A summer trip to Oregon’s North Coast is a beloved pastime by many visitors from Portland. Not so beloved? Parking and traffic.
The new North Coast Shuttle offers a stress-free way to reach the Coast, with dedicated routes departing from the Sunset Transit Center in Beaverton, where you can park your car for free during the day. Each weekend, Friday through Sunday, choose between two express routes: a northbound route to Astoria, Cannon Beach and Seaside, or a southbound route to Rockaway Beach and the Tillamook Creamery. A midday connector makes it easy to hop on and off between coastal towns.
From May through August 31, morning shuttles head out to your choice of North Coast spots. In the evening, all buses return to Beaverton. Check out the website for the full schedule and pricing, and receive a 50% discount for tickets bought for travel during the month of August using the code 50OFF.
Here’s how to plan your car-free trip, whether you’re heading to the Coast for just a day or staying longer with a flexible return ticket.
Enjoy the Ride with Panoramic Windows and Accessible Boarding
There are plenty of perks to riding the shuttle instead of driving. Relax in comfort with reclining seats and large panoramic windows as you cruise along Highway 101. Bring a book, watch videos on your phone with free wifi and charge your devices on the go. Onboard restrooms means fewer stops and more time to enjoy the ride.
For visitors with accessibility needs, wheelchair lifts make for easy boarding. Limited storage is available for large items like strollers, bikes or surfboards.
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Spend a Day in Astoria, Cannon Beach and Seaside
Between its Victorian-era homes and ships gliding along the Columbia River, Astoria is a picture-perfect setting for coastal lovers. Start your morning by heading east along the Riverwalk to Pier 39, the town’s oldest waterfront building complex. Sip a latte at Coffee Girl, where you can watch ships on the Columbia and check out shops and history exhibits.
Another option is to head up into a quiet neighborhood to take the 1-mile Cathedral Tree Trail up to the Astoria Column, an iconic town monument.
If a hike isn’t in the cards, head to the Columbia River Maritime Museum to learn about Astoria’s maritime and regional tribal history. For lunch, Buoy Beer Co. Taproom offers a range of cold brews on tap to enjoy with a meal from one of the food carts on the patio of its new location. Enjoy a beer or two — you’re not driving. Don’t miss the Oregon Film Museum afterwards. This quick stop is a favorite for “The Goonies” fans and film buffs alike.
If you stay the night, plan a stay at the Bowline Hotel for ship-spotting and cozy vibes, or the Cannery Pier Hotel for a historic stay over the river with a phenomenal view of the Astoria-Megler Bridge.
In Cannon Beach, the star of the show is its shores. Start your morning with a walk along the beach to Haystack Rock, where tide pools and seabirds make for a peaceful start to the day, then warm up with coffee at Sleepy Monk, a local favorite just off the sand. Cannon Beach’s walkable downtown is full of amazing galleries and shops. For sweets lovers, Cannon Beach Chocolate Cafe offers handcrafted truffles that will be sure to delight.
For good eats, Pelican Brewery sits on the edge of town, welcoming visitors with handcrafted brews and juicy burgers. Tom’s Fish & Chips is perfect if you’re craving fried seafood, and the Wayfarer Restaurant is just steps away from a main entrance to the beach. For beachfront views, stay the night at the Surfsand Resort or book a stay at the Stephanie Inn, recently named as one of the top 500 hotels in the world.
Seaside Promenade is fun for the whole family. The 1.5-mile paved walkway is perfect for walking and biking next to the shore. On its sandy beaches, look down and search for sand dollars. People of all accessibility levels can access Seaside’s beaches, thanks to several accessibility amenities, like Mobi-mats (short for mobility mats) and rentable beach wheelchairs, including a David’s Chair, a sturdy device with tank-like treads. They are all free of charge, and visitors should call ahead for availability. It’s not a visit to the Coast without clam chowder, and Mo’s Seafood and Chowder on the south side of town is a classic Oregon spot. Order it up in a bread bowl for extra delicious calories. Staying the night? Family and pet-friendly spots like the Ebb Tide Oceanfront Inn and The Seashore Inn on the Beach have got you covered.
Spend a Day at Rockaway Beach and the Tillamook Creamery
Rockaway Beach is all about slowing down and soaking up the Coast. The town’s wide, uncrowded beach stretches for seven miles, perfect for rockhounding and flying kites. Accessible wheelchairs are available here, too. For a bit more activity, walk the short Cedar Wetlands Preserve trail to the boardwalk viewpoint, where you’ll spot one of Oregon’s largest old-growth cedar trees. Spend the afternoon tide pooling and watching the waves swirl around Twin Rocks, the sea stacks that give Rockaway its iconic view. When you’re hungry, stop at family-owned Grumpy’s Cafe for homestyle breakfast and lunch.
Hop on the shuttle again and head to the Tillamook Creamery. Inside, cheesy temptations await at every corner. Head to the second floor for a self-guided tour and watch how Tillamook’s award-winning cheeses go from farm to table. Sample some cheese before heading down to the main event — the restaurant and ice cream counters. Order a melty grilled cheese with tomato soup (pro tip: add cheese curds), or go for a slice of Detroit-style pizza. Finish your Coast adventures with a big scoop of Tillamook’s ice cream, with flavors from vanilla to sea salt honeycomb toffee.
