Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: Oregon in 5 Days
If you don’t have time to travel the entire Pacific Coast Highway, choosing a starting point in one of several travel hubs (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego) and venturing out from there breaks the trip into manageable chunks.
This five-day Pacific Coast Highway itinerary starts in Lake Quinault in Washington and makes its way to Gold Beach, Oregon.
Day 1
Lake Quinault to Cannon Beach
(146 mi/236 km, 3.5 hours)
Get an early start, following US 101 south along Willapa Bay before taking the 4-mi (6.5-km) Astoria Bridge across the Columbia River and into Oregon.
Stop in Astoria for lunch before climbing the 164-step spiral staircase to the top of the Astoria Column for the perfect view of the river and coast. Check out the Columbia River Maritime Museum (one of the state’s best). Explore Fort Clatsop, the centerpiece of sprawling Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.
Continue past the family beach resort of Seaside before arriving at artsy Cannon Beach—home to impressive Haystack Rock. Check in at the enchanting Stephanie Inn, then finish the evening with a fine meal and local craft beer.
Days 2-3
Excursion to Portland
(80 mi/128 km, 1.5 hours)
From Cannon Beach, you can continue south down the coast toward Newport or head east on US 26 for an inland excursion to Portland.
Take two days to explore this unique city. Stop at famed Powell’s City of Books, and enjoy a one-of-a-kind treat at Voodoo Doughnut. Sip tea in the Japanese Garden (one of the most authentic outside Japan) and ramble along the manicured trails in Washington Park. Ride a bike along the banks of the Willamette River at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, and drink some local craft beer before winding up downtown for dinner. Stay at the homey Mark Spencer Hotel.
To return to where you left off at the coast, take US 26 west back to Cannon Beach. Or to save time, depart US 26 on OR 6 west straight to Tillamook (74 mi/119 km, 1.5 hours) and continue on US 101 south to Lincoln City.
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Day 4
Cannon Beach to Newport
(125 mi/202 km, 4 hours)
Set out early from Cannon Beach for a morning packed with memorable views. Begin just south of town at Hug Point State Recreation Site before exploring the beautiful beaches at Oswald West State Park. Continue south to the Three Capes Scenic Route. Try to spot migrating whales from the Cape Meares scenic viewpoint. Farther on, follow the trail at Cape Lookout State Park through the forest. Or wander mammoth-sized dunes at Cape Kiwanda.
Back on US 101, drive south past Tillamook to Lincoln City, a good stop for lunch. If you’re here during June or October, head to the beach to watch colorful soaring kites. Otherwise, continue south, taking a short drive along the Otter Crest Loop.
Continue south to Newport, where you should bypass the tourist traps in favor of the renowned Oregon Coast Aquarium, Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, and Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Head to quaint Nye Beach for dinner, followed by live music at Nana’s Irish Pub and a stay at the literary-themed Hotel Sylvia, where a lack of electronics promotes reading and great conversations.
Day 5
Newport to Gold Beach
(192 mi/310 km, 4.5 hours)
Fill up your tank and get back on the road, driving between the forested mountains of the Coast Range and the Pacific Ocean. Just past the historic Heceta Head Lighthouse, spectacular windswept sand takes shape along the stretch of Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, which stretches 47 mi (76 km) from Florence in the north to North Bend in the south. Stop at Old Town in Florence for a bite to eat. Then put on a pair of goggles to surf the dunes aboard an ATV.
Continue for another 125 mi (200 km), passing Lakeside, North Bend, and Coos Bay. Stop for photo ops in Bandon, with its dramatic views of boulders and sea stacks.
Stop for the night in Gold Beach, reserving a room at Tu Tu Tun Lodge, high above the Rogue River.
Travel Maps of Coastal Oregon
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Pin It for Later
