Weekend Warrior: Oregon Coast
Oregon beaches are famous for their sandy coves, rugged rocky cliffs and tide pools teeming with marine life — and whether you’re just visiting the PNW or a local, a trip down the Oregon Coast is a definite must. You’ll find no end of cute beach towns, awe-inspiring viewpoints and interesting hikes no matter where you go, and if you’re feeling slightly overwhelmed about where to start your planning, it’s no wonder! Feel free to follow this weekend itinerary for a trip that will show you a little bit of everything this amazing place has to offer, or pick and choose which stops you’d like to fit into one of your own. Either way, we think it’ll be a trip you won’t soon forget!
*Our trip started from Portland,OR but you could easily do this itinerary in reverse if you are coming from the south.
Day 1: Portland to Newport, OR
7:00am Start your day bright and early with a 1hr 30min drive to Cannon Beach, enjoy the views as you leave the city behind and head out to the coast!
8:30am Spend 1- 1hr 30min exploring the beach and Haystack Rock, the town is a great place to grab breakfast or a coffee. If you’re interested in arriving at low tide so you can explore Haystack Rock up close and catch some beautiful reflections in the sand, be sure to check the tide report the night before you leave (warning: it may be incredibly early!)
10:00am Get back in your car and start the 20min drive down the coast to your first hike of the day!
10:30am
Park at Cape Falcon trailhead and complete this moderate 4.5 mi hike out to the headlands for some amazing views. There is plenty of parking here and no fee. This hike typically takes about 2hr.
12:30pm Return to your car and drive 40min into Tillamook for lunch. If your stomachs can wait a few extra minutes, be sure to make a quick stop at the Forbidden Cliffs which you can access from the Elk Flats trailhead just two minutes down the road from Cape Falcon.
1:30pm Grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants, breweries or food carts in Tillamook. If you’ve brought along your own lunch, make sure to at least snag some world famous Tillamook ice cream as you pass through!
2:30pm: Begin your 1hr drive to your next destination and enjoy the intermittent coastal views
3:30 pm
Hopefully your lunch has had plenty of time to digest and you’re ready to start your next hike - Cascade Head. This hike is roughly 6 mi but feel free to turn around at whatever point your legs or time demand. The views open up after about 1.5 mi and are some of the best you’ll find of the coastline. Take your time here and catch some of that beautiful golden hour light as you head back down.
6:30/7:00 pm: Return to your car and drive 50min south to Newport, OR for dinner along the Historic Bayfront and some well deserved rest. Feel free to pull over at any of the viewpoints along the way to take photos as the sun goes down.
Day 2: Newport to Bandon, OR
9:00am: Grab breakfast in Newport and begin to make your way slowly south towards Yachats, OR.
9:45am: Make a quick stop at Thor's Well and then continue your drive another 15min to your morning destination.
10:30am:
Arrive at Heceta Head Lighthouse and spend the rest of your morning exploring the area and doing the hike that takes you up past the lighthouse and ends at Hobbit Beach. Be sure to stop in at the lighthouse gift shop when you finish and learn a little bit about the history of this historic structure.
1:00pm: Drive just down the road to grab lunch in the charming town of Florence, OR. The Oldtown offers lots of great food options and the opportunity for some window shopping.
2:00pm: After lunch make a small detour inland to catch one of the Oregon Coast’s most beautiful waterfalls, Kentucky Falls. The drive will take about 1hr 15min.
3:30pm:
Begin your hike to Kentucky Falls, a quick, quintessential PNW hike that will take you past three unique waterfalls. This hike is about 4 mi and generally takes around 2hr. Feel free to take a dip in one of the pools if it’s a hot day.
5:45pm: Head south to Bandon, OR to wrap up your second day on the coast where you’ll find a handful of options for food and accommodations.
Sunset
If you arrive in time, be sure to catch sunset at Face Rock Viewpoint and see the sun set behind the Witch’s Hat.
Day 3: Bandon to Gold Beach, OR
Sleep in and enjoy a leisurely morning in Bandon! Wander the local beaches and peruse the shops, have a big breakfast and get ready, because the best sights are still to come!
10:00am: Drive 45min back up the coast to the Oregon Sand Dunes National Recreation Area, one of the largest expanses of coastal dunes in the world.
10:45am:
Walk 1-2 mi out to the beach through these expansive dunes along the John Dellenback Trail or rent some ATVs and explore the area on wheels, whatever is more your speed.
1:15pm: Make your way to the cute town of Port Orford, OR to grab some lunch, the drive is about 1hr 20min.
2:45pm: Take your lunch to go and continue your drive south, there are a million pullouts along this stretch of Highway 101, be sure to stop and get your fill of the views and take photos but keep an eye on the time, you won’t want to miss the final stop!
4:30pm: Once you hit the beginning of the 12 mi stretch designated as the Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor, really slow down and take your time. This area has so many cool lookouts and short hikes down to beaches and secret coves that start right from the highway - you could easily spend 3 days right here! The most famous point of interest here is the Natural Bridges.
Golden Hour:
Natural Bridges is the crown jewel of the Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor, and is the epitome of what the southern Oregon Coast is all about: sea stacks! Enjoy the views from the platform or scramble your way down to walk over the stone bridge and admire the golden hour light on the water.
If you’re on a time crunch and need to get back to Portland, you’ll probably want to leave before true sunset, you’ve got about a 5hr 30min drive back to the city. If not head to either Gold Beach or Brookings to enjoy your last night on the coast!
