Charming Oregon Coast Towns

From beaches and waterfalls to charming seaside villages with ancient streets, the Oregon Coast really has something to offer everyone. It can be difficult to decide which charming communities are worth seeing, though, because there are so many of them. We put up this guide to some of our favorite Oregon Coast cities to help you compile the ideal coastal bucket list.

The range of Oregon Coast cities is astonishing, ranging from quirky art enclaves to tranquil fishing villages and beach cottages perched on cliffs.

If you're traveling down the coast without a set itinerary or with a specific destination in mind, you'll come across amazing scenery, bustling gastronomic towns, and diverse cultural experiences.

9 Oregon Coast Towns

1. Astoria

• Location: Along the Columbia River on the North Coast

• 9,800 people live there.

• Why end right here? a sleepy port town with a nostalgic feel, an amazing food scene, and lots of activities.

Astoria, an unusual town on the Oregon Coast that is oriented around fishing, is well known for being the setting of numerous filming locations for The Goonies.

It's an excellent starting point for exploring the northern coast, offering a plethora of in-town hiking possibilities, fascinating museums, and a vibrant food and beer culture. Astoria is a fantastic day trip destination when you consider how close it is to Portland (around two hours).

2. Seaside

• Where: North Coast

• 6,500 people live there.

• Why end right here? Tourist-heavy seaside resort town with a strong family focus

We've made it known rather openly that we're not really fond of Seaside. We think it's a little too generic and touristic, but that's just our opinion!

People adore Seaside for a variety of reasons (it is extremely well-liked, after all), such as the arcade, diners, cheap souvenir stores, and an abundance of laid-back beachside places to get a slice of greasy pizza.

3. Cannon Beach

• Where: North Coast

• 1,491 people live there.

• Why end here? A well-known beach in Oregon featuring tide pools and sea stacks that are worth exploring

Even though Cannon Beach is only seven miles away from Seaside, it feels much more like a tiny town and isn't quite as touristy—though it is, to be honest, somewhat touristy.

Famous Haystack Rock is a breathtaking sight close offshore and makes a perfect backdrop for beach walks and bonfires at night. A lover of brews, both coffee and beer, will find Cannon Beach to be an absolute paradise. It's impossible not to fall in love with this little Oregon Coast town when all of these things are there!

4. Manzanita

• Place: North Coast

• 393 people in total

• Why end right here? A peaceful hidden gem with picture-perfect scenery and a diverse, artistic attitude among the neighboring, much busier Oregon Coast cities

Essentially, tiny Manzanita is a main street with charming shops lining it. Despite its small size, Manzanita offers plenty of activities, including a lovely beach and a few top-notch dining and drinking establishments.

With its breathtaking location between the Pacific and a thick pine forest, Manzanita is undoubtedly one of the most peaceful and relaxed coastal villages in Oregon.

5. Brighton

• Place: North Coast

• N/A; unincorporated population

• Why end here? Kelly's Brighton Marina offers excellent fish and beer in addition to crabbing!

It's all about Kelly's, one of our favorite places on the whole Oregon Coast, in this little town. Eating wonderful, ultra-fresh seafood, sipping inexpensive beer, and catching crabs—all while enjoying a fantastic view and even better vibes. Could you ask for anything more?

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6. Rockaway Beach

• Place: North Coast

• 1,166 people

• Why end right here? A charming seaside village with an extensive beach and a large number of holiday rentals

Despite being a little less charming than other Oregon Coast villages, sprawling Rockaway Beach offers a fun beach weekend without any hassles.

A lengthy, kid-friendly stretch of sand, the namesake beach is enhanced by the picturesque twin sea stacks out in the distance. Another intriguing feature of Rockaway Beach is that there are so many vacation rentals that everyone has a private section of the beach and it never feels overly crowded.

7. Garibaldi

• Place: North Coast

• 797 people

• Why end right here? A distinct absence of tourists and a genuine feeling of a languid fishing village

Garibaldi stands out among Oregon Coast towns as a genuine fishing community that most people drive straight by. No tourists are present. Garibaldi is an excellent basecamp for fishing, visiting neighboring beaches, and enjoying the Oregon Coast at a slower pace, even though the town may not have many attractions.

8. Oceanside

• Place: North Coast

• 546 people

• Why end right here? A tiny, charming town that also happens to have a "hidden" beach and is among the most picturesque places on the whole coast

Picture-perfect In all honesty, Oceanside is hardly more than a collection of shingle-clad homes perched on a rock with a view of the Pacific's sea stacks. But that's not necessarily a bad thing—it's incredibly beautiful and frequently disregarded.

Despite having fewer activities, Oceanside is one of the greatest Oregon Coast towns for a romantic or restful vacation because of the stunning coastline and nearby beaches.

9. Netarts

• Place: North Coast

• 778 people

• Why end right here? The tastiest fresh oysters on the Oregon Coast may be found in this little, untouristy hamlet!

The main attraction of Netarts, a laid-back bayside village, is the abundance of amazing fresh oysters. The village is a terrific place to experience the relaxed coastal lifestyle in one of the least developed areas of the whole Oregon coast.