Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast is a Pacific shoreline road trip along US-101, with sea stacks, sand dunes and small fishing harbors.
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The Oregon Coast is the Pacific shoreline along the western edge of the state. US-101 follows it for about 360 miles, from the Columbia River near Astoria to the California border. Along the way you pass public beaches, headlands, tide pools and sea stacks, including Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. Inland from Florence, the Oregon Dunes stretch across sand you can walk and hike. Many towns on the route are small fishing ports, and their harbors are still working.
This trip suits drivers who want to go slowly, stop often and spend time on the sand. The coast is cool and often foggy, especially in early summer, so late spring to early fall is the most common time for beach days. Plan at least four or five days to cover the north, central and south sections without rushing, and add more time for headland hikes or inland side trips.
Oregon Coast in five
- Choose one stretch of coastAstoria and Cannon Beach suit a weekend from Portland, Newport and Yachats the central coast, and Bandon and Brookings the south. The whole coast is a week or more of driving, not a weekend.Northern Oregon Coast
- Know which parks need a parking permitOregon State Parks waives day-use fees at more than 150 parks, but some lots require a permit, available at fee machines, by QR code or online. A 12-month permit costs $75 for non-residents, and walkers and bus riders pay no parking fee.Oregon State Parks permits
- Check tides and surf before beach walksCheck a tide table before you walk to tide pools or around headlands, and never turn your back on the surf. Waves can run farther up the beach than expected and logs can move.
- Allow slack on US-101The highway has slow sections, fog and occasional closures, so check Oregon DOT's TripCheck before long stretches. Build in extra time between stops.
- Pair it with the Gorge or BendWaterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, or Bend's high-desert side, make a second leg after the coast. Both are a long day's drive from the coast.Bend
Things to do in Oregon Coast
See all attractions in Oregon Coast
Need to know
- Airport
- Portland (PDX) for the north; Eugene (EUG) for the central coast
- Getting there
- Drive; there is no rail line along the coast
- Getting around
- A car on US-101; towns are walkable once there
- Best base
- Cannon Beach, Newport or Florence, depending on your stretch
- Time needed
- 3 to 5 days for one stretch; 7 or more for the whole coast
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain20 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Storms, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 304 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storms, quiet
- FebruaryRain19 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Storms, quietFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 230 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storms, quiet
- MarchRain19 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Wet, whale watchMarchRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 227 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, whale watch
- AprilRain16 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°ShowersAprilRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 170 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Mild, springMayPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- JunePartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Dry spellsJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry spells
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Driest, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest, busy
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Driest, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Clear spellsSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear spells
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Fall rainOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 197 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall rain
- NovemberRain18 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Wet, stormsNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 312 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, storms
- DecemberRain20 rainy daysHigh10°Low6°Storms, quietDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 419 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storms, quiet
Average daily high and low in Newport, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Oregon Coast
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 78%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 6%
Oregon Coast
12:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°7°6%Monday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Tue14°7°7%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Wed14°6°72%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 72%.
- Thu14°7°36%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 36%.
- Fri13°9°40%Friday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 40%.
- Sat19°10°28%Saturday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 28%.
Updated 08:58 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Northern Oregon Coastabout 1.5 to 2 hours from PortlandCannon Beach, Haystack Rock and Astoria, the easiest weekend stretch.Read the guide
- Bendabout 3 to 4 hours inland by carA high-desert city for craft beer and river walks, reached across the Cascades.Read the guide
- Columbia River Gorgeabout 3 to 4 hours from the central coastWaterfalls and a historic highway, best as a stop on the way to Portland.Read the guide
Before you go to Oregon Coast
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Rules for Oregon Coast, checked
- A 12-month Oregon State Parks permit costs $75 for non-residents and $60 for residents; a daily permit costs $12 or $10 where one is required.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Oregon Coast
Cannon Beach, Astoria and Seaside
Read the guideColumbia River GorgeGorge falls east of Portland
Read the guideBendHigh-desert city for a second leg
Read the guideNorth Coast and RedwoodsKeep going south into California
Read the guideGetting around the USARental cars and one-way fees
Read the guideAll of the USAStates, parks and cities in one planning hub
Read the guideOregon Coast FAQ
How long is the Oregon Coast drive?
US-101 runs for hundreds of miles along the Oregon coast, from the Columbia River to the California line. Allow a week or more to drive it all, or pick one stretch for a weekend.
Are Oregon beaches free to access?
Oregon's ocean beaches are open to the public, but some state park parking lots require a day-use permit. Check Oregon State Parks for which lots charge and for current closures before you go.
How many days do you need on the Oregon Coast?
Three days covers one stretch in depth, and five days lets you add a second. A full coast drive from Astoria to Brookings is about a week with stops.
What is the best part of the Oregon Coast?
Cannon Beach and the north for an easy weekend, Newport and Yachats for the central coast's harbors and tide pools, and Bandon for the south's sea stacks. Pick by drive time from your gateway.
When is the best time to visit the Oregon Coast?
July to September is the driest and busiest. May, June and early October are quieter, with mixed weather. Winter brings storm-watching, and heavy rain can close some roads.