Why settle for having to choose between ancient forests and awe-inspiring coastline when you can have both? That’s the beauty of Oregon’s Central Coast, a gateway to wonder itself. Cruise along roads that hug coastal cliffs from Depoe Bay — the world’s tiniest harbor that’s also a prime whale watching spot — all the way down to the adventure-packed town of Florence.
Expect to see historic lighthouses, shimmering waterfalls and groves of deep green spruce trees. Hike through wispy dune grass to pristine sandy beaches. Or walk the docks in fishing towns where commercial fleets haul in revered seafood like Oregon Dungeness crab. In Newport, you can enjoy the bounty of the sea while watching fishing vessels glide by.
On days when the mist dances between old growth forest and rocky headlands, the seascape seems downright magical. It’s like stepping into a Monet painting. Or when you walk the windswept shoreline and all you see ahead are crashing waves and beach dogs chasing surf. We all know there are too few places where time slows down, but the Oregon Coast is one of them. Here’s our guide to finding moments of bliss on your next getaway to the mid-coast.
What To Do
Awe and wonder are around every turn on Oregon’s Central Coast, even on the rainiest days. Our guide starts in Lincoln City, the northernmost town on this coastal stretch. In this artsy community, you can join Finders Keepers, a beloved scavenger hunt that combines beach walks with glass art.
Every year, over 3,000 hand-blown glass floats are hidden along seven miles of sandy beach, from Roads End on the north to Siletz Bay on the south. When you find one of these hidden treasures, you can register it and receive a Certificate of Authenticity and information about the artist who crafted your float. You can also learn the art of glass blowing with a class at Lincoln City Glass Center.
If you want to experience a wilder side of the area, plan a hike around Cascade Head, Oregon’s only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. You’ll find multiple out-and-back trails winding along the ocean’s edge and through beautiful old growth Sitka spruce forests. A short drive outside of town takes you to Drift Creek Falls, a 3-mile hike through Evergreens that leads to a stunning 75-foot waterfall and 240-foot suspension bridge.
Get your adventure on with Safari Town Surf Shop — the family-owned business rents surf boards, kayaks and fat tire bikes — and provides guided tours, too. Or check out Lincoln City’s Explorience program, a series of free events led by local experts that includes clamming at low tide, crabbing in Siletz Bay and learning about tide pools with a marine educator.
About ten miles south, you’ll find the world’s smallest (and quite striking) harbor in Depoe Bay. Also known as the “whale watching capital of the Oregon Coast,” you can often spy Gray Whales migrating on the horizon March through December. Swing by the town’s Whale Watch Center and scout from their large observation deck with other enthusiasts. The center provides binoculars for visitors and engaging displays packed with fascinating whale facts.
For more vitamin sea, continue down Highway 101 to Newport, home to one of the largest and most productive fishing fleets on the West Coast. After you walk the fishing docks and dine at restaurants, you’ll see why it’s also deemed the “Dungeness Crab Capital of the World.” For outdoor adventures, book a seasonal bayfront kayak tour or an educational sea life cruise with Marine Discovery Tours. Depending on the time of year, you might see harbor porpoises, seals or sea lions swimming through waves. Or stately pelicans and bald eagles swooping and soaring.
Spark wonder at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. One of Newport’s major attractions, it’s an exciting time to visit as many marine galleries and aquatic habitats recently reopened following a significant, multi-years renovation. Get up-close views of magnificent marine creatures from sunflower sea stars and sea urchins to a giant Pacific octopus named Bunsen. Other standout sections include the seabird aviary (one of the largest in North America) and a brand-new gallery dedicated to ethereal sea jellies.
You can get a sense of the town’s rich maritime history by walking the historic bayfront and seeking out over twenty sea-inspired murals (find the Bayfront Mural Tour guide online). Then visit the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, a beautiful space that celebrates history, art, commerce and scientific research that’s connected to the ocean. You’ll find a mix of permanent and rotating exhibits ranging from the art of seaweed to current research on ocean acoustics.
Make your way to Yachats for off-the-grid vibes. This sliver of a seaside village is known poetically as where the forest meets the sea. Hikers will delight in the trails that wind from town along the rocky coastline and through temperate rainforest. One of the most popular walks is the 804 Trail, an epically scenic 1.7 miles that covers sandy beaches, colorful tidepools and prime spots for whale watching. (The two most common species of whales spotted here are Gray Whales and Humpback Whales).
During peak season, look for volunteer-run interpretive stations at Yachats State Park and Smelt Sands. About two miles south of town, Cape Perpetua has the highest viewpoint accessible by car along the Oregon Coast. On clear days, it’s another top spot for whale watching. But even when the coastal fog drifts in, the forested headland has magnificent hiking with one trail that leads to a 500-year-old Sitka spruce.
Where To Stay
Along this stretch of silvery coast, you’ll find an abundance of cozy retreats, many with painterly ocean views. For a luxury stay, book one of seven suites at the Whale Cove Inn near Depoe Bay. Spacious and contemporary, each room has a gas fireplace, ocean views and private balcony with a luxe outdoor soaking tub.
In the heart of Depoe Bay’s town, the Channel House offers a mix of fifteen rooms and suites, some overlooking the ocean and featuring outdoor balcony soaking tubs. One of the area’s longstanding oceanfront resorts, the Inn at Spanish Head in Lincoln City offers a mix of one and two-bedroom suites, direct access to the beach and a popular pool and hot tub. Swim a little, walk a little, or just hang out.
Relax and refresh at the eco-friendly Salishan Coastal Lodge, a retreat surrounded by lush coastal rainforest. A mix of grand suites and lodge-style rooms, the overall vibe here is pure Northwest with heritage wood accents, stone hearths and comfy reading chairs. An ideal spot for active travelers, amenities include an aerial park, indoor swimming pool, tennis center and golf course. You can also ride cruiser bikes, join daily yoga sessions or unwind at their waterfront spa overlooking Siletz Bay.
