A road trip up the coast of Oregon
- 8 hours ago
- 4 min read
How does a girl from the New York City metro area—with zero ties to the Pacific Northwest—find herself road tripping up the Oregon Coast twice in a single decade?
The short answer: it’s a place of natural beauty that exceeds every expectation. It’s where the best of nature’s elements, the sprawling Pacific, forested mountain peaks, fleeting sunshine, and cozy, slow rainy mornings, converge into one landscape. And somehow, even during peak months, it feels like you have the whole place to yourself. For an East Coaster, it feels like stumbling onto a best kept secret. There is an undeniable, quiet magic here that makes you wonder how it isn't constantly overrun.
After our destination wedding in Colorado in September 2024, my husband and I were looking for a "mini-moon." We wanted something special but low-logistics, so we settled on a road trip. My husband’s alma mater, University of Michigan, was playing vs. University of Washington game in Seattle which inspired our PNW road trip. But by the time we reached the cliffs of Yachats, we realized this trip was going to be far too special for a "mini" title and it officially became our honeymoon.
Yachats
We flew into PDX and began our 3 hour journey in Yachats (pronounced YAH-hots).
We checked into The Drift Inn. It’s a quirky, local staple with themed rooms that feel like staying in your quirky friend's eclectic guest house. We called in a dinner order because we were arriving after the kitchen closed and they very kindly made it for us in to-go boxes and let us come in and grab it to bring to our room.
The next morning we had coffee at Dream Machine Coffee - funky, colorful store, and I have also been to Green Salmon Coffee Company but it wasn’t open this time. We went for a walk around the ocean and the park Yachats State Recreation Area
Just south lies Cape Perpetua, the highest point on the Oregon Coast. Geologically, this area has a ton to see. We stood over Thor's Well, a "gaping sinkhole" in the basalt that looks like it's draining the ocean, and watched the churning foam at Devil's Churn Viewpoint
Yachats has some pretty good food, even if it is very small!. Luna Sea Fish House serves some of the best Fish + Chips you’ll find.
Pacific City: Swanky Stays and King Tides
Driving north, we reached Pacific City, home to the "other" Haystack Rock (yes, there are two!).
The Stay: Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa was the undisputed highlight of our lodging. It’s one of the few truly "high-end" boutiques on the coast, and seeing the massive sea stack from your room is breathtaking. We treated ourselves to massages and a stellar dinner at Meridian.
We happened to visit during the "King Waves" phase—exceptionally high tides that occur when the moon is closest to the Earth. Watching these massive swells crash against the shore while sipping coffee from Stimulus Coffee + Bakery and breakfast at Ben and Jeff's Burgers and Tacos
If you have the legs for it, hike the Cape Kiwanda Sand Dune. It’s a steep, sandy climb, but the view from the top is miraculous and makes you feel like you’ve conquered a small, sandy mountain.
Wanting to get a more substantial hike in, we drove south to Cascade Head Preserve - Upper Trailhead (All trails link) and hiked for more beautiful coastal views.
We had a highlight lunch at Tidal Raves Seafood Grill -- delicious, with very pretty views of the ocean. There were a lot of antiques and thrift stores in Lincoln City, so I also stopped at the Goodwill in town before heading back to Pacific City.
We got a sunset drink and dinner at Pelican Brewing – Pacific City which has a perfect sunset view!
We were very sad to leave our high-end stay and beautiful view in Pacific City, but we hit the road again, chasing more of Oregon's coastline's stunning views. The drive itself continued to be a treat, leading us to breathtaking spots like the expansive Cape Lookout Viewpoint. Further along, we discovered the tranquil Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site , known for its unique sight of three iconic rocks rising from the water. We topped off our scenic detour with a visit to the historic Cape Meares Lighthouse, soaking in the dramatic, sweeping views before continuing our journey north.
Tillamook to Cannon Beach: Hikes and Heritage
Continuing north, we detoured through Tillamook, a town synonymous with Oregon’s dairy heritage.
Culture & Cheese: A stop at the Tillamook Creamery for a factory tour (and ice cream, obviously) is a rite of passage.
We tried to then go to a candy store in Manzanita - it was closed because it was Monday, but it looked like a super cute vacation town!
Short Beach was a total find. It requires a short hike down through a lush forest, opening up to a secluded cove popular with local surfers. It’s the ultimate spot for "dog watching" and soaking in the Pacific vibe.
Cannon Beach:
We ended our stay at the Surfsand Resort. Cannon Beach is arguably the most famous town on the coast, and for good reason. Walking out to Haystack Rock at low tide to spot bright orange and purple starfish in the tide pools is a core memory.
Astoria: A Vintage Finale
We finished our road trip in Astoria, the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. It has a gritty, Victorian charm that feels entirely different from the beach towns further south.
Thrifting: I’m a sucker for a good thrift, and Raintown Vintage Collective had a beautifully curated selection. I picked up an Oscar De La Renta button down for $48 and a leather jacket for around that same price
We grabbed lunch at Fort George Brewery, a perfect final spot to toast our Oregon "mini-moon" before crossing over into Washington state, and ended as the perfect honeymoon.
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