The Oregon Coast — Dustin Shepherd

The Oregon Coast should be on every travelers bucket list. It is, in my opinion, the most beautiful stretch of coastline in the States. My first trip there was in 2020 and it really blew me away. It was where they filmed multiple on location scenes from a cult classic, “The Goonies” so you know it’s amazing. Since picking up photography I’ve explored it even more in depth and tried to find every little nook and cranny to photograph. If you haven’t been, or have and just want to compare travel notes, read on!

This blogpost is a short itinerary with my favorite spots to visit for photographers or just sightseers. It also includes some of places I’ve eaten, coffee I’ve grabbed, and where to crash after a long day of coastal cruisin’. Most importantly I want to highlight before we get started that this list is very in depth and takes a deep dive into the Oregon coast for the photographers and creators out there that want to get the most out of their time on the Coast. However, if you take from it what you personally want to see it can be altered for anyone.

My motto is, “Go. Don’t Wait. EXPLORE." for a reason. Take what info I’ve given and just run with it. You don’t have to have a strict plan. The first time I drove HWY 101 I didn’t have a clue what I would see and I wouldn’t change a thing about that trip.

Below is a bare bones list of stops for those of you who want to make your own itinerary and pick and choose your own locations based on preference. A more in depth look will follow.

Favorite Locations: (South—>North)

Mill Beach
Harris Beach
Lone Ranch Beach
Whaleshead Beach
Natural Bridge
Secret Beach
Arch Rock
Mack Arch Cove
Port Orford Heads
Cape Blanco Lighthouse
Bandon Beach
Coquille Lighthouse
Heceta Lighthouse
Thors Well
Yaquina Lighthouse
Cape Kiwanda
Hug Point
Cannon Beach
Ecola State Park
Peter Iredale Shipwreck

That’s just about every location I can think of along the coast that I’ve found interesting or worth snapping some photos. With that alone you could do your own research on each and choose your stops based on what you wanna get done. If you want more info on each as well as a loose itinerary then keep on scrolling!

Where to crash at night:

I personally sleep in the back of my Tacoma and I STRONGLY suggest downloading the apps iOverlander and FreeRoam. While they have their issues they are your best bet for finding free places, as well as paid campgrounds, to get a few hours of sleep in before heading back out for those early morning photography bonanzas.

If you want to go the route of hotels and airbnbs I would suggest (at least in more touristy seasons) to book ahead of time because a lot of the towns along HWY 101 are small and lack a large number of rentals or rooms. This really takes away from the freedom of the trip itself so I tend to stay away from this route.

Try to take advantage of BLM land as much as possible! I have another blog in my catologue about this coming soon!

Full Oregon Coast Itinerary:

Brookings and its’ Beaches:

There are two beaches along the coast in Brookings, OR: Mill Beach and Harris Beach are great places for photography and to just spend a day exploring. One day would be enough in my personal opinion, sunrise into mid-morning being my personal favorite time to take photos. There’s a parking lot that overlooks some crazy sea stacks with a small creek winding into the ocean at Harris Beach that would make for a wonderful shot at the right time of morning with a little lens compression (I’ve gotten unlucky thus far with lighting). When the wind picks up here you can get some great minimal shots of the sand blowing over the rocks on the beach and there are tons of gulls to add to your landscapes.

FOOD/COFFEE:

The best place I’ve found to eat in Brookings is Catalyst Seafood down in the Lower Harbor area. There’s also a good breakfast spot called Mattie’s Pancake House that I love for those mornings when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

For coffee it’s Kool Beans (opens 7AM) for me but if you need something earlier Chocco Latte opens at 5:30AM.

Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor:

Lone Ranch Beach:

This is a personal favorite of mine to spend a morning of shooting at. This spot was suggested to me from a local in Brookings late one night on my first trip up HWY 101 and I consider it one of my homes away from home.

Whaleshead Beach:

Another location with a lot of potential for sunrise shots. I have yet to get good lighting here due to weather but I plan on heading back on my next go around. The road down to this one is a bit rough so be careful. I’d suggest AWD and a decent clearance. Just as you come around the gravel road down in a bend there’s a small knoll you can walk out on to look down at the sea stack that gives this one its name!

