6 Underrated Coastal Hamlets In Oregon

People come from far and wide to experience Oregon’s rugged coastline. There are misty beaches here and dramatic cliffs that plunge straight down into the restless ocean. The Oregon coast is also home to iconic lighthouses, Thor’s Well, and Devil’s Punchbowl. You can hike through coastal forests and explore colorful tide pools.

If you want to see these landmarks for yourself, you need a comfortable base. A place you can go back to and relax after a busy day of exploring. Somewhere where you do not have to fight the crowds. These six coastal hamlets offer you all of this and much more.

Netarts

If unspoiled beauty is at the top of your travel bucket list, Netarts should be your first stop. The Netarts community is situated at the mouth of Netarts Bay and is surrounded by a thick coastal rainforest. The town is separated from the sea by the Netarts Spit, which was once the first settlement site of the Tillamook Indians. Today, Netarts Bay is a vast expanse of water, perfect for fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. You can also keep an eye out for marine life, which thrives in these waters.

A must-see landmark is Tunnel Beach, which features a rock tunnel that leads to a scenic cove. The beach is fantastic for a serene stroll or a relaxing day of swimming and picnicking. Before you leave Netarts, remember to stop by the Octopus Tree five miles north to see the 200-year-old Sitka spruce tree with branches that resemble the tentacles of an octopus.

Manzanita

Manzanita is another tiny town with less crowded beaches and a tranquil atmosphere. If you are coming from Portland, it will take approximately two hours to reach Manzanita, and you will pass through Oswald West State Park on the way. You will know you have arrived in the small town when you see the turquoise ocean sparkling in the sun. In Manzanita, you are in the center of three landmarks: the Neahkahnie Mountain Headland, Nehalem Bay State Park, and the Pacific Ocean.

The town boasts seven miles of beachfront, including sand dunes. The beachfront is great for swimming and soaking up some sun. At Nehalem Bay State Park, only a mile and a half away, you can go mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, and camping. The beach in the park is great for picking up shells or flying a kite. You can even go horse riding along specific trails. Back in town, you can get some treats for your pets at Four Paws on the Beach or grab a coffee at Manzanita Coffee Co.

Oceanside

Oceanside lies 35 miles away from Manzanita along the Three Capes Scenic Loop. At last count, there were fewer than 400 permanent residents here, making Oceanside the perfect base for exploring and relaxing. You can book a cottage right on the beachfront or camp on the beach itself. If you need anything from downtown, you do not even need a car, as Oceanside is a very walkable place.

As for attractions, you will find massive sea stacks off the coast on Oceanside Beach as you follow the Oceanside Beach Trail. The best time for a serene walk on this trail is sunset as the orange rays light up the sea and the stacks. You can even light a beach fire if you want to stargaze before returning to your cottage or tent. Other things to do include driving the Three Capes Scenic Loop and hiking to Short Beach, where you will find more stacks, two waterfalls, and tide pools.

Rockaway Beach

At Rockaway Beach, another seven miles of sand and sea await. It was a vacation town before highways were built here, and today it remains a quiet beach town with an uncrowded coastline, despite increased accessibility. When you take your first walk on the beach, stop at the end of Minnehaha Street to get a photo of the Twin Rocks Arch rising from the sea. If you want to explore the surrounding areas, you will find a marina and a place to park an RV five miles south at Garibaldi.

Back in Rockaway Beach, you can view the 1,200-year-old western red cedar tree in the Cedar Wetlands Preserve. The tree stands at the end of an elevated boardwalk, from which you can view it from a viewing platform built around its base. And, if you book yourself into the Silver Sands Hotel, you are steps away from the 1908 shipwreck of the Emily G. Reed. If you visit during winter, the snowstorms may reveal what remains of the wreckage.

Yachats

Yachats has fewer than 700 permanent residents, leaving ample space for visitors to enjoy the natural sights and wonders. The 804 Trail is the pathway that keeps on giving as it joins the Oregon Coast Trail past the beach to the north. At the south end, the trail connects to Amanda’s Trail, which eventually reaches Cape Perpetua. About halfway along the 804 Trail, you will find the Smelt and Sands State Recreation Site, where you can explore the tide pools and watch seabirds hover over the water.

At Yachats State Recreation Area, several dramatic rock formations along the coast comprise the area's landscape. When the tide is high, you can make your way to the nearby viewpoint to look for whales breaching in the ocean, or head south to Cape Perpetua to see Thor's Well.

Depoe Bay

If whale watching is one of your travel goals, do not miss out on Depoe Bay. This small town is known as the whale-watching capital of the Oregon Coast, with a seawall that runs along the downtown area, making it easy for visitors to eat, shop, and keep an eye on the water.

Aside from whale watching, there are plenty of other things to see and do. You can fish or boat in the Depoe Bay harbor. There is also the opportunity for a deep-sea fishing trip from the harbor. If you want to take a couple of selfies, the Depoe Bay Bridge, built in 1927, is the perfect backdrop as it connects the harbor to the ocean. You can also hike the Otter Crest Loop at the Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint if you want to explore the forests and cliffs.

Coastal Retreats Worth Exploring

These Oregon coastal hamlets may be small and often overlooked, but they offer something the bigger towns never will. You will have more than enough room to breathe, explore, and linger in some of the prettiest spots in the state. Choose one of them as your base, and you will discover just how wonderful the smallest towns can be.