This Adventure-Filled Oregon Road Trip Will Take You To 8 Little Known And Unforgettable Destinations
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Sarah McCosham
Author
Life really is about the journey — not the destination. And nowhere is this more evident than along Highway 101 in Oregon. This coastal route cruises through California, Oregon, and Washington, offering not only spectacular sights but also unsurpassed opportunities for off-road adventures. This is especially true in Oregon, where Highway 101 spans the length of the eponymous Oregon Coast: 363 miles of pure, PNW splendor. Sea stacks and tide pools, verdant green foliage and black basalt cliffs, lighthouses, and sand dunes — this is the Oregon Coast, and Highway 101 isn’t just one of the best scenic drives in the USA, it’s also the perfect place to have an epic adventure, both on and off-road.
Here is a Google Maps link to the itinerary that will serve as your navigator for this thrilling adventure.
The highway is 790 miles long, and while it's all absolutely beautiful, the 363-mile stretch of road in Oregon is on a whole other level.
The Oregon Coast is divided into three regions -- the North Coast, Central Coast, and South Coast -- and you'll find a variety of distinct landforms along its shoreline, including rocky cliffs, waterfalls, and sea stacks. This 4.5-hour road trip explores all three regions.
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Tillamook Creamery, 4165 N Hwy 101, Tillamook, OR 97141, USA
When in Tillamook, Oregon, the only real option is a stop at the iconic Tillamook Creamery! Grab a cone, some cheese curds, or a milkshake, and hit the road!
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Cape Lookout State Park, 13000 Whiskey Creek Rd, Tillamook, OR 97141, USA
Cape Lookout's beaches are sublime, so sit back and soak up the views as you cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway.
Cape Kiwanda, Pacific City, OR 97112, USA
This beach town is located beneath the large headland of Oregon's Cape Kiwanda and offers unrivaled views of some of the most notable landmarks in the Pacific Northwest. Get out and take in the views from Cape Kiwanda -- they will take your breath away!
Pacific City, OR, USA
Yes -- you can surf in Oregon; Pacific City has some of the best waves in the PNW! Sandy beaches, startling blue waters, perfect panoramas, and powerful surf make Pacific City a dream of a place for water lovers.
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Oregon Hang Gliding School, 922 NW Circle Blvd UNIT 160, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
The only actively teaching hang gliding school in the state, Oregon Hang Gliding School makes the dream of flying a reality, and is open to kids, seniors, and even pets! Flying above the Oregon Coast is something that absolutely needs to be on your bucket list.
Mo's Seafood & Chowder (Original in Newport), 622 SW Bay Blvd., Newport, OR 97365, USA
Here in Oregon, we are lucky to have access to an abundance of fresh, flavorful seafood. Wild salmon, Albacore tuna, Dungeness crab, shrimp, oysters, and rockfish — you’ll find a bounty of amazing catches along the Oregon Coast. And for the *best* clam chowder of your life, there's only one option: Mo's. This sea shack is a cult favorite in Oregon.
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Heceta Head Lighthouse, US-101, Florence, OR 97439, USA
This historic lighthouse sits high on a cliff, 205 feet above the shore. You'll find it halfway between Yachats and Florence. The iconic lighthouse and its light keeper's house were built in 1894 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Today, it's a PNW icon and the most photographed lighthouse in the country! Stop and join the legions of admirers who have stood and marveled at this Oregon Coast treasure.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, 855 US-101, Reedsport, OR 97467, USA
The Oregon Dunes Recreational Area spans 40 miles along the coast and is a place of sublime beauty. These dunes were created more than 100,000 years ago by wind and water, and have served as inspiration for sci-fi writers and movie directors alike. Get out and wander through these stunning sand dunes; immerse yourself in this otherworldly land.
Tenmile Creek Road, Tenmile Creek Rd, Oregon 97439, USA
Located in Oregon's breathtaking Siuslaw National Forest, the Ten Mile OHV Trail is 2.8 miles long and features loose, sandy terrain. It begins at Spinreel OHV Staging Area and ends at the beach. The trail is open to all off-highway vehicle classes and offers an unrivaled experience of Oregon's coastal forests. All you need to do is jump in your Nissan Armada, and let your wanderlust lead the way.
And here in Oregon, the journey is always, always extraordinary.
Amazing adventures await here in Oregon. Hop in your car, and prepare for an unforgettable road trip along the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway.
For more road trip adventures to add to your bucket list, be sure to check out these 23 amazing roadside attractions in the U.S.
Featured Addresses
Oregon Coast Highway, Oregon Coast Hwy, Florence, OR, USA