Oregon Coast Drive: The Best Photo Spots for Your Itinerary

Oregon Coast Drive

The Oregon Coast drive is such a vibe!

A vibe that you need to catch and see for yourself!

The Oregon Coast drive is absolutely stunning, and each place is so unique. One place makes you feel like you’re in Scotland, while another makes you feel like you’ve found the Sahara Desert.

From beaches to hikes to lighthouses, there are definitely a few stops along this beautiful coastal drive that you will want to add to your Oregon Coast bucket list.

The Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, Highway 101, is the main highway to experience all of these beautiful places. It’s famous specifically because of all the incredible places and scenic views along this coastal highway.

An Oregon Coast road trip is always a great idea. I’ve put together a guide to the best photo spots and views for you to check out and add to your Oregon Coast itinerary!

If you want to experience the Pacific Northwest mood, the Oregon Coast is one of the best places to catch that vibe and get all the moody photos you want.

Of course, there is much more to Oregon than the Oregon Coast. Oregon has many beautiful places that you should definitely check out, so if you’re doing an Oregon road trip, check out my 10-day Oregon road trip itinerary!

save for future planning!

Best Photo Spots on the Oregon Coast Drive

Harris Beach State Park

Harris Beach was our first Oregon Coast stop on our Oregon road trip, and it is one of the prettiest places on the Southern Oregon Coast.

When you get to the parking lot, there will be a steep path down to the beach. I believe there are multiple spots you can park at to walk down to the beach.

There is a ton of beach space to explore, with large rocks, hermit crabs and starfish all over. You also have fantastic views of the sea stacks, and it’s an excellent beach for a picnic!

A few trails also lead up to higher viewpoints to get a stunning view down to Harris Beach. There is also a cool arch in the rocks where we stopped to snap some photos.

You’ll also want to check on the tides to see when the low tide is during your trip.

We spent hours just walking down the miles of sandy beach exploring.

Whaleshead Viewpoint – One of My Favourite Oregon Coast Drive Stops

This was one of my favourite beaches on the Oregon Coast. It’s famous for the incredible view of the sea stack that looks like a whale’s head – which of course, is how it got its name.

It’s located roughly 7 miles north of Brookings, Oregon. Brookings is one of the towns we stayed in during our Oregon road trip.

You can either park right at the Whaleshead Viewpoint off highway 101 or turn down the access road just a little further north and drive down to the parking lot there.

This breathtaking beach is miles long, and the best view is definitely right by the Whaleshead sea stack.

The view from around the middle of the beach is absolutely stunning as well, looking from either direction. If you walk all the way down the beach as well, you’ll be rewarded with another incredible view!

I absolutely loved this beach on a moody/cloudy day. Some of my favourite photos in Oregon were taken on this beach, and absolutely worth the stop!

You need to add this to your Oregon Coast bucket list. It’s probably my favourite place on the Southern Oregon Coast.

Indian Sands

Indian Sands is a really cool trail along the Oregon Coast. It’s a 1.8km loop trail located near Brookings, Oregon, and is rated as moderate.
Some areas of this trail are super sandy and hard to walk on. But the views you get on this hike are absolutely stunning.

You should also download the map on the AllTrails app to make sure you don’t lose your direction while on this trail since it’s not marked very well.

There is an absolutely gorgeous lookout point on the edge of a cliff, looking out to the ocean with an arch. It’s definitely a photo-worthy location that you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss.

Of course, the rest of the trail is beautiful too. On this hike, you get a mixture of ocean views, sandy locations, and forested areas. A variety of scenery is always a plus!

The rigid rocky coast is so beautiful! Definitely, a place you must stop at during your Southern Oregon Coast drive.

Secret Beach

This is a stunning beach along the Secret Beach Trail, which is a 2.6-mile long out-and-back trail.

Its challenge rating is moderate because of the steep sections along the trail, which takes roughly an hour to complete.

Of course, if you’re taking photos, having a picnic, or exploring the beach, you might want to add a little more time. It’s a great beach for a picnic, but again, check for when low tide is so you can get the best out of your exploration.

There are some breathtaking viewpoints along the way. Just make sure you take the trail from the parking lot that goes down on the right.

My friend, Andrea, told me that there are some super cool sea caves on the beach. So like I said, be smarter than us and make sure to go during low tide so you can actually explore them.

