11 Small Towns In Oregon To Visit For A Weekend Getaway
Oregon doesn't just offer an assortment of weekend getaways; it offers entirely different worlds within a few hours' drive. One moment, you're tracing the Pacific's wild coastline, where waves crash against cliffs; the next, you're surrounded by pines that swallow the sky above. This state's small towns mix rugged adventure with refined taste. So whether you're looking for mountain hikes or fancy farm-to-table restaurants you can brag about to your friends, Oregon has things covered. From coastal gems to hidden mountain retreats, here are the best of Oregon's small towns for a weekend getaway in 2025 and beyond.
Manzanita
Between Neahkahnie Mountain and Nehalem Bay, Manzanita is small enough to exhale but busy enough to fill a couple of perfect, sea-salted days. The Ocean Inn sits right off Laneda Avenue, close enough to the surf that you can hear the tide shifting in your sleep. Step outside, and the street pulls you toward the beach, passing the Winery at Manzanita, which is part tasting room and part campfire hangout where pinot is poured under string lights.
Manzanita Links is also nearby for those who want their weekend (or even a portion of it) spent on the golf course. But it's the seven miles of uninterrupted and remarkably quiet beach that's the biggest draw in this somewhat underrated town in Oregon. Manzanita Beach stretches out to meet Sunset Beach to the south and up toward Neahkahnie Beach to the north. While hiking trails are plentiful in the area due to the presence of the mountains, one can simply trace the Pacific Ocean for hours on end.
Brookings
Brookings, sitting just six miles north of the California border, has a different pace than most Oregon coast towns, warmer, sunnier, and a little more carefree. Mornings start at Harris Beach State Park, where tide pools and sea stacks line one of the most photogenic stretches of sand in the state. Locals swear the light here hits differently, especially in winter when migrating gray whales drift past. A short walk from downtown, Chetco Point Park juts into the Pacific with trails that lead to quiet coves and picnic spots, perfect for watching seals work the shoreline.
In town, Chetco Brewing Company serves small-batch beers and is a hotspot for live music and trivia nights. If you're visiting in the late fall, the Wild Rivers Mushroom Festival takes over with hundreds of locally foraged fungi front and center, with vendors and workshops. Whether you're traveling in 2025 or 2026, check in at Mermaid's Muse Bed & Breakfast, where every room faces the ocean and the sound of the surf carries through open windows.
Yachats
The 804 Trail starts mere steps away from the Overleaf Lodge in Yachats (pronounced YAH-hots), and traces down the dramatic coastline. It's not just beaches and waves here; there are some truly spectacular natural attractions along the rocky coast, like the Spouting Horn, the Devil's Churn, and Thor's Well. Some are found within walking distance of downtown, while others are a bit further down the coast past Yachats Ocean Road State Natural Site and the Cape Perpetua Overlook.
The town itself is both a little quirky and exceptionally quaint. This energy has been maintained year after year, even in 2025. You won't find big box stores or chains. Instead, locally owned and somewhat weathered spots, such as Luna Sea Fish House and Bread & Roses Bakery. For a weekend getaway in Oregon that's focused on nature, small town vibes, and general calm, you really can't beat Yachats.
Hood River
So many of the best weekend getaway spots in Oregon are along the coast, with the Pacific Ocean as the most prominent attraction. But Hood River shouldn't be disregarded just because it's inland. The town pulses where the Columbia River Gorge funnels wind through its downtown blocks and fires up windsurfers, kiteboarders, and wig-foilers on most afternoons. Stay at the Hood River Hotel, built in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, right in the heart of town.
Flowing out a few minutes from your front door, the Hood River Waterfront Park offers a paved 2.8-mile path that follows the riverbank. It's the perfect place for a casual stroll, a stand-up paddle or watching the wind sports from land. Down by the park, you can find several Hood River's most beloved (and best) restaurants and bars, including pFriem Family Brewers and Solstice Wood Fire Pizza & Bar.
Rockaway Beach
Rockaway Beach is the kind of coastal town that feels like summer camp for grown-ups, regardless of the season you're visiting. One of the best reasons for making this the destination for your weekend getaway in 2025 or beyond is the seven miles of sand that stretch along the Rockaway Beach city shoreline.
Every September, the Rockaway Beach Kite Festival fills the shoreline with color, summer brings a music festival, and in December, gray and humpback whales migrate south to warmer waters. The whales return in March, making both months the perfect time to come if whale watching is what makes for an ideal weekend activity. Even on quiet weekends, you'll find families picnicking or hanging out at the Rockaway Beach Wayside while the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad rolls right through town, steam whistle echoing off the surf. Just up from the main entrance to the beach is the Whale Watchers Inn by Meredith Lodging and the Rockaway Beach Resort and Conference Center, both central accommodations that suit a variety of needs.
