Must-See Spots on Oregon’s Southern Coast Road Trip Adventure!

The rugged southern coast of Oregon has some of the most stunning scenery in the whole state. You’ll see dramatic cliffs dropping straight into the Pacific Ocean, miles of sandy beaches with huge rock formations sticking out, and one breathtaking view after another perfect for a postcard. Whether you want to explore tide pools, go whale watching, hunt for treasures on the beach, or hike along windy cliffs, there’s plenty to do and countless Instagram-worthy photo ops along the way. This is an ideal road trip itinerary to experience the unforgettable southern Oregon coast from north to south.

Yachats – Shorelines and Picturesque Tide Pools

The tiny, artsy town of Yachats (pronounced Ya-Hots) is tucked between huge sea stacks sticking out of the water, making it a perfect home base for outdoor adventures. Start your trip with a relaxing morning walk on the Amanda Trail. This scenic path winds along dramatic cliffs with awesome ocean views the whole way. To get up close with tide pool creatures, go to Cape Perpetua at low tide. The volcanic rocks there have created a cool maze of tide pools filled with colorful starfish, anemones, and sea urchins. Don’t forget to stop at the historic Yachats Ladies Club to check out their beautiful hand-painted tiles featuring local scenes before continuing south.

Florence – Oregon’s Coastal Playground

Located near the center of the Oregon coast about an hour’s drive south of Yachats, Florence boasts miles of sandy beaches and a lively Old Town district filled with shops, galleries and cafes. While here don’t miss visiting the spectacular Sea Lion Caves, America’s largest sea cave and wild sea lion habitat. Wind your way down a steep trail to the cave opening and take an elevator down to view the Steller sea lions up close as they lounge on rocky ledges just feet away. Back up top, hike out to Heceta Head Lighthouse for dramatic views of coastal sea stacks with the historic lighthouse as the backdrop for incredible photos. At over 200 feet tall, this lighthouse beams the strongest light on the Oregon coast. After working up an appetite adventuring, head into Old Town and grab some fresh seafood at Bridgewater Fish House overlooking the Siuslaw River.

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Stretching over 40 miles between Florence and Coos Bay, the Oregon Dunes form the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. Bundle up the kids and rent an ATV for an exhilarating ride over massive mountain-like sand peaks reaching heights of 500 feet. Glide through valleys and around hairpin turns while taking in stellar views of dune fields meeting the sea. For a safer family option, rent a four-wheeled quadricycle bike and leisurely pedal over rolling dunes together. Be sure to keep an eye out for unique sand-loving creatures like the Smokey-colored beetle which is only found in the Oregon Dunes. Finish up the dunes adventure with a fun photo opp at The Dune House, the most photographed house on the Oregon coast.

Charleston and Sunset Bay

After romping around the dunes, take a breather in the tiny fishing village of Charleston. Buy some super fresh salmon or halibut straight off the docks and cook it up yourself over a beach bonfire while watching the sunset. Not into cooking? No biggie! Just grab some fish and chips from the Homegrown Pub instead. Work off all that good grub with a chill morning of paddling through the calm waters of Sunset Bay, one of the most protected bays along this stretch of coast. Launch your kayak or stand up paddleboard from the sheltered marina and cruise through sea caves while keeping an eye out for harbor seals playing in the kelp beds.

Bandon – Picturesque Lighthouses and Plentiful Cranberries

Nicknamed “Oregon’s Cranberry Capital,” Bandon’s surrounding marshes provide ideal growing conditions for these tart red berries. In the fall, take a farm tour and watch an ocean spray of berries gets harvested. During the off season, head seven miles south of town to tour the Bandon Historical Society Museum, set inside an old Coast Guard Station, to learn about shipwrecks and lifesaving operations on the southern Oregon coast. Be sure to make the quick drive to Coquille Point to get the iconic shot of Bandon’s two lighthouses set on rocky outcroppings with the historic Bandon boardwalk in the foreground. Built in 1936, these matching lighthouses stand over 80 feet tall and still aid navigation today.

Port Orford – Rugged Beauty and Rich History

As you venture further towards Oregon’s southwestern edge, you’ll arrive at the remote town of Port Orford. Set between two majestic state parks, hiking opportunities abound. Trek through old growth forests draped in moss at Eighteen Feet Welcome Center and look for banana slugs – a trip highlight for kids! For stunning sunrise views, take the uphill trail to Cape Blanco Lighthouse. Sitting 245 feet above the Pacific Ocean atop chalky white cliffs, Cape Blanco is Oregon’s oldest continually operating lighthouse. Appreciate the intricate details of the historic Fresnel lens on a guided tour. Before leaving town, stop by the Port & Starboard Restaurant, locally famous for their delicious clam chowder bread bowls – the perfect warming snack after a morning of exploring windswept beaches and headlands.