Secret Beach is worth adding to your Oregon Coast stops.

Natural Bridges – my favourite stop on the Oregon Coast Drive

Okay, so this is one of the most beautiful locations along the Oregon Coast. You can just pull off the highway to the viewpoint for a spectacular view.

Or, you can be a daredevil and hike down one of the trails off the right side of the parking lot to get down to several of the incredible viewpoints from below.

These trails are super treacherous, so be very careful.

Some people actually walk on the arch/natural bridge to get incredible photos. I’m sure it’s worth it, but it’s also very sketchy, so again, be very careful. I’ve heard that people have actually died doing this.

We went to Natural Bridges for sunset and ran out of time trying to get to the amazing viewpoint Andrea wanted to get to because these trails go in a gazillion different directions.

If you’re a photographer and want one of the incredible views from below, be sure to give yourself enough extra time to find the right location.

If you are trying to get on the bridge to walk across, don’t take the path to the left of the platform viewpoint. It takes you down to the bridge but on a very sketchy and rigid path. The part of the bridge you can cross on this side is extremely narrow, so I recommend not bothering with this side. As I said, people have died doing this.

The path on the right side of the parking lot is where you want to go. As I mentioned, the paths veer off in many directions, so finding the right way to the right location might take a bit.

This is definitely an Oregon Coast bucket list view you need to add to your itinerary! I know I said Whaleshead was my favourite, but I think I lied. Natural Bridges is my favourite location on the Southern Oregon Coast.

Pistol River State Park

On our Oregon Coast road trip, we only stopped to take photos at the viewpoint. But you can actually walk along the beach here and get some really stunning views.

We saw people on the beach in the distance horseback riding, so if you’re into that, you should definitely try it out. Personally, I’m terrified of horses for some reason.

There are hiking trails, beach access, windsurfing, fishing and stunning viewpoints. I think it would be a great opportunity if you want to take some time to do one or more of these activities. Although I’m a bit scared of horses, the horseback riding trails did look pretty neat.

Meyers Creek Beach

This beach is part of the Pistol River State Scenic viewpoint since it’s only a couple of hundred metres down the highway.

The views are very similar to the Pistol River State Park viewpoint and give the same type of vibe. You can probably spend more time at one and just stop for a short time at the other since they are so similar.

The beach stretches for about 2 miles and also has sea stack rocks all along the water. If you go during low tide, you’ll get stunning reflections which make for incredible photos.

Meyers Creek Beach is worth adding to your Oregon Coast stops.

Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint

This is a scenic coastal spot that features a rock called the Face Rock, where you can clearly see the features of a face.

There is also an Indigenous legend about this area. It is said that a woman’s voice can be heard through the wind.

It’s a short trail down to the beach, and there are some neat areas you can explore during low tide. This was not my favourite place, but it’s still worth adding to your itinerary as one of your Oregon Coast stops.

Sisters Rock – Finding Scotland on the Oregon Coast Drive

I absolutely loved this Oregon Coast stop! 

It literally felt like we had just landed in Scotland! Which is somewhere I’ve been wanting to go for such a long time.

It’s a nice 1.4 km, out and back hike that takes around 30 minutes to complete. But believe me, you’ll want to spend much more than 30 minutes on this trail.

The views are spectacular! And as I said, they make you feel like you’re on the Isle of Skye or in the Scottish Highlands.

You get views of rocky coastal beaches and a cool sea cave that people love to check out. Just remember that you can’t actually go inside this cave.

I’ve heard from a local man that was heading down to the beach that the beach below is super amazing. He also mentioned that there is a sea cave below.

The hike down to the beach looks rough, so if you decide to head down, be careful and watch your step.

We spent a few hours exploring this beautiful place. We were just mesmerized by the stunning Scottish vibes we were getting.

This stop is an absolute must for your Oregon Coast itinerary and bucket list.

Oregon Dunes – Finding the Sahara on the Oregon Coast Drive

Okay, so this place is super cool! I doubt it’s actually anywhere near the feeling being in the Sahara Desert would give you. Still, these Sand Dunes are pretty cool and worth checking out.

A day-use permit is required here, or you can purchase a State Park one-year permit instead.

The Oregon National Recreation Area spans nearly 64 km, making it one of the largest expanses of coastal sand dunes in the entire world.

