8 TOP Beaches on OREGON’s Coast To Visit

Best Beaches in Oregon

The Oregon coast is a place of fantasies. It stretches for more than 300 miles and is lined with staggeringly beautiful landscapes, which will leave even the most skilled travelers in amazement at what Mother Nature can do.

However, with so many beaches, coastal towns, and scenic overlooks to choose from along the coast, deciding which beaches are worth visiting can be difficult.

To narrow down the search for a perfect beach destination, here is a list of some of the most amazing beaches in Oregon.

Best Beaches in Oregon MAP

best beaches in Oregon map

Temperatures on the Oregon coast in the Fall

Source: weatherspark.com

Oregon can get cold fast in the Fall but you can still enjoy some sunny warm days until the end of October / beginning of November.

The best beaches on the Oregon coast

Nye Beach

If you find yourself in Newport, make sure you visit Nye Beach. This beach isn’t just a stretch of sand with beautiful views of the ocean. Its adjacent neighborhood which is dotted with quaint restaurants, cafés, and antique and art shops is nowadays one of Newport’s icons.

Visit the Newport Visual Arts Center, Newport Performing Arts Center, or Yaquina Arts Gallery to see displays and performances of local artists. The dining scene at Nye Beach is also amazing.

If art and wandering the streets isn’t your thing, there are still plenty of other things to do. Some of the most popular activities at Nye Beach are surfing, dog walking, and beachcombing. Swimming is also possible during the warmer, summer months.

This beach is open all year round. However, make sure to bring waterproof clothing and good walking shoes as there is nowhere to hide on the shore. Oceanfront parking is available, though.

Oregon Dunes Recreation Area

Oregon Dunes Recreation Area

Oregon Dunes Recreation Area, is among the world’s largest temperate coastal dunes. It was established in March 1972 to protect the changing sand formations coastal forests, and rugged beaches.

This is not a tiny sand patch since it has a total area of 31,500 acres. When you visit the site, you’ll see why it’s a popular tourist destination.

This recreation area is located along the coast and provides easy access to the beach. The Taylor Dunes and Carter Dunes offer a quick and easy way to get to the sea. Access is also available via the Oregon Dunes Loop Hike. The Siltcoos Beach Day Access area provides parking and clean restroom services for beachgoers who want to get to the water quickly compared to other available options.

Locating a beach access point that isn’t obstructed by OHV access usually necessitates a short hike. When it comes to this, you should consider hiking the Shuttpelz Lake Trail or the John Dellenback Trail as you enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean.

Oregon Dunes also offers a variety of hiking trails. Depending on your time and commitment, there is always something you can do here. The Sutton Campground Loop hiking trail is a place worth exploring. It starts at a campsite and winds its way through various ecosystems, including brackish lakes, forested dunes, and dunes.

The Siltcoos Lake Trail is a fantastic trail that circles the beautiful water surface for hikers and mountain bikers. This trail is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your dog here and enjoy evening walks. On the other hand, the Hall and Shuttpelz Lake Trails provide a cozy and quiet retreat away from the crowds.

Seaside Beach

Seaside has been Oregon’s playground for more than a century. This small North Coast town features a super-fun culture and family-friendly adventures, from carousel rides to kite flying, from biking on the beach to kayaking in the bay.

The big ocean views and proximity to Portland draw visitors year-round. And major cultural attractions like the Seaside Promenade and Seaside Aquarium keep families coming back for generations.

A walk along the Seaside Promenade is a great way to start or end your day. You can explore the boardwalk by walking, jogging, or biking. Along the way, you’ll see the beach’s sand dunes, unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean, and historic buildings and quaint cottage architecture.

Other popular beach activities include surfing, sunbathing, and watching (or participating) in the largest annual sand volleyball tournament on the coast. The beach can accommodate thousands of people, so there’s plenty of room to spread out a few towels.

In summary, its beautiful beaches, rich history, and numerous stores, restaurants, and activities make Seaside a perfect destination for tourists and permanent residents alike.

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach Oregon

Another beach destination in Oregon worth visiting is Cannon Beach. Cannon Beach is a beautiful beach with a lot of fun and phenomenal places to visit.

The tide pools, dramatic coastlines, and wildlife are a few examples of what you could encounter. A popular tourist attraction at canon beach is the Haystack Rock. This is one of two Haystack Rocks along this coast.

The less popular Haystack Rock is the landmark in Pacific City. It stands at 235 feet and is found near the central beach near the central downtown parking lot at the end of 2nd Street. On foot, you can get here in about a mile. The best time to visit the other rock is when the tide is low. However, you cannot climb it since it is a designated wildlife sanctuary, and it also protects people from falling rocks.

Apart from enjoying the magnificent view of Haystack Rock, you could also opt to fly a kite at Canon beach. Flying a kite at the beach with Haystack Rock in the background is one of the most picturesque things to do. Don’t worry if you don’t plan on bringing a kite; Once Upon A Breeze has plenty to choose from. They have everything from beginner kites to ridiculously complex ones. Even if you don’t plan on purchasing one, it’s fun to look at the kites they have for sale.

Gearhart Beach

Gearhart Beach Oregon

Spending quality time on the shoreline is one of the most popular things to do in Gearhart Beach, Oregon. This beach plays an important role in the native leisure and recreation scenes. This beach has a lot to offer. You can enjoy less congestion than the neighboring Seaside beach to the south.

If you enter Gearhart Beach from Highlands Lane, you can drive out to the beach and travel far north to Warrenton approximately 8 miles from shore. Or, you could take a short distance south to the Pacific Way beach entrance. While you won’t be able to drive your car out onto the beach if you enter from Pacific Way, you will have access to things like basketball and tennis courts, restrooms, and picnic areas.

