9 Days of Coastal & Central Oregon

FYI: all itinerary examples on our website are very light on restaurant recommendations, if any, by design. While we might briefly mention a restaurant (or a winery, a store, etc.) worth looking up, telling you where to get lunch or where to sleep won't fit the spirit of our travel guides. We want you to travel at your own pace, to your taste, and embrace spontaneity. If you are travelling in a developed town, Google Maps will help plenty. If you will be out in nature most of the day, pack a sandwich. Easy.

DAY 1

The substantive portion of the itinerary kicks off in Cannon Beach, which is 1.5 - 2 hr away from PDX airport. If you choose to drive right to Cannon Beach on Day 1, you would naturally cut down on the driving on Day 2, but be mindful that Day 1 might become a bit stressful if you were to hit a rush hour traffic or get hangry after a long flight.🫠

If you would like to avoid driving >1 hr right after landing in a new city, Beaverton or Hillsboro are both great intermediate locations to get lodging on Day 1. You will be out of the city center where lodging and parking can get pricey. Located to the west of Portland, these two suburban cities will shave off a bit of driving tomorrow too. While they are mostly residential and far from touristy, there are still several visit-worthy spots such as Tualatin Hills Nature Park or Cooper Mountain for an evening stroll, Hillsboro Downtown Station for grabbing grubs from food carts (their taphouse has a great beer selection too), Topgolf if you're a Topgolf fan, and the farmer's market on Saturdays.

✧Local's Tip #1✧ Beaverton is where Nike HQ is located, and we've seen visitors heading to Nike Company Store hoping to snag some deals. Nope. Unfortunately it's an invite-only store so don't bother unless you were gifted a specific pass for the employee store!

✧Local's Tip #2✧ Beaverton and Hillsboro have quite a bit of Japanese, Indian, and Korean populations. Naturally, there are some really good restaurants boasting authentic flavors from these countries. Utilize Google Maps ratings or reach out to us (we currently live in this part of Oregon!) if restaurant recommendations are desired.😋

If you arrived in Portland early enough you might have time to visit Washington Park before heading to your lodging. This place is really a collection of multiple visit-worthy spots, so refer to this post dedicated for Washington Park! In short though, Hoyt Arboretum offers various walking trails to relax and recharge. The International Rose Test Garden won't disappoint if you are here in mid-Summer when countless rows of roses will be bursting with colors. The Portland Japanese Garden isn't free but can be worth it if you are into Japanese style gardens or they are hosting an event of your interest.

DAY 2

Cannon Beach day. If you are going after some mental or physical rest and recharge, DAY 2 would be very well spent sitting at the pristine beach, watching happy dogs running around with sandy paws, maybe listening to an audiobook or podcast. The PNW coastal range is one of those few places both breathtaking and serene enough that it's enough to just be.💕

• Town of Cannon Beach: Dragonfire Gallery and Jeffrey Hull Gallery carry some really cool, high quality local art pieces to browse. If interested in hitting up all the little galleries in the area, simply look up 'art gallery' on Google Maps. For old school candy lovers, Schwietert's Cones & Candy is a fun treat. If craving milkshakes or quality coffee or chocolate, Cannon Beach Chocolate Cafe has many delicious offerings.

• Haystack Rock: Can't miss it, it's right there in your face the moment you step foot on the beach.🙂 For some fun tide-pooling, I recommend looking up the tide schedule and see if you can make it during the low or negative tide. The seascape here is sublime regardless though, so don't stress if the tide doesn't time well with your schedule.

• If you are looking to get some exercise with an awesome ocean view, Indian Beach Trail is a great hiking option. From the parking lot it's about 2 hr to hike to the Ecola Viewpoint and back.

• Hug Point State Recreation Site is another breathtaking beach with a unique vibe. While offering a subtly different ambience, it also has nice tide pools during low tide just like Cannon Beach.

In the evening, the sunset at Cannon Beach is simply spellbinding.