Natural Bridge:

This is far and beyond one of the best locations along the coast. The potential here is crazy for photography and the sight seeing is unbelievable. It’s a MUST SEE location. The parking lot is a bit small but I’ve never personally had an issue getting a spot. The trail that takes you down to the bridge itself is to the right of the parking lot and easy to miss. It’s in the trees and easily missed. The trail here also goes down at a pretty steep grade so be aware it’s not for the faint of heart. As you go down there’s a small opening in the trees that looks down on this popular photography location (check out my portfolio for that shot - best at sunset imo).

Down on the bridge itself you can get some really killer shots for sunrise, sunset, and if you are brave enough at night for those Milky Way shots.

If you take the trail to the left from the parking lot there is an overlook of the bridge as well as a trail that leads down to the opposite side of the bridge. If you follow this there is a small overhang that allows for some wonderful sunrise photography. I captured one of my favorite photos here. I’ll never forget it.

Definitely bring your drone and every lens you have for this one no question.

Secret Beach:

This spot is exactly what it sounds like. Hush hush. Bring a friend and get some gorgeous shots here with them as your scale model.

Arch Rocks:

Great little spot with a nice viewpoint of a very photogenic sea stack with an arch in it. Exactly what the name suggests.

EXTRA: Mack Arch Rock

The better of the arches along the coast imo. Take a long lens and shoot straight at this beauty. Makes for some very gorgeous views.

Port Orford:

Port Orford Heads:

I haven’t been here since my first trip to the coast but it was quite memorable. The hike along the “Heads” or so they are called is a fantastic one. Sitting along them and watching the waves crash is nothing short of amazing. I’ll be heading back for some more time here on my next trip when I have more time, weather permitting.

FOOD/COFFEE:

The Crazy Norwegians Fish and Chips is far and beyond one of my favorite spots to eat along the coast and it calls Port Orford home. Not the best place for coffee lovers but Mr. Ed’s Espresso is about as good as you’ll get.

Cape Blanco Lighthouse:

This is just north of the Port Orford Heads and it’s quite the sight. If you toss the drone up and shoot off the beach you can get the lighthouse as well as the beach in one sweeping landscape. Alternatively you can get up close and personal with a long lens on the cape itself.

Bandon:

Bandon Beach:

This beach is very family friendly and has some great opportunities for a good photo. Home to some of the most interestingly shaped sea stacks on the coast. There’s a couple that does sand art with rakes during particularly low tide times and there schedule for this can easily be found online with a quick google. It’s called Circles in the Sand.

It’s also home to stacks like Face Rock, Wizards Hat (be careful it has a lookalike!), and the Sunset Keyhole.

Coquille River Lighthouse:

Just north of Bandon along the Coquille River is this beauty. Shooting from the opposite side of the river their are some old dock pillars sticking out of the water that can make for a really beautiful landscape. This one escaped me on my trips and I just recently discovered it while researching for this blog. Can’t wait to give it a look.

For those who want a little extra adventure:

North of Bandon is a small town called Florence. If you find N Fork Siuslaw Rd until you get to Forest Service Rd 5842 then further into the forest take a left onto Herman Cape Rd you can drive through the Siuslaw Forest all the way to just south of our next destination. There are campsites here that are cash only drop boxes. It can get very foggy in the right conditions and make for some really interesting views. But it is VERY secluded and spooky if you are going it solo. Stay safe and make sure you have plenty of gas. Please route this out with your GPS prior to going onto this route.

I will place a geotag for the beginning and end of this route on the map at the beginning of the post for those of you who want to try it out.

Heceta Head Lighthouse:

This Lighthouse is probably one of the most popular on the coast and has a lot of different photography and viewing locations. The first coming from the South is a viewpoint above the bay near the lighthouse itself that can be shot with a longer lens giving you whatever range your lens allows. I used a 100-400 when I was there but didn’t have the best lighting for the shot that I wanted. You can also drive down and park at the beach below the lighthouse which could give you some good shots but you may need to wade out a bit to get the angle that you want in this location. You are also able to drive up closer to the lighthouse and take pictures. I’ve never gotten up close but have seen some good shots from there.

