Oregon Coast road trip: Astoria to the Wild South

Explore the 363-mile Oregon Coast from Astoria to the southern headlands via Highway 101. This iconic Pacific Northwest route passes through dramatic basalt formations, historic sites, and protected beaches that are uniquely open to the public.

Mode
Places
Start
Cannon Beach & Haystack Rock
End
Astoria Column
Stops
12
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Cannon Beach & Haystack Rock — Iconic 235-foot sea stack rising from a sandy beach, surrounded by tide pools and dramatic coastal scenery that defines Oregon's northern shore.
  2. The Three Capes — Scenic loop featuring three rugged headlands with windswept forests, sea cliffs, and viewpoints showcasing the Pacific Northwest's raw coastal beauty.
  3. Depoe Bay - Whale Watching Capital — World's smallest navigable harbor offering year-round gray whale viewing opportunities and a charming seaside village atmosphere.
  4. Cape Perpetua — Forested headland towering over 800 feet above the ocean near Yachats, representing the highest viewpoint and most monumental stretch of the coast.
  5. Oregon Dunes
  6. Bandon & The Wild South — Picturesque coastal town featuring dramatic offshore rock formations, sea caves, and golden-sand beaches along Oregon's rugged southern coast.
  7. Samuel H. Boardman Corridor — Spectacular 12-mile stretch of protected coastline with towering sea cliffs, natural arches, and secluded coves offering unparalleled scenic beauty.
  8. Astoria — Oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains, founded in 1811 at the mouth of the Columbia River where it meets the Pacific Ocean.
  9. Fort Clatsop — Historic reconstruction of the winter fort built by Lewis and Clark in 1805-1806 during their expedition across the continent to the Pacific.
  10. Fort Stevens — Historic military site on the beach where the skeleton of the Peter Iredale shipwreck, wrecked in 1906, still rises from the sand.
  11. Peter Iredale — Rusted iron skeleton of a sailing ship that ran aground in 1906, now one of the most photographed shipwrecks in America.
  12. Astoria Column — Historic tower wrapped in spiraling murals depicting regional history; 164 steps lead to panoramic views of the Columbia River mouth.

Useful for your trip

Tip
All 363 miles of Oregon Coast beaches are public and protected forever. Access is free and open to everyone.
Timing
Visit Haystack Rock at low tide to walk right up to its base across wet sand and explore tide pools.
Timing
See tufted puffins at Haystack Rock around April when they arrive to dig burrows and raise chicks through summer.
Transport
Take the Three Capes Scenic Loop, a winding detour between Tillamook and Pacific City, for dramatic coastal views off Highway 101.
Food
Stop in Tillamook to watch cheese being made at the creamery (producing over 1 million pounds weekly) and taste locally-loved ice cream.
Timing
Gray whales migrate past December through spring, but around 200 resident whales linger offshore spring through autumn near Depoe Bay.
Save money
Visit the free whale watching center at Depoe Bay's bluff where trained volunteers help spot whale spouts and tails offshore.
Tip
Fort Clatsop near Astoria is a reconstruction of the Lewis and Clark expedition's winter fort from 1805-1806.
Avoid
Never turn your back on the sea at Thor's Well and Cape Perpetua. Rocks are slick with spray and waves are powerful enough to sweep people down.
Timing
Visit Thor's Well and Devil's Churn at high tide during storms for the most dramatic water eruptions and waves.
Tip
Haystack Rock has appeared in films since the 1980s, most famously in 'The Goonies,' and is the most photographed rock on the West Coast.
Transport
Climb the 164 steps of Astoria Column on a clear day to see the entire Columbia River mouth where river, ocean, and forest meet.

Video on this route

OREGON COAST: America's Wildest Shoreline | 4K Travel Documentary

More routes nearby

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