15 Oregon Coastal Towns (You Will LOVE!)

Oregon’s coastal towns are some of the most charming and picturesque in the country. But they aren’t just cute and quaint; they’re also riddled with great adventures that will give you an ecstatic adrenaline rush!

So, what can you do on your vacation along the coast of Oregon? The real question is, What can’t you do?! The landscape offers you a choice between sandy beaches and rocky shores, and there are often forests, sand dunes, or mountains nearby too!

Your beach getaway will be filled with watersports (surf will be a highlight), hikes, and incredible views in every direction. What are you waiting for? Come and live it up at a coastal town in Oregon!

Here are 15 gorgeous beach towns in Oregon you will LOVE!

1. Cannon Beach

This delightful coastal town has forests, famous rocks, white sand beaches, and a lot of fun in store—what’s not to love? Visit Cannon Beach yourself and see why it was mentioned as one of the 100 most beautiful places in the world by National Geographic.

Stare in awe at Haystack Rock (235 ft/72 m tall) and listen to the waves crash on the shore at Cannon Beach. Then enjoy some window shopping at boutique stores and treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the many fine dining restaurants.

Bid farewell to the day with a sunset beach walk. At low tide, you can explore the tide pools and get that much closer to Haystack Rock.

Plus, the amazing Hug Point State Park is only 5 miles south of Cannon Beach on Highway 101, also known as the Oregon Coast Highway.

Haystack Rock Cannon Beach Oregon coast.

You can’t miss Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach – it’s 235 ft tall

2. Pacific City

Are you looking for a tranquil beach town along the Oregon coast? You’ve found it! Pacific City is a relaxing and laid-back beachfront town known for its great surf and gorgeous Cape Kiwanda.

After a day of catching waves out at sea, you can cool off with a cold beer at the Pelican Brewery. Beer + Beach = a perfect match :)

LEARN MORE: Pacific Coast Highway LA to San Francisco

3. Newport

This bustling port town is a gem of the Oregon Central Coast, and it’s right by a bunch of beaches!

You’ll love all the Art Deco buildings in Downtown Newport, and you have to take a trip to Yaquina Bay to get to know the town’s fishing scene.

Take a short ten-minute drive to Yaquina Head Lighthouse, explore the rocky shores, and stroll up to the 93-foot-tall lighthouse. It was built in 1873, and it’s the tallest lighthouse in Oregon.

Drive south of scenic Newport and you’ll see the Yaquina Bay Bridge on Hwy 101

4. Coos Bay

This is the biggest city on the Oregon Coast, perfect for you if you’re looking for something more lively than a small beach town.

Visit the garden bluffs overlooking the ocean and take a drive across Conde B. McCullough Memorial Bridge to get all the best views.

Go to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and get your adrenaline going with an off-highway vehicle tour. The dunes are huge, and the area is less than forty minutes’ drive away!

Next, spend a day strolling around the city (make sure you walk the Coos Bay Boardwalk). If you fancy some quality entertainment, head to a comedy show or watch a classic movie at the Egyptian Theatre.

LEARN MORE: Portland to Oregon Coast Day Trip

5. Lincoln City

Lincoln will charm and delight you. The sandy beaches, delicious salt-water taffy, and traditional beach town vibes will keep you coming back for more. Pack your kite; the town has two kite festivals!

Search the beach for the hidden glass floats that are left there as part of Lincoln City’s Finders Keepers program—a scavenger hunt awaits!

Once you’ve explored the city and had a tasty bowl of seafood chowder, take a trip to the Devil’s Lake State Recreational Area and soak up the incredible nature just around the corner from Lincoln City.

Oregon coastal town Lincoln City beach with driftwood.

In Lincoln City walk from town to the beautiful beach

6. Bandon

The town was founded in 1873 and named after Bandon, Ireland, the hometown of Irish immigrant George Bennet. It has warm summer weather, sand, and surf—you can’t go wrong!

Head over to Kronenberg Park and soak in the scenic views of the ocean and giant coastline rocks. Then take a trip down the 129 steps to the famous Elephant Rock at Coquille Point.

In 2024, the former owners of Edgewaters (now closed) will open Two Mile Bistro in the summer.

7. Astoria

Astoria is an old port city that has three rivers running through it and lots of picturesque Victorian-era homes.

There are loads of museums waiting to be explored by you, like the Columbia River Maritime Museum and the Oregon Film Museum.

A fan of cinema? You’ll love Astoria, where you can tour the famous filming locations of the iconic Goonies movie. Data and Mike’s houses are possibly the most famous addresses in Astoria!

Astoria Oregon bridge over Columbia River.