Recommended lodging location for DAY 2: Cannon Beach

DAY 3

Today we'll make our way down from Cannon Beach to Pacific City, and there are some fantastic activities up for grabs on this route.

Short Sand Beach Trail Hiking: From the parking lot it's a quick yet stunning 10-15min walk to a secluded picnic table and a beach.

Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain Hiking: The trail itself is only about 3 miles (under 5 km) and the view from up top is fantastic, but it gets quite steep. (If you’re not used to hiking uphill or are traveling with children, I personally don't really recommend this trail.) Start from the trailhead west of the parking lot and hike to the Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain viewpoint, then head back down the same way. Trail map below.

Activities in/near Tillamook and Pacific City:

• If you like smoked jerky, Tillamook Country Smoker Factory Outlet has a great range of local jerky products at good prices. 

• Tillamook Creamery: self-tour the cheese factory and sample some free cheddars of different ages.😋 Their cafeteria has a full flavor selection of their ultra creamy ice creams, including some that aren't offered outside of Oregon, so it's a nice sampling opportunity before buying a whole tub of one flavor, or two, or three...

• You can visit http://nestuccaadventures.com/ or http://kayaktillamook.com/ to browse kayak rental options.  

  

• Cape Kiwanda Sand Dune. If you patiently walk up the dune at the beach, you'll be rewarded with several great viewpoints and photogenic spots.

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Pelican Brewing is right next to the sand dune, a good spot to enjoy some beer with an ocean view.

Recommended lodging location for DAY 3: Pacific City

DAY 4

Today you'll chart a beautiful driving course from Pacific City to Florence. Highway 101 (we call it "the magnificent") is well-known for its unbelievable views along the US west coast. Even without any specific activities, the scenery alone makes this a worthwhile drive. That said, stopping at a few points of interest certainly adds to the experience, and you'll notice that even just stretching your legs can feel special with the views on 101.

Browse through our recommended spots below, and pick whichever intrigue you the most. Keep in mind, this is one of those destinations where obsessing over a detailed plan becomes meaningless. It's very common for Oregon coast travelers, local or not, to get to an assuming spot, be completely bewitched, and end up spending a lot longer time there than planned. Aren't those the most memorable moments of travel, where you run into a gem so enchanting you have to deviate from the "plan"?

• Depoe Bay: Located in this town is the smallest harbor in the world. You can just check out the harbor and move on, or if you're up for an activity, consider one of the boat tours operated by Dockside Charters—you might spot sea otters and whales! Depoe Bay Winery offers casual, unpretentious wine tasting focused on what's important: the taste.

• Devils Punchbowl Arch

• Yaquina Head Lighthouse

• Yachats: A cute town where you can check out some high quality art galleries like Earthworks Gallery and Touchstone Gallery.

• If you park at Cape Cove trailhead, you can walk to Thor’s well, Spouting horn, and Devil’s churn and enjoy the spectacles they display, which are especially impressive during high tides. Useful tip: Cape Perpetua Visitor Center is also within walking distance and has modern, clean bathrooms.

• Hobbit beach: a gorgeous beach with a magical atmosphere. There’s a bit of an uphill walk back to the parking lot, but well worth it unless you or your travel companion suffer from arthritis. It’s close to Florence, so you could even visit tomorrow if you ran out of time today.

  

  
  

• Heceta Head lighthouse: This is a charming lighthouse beloved by photographers. You’re welcome to simply enjoy the view of the lighthouse and move on, or take your time walking the surrounding trails. Fun fact: they have turned the original lighthouse keeper’s residence into a bed & breakfast. If you're intrigued by this unique historic lodging option, you can browse the room options and availability on their website.

  
  

  ✧Local's tip✧ There’s an unassuming but beautiful trail that links this lighthouse with the previously mentioned Hobbit Beach. The trail involves quite a bit of elevation change and is almost 4 miles so we didn't include it as part of the default itinerary, considering we have plenty of other attractions along today's route. But if you'd prefer to add in a substantial hike this is one to consider.

