregon Coast towns. Oceanside is the only way how you can reach Cape Meares Lighthouse by car.

Things to do in Tillamook

• Visit the Tillamook Creamery
• Go crabbing and fishing in the Tillamook Bay
• Explore Cape Meares Lighthouse and drive the Three Capes Scenic Loop (Cape Meares, Cape Kiwanda, Cape Lookout)
• Find Octopus Tree
• Hike the Cape Lookout Trail
• Get yourself a culinary souvenir at Jacobsen Salt Co.

Pacific City – My favorite Oregon Coast Town

If you are driving from North to South and find yourself wondering why you see Haystack Rock again after 1.5 hours of driving, I can reassure you: you are not crazy! 65 miles further South of Cannon Beach there is another similar-looking giant sea stack.

Fun fact: Both giant rocks are named Haystack Rock, so it’s definitely a bit confusing when visiting the Oregon Coast for the first time.

And there is an optical illusion: Haystack Rock at Pacific City is actually taller than its famous neighbor 340.6 ft (103,8 m). But because it’s located further out it looks smaller from the beach. What makes Pacific City unique is the massive sand dune at Cape Kiwanda which you can climb for gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean.

The beaches north of Cape Kiwanda towards Tierra del Mar are some of the few in Oregon where vehicles are allowed to drive on the beach. What seemed very odd to me when I saw it first is actually pretty awesome and unique. Just imagine you can take everything to the beach, even pop your rooftop tent, chill out and watch the sunset directly from your car. How does that sound?

Caution: Driving on the beach is only recommended for 4WD or AWD. Getting stuck will definitely cost you some sweat and money to get back out.

Things to do in Pacific City

• Get yourself cinnamon rolls at Stimulus Coffee + Bakery
• Drive on the beach and find a spot to enjoy the afternoon sun
• Climb the massive sand dune at Cape Kiwanda for sunset
• Have a beer and fish & chips + a Cream Ale at Pelican Brewery with ocean views

Where to stay on the North Oregon Coast?

The Northern Oregon Coast is the most developed part and finding accommodation is easy in all coastal towns mentioned from Astoria to Pacific City. Depending on your preferences you can choose between big hotels, beach condos, and cabins.

Ashore Hotel, Seaside

A great spot to stay on the Northern Oregon Coast is the Ashore Hotel in Seaside. Even though Seaside might not be the most attractive coastal town itself, the Ashore Hotel is a great tiny hotel that offers modern amenities and still gives you privacy and comfort.

Why I love Ashore Hotel in Seaside:
Ashore Hotel only has 22 rooms, all cozy and with a modern-style interior. The King Rooms are all located on the second floor and accommodate a fireplace for extra coziness. As a sauna lover, the dry sauna would be reason enough to check in at Ashore Hotel. But there is a heated saline pool as well for all water rats.

Ashore Hotel is part of the Adrift family (located in Long Beach, Washington) and represents the same values as its main property offering eco-friendly bath products as well as local food and drinks. At Ashore Hotel you’ll find Coffee from Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters in Cannon Beach, beer from Fort George Brewery in Astoria, and bakery items from Dough Dough Bakery in Seaside. When booking a stay at Ashore Hotel I can only recommend adding the Cozy Stay Package to your booking as it includes a European breakfast for 2, local beers, and late check-out.

Ashore Hotel (like all other properties of Adrift) partners with KindTraveler, a Give+Get hotel booking platform supporting sustainable hotels and local projects. Through your booking, you positively impact the community you visit. (In this case, a certain amount of your payment will go to North Coast Food Web). Furthermore, the hotel is a certified B-Corporation and women-led. Any more reasons why you should stay at Ashore Hotel?

Disclosure: We were invited to stay at Ashore Hotel for 2 nights. Like all articles on this blog, it reflects my personal impressions and honest opinion.

The Cape, Cape Meares

If you prefer soaking in the solitude at the Oregon Coast, take a look at ‘The Cape’ at Cape Meares. This coastal craftsman house built by Kelly and Ty is a true gem. Not only the location at the remote Cape Meares beach, but the quality, love for detail, and creativity they’ve put into the interior make this house one of the most unique places to stay on the Oregon Coast. It’s the perfect coastal getaway for families or friends.

The best part: Kelly and Ty only share their place with others who they believe will respect and take care of in the way they do. But they don’t rent ‘The Cape’ via the big online vacation rental platforms. If you are passionate about creative design, appreciate the quality of craftsmanship, and love to spend time in a quiet place surrounded by nature, make sure to follow the Cape_Meares Instagram account for available dates.

This coastal house sleeps 6 people in 1 queen bed with an ocean view and 4 twin bunks. It’s not a party house, or event space and doesn’t have a TV. It’s a dream for everyone who loves to cook, relax in the hammock while watching surfers, and explore some remote beaches or trails before wrapping up the day at the fire pit outside.

More adventures on the Pacific Coast:

• Oregon Coast in winter
• Photo guide to Samuel H. Boardman, South Oregon Coast
• Stay at Heceta Head Lighthouse
• Cape Disappointment State Park + Long Beach, Washington

***

QUESTIONS & COMMENTS?

Have you ever been to Oregon and explored the Oregon Coast? Do you like the article, and have suggestions, feedback, or recommendations? Leave me a comment and please feel free to share this article with your friends!

***

LIKE IT? PIN IT & SAVE IT FOR LATER!

***

 – SMILE4TRAVEL NEWSLETTER –

Become part of the Smile4Travel Community – Follow my Facebook Page & Instagram and register for my Newsletter, so you don´t miss any Smile4Travel adventures! No Spam – I promise!

Please leave this field empty

CHECKLIST: OREGON HIKES

Sign up to my email list and get access to the free Oregon hiking checklist as well all items in the Smile4Travel RESOURCE LIBRARY!

Name

e-Mail *

It’s free to sign-up, I’ll never send you spam, and you might unsubscribe at any time. More info in my Privacy Policy.

Thanks you for joining the Smile4Travel community! Please check your mailbox and spam folder to confirm your subscription You will also and receive the password for the resource library via email where you can download the checklist.