The Best Towns on the Oregon Coast: A Local’s Guide
Oregon Seaside Towns
The Oregon Coast is a road trippers’ scenic dream—where rugged cliffs meet windswept beaches, salty sea air mingles with forested hills, and each town has its own distinct personality. I’ve driven up and down this coast so many times over the years, in every season. Each trip lends something new to discover.
Every few miles introduces a charming community brimming with Oregon hospitality, but I’ve come to especially love these 15 towns, because they offer the best of what the Oregon coast has to offer.
So, whether you are road-tripping down Highway 101 or looking for your next cozy coastal getaway, here are the best seaside towns to explore along the Oregon Coast, from north to south.
Get the scoop on where to stay along the Oregon Coast.
If you are a visual person and like seeing where you are going, or if you are just a map nerd in general, check out a map of all of these Oregon towns at the bottom of this article.
Astoria
Oregon’s oldest city blends maritime charm with hip small-town energy. Nestled where the Columbia River meets the Pacific, it’s got history, views, and character in spades. Founded in 1811, Astoria was the first permanent U.S. settlement on the Pacific coast and, back in the day, played a key role in the fur trade.
I come here whenever the antique shopping bug hits. Astoria also has an awesome bridge that take you into Washington State and nearby Cape Disappointment State Park (which is anything but!) and Long Beach.
Things to do:
- Tour the Columbia River Maritime Museum
- Climb the Astoria Column for epic 360 degree views
- Stroll along the Riverwalk and see if you can spot sea lions
Fun fact: Scenes from The Goonies and Kindergarten Cop were filmed here—fans still visit the movie’s locations to this day!
Nearby hike: Cathedral Tree Trail – a short but lush trail leading to a massive Sitka spruce and stunning views.
Seaside
Seaside is Oregon’s quintessential family beach town, with a nostalgic boardwalk vibe, arcade games, and a wide, sandy beach perfect for flying kites or sandcastle building. It was the official end of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, commemorated by a statue on the Promenade.
Things to do:
- Rent bikes and cruise the Prom
- Visit the Seaside Aquarium
- Play mini-golf or hit the arcade downtown
Fun fact: The Promenade (“The Prom”) is over 1.5 miles long and has been welcoming beachgoers since 1921.
Nearby hike: Tillamook Head Trail – a forested coastal hike with some pretty wonderful ocean views.
Cannon Beach
With its iconic Haystack Rock and upscale, artsy vibe, Cannon Beach is the go-to for romantic getaways and dramatic scenery. Originally a small resort village, it’s named after a cannon that washed ashore from a shipwreck in the 1840s. Today, it is arguably the Oregon coast’s most popular town.
Things to do:
- Explore tide pools around Haystack Rock
- Browse local art galleries and boutiques
- Watch a show at Coaster Theatre
Fun fact: Haystack Rock is a designated Marine Garden, home to puffins and colorful sea stars.
Nearby hike: Ecola State Park’s Clatsop Loop Trail – ocean views, forest, and history all in one.
Get my Guide to Cannon Beach here.
Manzanita
A low-key coastal gem with a broad sandy beach, great local shops, and a peaceful vibe perfect for relaxation. Manzanita was developed in the early 20th century as a seaside retreat, and has stayed delightfully small. In fact, it was during a solo beach retreat here that I decided to start the Explorer Sue blog!
Things to do:
- Watch the sunset from the beach
- Browse shops and sip coffee downtown
- Fly a kite or take a beach yoga class
Fun fact: The town was hit by a rare tornado in 2016—thankfully, no one was seriously hurt.
Nearby hike: Neahkahnie Mountain Trail – one of the most breathtaking coastal viewpoints in Oregon.
Rockaway Beach
A classic beach town that’s perfect for families and clam diggers, with seven miles of uninterrupted sandy shore. It started as a summer resort destination in the early 1900s when the railroad connected Portland to the coast.
Things to do:
- Ride the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
- Go crabbing from the jetty
- Hunt for agates on the beach
Fun fact: The town’s name comes from Rockaway Beach, New York—early developers hoped it would become just as popular.
Nearby hike: Rockaway Big Tree Trail – a short forest trail leading to a massive Sitka spruce.
Garibaldi
A working port town with a salty, nautical feel, Garibaldi is a great place to dive into Oregon’s fishing culture. Incorporated in 1946, it’s long been a hub for commercial fishing and timber shipping.
Things to do:
- Visit the Port of Garibaldi and watch the fishing boats
- Learn local history at the Garibaldi Museum
- Eat freshly caught seafood at a dockside eatery
Fun fact: It’s home to one of the shortest railroad lines in the country—used by the scenic train to Rockaway.
Nearby hike: Bayocean Spit Trail – a scenic walk with views of both Tillamook Bay and the Pacific.
