These 9 Towns In Oregon Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2025
These nine Oregon towns garnered national attention in 2025 for not only their breathtaking natural beauty but also for their numerous historical and cultural attractions. No matter where you travel in Oregon, you’re treated to rugged coastline or tranquil, mossy forests. These cozy hamlets deliver both on views and vibes. Whether you take a trolley ride through the seaside hamlet of Astoria, or soak in restorative mineral springs in Ashland, you’ll soon realize why these hidden hamlets are the best of the best not only in Oregon, but in the United States in 2025!
Yachats
Described as the Gem of the Oregon Coast, Yachats truly lives up to its nickname. With miles of undeveloped shoreline to the west and the majestic Siuslaw National Forest to the east, it's heaven on earth for nature lovers. With views this dramatic, you may expect to find high-rise hotels and minigolf courses, but you’d be wrong! Downtown Yachats keeps its sleepy fishing village charm with rustic cottages like Bread and Roses Bakery that look like they jumped out of the pages of a storybook.
Yachats State Recreation Area offers some of the most sweeping views of the area. It’s a great spot to fish or whale watch along its rugged shoreline. The entrance to the park is right in town, so you can walk to Green Salmon Coffee Company to grab a cup of coffee in the morning before walking the shoreline for a meditative morning walk. Given Yachats' distance to the ocean, there are plenty of fresh seafood joints in the area, most notably the Luna Sea Fish House, known for its beer-battered fish and chips.
Astoria
Settled on the Pacific shoreline northwest of Portland, Astoria was founded in 1811 and is the oldest city in Oregon. It’s a charming little community where you can hop aboard the Astoria Riverfront Trolley to get around town, or stay on board for the 60-minute round trip to take in the sights. Stops on the trolley include many of the must-see places in Astoria, like the Columbia River Maritime Museum, or watching the sea lions at the Astoria Mooring Basin Dock.
The views on the trolley are great, but pale in comparison to what you’ll see at the top of the Astoria Column. It stands 125 feet tall, and if you climb the spiral staircase to the top, you are rewarded with panoramic views of the Columbia River, the city below, and the iconic Astoria-Megler Bridge. If the weather is clear and there’s nothing but sunny skies, you can even see across the river into Washington State!
Ashland
Traveling all the way to the southern edge of Oregon and inland from the ocean is Ashland, a quaint alpine village that feels like a European getaway. Ashland was originally settled along Lithia Springs, a natural mineral spring that many believe has healing properties. You can sample the water in central Ashland at the famous Lithia Fountains, a public collection of water fountains. The water smells like rotten eggs, so it’s not the most refreshing water fountain in town! The best way to enjoy the healing water is at Jackson Wellsprings, a rustic resort with hot springs where you can take a soak, as well as a Tree of Life Garden and a goddess temple.
Come for the restorative hot springs, and stay for the legendary Oregon Shakespeare Festival! Ashland leans into its European vibe by hosting world-class productions of Shakespearean plays in a series of theaters right off Main Street. The event begins in early spring and continues through October, featuring classic productions such as A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Taming of the Shrew.
Baker City
In eastern Oregon, not too far from the Idaho border, is the quiet community of Baker City. Many of Oregon’s seaside towns often get all the hype, but Baker City brings its own brand of Oregon charm. Downtown Baker City is a beautifully preserved reflection of 1800s Victorian opulence, with its brick sidewalks, castle steeples that pierce the sky, and gently rolling mountains in the distance. The best example of Baker City’s Victorian-era architecture is the Geiser Grand Hotel. Even if you don’t plan on staying in one of its rooms, simply walking into the lobby is breathtaking. It has stained glass ceilings that cast romantic shadows on the mahogany columns and crystal chandeliers, and you can sit down for a meal at its elegant restaurant.
Baker City was once a bustling hub for travelers along the Oregon Trail, and you can learn more about its roots at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. It has displays and artifacts from travels on the trail, and it is a great way to learn more about Baker City’s early days. If you want to walk in the footsteps of those travelers, the center is a short walk to the Oregon Trail Trail Head that weaves through the dusty high desert region, and leads to the Oregon Trail Memorial, the Oregon Trail Centennial Obelisk.
