Ten Great Stops Along the Oregon Coast Highway

If you'll be taking a journey down the breathtaking Oregon coast, here are the top ten attractions you might want to stop and take a break for. We'll begin in Astoria, on the north end of the coast, and end in Brookings, Oregon to the south.

Astoria

Astoria was recently voted the second coolest town in the United States by Budget Travel, though in my opinon, it should have been the first. Characterized by hundreds ofbeautiful Victorian homes sitting on steep wooded hillsides overlooking the Columbia River, it should bevoted one the prettiest towns as well.It also has a revitalized downtown with a great arts scene and offers lots of fun things for visitors to do.

If you're wanting to make a quick stop, you should take the drive up to the Astoria Column, where you can take in the spectacular views of the city, the Columbia River, the Pacific Ocean, Saddle Mountain, and even the snow-capped volcanoes of the Cascades.

Cannon Beach

Heading south down 101 about 25 miles, you'll find Cannon Beach. Here you can take a quick stroll down the beach to visit Haystack Rock, one of the most photographed objects in the state. The rock and its surrounds are a designated National Wildlife Refuge and Marine Garden. Haystack Rock is home to the puffin much of the year, and you'll also find seastars, crabs, and other seabirds in the area.

If you'd like to get out and stretch your legs a bit, there are several beautiful hikes at nearby Ecola State Park and Oswald West State Park, ten miles south of Cannon Beach.

Tillamook

The town of Tillamook is about an hours drive south of Cannon Beach, with breathtaking ocean views along the way. If you've ever tried Tillamook cheese, you know how delicious it is. A stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory is a must. Here you can take a self-guided tour and taste some of their heavenly ice cream, and learn about the cheesemaking process as well as the history of Tillamook Cheese.

Newport

60 miles south of Tillamook, you'll reach the town of Newport. The Newport Aquarium makes a perfect break from a long drive, and is one of my all-time favorite aquariums. It was the home of Keiko (from the movie "Free Willy") the orca whale, and I was fortunate to be able to visit him in late 1997. They have a great exhibit, including penguins and a touch pool for the kids.

Heceta Head Lighthouse

Heceta Head Lighthouse is located in Yachats, just 25 miles from Newport. Its sits on a bluff 150 feet above the sea. It is one of the most visited and scenic lighthouses in the United States. The area makes for a perfect picnic spot, and there are picnic tables here with spectacular ocean views and shelter from the wind.

Sea Lion Caves

The Sea Lion Caves are home to wild sea lions and all types of sea birds. It is also the world's largest sea cave. Its well worth the stop to here the roar of the Stellar sea lions coming from the cave.

Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area

The dunes actually stretch all the way from Florence to Coos Bay, but one of the best places to stop is at Horsfall Dunes, just a few miles north of Coos Bay. Here there are miles of open sand, and even if you can't take the time to play, its worth stopping just for pictures.

Shore Acres State Park

Just 13 miles south of Coos Bay, Shore Acres began as a private estate with luxurious gardens. In the spring you'll find hundreds of bulbs and dafodils, as well as 5,000 tulips. Later in the year, thereare 600 rose bushes and 250 dahlias. In addition to all of these colorful flowers, seals, sea lions and elephant seals can be seen from a new viewing deck.

Port Orford

Port Orford is a really cute, artistic town just outside of Bandon, a little over an hour south of Coos Bay. This is a wonderful small town with six art galleries, all owned by local artists. From here you're only 60 miles from the California border.

Brookings

Brookings has some of the best weather on the Oregon coast. Enjoy the sun and a walk around Brookings Harbor, and dream of owning one of those boats, or even a yacht. You are now just six miles of California, and have completed what may be one of the most beautiful drives of your lifetime.