Best Beaches in Oregon

The best beaches in Oregon are not just popular with locals. They’re also a destination for travelers who come from all over the world to experience the state’s natural beauty in person. You can find these beaches in every region of the state, but they vary in terrain and scenery, so it’s worth exploring at least one beach from each section before you make up your mind about which is your favorite. Here are some of our favorites.

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is a city in Tillamook County, Oregon with a population of 3,815. Cannon Beach lies between Manzanita and Ecola State Park on the Pacific Coast. The city was named for an offshore rock called Cannon Rock by Captain George Vancouver in 1792. It is the most popular beach in northwest Oregon, with summer visitation exceeding 2 million. This popularity is due to its spectacular views of Haystack Rock, Ecola Point, and Tillamook Head along with its convenient access via U.S. Route 101. The city itself contains numerous shops, galleries, hotels, restaurants, and overnight accommodations. This beach is frequently voted as one of America’s most beautiful beaches.

Depoe Bay

Another popular Oregon destination is when whales pass through during their migration in late winter through early spring which draws lots of visitors from all over the world to watch these awe-inspiring creatures in their natural habitat. Visitors can also do other things like go surfing or enjoy a different kind of marine life in aquariums along with visiting several shops and restaurants in this town.

Bandon Beach

Located just south of Coos Bay on Highway 101 sits Bandon which has been known as one of the best places to catch salmon spawning because its landscape provides a safe habitat for salmon as well as steelhead trout so if fishing is your thing then you must visit here in late fall when both of these fish are running. Another great thing about Bandon is that it has lots to offer visitors not just the beach but also shopping opportunities, restaurants and other activities like hiking or exploring tide pools.

Pacific City Beach

Pacific City Beach is located in Pacific City and has plenty of sand, but it also has rocky tide pools that provide an amazing opportunity to explore marine life without getting wet! This beach offers views of Chief Kiawanda Rock, more commonly known as Haystack Rock, which is a large sea stack and is visible from just about anywhere on the beach. After going to the beach, you can explore the main trails in Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area.

Yachats

Located right on the Pacific Ocean, this beach town has some truly spectacular views of lush green hills that are peppered with evergreens. The beaches in Yachats have an abundance of tide pools filled with crabs and starfish. It’s one of the most popular beaches on Oregon’s central coast, so expect crowds on nice days. You can escape them by hiking up nearby trails or exploring some on your own – just make sure you know what you’re doing first! Being on a rocky coastline means that there are plenty of crevices for you to fall into.

Rockaway Beach

Sometimes called the “Surf Capitol of the West,” this beach has some amazing waves that attract surfers from all over the country! The water is also deep enough here for scuba diving and snorkeling since it’s only five feet at its deepest point. This is a good place to go if you want to try something new without getting too far out of your depth. Be sure to check local weather conditions before you head out, though, because swimming in cold currents is never a good idea no matter how skilled a swimmer you are!

Seaside Beach

This is a great place for families because it has a large shallow area that’s perfect for kids. Since there are so many waves, this area also attracts some pretty interesting characters from the world of surfing! Although it’s got a lot of sand, Seaside Beach gets very crowded on warm summer days. If you want to avoid the beach due to weather or because it is too crowded, take the family over to the nearby Seaside Aquarium where you can see seals and underwater exhibits.

Oswald West State Park

On the northern coast of Oregon, this beach is a popular destination among hikers and campers who enjoy spending their summers in more isolated areas. It’s not as safe as other beaches  because the terrain isn’t as easy to navigate, so you have to be careful if you don’t want to get lost. However, with a little bit of preparation and patience, it’s definitely worth exploring!

Bob Straub State Park

This beach has some of the best views on the entire coast! It’s also one of the safest beaches to swim at because it’s protected by offshore rocks. These rocks break up any waves before they can get too big, so you don’t have to worry about getting swept away while you’re enjoying a relaxing day out in the water. If you like exploring, make sure you check out all of the tide pools around here. There are hundreds of them, and most of them are filled with crabs and starfish seeking refuge from predators.

Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area

The Oregon Dunes are huge! They stretch for miles across Oregon’s coastline, and the sand is piled high enough that you could nearly walk up it without even noticing. This is a good place for off-roading because it has plenty of trails that wind through this man-made forestland. You can also go swimming here because there are many safe areas where you can step down into the water instead of having to scale rocks or hike all the way down to the shoreline.

Winchester Bay

This beach gets its name from being right near one of Oregon’s oldest towns, so expect some old-fashioned charm while you’re walking around! There are tons of artsy gift shops in this area if you want to pick up some souvenirs or just window shop for fun. The charter fishing industry in Winchester Bay is famous all around the country, so this is a great place to see if you want to catch something big.

Floras Lake State Natural Area

This beautiful spot can be found along the Oregon coast outside the town of Denmark, OR. The rugged beaches are surround by tall cliffs and a beautiful forest, making this a secluded beach destination. If you plan to visit here, be sure to check out some of the trails leading through the forest or along streams that feed into Floras Lake!