Exploring the Beauty of the Oregon Coast: A 3-Day Road Trip Along Highway 101
When it comes to road trips in US, Highway 101 is on everyone’s bucket list. It is the coastal drive along the Pacific ocean, which is about 1675 miles of route from Olympia ,Washington to San Diego California and runs in three states of Washington, Oregon and california. It extends along two highways, highway 101 in Washington, Oregon and parts of California and Highway 1 in most parts of california. Multiple routes can be taken starting from San Diego, Seattle, or San Francisco. We completed the Oregon part of Highway 101 and we have shared our itinerary below. If we drive directly from Portland to Crescent city, it is about 328 miles but this drive is not completely via the pacific coast. The itinerary we followed was almost completely via the pacific coast. Most of the beaches along the coast were public and drones were permitted too.
Day 1: Seaside Beach to Lincoln City
1. Start from Seaside Beach Since we stayed in Portland, we decided to start from the seaside beach. It is a huge coastal beach which is great for strolling along the surf. Downtown is full of places to dine, stores with beach gears and coastal crafts. It’s a nice walk along the downtown. We spent about 45 mins altogether. Only 16 mins drive from here lies Cannon Beach.
Seaside
2. Cannon Beach:It is one of the most famous beaches with the big Haystack rock and other sea rocks. It is usual to spend 45 mins -1 hour on this beach. Head into the town for lunch after a beach walk. About 1 hour and 20 mins drive from Cannon Beach lies Cape Kiwanda.
Cannon Beach
3. Cape Kiwanda:We spent about 2 hours here and stayed for the sunset. One of the coolest things to do in Cape Kiwanda is the Beach Bonfire. There are plenty of options for dining,accommodation, and coastal brewing. We stayed at a nearby hotel in Lincoln City
Cape Kiwanda
Day 2: Lincoln City to Coos Bay
Today, the landscape adds rocky cliffs along with sandy beaches and roaring waves creating awestrucking views.
1. Devil’s Punchbowl: It is a cool natural attraction and appears as a devil punched the cliff giving the shape of a bowl and is perfect for an early morning walk.We were lucky to watch whales at a distance from here. About 20-30 mins is enough for this attraction.
Devils Punchbowl
2. Yaquina Head Lighthouse: It is the tallest lighthouse in Oregon.From the parking area to cobble beach down is 5 mins walk.It is a great place to view sea birds, whales, seals and tide pools.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
3. Devil’s Churn: Created by waves into the volcanic rock has created a fissure called Devil’s churn. It takes about 10 mins of paved walk to reach its button. About 20-30 min winded drive from the parking lot leads to the viewing point of cape perpetua which gives a breathtaking overlook of the pacific.
Devils Churn
4. Thor’s Well: This is my favorite place along the coast. It’s an easy trail down the coast but should be careful with its rocks at the coast. It is a large bowl shaped sinkhole and is so satisfying to watch thunderous roaring water in and out. Spouting Horn at Cook’s Chasm can be viewed at the same time. 5 mins drive lies the viewpoint of Heceta Head lighthouse and nearby lies the Sea Lion Cave
Thors Well
5. Sea Lion Cave: It is a 45 mins self guided tour and requires a ticket to enter. Tickets are available at the counter on arrival and it closes at 5 pm. Just prior to reaching sean lion cave is a pullout on the road side for Heceta Head LightHouse which is worth a pull out for instagram worthy shots of the Light house.
6. Heceta Head LightHouse: 28 mins drive from Sea Lion Cave is Heceta Head LightHouse. It leads to a parking lot from which we find an easy trail of about 15-20 mins leading to LightHouse itself.
Heceta Head LightHouse
7. Oregon Dunes Recreational Area: It was the last stop for the day and one of the best spots to view an amazing sunset. It feels like sun vanishes directly in the pacific ocean. There are multiple sand dunes in these areas but this one is the most popular.
Oregon Dunes
Sunset from Oregon Dunes Recreational Area
Day 3: Day 3: Coos Bay to Crescent City
1. Coquille point: Started early with sunrise at this point. 5 mins walk from the parking lot leads to the beach. This point includes famous face rock and witch hat rocks along with multiple sea rocks. About 1 hour is the gold beach
Coquille Point
2. Gold Beach: Kissing rock point lies here, it does not have any shape and is a point. We spent 10 mins at this point, if time is limited, we recommend not to visit this beach.
Gold Beach/Kissing Rock point
3. Mary D. Hume Shipwreck: It is an old ship wreck which is visible from the road side.
Mary D. Hume Shipwreck
4. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor: It is 12 miles long with forest and coastline. Few worthy stopping points are arch rock, whaleshead beach, and natural bridges. Arch rock and Natural bridges can be viewed in a short walk from the parking lot.
Natural Bridge
This completes the Oregon portion of the coastal drive. If we continue to drive along we enter California. We continued our journey to Redwood National Park and then to finally to Crater Lake National Park. The Oregon coast is one of the most popular road trips is US. We really enjoyed our short trip there. I am sure you will too.
