Oregon Coast Highway 101: Astoria to Brookings

Loading…

The route · 7 stops

1
Astoria
2 nights
Where the Columbia River meets the Pacific and the drive begins. Astoria is a working fishing town of steep Victorian streets, strong Lewis and Clark history, and a lively brewery scene. Climb the Astoria Column for the view over the river mouth, then visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum before turning south down the coast.
Where the Columbia River meets the Pacific and the drive begins. Astoria is a working fishing town of steep Victorian streets, strong Lewis and Clark history, and a lively brewery scene. Climb the Astoria Column for the view over the river mouth, then visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum before turning south down the coast.
Drive over the Astoria-Megler Bridge for the river view. Book a riverfront table early for fresh Dungeness crab in summer.
2
Cannon Beach
1 night40m · 42 km from previous
The Oregon coast's most photographed town, anchored by 235-foot Haystack Rock rising straight from the surf. At low tide the protected marine garden at its base fills with sea stars and anemones, and tufted puffins nest on the rock in summer. Just north, Ecola State Park has clifftop trails and wide views over nine miles of shoreline.
The Oregon coast's most photographed town, anchored by 235-foot Haystack Rock rising straight from the surf. At low tide the protected marine garden at its base fills with sea stars and anemones, and tufted puffins nest on the rock in summer. Just north, Ecola State Park has clifftop trails and wide views over nine miles of shoreline.
Check a tide table and visit Haystack Rock at low tide for the tide pools. Parking fills fast in summer, so arrive early or walk from town.
3
Newport
2 nights2h 30m · 185 km from previous
The central coast's hub, worth two nights. Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Oregon's tallest at 93 feet, crowns a basalt headland with tide pools below. The Oregon Coast Aquarium and the historic Nye Beach district fill an easy day, and Devil's Punchbowl, a collapsed sea cave that churns at high tide, sits a short drive north at Otter Rock.
The central coast's hub, worth two nights. Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Oregon's tallest at 93 feet, crowns a basalt headland with tide pools below. The Oregon Coast Aquarium and the historic Nye Beach district fill an easy day, and Devil's Punchbowl, a collapsed sea cave that churns at high tide, sits a short drive north at Otter Rock.
Yaquina Head charges a small per-vehicle fee. Arrive before mid-morning to walk down to the tide pools at low water, then eat on the bayfront.
4
Yachats
1 night35m · 40 km from previous
A tiny village beside the most dramatic stretch of the central coast. The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area packs in Thor's Well, Devils Churn and the Spouting Horn, all firing best as the tide pushes in. The cape's narrow summit road climbs to the highest viewpoint reachable by car on the Oregon coast, with views far out over the Pacific.
A tiny village beside the most dramatic stretch of the central coast. The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area packs in Thor's Well, Devils Churn and the Spouting Horn, all firing best as the tide pushes in. The cape's narrow summit road climbs to the highest viewpoint reachable by car on the Oregon coast, with views far out over the Pacific.
Time Thor's Well for about an hour before high tide for the biggest surges, but stay well back from wet rocks. The summit road is single-track.
5
Florence
1 night40m · 42 km from previous
Gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. Ride the dunes by ATV or walk the quieter forest-backed trails, then wander Old Town's restored waterfront on the Siuslaw River. Heceta Head Lighthouse and the Sea Lion Caves lie just to the north along the highway.
Gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. Ride the dunes by ATV or walk the quieter forest-backed trails, then wander Old Town's restored waterfront on the Siuslaw River. Heceta Head Lighthouse and the Sea Lion Caves lie just to the north along the highway.
Book a dune buggy or ATV tour ahead in summer. Stop at the Heceta Head viewpoint on the way in for one of the coast's classic lighthouse photos.
6
Bandon
2 nights1h 45m · 137 km from previous
The south coast's gem, worth two nights. Bandon's beach is a forest of sea stacks led by Face Rock, at its best in low evening light. Walk out to the Coquille River Lighthouse, and drive north to Shore Acres State Park at Cape Arago for cliff-top gardens and famous winter storm watching. Locals call this the Cranberry Capital of Oregon.
The south coast's gem, worth two nights. Bandon's beach is a forest of sea stacks led by Face Rock, at its best in low evening light. Walk out to the Coquille River Lighthouse, and drive north to Shore Acres State Park at Cape Arago for cliff-top gardens and famous winter storm watching. Locals call this the Cranberry Capital of Oregon.
Walk Bandon Beach at low tide to reach the sea stacks, then stay for sunset. Shore Acres is about 25 minutes north; check the garden's opening hours.
7
Brookings
1 night1h 45m · 137 km from previous
The warm southern finish, with the mildest climate on the coast. Brookings is the base for the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, twelve miles of arches, sea stacks and hidden coves including Natural Bridges and Arch Rock. Gold Beach and the salmon-rich Rogue River lie just to the north, an easy half-day detour before the drive ends.
The warm southern finish, with the mildest climate on the coast. Brookings is the base for the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, twelve miles of arches, sea stacks and hidden coves including Natural Bridges and Arch Rock. Gold Beach and the salmon-rich Rogue River lie just to the north, an easy half-day detour before the drive ends.
Drive the Boardman corridor north to south and stop at Natural Bridges and Arch Rock. The trails down to the coves are short but steep in places.

