Exploring the Best Coastal Towns in Oregon

Oregon is renowned for its rugged, wild coastline and its quaint coastal towns. From bustling harbor towns filled with seafood restaurants and art galleries, to sleepy beach towns with miles of sand to explore, there is a coastal town in Oregon for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, here are 12 of the best coastal towns in Oregon.

Astoria

Located at the mouth of the Columbia River, Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. This picturesque harbor town is filled with historic Victorian homes and buildings, including the Astoria Column, a 125-foot-tall tower with stunning views of the river and the Pacific Ocean. Astoria is also home to some of the best seafood restaurants in the state, as well as shops, galleries, and breweries. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, including kayaking, fishing, and hiking.

The town is also home to the world-famous Astoria-Megler Bridge, which spans a 4.1 mile stretch across the Columbia River. The bridge is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America, and it offers spectacular views of the river and the ocean.

Astoria is the perfect place to explore the beauty of the Oregon coast. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a weekend of outdoor activities, or just a relaxing day of shopping and dining, Astoria has something for everyone.

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is a charming beach town located along the Pacific Coast. The town is home to one of the most iconic beaches in Oregon, with its iconic Haystack Rock rising out of the sand. The beach is lined with beautiful tide pools, and the town has plenty of restaurants, shops, and galleries to explore.

Cannon Beach is also home to Ecola State Park, which offers stunning views of the ocean and the iconic Haystack Rock. The park is nestled in a lush, old-growth forest, and it offers plenty of hiking trails, beach access, and stunning ocean views.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just a relaxing day of beachcombing, Cannon Beach is the perfect destination. With its stunning scenery, unique shops and restaurants, and easy access to the ocean, it’s no wonder why this town is one of the most popular destinations on the Oregon Coast.

Newport

Newport is a bustling harbor town located on the central coast of Oregon. The town is home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, the second largest aquarium in the Pacific Northwest. The aquarium is home to a variety of marine life, including seals, otters, and sea lions.

Newport is also home to the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, a beautiful 19th-century lighthouse that offers stunning views of the ocean and the harbor. The town is also home to the Oregon Maritime Museum, which houses a variety of maritime artifacts, including a replica of the HMS Bounty.

Whether you’re looking for an educational experience or just a relaxing day of sightseeing, Newport is the perfect place to explore the Oregon Coast. With its lively harbor, unique shops and restaurants, and easy access to the ocean, it’s no wonder why this town is one of the most popular destinations on the Oregon Coast.

Florence

Florence is a small beach town located at the mouth of the Siuslaw River. The town is known for its stunning coastal dunes, which stretch for miles along the coastline. Florence is also home to some of the best seafood restaurants in the state, as well as plenty of shops and galleries to explore.

The town is also home to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, a vast expanse of rolling sand dunes and forests. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities, including dune buggy rides, kayaking, and hiking.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just a relaxing day of beachcombing, Florence is the perfect destination. With its stunning scenery, unique shops and restaurants, and easy access to the ocean, it’s no wonder why this town is one of the most popular destinations on the Oregon Coast.

Seaside

Seaside is a bustling beach town located along the northern Oregon Coast. The town is home to one of the most popular beaches in Oregon, with its iconic Promenade stretching along the sand. The beach is lined with beautiful tide pools, and the town has plenty of restaurants, shops, and galleries to explore.

Seaside is also home to the Seaside Aquarium, which houses a variety of marine life, including seals, sea lions, and otters. The town is also home to the Tillamook Head Lighthouse, a historic lighthouse that offers stunning views of the ocean and the town.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just a relaxing day of beachcombing, Seaside is the perfect destination. With its stunning scenery, unique shops and restaurants, and easy access to the ocean, it’s no wonder why this town is one of the most popular destinations on the Oregon Coast.

Manzanita

Manzanita is a small, seaside town located along the northern Oregon Coast. The town is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the state, with its miles of white sand and stunning views of the ocean. The beach is lined with beautiful tide pools, and the town has plenty of restaurants, shops, and galleries to explore.

Manzanita is also home to the Nehalem Bay State Park, which offers stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding forests. The park is nestled in a lush, old-growth forest, and it offers plenty of hiking trails, beach access, and stunning ocean views.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just a relaxing day of beachcombing, Manzanita is the perfect destination. With its stunning scenery, unique shops and restaurants, and easy access to the ocean, it’s no wonder why this town is one of the most popular destinations on the Oregon Coast.

