The Oregon coast is among the most scenic, beautiful destinations in the Pacific Northwest but we like to plan itineraries that mix natural beauty with museums, animals, and other historic sites. We think the itinerary presented below achieves that goal and comes together as a great weekend trip!

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum

If you are an enthusiast of Aviation history then this museum will prove to be a thrill! The museum is truly among the finest in the Pacific Northwest and one not to miss! Even better, it’s really two museums as there are two separate buildings hence, aviation and space—and both buildings pack a WOW! punch. The photos below only begin to show the fantastic selection of aircraft and space displays there are to see. Among the aircraft is the famed “Spruce Goose” built by Howard Hughes during World War II. Plan for three hours for your visit. You can even enjoy lunch in the café.

Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, 500 Northeast Captain Michael King Smith Way,
McMinnville, OR 97128, 503-434-4180. Open: daily 9-5; Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Admission: 16+ $25, 65+ and Military Veterans $20, 5-15 $12, 4 and under Free. Free parking. Gift shop and café on site.

H.B. Van Duzer Forest State Scenic Corridor

From McMinnville, head west on OR-18. Along the way you will drive the H.B. Van Duzer Forest State Scenic Corridor, named after the state’s first chairman of the Oregon State Parks Commission. The 12-mile drive passes through beautiful, old growth forest. At the Otis Junction, turn left onto Hwy-101 and head south toward Lincoln City, roughly a one-hour drive from McMinnville.

Oregon Coast, Lincoln City to Newport

Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area

Continue south from Lincoln City about seven miles to Fogarty Creek Beach; you will exit to the left, the road will lead you to the parking lot after about 1000 feet. A trail under US-101 leads to a beautiful sandy beach. Plan for 20 to 30 minutes for your visit—longer if you play in the water and sand or walk the trails.

Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area, 3115 US-101, Depoe Bay, OR 97341. Open: daily 24 hours. Restrooms available. No entrance fee. Free, plentiful parking.

Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint

Return to US-101 and drive a little over a mile and exit right to the parking lot. Walk the fence to view the beautifully rugged and rocky coast of Boiler Bay and watch the waves crash upon the rocks. Watch cormorants diving to feed just off the coast and, from mid-March to the end of May, you may even see gray whales surfacing and blowing. Plan on 15 to 30 minutes for your visit.

Boiler Bay State Wayside, Depoe Bay, OR 97341. Restrooms available.

Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint

Continue south on Hwy 101 for about 3.5 miles, turn right for the viewpoint loop. Plan on 15 minutes for your visit.

Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint, Depoe Bay, OR 97341

Rodea Point and Rocky Creek Bridge

Only a few hundred feet south, turn right onto Otter Crest Loop, stop at the Rodea Point overlook for a view, then continue south on Otter Crest Loop for about a quarter-mile; cross the beautiful Rocky Creek Bridge and turn right into the viewpoint parking. Note that parking is very limited at both locations, though there is more space to pull off the road just past the Rocky Creek Viewpoint. Plan on 10 to 15 minutes for your visit.

The concrete bridge, built in 1927, originally spanned the creek on what was then part of Hwy 101, before the highway was relocated to create a straighter roadway. This beautiful bridge was designed by engineer Conde B. McCullough, who served as the state bridge engineer from 1919 to 1936 and designed several bridges along the Hwy 101 route. The Rocky Creek Bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint

Stay on Otter Crest Loop heading south; it’s a slower and winding route—so drive carefully—but offers a superior view of the coast. After about 1.8 miles, turn right into the viewpoint parking. This site is also popular for watching for whales in the spring.

Otter Rock, OR 97369. Gift shop on site open Wed-Sun 10-3; closed Jan-Feb.

Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area

Continue south on Otter Crest Loop for about a mile and turn right onto 1^st St and drive about a quarter-mile to the parking area. Enjoy the rocky promontory, look down into a collapsed sea cave, and hike the short trails around the perimeter of the promontory. At the south end of the trail, you might even get to observe surfers catching waves off the beach below the promontory. Stop by at Cliffside Coffee & Sweets to enjoy yummy fudge and gourmet chocolates or Mo’s Seafood & Chowder for a bowl of clam chowder. Note that parking on site is often insufficient, but additional parking, with restroom facilities, is found between B Ave and C Ave. Plan on 30 minutes for your visit, more if you stop at the vendors above.

Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area, 122 1st St, Otter Rock, OR 97369.

Dinner and the Newport Historic Bayfront

Simply enter Newport Historic Bayfront in your navigation app and it will lead you to an exciting evening—dozens of shops, great restaurants, and sights to see. Be sure to visit the gift shops first as most of the stores close by 6pm or 7pm. As you walk the bayfront, be sure to watch for murals—and don’t miss the sea lions that gather on the sea lion docks right behind Clearwater Restaurant.

The bayfront is a happening place with limited parking, especially on weekends. There are several pay-to-park lots but there are also several free parking lots along Bay Blvd.

Oregon Coast Aquarium

Day Two starts with a visit to a wonderful aquarium experience. The aquarium is a world-class facility and is in fact one of Oregon’s top tourist attractions—and it should be! Come see a variety of jellyfish and fish of all kinds from across the world’s seas and oceans, including sharks; add to that a wide selection of sea birds, octopi, and sea mammals, which makes the aquarium yet one more experience not to be missed. Plan on two to 2.5 hours for your visit. You can even enjoy a meal at the Moon Jelly Café.

Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:

Oregon Coast Aquarium, 2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd, Newport, OR 97365. Open: daily 10-6. Admission: Fri-Sun: 18+ $29.95, 65+ and 13-17 $23.95, 3-12 $19.95; Mon-Thu: 18+ $24.95, 65+ and 13-17 $19.95, 3-12 $14.95; 2 and under Free. No pets. Free Parking. Tickets may be purchased in advance but is not required: https://tickets.aquarium.org/?_gl=1*1xv2mqn*_ga*MTIzMTgyNzU2MS4xNzE2MjYzNzUx*_ga_63XB5CVQ0B*MTcyMDczNDU3OS4yLjAuMTcyMDczNDU3OS4wLjAuMA..#/Admission

Pacific Maritime Heritage Center

The building that houses the center has its own fascinating history that began in the 1880s, a history you can learn as you visit the center. Of course, the focus of the center is the local history of the Newport region and the ocean. The center proved to be very educational but will be of most interest to readers, as there are a great number of interpretive displays with lots of reading material—but don’t get me wrong, the center proved to be a fascinating visit, and if you’re not a reader, the theatre offers several short movies that inform the viewer of local maritime history. Plan on one to two hours for your visit, dependent upon how much of a reader you are and how many movies you watch.

Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:

Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, 333 SE Bay Blvd., Newport, OR 97365, 541-265-7509. Open: Tue-Sun 11-4. Admission: adult $10, 13-17 $5, 12 and under Free. Free parking.

Other Possible Sites to Visit

If you have the drive home ahead of you that we did, it’s likely time to head for home. However, if your drive is not far you or your trip is more than two days, you may find these additional sites to be of interest:

Connie Hansen Garden Conservancy: 1931 NW 33rd St, Lincoln City, OR 97367. Open: daily daily dawn to dusk. Admission: Free.

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area: 750 NW Lighthouse Dr, Newport, OR 97365. Nature area with trails open daily 9-5. Lighthouse and visitor center open daily 10-4. Admission: $7 vehicle entry fee. Vault toilets on site.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! World of Adventure: 250 SW Bay Blvd. #4535, Newport, OR 97365. Open: daily 10-7. Admission: 12+ $24.99, 4-11 $19.99.

Updated July 2024