Oregon Beach Loop – A Great Trip, with Great Camping
Wednesday, June 12, 2024:
I live in Washington State (in Vancouver, right on the Oregon border). I have visited most of those WA beaches, and they are good. The Puget Sound is spectacular. I have also visited a good amount of California beaches. In fact, I have visited beaches from San Diego, CA, all the way up to the northwest tip of Blaine, Washington, where you can see across the border to British Columbia, Canada. The west coast is all spectacular, each place, different in its’ own ways. But if I am honest, the BEST beaches and state parks on the west coast are in Oregon. The beaches are great, sandy, clean, and the state parks are the best to visit. Today, I did a little beach loop, and I’ll give you some insights so you can “Travel Like A Local”. Today I did the highlighted “loop”. We’ll just say that I began in Portland, OR.
As you can immediately see, there is absolutely no shortage of symbols on the map indicating picnic areas and state parks. Camping opportunities abound, both private and state operated. Once you are west of Portland, you enter forest lands that we affectionately call the coastal range. Landscape changes are dramatic and rapid once you are well west of Portland. Once you pop over the coastal range, you are immediately at the beach. Be advised that the roads are more twisty than they appear, and once west of Portland, they become 2-lane roads. I advise caution on these roads. They are in the forests and mountains. They can be quite slick during the winter with snow and ice. They are also prone to landslides, and you will run across “road repairs” where the road surfaces change very quickly and dramatically. If you see a sign that say “Bump”, take it seriously. Slow down for road work!
This day, I went on Highway 26 toward Cannon Beach on my way to the coast. You will see plenty of beautiful scenery. It’s roughly an hour and a half from Portland to Canon Beach, depending on the weather. Highway 26 will dead end into the famous Highway 101 that runs all the way from Washington state, through all of Oregon, all the way through California.
I do recommend a place to eat about 20 miles east of Canon Beach called Camp 18. If you know Oregon, you know that it is strong as a logging state. Camp 18 is modeled as a logging camp. Ironically, I am told that it wasn’t actually a logging camp. Nevertheless, it pulls off the motif well, and it has good food. When you are done, continue west toward Cannon Beach.
My trip took me south on Highway 101, but I promised you an experience to live like a local. Many tourists and locals alike go to Seaside (north on Highway 101) and Cannon Beach (south on Highway 101). In my opinion, both Seaside and Cannon Beach are super touristy…which is OK. Seaside is known more for it’s overall fun vibe. Lots to do. Many restaurants and gift shops. Seaside is more “vacationing touristy”. I’ll let you define if that’s what you are looking for. FYI, my surfer friends tell me that on the south side of Seaside is where the waves break best.
I took a left on Hwy 101 and headed toward Cannon Beach, the famous location of Haystack Rock. Cannon Beach is highly touristy, but more of an upscale level than Seaside. More restaurants, galleries, gift shops and BNB-type accommodations. It’s literally on the beach. It is super crowded during the summer. Insider tip. On the north end of Cannon Beach, if you follow your GPS, you will find one of my favorite views at a place called Ecola State Park. It too will get crowded during the summer, but there is ample parking. No food up there unless you bring it with you. Be aware that the roads up to this park (and back down to Indian Beach) are tight and speed limits are 25 mph or less. Be careful! It’s worth it though.
After finishing at Ecola State Park, be sure to enjoy Cannon Beach.
After that, I continued south on Highway 101. This view, up in the mountains is one of my favorite views at the Oregon coast.
I enjoyed the coast and all the small towns, making my way to Tillamook, OR, home of the Tillamook Cheese Factory. I had to stop in for samples of cheese and ice cream! It’s a very busy place these days. You can view the factory floor where the cheeses are made and packaged.
Out of Tillamook, I followed Hwy 131 to Cape Lookout State Park. I had never been there before so I decided it was time! The park is actually divided between the day use area (with great beach access) and the camping areas. I checked out both, mostly at the day use area. I couldn’t drag myself away from the beautiful clean beach. I walked miles. The blue sky, clean sandy beach, wind and waves. It was quite magical. However, bring everything with you that you need. The only things I found for sale there were firewood and ice.
I loved the layout of the camping sites. All camping was divided from the actual beach by a sand barrier, although there was good beach access at the noted locations. I also especially liked it that most camping locations were semi-private with natural growth plants, trees and bushes that were utilized for privacy. There is tent camping and RV camp sites. There were some Class A motor coaches, but I felt the location was best suited tent camping, Class C’s and small-to-medium-sized towables.
When I was there it was Wednesday, schools were not out for summer vacation yet, and I would estimate about 50% occupancy already.
As a travel agent, I don’t feel that my value is just booking travel. I like telling people about places they can travel themselves. As I have said before, I consider myself a travel ambassador for this great Pacific Northwest.
To make reservations at Oregon State Park campgrounds, visit: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=reserve.make
On the way home I took Hwy 131 back to Tillamook, where it joined Highway 6, and where I headed back home to the Portland area. If I had to choose, I like the Highway 6 better. I am a sucker for rivers that meander along next to the highway. Highway 6 does that better. So many picturesque views. I could have spent all day stopping and taking photos. Oregon in it’s splendor. Amazing!
These are just two routes. There’s still the southern Oregon coast and dunes and also the northern Oregon coast and Astoria.
It’s summer. It’s time to travel and enjoy the great outdoors and all that God has created.
For making any travel arrangements, or for more information, please contact me:
Allen Beck
AKOR Services Travel
(503) 427-8553
Allen@akorservices.com
https://akorservices.com/travel
Trip Planner and Plane Reservations
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© Allen Beck, 6/2024, All Rights Reserved, all photography by Allen Beck
