Visitor information about Oregon's North Coast.

Visitor Information for Oregon’s Central Coast. The central coast is less inhabited and has fewer facilities than the north coast area mainly because it is farther from the population center in Portland.

Having said that, we don’t want to give the impression it is desolate, it is far from it. Lincoln City claims to have more motel rooms than any other city on the Oregon Coast. On weekends and holidays, summer and winter, we would suggest you make reservations or you could have to drive across the Coastal Range to get a room in the Interstate-5 corridor.

The Bridge over the Yaquina River

in Newport

The Oregon coast is famous for its bridges. The photo above shows only a portion on the Yaquina River Bridge in Newport.

A couple of things you need to know

1. Marine Mammals leave their young on the shore to get food for them. Do not touch them and stay back 150 ft. so you don’t scare the mother away. If you touch them they will surely die. Feel something must be done, call 1-800-452-7888

2. Ocean waves are dangerous and rogue waves can carry you and your loved ones to sea. Be careful and watch the sea.

3. Watch for logs in the waves, they can kill.

4. Know your Tsunami evacuation route at all times. http://www.tsunami.noaa.gov

Cities of the Central Coast

The cities and communities on the Central Coast from north to south are:

US Highway-101

All of these cities are on US Highway-101 which travels down the Washington, Oregon, and Northern California coast. Except for a few very short sections US-101 is two lane.

Looking west along the docks in

Newport’s Historic Downtown

Sea Lions begging for food

in Newport’s Historic Downtown

All of your travels along the Oregon Coast will be on US-101. The highway is anything but straight and two lanes so plan a little extra time to travel, you are going to go as fast as the slowest vehicle so sit back and relax.

Oregon Island National Wildlife Refuge

In the 320 miles of Oregon Coastline there are 1,852 rocks, reefs, and islands. All of these lands have been put in the Oregon Island National Wildlife Refuge and all of these lands have been closed to public access to protect the wildlife habitat.

Many of the Waysides and parks offer good view sites where you can see the wildlife that inhabit these areas.

Highways

Interstate-5

The Oregon Coast Area

The Portland, OR Area

The Salem, OR Area

The Albany, OR Area

Highway 101 – North Coast

Highway 101 – Central Coast

Highway 101 – South Coast

3 Capes scenic Loop

US-20 to the Ocean Beaches from Albany

US-30 from Portland to Astoria

OR-18 & 22 from Salem to Lincoln City

OR-128 from Eugene to Florence

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Maps not to scale

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