We did the John Dellenback Dunes Trail to get to the Sand Dunes. We didn’t go all the way since we really wanted to catch the sunset on the Dunes. I think the hike down to the beach would be worthwhile, though.

The total hike is a 6-mile loop trail. You can just go to the sand dunes, which are only about 1 mile away from the parking lot. Or you can go all the way to the beach.

You can also rent dune buggies at specific locations and drive them around, which sounds like a lot of fun. We kind of wanted to try this out, but we were more focused on getting some cool sunset photos.

I would stop here again on my next Oregon Coast road trip. I absolutely recommend adding it to your Oregon Coast bucket list!

Sitting on the dunes for the evening, listening to music and just hanging out was a lot of fun. The sky was so beautiful as it got dark too. We could see the milky way, but it wasn’t super bright like I had seen it in Jasper. It was also only 10 pm, so I’m sure it would have been even brighter later in the night.

Horsefall Beach

Horsefall Beach is an expansive beach along the Oregon Coast. It’s a beautiful place to spend the afternoon sunbathing or going for a stroll down the beach.

We spent a few hours here just hanging out; the others sunbathed while I walked pretty far down the beach in search of sand dollars.

There was also a spot to rent a dune buggy to drive around on the dunes, which are close by. And there was another group of people fishing on the beach. I can’t remember what they said they were fishing for, but I chatted with them for a bit. They didn’t have any luck that day, but they said they’d seen others have luck there.

Some places along the beach are busier than others. It can also take a while to find parking if you arrive in the afternoon, as the parking lot fills up quickly. It’s also a campground, so a lot of the parking space is reserved for people camping there.

Heceta Head Lighthouse

A lot of people would say that Heceta Head Lighthouse is one of the most gorgeous lighthouses in the whole world.

It is a working lighthouse that is super cool and is 205 feet above the ocean.

There is a parking area where you purchase a parking permit to view the lighthouse. There is also a gorgeous viewpoint further south down the highway to get a cool but distant view of the lighthouse.

On this short hike to the lighthouse, you’ll get some spectacular views of the beach and coast of the Pacific Ocean; and, of course, the lighthouse itself.

There’s also a cute little gift shop I’d recommend stopping at on your way back down. That way, you don’t have to carry around your souvenirs as long.

If you stop at one lighthouse on your Oregon road trip, I would probably make it this one.

Devil’s Churn

Devil’s Churn is known to be one of Oregon’s natural wonders, and a day-use permit is required to visit here.

The churn started as a small crack in the volcanic rock, and after years it was worn away by the waves crashing against it. This caused the crack to open up to a larger chasm creating what we know now as Devil’s Churn.

Make sure to go during the high tide to get the most out of your visit since that’s when Devil’s Churn puts on its best show.

We didn’t spend a whole lot of time here, but there is a hike down where you can actually walk down the Trail of the Restless Waters. The Trail of Restless Waters is a short 0.5-mile loop trail, and sit on the volcanic rock and enjoy the view and show that Devil’s Churn puts on for you.

Thor’s Well + Spouting Horn

Thor’s Well is another popular spot on the Oregon Coast that many people love.

It’s a short and relatively easy hike down to the coast. On the hike, you will walk down some stairs, and you can walk on the coastline to get to Thor’s Well and the Spouting Horn.

The Spouting Horn is an ocean geyser created over time by waves crashing against a crack in the rocks, widening it, and under this chasm, a cave was created. High tides and storms are the best time to get the best show from the Spouting Horn.

Be careful on the rocks below; they can get slippery and can be challenging to walk on.

Of course, Thor’s Well is the main attraction here, and I have to say, it is a pretty amazing place. It’s also very dangerous, so don’t get too close to it.

This is also best seen at high tide.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Yaquina Head Lighthouse is another absolutely gorgeous lighthouse you can stop at during your Oregon Coast drive.

There are a few places where you can park to see the lighthouse. There is some parking closer to the lighthouse but trying to find parking there looked insane, so we parked at the visitor’s centre.

You also need a day-use permit here, and it’s only $5. The visitor’s center has a gift shop where you can shop for souvenirs. There is also an interpretive exhibit that tells you all about the area and the lighthouse.

