The Oregon coast is a mystical and moody place that leaves you wanting more. It’s one of those places that holds a unique feeling no matter what the weather has in store.
It is actually one of those places where the weather doesn’t matter – rain or shine, it’s still beautiful.
So if you have one day on the central Oregon coast, what should you do? From Bandon Beach to Devil’s Churn, there are endless amounts of things to do. Here’s the itinerary that I think makes the most sense for visiting the central Oregon coast in one day.
Following the Itinerary for One Day on the Central Oregon Coast
You can either head north to do the itinerary or you can start north and head south. When I did that, I came from the south. I decided to drive all the way north and start there to make my way back to where I started.
Whatever you decide to do for your route on the Oregon coast doesn’t matter, but the locations below are in order of how you would see them from south to north.
Bandon and Bandon Beach
Bandon is a quaint seaside town on the south end of the central part of the coast with a great vibe. There is a cute market right by the docks that you should definitely check out.
You’ll have time to drive around Bandon to get better views of the coast itself as well.
If you’re starting at the south point, you will first hit the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. This is basically a breeding ground for different marine animals and mammals. I personally didn’t see any marine animals like sea lions, but they are definitely around!
If you’re feeling up to it, you can climb down the 129 stairs from Coquille Point down to Bandon Beach. If it wasn’t so cold and windy on the day I was there, I would’ve spent more time strolling the beach. I highly recommend it! It is one of the beaches that probably reminds you of what you see when you see pictures of the Oregon coast – full of rocks jutting out of the water on your right side and dramatic cliffs on your left.
As you continue to make your way north, you should stop by Seven Devils State Recreation Site. This is another beach with easy access to walk along.
Shore Acres State Park
Shore Acres State Park highlights some of Oregon’s rugged natural beauty. Within the park, you can enjoy several different trails as well as a flower garden. If you don’t feel like adventuring, you can simply stay on the seawall and enjoy watching the waves crash over the rocks below.
There is a parking fee in the park.
Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint
Heceta Head Lighthouse is a picturesque area on the Oregon coast that you do not want to miss. There is a beach with dramatic cliffs surrounding it, a beautiful bridge, and the lighthouse itself. It is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the coast.
There are various entrances to the different areas, so it is best to make sure that you map to these areas because the roads around these areas get a bit confusing. If you choose to go to the state scenic viewpoint, you will have to pay the day-use fee. For more information about the different areas around Heceta Head Lighthouse, you can check out the lighthouse website here.
Lighthouse and Sea Lion Beach Vantage Point
This is a great stop right along the highway. I didn’t spend long here, just enough time to grab a few pictures. It’s a beautiful view of the ocean down below and a small beach. Seeing the waves come in line by line casts a unique angle of the strength of the Pacific Ocean.
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
This is one of the busiest spots along this drive but holds a few sites that you do not want to miss.
Thor’s Well is an iconic area where there’s a hole in the rocks where the ocean just seems to disappear. A little bit further along the pathway, Spouting Horn shows off its natural wonder. When the water rushes through and then drains it almost looks as if a whale is blowing water out of its blowhole.
Devil’s Churn
If you are heading south to north, Devil’s Churn is your last stop of the day. Or, if you drive up the coast to get to this spot first, this would be your first stop and an exciting one at that!
There are a few different trails that you can take to get down to the water. I personally like the view from above of Devil’s Churn itself. However, if you head down the trail and continue toward the left, you’ll see stairs to get down onto the rocks. If you keep walking with the cliff on your right-hand side, you’ll pop out where all of the waves are crashing. This is the area to see the waves shoot up extremely high!
Just be careful that you do not get too close to the edge because some waves sneak right up on you.
One Day on the Central Oregon Coast
If you only have a day, these are the places I recommend stopping along the central Oregon Coast. There are many other areas that you could stop, though.
If you make every single one of these stops, it will take you the entire day. I recommend leaving earlier in the morning so that you do not feel rushed. You will most likely want to spend a bit of time at each stop – you never know, there may be something else you stumble upon along the way!
If you are continuing your trip, you’ll definitely want to check out my guide for how to spend a weekend in Portland, Oregon.
