Oregon Coast
4-Night Itinerary.
The Perfect Way to Explore the Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast is scattered with fantastic restaurants and breweries, epic seascapes, charming campgrounds, and tiny towns with eclectic boardwalks. If you choose to explore the coast, you’ll have endless opportunities for adventures.
You’ll start by driving south on I-5, stopping in Portland, Oregon along the way to stock up on provisions. Then you’ll spend the rest of your time meandering back up the coast, along Highway 101. For a longer trip, you can continue this itinerary northward to make a loop around the Olympic Peninsula. If you choose this option, follow our Olympic Peninsula itinerary backwards.
Day 1: Seattle to Newport, OR (303 miles)
Day one of this trip really puts the “road” in a road trip, especially because your Westy won’t love going more than 60 mph on the highway. Set off from Seattle (with a quick stop at Macrina Bakery Sodo for sandwiches or pastries on your way out). Then map yourself to Portland, Oregon and get ready for a long cruise south along the I-5 corridor.
We love stopping in Portland for a few hours to break up this long day on the road. First, head to Pok Pok for award-winning Thai food (Don’t miss the fish sauce wings!). If you’re looking for other food options, there’s tons of food cart pods around the city.
Wrap up your Portland adventure with a stop at Powell’s City of Books, where you can choose from over a million new and used books. We also endorse picking up a growler or six pack of good beer from Ecliptic Brewing, to get you through the next few evenings. In the mood for an ice cream treat? Salt and Straw is reliably delicious.
After fueling up in Portland, continue south on I-5 toward Newport, Oregon. While we usually recommend spending your evening cooking at camp, tonight we think you’ll be happiest heading into Newport, which is one of the largest towns you’ll encounter on your jaunt up the coast. Newport is home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, which has a great deep sea exhibit. If it’s raining or you have kids (or you just love marine life), this is an aquarium worth exploring for an afternoon.
In Newport, you’ll also find one of the best seafood joints on the whole coast: Local Ocean Seafoods. They serve local oysters, crab, and fish. And while you’re there, shop their market for something to bring on the road. The Fish Peddler’s Market is also a good option for a casual dinner in Newport. If you’re a beer lover, check out Rogue Brewing; their taproom is right on the water.
Finally, after a full day of good food and adventures, check into your Hip Campsite at either Beaver Creek or Rock’n K Ranch. Both of these properties are just south of Newport, privately owned, and wonderful options aside from public camping. We highly suggest making a reservation in advance!
Day 2: Newport to Cape Lookout (61 miles)
Today you’ll head toward Manzanita-- but you should plan to take a slightly meandering route with some extra driving along the Three Capes Scenic Route. We promise, it’s worth the extra mileage. Start your day at the Yaquina Head Natural Area, home to the tallest lighthouse in Oregon. While you’re there, walk along the spit of land that juts into the ocean and get your hands wet exploring the tidepools.
Next, check out the Devil’s Punchbowl at Otter Rock, another sinkhole with water rushing in and out; this rock formation is one of the best on the whole coast. If you’re feeling like a boardwalk stroll, stop in Depoe Bay next, which is a well-known whale watching spot. (If you’re looking to take a whale watching tour, this is the place!) Left Coast Coffee, the Horn Public House and Restaurant Beck all come highly recommended. Although we personally recommend skipping a meal in Depoe Bay in favor of lunch in Cape Kiwanda, which is up next on the itinerary.
Follow signs off 101 to the Three Capes Scenic Route. Then, after about 40 minutes, you’ll arrive at the first cape: Cape Kiwanda, which is famous for its flat-bottomed Dory Fleet and its very own Haystack Rock. (Fun fact: There are actually three Haystack Rocks along the Oregon Coast.) You can even drive your van out onto the sand here! This cape is home to Pelican Brewing: Pacific City, which is an unbeatable lunch spot.
Next, following the scenic route to the second cape, Cape Lookout: surrounded by long stretches of mostly isolated beach decorated with sea glass. This area also offers a wicked awesome hike called Cape Lookout Hike, which is 5 miles long. The third cape, Cape Meares, is just 10 minutes down the road and it’s home to some epic lighthouse views. If you head to Cape Meares, you will have to back track just a bit to get to your Hip Camp for the evening.
If you can, grab a spot at Cape Lookout Campground. For a Hip Camp, head 20 minutes inland to Beaver Pond or Powder Creek (no showers) for the evening.
If you find a spot at Cape Lookout, you can head north 20 minutes to grab provisions and check out Tillamook - yes, this is where Tillamook cheese comes from. Stop at the Jacobsen Salt Company in Tillamook. This is a hole-in-the-wall of the best variety. You're likely to be the only visitors but that won't stop the folks at Jacobsen from letting you sample all of their infused salts. Have an aviation buff in the family? While in Tillamook, you may also want to visit the Tillamook Air Museum. Located in a World War II Navy blimp hangar, their collection spans over 20 aircraft, along with exhibits. Tillamook is also home to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, which sees millions of visitors every year (Pro tip: stock up on cheese ends!). If you’re not into the crowds (yeah, us either), visit Blue Heron, a French cheese company that offers samples of cheese and wine.
