There are stunning sights all along the Oregon Coast, including some of the Pacific Northwest’s best beaches, coastal hikes, and tide pools. Find out when and where to do each here, along with other unique activities, such as visiting the Sea Lion Caves, lighthouses, and more.

Disclosure: We’ve included affiliate links with recommended hiking gear in this post. If you click through and buy something, we’ll receive a small portion of that sale. You won’t be charged more, and we haven’t been paid by any of these retailers to share their information. These are all our genuine preferences.

Sea Lion Caves

The Sea Lion Caves are a wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary. The cave is the largest sea cave in the world, playing host to the largest species of sea lion — the Stellar sea lion.

Visit between the fall and winter to see hundreds of sea lions in the caves, but know if you go during summer, most of the sea lions stay outside of the caves.

Tillamook Creamery tour

This one is for dairy lovers and entry is free! There are self-guided, premium tours, and tasting options. No matter how you choose to explore, plan on stopping by the dining hall for treats like cheese curds, mac and cheese, and ice cream. They can accommodate some allergies but do not make any dairy-free products.

Whale watching

Whales are off the Oregon coast between June and mid-November, as well as from mid-December to mid-January. The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay is a great spot to learn more, but check out our whale-watching blog for more details!

We saw whale spouts off the coast from our Airbnb in Newhalem!

Ride ATVs on Sand Dunes

The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is consistently ranked in the top five best sand dunes in the United States. Bring your own ATVs or rent from Ridin’ Dirty ATV Rentals.

If you’re on the northern end of the coast, check out renting ATVs from Sand Lake Tsunami ATV Rental and head to the Sand Lake Recreation Area.

Both locations are beginner-friendly!

Biking

Locals and tourists alike love biking along the coast. Check here for the best bike trails, or ride along the beach. Find rentals here:

Wheel Fun Rentals in Seaside
Family Fun Cycles at Cannon Beach
Bahama Mama’s in Manzanita

Wildlife

Check out the aquariums in Seaside or Depoe Bay to view local marine mammals, birds, and fish.

The White Wolf Sanctuary is worth a mention as well. It’s just twenty minutes inland from Waldport. They have twelve wolves on site, and you’ll get to hear about each wolf’s history. Book a tour in advance.

Boutique shopping

Each town in Oregon has an adorable main street with boutique shops. Cannon Beach is known for its art galleries, Seaside has an arcade, and Newport has a Ripley’s Believe It or Not so there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Local festivals

There are local festivals throughout the year all along the coast.

Kite festival in Lincoln City
Glass float search in Lincoln City
Sandcastle competition at Lincoln City
Sandcastle competition at Cannon Beach
Cape Kiwanda Longboard Classic competition in Pacific City
Chainsaw carving competition in Reedsport
Circles in the Sand in Bandon
Newport Seafood & Wine Festival

Play in the water

Warning

Regardless of how or when you play in the Pacific Ocean, having a wet suit is ideal, if not necessary. There are rental shops in most towns. You’ll also need to be aware of and always watch out for hazards like sneaker waves, strong currents, rip tides, and rocks and logs in the water.

There are no lifeguards on duty, so take advantage of guided tours if you’re unfamiliar with any of the above dangers. Summer and fall are the best times to take to the water.

Surf

There are great spots to surf along the Oregon coast. If you’re looking for a lesson, book with one of these shops:

Cannon Beach Surf Lesson at Cannon Beach
Moment Surf Company in Pacific City
Ossies Surf Shop in Newport

Boogie board

It’s possible to boogie board along the coast, but we recommend talking to local surf shops about safe locations. You’ll find board and wetsuit rentals at the Cannon Beach Surf Lesson.

Paddleboard/Kayak

Kayaking is a popular activity along the lakes, bays, and rivers that feed the Pacific Ocean. Take a tour or rent boards and create your own adventure at the following places:

Wheeler Marina in Wheeler
Kayak Tillamook County in Tillamook
Nestucca Adventures in Pacific City
Siltcoos River Kayak Rentals near Lincoln City
Siletz Crabbing and Kayaking Rentals near Florence

Tide pooling

Go tide pooling at low tide (the lower the tide, the better) to find small ecosystems of starfish, sea urchins, crabs, and more between rocks. Aim to start tide pooling an hour before the tide turns. Once the tide starts coming in, the incoming waves stir up the pools making it harder to see animals.

Do keep an eye on the ocean as you tide pool. Sneaker waves can happen at any time, but they’re more prevalent in the winter months.

You’ll want to wear shoes with good grip for walking on rocks between tide pools. Rain boots (men’s/women’s)work well if you want to keep your feet dry, but you can opt for sandals like trekking sandals (men’s/women’s) in the warmer months.

The best spots to find tide pools along the Oregon coast are:

Campfire on the beach

Not all of Oregon’s beaches allow campfires. Please check online or with local fire departments for the most up-to-date information on each location. Never start a fire when there is a burn ban in place.

To make your fire on the beach, build it 50 feet away from dune grass. Using driftwood from the beach is prohibited in some areas, so bring your own firewood. Make sure it’s either kiln-dried or purchased locally to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Starting a fire is easy with these fire starters but don’t forget to extinguish your fire completely when you’re done. After the flames burn out, spread out the coals and drown them with water (foldable buckets like this work perfectly for this!).

Beaches that allow fires:

Visit a lighthouse

11 lighthouses remain throughout Oregon. Some are public and offer tours, while others are private or inaccessible. Visit for a dose of local history and fantastic views. Check online for tour hours for the best experience.

Hike

There are tons of beautiful hikes along the coast. You’ll find incredible ocean views, waterfalls, lakes, and forests, all less than an hour’s drive from the ocean. We’ve got a list of our favorite hikes here.

Oregon State Parks

Oregon is full of incredible views and 361 state parks — with many of them lining the coast. Rather than providing you with an overwhelming list, we’ve made the ultimate road trip guide with the spots you’ve got to stop at.