Gold Beach – Gateway to the Rogue River

Known as the “Gateway to the Rogue River,” Gold Beach makes a perfect home base for ocean and river adventures. Test your fishing skills at the Charlie Chinook Hole before heading out for some deep sea salmon, tuna, and halibut fishing. Take a relaxing 10-mile upriver paddle while watching bald eagles soaring overhead. Sign up for a guided jet boat tour to ride some whitewater rapids and learn about the local wildlife. Back in town, gear up for an epic day of storm watching from the highest viewpoint between San Francisco and Portland at Cape Sebastian Lighthouse. After a full day of adventures, refuel with locally-sourced pub grub and cold craft beers at The Beach Dogs Tap House.

No road trip is complete without a little treasure hunting, so make sure to comb the secluded beaches for colorful agates and cool driftwood. As the southernmost town on this driving route, Gold Beach is the turnaround point before heading back north on the 101 towards Florence, capping off this awesome Oregon coast road trip showcasing the fascinating beauty of the rugged southern region.

Brookings – Gardens and Beachfront Lodging

Just 10 miles south of Gold Beach, you’ll reach the town of Brookings. With excellent beach access, coastal trails, and breathtaking botanical gardens, you might want to plan for an overnight stay here. Wake up to the sound of crashing waves at one of the many charming beachfront motels and rental cottages. Fuel up for the day with breakfast at Mattie’s Pancake House, a local favorite known for their scratch-made cinnamon rolls and marionberry flapjacks. Work off breakfast with a peaceful stroll through stunning scenery at Azalea Park, perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. With over 800 azalea bushes blooming in vibrant spring colors, brilliant coastal views, and a waterfall tumbling down to the sea, it’s a prime spot for photos.

Before leaving town, stretch your legs on the easy out-and-back hike to Natural Bridges Cove. Here you’ll find unusual rock formations and sea stacks carved out by the pounding surf of the Pacific Ocean. At low tide, find tidepools teeming with colorful starfish, anemones and sea urchins clinging to the rocky shoreline. Dine on the freshest seafood in town while taking in a fiery sunset over the harbor at Oxenfre Public House.

Harris Beach State Park

Keep the adventure rolling by setting up camp at the scenic Harris Beach State Park, just a mile down the road from Brookings. Wake up to the sounds of the ocean and rocky shorelines right outside your tent. Keep an eye out for the park’s namesake Harris’s hawks that nest in the shore pines around the grounds. Sign up for a guided nature tour with the park rangers and volunteer docents to get the inside scoop on the local plants and animals. The vast protected beaches seem to stretch on forever, offering endless opportunities for exploring tide pools, beachcombing, surf fishing, and storm watching. Kids and furry friends will love roaming the huge oceanfront areas dotted with crazy puzzle-piece rock formations teeming with seabird colonies.

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

This section of highway has some of the most jaw-dropping coastline in the whole state. Make sure to stop frequently at famous viewpoints like Arch Rock and Thunder Rock Cove, where you can see massive sea caves carved into the rocky cliffs getting blasted by crashing waves. Pull over at Secret Beach Cove to hunt for colorful polished glass fishing net balls that washed up from Japanese fishing boats, especially after winter storms. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at Cape Ferrelo with 360-degree views from the grassy bluffs high above the ocean. Finish up this stretch with a challenging but rewarding hike to Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor. Trek through a lush forest and over steep headlands to reach the sea cliffs with amazing panoramic views of this wild, rugged shoreline – rated one of the top 10 coastal views in the U.S.

Prehistoric Gardens – Wander Among Dinosaurs in a Magical Rainforest

This quirky roadside attraction near Port Orford shouldn’t be missed on an extended southern coast road trip. Meander along a lush rainforest nature trail past water lily ponds while encountering over 100 life-size dinosaur replicas. Kids will love getting snaps posing by a towering T-Rex or gentle Brontosaurus while surrounded by moss covered cedar and spruce trees. Learn how these ancient beasts might have looked and sounded at the educational Dinosaur Museum. Before hitting the road again, wander through the tranquil Monterey Zen Garden, modeled after a classic Japanese stone garden design featuring ponds, bridges, and bonsai trees.

Oregon Caves National Monument

Situated in the northern reaches of the Siskiyou National Forest, the unique Oregon Caves National Monument makes for an unforgettable scenic side trip. Arrive early and grab a hearty lunch at the rustic Oregon Caves Chateau, built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1934. Sign up for a fascinating cave tour and descend into the inky blackness via winding passages and steep stairways. Fantastical rock formations like the “Parachute” and “Pipe Organ” tower above while you scan the dark cave walls for rare albino cave spiders. Ranger-guided off trail tours and evening lantern walks provide even more opportunities to appreciate this hidden underground treasure.

With so much natural beauty awaiting discovery, you could spend weeks adventuring along Oregon’s rugged south coast without retracing your steps. As the southernmost point in our state, scenic Brookings makes for the perfect jumping off point for continuing your coastal explorations north through bandon, Port Orford and beyond. No matter which stretches of sandy beaches, dramatic headlands, coastal forests or oceanfront byways you chose to uncover – an Oregon coast road trip is guaranteed to provide lasting memories of the beaver state’s abundant and captivating shoreline landscapes.

