As a globe-trotting writer, speaker and disability advocate, Shane Burcaw is well aware of the disabled challenges travelers face on a regular basis. There’s uncertainty in any new location when it comes to transportation, restrooms, hotel rooms, dining spaces and more, not to mention navigating through busy airports and pathways. So when he and his wife, Hannah Burcaw, took a trip to Oregon in spring 2025, they were delighted to have what he calls a “stress-free experience” thanks to the state’s newest efforts to welcome travelers of all mobilities.
“As we traveled along the Coast, there were so many areas where I was able to get right up in the thick of nature right in my wheelchair, and that is not always the case,” says Burcaw, who lives with spinal muscular atrophy and uses a power wheelchair. “Being able to really feel like I was out there experiencing nature in its fullest form was really a special feeling for me and Hannah.”
Wheel the World is a travel platform that has partnered with Oregon and 43 of its communities, meaning a significant percentage of the state’s hotels, activities, transportation and restaurants have been reviewed and verified by accessible community travelers. These listings include detailed accessibility information and photos to help travelers plan their trip to Oregon with confidence.
In fact, Oregon is the first Accessibility Verified state in the U.S., and the Oregon Coast invites travelers of all mobilities to enjoy its 363 miles of public coastline, tide pools, fresh seafood and dramatic scenery. Here’s how to take an accessible 3-day road trip along the Oregon Coast.
Day 1: South Coast Brewpubs, Boat Ramps and Beach Access
Accessed via Highway 101, also called the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, the Oregon Coast offers a mix of rejuvenation and adventure all year-round at whatever level you choose. One good place to start your road trip is on the less-crowded South Coast, which stretches from Reedsport south to Brookings. Since it’s farther from Portland, this gorgeous section is quieter and tends to be more rugged. You won’t find traffic jams or lines for restaurants here — just wide-open spaces. In Coos Bay you can hike and camp, visit a tribal-owned casino resort, sample fresh seafood with waterfront views and access miles and miles of sand dunes.
One good place to start is the Coos Bay Boardwalk, a short stretch of wood plank pier that includes a fish market, historic displays, public artwork and views of the bay. Follow the accessible path as far as you like, and grab a seat inside or outside at 7 Devils Waterfront Alehouse, one of the region’s top brewpubs. Find a step-free entrance, accessible dining area, accessible parking and restrooms. The menu includes high-quality seafood caught by local fishers; try the Coos Bay oysters, smoked fish trio or beer-battered Oregon rockfish fish n’ chips. The brewpub is part of the Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail, a self-guided journey to top spots for berries, seafood and dreamy ocean landscapes.
Travel north along Highway 101, enjoying scenic views and adventures along the way. About 45 minutes north of Coos Bay in Reedsport, the Tahkenitch Landing Boat Ramp is accessible to wheelchair users for both boat access and fishing. You can find more kayak launches at William M. Tugman State Park south of Reedsport, as well as at John Topits Park near Coos Bay.
Also near Coos Bay, you can borrow a free wheelchair at Shore Acres State Park to enjoy the magnificent gardens and flowers along paths and overlooks.
Day 2: Central Coast Lighthouses, Bayfronts and Oceanfront Lodging
Travel north along Highway 101, enjoying the scenic views and stops along the way. One lovely spot to stretch the legs is Heceta Head Lighthouse in Florence. The historic 1893 lighthouse, the most photographed on the Coast, is a top spot for spotting whales during winter and spring migration, as well as sea lions and many species of birds. Find accessible parking and several trails including a half-mile trail leading from the parking lot to the lighthouse and viewpoint. Parts of the trail have a steep incline, but most agree the views are still worth the stop.
Continue north on your journey, stopping for salt-water taffy, ice cream and a rest stop at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, where you may be able to spy whales and other wildlife from the accessible viewing deck.
Book seats for lunch or dinner at the casually sophisticated Local Ocean Seafoods, one of the Coast’s most sustainable restaurants, located in Newport’s Historic Bayfront. Be hungry for Dungeness crab cakes, grilled coho salmon and Yaquina Bay oysters from local fishers. Choose seating on the waterfront patio, inside with views of the open kitchen or upstairs with elevator access and views of the bay and sea lions from the floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s a step-free entrance, accessible dining area, low tables and accessible restrooms. Find dozens more tasty food stops along the self-guided Central Coast Food Trail, which stretches from Florence north to Lincoln City.
No trip to Newport is complete without a close-up view of the resident sea lions basking in the sun from the Newport Public Fishing Pier. Find shops, restaurants and sweet shops galore along the bayfront, and go early, late or outside of summer to avoid the big crowds. More ocean stewardship and education awaits at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, ranked among the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. The space is wheelchair-friendly with accessible parking and restrooms, and there are also hearing loop systems and sensory-inclusive resources available through KultureCity.
Just down the road, Best Western Agate Beach is located right on the beach, with ocean views and an on-site seafood restaurant and lounge. Find accessible parking, a wide door entrance, smooth floors, Braille in the elevators and four accessible rooms.
Day 3: North Coast Beach Wheelchairs, Chowder and Museums
Traveling north you’ll start to see more crowds, especially in peak summer months, due to the North Coast’s proximity to Portland. In the historic vacation town of Seaside you’ll find the Oregon Coast’s longest Mobi-mat — a Mobility mat that provides a stable, flat surface for wheels to roll onto the broad, sandy beach. Seaside provides access to the long blue Mobi-mat from two access points, on the north and south sides of town, starting at the 1.5-mile paved, car-free Promenade.
Families with wheelchairs, strollers, wagons, canes and other mobility aids have been enjoying Mobi-mats on a growing number of Oregon beaches including Gold Beach, Florence, Heceta Beach, Waldport, Beverly Beach and Lincoln City. North Coast towns including Seaside, Manzanita, Pacific City, Rockaway Beach and Lincoln City also have adaptive wheelchairs that you can rent or check out for free. Find even more resources and friendly tips on accessible amenities (plus an oversized beach chair perfect for selfies) right along Highway 101 at the Seaside Welcome Center.
Outstanding coastal dining is easy to find — one top spot is about 8 miles north of Seaside at Wayfarer Restaurant in Cannon Beach (go early or midweek for fewer crowds). Savor fresh clam chowder, Oregon pink shrimp ceviche and cocktails with views of Haystack Rock.
There’s plenty more to experience about 20 miles north of Cannon Beach in the historic fishing outpost of Astoria, the northern end of the Oregon Coast. The Columbia River Maritime Museum is a world-class museum noted for its accessibility — here you can learn the maritime history of the city through interactive exhibits and a 3D theater. Exhibits are easily viewed from wheelchairs, and you can request a wheelchair to use if needed. There’s a step-free entrance, accessible restrooms and parking.
Have lunch a few blocks away at Buoy Beer Co. Taproom, one of the city’s flagship craft breweries. The family-friendly space serves up award-winning lagers with four on-site food carts, and dogs are welcome on the patio. Enjoy an accessible dining area with step-free seating area and private restroom for people with disabilities.
Just down the block, along the waterfront, Astoria Nordic Heritage Park is a cool space to honor the city’s Scandinavian influence, as immigrants arrived here as fishermen, small business owners and farmers in the 19th century and built the city into what it is today. There’s a ramp entrance, along with paved paths and accessible parking.
There are a ton of great hotel options, ranging from budget to luxury, many with a waterfront view. Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa is one of the premier accommodations, with ground-level entrance, Braille in the elevator, automatic lobby doors and step-free seating area.
If You Go
Need a list of accessible locations in this itinerary?
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Columbia River Maritime Museum
For more accessible itineraries in Oregon, visit our main accessibility page.
