Oregon is, in my view, one of many prettiest states within the US. You have received the waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge within the north, the unimaginable Crater Lake within the south, the colourful Painted Hills within the east, the award-winning vineyards within the Willamette Valley within the middle, and naturally the long-lasting Oregon Coast to the west.
And whereas summer season is the most well-liked time to journey the Oregon Coast (take a look at my full Oregon road trip itinerary), I am right here to advocate for contemplating a visit within the winter, too.
What’s the Oregon Coast?
The Oregon Coast stretches for 362 miles (583 kilometers) from the Columbia River within the north to the California state border within the south. The coast is thought for the whole lot from charming coastal cities to dramatic headlands to broad Pacific seashores. It is undoubtedly probably the most stunning elements of america.
The Oregon Coast is split into three common areas:
- North Coast – From the Columbia River to Cascade Head, the North Coast is most identified for its seashores, and cities like Seaside and Cannon Seaside.
- Central Coast – From Cascade Head to Reedsport, the Central Coast is most identified for sea cliffs and bays, and cities like Lincoln Metropolis, Depoe Bay, Newport, and Yachats.
- South Coast – From Reedsport to the California border, the South Coast is most identified for extra rugged sea cliffs and sand dunes, and cities like Reedsport, Coos Bay (the biggest metropolis on the coast), and Brookings.
And whilst you CAN technically drive all the coast (principally alongside Freeway 101) in simply sooner or later, I like to recommend permitting no less than 3 days (at minimal!) to totally discover the Oregon Coast.
Enjoyable truth: Because of the Oregon Seaside Invoice of 1967, entry to all of Oregon’s coast and seashores is free to all, all day every single day!
Winter on the Oregon Coast
Why go to the Oregon Coast in winter? Properly, I can consider a number of causes!
- It is low season, and I really like low season journey! Sure, some issues shut down on the coast within the winter, however you may nonetheless go to all the primary highlights – and certain have some of all of them to your self!
- It does not get THAT chilly. Winters on the Oregon Coast are delicate, with excessive temps often within the 40s-50s (F). Sure, you will need to pack cozy layers, however you will not be battling snowstorms.
- The DRAMA. Oregon’s dramatic shoreline is formed by the sturdy storms and tides that come through the winter months.
- It is whale season! Gray whales migrate alongside the Oregon Coast from December-March, and there is a good probability you would see some.
Plus, I am general only a large fan of visiting locations at instances or in ways in which the common individual possibly does not think about.
I took my very own journey to the Oregon Coast over New Yr’s, and whereas the climate was gray and chilly, the dearth of crowds and wealth of distinctive winter experiences greater than made up for it.
Issues to do on the Oregon Coast in winter
The Oregon Coast is plagued by seaside cities, state parks, and seashores to go to. However I need to give attention to some distinctive issues you are able to do (and in some instances *solely* do) through the winter months.
1. Watch storms roll in from a comfy spot
The winter storms that batter and form the Oregon Coast are legendary – folks actually journey right here simply to look at them. The stormiest months are often November-February, and so they can typically additionally coincide with King Tides, that are exceptionally excessive tides that make the waves much more dramatic.
And whilst you *can* watch storms safely from seashores and a number of other state parks (Shore Acres State Park close to Coos Bay is very standard), I might additionally recommend reserving a resort or trip rental with an ocean view (and possibly a hearth!) so you may cozy up and watch Mom Nature’s present from indoors.
Some accommodations with ocean-view rooms you may keep for good storm-watching embody:
- North Coast oceanfront accommodations – Lanai at the Cove in Seaside, The Seashore Inn in Seaside, The Ocean Lodge in Cannon Seaside, Schooner’s Cove Inn in Cannon Seaside, the Hallmark Resort & Spa in Cannon Seaside, Ocean Inn in Manzanita
- Central Coast oceanfront accommodations – Shearwater Inn in Lincoln Metropolis, The Coho Oceanfront Lodge in Lincoln Metropolis, Pelican Shores Inn in Lincoln Metropolis, Whale Cove Inn in Depoe Bay, Surfrider Resort in Depoe Bay, Inn at Arch Rock in Depoe Bay, Inn at Nye Beach in Newport, Elizabeth Oceanfront Suites in Newport, Overleaf Lodge & Spa in Yachats, Fireside Motel in Yachats
- South Coast oceanfront accommodations – Windermere on the Beach in Bandon, Beachfront Inn in Brookings
We stayed in a trip rental at The Waves Cannon Beach, which was tremendous cozy with a hearth and ocean views. If I had been to do one other winter journey, I might do a pair nights in Cannon Seaside, and a pair nights additional down the coast (maybe in Newport or Yachats).
