The Oregon Coast has 363 miles of public beaches, around 23 coastal towns, and over 80 state parks. Needless to say – there are MANY unique spots to explore, making it overwhelming to plan a day trip or extended stay. We have explored the entire Oregon coast and can say there are quite a few spots we recommend that are tried and true. This list of the 10 hidden gems on the Oregon Coast is geared towards the traveler who wants to get off the beaten path and explore the lesser-known spots along the coast. While places like Cannon Beach deserve a visit, it is always nice to escape the crowds and have these hidden gem spots all to yourself.
1. Astoria-Megler Bridge
Astoria is the northernmost town on the Oregon Coast and is often missed because it is somewhat far from the more popular coastal towns. This town deserves a visit for many reasons but the biggest reason is to see and drive across the Astoria-Megler Bridge.
The Astoria-Megler Bridge is a 4.1-mile-long bridge that spans the Columbia River and allows passage between Oregon and Washington. At this length, the bridge is the longest continuous truss bridge in the nation.
There are quite a few ways to experience this sight. We definitely recommend driving over it so you can take in the views of the Columbia River and watch the barges sail through. There are also a few walking paths and viewpoints of the bridge in Astoria. One of note is the Astoria Riverwalk, a 6-mile walk along the waterfront boasting beautiful views of the river and the massive bridge spanning the border of the two Pacific Northwest states.
There are quite a few eateries and breweries along the water that we love including Rouge Pier 39 Public House, Buoy Beer Company, and Reach Break Brewing. If you want to do a bit more sightseeing, the Peter Iredale Shipwreck is worth a visit. This shipwreck is just beyond the parking lot at Fort Stevens State Park and is one of the most accessible shipwrecks on the west coast. To find out more about this spot click here.
2. Crescent Beach at Ecola State Park
Everyone knows Cannon Beach – how could you not want to see the iconic Haystack Rock? Although Cannon Beach is a must-see, somewhere close yet off the beaten path is Crescent Beach at Ecola State Park. This hidden gem is a great spot to hit when you want to escape the crowds at Cannon Beach.
Crescent Beach can be accessed by a 1.25-mile trail near the Ecola Point Picnic area. This trail winds through an old-growth forest, past a seasonal waterfall, as it makes its way down to the shoreline. Pack a picnic, bring a few towels, and find a secluded spot on this beach to enjoy the sound of the waves rolling in. If you go during low tide and walk south, there are many tide pools to explore and you will have a great view of Haystack Rock in the distance.
This spot does require a 5 dollar fee to park and it is dog friendly.
3. Old Growth Cedar Preserve
Between Manzanita and Oceanside lies this hidden gem – a boardwalk through an old-growth cedar forest. This 1-mile path crosses over a bog, winds through towering cedar trees, and ends with a large observation deck built around the largest Western Red Cedar tree in Oregon. It is amazing that this old-growth forest lies just a mile or so off the beach – you can quite literally walk out of the forest into the surf at this stop.
This spot is perfect as a quick stop to stretch your legs as you are either driving north or south along the Oregon Coast. We grabbed a coffee and headed here one weekend morning and had the path all to ourselves! Some nearby coffee shops include R&R Espresso and Beach Bakeshop. If you are here around lunchtime (honestly anytime as there is never a bad time for a corn dog) – The Original Pronto Pup is just up the road! This is where the infamous corn dog was invented in 1930.
The path is very easy to follow and the trailhead can be found here. It is dog friendly and free to park!
4. Oceanside Beach Tunnel
Do you want to walk through a tunnel to a hidden beach? If the answer is yes (which I would assume it would be), this hidden gem is for you!
This adventure begins at Oceanside Beach Recreation Area. From there, you will walk down to the beach and head north to find the tunnel. You will be able to see Three Arch Rocks on this beach as you head towards the cliff with the tunnel at the base. As you near the 125-foot long tunnel, get your flashlight ready! I advise at least a smartphone flashlight but something stronger is preferable as the tunnel itself has no lighting in it. The beach on the other side of the tunnel is cleverly named Tunnel Beach. It is pretty rocky but gives you a sense of seclusion that many of the coastal beaches do not provide.
This site is dog friendly and is free to visit!
5. Drift Creek Falls
If you are taking a day trip from Portland to the coast – a great way to go is through the Siuslaw National Forest to Lincoln City. That way you can hit this destination on your way!
