Oregon Travel Region

The Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast is proof of the Northwest's amazing diversity. Stretching from the port town of Astoria, at the windy mouth of the Columbia River, south to the temperate shores of Brookings/Harbor at the California border, Oregon's 350-mile coastline is anything but mundane. Populated by small and mid-size towns that have come to be known for their remote, resort-like atmosphere and their defiant ability to endure Mother Nature's coastal tempests, the Oregon Coast region is in many ways, a world unto itself.


Cannon Beach with Haystack rock in the distance from Ecola State Park.

While good roads link U.S. Highway 101 (the coast's major highway) with Interstate 5 and cities like Portland and Eugene, getting to some parts of the coast can take a bit of time. The southern towns of Port Orford and Pistol River, which are separated from Interstate 5 by the formidable Oregon Coast Range, can only be accessed via a northern or southern route. But then, experiencing the drive to Oregon's more remote locations is part of experiencing her beauty.

Weather on the Oregon Coast can also be variable. While it is possible to see snow in Astoria and Warrenton during the months of January or February, temperatures in Gold Beach and Coos Bay rarely dip below freezing during the winter. Rain however, is a fact of life up and down the coast, which supports a lush and fertile ecosystem and is bordered by temperate rainforest.

Oregon's coastal cities have a rhythm and pace all of their own. Restaurants, festivals, activities and attractions often reflect the ecological ties of a given area. It is difficult to experience Gold Beach without experiencing a river ride, or to understand coastal history without visiting one of the many wind-buffeted lighthouses. To experience the Oregon Coast is to experience the very elements that have shaped its history - and its awe-inspiring beauty.

Related Web Sites

Highway 101--Pacific Coast Scenic Byway- Oregon Section
A Scenic Byways site describing Highway 101 along the Oregon coast. Starting in Astoria and traveling south to the California Border the byway provides visitors with views of over 200 miles of amazing coastal scenery. The northern section is a blend of beaches and rain forests. As you travel south, sandy beaches and dunes prevail. The southern most section, from Bandon to Brookings, reveals rugged cliffs along the shore and farmlands inland. Rich in content and descriptions of historical, recreational and scenic points of interest.

Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA). PO Box 940, Tillamook, OR 97141. Phone: 541-574-2679; Toll-free: 1-888-OCVA-101.

The South Oregon Coast Directory

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