Things to Do on the Oregon Coast

September 29, 2022

Visitors never cease getting amazed by the beauty and historical wonders of Oregon's coastline. So if you're considering visiting a place that will feed your eyes and soul with unique, beautiful scenery and dramatic shoreline vistas on your next vacation, don't hesitate to make a trip to the Oregon Coast.

Discover numerous stunning attractions can hold one spellbound. From plenty of fun outdoor activities to natural parks and scenic coastal spots, the Oregon Coast offers visitors seemingly unending fun-filled experiences.

However, the most frequent question is, what are the things to do on the Oregon Coast to have a fantastic feeling? Whether you're a first-time visitor or have visited in the past, there are unending fun-filled activities for everyone choosing this destination as their vacation place. Read on as we uncover trip planning ideas to make the most out of your travel experience.

Girl taking photo at sunset with blue cloudy sky on an Oregon Coast rocky shore.

Top Things to Do on Oregon Coast

While you're busy planning on how you'll book your lodging, flight, or rail ticket, don't forget to draw a well-thought plan that will keep you on track with places you'll want to see on the Oregon Coast to maximize your excitement.

Many people usually embark on a trip without a clear guide on what to do when they reach their destination. As a result, they get overwhelmed with a hive of activities and do little that matters most to them. On the contrary, knowing beforehand what to do when visiting the Oregon Coast will streamline and smoothen things for you.

Below are what you might want to enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

A couple walking on the beach during a beautiful Oregon Coast fall sunset.

Haystack Rock

Your trip is never complete until you go and behold the almighty Haystack Rock. Arguably, one of the most iconic images of the Oregon Coast, Haystack Rock, which is adjacent to the city and sand of Cannon Beach, is where any visitor that fancies the thrills of nature must not miss out. Numerous factors make Haystack noteworthy, including the basalt sea stack that towers 235 feet from the edge of the shoreline.

The Haystack Rock offers the most accessible view of a wide variety of colorful birds like Tufted Puffins, making it a terrific bird-watching location for bird lovers. In addition, Haystack Rock's tidepools provide shelter for many intertidal animals, including sea stars, anemones, crabs, limpets, and more. At low tide, the most colorful and visible creatures, such as the sea stars and giant green anemones, are exposed so you can feel these marvelous sea creatures.

However, you must note that while exploring this magnificent area, you must walk on sand and bare rock not to destroy sea life that can take years to recover.

Visit Columbia River Maritime Museum

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is located on the shores of the Columbia River, which houses the history of the Columbia River, starting from the days of dugout canoes. If you care to know the legend of the Columbia River Bar, consider visiting Columbia Maritime Museum, which is accessible from the Astoria Riverwalk.

At River Maritime Museum, you can access the vast collection of seafaring vessels, maritime artifacts, and beautiful and aesthetically pleasing artworks. To learn what causes shipwrecks and people's responses to such tragedies, you must take considerable time to visit this renowned museum that feeds you excellent knowledge of the adventurous past.

Fort Stevens State Park

Going to Fort Stevens State Park must be on your to-do list if you want to experience a park offering various recreation adventures with a military undertone, such as camping, beach-combing, wildlife viewing trails, and more.

Fort Stevens is among the top attraction areas with expansive natural space. The site has a military history dating back to the Civil War and World War II. You can explore concrete artillery gun batteries at this park during the summer and see the shipwreck of the Peter Iredale which on the beach since 1906.

The skeleton of the Peter Iredale shipwreck on a clear morning at Fort Stevens beach.

Go to Ecola State Park

Ecola State sits on the edge of Tillamook Head, between Seaside and Cannon Beach, and offers stunning sightseeing and recreation opportunities. With varying enticing outdoor recreation such as tide pooling, picnicking, surfing, and wildlife observation, you cannot help but admire and savor this soothing scenery.

Ecola State Park sightseeing opportunities begin as soon as you enter the park. The road leading to the park meanders through a soothing Sitka spruce forest. And the grassy bluff offers you a breathtaking view of the Pacific ocean.

Within the park, you might see the migrating gray whales. On the shoreline, sea stacks punctuate the Pacific's long sweep. Also, Cannon Beach and the ridge of coastal mountains are easily within reach.

Woman sitting on a bench overlooking Ecola State Park at sunset.

Three Capes Scenic Route

If you crave a spectacle that will satisfy your sense of adventure, the Three Capes Scenic Route is perfect. This scenic route never ceases to entice visitors with dramatic cliffs, old-growth forests, crashing waves, and historic lighthouses. Connecting Cape Kiwanda, Cape Lookout, and Cape Meares, the Three Capes Scenic Route offers incredible experiences.

Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint

As you engage in different adventures on the Oregon Coast, this rugged, basalt-rimmed bay is a remarkable scene to feel the beauty and extravagance of nature. Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint is a place to experience wild surf action on the rocky spurs, and it offers a panoramic view that allows you to see the gray whales year-round.

It's one of the strategic sites in Oregon to see ocean-going birds including, loons, oystercatchers, jaegers, albatrosses, grebes, shearwaters, murrelets, and more. Don't forget to come with your binoculars for a perfect view of these varying ocean birds. At low tide, you can see the boiler of J. Marhoffe, a ship sunk by an explosion in 1910.

Oregon Coast whale tail sighting in blue ocean waters.

Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area

A well-known whale-watching site that displays fascinating and awe-inspiring geology, the Punch Bowl area is kept ever busy by surfers and surfer watchers. Devil's Punchbowl State Natural Area is a pleasant place to view a restless ocean slamming with a roar into a hollow rock formation, looking like a giant punch bowl.

Sunset over Devils Punchbowl State Park during with a calm ocean surf.

CONCLUSION

When going on a trip to the Oregon Coast, know beforehand what to do to avoid confusion. Feel free to use our Oregon Coast vacation map to find the vacation rental that suits you and your family or friends.