North Oregon Coast

The North Oregon Coast runs from the mouth of the Columbia River south to Lincoln City, with sea stacks, forested headlands and small beach towns within two hours of Portland.

The North Oregon Coast stretches from Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia River, south through Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita and Tillamook to about Lincoln City. It is the most visited part of the coast because it is the closest to Portland. Astoria is the region's oldest city, with the Astoria Column and its views of the river and Pacific, the Columbia River Maritime Museum and the Astoria-Megler Bridge. Nearby Fort Clatsop, part of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, marks the expedition's winter camp. Cannon Beach is the signature stop: the 235-foot Haystack Rock rises from a wide beach with tide pools at low tide, and Ecola State Park just north offers dramatic viewpoints. Seaside is a classic family beach town with a long promenade. Oswald West State Park has surfing and forest trails at Short Sand Beach. South of Tillamook, famous for its dairy and the Tillamook Creamery, the Three Capes Scenic Route loops past Cape Meares, Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda at Pacific City. Gray whales pass from December to January and again in spring. The best weather is July through September, but storm watching in winter is a draw of its own. US-26 from Portland reaches Cannon Beach in under two hours, US-30 leads to Astoria, and US-101 links the towns. A car is the practical way to get around.