Oregon’s coastline is one of the most beautiful diverse places to experience. Oregon has done a terrific job of situating scenic State Parks along the route, 18 in all.

Each park is unique in it’s own way. Some are day-use only, others offer camping (tent only or full hook-up). Many abut the ocean with access to it’s beachfront for shell seekers, surfers, fisherman, and walking along the gorgeous shoreline.

Picturesque lighthouses litter the drive along capes like Heceta Head, Yaquina Bay, Cape Blanco, and Cape Meares just to name a few.

Some are tucked along ancient forests of Sitka trees, which mostly only exist along the Pacific Northwest where rain and fog are abundant.

Other stops along picturesque coastline include little marina’s and quaint bays with scenic walking trails and plenty of fresh seafood. We even enjoyed the occasion to do some crabbing for fresh dungeness crab.

On the northern end of the Oregon Coast lies Ft. Stevens, home to the Military Historic Site and concrete artillery gun batteries and the popular tourist destination of the Peter Iredale wreck, left to rust, stranded ashore since 1906.

We barely scratched the surface of all the so many places to visit along the 343 miles (a mere 8 hour drive), that we did in 3-weeks. Maybe next time.