At low tide, you can scour for beach dollars as well as gather shells on the beach. Gearhart Beach permits fires, but driftwood, you cannot burn driftwood. Kite flying, long jogging, and sand volleyball is some popular activities on the long, fairly shallow beaches, but you have to bring your own net.

You can also visit the large sandbars that jut out into the sea at low tide. Keep an eye out for sand dollars on these temporary peninsulas, as you also watch out for the water levels. Otherwise, you’ll have to return to the shore via the barren stream.

Gold Beach

Gold Beach Oregon

When precious ore was discovered at the mouth of the Rogue River in 1853, the town of Gold Beach was inspired.

The mines were not as prosperous as they had been in other places, but the metropolis remained. Then, in the early twentieth century, gentlemen anglers like Jack London and Zane Grey became interested in salmon-rich waters. Today, the coastline surrounding Gold Beach is breathtaking.

You can take a vacation break at Cape Sebastian State Park. Stretch your legs on a 1.5-mile walking path to the cape, and keep an eye out for whales from December to April. Jet-boat excursions up the Rogue River are another popular activity in Gold Beach you could indulge in. If you fancy reading, you will enjoy the Gold Beach Bookstore.

With over 75,000 used and new books, this is the largest bookstore on the Oregon coast. There are westerns, romances, biographies, adventure books, and a variety of first editions in the book collection. Their leather-bound groups of popular novels are a lot of fun to look through. A small segment of art and gift cards are available. There is also a coffee shop in the bookstore that serves coffee, pastries, tea, breakfast burritos, and light lunch meals. It’s easy to get caught up in the bookshelves after grabbing a bite to eat.

Around Gold Beach, there are also prehistoric gardens. There’s one with 23 life-size dinosaurs on display. You’ll have to hike through the dense rainforest of Oregon’s coast to see this garden. This is one of Gold Beach’s top attractions when traveling with kids. The walk through the garden takes about 20-30 minutes. Children enjoy running through the garden. As a result, if you’re planning to visit with your kid, you should plan on staying longer. The prehistoric gardens are about 20 minutes north of Gold Beach.

Yachats

Yachats beach

Yachats is a classic ocean village on the central Oregon coast. Yachats is also pronounced “YAH-hots.”

The Pacific Ocean surrounds the town on one side and the dense expanse of Siuslaw National Forest. Yachats have a unique natural charm due to their magnificent coastline and mountainous setting. For many, it is also the pinnacle of Oregon’s coastal beauty.

There are various sceneries for you to enjoy with family in this beach town. You could start by the Cape Perpetua Scenic area. This famous location is located south of Yachats. Named by Captain James Cook in the late 1700s, Cape Perpetua is now one of Oregon’s most prevalent coastal attractions. The cape, which rises more than 800 feet above sea level, is accessible by car and provides the highest viewpoint on the coast.

You can also go on all day and night excursions in the designated scenic areas of the surrounding area. The Cape Perpetua Visitor Center, which is usually open all through the week for 24 hours is the best place to start. Here you will find resources to help you plan your day of exploration. There are exhibits on this amazing place’s history of nature and cultural resources.

The summit of Cape Perpetua is the next best spot. The Cape Perpetua Observatory is about 1.5 miles from the visitor center, 700 feet away. The day area and observatory are also accessible from the unpaved Cape Perpetua observatory. At the top, the elevated views in both directions offer a perfect coastal view for postcards.

You could also opt to spend the night near the ocean. Yachats has a number of family-friendly hotels and resorts. Some of these locations are r to be ranked among Oregon’s best beach resorts. There is no cost to have a premium accommodation experience at a competitive price. Here you can enjoy ocean views and various spa services.

Manzanita

Manzanita beach Oregon

Manzanita is another beautiful beach town in Oregon. People prefer this beach to other beach resorts because it provides more than just a beach. This is one of Oregon’s greatest photographed places and its surrounding area.

Manzanita is renowned for its welcoming atmosphere, fine dining, charming shops, and art galleries. It has 7 miles of beautiful beaches and breathtaking views.

The beach is a fantastic place to go for a night stroll, walk your dog, or take in the view of the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Kayakers and surfers frequent the beach, but you won’t have to work up a sweat. Manzanita also has you covered if you want to unwind in the shade under a comfy beach chair. Volunteers at the Manzanita Visitor Center are open to questions you might have about the area.

If you enjoy hiking, Oswald West State Park is for you. The park is just 2.5 miles north of Manzanita along US 101. There are big trees, vibrant undergrowth, and winding paths abound in this 2,500-acre nature preserve. These routes are part of the famous Oregon Coast Trail, a 362-mile coastal hiking trail.

You will also enjoy stunning views of the shoreline and the ocean from many points along the trail. Places such as Necarney Creek, Cape Falcon, Short Sand Creek, Short Cape Falcon, Sand Beach, and Smuggler’s Cove are within the park. Some locals believe that smuggler’s coves hold the mysterious treasures of Spanish ships. Today, however, it is a common surfing spot.

As you enjoy walking along the magnificent beach, you won’t miss seeing Mt. Neahkahnie. The mountain is located in Oswald West State Park. Neahkahnie is part of the Northern Oregon Coast Range. The Tillamook people consider the mountain sacred, and its name derives from their language. Neahkahnie, which means “God’s place.” Tillamook’s chief Kilchris claimed descent from survivors of a Spanish shipwreck in the nineteenth century.

Conclusion

From this post, you can tell that Oregon is littered with so many magnificent beach destinations. It all comes down to your taste in adventure. These are just a few exemplary examples that will help you decide where to go.