You can head outside from the visitor’s centre and walk over to the lighthouse. It’s a little ways away, but it doesn’t take too long. Below the lighthouse, you’ll also find Cobble Beach, which is a pretty cool beach you can explore

From the lighthouse viewpoint, grey whales can often be spotted, which is where we happened to see a few spouting water way off in the distance.

There is also a bit of a hike up a hill where you can get a stunning view from higher up, but we preferred to see the lighthouse by the beach area and from the front.

Devil’s Punchbowl

Devil’s Punchbowl is a cool spot on the Oregon Coast that is super popular. We had to skip out on it because it was impossible to find parking. This was because the surf life there was insane that day. It was the long weekend, so it was naturally busier that day.

It’s a popular spot for surfers, as well as whale watching.

Scientists believe the punch bowl was created by the roof collapsing over two sea caves and then shaped over time by the crashing waves.

There are also some tidepools on the northern side of Devil’s Punchbowl that are worth exploring.

God’s Thumb via the Knoll

There are a few ways to get to God’s Thumb, and we chose to go via the Knoll. We heard the other access point that a local we were speaking to usually goes by was closed off. I’m not sure if this will still be the case if and when you go.

If you like hiking, though, you’ll love this one. It’s a longer hike being 6.9km, and it’s an out-and-back trail. It takes about 2.5 hours to complete, but of course, you’ll want to give yourself some extra time to enjoy the view at the end.

Definitely make sure to download the map on AllTrails so you can find the proper trailhead and make sure you are going in the right direction. The hike is rated as moderate, so wear appropriate shoes and bring lots of water.

Some sections of the trail are difficult to walk on, and the hike up to the top of God’s Thumb can be a little rough.

It’s definitely a sight worth seeing and adding to your Oregon Coast itinerary.

Proposal Rock

Proposal rock is a massive sea stack rock that you can find off the beach at Neskowin. It is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

Apparently, a 19th-century sea captain brought his fiancee out to the rock and asked her to marry him, which is how the rock supposedly got its name.

It’s definitely a stop worth checking out, but we only stopped for a short period of time.

Hug Point

Hug Point features an expansive sandy beach with incredible scenic views.

You can explore caves, and there is a little waterfall somewhere along the beach that we never made it to; it is best to see in the Spring.

Just north of the parking lot, during low tide, you can walk along the original stagecoach road, which was the only way to travel along this part of the coast back in the day.

Low tide is definitely the best time to explore the beach at Hug Point to get the most out of your experience. It’s a great spot to enjoy a picnic on your Oregon Coast drive.

Cape Kiwanda

We stopped here and did the 1.6-km loop trail that takes you to some pretty amazing viewpoints. It says it only takes around 30 minutes to complete, but you should definitely give yourself some extra time.

This moderate loop trail takes you up a pretty large sand dune that isn’t the most fun to walk up. Sand can be so hard to walk on.

Here you’ll get views of the coast, twisting rocks and crevices.

There is a fence along the coast that is to keep you from getting too close to the cliff edge that crumbles from time to time without any warning.

This is a great place to stop and add to your Oregon Coast itinerary.

Tunnel Beach

To get to Tunnel Beach, you have to park at Oceanside Beach. Then you walk down the beach to the right and find a short, dark, manmade tunnel leading you to Tunnel Beach.

You’ll definitely want to bring a flashlight so you can see where you are stepping, and make sure you don’t hit your head on the top edges of the tunnel walls. There are a ton of branches and rocks to step over in this tunnel, but it’s short, so you won’t be in it for long.

It definitely makes for a great adventure, and the beach on the other side is beautiful!

Canon Beach – Best Beach on the Oregon Coast Road Trip

This is probably the most iconic Oregon Coast stop for obvious reasons, and it is one of the most famous beaches in Oregon.

People come here to see the massive Haystack Rock, which is quite a sight.

It is listed on National Geographic’s list of the 100 most beautiful places in the world. Some people skip it because it’s a huge tourist destination, and there are always hundreds if not thousands of people on this beach. But, honestly, it’s still worth going to, in my opinion.

We actually went for sunset and sunrise the next morning, and got beautiful photos of the sun setting on a mostly clear day. We got some really awesome shots during the lower tide the following morning, where we could get closer to the rock and have stunning reflections.

The morning was moody, which was perfect. The Pacific Northwest mood is a vibe, so these cloudy and foggy mornings are really stunning.

