15 Stops That Show Off The Best Of The Oregon Coast 

Salt in the air, old legends in the rocks, and small towns with big flavors—this is road-tripping the Oregon coast the way it’s meant to be. These highway stops offer more than just views. Keep this list handy next time you head that way.

Astoria Riverwalk & Maritime Museum

You can walk the Astoria Riverwalk right alongside passing cargo ships and sea lions barking on the docks. The nearby Maritime Museum features exhibits on shipwrecks and the Columbia River Bar, known as the “Graveyard of the Pacific.”

Seaside Promenade

Locals call it “The Prom,” and it’s where beach days feel classic. Stroll past cottages and crashing surf with a bag of taffy in hand. Built in the 1920s, this boardwalk is still the heart of Seaside’s lively, always-a-bit-sandy vibe.

Sea Lion Caves Viewpoint

Located 11 miles north of Florence, Oregon, Sea Lion Caves is America’s largest sea cave and provides a year-round habitat for Steller sea lions. Even if you skip the cave tour, sea lions resting on the rocks just below the highway parking area are easy to see.

Haystack Rock At Tolovana Beach Access

You’ll spot Haystack Rock from your car before you even park. This 235-foot monolith rises straight out of the surf and shelters puffins, tide pools, and barnacle-covered stones. You don’t need a hike or a detour—just park, walk, and gawk.

Neahkahnie Mountain Viewpoint

Stop at this highway pullout and catch one of the coast’s most dramatic panoramas. According to local lore, Spanish treasure remains hidden nearby. On a clear day, the ocean view from Neahkahnie stretches for miles over the horizon, so bring your camera.

Tillamook Creamery

Right off the highway, this massive creamery offers a behind-the-scenes look at cheese production through its viewing deck. The experience feels part factory, part foodie destination. Visitors can watch cheddar blocks get packaged, sample fresh curds, and try local ice cream flavors like Marionberry.

Heceta Head Viewpoint

From a pullout on 101, you can see the historic Heceta Head Lighthouse standing tall against the coastal winds. Built in 1894, it is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the Oregon coast. It remains operational, aiding maritime navigation.

Rockaway Beach Wayside

Right off the highway, this stop offers wide sands, big skies, and an easy place to stretch your legs. You might catch the steam train passing through or spot locals walking their dogs near the dunes. It feels peaceful without trying too hard.

Depoe Bay Seawall

Depoe Bay is famously called the “Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast.” It lets visitors spot gray whales year-round from its seawall. You don’t need binoculars to see those whales—they surface right offshore year-round.

Ona Beach State Park

Ona Beach State Park, now part of Brian Booth State Park, is located south of Newport and features a short trail to the beach, Beaver Creek, and picnic areas. There’s a quiet creek for skipping stones and picnic tables shaded by evergreens.

Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint Signage Area

From 101, you can read interpretive signs explaining the legends behind Face Rock’s eerie formations. The ocean crashes just beyond, and though the full beach is a short drive away, this spot gives you a quick look at Bandon’s mysterious coastal beauty.

Yaquina Bay Bridge & Historic Bayfront

You’ll drive right over the towering green arches of the Yaquina Bay Bridge as you enter Newport. It’s a lively place that shows the coast’s working side. Just below, the historic bayfront buzzes with crab boats, barking sea lions, and fish shacks with handwritten menus.

Boiler Bay Scenic Viewpoint

Pull over just north of Depoe Bay to watch water blast through rocky crevices. The Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint is named after the boiler from the shipwrecked J. Marhoffer, and if the tide’s low, you might see what’s left of the boiler still sitting offshore.

Cape Perpetua Overlook

Cape Perpetua Overlook near Yachats sits 800 feet above sea level and is the highest car-accessible viewpoint on the Oregon Coast. It offers stunning views of cliffs, the Pacific Ocean, and nearby old-growth forests, with waves echoing through the area.

Darlingtonia State Natural Site

A short walk from 101 takes you to a small patch of carnivorous plants native to this region of Oregon and northern California. The strange-looking Darlingtonia lilies catch insects in their tubular leaves, and interpretive signs along the boardwalk explain their survival tactics.