Whether you explore the Central Coast of Oregon for a day, a week, or more — you're bound to have a good time. With miles of picturesque beaches, towering fir forests, and culture hubs, find unexpected adventures and delightful curiosities throughout. Begin in Lincoln City, an exciting coastal town comprised of seven Historic Districts, and from there, explore neighboring northern and southern townships. Pack your kite, sand toys, and walking shoes for a family-friendly trip.
Hide and Seek
Start your journey with the northernmost district of Lincoln City. Hike Roads End State Recreation Area in Roads End and discover flat, sandy beaches, and sweeping views and tide pools filled with sea anemones, sea urchins, hermit crabs, and darting fish throughout. At low tide, a hidden beach is revealed, but keep your eye on the rising tide! For another great hiking destination, check out the The Knoll to enjoy sweeping views Lincoln City and the Pacific Ocean.
The next stop is Wecoma, home to the Connie Hansen Garden. The garden includes hundreds of rhododendrons as well as a wide variety of other native flora. Stroll the garden yourself, or take a guided tour. Stop at the gift shop to view founder Connie Hansen’s garden journals and learn the secrets of her gardening success. Afterwards, browse the Little Antique Mall or go to the beach, there is access here.
Eat, Drink, and Play
Oceanlake is known for its downtown vibe. Grab some saltwater taffy at Candyland, one of the best candy shops on the Central Oregon Coast. For something heartier, stop by Barnacle Bill’s for smoked wild Chinook salmon, crab, oysters, and seasonal fresh seafood. Next, catch a film at the Bijou Theatre, built in 1937, where you can sip wine or beer as you enjoy the show.
Don’t miss Delake for a view of the shortest river in the world. At just 440 feet, the D River stretches from Devil’s Lake to the Pacific. The D River Wayside offers beach access and stunning sunset views. Fly a kite or build a sand castle on the flat, wide beach.
Continue south to Nelscott, home of Dory Cove. This family restaurant serves up clam chowder, fish and chips, and American fare seven days a week. After your meal, head over to Black Squid Beer House for an Oregon craft beer, mead, or kombucha.
Discover Something New
In Taft, pay a visit to the globally renowned Lincoln City Glass Center to view local artisans crafting colorful creations, or try glassblowing yourself. And afterward, don’t miss dining at the Otis Cafe. The newly opened local favorite serves up the best breakfast in town.
At the southern end of town, Cutler City is home to Streetcar Village, a unique assortment of antique stores and collectible shops. Find everything from art deco to antique apothecary treasures to remember your trip.
Slow Down and Unwind Just twelve miles north of Lincoln city is Neskowin, a tiny town nestled between the forests of the coast range and wide, sandy beaches. At low tide, Ghost Forest can be seen. Take in these stump remains of one hundred ancient Sitka spruce that emerge from the ocean, preserved in time. Between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays, stop in at the Neskowin Farmers Market to find local art, produce, and gifts. Before you head to the beach, find everything you need for the day at Neskowin Trading Company. From freshly prepared deli sandwiches to wine and cheese, this is the place to stock up for an ocean side feast.
Gear Up for Adventure Continue up the coast to Pacific City, known for surfing, hiking, and fantastic food. Hike to the top of a sand dune at Cape Kiwanda for spectacular ocean views. Enjoy breakfast or lunch at Grateful Bread Bakery, where fresh-baked goods and lots of tie-dye can be found. For local craft brews and American fare, stop in at the Pelican Pub and Brewery. Sip your beer on the beachside deck with a view of Haystack Rock, or order takeout and packaged beer to enjoy on the sand. Hang ten near Haystack Rock, where the waves form unique curls that make for excellent surfing. Visit in September for the Cape Kiwanda Longboard Classic two-day event. For adventure on land, lace up your hiking books and set out for the Sitka Sedge State Natural Area. Trails of varying difficulty wind through forests of Sitka spruce and Western Hemlock and along tidal flats offering panoramic views.
Head Back in Time
From Pacific City, drive twenty-five miles north to Tillamook, a town full of history. At the Tillamook Air Museum, explore the 1,072 foot long blimp hangar built in 1942 that now houses a collection of historic aircraft. Interaction with exhibits is encouraged, so go ahead and try out the cockpit of a World War II era plane. Next, visit the Tillamook Creamery, a farmer-owned cooperative since 1909. Take a self-guided tour of the facility, sample cheese, and have lunch, complete with ice cream straight from the source. End your day at deGarde Brewery and Taproom. Crafted using historic methods, deGarde’s sour beers are known world-wide. Tastings are available daily, and minors are admitted on the patio.
Whale-Watchers' Paradise
Eight miles south of Lincoln City sits Depoe Bay perched atop dramatic cliffs. Along the sea wall overlooking the Pacific is the Whale Watching Center, where migrating whales pass by twice a year and a resident gray whale pod lives year-round. Staff provide information and binoculars to enhance your viewing. For a closer view, charter a boat to take you out among the sea life. Enjoy dinner at one of the best places to eat on the coast, Tidal Raves, offering fine dining with an unparalleled view. Finally, spend some time learning about marine animals at the Whale, Sealife and Shark Museum. Examine taxidermied sharks and birds, play I Spy in the tropical exhibit, and view photographs and artwork of whales, seals, and sea lions.
Biology and Brews
Continue south to Newport, with its working waterfront and iconic Yaquina Bay Bridge. Start at the Oregon Coast Aquarium and meet sea otters, jellyfish, sharks, a giant octopus, and more. Participate in a Behind the Scenes Tour to touch a moon jelly and giant octopus. Learn about the geological history of Oregon at the Cruisin’ the Fossil Coastline exhibit, which includes life-sized models and fossils of prehistoric creatures. Follow your museum tour with a stop at Rogue Ales Brewery for lunch or dinner and taste a few of the forty brews on tap, including specialty brews not available elsewhere. Complete your trip with a stop at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. Explore interactive exhibits including the Tidepool Touch Tank, Tsunami Wave Tank, and Augmented Reality Sandbox, where you can play with a VC sandbox to shift and shape landscapes. Walk the adjacent Yaquina Estuary Trail to view Oregon flora and fauna in the wild.
Unique Finds End your trip in Yachats with artwork, lighthouses, and sea lions. Head to the Greenhouse Marketplace, a collection of artist-owned galleries and browse paintings, photography, jewelry, and ceramics. Make your way to the Heceta Head Lighthouse, the strongest light on the Oregon coast. This lighthouse boasts a fifty-six foot tower and is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the coast. Hike the seven-mile Heceta Lighthouse Trail, or take a lighthouse tour. Continue to the Sea Lion Caves, America’s largest sea cave, and home to hundreds of sea lions. View the cave, examine the bones of a Stellar sea lion, and take your picture with the life-sized bronze statue of a sea lion family to remember your trip.
From dining to kite flying, museums to antique malls, Oregon’s central coast provides fun things to do for the entire family.
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