If you love the ocean, any getaway to the Oregon Coast can make you feel like a million bucks. Breathing in the salty air, catching a whale spouting from a cliffside trail, digging clams for an impromptu dinner over a campfire: All these experiences are Oregon luxuries with little to no cost. But for special occasions or just an unforgettable experience, the state’s 363 miles of coastline provide many ways to splurge.
Kayak Among Massive Rocks on the South Coast
Play: Though a jet boat or float tour on the Rogue River is always fun, adventurous visitors to the South Coast can book nature-focused tours on the high seas. Get up close and personal with rocky outcroppings and marine life — even harbor seals and resident gray whales — by kayaking with South Coast Tours. Paddling trips can be just a few hours around Port Orford Heads or an overnight excursion to the Arches territory south of Gold Beach.
Eat: Contemplate the contours of the Coast as you dine overlooking Battle Rock and the cliffs to the south at Redfish. Magnificent sunsets, craft cocktails, and locally sourced seafood come from bays nearby and from the local fishing fleet. Visit the Hawthorne Gallery next door, owned by the same family, if you’re fascinated by the abstract art on the dining room walls. For more seafood and local farms, explore the Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail.
Stay: Fancy stargazing during a recovery soak in a hot tub perched on the edge of a forest, overlooking the ocean? You may enjoy the serenity of the five private, eco-friendly cabins at WildSpring Guest Habitat, each with a cozy living room suite and included breakfast. The property is also home to a walking labyrinth and a sculpture-enhanced garden and forest paths. Be sure to inquire about private guided hikes and yoga sessions.
Wellness and Wild Seas on the Central Coast
Play: Sometimes luxury just means taking a well-needed break. Yachats, a small town on a bend of Highway 101 north of Florence, offers rest and peace of mind in a beautiful oceanside setting. Start your getaway with a reservation for a sea-stone massage and facial at the Overleaf Lodge & Spa after a stop at the peaceful, bath-warm, indoor soaking pool on site. The large windows alongside the pool frame wild waves shooting spray into the air and brilliant sunsets. When you’re ready to explore, cross the lodge’s back lawn for access to multiple trails, or take a stroll through the vibrant Gerdemann Botanic Preserve across the highway. Just south of town, Cape Perpetua’s trail system has even more — from easy hikes to strenuous climbs — for meditative forest bathing and spotting whales at ocean overlooks.
Eat: With a globally inspired menu and dishes featuring healthy grains, farm-fresh vegetables and locally caught Chinook salmon, Ona Restaurant & Lounge is perfect for a quiet supper. Enjoy a glass of Oregon pinot noir in the dining room or enclosed and heated outdoor seating section overlooking the sandy mouth of the Yachats River. Green Salmon, a classic brunch spot just down the street, sells unique herbal and floral tea blends to stimulate creative work and sweet dreams. The Central Coast Food Trail has many more options to enjoy in the area.
Stay: Overleaf Lodge & Spa currently offers spa services only to guests, so spa getaways should begin with booking one of this comfortable resort’s rooms, all of which feature ocean views. Guests also enjoy full breakfasts and wine tastings in a cozy lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows and a crackling fireplace — great for watching winter storms. For even more privacy, consider booking a cottage on the grounds.
Catch Your Dinner on the North Coast
Play: Astoria offers multiple ways to experience its fishing heritage via guided trips on small, all-inclusive boats that navigate the surrounding waters and take you to the best fishing spots. Even better — your expert guide provides all the gear, advice, and fillet services when you reel in the big one. Salmon and steelhead still reign supreme on Lower Columbia River charters, but visitors looking for a change of pace might try to cross the Columbia Bar via an oceangoing tuna charter or guided groundfish day trip to navigate the nooks and crannies of nearshore, colorful lingcod or rockfish. Want a little history with your seafood? The historic tugboat Arrow No. 2 offers crabbing trips with a river tour of Astoria’s historic waterfront while the crab pots soak. Check the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife’s handy page to see what licenses are needed and what’s biting when.
Eat: Brimming with pescatarian dining options, Astoria knows its seafood. If you love a buttery, saucy, hands-on experience, The SEA Crab House, which offers Cajun-style fresh seafood boils and nightly live music right on the river, is a must. And don’t forget to preorder a sandwich for the boat at a lunch spot like Peter Pan Market, known for its decadent carrot cake. Check out the North Coast Food Trail for other local restaurants and seafood markets.
Stay: Astoria’s luxury hotels offer comfortable beds, maritime decor and dramatic views of ships from river-view rooms and lounging areas. Options include spacious rooms at the recently renovated Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa — situated on its own historic pier next to the Astoria-Megler Bridge — and downtown’s Bowline Hotel, which opened in 2021. This former seafood-processing plant was transformed into a 40-room boutique property with high ceilings and local art, plus a sophisticated cocktail bar with light eats and outdoor riverfront seating.