Tillamook
Famous for its cheese and creamy ice cream, Tillamook is also a hub for exploring inland rivers, bays, and coastal forests. Settled in the 1850s, the region was known for dairy farming and timber.
Things to do:
- Tour the Tillamook Creamery and Cheese Factory
- Paddle the peaceful Tillamook Bay
- Visit the Tillamook Air Museum
Fun fact: The Tillamook Creamery attracts nearly a million visitors annually.
Nearby hike: Munson Creek Falls Trail – a short walk to the tallest waterfall in the Coast Range.
Get my guide to Tillamook here!
Pacific City
A laid-back surf town known for its massive sand dune and beach access where you can still drive your car on the sand. Originally a fishing village, it’s now popular with surfers and adventure seekers.
Things to do:
- Watch dory boats launch from the beach
- Hike up the Cape Kiwanda Sand Dune
- Enjoy a beer at Pelican Brewing with an ocean view
Fun fact: Cape Kiwanda is one of the three capes in the “Three Capes Scenic Route.”
Nearby hike: Cape Kiwanda Trail – a moderately challenging climb with rewarding views.
Lincoln City
This is a long stretch of coastal town packed with beaches, food, art, and family fun. Lincoln City was formed in 1965 by combining several small communities along the coast.
Things to do:
- Search for hidden glass floats on the beach
- Visit Devil’s Lake for kayaking and SUP
- Explore the Lincoln City Glass Center
Fun fact: Thousands of handcrafted glass floats are hidden on the beach each year as part of the Finders Keepers event.
Nearby hike: God’s Thumb Trail – an epic coastal trek with grassy headland views.
Read my blog post about Lincoln City.
Depoe Bay
The self-proclaimed “Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast,” Depoe Bay is tiny but bursting with ocean drama. The harbor here is the smallest navigable one in the world.
Things to do:
- Watch gray whales from the sea wall
- Book a whale-watching cruise
- Visit the Whale Watching Center
Fun fact: The harbor entrance is only 50 feet wide—watching boats navigate it is thrilling.
Nearby hike: Boiler Bay Trail – stunning clifftop ocean views and a chance to spot whales.
Newport
Newport is a perfect mix of attractions and natural beauty, with everything from lighthouses to sea lions. Founded in the 1860s, it’s been a longtime fishing and tourism town.
Things to do:
- Visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium
- Walk the historic bayfront and watch sea lions
- Explore Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Fun fact: Newport is home to Oregon’s largest fishing fleet.
Nearby hike: Yaquina Head Interpretive Trail – easy walking with history and tide pools.
Yachats
A peaceful, artsy village nestled at the foot of Cape Perpetua, Yachats is where the forest meets the sea. The town was named after the Native American word for “dark water at the foot of the mountain.”
Things to do:
- Stroll the 804 Trail along the rocky shoreline
- Dine at excellent farm-to-table restaurants
- Explore Thor’s Well
Fun fact: The volcanic black rocks here make for stunning, dramatic coastlines.
Nearby hike: Captain Cook Trail at Cape Perpetua – coastal forest and spectacular viewpoints.
Florence
Known for its charming Old Town and access to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.Once a logging and fishing hub, Florence has reinvented itself as a coastal playground. Florence is famous for its sand dunes – some of the best in the country – and the sea lions that call this area home.
Things to do:
- Tour the Sea Lion Caves
- Wander the shops and restaurants in Old Town
- Take a dune buggy ride
Fun fact: Florence is home to the world’s largest sea cave open to the public.
Nearby hike: Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail – historic lighthouse with sweeping ocean views.
Bandon
Bandon combines wild beauty with world-class golf and an inviting downtown. It was founded in the 1870s by Irish settlers who named it after their hometown.
Things to do:
- Golf at Bandon Dunes (or just admire the view)
- Walk Bandon Beach to see sea stacks and Face Rock
- Check out the Washed Ashore art gallery
- Visit Bullards Beach State Park and Coquille Lighthouse
Fun fact: Bandon is famous for its cranberry bogs and hosts a Cranberry Festival every fall.
Nearby hike: Coquille Point Trail – interpretive trail with incredible ocean vistas.
Brookings
The southernmost Oregon Coast town enjoys warmer weather and lush surroundings—often called the “Banana Belt.” It was established in 1913 by the Brookings Lumber Company.
Things to do:
- Visit Azalea Park and its gardens
- Drive the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor
- Watch for whales or sea lions along the cliffs
Fun fact: Brookings once received a WWII-era Japanese balloon bomb, and the site is now marked by a plaque in the forest.
Nearby hike: Natural Bridges Viewpoint Trail – short hike, jaw-dropping scenery.
Ready to hit the road? Whether you’re into surfing, seafood, lighthouses, or leisurely strolls along the beach, these Oregon Coast towns offer something for everyone. Bookmark this guide for your next seaside escape!