  

Recommended lodging location for DAY 4: Florence

DAY 5

Last day on the coast! The plan today is to sightsee the coastal range near Florence then head inland.

• If you didn’t get a chance to visit Hobbit Beach or Heceta Head Lighthouse yesterday, they are close enough you can still check them out today.

• For a horseback ride with ocean view, be sure to make a reservation in advance at C&M Stables.

• In the town of Florence itself, you can find a good range of cafés to grab delicious bites and coffee, local art galleries, as well as Oregon Coast Military Museum which is an efficiently packed little museum with interesting artifacts.

• Looking for something thrilling? Dune buggy rides. You'll be able to find many good rental options by simply googling “Florence dune buggy rentals”. Most companies offer similar experiences, so I'd just pick somewhere with good recent reviews that's open on your day of visit. If you'd rather not drive yourself but still want the adrenaline rush, check out Sandland’s Sandrail Tours.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Reedsport has a cool little woodwork gallery/shop called Myrtlewood Gallery.

• John Dellenback Dunes: The scenery here is a true dreamscape. From the trailhead you can wander in any direction and admire the surreal, massive dunes to your heart's content. If you choose to follow the marked trail posts, it will lead you out to the west where you'll eventually hit the ocean. For those who read Frank Herbert’s Dune or watched the movie, you may picture Arrakis here - of course you would, since it was indeed inspired by this region when the author visited back in 1950s!

  
  

  As for the marked trail I mentioned above, while it's undoubtedly a memorable experience to reach the open beach after walking through the dunes then wetlands, note that the round-trip is over 5 miles (8 km), and you’ll likely cross some puddles. On top of that, these dunes are quite different from typical trails, with your feet constantly sinking into the soft sand and draining your energy faster than usual. Not trying to dissuade you from walking the whole thing, simply trying to set expectations.🙂 Since the main dunes area near the trailhead is really the primary feature anyways, there's no need to push all the way to the end if your legs aren't having it.

  

It will be quite a bit of driving to the inland, so most people find it best to head to their lodging once done exploring the dunes. But if you happen to have plenty of daylight and energy left, Sweet Falls trail can be a nice add-on. This will add 40 min of driving and 1.5 hr of hiking, so just make sure to verify the sunset time beforehand.

Recommended lodging location for DAY 5: You've got two options. If your focus tomorrow will be to enjoy the nature in Willamette National Forest, book somewhere near McKenzie Bridge or Santiam Junction. If you'd rather enjoy urban comfort and delicious food and drinks, stay the night in the city of Eugene. Tip: even if you lean toward the former, you may consider stopping by a grocery store(s) in Eugene on the way, since you won't have as many shopping options tomorrow in the forest.

DAY 6

[For those who will sightsee Eugene]

• Art galleries: Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Karin Clarke Gallery

• Skinner Butte for amazing views of Eugene.

• Cute little shops like Mountain Rose Herbs Mercantile, Rooted Remedies, Voodoo Doughnut Eugene, or Eugene Saturday Market.

• Urban wine tasting: https://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/blog/post/wine-bars/

• To enjoy wine with stunning views a bit outside of the city center, King Estate Winery. FYI they require reservation.

• Casual hikes at Mount Pisgah Arboretum.

[For those who will explore Willamette Forest]

• Tamolitch Blue Pool: From the parking lot, follow McKenzie River Trail north-bound for 2 miles (3km) to get to the pool. As pretty and blue as it is, being fed from underground natural filters (volcanic rock bed), the pool water is insanely cold. Even in summer it will be icy cold so, for safety, it's best to admire its beauty from the designated trail.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Koosah Falls and Sahalie Falls: These two impressive waterfalls are located close to each other, so you can see both in one shot with your car parked either here or here. While this can be as quick of a visit as you want, I highly recommend walking the whole loop as shown below. It's a well-maintained beautiful trail.

  

• Clear Lake is another picture-perfect activity option. You can rent a kayak without a reservation and leisurely paddle across this crystal-clear lake (hence the name), making it a perfect spot to slow down and soak in the scenery.

