Oregon Coast | Astoria | Depoe Bay | Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

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Oregon Coast | Trip Description

After visiting many of the big cities and famous CA-1's in the West Coast, have you ever thought of driving further north and traveling the Oregon Coast? If you've ever thought of doing that, you're probably as crazy as I am and you love to drive, so in 2014, we traveled the Oregon Coast with the intention of fulfilling our dream of traveling all over the west coast of the United States. It took us a full day to drive from Astoria, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Devil's Churn state park, to Crescent city in Northern California, and eight hours to cover 360 miles of the Oregon Coast.

In fact, Oregon's Coastal Highway is connected to CA-1, and there are more than 80 state parks along the way, but it doesn't have the same reputation as CA-1, probably because the weather is so unpredictable. Though the coast is spectacular, the wind is strong, and the fog is often misty, so it's just a matter of luck to be able to see clearly. The road is winding, driving on the vertical cliffs of the sea, with nine turns and eighteen corners is a common occurrence, scaring those American residents who do not often drive on mountain roads. Compared to the California coastline, driving along the Oregon coastline does require more skillful driving, otherwise you won't be in the mood to enjoy the scenery.

Must-See Towns | Astoria

Astoria is the northernmost seaport town on the Oregon coastline, located in northwestern Oregon. Founded in 1811, Astoria is the oldest city on the Oregon coast and is steeped in history. Originally founded for trade as Fort Astoria, Astoria was a major gateway to the Oregon Territory in the early 19th century and became an important fishing center in the early 20th century.

The town is actually worth a half day and is a great place to stay. We drove from Seattle to Astoria the night before we left.

Looking for a price comparison for your stay in Astoria?

Attractions | Columbia River Maritime Museum

The Columbia River Maritime Museum showcases the history of the Columbia River and its importance to the region. We woke up early to see the beautiful harbor at the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria. The Maritime Museum has exhibits on shipwrecks, fishing and navigation.

Attractions | Astoria Column

Just up the hill is a tower called The Astoria Column, one of Astoria's most popular attractions. At 125 feet, it's the highest point in the neighborhood, and you can climb to the top of the tower for breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the Columbia River and Young's Bay.

Attractions | Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is one of the most famous beaches on the Oregon Coast. The landmark is the 235-foot Haystack Rock in the middle, a must-see photo spot.

Viewpoint | Neahkahnie Viewpoint

Neahkahnie Viewpoint Located about 3 miles south of Manzanita, this viewpoint overlooks the beautiful coastline and the Pacific Ocean. The location is right on the 101, just a few steps from the parking lot. The neighborhood isOswald West State ParkIf you have enough time, you can also walk around the nearby trails.

Attractions | Depoe Bay

Depoe Bay is a small town located between Lincoln City and Newport. Besides the spectacular coastline, one of the main attractions is the harbor, which is the smallest harbor in the world. When we arrived here, we saw a small boat coming into the harbor, and we felt that this small harbor is really like a toy. Although the harbor is small, there are whale watching tours available.

Oregon Coast, Oregon Coastline 23 — The photo is all there is to this harbor, worthy of being the world's smallest harbor, I guess.

Oregon Coast, Oregon Coastline 24 — The photo is all there is to this harbor, worthy of being the world's smallest harbor, I guess.

Scenic Spot Heceta Head Lighthouse

There are many lighthouses on the Oregon Coast, but Heceta Head Lighthouse is probably the most popular, and those who have been to the Oregon Coast, even if they didn't pre-arrange their trip, invariably bring back photos from the same angle. This lighthouse was built in 1894 and at 56 feet in height, it is one of the oldest lighthouses on the Oregon Coast. The best place to take photos is Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic View Point.

Must See | Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Cape Perpetua Scenic AreaThe area is surrounded by rocky shores and the scenery is spectacular. Many tourists like to take the trail down to the shore. If you have enough time, we recommend that you make a day of it. The scenery is great, but the right time of day and the right light are needed to enjoy the view. It is best to come here at high tide to get the best view of the area.

Scenery | Devil's Churn

Devil's Churn is a very popular attraction on the Oregon coast. Devil's Churn is a crack formed by the erosion of powerful waves, Devil's Churn actually describes a natural phenomenon formed by the interaction of waves and rocks. When sea water rushes into a narrow crack in the rock, it creates spectacular fountains and whirlpools. If you come at the right time, you can see very high and powerful waves, but when we came, the tide was too low and the wind was not strong, so it was a bit quiet.

Attractions | Thor's Well

Thor's Well, also known as Spouting Horn, is a unique saltwater fountain that is considered a natural wonder. Normally an eroded basalt cave that looks like a well, the best time to visit is at high tide, when it can spout up to 20 feet of water. Some people list it as one of the top 10 best views in the U.S. When the light and the tide match, it's amazing. We didn't come at the right time to see the massive eruption.

Oregon Coast | Astoria | Depoe Bay | Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Oregon Coast | Trip Description

Must-See Towns | Astoria