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Oregon · the United States
The north coast of Oregon, featuring Cannon Beach’s Haystack Rock, forested headlands and Astoria, a port city at the mouth of the Columbia River.
In the photo: Oregon coast seen from Ecola State Park
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Oregon’s coast has about 580 km of beaches, headlands and cliffs along the Pacific, almost all open to the public by state law. The northern stretch, about two hours from Portland, contains some of the best-known scenery, with offshore rocks, pine forests and small fishing and artist towns.
Astoria sits at the mouth of the Columbia River where it meets the ocean. Founded as a fur-trading post in 1811, it is one of the oldest towns west of the Rocky Mountains. It has Victorian houses on the hills, a maritime museum and, nearby, the winter fort of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
About 40 km to the south, Cannon Beach is a village of galleries and inns facing Haystack Rock, a roughly 70-meter sea stack where seabirds nest. North of the village, Ecola State Park has trails along the cliffs with coastal views.
This destination brings together 2 cities: Astoria, Cannon Beach.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Portland International Airport (PDX), in Portland · 160 km to Astoria
The most used airport is Portland (PDX), about 160 km from Astoria. By car, US-26 connects Portland to Cannon Beach and US-30 to Astoria; US-101 runs along the coast. There are regional buses with limited schedules.
Suggested arrival point: Astoria
Port city at the mouth of the Columbia River, founded in 1811 as a fur-trading post. It has Victorian houses on the hills, the Columbia River Maritime Museum on the riverfront, the Astoria Column overlooking the town and, nearby, Fort Clatsop, a replica of the winter fort used by the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Village on the north coast of Oregon, with art galleries and inns, facing Haystack Rock, a rock of about 70 meters on the sand where seabirds nest. To the north, Ecola State Park has trails along the cliffs with views of the coast.
The local experience
A 38-meter concrete tower from 1926 atop Coxcomb Hill, with a spiral painted frieze about the region’s history and an internal stairway to an observation deck.
A basalt rock of about 70 meters on Cannon Beach, surrounded by tide pools at low tide and a protected seabird nesting area.
A riverfront museum in Astoria about navigation at the mouth of the Columbia, one of the world’s most dangerous bars, with boats, a lightship moored there and exhibits about the Coast Guard.
State park on the cliffs north of Cannon Beach, with a fir forest, overlooks to Haystack Rock and trails to surf beaches.
A replica of the fort where the Lewis and Clark expedition spent the winter of 1805–1806 at the end of their journey to the Pacific, with a visitors center and forest trails.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From July to September the weather is usually drier and milder, but morning fog is common and the water is cold year-round. From November to March storms are often strong, and some visitors come specifically to watch them. The migration of gray whales typically passes close to the coast in winter and spring.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Two days are enough to see Astoria and Cannon Beach with Ecola State Park. With three or four days, you can continue south on US-101 to less-visited headlands and lighthouses.
Cannon Beach has inns and rental homes near the beach; Astoria has hotels downtown and on the riverfront. Seaside, between them, has a larger supply. In summer and on holidays, book in advance.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Two days are enough for Astoria and Cannon Beach. With three or four days, you can drive down the coast on US-101.
Yes. There are regional buses, but with limited schedules; a car lets you stop at viewpoints and state parks.
Yes: it’s about 130 km, roughly an hour and a half by car. A day lets you see Haystack Rock and Ecola State Park.
The Pacific water there is cold year-round, and currents can be strong. Most visitors walk the beach and explore tide pools at low tide.
