Northern Oregon Coast Destinations

Oregon is home to one of the more unique and picturesque coastlines in the United States, and tourists flock throughout the year to the small towns located along Highway 101 and the Pacific Ocean.

Here are a handful of destinations to consider if you're planning a trip to the northern Oregon coast:

Lincoln City

One of the more popular Oregon coast destinations is Lincoln City, which is located about 88 miles southwest of downtown Portland. Lincoln City is a bustling town with plenty of shopping and recreational opportunities. A seven-mile-long stretch of wide, sandy beach runs from the north end of town to the south, and Devil's Lake near the south edge of the city provides boating and swimming opportunities. Lincoln City is home to the Tanger Outlet Center, a large outlet mall in the middle of town, and Chinook Winds Casino to the north. The city rests on the 45th parallel, meaning it's exactly halfway between the equator and the north pole. This location makes Lincoln City a mecca of sorts for kite-flying enthusiasts, because warm equatorial winds collide with cool polar winds to create ideal conditions for kite-flying.

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is one of the most-photographed locations on the Oregon coast, and for good reason. The main stretch of beach in town is gorgeous, with the picturesque Haystack Rock rising 235 feet out of the surf on the edge of the shore. Beach combers enjoy the protected Marine Garden that surrounds Haystack Rock, creating tidepools full of marine life. Cannon Beach tends to feel a bit touristy during the spring and summer seasons, and prices on lodging and food can be expensive during these times. But you can still enjoy some good weather while avoiding the big crowds and the big dent in your wallet by traveling to Cannon Beach in the early fall or early summer.

Astoria

Astoria sits at the northernmost tip of Oregon, just across from the Washington border and alongside the Columbia River. The town is just inland of the Pacific Ocean, where the mouth of the Columbia meets the ocean. Astoria is best known in Oregon as the filming location of several popular Hollywood movies, including "The Goonies" (which was also filmed, partly, in Cannon Beach), "Kindergarten Cop," "Short Circuit," "Free Willy," "The Ring" and "Into the Wild," among others. The city's Visitor Information Center has maps to some of the movie-filming locations, including the "Goonie house." Another Astoria attraction is the 125-foot-high Astoria Column, which sits atop the tallest hill in town and has a spiral staircase inside, provides sweeping views from the top of Astoria and its surrounding area.

Seaside

Seaside is one of the more popular tourist destinations on the Oregon coast. The city, which is about a 90-minute drive from downtown Portland, has a seemingly unlimited array of hotels, motels, restaurants and shops selling everything from souvenirs to local-made goods. Seaside's most recognizable feature is the 1.8-mile-long beachfront promenade, which runs alongside shops and hotels on one side and the town's main stretch of beach on the other. The promenade is a popular place for walking, jogging and bicycling. A few blocks inland of the promenade is a small mall with an indoor carousel and a nearby video game arcade. Near the north end of town is the Seaside Aquarium, home to a family of Harbor Seals, many of which have been bred at the aquarium.

Welcome to Lincoln City, Oregon Coast.org
Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach.net
The Official Site of Astoria Warrenton
Astoria, Oregon, Wikipedia
Seaside Oregon
Seaside Aquarium