Known for its rugged coastline of dramatic cliffs, pristine beaches, lively tide pools, and picturesque rock stacks, Oregon's Pacific Coast is easily one of America's most unique landscapes. And it's not just a seasonal destination—in the Pacific Northwest, storm watching and beachcombing makes fall and winter just as exciting as visiting during warmer months. Plus there's crabbing, whale-watching, oyster hunting, hiking, fishing, kayaking, surfing, etc.
Thanks to a few forward-thinking politicians (lol remember those?) all 363 miles of Oregon's raw coastline belong to the people. No private beaches here. It's all public and yours to explore. And it'll take a lifetime to see it all.
For the sake of this article, we're focusing on some 25 key miles of the Northern Oregon Coast, where the famed oceanside Highway 101 stretches from family-friendly Cannon Beach to Rockaway Beach, where new energy is bringing the once neglected seaside town back to life. In between, we've got sleepy Arch Cape and Manzanita, our favorite hidden treasure community and upscale beach town, where dive bars and art galleries sit side by side. And it's all under two hours west of Portland and Salem.
[Ed Note: Mountains more your thing? Head east instead for cozy cabins and more epic natural terrain around Mt. Hood.]
Wherever you land, this prehistoric part of Oregon is sure to impress. Roam the tide pools around Haystack Rock in Cannon, take in a quiet, scenic beach at Hug Point, surf at Short Sands (aka Oswald West State Park), hike to the top of Neahkahnie Mountain overlooking Manzanita, or grab a Pronto Pup (the original corn dog) in Rockaway. (Pro Tip: visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory, designed by NW architects Olson Kundig.) Though some may say the region is best explored by camper van or glamping, we cabin lovers feel putting down roots for a few days or week does the trick just fine.
The following 17 Oregon coast Airbnb and VRBO picks include Cannon Beach vacation rentals, Manzanita getaways, Arch Cape rental homes, and Rockaway chalets, and represent our top picks for best places to stay for your next PNW beach vacation.