Thors Well:

This location is MUST SEE spot on any trip on the Oregon Coast. An old sea cave collapsed creating this beauty. The best way I can describe it is a circular waterfall down into the ocean along the sea rocks. If you plan on getting up close and personal however, the walk out can be quite treacherous, bring water shoes and some bravery along for this one. Best shot at sunrise or sunset perhaps even during a stormy overcast day.

Just north of this is a hike that takes you down to another interesting location known as Devils Churn if you want more of this area.

Newport:

Yaquina Lighthouse:

This lighthouse has the most potential for the way that I personally shoot. If you would like to get here during sunrise or sunset however you will need to park outside the gated area somewhere and walk down to a good vantage point due to very slim hours for the area. There’s a spot just down the road heading towards the lighthouse that will allow you to shoot the bay below the lighthouse and the cape it stands on. You can get down into the bay and shoot closer to the water as well when the tides are especially low. A hill directly east of Yaquina would allow for a long lens shot facing the Pacific. Best times would be sunrise and sunset.

FOOD/COFFEE:

You can throw a rock and hit a place that sells good seafood in Newport, but like, probably don’t throw any rocks inside the town. I’d ask a local for a spot that sells locally caught and go for it, don't be shy!

Coasties Roasties for all of your brew needs!

Pacific City:

Cape Kiwanda:

There are a few haystack rocks along the coast but this particular place allows you to drive on the beach which makes for endless quality of life style portraits. Get creative!

FOOD:

Ben and Jeff’s Burgers and Tacos hands down the best place to eat. HUGE burritos and fantastic tacos. As you can see above I love this place.

Cannon Beach Area:

Hug Point:

South of Cannon is a beach with a very interesting little place called Hug Point. When the tide is low here you can walk around a rock outcropping that has a small walkway along the water. When the tides up the other side is inaccessible so don’t get stuck over there! They used to drive cars over it!

There is also a waterfall here worth some attention.

Cannon Beach:

Probably one of the most famous places on the entire West Coast this big haystack rock is THE haystack rock of the Oregon Coast.

You really can’t go wrong with this one. Sunrise or sunset, stormy, blue hour, golden hour, this rock is gorgeous and so easy to take pictures of. Check out my insta for some more shots of this beauty (top right hand corner of this page is the link button). Bring all your lenses and have a field day. Get a fire going on the beach and meet some new friends! Photographers flock to this place like the Puffins you’re sure to meet someone new!

FOOD/COFFEE:

There’s a couple breweries in town as well as a pretty good sit down place called Driftwood.

Sleepy Monk should definitely cover your coffee needs for this little place. Fantastic pastries and homemade chocolate whipped cream for you coffee if you like it sweet.

Ecola State Park:

This place has all kinds of potential. You can use a long lens and shoot Cannon Beach from here with the right conditions as well as by far the most interesting lighthouse along Oregons beautiful coastline, Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. You gotta see this one trust me, make sure to bring a hefty lens tho, I had to shoot with a 100-400mm. There’s no shortage of trails in this area either with lots of greenery to snap some photos.

Astoria:

Peter Iredale Shipwreck:

This is a pretty cool spot for a one of a kind photo. An old shipwreck was beached here and the only thing left of it is a metal frame. Makes for a very versatile place to shoot. I personally wan to shoot it at night with a drone using lume cubes on a drone for that ring of light above it but haven’t had the chance just yet. It’s a really cool location to visit in general.

FOOD/COFFEE:

For both go to Coffee Girl, it requires you drive out to a cannery on a pier and is one really interesting place to visit and end your trip on a yummy note. Have a coffee, some bagel with lox, and listen to the seals bark in the harbor.

Well that wraps up my Guide to the Oregon Coast, I hope you find it useful and have as much fun on this beautiful stretch of wonder that I did.