The Astoria–Megler Bridge crosses the Columbia River to Washington

8. Seaside

The coastal city of Seaside is a top vacation spot in Oregon. The long stretch of white sand beach along the front of the city will be your favorite place to come and chill.

Think sunsets, ice-cream, and a good book—that’s a perfect Seaside vacation!

Once you’ve relaxed enough for a lifetime, add some adrenaline to your beach vacation. There are loads of watersports on offer, so why not come to the beach and try one? You can ride buggies through the sand, rent kayaks and paddle around in the ocean, or grab a surfboard and face the waves.

Tide pools Oregon coast feature sea anemones.

During low tides on the Oregon coast you can look for tidal pools and find lots of interesting creatures like sea anemones

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Port Townsend Washington

9. Depoe Bay

You’re going to fall head over heels once you see the quaint and adorable coastal village of Depoe Bay.

It’s an old fishing town that is surrounded by a scenic rocky coastline and accompanied by the calming sound of waves crashing onto the shore.

If you’re there between March and December, keep your eyes on the ocean. There are gray whales out there that you can’t leave without spotting some.

Shop and dine along the seawall in the downtown area; the ocean views will make your leisure experience all the better.

10. Gold Beach

This fabulous beach town is surrounded by rolling hills and a mix of rocky and sandy shores.

You’ll get a bit of everything on your vacation to Gold Beach: lush hiking routes, relaxing days on the beach, and fun exploring the Rogue River.

Marvel at the Mary D Hume shipwreck. The old boat was built in 1881 and sank in the Rogue River in 1985; it’s been called Gold Beach home ever since.

Forgot your book at home? Not to worry! Head to Gold Beach Books and take your pick from over 75,000 new and old books. Every great beach vacation getaway is accompanied by a good read.

The beauty of Oregon coastal towns reaches to the ocean sunsets

11. Florence

The beaches, nature spots, rich history, and lively downtown will be just some of the highlights of your vacation in Florence.

When you’re exploring the downtown area of the city, make sure you walk over the Siuslaw River Bridge to get the best views of the river.

Fancy doing some shopping? Head on over to the Oregon Boardwalk Market and shop till you drop; they sell everything from food to jewelry. Afterwards, enjoy an icy cold beer at a local brewery.

LEARN MORE: 15 FUN Things to Do in Seattle

12. Rockaway Beach

Do you love the sea but always miss the mountains on your beach vacations? Well, we’ve found your ideal Oregon coast town.

At Rockaway Beach, you can spend the morning on the beach and the afternoon hiking the nearby Neahkahnie Mountain—the perfect balance!

Go to Twin Rocks and view a romantic sunset with your partner. If you’re coming with the kids, you can go crabbing, clamming, or fishing and see what you can catch for dinner.

Rockaway Beach is the perfect place for long walks on the beach

13. Manzanita

Looking to do a lot, and at the same time, nothing at all on your next vacation? You’re going to love Manzanita.

It’ll give you the chance to explore nature, eat good food, and chill out on the beach. You’ll feel totally rejuvenated by the time you leave.

Spend a day in town searching the boutique shops for the perfect souvenir to take home, then fine-dine at a fancy restaurant in the evening.

You can do a bit of everything in Manzanita; hiking, biking, and surfing are all on offer thanks to the town’s beach location and proximity to the Neahkahnie Mountain range.

LEARN MORE: 15 Beautiful Small Beach Towns in Florida

14. Yachats

Yachats is best described as a small village with the great outdoors on its doorstep.

You’ll be blown away by the surf, soft sand beaches, and colorful kite flying culture! If you can, come for the Annual Celtic Music festival and dance the night away.

Yachats is also famous for whale watching; there are groups of gray whales roaming the Pacific Ocean along the Oregon coast from summer to winter.

For your best chance of catching a glimpse of one, head to some of the best whale watching spots, like Cape Perpetua West Shelter.

Thor's Well Cape Perpetua Yachats Oregon.

Yachats Oregon has some of the most stunning coastal views in the PNW

15. Bay City

Want a peaceful escape along Oregon’s coast? Then the tiny and charming Bay City is your idyllic escape.

Peace and quiet are what you’ll find here, along with a load of great opportunities for some adventure and time outdoors!

If you fancy trying out a different kind of adventure, then stay in a cozy yurt at Yurt on the Bay.

Wake up early and start your day with a hike along one of the Kilchis Point Interpretive Trails. This is the perfect chance for you to disconnect and forget your worries.

Final Thoughts

And that’s a wrap on 15 cool coastal towns in Oregon you should check out. Whether you’re looking for a one-day trip from Portland or a two-week beach vacation, these Oregon seaside towns give you some excellent choices.