For another restorative stay, book one of five staterooms on the Newport Belle, the coast’s only floating bed-and-breakfast. Located on the Yaquina River, this one-of-a-kind lodging is a 97-foot paddlewheel boat built in 1993. Bedecked with nautical decor, all rooms have harbor views — and the potential to spy spirited seals and seabirds like sleek cormorants. In addition to a scratch breakfast that changes daily, you can join the evening happy hour on the sundeck or by the wood stove in the snug salon area.
Since 1979, The Whaler has been one of Newport’s most beloved hotels and recently had a years-long renovation. The expanded and refreshed 102-room luxury property will open as The Allred Oceanview Hotel in early 2025 with a stately pool, fitness center and hot tub with an outdoor deck for sea salt breezes. Expect contemporary design and furnishings made from Oregon maple and other local hardwoods. An airy lobby bar will serve up small plates and local wines along with ocean views.
Further south in the tiny town of Yachats, the seascape takes on a wilder beauty. Soak it all up at the family-owned Overleaf Lodge & Spa. Set on rocky bluffs, the earthy lodge features a mix of oceanfront rooms and suites with poetic names (Restless Water, Whale Watcher, Spruce Needle) and some feature fireplaces and jetted tubs. Take advantage of the onsite spa with soaking tubs, steam and sauna rooms and signature services like massage and Reiki. Just steps from the lodge, you’ll find rocky coastal trails, tidepools and magical spouting horns.
Where To Indulge
The central coast’s vibrant culinary scene offers a mix of casual seaside cafes and fine dining destinations. Perched over crashing waves, Depoe Bay’s cliffside Restaurant Beck elevates locally farmed and foraged ingredients — think poached halibut with a fennel velouté sauce and Chinook salmon with matsutake mushroom dashi. A two-time James Beard Award semi-finalist, chef Justin Willis designs the menu around peak season ingredients.
For comfort seafood classics paired with craft beer, Pelican Brewing Company’s newest Lincoln City location can’t be beat. Overlooking Siletz Bay, the waterfront brewpub has two floors of seating and an expansive deck where you can sip golden ales while the salty wind ruffles your hair. Try their clam chowder bread bowl, standout Dungeness crab boil or wild-caught salmon drizzled with Hazestack orange beer sauce. Grab your favorite beer to-go.
Head to Newport, home to the state’s largest fishing fleet, and walk the docks before dining at Local Ocean. For the past two decades, this pioneering restaurant has made waves for their commitment to sourcing directly from local fishers and remains at the heart of the community. The in-house seafood market labels the name of the fishing vessel alongside the boat captain, providing a deeper connection to the people who haul in the daily catch. Signature dishes range from the roasted garlic and Dungeness crab soup to rockfish tacos and pink shrimp crostini. Bonus: Watch fishing vessels glide in and out of the harbor from the restaurant’s windows.
Another hotspot on the waterfront is the husband-and-wife owned Clearwater Restaurant, beloved for their luxurious Dungeness crab mac & cheese (truffle oil is the secret ingredient) and savory Dungeness crab dip. The restaurant’s patio overlooks floating docks that the resident sea lions call home — so you can hear their joyful chorus and watch them glide through the waves.
At the nearby Myril Eatery & Wine Bar, pair snacky bites like Dungeness crab hushpuppies and tempura maitake mushrooms with an extensive wine list and marina views. In Nye Beach, a walkable neighborhood in town, Zurita’s serves-up shareable tapas like crispy squid in chili aioli and tortilla de patatas.
In Yachats, do as the locals do and book a table at Ona Restaurant. Chef Michelle Korgan elevates the local catch with dishes like smoked salmon campanelle pasta sprinkled with trout roe and beer-battered halibut made with fish from the family-owned Chelsea Rose, a century-old fishing vessel that also sells direct to consumers.
Where To Shop
Along the Central Oregon Coast, you’ll find glass blown art in a kaleidoscope of colors from elegant vases to enigmatic jellyfish. In addition to glass art, Lincoln City is also a hub for antique stores from the family-run Nelscott House Antiques & Collectibles to the Little Antique Mall (which is actually the largest antique center on the coast) with over 80 dealers under one roof.
Stock up for your coastal adventures at Lincoln City Outlets, an outdoor shopping center with over 50 name brand stores from The North Face and Pendleton, to Nike and Columbia Sportswear. It’s the perfect stop for rain gear — and many of the stores are dog-friendly.
In the fishing village of Newport, family-owned businesses reign. Stroll the Historic Bayfront for creative shops and galleries, including Oceanic Arts, 101 LOCAL and Bayscapes Gallery and Coffeehouse that overlooks the high-spirited sea lion deck — the ebullient mammals are always camera-ready.
Newport’s Historic Nye Beach District is also packed with colorful storefronts and galleries. Don’t miss SJ Custom Jewelers for one-of-a-kind designs that range from necklaces with luminous gemstone pendants to rings bedecked with lucent Oregon sunstones.
Art collectors should stop by For Artsake Gallery for a curated selection of paintings in oil, watercolor and encaustic along with sculpture and pottery. Another supreme spot for local art is the Yaquina Art Gallery, where a portion of the proceeds fund scholarship programs and tuition-free art classes for the community.
The nearby idyllic town of Yachats is home to Earthworks Gallery, known for their works by Pacific Northwest artists in a range of ceramics, watercolor and pastel paintings. About twenty miles south, Old Town Florence has a bustling mix of boutiques and culinary shops. You can also hunt for maritime art and treasures at antique stores and galleries tucked into side streets.