This beach spans for miles, but the most beautiful location is obviously by the incredible Haystack Rock.

You will definitely want to add this destination to your Oregon Coast bucket list!

Things to do on the Oregon Coast Drive

Oregon Coast Aquarium

I didn’t know this place existed until we were on our Oregon Coast drive and saw a big sign for it. I was very tempted to stop and check it out, but our day was already jam-packed. 

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is often ranked in the top 10 Aquariums in the United States. After seeing the photos, I can see why.

General admission ranges between $14.95 and $24.95. You can also purchase a behind-the-scenes tour, and a sea jelly touch encounter.

They have a ton of different exhibits, including Passages of the Deep, Otters, Rocky Shores, Seabird Aviary, Octopus Cave, Aquarium Grounds and more.

Their website says they have around 15,000 animals within about 300 different species, and they also participate in animal rehabilitation which is incredible!

There are also options for you to put in your part and help with beach cleanups, adopting animals, donating and volunteering.

You can check out their website for more information!

This Aquarium will definitely be added to my Oregon Coast itinerary during my next Oregon Coast drive, whenever that may be.

Drive Dune Buggies on the Sand Dunes

This was something that would have been so fun to do; we just didn’t end up having the time to do it. But you can actually rent a Dune Buggie and drive them around certain areas of the Sand Dunes.

We saw people off in the distance riding them around, and it honestly looked like such a blast! If you have the time and you love this kind of thing, definitely schedule a few hours in your day to do this.

I will definitely be adding this activity to my Oregon Coast bucket list next time I’m in the area.

Stargazing

One of the days on our Oregon Coast drive, we spent time after dinner at the Oregon Sand Dunes, just took some photos, and hung out with a few pals we made on our adventures.

We sat around, listened to music and chatted until almost 10 pm. It got pretty dark, and the sky was lit up with stars. You can make out where the milky way was.

Because the Oregon Coast doesn’t really have any real cities, the light pollution isn’t all that bad there, which means you can see more stars in the sky.

We had to leave the area by 10 pm, so I’m sure the sky would have been much brighter from the stars later in the night. But it did make for a great night for stargazing.

Go for a Hike

Okay, so this one might be pretty obvious. There are so many hikes along the coast that are worth doing. 

For many of the places I’ve listed above, you have to hike to get to the cool locations.

Some of my favourite hikes were Indian Sands, God’s Thumb, Oregon Dunes, Sister’s Rock, Natural Bridges and Secret Beach.

The awesome thing is that even though all of these hikes are along the coast, each view is completely unique from the others, so they are all worth doing. As where going from beach to beach did kind of feel like I had already seen the view before.

When scheduling a hike in your day, make sure to consider how much time the hike actually takes and then add a little extra time to it to ensure you’re not feeling rushed.

Most of the best views are the ones you have to hike to. So definitely make sure you do a couple of hikes on your Oregon Coast road trip.

Picnic on the Beach

We had at least one picnic on the beach, and it was for my birthday. We didn’t have a full meal, but Andrea laid down a blanket and got me a cheesecake for my birthday, and we had a mini celebration on Secret Beach.

Of course, pretty much any beach on your Oregon Coast road trip would make for a great picnic spot, so don’t think too hard about it when choosing.

Just grab some takeout or pack yourself a bag with your meal and snacks and head over to the beach. Any beach is a great spot to enjoy a picnic and an afternoon to enjoy the view and maybe go for a swim.

Whale Watching

Whale watching is actually a lot of fun and a really cool experience everyone should try at least once. I did this in Nova Scotia a few years back, so we opted out of doing it for this trip too. We just had so much in the plans already.

This was an activity the friends we made ended up doing before we met up again, and it sounded like they had a good time.

We actually spotted some whales way off in the distance at one of the lighthouses we went to. Of course, we weren’t anywhere close enough to get a photo or actually see them, but we could see tiny specks way off in the distance spouting water.

There are many tours along the coast that take you whale watching, but I’ve heard that Depoe Bay is one of the best places along the Oregon Coast for whale watching.

Next time I go to Oregon, I will definitely be adding this to my Oregon Coast itinerary.

Hunt for Sand Dollars

Have you ever found a sand dollar on the beach?

