The best Oregon Coast towns are the ones that offer the most: quaint, local shops and restaurants; spectacular nature; and a variety of attractions.
Some of these coastal towns in Oregon are more popular than others, but each offers something unique to visitors.
Whether you’re looking for a beach town, a surfing town, a romantic town with beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, or just a small historic town, there’s something for everyone on this list of the best Oregon coast towns!
Best Towns on Oregon Coast
The Beaver State is home to some of the most stunning beach escapes on the Pacific coast.
Many of these are easily accessible via Highway 101 which runs parallel to the entire Oregon Coast.
Here is a list of some of Oregon’s top coastal towns:
Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach, Oregon is a small beach town on the coast of Oregon’s northern coast.
The city is known for its scenic Haystack Rock, which attracts up to one million visitors each year.
Cannon Beach is only about 50 miles from Portland but is worlds away thanks to the beautiful beaches and charming shops.
Cannon Beach is also within close proximity to some of the best Oregon Coast attractions, including Ecola State Park and Oswald West State Park.
Cannon Beach is an excellent place to visit on any trip to the coast.
Depoe Bay
Depoe Bay is on the central coast of Oregon and is known as the whale watching capital of the Oregon Coast.
It has a booming whale watching industry thanks to its proximity to Boiler Bay.
Boiler Bay is the summer home to a migrating pod of Gray Whales that swims by Depoe Bay every July through September.
The town also offers fantastic views of several rocky headlands, including Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area.
Tillamook
Tillamook is a small town, but it is famous for its cheese and is home to the Tillamook Cheese Factory.
On top of all that, Tillamook is just a short drive from popular Oregon Coast attractions such as Three Capes Scenic Route and Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge.
Seaside
When it comes to beach towns on the Oregon Coast, Seaside is one of our favorites!
Seaside is in fact Oregon’s most popular beach destination.
The town features more than two miles of pristine coastline that attracts up to three million visitors each year, making it the perfect place for a family vacation.
Top Seaside attractions include the Seaside Aquarium, boardwalk, and the Oregon Coast History Center.
The Seaside Beach is also perfect for relaxing and family fun.
Gold Beach
Gold Beach is an Oregon coast town located in the far southwest section of the state.
The city is known for its fishing industry but is also home to several scenic lighthouses.
Other attractions include the Rogue Elver Fishing Derby, which takes place each year in May, and some of the best beaches on the Oregon Coast.
Manzanita Beach
Manzanita Beach is another small coastal retreat on the central Oregon Coast.
The city offers up fantastic surfing, along with a laid-back beach town atmosphere filled with galleries, shops, and restaurants.
Other attractions include Neahkahnie Mountain State Park and Oswald West State Park.
Pacific City
Pacific City is a beach town on the central coast of Oregon, located between Lincoln City and Tillamook.
The city is home to one of the longest piers on the Oregon Coast as well as an excellent surfing spot known as Boiler Bay.
Other attractions include Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area and Bob Straub State Park.
Florence
Florence, or “The City of Pines,” is located near the mouth of the Siuslaw River.
The city offers fantastic views of both mountains and the ocean thanks to its location.
Florence’s Pine Point Beach is world-famous for surfing, particularly in the winter months.
The city’s most famous attraction is probably the massive sand dunes at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
Lincoln City
This central coast town is also one of Oregon’s largest with 25 miles of ocean.
It’s a popular spot for exploring the nearby Netarts Bay and its tributaries.
Lincoln City is known as one of Oregon’s top destinations for kiteboarding, with great winds year-round.
Yachats
Near Cape Perpetua, Yachats (pronounced ya-hatch) sits between two scenic headlands.
Called “the rocks” by locals, these headlands are great for viewing birds and sea lions – plus the rock formations provide great tide pooling adventures!
Yachats is also close to Sea Lion Caves, just north of Florence.
Newport
Newport is located on the central coast of Oregon and offers visitors a charming coastal town full of shops, restaurants, hotels, breweries, galleries, museums, and more.
This city is one of the most popular places on the Oregon coast.
It provides great views of the bay and is known for its excellent oysters, both farmed and wild.
The bay itself is a very popular spot for crabbing and fishing year-round!
Astoria
At the mouth of the Columbia River, this town offers history buffs plenty to explore.
Here you can find the Astoria Column, a 124-foot tall monument to America’s most famous explorers as well as the famous Columbia River maritime museum.
The nearby Fort Clatsop National Memorial is also great for history buffs, as it was home to Lewis and Clark on their expedition westward.
Fort Stevens State Park is home to the Peter Iredale shipwreck, a reminder of the city’s status as a seaport.
Coos Bay
Coos Bay is located on the southern Oregon Coast and offers visitors a relaxed atmosphere as well as one of the largest commercial fishing ports in North America!
The Coos Historical & Maritime Museum is also a popular stop for those interested in local history.
The nearby Sunset Bay State Park has plenty of beaches for visitors to explore as well as scenic hiking trails.
Brookings
The coastal town of Brookings is located just north of the Oregon California border.
Here you can find a wide variety of shops and restaurants, plus year-round blue crabbing!
The nearby Cummins Creek Wilderness Area is great for hiking and offers views of the Pacific Ocean.
Nearby Harris Beach State Park offers plenty of opportunities for birdwatchers and beachgoers alike.
The Smith River National Recreation Area is also an excellent choice if you’re looking for more fishing or kayaking opportunities!
Warrenton
This small town lies at the mouth of the Columbia River as well but is more popular among local tourists.
It offers an excellent pier for seafood dining and is the spot to find the West’s best oysters!
There are also two lighthouses nearby, both open to the public.
Best of all, Warrenton has several nearby wildlife refuges that offer spectacular bird-watching opportunities.
The best Oregon coast towns are the ones that offer a variety of things to visitors, from quaint shops and restaurants to stunning nature and sandy beaches.
Whether you’re looking for a beach town or historic fishing village, there’s something for everyone along the Oregon Coast.
We hope you liked our guide of best coastal towns on the Oregon coast.