The Oregon Coast is our state’s most recognizable travel destination. Highway 101 – a National Scenic Byway – winds 363 miles from the Washington state border in the north to the California Border in the south.
At our Oregon Coast Travel website we have a mile by mile guide to Highway 101 that covers ever mile of the journey and the cities and attractions along the way.
This list is NOT all inclusive yet – I’ll be adding more over time… also feel free to leave any travel or relevant information in the comments.
Near Astoria is Fort Clatsop where Lewis and Clark spent the winter after their incredible journey across the US as part of Jefferson’s expedition to explore the newly aquired Louisiana Territory. Seaside remains a popular hotspot for visits to Oregon Coast beaches.
Cannon Beach is a very popular beach destination.
Popular attractions in this area include the Tillamook lighthouse and Tillamook Cheese Factory which offer a fun and educational factory tour. The Cheese Factory is an excellent family attraction and located right off of Highway 101.
Lincoln City to Newport
Newport to Yachats
In Newport you’ll want to visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium, a world class facility that was once home to Keiko the Whale. Be sure to check out the Jellyfish exhibits where these amazing and beautiful creatures float in special lighting, and the walk through shark tank. Allow at least several hours at the Aquarium. If you are on a very tight budget and don’t have kids (who will love the aquarium!) the Mark O. Hatfield Marine Science Center is nearby and I think it still offers free tours of this Oregon Coast and sea life research facility.
Yachats to Florence
For many the central Oregon Coast offers the most spectacular scenery and the most sublime of the many great Oregon Coast Experiences. Devils Churn at Cape Perpetua is an amazing sea feature where water rushes into a narrow channel several hundred feet long. From a short hike you can stand right atop this combination of surf and a collapsed volcanic lava tube to watch the massive surges of water rush in. Above Devil’s Churn is Cape Perpetua Visitor Center which excellent hikes and interpretive exhibits.
Florence to North Bend
Florence’s “Old Town” is a very popular Oregon Coast destination for dining and shopping with charming shops and several excellent restaurants all within a few blocks of beautifully remodelled buildings that formerly were at the heart of the fishing industry here.
Coos Bay along highway 101 remains a major shipping point from Oregon but thanks to an extensive urban renewal project along the waterfront and the Mill Casino Coos Bay now offers attractive tourist features right off the highway.
Here, 101 diverges from the coast until Port Orford, so if you have time head west on the Cape Arago highway to Shore Acres State Park with some excellent coastal scenery and wonderful coastal gardens.
Port Orford to Brookings to California
Port Orford’s Battle Rock Park is right off of the Highway and the view is spectacular. There’s an excellent information center here as well with helpful staff.
Brookings is a very popular coastal destination for Oregon’s heading to the beach from Medford and inland Southern Oregon.
Joe Duck 