When we spent an afternoon on Horsefall Beach, there were a ton of sand dollars left on the beach, and they probably ended up there when the high tide rolled back out.

Unfortunately, while I was looking, they were all broken, and there were no full ones to be found. However, I’m sure if you go first thing right after the high tide rolls out, you’ll find a full one somewhere.

Sand dollars are so cute, and they are said to be coins lost by mermaids or the people of Atlantis.

Make sure only to collect them if they are white. Otherwise, they are probably still alive and should be left where you find them.

Take Photos

Bring your camera! Take all of the photos!

If you don’t, you’ll regret it.

Whether or not you’re a photographer, taking photos is a must! They are memories you get to keep forever and remind you how beautiful the places you’ve been to were.

It’s a little memory that reminds you of the fun you’ve had on your trip.

Sunsets, sunrises, and moody days are the best times to take photos but don’t forget to take that shot even if it is sunny outside.

Take photos of yourself, of each other, of animals, landscapes, and hikes; create a little photo album of memories you can treasure forever.

Catch Sunsets and Sunrises

Sunsets and sunrises are breathtaking on the Oregon Coast.

Any beach along the coast is a great spot to stop and have a picnic for sunset or just go for a beach walk.

My favourite places for sunset and sunrise, of course, are Whalsehead. Natural Bridges and Cannon Beach. These are musts if you are planning sunset and sunrise adventures!

It often seemed that sunrises were very moody and cloudy, but they were still beautiful. Moody days are some of my favourites.

Sunset, if not cloudy, was spectacular at every location we went to. I don’t think we missed a single sunset on our Oregon Coast drive.

Fishing

There are a ton of fishing locations around the Oregon Coast. I’ve seen people fishing at many locations, and some even just right off the beach.

There are also deep-sea fishing tours that will take you on a boat to catch some fish. This isn’t really my thing, but some people really love it, so I figured I would add it to the list.

Explore Yachats

Yachats is a super cute seaside town that I absolutely loved! If I could have spent more time exploring there, I would have.

If you want to explore a charming seaside town, make it this one! We heard that the Luna Sea Fish House has really great fish and chips, but unfortunately, when we went, it was closed due to a fire or something just a few hours before we arrived.

We stayed in Yachats for a night since there are stunning attractions nearby, like Cape Perpetua Scenic Area and Heceta Head Lighthouse.

Of course, there is more to do and see around the area. Make sure to check it out here.

Next time I’m in Oregon, I will add more exploring of this cute little seaside town to my Oregon Coast itinerary.

Map of the Oregon Coast Drive

Here is a map I put together for you to save for your Oregon Coast drive. This Oregon Coast Map has all the hikes, stops and views I mentioned throughout this post.

It shows where each stop is, so you can expect what order you should be doing them in.

What’s the Best Part of the Oregon Coast Drive?

This is honestly hard to say because I feel like the best spots along the Oregon Coast drive are spread out.

One of my favourite spots, Whaleshead Viewpoint, is further down along the Southern Oregon Coast, while the famously beautiful Cannon Beach is in the Northern part of the Oregon Coast drive.

I think, though, overall, I preferred many of the stops along the mid-part of the Oregon Coast and Southern Oregon Coast part of the drive than I did in the Northern part.

Don’t get me wrong, the Northern Oregon Coast drive is absolutely beautiful as well; I just found we spent a lot more time exploring and being mesmerized in the South.

That being said, I think many of the stops along the entire drive are worth stopping at. You should definitely make the whole coast part of your Oregon Coast itinerary.

I’ve noted some of my favourite stops in the subheadings to let you know which ones I personally think are the most unique and stunning and where you should spend some extra time.

Of course, there are some stops I could have probably left out and been okay with not seeing. Still, I wanted to add them in anyways because everyone has a different preference.

What is the Best Time of Year to Visit the Oregon Coast?

Oregon’s peak season is the Summer, which ultimately makes for the best time of year to visit the Oregon Coast.

This means warmer days and better weather.

However, the high season also means a heck of a lot more people. And a heck of a lot more people means more people getting in the way of the view, less available parking spaces, higher prices in car rentals, gas, hotels, Airbnb and everything in between.

The shoulder season is usually much better. You might not always have the best weather, but the weather will be much better than if you go in the off-season.

The shoulder season has more parking spaces, some lower prices, and fewer people blocking your views.