Yachats

Yachats is a small, coastal town located along the central Oregon Coast. The town is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the state, with its miles of white sand and stunning views of the ocean. The beach is lined with beautiful tide pools, and the town has plenty of restaurants, shops, and galleries to explore.

Yachats is also home to the Yachats State Recreation Area, which offers stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding forests. The park is nestled in a lush, old-growth forest, and it offers plenty of hiking trails, beach access, and stunning ocean views.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just a relaxing day of beachcombing, Yachats is the perfect destination. With its stunning scenery, unique shops and restaurants, and easy access to the ocean, it’s no wonder why this town is one of the most popular destinations on the Oregon Coast.

Bandon

Bandon is a small, coastal town located along the southern Oregon Coast. The town is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the state, with its miles of white sand and stunning views of the ocean. The beach is lined with beautiful tide pools, and the town has plenty of restaurants, shops, and galleries to explore.

Bandon is also home to the Bandon State Natural Area, which offers stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding forests. The park is nestled in a lush, old-growth forest, and it offers plenty of hiking trails, beach access, and stunning ocean views.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just a relaxing day of beachcombing, Bandon is the perfect destination. With its stunning scenery, unique shops and restaurants, and easy access to the ocean, it’s no wonder why this town is one of the most popular destinations on the Oregon Coast.

Gold Beach

Gold Beach is a small, coastal town located along the southern Oregon Coast. The town is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the state, with its miles of white sand and stunning views of the ocean. The beach is lined with beautiful tide pools, and the town has plenty of restaurants, shops, and galleries to explore.

Gold Beach is also home to the Rogue River National Recreation Area, which offers stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding forests. The park is nestled in a lush, old-growth forest, and it offers plenty of hiking trails, beach access, and stunning ocean views.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just a relaxing day of beachcombing, Gold Beach is the perfect destination. With its stunning scenery, unique shops and restaurants, and easy access to the ocean, it’s no wonder why this town is one of the most popular destinations on the Oregon Coast.

Depoe Bay

Depoe Bay is a small, coastal town located along the central Oregon Coast. The town is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the state, with its miles of white sand and stunning views of the ocean. The beach is lined with beautiful tide pools, and the town has plenty of restaurants, shops, and galleries to explore.

Depoe Bay is also home to the Depoe Bay State Park, which offers stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding forests. The park is nestled in a lush, old-growth forest, and it offers plenty of hiking trails, beach access, and stunning ocean views.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just a relaxing day of beachcombing, Depoe Bay is the perfect destination. With its stunning scenery, unique shops and restaurants, and easy access to the ocean, it’s no wonder why this town is one of the most popular destinations on the Oregon Coast.

Charleston

Charleston is a small, coastal town located along the southern Oregon Coast. The town is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the state, with its miles of white sand and stunning views of the ocean. The beach is lined with beautiful tide pools, and the town has plenty of restaurants, shops, and galleries to explore.

Charleston is also home to the Charleston Marine Life Center, which offers stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding forests. The center is home to a variety of marine life, including seals, sea lions, and otters.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just a relaxing day of beachcombing, Charleston is the perfect destination. With its stunning scenery, unique shops and restaurants, and easy access to the ocean, it’s no wonder why this town is one of the most popular destinations on the Oregon Coast.

Pacific City

Pacific City is a small, coastal town located along the northern Oregon Coast. The town is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the state, with its miles of white sand and stunning views of the ocean. The beach is lined with beautiful tide pools, and the town has plenty of restaurants, shops, and galleries to explore.

Pacific City is also home to the Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, which offers stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding forests. The park is nestled in a lush, old-growth forest, and it offers plenty of hiking trails, beach access, and stunning ocean views.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just a relaxing day of beachcombing, Pacific City is the perfect destination. With its stunning scenery, unique shops and restaurants, and easy access to the ocean, it’s no wonder why this town is one of the most popular destinations on the Oregon Coast.

Summary

Oregon is renowned for its rugged, wild coastline and its quaint coastal towns. From bustling harbor towns filled with seafood restaurants and art galleries, to sleepy beach towns with miles of sand to explore, there is a coastal town in Oregon for everyone. Astoria, Cannon Beach, Newport, Florence, Seaside, Manzanita, Yachats, Bandon, Gold Beach, Depoe Bay, Charleston, and Pacific City are just a few of the many coastal towns in Oregon that offer stunning views of the ocean, unique shops and restaurants, and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just a relaxing day of beachcombing, Oregon’s coast has something for everyone.