| Drive the entire 400-mile spectacle of the Oregon coastline, with 70 parks
and waysides and dozens of scenic side loops leading to overlooks, lighthouses,
observatories, waterfronts and marinas. You're never far from welcoming accommodations or
generous helpings of Oregon's famous fresh seafood. All along the route, major highways
connect you to the cities of inland Oregon.
|
The
North Coast Resort Area: Visit the resort community of Gearhart, then on to
Seaside, with its two-mile promenade and long list of recreation choices, including the
many activities of the downtown area. Then drive past the Tillamook Lighthouse to Ecola
State Park, and on to Cannon Beach, known for artists, festivals and views of Haystack
Rock and the Needles. The next seven miles pass beautiful parks and viewpoints before
arriving at Arch Cape.
On To
Tillamook: Continue south to Neahkahnie Beach, the golf resort community of
Manzanita, Nehalem Bay State Park and on through the center of Nehalem. Visit Wheeler,
Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi Bay before arriving in Tillamook, site of Oregon's largest
cheese factory. From here, Three Capes Loop leads to Cape Meares, Ocean-side and Netarts
Bay. Loop back to rejoin Hwy. 101 at Tillamook, or continue south on the coastal road to
Cape Lookout, Cape Kiwanda and Pacific City.
In And
Around Lincoln City: Three Capes Loop rejoins Hwy. 101 south of Pacific City, and
continues to Neskowin and the whale-watching post of Cascade Head. The resort hub of
Lincoln City is just ahead with its colorful kite displays and art galleries. Visit Siletz
Bay and Gleneden Beach, home of Salishan Lodge. Further on, you'll come to Depoe Bay - the
world's smallest navigable harbor - before reaching Otter Rock. This 40-mile stretch
features more than a dozen parks and waysides.
Newport And The Central Coast: The Yaquina Head Lighthouse marks the northern
entrance to Newport, with its delightful Old Town bayfront, Visual Arts Center, Hatfield
Museum and Science Center and the Oregon Coast Aquarium. East of town, travel Hwy. 20 ten
miles to Toledo, an antique-hunters paradise. Continue on Hwy. 101 to South Beach with its
huge park, and on to Seal Rock, Waldport and the quiet village of Yachats - in all a
30-mile stretch through the Siuslaw National Forest past a dozen beach parks.
Entering The Dunes: South of Yachats, take in the exhibits at the Cape Perpetua
Visitors Center. View the Heceta Head Lighthouse from Devils Elbow State Park. And stop at
famous Sea Lion Caves. A few miles beyond, Florence provides a good base for exploring the
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, stretching 47 miles with nearly 14,000 acres of
sand dunes. Honeyman State Park offers camping and dunes access. A 1/4-mile side road
takes you to the Oregon Dunes Overlook. Next stop is Reedsport, home of The National
Recreation Area Headquarters. See the Roosevelt elk viewing area along Hwy. 38. And take
the two-mile Umpqua Lighthouse Loop just south in Winchester Bay.
The
Coos Bay/North Bend Area: The neighboring cities of North Bend and Coos Bay are
the coast's largest urban communities, with museums, shopping, theaters and an active
cultural calendar. From either town, take a side trip west on the Cape Arago Hwy. that
leads to Charleston, Shore Acres State Park And Historical Gardens and Cape Arago before
rejoining Hwy. 101. Next is Bandon, a coastal center with art galleries, theaters and
shopping. Nearby, walk through the West Coast Game Park Safari, or enjoy antique shops in
Langlois. Then continue south through Denmark to Sixes, where a side road leads to Cape
Blanco State Park and lighthouse.
Port
Orford To Brookings/Harbor: Tour the harbor sights of Port Orford before heading
to Wedderburn and Gold Beach, which straddle the Rogue River as it meets the Pacific.
Visit Cape Sebastian State Park and Pistol River State Park, where an interesting back
road route parallels the highway to Brookings. If you stay on Hwy. 101, you'll enjoy one
of the coast's most scenic eight-mile stretches, with viewpoints all along the way.
Finally, reach Brookings and Harbor - divided by the Chetco River - in Oregon's
“Banana Belt,” just five miles north of California.
Detailed coastal driving tour information is available from the Oregon Coast Magazine, 1-800/348-8401. For general information on the Oregon coast contact the Oregon Coast Association, 1-800/858-8598 or P.O. Box 87, Depoe Bay, OR 97341.
Return to Oregon: Discovering Our Routes!