Top 5 Day Trips from Portland to Take in 2022
This waterfall can be accessed by a 3 mile out and back hike which boasts a lush forest, an 80-foot waterfall, and a 240-foot suspension bridge. Better yet, this hike is only half an hour from the coast, making it a great detour on your way to the beach. This hike is dog friendly and 5 dollars to park at the trailhead if you do not have a Northwest Forest Pass.
For more on this hike, check out our in-depth post here.
6. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
One of the best views of the Oregon coast is located at Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. This area is the highest point accessible by car on the Oregon Coast at 800 feet above the shoreline. It costs 5 dollars to park here without a valid parks pass.
There are many trails that wind through the park and they can be found here. If you do not want to hike and just wish to see the viewpoint, parking is plentiful at the visitors center. From there you can walk to the overlook and take it all in!
7. Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park
If you are like us (or are still reading this article), you love a secluded beach spot. We have named a few already along the northern coastal region but this beach is located in the central/southern coastal region near Florence.
Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park includes both the forest and beach which makes this stop very versatile in terms of possible adventures. We mainly explored Roosevelt Beach, a vast stretch of coastline that was barely trafficked.
Dogs are allowed and there is a small fee to park at the state park as always unless you have a parks pass. This spot is great for a picnic or a casual stroll on the beach. Some other spots of interest near here are Heceta Head Lighthouse and Cape Perpetua.
8. Coos Bay
This southern town is the largest city on the Oregon Coast and is known for its 42-mile-long Oregon Dunes Recreation Site. As it is further from Portland, it is less of a day trip and more of a weekend getaway. This made the list because of the unique accommodation that we stayed at while in town – Bay Point Landing. (This is not sponsored, we just loved it!)
Bay Point Landing is a sort of camping resort with RV hookups sites, but it also boasts airstreams and tiny homes to rent per night. This resort has many amenities including a game room, indoor pool, and general store to name a few. We stayed in a beachfront tiny home for the weekend and it was the perfect basecamp for exploring everything the southern Oregon coast has to offer.
The resort is dog friendly! When purchasing a room, include how many pets you are bringing, and they will have a dog basket in your room upon check-in with water bowls, protective sheets for furniture, and treats. They also have an “after-hours” delivery service where you can text the resort an order from the general store and they will bring it to your home or airstream free of charge!
Nearby, we loved 7 Devil’s Brewing and The Boat Fish and Chips. For hiking, check out Cape Argo Loop Hike and Shore Acres State Park. There are also many nearby coastal towns worth a visit like Bandon (next on our list) and Reedsport.
9. Old Town Bandon
Picture a cute seaside town – restaurants on a pier, sandy sidewalks, costal boutiques. Now take that mental image, make it a town, and you have Bandon! Like Coos Bay, this hidden gem town is along the southern coast so inherently less trafficked.
Old Town Bandon is a place you can stop for a bite to eat or spend all day wandering through the shops and eateries. Get some craft beer at Bandon Brewing Company, a chocolate flight at Coastal Mist, or cheese curds at Face Rock Creamery before hitting the shops and galleries.
If you want to visit some of the surrounding areas, we highly recommend driving the Beach Loop – a road off the 101 passing many Bandon beaches. You can find a map here. The Bandon Dunes Golf Course is also located here – we are not huge golfers but this course is world-renowned and worth a visit if you golf!
10. Arch Rock
As you near the Oregon-California border you will find a few towns like Gold Beach and Brookings boasting many breweries, seafood spots, and well-known scenic viewpoints. This area is mostly known for Samuel L. Boardman State Scenic Corridor – arguably the most scenic 12-mile stretch on the Oregon Coast.
Arch Rock is a hidden gem within the scenic corridor. A stand-alone natural arch made of rock created by many years of erosion. I like this stop because it is right off the main road and easy to get to. Many well-known viewpoints in the corridor are accessed by non-maintained trails and can be dangerous. This viewpoint is easy to get to and has a picnic area creating the perfect road trip stop.
That’s a wrap on 10 hidden gems on the Oregon Coast! This list was difficult to make as there is SO much to do and see along the coast but this list is a great place to start. I hope you discovered a few places in this article you have never heard of before and you want to explore.
As always, please let us know what you think in the comments! What Oregon coast destination is next up on your bucket list?