2. Try film historical past in Astoria
Not removed from the Washington state border, the city of Astoria is located on the mouth of the Columbia River. Astoria is the oldest city in Oregon – and in addition the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains!
Fishing and logging was the spine of Astoria, however today tourism performs an even bigger function. Folks come to see the Victorian-era houses, go to the Columbia River Maritime Museum, and hint some well-known film historical past.
Simply a few the notable films which were filmed in and round Astoria embody “The Goonies,” “Kindergarten Cop,” and “Free Willy.” (June seventh is definitely an official vacation in Astoria known as Goonies Day!) Undoubtedly make a go to to the Oregon Film Museum (situated within the historic Clatsop County Jail, which has itself been a filming location) to see props and study a bit about how film magic is made.
It is not a big museum, nevertheless it’s price an hour of your time.
3. See the views at Ecola State Park
Talking of “The Goonies” and funky filming places, Ecola State Park simply north of Cannon Seaside is one other spot price visiting. Not solely had been elements of The Goonies filmed right here, however the park presents up a few of the greatest coastal views on this a part of Oregon.
Cease on the Ecola Level Viewpoint to see sweeping views in the direction of Cannon Seaside, and both stroll or drive to Indian Seaside for a PNW seaside expertise. You’ll be able to stroll right down to the driftwood-strewn seaside right here – although look ahead to sneaker waves and by no means flip your again on the ocean.
4. Go tide-pooling round Haystack Rock
Cannon Seaside through the summer season months is a bustling little seaside group full of taffy outlets and ice cream parlors. However within the winter, it transforms right into a quiet city good for a coastal getaway. It is also house to a few of the greatest tidepooling on the Oregon Coast!
Tide swimming pools type on seashores and round rock formations at low tide, when the retreating ocean leaves behind shallow swimming pools by which issues like sea stars, anemones, mussels, and different sea creatures might be noticed.
The realm across the well-known Haystack Rock is a great spot to go tidepooling. And, since you will positively need to see this iconic rock formation throughout your time alongside the Oregon Coast, it’s possible you’ll as properly kill two birds with one stone!
For the very best tidepooling expertise, you should definitely double examine the tide instances (you may solely do that round low tide!), placed on waterproof boots (and maybe a raincoat, too), and get out and discover. Simply you should definitely watch out the place you step, and do not take away any sea life*.
*The exception is when you’re excited by harvesting issues like mussels or clams to eat. That IS allowed, as long as you could have the right shellfish license (more info here).
5. Take a tour at Tillamook Creamery
Run into actually unhealthy climate on the coast and need to search shelter inside for some time? A enjoyable factor to do barely inland is to take a (FREE!) tour on the Tillamook Creamery.
The self-guided tour provides you with perception into how Tillamook makes its scrumptious cheese, and you may strive all types of dairy delights within the hooked up Eating Corridor. (The triple cheese mac is SO good, as is their ice cream.)
6. Hunt for agates at Tunnel Seaside
Oregon’s seashores are referred to as being wonderful locations for novice geologists to hunt for agate rocks. Agate is a typical semiprecious silica mineral or gemstone that is available in quite a lot of patterns and colours. And in Oregon, there are a number of seashores the place you might be allowed to hunt for agates and take them house!
One such spot is a novel and semi-hidden seaside known as Tunnel Seaside. To succeed in this seaside, it’s essential stroll to the northern finish of Oceanside Seaside within the city of Oceanside. There, you will discover a small man-made tunnel by means of the rock that was initially blasted by means of in 1926.
In the event you comply with this tunnel*, you will end up on the aptly named Tunnel Seaside. This seaside is sweet for each agate searching and tidepooling, and presents wonderful views of some offshore rock formations.