Bandon
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is reason enough to make the trip to Oregon's South Coast. A few miles north of the town of Bandon, its windswept links unfold across bluffs a hundred feet above the Pacific. The seven courses were inspired by those in Scotland but carved into the untamed Oregon shoreline. Whether you play or not, it's worth staying at the Lodge, where floor-to-ceiling windows look out to endless dunes.
Back in town, Old Town Bandon invites wandering through restaurants, shops, and the Washed Ashore Gallery, featuring giant sea creatures made from beach debris. A weekend getaway isn't complete without tracing the Pacific along the Bandon Oregon Coast Walk, which takes you down Bandon Beach past the Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint and Tish-A-Tang Beach, where shark-fin-like rocks burst up from the sand.
Cannon Beach
There are many reasons why Cannon Beach is one of the most desired weekend getaway destinations in the state of Oregon. For one, it is easily one of the most breathtaking small towns on the coast, with Haystack Rock (a 235-foot sea stack that rises from the surf) being the focal point for most visitors' photos.
Arcadia Beach's tide pools and sea caves are also a gorgeous natural attraction just outside of town, but within Cannon Beach itself, there's a ton to see and do. This includes wandering the Tillamook Head Trail, beachcombing on Chapman Beach, or grabbing a bite at The Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge. Naturally, most of the town is built along the coastline, so the numerous inns and hotels, including the Surfsand Resort, are built along the water to maximize incredible views of the Pacific Ocean.
Depoe Bay
In 2025, many of Oregon's coastal towns are seen as whale-watching havens, but Depoe Bay easily earns its title as the "Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast". The town's six-acre natural harbor threads directly into the Pacific, offering front-row seats to gray whales migrating from mid-December to mid-January and from late March to May.
From the Whale Watching Center above the seawall, it’s easy to spot whales, orcas, and sea lions, with local guides familiar with each pod’s patterns. Just note, Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint offers more of the same spectacle for those who plan their weekend getaway at the right time of year. Depoe Bay has all of the small-town coastal charm one could ask for during a weekend getaway. This includes the cozy restaurant, Gracie's Sea Hag, and Ainslee's Salt Water Taffy, which has been in operation since 1947. The Inn at Arch Rock isn't far away and offers a protected view of the town from atop cliffs.
Rogue River
Rogue River thrives on its riverfront location, where the Rogue National Wild and Scenic River threads through town and invites weekend adventurers to cast a line, paddle, or hike along its banks. The river itself supports fly fishing, kayaking, and guided rafting trips, with accessible launch points right from various parks. The Mountain of the Rogue Mountain Biking Trail provides a series of trails for advanced, as well as beginner, bikers. The Bridgeview RV Resort is right on the water and minutes from downtown, while the Best Western Inn At The Rogue is also nearby.
The town is certainly set up for outdoor lovers and those who prefer to camp or travel via RV, but that doesn't mean it's a cultural void or missing great places to eat. Bee Gee's Diner is a must for anyone who loves good old Americana fare, and the month of June hosts the National Rooster Crow event, where thousands of people compete in a crowing contest. If you're planning your weekend getaway in Rogue River for the remainder of 2025, you've missed it, but the event is annual, so be sure to check it out in 2026.
Sisters
FivePine Lodge & Spa places you in the middle of Sisters' high-desert playground, with 36 craftsman-style cabins tucked into pine forests and direct access to trails leading into the Cascade Mountains. The lodge also has Three Creeks Brewpub and Shibui Spa for serious unwinding during your weekend getaway.
From here, it's a short drive to Peterson Ridge and Whychus Creek trails for hiking, snowshoeing, or mountain biking. Downtown Sisters is perfect for those who love the Wild West, as many of the buildings are designed to resemble that time period. But it's also set up for art lovers with numerous galleries to enjoy, such as Hood Avenue Art. And if you like beer, Sisters is home to Three Creeks Brewing and Cascade Street Distillery.
Joseph
Mt. Joseph Lodge sits on Main Street just up from Wallowa Lake, offering cozy rooms and a few larger cabins, perfect for a weekend in the "Alps of Oregon". From here, the Wallowa Lake is just a short drive away, where you can rent kayaks, paddleboards, or a boat to fish for trout and kokanee, or stroll along the shoreline beneath the shadow of the Wallowa Mountains, regardless of the season.
Downtown Joseph showcases its artistic side with life-sized bronze sculptures from Valley Bronze scattered along Main Street. Annual events like the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo and Oregon's Alpenfest bring the community together but also make the small town a great place for a weekend getaway, especially if you schedule your trip accordingly.
Where Oregon’s Small Towns Shine
In 2025, Oregon's small towns offer more than a quick escape; they deliver a distinct experience within reach of Portland and beyond. From Cannon Beach's tidepools and Haystack Rock to Depoe Bay's whale-packed harbor, and Joseph's alpine sculptures framed by the Wallowa Mountains, each town combines natural landmarks, local flavor, and accessible adventures. Whether it's a weekend of art, outdoor thrills, or just pure relaxation you're after, Oregon's got you covered.