  
  

Now we are heading to the final lodging of the road trip. No more repacking/unpacking yay! You'll be staying at the same place until you return to Portland, so for Day 7, 8, and 9 in Central Oregon, you can mix and match the itinerary based on daily weather or whatever you feel like each day.🙂

Recommended lodging location for DAY 6: Bend or Sunriver. If you're ok with tiny bit more driving, Redmond (to the north) or La Pine (to the south) are also great choices. Since travel destinations in Central Oregon are pretty spaced out to begin with, no need to stress over the exact location. Pick a place that you think you'll be happy to make home for three nights.

DAY 7

We'll spend the morning time at Smith Rock, one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. Parking fee is $10 or free for Oregon State Day Use Pass holders.

Activity options at Smith Rock:

• If you're in good hiking shape and love to enjoy scenic views from higher up, I recommend hiking either the Misery Ridge - Summit Trail (6.2 mi) or the Misery Ridge - River Trail (3.6 mi). Refer to the trail maps below. Be warned: if you go on a cloudless summer day, both trails can get extremely hot—bring lots of water!

• If you’d prefer a lower effort hike that still offers great scenery, the flat River Trail is more than beautiful enough, so pick a hike that suits your energy level and the weather for a safe adventure.

35 minutes south of Smith Rock is Bend, the largest city on the east side of Oregon's Cascade range, packing a ton of activities perfect for the afternoon and evening.

• If it’s a clear day, a stop at Pilot Butte will mesmerize you with a sweeping views of the city and surrounding mountain peaks.

• Stroll along the Deschutes River: While there’s no one best path per se, one easy option is to park here and follow the Deschutes River Trail toward Farewell Bend Park. You can either go farther south from there or cross the river and loop back to the car.

• Beer Tasting. Being the hippest little city in Oregon, Bend has a serious craft beer scene going on, with many of its breweries nationally renowned. The biggest names include Deschutes Brewery, Crux Fermentation Project, and Silver Moon Brewing. Tip: Crux’s non-alcoholic line NØMØ offers the best non-alcoholic beers I’ve ever tasted. If you or your travel companion loves the taste of beer but isn’t big on alcohol, I highly recommend them.

  If you’re more into ciders, check out Tumalo Cider or Bend Cider Company, just a bit north of the city center.

• Tubing on the Deschutes River: This would be best during the peak of summer when the weather’s hot enough to enjoy the cold water. You can rent tubes from Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. After floating down the river, you can get back to your starting point using the same company's shuttle service or the city-run one. Make sure to pack water-friendly shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen!

• Prefer a dry stroll on foot? Downtown Bend has many nice eats along with cute little galleries and stores to browse. Punch in “art gallery” on Google Maps and you’ll find several high-quality free galleries. My personal favorites are Mockingbird Gallery and Jeffrey Murray Gallery but there are many other smaller ones too. If you love coffee, swing by Lone Pine Coffee Roasters—they roast their own beans and out-brew some of the best coffee shops in Portland.

If you'd rather spend more time enjoying nature outside the city, you may simply skip the Bend section above and pull in one of the Day 8 activities.🙂

Lodging: same as yesterday.

DAY 8

Cascade Mountain Range:

• Tumalo Falls: the waterfall is only a 5 min walk from the parking lot so it's hard to beat the convenience. It also makes it a very popular spot especially during weekends and holidays, so try to arrive early. 

• Green Lakes: The alpine lakes in this region present some of the best hiking opportunities. It's the most pleasant in Summer and Fall, during which you are required to get a trailhead use permit ($1) from here. From the trailhead you'll head north and walk total of 9 mi (15km), taking about 4 hrs. Make that 5 hrs if you plan to do a loop around the lake too. Pack enough water, lunch, and bug spray, and enjoy the incredibly rewarding alpine views. 

  

• Ziplining is a unique, adrenaline-filled way to take in the stunning views of Mt. Bachelor. You can make reservation at https://www.mtbachelor.com/events-activities/summer-activities/zipline/.