Carry a bucket or bag, and completely happy rock searching! (Simply know that, legally, you are solely allowed to take away 25 kilos of rocks per day from any Oregon pure areas.)
*Simply beware that you simply traverse this tunnel at your personal danger. Low tide is the very best time to go, however even you then’ll need waterproof sneakers and a few supply of sunshine for the darkest a part of the tunnel.
7. Go whale watching in Depoe Bay
Despite the fact that there are literally some whales that decision the waters alongside the Central Coast house all through the summer season and fall, it is winter that’s the spotlight for whale watching. Every year, the the Oregon Coast is alongside the migratory path of tens of hundreds of gray whales who migrate from Alaska to Mexico and again.
There are two official “Whale Watch Weeks” (one in late December, when the whales are migrating south to Mexico, and one other in late March once they’re migrating again north to Alaska) the place volunteers are stationed at 20+ nice whale watching websites alongside the coast to assist folks spot these marine giants. (Yow will discover extra data about these weeks here.)
Depoe Bay is mostly among the finest spots for gray whale-spotting, and is house to the Whale Watching Middle, which is run by Oregon State Parks.
And whilst you do not HAVE to get out on the water with the intention to spot whales right here, you can even e book numerous whale watching excursions with corporations like Dockside Charters, Tradewinds Charters, and Whale’s Tail Charters.
8. Go to the Oregon Coast Aquarium
This aquarium on Yaquina Bay in Newport is probably most well-known for at one time being house to Keiko, the orca who starred within the film “Free Willy.” Right this moment, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is considered among the finest in america (and now not retains giant marine mammals like whales in captivity).
You’ll be able to go to to see creatures starting from sea otters and harbor seals to puffins to sharks. Reveals focus totally on sealife yow will discover off the Oregon Coast, together with underwater tunnels within the Passages of the Deep exhibit (my favourite!).
9. Cease at Cape Perpetua
There are 20+ state parks alongside the Oregon Coast, and extra designated scenic areas. One which’s particularly price visiting is Cape Perpetua, simply south of Yachats. Cape Perpetua has the very best viewpoint (800 ft above the ocean!) accessible by automobile alongside the Oregon Coast, which might be reached by way of a brief strolling path – known as Amanda’s Loop!
There are additionally a number of different pure points of interest price visiting close by. Some cool rock formations that waves drive themselves into and thru in cool methods embody Satan’s Churn, Spouting Horn, and Thor’s Properly.
10. Go clamming (or simply eat clam chowder)
As I discussed above when speaking about tidepooling at Cannon Seaside, anybody is allowed to “hunt” for mussels, clams, crabs, and different edible sealife with a shellfish license. The winter months are a quieter time for clamming, however typically all the coast is truthful recreation for digging up razor clams and harvesting several types of crabs.
(The bigger bays like Tillamook, Yaquina, and Coos are typically greatest for year-round crabbing, whereas the Clatsop seashores are perfect for razor clamming.)
OR, if digging up and cooking your personal crustaceans does not sound enjoyable to you, winter is a wonderful time to take pleasure in a bowl of sizzling clam chowder indoors. Some nice spots for chowder alongside the Oregon Coast embody Gracie’s Sea Hag in Depoe Bay, Chowder Bowl in Newport, Mo’s Seafood & Chowder (places in each Newport and Otter Rock), and Bridgewater Fish Home in Florence.
11. Try the Florence sea lion caves
There are such a lot of alternatives to see distinctive wildlife alongside the Oregon Coast. But when sea lions are in your marine mammal bucket checklist, you are virtually assured to see them through the winter months on the Sea Lion Caves simply north of Florence.
This method of sea caves and caverns is definitely operated as a non-public wildlife protect and hen sanctuary, and lays declare to the biggest naturally shaped basalt rock sea collapse america. Roughly 200 Stellar sea lions name the caves house year-round.
This attraction is properly price a cease, and is open day by day within the winter months.