Ultimately, it all comes down to what you prefer.

If you don’t care about there being a ton of people and you want warmer weather in general or to be able to go swimming, then go in the Summer.

Want to avoid the crowds? Go in the shoulder season or low season.

Hit up the coast during the autumn season if you want to experience the Pacific Northwest’s stunning autumn colours.

Remember that if you go during the high season, you’ll definitely want to book ahead of time to make sure you can book your reservations.

I went with my friend, Andrea, at the end of August/beginning of September, and we waited until the last minute to book everything, and we got stuck paying a ton for our room rentals.

How Many Days do you Need on the Oregon Coast Drive?

This all really depends on how much time you are planning on spending at each location or how many places you decide to add to your Oregon Coast road trip itinerary.

We personally spent 7 days along the Oregon Coast. We wanted to make sure we had enough time to explore each location and get our Instagram-worthy shots.

Some places had longer hikes, and some were viewpoints where you could either just enjoy the view from above or go down and explore the beach.

We also spent hours and hours at specific locations just photographing the landscape and each other.

If you’re not much into photography, then you probably don’t need as much time at each stop. Some of the beaches look similar to others, so you can pick the ones you think you’d like the most and leave some out.

I would recommend at least 5 days for anyone going on an Oregon Coast road trip. Just decide what you’d like to add to your Oregon Coast bucket list and map out how much time you need at each location.

Just make sure you give yourself enough time; that way, you don’t feel rushed or start to feel too tired and burnt out. Road trips can be exhausting, and if you’re too exhausted, you won’t enjoy it all. 

We want to make sure your road trip is enjoyable and you don’t end your trip feeling like travelling sucks!

Where to stay along the Oregon Coast

There are plenty of options for places to stay along your Oregon Coast road trip. It also depends on what your budget is for when you are travelling.

You can stay in small towns and rent rooms and AirBnbs, or you can find campsites along the way.

We stayed in hotels for most of our trip, which can get very pricey, even more so during the high season.

What I like to do is map out my trip and find places that are a few hours apart and set them as our home base for a night or two so that we can see the surrounding areas without having to drive too much.

We stayed in Brookings for two nights, then in Coos Bay for two nights, Lincoln City for one night, Yachats for one night etc. Each place was a few hours from the next.

I’m not going to give specifics on where exactly to stay because everyone will have a different budget and style of travelling when it comes to their road trip.

For example, my friend and I stayed in hotels the whole time, so we had wifi to be able to work from our laptops and some friends we made car camped the entire time.

What I will say, though, is if you decide you’re going during high season (the summer months), book in advance because my friend and I got stuck paying for some pretty expensive places.

Is Oregon Coast Worth Visiting?

If you’re wondering if the Oregon Coast drive is worth it, then the answer to that is abso-fricken-lutely!!

You definitely need to add an Oregon Coast road trip to your adventurous travel bucket list! There are so many incredible views along the coast that you don’t want to miss out on.

From feeling like you’ve just walked into the Sahara Desert to feeling like you’ve hiked into the Scottish Highlands, there is somewhere for everyone along this stunning coast.

Whether you make a few stops along the coast or take your time and stop at every possible location, you will thank yourself for going.

I would absolutely go back in a heartbeat!

It’s worth it for anyone who loves to adventure, explore, hike, take photos, go to beaches, loves moody vibes, and loves road tripping.

The Oregon Coast is more than worth it, and I promise you won’t regret it!

You need to add a road trip around Oregon to your bucket list! There are many other incredible places in Oregon that aren’t along the coast that you definitely need to check out as well! Check out my Oregon Road Trip Itinerary here!

Wrap-Up: Oregon Coast Drive: the Best Photo Spots for Your Itinerary

Oregon’s Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, is a drive that needs to be on every adventurer’s bucket list!

The Oregon Coast drive is not only stunning but makes for an amazing road trip.

Some of my favourite stops that I think need to be your top priority on an Oregon Coast road trip are Cannon Beach, Whaleshead Viewpoint, Sister’s Rock, Heceta Lighthouse, God’s Thumb, Oregon Dunes, and Natural Bridge.

Of course, the other locations are worth stopping at, but personally, these were my favourite and worth spending a little extra time at.

Thank you for stopping by, and happy adventuring ♡

Krista x.

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