Route highlights

Viewpoint
Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach
A 235-foot sea stack rising directly from the beach, reachable on foot at low tide. Its base is a protected marine garden of sea stars and anemones, and tufted puffins nest on the rock through the summer. Do not climb the rock or disturb the wildlife; rangers are often on hand to help with the tide pools.
Viewpoint
Cape Perpetua and Thor's Well
The wildest stretch of the central coast, just south of Yachats. Thor's Well appears to drain the sea through a hole in the basalt, most dramatic on an incoming tide, while Devils Churn funnels waves into a narrow chasm. The cape's summit road climbs to the highest viewpoint you can reach by car on the Oregon coast.
Activity
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
The largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America, stretching roughly 40 miles between Florence and Coos Bay with dunes rising up to 500 feet. Explore by guided ATV or dune buggy for the thrills, or walk the quieter marked trails through dune, forest and estuary for the solitude.
Culture
Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport
Oregon's tallest lighthouse at 93 feet, standing on a basalt headland inside the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. Tour the lighthouse, watch for grey whales offshore in season, and time low tide to explore the cobble and tide-pool beach directly below the bluff.
Scenic Drive
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
Twelve miles of the south coast's finest scenery between Gold Beach and Brookings, with sea arches, offshore stacks and hidden coves linked by the Oregon Coast Trail. Natural Bridges and Arch Rock are the headline pull-outs; short, sometimes steep, side trails drop to viewpoints and beaches.
Culture
Astoria Column
A 125-foot tower on Coxcomb Hill, wrapped in a painted frieze of the region's history. Climb the 164 interior steps for a sweeping view over the mouth of the Columbia River, the Astoria-Megler Bridge and, on a clear day, the Pacific and the Coast Range.
Beach
Bandon Beach sea stacks
One of the most photogenic beaches on the entire Oregon coast, scattered with weathered sea stacks led by Face Rock. The walk along the sand at low tide is easy and rewarding, and the stacks light up beautifully at sunset. Storm watching in winter is spectacular from the bluff above.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Oregon Coast Highway 101: Astoria to Brookings route?

This route takes 10 days taking in 7 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Astoria, Oregon to Brookings, Oregon in Oregon, United States.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is June to September, quieter in mid-September.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

A car is the primary way to get around on this route.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Coastal, Nature, Classic road trip.

Are there any practical tips for this route?

Drive over the Astoria-Megler Bridge for the river view. Book a riverfront table early for fresh Dungeness crab in summer. Check a tide table and visit Haystack Rock at low tide for the tide pools. Parking fills fast in summer, so arrive early or walk from town. Yaquina Head charges a small per-vehicle fee. Arrive before mid-morning to walk down to the tide pools at low water, then eat on the bayfront. Time Thor's Well for about an hour before high tide for the biggest surges, but stay well back from wet rocks. The summit road is single-track. Book a dune buggy or ATV tour ahead in summer. Stop at the Heceta Head viewpoint on the way in for one of the coast's classic lighthouse photos. Walk Bandon Beach at low tide to reach the sea stacks, then stay for sunset. Shore Acres is about 25 minutes north; check the garden's opening hours. Drive the Boardman corridor north to south and stop at Natural Bridges and Arch Rock. The trails down to the coves are short but steep in places.

Oregon Coast Highway 101: Astoria to Brookings

The route · 7 stops

Astoria

Cannon Beach

Newport

Yachats

Florence

Bandon

Brookings

Route highlights

Photos & videos · 0

No photos yet

Add a photo or video

Frequently asked questions

Ratings & reviews

Comments · 0

No comments yet

Pacific Coast Highway: San Francisco to Los Angeles

Outer Banks Coastal Drive: Corolla to Ocracoke

Big Island Circle: Hawaiʻi's Volcanoes, Coast and Ranch Country

Oregon Coast Highway 101: Astoria to Brookings

The route · 7 stops

Astoria

Cannon Beach

Newport

Yachats

Florence

Bandon

Brookings

Route highlights

Photos & videos · 0

No photos yet

Frequently asked questions

Ratings & reviews

Comments · 0

No comments yet

You might also like

Pacific Coast Highway: San Francisco to Los Angeles

Outer Banks Coastal Drive: Corolla to Ocracoke

Big Island Circle: Hawaiʻi's Volcanoes, Coast and Ranch Country