11 Greatest Stops on an Oregon Coast Highway Road Trip

Oregon Coast Highway 101 Guide

The Pacific Coast Highway’s most dramatic stretch isn’t in California. It’s 363 miles of Oregon’s wild coastline, aka Highway 101. Here’s your guide to Oregon Coast Highway’s greatest hits, aka must-stops you should never miss on your road trip.

Cannon Beach & Haystack Rock

Kick off your Highway 101 road trip here, 80 miles west of Portland. Park downtown (free 2-hour spots) and walk five minutes to the 235-foot Haystack Rock. its tide pools burst with purple sea stars and hermit crabs at low tide. 

After exploring, drive 10 minutes north on Ecola Park Road to cliffside viewpoints in Ecola State Park. Scan the horizon December-March for migrating gray whales, or hike the 2.5-mile Clatsop Loop Trail through fog-draped spruce forests. 

Surfers flock to Indian Beach’s chilly waves, but you can warm up afterward with coffee from Sleepy Monk Café.

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Make sure to add this to your itinerary, which can be found at milepost 168, 22 miles north of Florence. Grab tide charts at the visitor center, then walk 100 yards to Thor’s Well, which is a volcanic sinkhole that erupts like a geyser at high tide. After that, drive two miles south to Devil’s Churn’s viewing platform, where waves slam basalt cliffs, shooting mist 50 feet skyward. 

Time your visit one hour before/after peak tides for the best sprays. Refuel at Yachats Brewing 15 minutes north: smoked salmon chowder pairs perfectly with coastal views.

Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor

Slow down for this 12-mile stretch between Brookings (milepost 343.5) and Gold Beach. Pull over at Natural Bridges Viewpoint (milepost 345.8) for a one-minute walk to seven sea arches carved by relentless waves. 

If you need a bit of peace and quiet, make the unmarked trail at milepost 343.5: hike 0.6 miles downhill through ferns to Secret Beach’s hidden waterfalls and turquoise pools. Pack a picnic for Lone Ranch Beach’s sheltered tables, but drive cautiously since many overlooks lack guardrails.

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Shift gears between Florence and North Bend with a detour 2 miles east of Highway 101. Rent sandboards ($25/day) at Spinreel Dune Rides or join a guided ATV tour to race 500-foot dunes. You can also hike the 1-mile John Dellenback Trail through Sahara-like landscapes dotted with shore pine.

Afterward, scrub off sand at Florence’s Mo’s Chowder House—their clam chowder is legendary. 

Tillamook Creamery

Yep, that Tillamook.

Stop 22 miles west of Highway 101’s Route 6 junction. Watch workers package cheddar through factory windows, then taste-test flavors like garlic chili pepper ice cream. After indulging, drive the Three Capes Scenic Loop: climb Cape Meares Lighthouse’s 38 steps, hike Cape Lookout’s 2.5-mile trail through ancient spruce, and sandboard Cape Kiwanda’s golden dunes.

Weekday mornings mean shorter lines for Tillamook’s gooey grilled cheese, by the way.

Sea Lion Caves

Descend 208 feet via elevator into North America’s largest sea cave at milepost 179.

Feel the chill as you step into the two-acre cavern from January to April, you’ll hear 200+ Steller sea lions bark and splash on rocky ledges. Watch pups nurse in spring or snap photos of the bronze “The Family” statue marking the cave’s 50th anniversary. Pair your visit with Heceta Head Lighthouse 1.5 miles south: hike its 0.5-mile trail for 21-mile ocean views.

Bring binoculars if you’re in the area from December to April since you might spot gray whales migrating past the cliffs. Combo tickets save $5; arrive before noon to avoid elevator lines.

Bandon Beach

To reach this lovely beach, exit near milepost 277 onto Beach Loop Road. Walk Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint’s loop (milepost 277) at sunset, where Wizard’s Hat sea stack glows orange against crashing waves. 

When you’re done, time your visit for low tide to spot purple sea stars in tide pools near Table Rock. Rent a kite at Bandon Beach Gear or devour Dungeness crab rolls at Tony’s Crab Shack. 

Before leaving, drive 2 miles east to Coquille River Lighthouse and touch its 1896 Fresnel lens.

Ecola State Park

Exit Highway 101 at Cannon Beach’s north end and drive 1.5 miles up Ecola Park Road ($5 fee). As you hike the 2.5-mile Clatsop Loop Trail, you’ll pass Sitka spruce forests where Lewis and Clark’s team once tracked beached whales. 

December to March, join rangers at the main overlook to scan for gray whale spouts near Tillamook Rock Lighthouse’s ruins. Afterward, watch surfers brave Indian Beach’s waves and claim a picnic table with ocean views. 

RVs over 21 feet need to park at the entrance lot; arrive by 10 AM to grab spots.

Oswald West State Park

Pull off Highway 101 at milepost 39 and hike the 2.5-mile Cape Falcon Trail.

As you weave through moss-draped forests, you’ll reach clifftop views of Smuggler’s Cove. Surf Short Sand Beach’s morning swells (rent gear in Manzanita) or picnic at Devil’s Cauldron Overlook, where waves churn violently below. Cross Necarney Creek’s suspension bridge on the Oregon Coast Trail and hunt for pirate treasure legends on Neahkahnie Mountain.

If you’ve got your dog with you, bring them since the trails here are pet-friendly.

Harris Beach State Park

This one’s great for an overnight rest stop. Camp oceanfront three miles north of Brookings (milepost 362) and wake to waves crashing near Goat Island. By April, you’ll spot tufted puffins nesting in this seabird sanctuary. 

Explore tide pools at Arch Rock’s wave-carved tunnel or hike the 1.5-mile Harris Butte Trail for panoramic views. Since summer sites book fast, reserve RV spots six months ahead. 

Gas tip: Fill up at Brookings’ Superfly Mart. You’ll save $0.30/gallon versus coastal stations.

Yachats & the ‘Seven Miles of Smiles’

Grip your wheel tight on this 7-mile Highway 101 stretch (milepost 168-175) since you’ll be navigating hairpin curves and cliff drops. Stop at Hobbit Beach (milepost 171) to comb for agates among driftwood, then tour Heceta Head Lighthouse’s Victorian keeper’s quarters.