12. Go to Oregon Dunes Nationwide Recreation Space
The Oregon Dunes Nationwide Recreation Space extends for 40 miles alongside the Oregon Coast from Florence to Coos Bay. The realm is full of sand dunes, seashores, forest, climbing/biking trails, campsites, and extra, and is formally a part of the Siuslaw Nationwide Forest. The realm is run collectively by the U.S. Forest Service and Oregon State Parks.
And sure, you may completely go to within the winter!
In the event you simply desire a view of the dunes and a brief stroll, head to the Oregon Dunes Day Use Space south of Dunes Metropolis. There is a viewing platform right here with good views of the dunes, plus a brief path that results in the seaside.
Or head additional south to the Umpqua Dunes space simply south of Winchester Bay, the place you will discover a few of the tallest dunes alongside the coast. That is additionally considered one of three areas the place off-road autos like ATVs and dune buggies are permitted, and winter leases and dune excursions are provided by means of Spinreel in North Bend.
In the event you’re touring on a weekend, Sand Master Park in Florence can be price a cease. It is the world’s first devoted sandboarding park – which is mainly snowboarding besides on sand dunes! They’re open Friday-Sunday through the winter.
13. Drive the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Hall
In the event you make all of it the best way right down to the southern finish of the Oregon Coast, you are in for a deal with! The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Hall is a 12-mile stretch of formations alongside the coast simply north of the city of Brookings, not removed from the California state border.
This stretch of coast is full of rock arches, pure bridges, tiny tree-covered islands, and breathtaking coves. Many say it is the prettiest stretch of the Oregon Coast.
Some spots not far off the freeway which can be price stopping to see embody Secret Seaside (climbing required), and Pure Bridges (well-known view proper off the highway). There are additionally viewpoints like Whaleshead, Cape Ferrelo, and Home Rock a bit of additional down the coast.
Ideas for the Oregon Coast in winter
The Oregon Coast can typically be a bit wild and unpredictable, particularly through the winter months when rain and storms are fairly frequent. However I nonetheless suppose it is a good time to go to!
Listed below are some issues to bear in mind whereas planning your journey:
- Know that it is quiet season – Winter is low season on the Oregon Coast, and so it isn’t unusual to search out eating places, tour corporations, and even some smaller lodging closed up for the season (particularly in January and February). The excellent news is that each one the parks and seashores are open year-round. You simply may need to e book issues like your accommodations upfront.
- Take into account sunlight hours – Oregon is a reasonably northern state, and this implies fewer sunlight hours through the winter months. On the shortest day of the 12 months in northern Oregon, the solar rises round 7:45 a.m. and units at 4:30 p.m. By late February, the solar is rising simply earlier than 7 a.m. and setting simply earlier than 6 p.m.
- Permit sufficient time – With daylight constraints, you do not need to attempt to pack an excessive amount of into every day of your journey. It’s totally simple to spend a few hours on an exercise like tidepooling or agate searching, or just exploring a few of the parks, seashores, and coastal viewpoints. Do not rush an excessive amount of! You possibly can simply spend a complete week alongside the Oregon Coast.
- Costume in layers – Layers, layers, and extra layers are key! The Oregon Coast stays fairly delicate within the winter, however the wind and rain could make it really feel fairly chilly. Begin with a base layer of a breathable cloth (merino wool is my go-to), after which add a fleece and maybe a lighter down coat on prime. I additionally love these fleece-lined leggings for winter journeys.
- Carry waterproof the whole lot – A good raincoat and waterproof boots (these are the ones I wore) are a should, and I additionally packed lightweight rain pants for a few of my deliberate outside actions. That method, I used to be prepared it doesn’t matter what the climate threw my method!
- Do not anticipate snow (possibly) – Snow isn’t frequent in any respect alongside the Oregon Coast. BUT, when you’re planning to journey from the coast to different elements of Oregon, it’s possible you’ll certainly run into snow. Within the state of Oregon, it is required to journey with snow chains in your automobile within the winter if you do not have snow tires in sure “snow zones.”
Have to lease a automobile to your time in Oregon? Within the US, I take advantage of DiscoverCars to seek for and evaluate rental automobile choices.
Who’s satisfied to plan a visit to the Oregon Coast in winter?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 international locations on 6 continents from her house base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by means of the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares suggestions based mostly on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!