If you're more intrigued by a geological wonderland formed by lava:

• Newberry National Volcanic monument: Formed by volcanic eruptions ~70,000 years ago, this lava land is now preserved by the government for its unique geological features. Walking the Trail of Molten Lands, you’ll find informative signs along the way, making it a fun and educational self-guided hike.

  As for Lava Butte, private vehicles aren’t allowed to drive up. Instead, stop by the visitor center to purchase a shuttle ticket and take the shuttle bus to the top.🌋

• Big Obsidian Flow: This volcanic terrain was formed by lava rich in silica and metals, which cooled into a black, glass-like rocks—just like in the photo below. (Okay, yes, I might be sounding a bit too nerdy here.) Every time I visit, I’m amazed by how nature created something so striking. But “glass-like” of course means sharp—so this place is not for those traveling with kids or dogs. Even for adults, flip-flops or sandals are a big no-no. Be sure to wear sturdy sneakers and explore with caution. A fall here can easily lead to serious injury.

  

  

  

  

• Lava River Cave: It's what the name sounds like. You’ll need a headlamp or flashlight and a winter jacket to comfortably visit this cave. Even in summer, it’s cold inside—around 42°F (5.5°C)—and the terrain is uneven. Although it's not a guided tour, you still need to reserve a timed entry ticket here and arrive at your scheduled time.

• High Desert Museum: This spot is particularly recommended for those who enjoy nature-focused museums or simply want to balance out indoor and outdoor activities. It features a wide range of exhibits on the natural environment and history of Central Oregon, along with some animal displays—so both adults and kids will enjoy their time without getting bored.

  
  

At night, consider stargazing at the Sunriver Observatory🔭 especially if cloud cover is minimal. Their event offerings vary by day, so be sure to visit their website and click 'View Schedule and Buy Tickets' to review the calendar and make a reservation.

• You'll see that they offer both public and private viewings. While “private” might sound more appealing, I’ve tried both and found each has pros and cons really. Private sessions offer a cozy, quiet experience just for your group with no other tourists, but they’re understandably more expensive per person. And personally, I found the lively, crowded atmosphere of the public ones more fun and engaging.

• If you're considering a daytime visit, I haven’t done it myself, but I’ve heard it offers a fascinating chance to observe the surface of the Sun!

Lodging: same as yesterday.

DAY 9

Crater Lake National Park:

Crater Lake NP is Oregon’s only national park and a flagship of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. Because it sits at a high elevation and gets heavy snowfall, not all roads in the park will be open until late June or sometimes even mid-July. Even if only the south entrance is open, you can still enjoy stunning views of the lake—so before your visit, check the official website to see which roads are accessible. If the Rim Drive isn’t fully open, don’t be discouraged; it’s still worth going, really.

✧Pro Tip✧ During peak season, entrance lines after 9 AM can get ridiculous, so aim to arrive early.

Once you’ve entered the park, take your time soaking in the views until you get tired of them (except you won't😜). If Rim Drive is fully open, drive the full loop around the lake and stop at any viewpoint that catches your eye. For hiking, Cleetwood Cove Trail is a great option if you're up for a descent to the lake. If you're visiting when only the southern portion of Rim Drive is open, or looking for a flatter hike, the Discovery Point Trail is family-friendly and offers plenty of scenic viewpoints.

This concludes your epic 9-day road trip along the coast and Central Oregon. Going straight back to Portland can be exhausting, although doable. To break up the long drive and/or give yourself a chance to visit places you skipped the last couple days, consider booking an accommodation in Madras or Warm Springs.

If you'd rather completely skip the drive back to Portland, you can fly out from Redmond Airport (RDM) instead of PDX. Just be sure to compare rental car return fees, as costs may vary depending on the drop-off location.

✧Tip for Long-Term Travelers✧ If you are looking to further extend this road trip, consider inserting the Southern Oregon Coast and/or California’s Redwood National Park in your itinerary.