The Ultimate Oregon Coast Road Trip, Part One: The Northern Oregon Coast.

The Oregon Coast is beloved by both locals and travelers for its beautiful landscapes, rich history and jaw dropping vistas. Considered to be one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Oregon, it is easy to see why. Stretching along the Oregon Coast Highway 101, one can explore an abundance of caves, waterfalls, towering sea stacks, tide pools and scenic lighthouses. The quaint seaside towns are full of charm, and you can find some of the tastiest seafood anywhere in the country!

When I moved to the Pacific Northwest 2 years ago, I made it my mission to seek out all of the best places, many of which I have compiled for you guys here. Whether you live in the area and are just looking for somewhere new to explore, or have traveled from afar; this blog has a little bit of something for everyone.

Because the Oregon Coast is so vast, I have split this blog up into three parts, so you can visit by area or combine them into one giant multiple day roadtrip. Part one will cover the Northern Oregon Coast, and spans from Astoria to Pacific City, Oregon.

Stop 1: Astoria

Youngs River Falls is the first stop on your Oregon Coast road-trip, and is a short and sweet hike, clocking out at just under a half mile roundtrip. The waterfall is a short distance away from downtown Astoria, and it is about a fifteen to twenty minute drive away from the beach. This is a popular watering hole, that is medium to high flow year-round. During the wetter months the spray of the mist is extremely powerful, making it a little difficult to get close if you are shooting photographs. A cool feature on this hike is a giant tree with thick, moss-covered roots that form a small cave you can enter into- making it a perfect hide-away!

Your next step is the Wreck of Peter Iredale, which is located about 30 minutes drive from Youngs River Falls. Located in the Fort Stevens State Park, this is one of the highlights of the Northern Oregon Coast for both history buffs and those who have always wanted to explore an ancient shipwreck up close. The shipwreck occurred in 1906 while traveling en route to the Columbia River, and while all crew survived the wreck, the ship was abandoned. What remains of the rusted hull lays directly on the beach and is a short walk away from the parking area, making it very accessible, yet often crowded. Best visited at low tide, you can walk right up to the wreckage to get a closer look.

Pro Tip: One of my favorite eats in the area is the Ship Out food truck. Best known for their fish and chips, their breaded halibut is to die for!

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is the next stop on your Oregon Coast road-trip, and probably the most well-known spot on this list due to it being the home of the iconic Haystack Rock. Made famous from the movie the Goonies, Haystack Rock is probably one of the most recognized landmarks in the state, outside of Multnomah Falls. Haystack Rock is a perfect place to take in the views and also a popular place for tide-pooling, as there are a variety of sea creatures and plants to be found in the small pools surrounding the massive sea stack. This is a great location for sunset photography, and you will often see people having bon-fires directly on the beach during the summer. The winter months are actually the best time to visit this town in my opinion, as the crowds are significantly reduced.

The town of Cannon Beach is filled with a variety of restaurants, breweries and small boutiques. A few favorites of mine are listed below. During the off season, some of the shops and restaurants might be closed.

• Mo’s Seafood and Chowder.
• The Wayfarer Inn and Restaurant. Ask for a seat by the window to have a clear view of Haystack Rock!
• Sleepy Monk Coffee.

Hug Point Beach

Hug Point Beach is the next stop on our trip, and one of my favorites due to the seasonal waterfall which cascades down the hillside into the ocean. Directly located to its left is a cool sea cave that you can go into and explore. This waterfall is a lower flow waterfall, so it typically runs dry most of the year, especially into the hotter months of summer and autumn. Also, this beach is only accessible at low tide, otherwise it can be dangerous to access.

• Pro Tips: Once you park at the beach, you will head all the way to your right until you dead end at a cliffside. At low tide you will “hug” the rocks and cross around to the other side where the waterfall is located, hence the name Hug Point. It is very important to be mindful of the tides, as people have gotten stuck over there and there is no other exit point. If tides are very low, sometimes there are additional sea caves accessible if you continue further past the waterfall. Again, adventure at your own risk!

Manzanita: Oswald State Park

Located roughly 7 miles down Highway 101 from Hug Point Beach is our next location, the Elk Flats trail. This area is located in the Oswald State Park, near Manzanita Oregon. The trail consists of a variety of scenic overlooks including the Devil’s Cauldron. The cliffsides here are very steep and can be windy and muddy at various times of the year, making them dangerous at times. Extreme caution should be taken when visiting these areas. This trail is in close proximity to Short Sand Beach, which is a popular surfing area and hosts its very own secret beach waterfall.

Pacific City: Cape Kiwanda

I bet you didn’t know that there are actually two Haystack Rocks in the state of Oregon! Pacific City is located about an hour and fifteen minutes away from the last location on this list and is home to this other famous Oregon landmark. Cape Kiwanda is another hot spot for beach caves, tidepools and looming sea stacks; and a great place for hiking and photography. Its most impressive feature is a massive sand dune, which you can climb in a challenging hike to the top for alternative views of the terrain. On the other side of the sand dune is McPhillips Beach, which is a less crowded public beach that you can drive on with caution.

Pro Tip: The main parking area for the beach is located at the Pelican Brewing Company, making it the perfect stop for a cold beer and food after your day at the beach!

Other Stops Along the Way

There are plenty of other fun spots to enjoy along the way down the Northern Oregon Coast. Here are a few notable ones!

• The Astoria Column.
• Ecola State Park.
• Tillamook Creamery.
• Munson Creek Falls.
• Neskowin Ghost Forest.

Stay tuned for Part Two, the Central Oregon Coast…

Happy Wandering!