Things To Enjoy

Enjoy Fresh Seafood

The Southern Oregon Coast has an abundance of fresh and delicious seafood thanks to the bounty of the Pacific Ocean. Be sure to sample local specialties like salmon, halibut, tuna, crab, clams, and oysters during your trip. Many restaurants serve seasonal seafood caught right off the docks as well as classic preparations like fish and chips, chowders and seafood pastas. Some top spots for savoring the freshest catches include the Homegrown Pub in Charleston, Port and Starboard in Port Orford, and Oxenfre Public House in Brookings. Don’t forget to also check out seafood markets to take some ocean treats home with you.

Hunt for Beach Agates and Glass Floats

Combing the beaches for hidden treasures is a favorite pastime on the Oregon Coast. Search for colorful agates left behind from ancient volcanic activity around Gold Beach and Pistol River. You may also luck upon spherical glass floats once used in Japanese squid fishing nets; the most floats tend to wash up near Brookings. Consult tide tables to explore beaches at low tides when more rocks and treasures reveal themselves. Always keep safety in mind around the crashing surf as well. Display your collected beach gems as souvenirs from your coastal adventures.

Relax at Scenic Lighthouses

Lighthouses hold enduring allure as icons of Oregon’s coastline. Climb to the top of these scenic beacons for views up and down the shoreline. Don’t miss stand out lighthouses like Cape Blanco outside Port Orford, Cape Arago in Charleston, and St. George Reef near Del Norte. Many parks and museums also showcase lighthouse history and display vintage Fresnel lenses if climbing all those stairs isn’t your style. If you visit in the off-season, inquire if any assistant keeper programs are available to gain memorable behind-the-scenes overnight experiences inside historic lighthouse quarters.

Witness Whale Migrations

Catching sight of mighty whales offshore makes for an incredible travel memory. Every year Grey and Humpback whales migrate past Oregon from February to October. Prime lookouts include Shore Acres State Park, Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, and Cooks Chasm Spouting Horn – where you may witness dramatic blowhole displays. Further south, Harris Beach State Park and Crescent Beach Overlook offer stellar whale watching vantage points as well. Pack some binoculars in your car and keep eyes trained on the waves for any whale spouts. Seeing these marine giants in their natural habitat is a true bucket list thrill.

Take Scenic Route 101A Inland

For a change of scenery from the coastal route on US-101, take the 101A scenic option from Reedsport towards Scottsburg. This winding country road passes through the Oregon Dunes, serene lakes, and rolling pastures filled with grazing animals. Stop to rent kayaks, canoes or paddleboards and spend a lazy afternoon paddling across picturesque Loon Lake rimmed by forests. Stretch your legs on the easy hike around Lake Marie, stopping frequently to take in picture-perfect views across this idyllic natural setting located just off the highway.

What To Pack

Clothing/Footwear

• Lightweight, quick-dry shirts and pants
• Fleece jacket and vest
• Windbreaker or lightweight rain jacket
• Comfortable walking shoes/boots
• Sandals/flip flops
• Warm socks, hat, gloves

Outdoor Gear

• Binoculars for whale/wildlife viewing
• Hiking backpack
• Reusable water bottle
• Blanket/picnic supplies
• Beach tent/chairs/umbrella
• Shovels/buckets for sand play
• Metal detector (for hunting beach treasures)

Safety Items

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• First aid kit
• Headlamps/flashlights
• Roadside emergency kit (flares, jumper cables etc.)

Navigation

• Road map or atlas
• Recreation maps for hiking
• Guide books/local area brochures
• Smart phone/car phone chargers
• Portable phone battery pack

Photography Gear

• Camera, lenses, extra batteries
• Phone camera tripod/selfie stick
• Waterproof/dustproof camera case

For the Car

• Cooler with snacks
• Reusable grocery bags
• Tire air pressure gauge
• Quarters for parking meters
• Audio books, travel games, toys

Miscellaneous

• Sealable plastic bags for collecting shells/stones
• Hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes
• Masks/face coverings
• medications, pain/allergy relief

Packing strategically for activities you plan to pursue will go a long way towards making your Oregon Coast road trip enjoyable and hassle-free. Having needed gear, extra layers, snacks and other road trip essentials will let you fully immerse yourself in the beautiful landscapes and treasures found along this scenic shoreline route.

FAQs

Conclution

Whether you come for the dramatic scenery, the whales and wildlife, the cool lighthouses, or the fresh-caught seafood – Oregon’s southern coast offers endless opportunities for adventure and lifelong memories. As you make your way north again back towards Yachats, take time to reflect on tracing this stunningly beautiful shoreline.

Linger during those epic sunsets, wake up early to catch fiery sunrises. Pull over whenever you can, get lost down winding roads to hidden coves. Dig your toes in the sand, skip rocks across glassy bays, breathe in that refreshing ocean air. Appreciate this wild, rugged edge of Oregon, carved over eons by clashing elements into the coastal masterpiece before you.

The connections you build with nature, the joy of new discoveries, the simpler rhythms that come from cruising an open road hugging the sea – these are the moments that will stick with you. Long after you’re back home, flashes of vibrant memories will transport you back to special spots and treasured moments exploring the southern Oregon coast.