Things to do in

Oregon Coast

On this full-day tour along Oregon's stunning coastline, immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, history, and nature of the Pacific Northwest. With your naturalist guide, discover the same sweeping views witnessed by Lewis and Clark in 1805. Visit Cannon Beach and state parks teeming with wildlife. Start your day with pickup from your hotel in downtown Portland or at South Waterfront Park. As you set out, spot bald eagles wheeling in the air and local sea lions sunning themselves along the beaches and docks. A careful eye over the water might spot the fins of gray whales, porpoises, or orca. Head to Ecola State Park to retrace the steps of Lewis and Clark with the Clatsop Loop Trail. After the views at Tillamook Head enchant you with their natural grandeur, cast your gaze on the 1,477 basalt sea-stack islands that dot the coast. You may see herds of Roosevelt elk wading in the shallows. Next, explore the charming seaside town of Cannon Beach and revel in the majesty of Haystack Rock, sometimes adorned with thousands of native cormorants, terns, murres, bald eagles, and beloved tufted puffins. In town, feast on a tasty lunch and peruse the many art galleries and quaint boutiques. After an hour for lunch, explore other coastal highlights according to the weather and group mobility. Cruise along the stretch of road featured in the '80s classic flick "The Goonies." If time allows, visit Hug Point State Recreation Site, Oswald West State Park, or Neahkahnie Mountain Overlook. Once you've explored the hidden gems of Oregon's scenic coast, return to Portland to conclude your tour.

Spend the day exploring the Oregon coastline on a dynamic round-trip day tour with a local guide and plenty of free time to explore. With over 300 miles of public coastline, Oregon’s beaches are sure to amaze with their dramatic offshore rock formations and beach towns.  Departing from downtown Portland, start heading west on the Sunset Highway, Oregon’s first automobile route through the Cascade Mountain Range. Leave the city behind and drive through rolling pastures and towering forests of Douglas firs. Drop down from Sunset Highway and meander through a lush Sitka spruce forest to find the first glimpse of the Oregon coastline through Ecola State Park. Momentarily leave the vehicle behind and explore this coastal oasis.  If time allows, travel to Indian Beach, a secluded pocket that hides away from much of the summertime crowd and a favorite spot for local beachcombers. The park connects with the Oregon Coast Trail, a 382-mile hiking trail that spans the entire length of the Oregon coastline. Make a quick jaunt to nearby Cannon Beach next, a piece of coastline punctuated by Haystack Rock claimed to be the third tallest intertidal structure in the world. Spot three adjacent rock formations to its south that are appropriately named the Needles.  Walk along the sandy beach, watch beautiful birds, and, if you’re lucky and the tide is out, view many species of marine wildlife in their natural tide pool habitat. Afterward, stop for lunch (at your own expense) in the town of Cannon Beach and enjoy some free time for about an hour. In the afternoon, head south on the famous Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, Highway 101, exploring more beautiful coastal shores. Upon Neahkahnie Overlook, find stunning views along the highest driveable point along the Oregon Coast. Later, journey to Oswald West State Park. Time-dependent, take a short, forested hike following along Short Sand Creek to a driftwood stacked coastline known as Smugglers Cove. A variable from this stop would be a short visit to Hug Point. After finishing up at your last stop, make the trek back to Portland through Highway 26 and be back just in time for dinner.

Marvel at Oregon's scenic grandeur as you enjoy dramatic views of its coastline which may include: Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock, Short Sand Beach at Oswald West State Park, Neahkahnie Point and Manzanita while enjoying spectacular views of the dramatic Oregon Coastline and of course the majestic Pacific Ocean. This escorted mini-bus tour, with stops at attractions, runs approximately 8 hours from pick-up to return. Neahkahnie Point: From this spot you look south past Nehalem Bay to Cape Meares and Cape Lookout nearly 30 miles away. With a huge expanse of ocean before you, this is one of the coast’s best whale watching locations. Short Sand Beach/Oswald West State Park: Stretching along four miles of coastline in dense, temperate rainforest, Oswald West State Park has a beautifully secluded sandy beach and miles of trails leading to breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. This vast, scenic treasure is without a doubt one of the most spectacular parks in Oregon. Cannon Beach: This picturesque small-town village by the sea is easily walkable and you will be able to explore meandering pathways, enjoy public art and courtyards spilling over with flowers. Historic Haystack Rock is one of Oregon’s most recognizable landmarks, home to colorful tidepools and diverse bird life. It rises 235 feet from the edge of the shoreline. No visit to Cannon Beach would be complete without visiting Ecola State Park, perched dramatically on the edge of Tillamook Head. From Manzanita to Cannon Beach enjoy the dramatic beauty, fascinating history and diverse ecology featured on this Oregon coastal tour.

Walk the beaches and an old growth forest along the Oregon Coast, and discover technological relics as you drive the Three Capes Scenic Drive with a small group led by an interpretive guide. This day trip is a tour along a rugged section of Oregon's northern coast. You’ll travel west of Portland, as your guide takes you through the farmland of Willamette Valley, one of the richest valleys in the world, known for its hazelnuts, berries, Christmas trees, and Pinot Noir.  You'll have the option of making history-related stops near the town of Tillamook, and you'll visit Cape Kiwanda to check out the fourth-tallest offshore monolith in the world, and, if you desire, "slalom" down the tallest sand dune on the Oregon Coast. You'll also hike to the largest Sitka spruce in Oregon, wander around an 1890s lighthouse, walk the beach to a "ghost forest", and, if you're ready, propose at Proposal Rock.