Day 3: Cape Lookout to Fort Stevens State Park (73 miles)
The laid back beach town of Manzanita is a great place to park and stroll for a bit. Grab pastries or sandwiches at Bread and Ocean for a picnic on the beach. Stop at Manzanita Fresh Foods to replenish your supplies if needed. You might also want to visit the candy shop in downtown Manzanita, or buy a kite at the general store.
Before you leave the area, consider taking a hike up Neah-kah-nie Mountain, a 5-mile hike with epic views that’s popular with the locals. You can also rent kayaks from Wheeler on the Bay, which is about 10 minutes south of Nehalem Bay State Park.
From Manzanita, swing by Short Sands Beach, aka Oswald West State Park, to watch the surfers, then stop at Hug Point. When the tide is out, you can walk out onto the beach and you’ll be greeted with sweeping views. Next, continue up the coast to Cannon Beach. In Cannon Beach, dip your toes in the ocean and check out Haystack Rock.
Grab lunch in Cannon Beach, you can stop by Pelican Brewing’s second location for another dose of quality beer. Roll through Schwietert for some salt water taffy, and pick up a loaf of the famous Haystack Bread from Cannon Beach Bakery (Pro tip: You’ll also want to nab a marionberry turnover for breakfast the next morning, and we promise you won’t be disappointed by their butter sugar cookies.). If you need coffee, we love the Sleepy Monk and Sealevel Bakery (mention you’re renting with Peace Vans and they’ll give you 15% off your order). If you need a grocery stop before you head out, Fresh Foods is a great local spot to stock up on reserves. Now it’s on to Ecola State Park, which is just five minutes away. As you drive, queue up the soundtrack to Goonies: this is where many of the outdoor shots were filmed!
In Ecola State Park, consider stopping at Indian Beach, then hiking the Clatsop Loop Trail, which is about 3 miles round trip and winds through the forest and along the coast, with time to explore an old bunker and views of a far-out lighthouse. As you continue north, a special treat awaits: Seaside Helicopters offers tours of the coast for as low as $55 per person!
Once you’ve soaked up the coastal views, it’s time to head north to Fort Stevens State Park. This is the biggest park west of the Mississippi, and, in addition to camping, it features forts and defensive walls that date back to the Civil War. It’s also fully decked out, with flush toilets, hot showers and dozens of other amenities.
Hungry and able to find a camping spot at Fort Stevens? Catch your dinner! Fort Stevens is an awesome spot for razor clamming. The nearby KOA campground rents all of the gear you will need, and the beach at Fort Stevens is one of the best clamming grounds on the coast. You might also consider waiting to unpack your van, as the observation tower at the end of Fort Stevens’ spit offers epic sunset views.
If you can’t find camping at Fort Stevens, drive just a bit north to Long Beach and camp at either of these Hip Camps: The Lamp Camp (It’s on the ocean! Book via their website, not Hip Camp) or Sunny Beach Getaway.
Day 4: Cape Disappointment & Long Beach
Head into Astoria, a sweet town with a rich maritime history. If you’re interested in learning more about the history, visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Otherwise, spend some time touring Goonies filming locations, including the jailhouse (get your mugshot taken!), the Astoria column, and Mikey’s house.
While you’re in Astoria, grab a burger and a brew at the Fort George Brewery or the Buoy Beer Company (which has a glass paneled floor, through which you can sometimes spot sleeping sea lions!). Don't miss Pilot House Distillery either, where you'll be welcomed like a local and given the opportunity to sample local spirits and shrubs.
You’ll probably want to check out Cape Disappointment State Park, where you can hike or drive up to the North Head Lighthouse for an awesome guided tour about the rough waters where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. Stroll the 2-mile beach at sunset and maybe enjoy a beach bonfire for the evening. This is also a great place for stargazing!
Near Cape Disappointment is the beach town: Long Beach. There’s restaurants and shops along the main drag for you to peruse. Take a stroll down the popular Long Beach boardwalk that’s nearly half a mile along the beach. If you want something fun to do, check out West Coast Horse Rides. Make sure to call ahead as they book up fast! Be sure to mention you’re a Peace Vans renter, and they’ll give you a discount on your reservation.
You can either stay at your Hip Camp from last night or check out one of these more inland options: O the Joy (no showers) or Slow Boat Farm.
Day 5: Long Beach to Seattle (170 miles)
Grab breakfast at the healthy roadside eatery Roots or lunch at a bright yellow truck called Streetside Taco. They have cheap (but delicious!) tacos, including a riff on Banh Mi. Then hop on I5 north and make your way back to Peace Vans.