Milwaukie
Milwaukie often gets overshadowed by Portland to the north, but its relaxing small-town charm, with the quirks of Portland bleeding into its borders, makes it a favorite destination of travelers in the United States. Settled along the scenic banks of the Willamette River, time moves just a little slower in Milwaukie. It’s a place where you can sit down for a home-style meal at Gramma's Corner Kitchen, and then walk across the street to Milwaukie Bay Park to take a restorative walk along the water.
If you want a real taste of the artsy, crafty vibes of Milwaukie, the Milwaukie Farmers Market is a beloved pastime of locals. It’s where you can shop for seasonal fresh produce from the many local farms outside of town, as well as plants, flowers, and prepared food. The market runs from May to October, and is a great way to get to know the friendly locals of the area. After shopping at the market, one of the best places to take in the lovely views is Elk Rock Island. The island formed after an ancient volcano erupted 40 million years ago, and today it is a quiet place to walk along the water or birdwatch.
Cannon Beach
Dreaming of a quiet ocean getaway? While most coastal retreats abandon their quaint allure for high-rises when the views are this good, Cannon Beach gracefully holds onto its old-world soul. You won’t find any towering hotels in downtown Cannon Beach. Instead, there are small one-story cottages with inviting locally-owned businesses like Bruce's Candy Kitchen and the Wayfarer Restaurant and Lounge. Its cozy main street and walkable downtown district are a call back to simpler times, free of heavy traffic and crowds.
The Cannon Beach Access is the perfect place to go for a long walk on a quiet beach, and it provides the best views of Cannon Beach’s biggest attraction: Haystack Rock. The rock, which sits along the shoreline, was formed millions of years ago by ancient lava flows and stands 235 feet out of the water. It’s one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Oregon, and in the summer, it is home to adorable tufted puffins nesting on its high cliffs.
Sherwood
Southwest of Portland is your gateway to Oregon’s rustic wine country, Sherwood. There are quite a few wineries to choose from within the Tualatin Valley, with its mix of rolling hills and lush farmlands that stretch out as far as the eye can see. A local favorite is the Blakeslee Vineyard Estate, a rustic vineyard on a hill with picnic areas and panoramic views of the gently rolling hills below.
The beauty of Sherwood stretches farther than its iconic vineyards and tasting rooms. It is a close-knit community where you can shop for fresh produce and freshly baked goods at the open-air Sherwood Saturday Market, or spend an afternoon walking the wooded trails at Stella Olsen Memorial Park. One of the best times to visit Sherwood is during the Robin Hood Festival, where the community transforms into the fictional land of Sherwood every July in Old Town Sherwood. It’s one of Oregon's quirkiest festivals with Celtic folk bands, archery and medieval demonstrations, and a staple of every medieval festival: giant turkey legs!
Florence
Florence is another coastal gem that somehow sidestepped overcommercialization and maintains its fishing village roots, despite its breathtaking scenery. To experience the heart and soul of Florence, Old Town Park is like a mini-vacation. It has a waterside boardwalk, which is often where local festivals, like the Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, are held. Across the street from the waterside park are posh eateries, like 1285 Restobar, known for its beautiful setting and delicious seafood.
Outside of its charming downtown setting, Florence has some of the best natural attractions in the state. There’s the Heceta Head Lighthouse, offering stunning views of the rugged cliffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean. South of the lighthouse is the Sea Lion Caves, where you can visit herds of sea lions resting inside the small cave. Where there are plenty of hiking trails and attractions in Florence, one of the best experiences is simply driving along the Oregon Coast Highway and breathing in the fresh ocean air.
Joseph
You don’t get much further from the ocean than the northeastern town of Joseph, found within the heavy shadows of the Wallowa Mountains. What makes it one of the best places in the United States is its blend of hometown feel and breathtaking scenery. Wallowa Lake, a lake carved by glaciers almost 20,000 years ago, is almost too beautiful for words. Imagine crystal clear waters, rocky shores, and snow-capped mountains in the distance. It's a great place to launch a boat out onto the water, or hike the quiet trails that trace the shoreline.
The scenery of Joseph is isolated and otherworldly, but you don’t have to travel far for a great meal or rustic distillery. The Stein Distillery has an atmosphere fitting for a small town on the cusp of the Wild West. With an old-timey saloon setting and small batch, locally crafted spirits, it embodies the heart and soul of Joseph. A walk down Main Street also has quite a few treasures to discover, such as Sweet Retreat with made-to-order ice cream, or the locally beloved Blue Mountain Donut Company.
These Oregon Towns Are Top‑Tier Favorites For 2025
When you want to experience the heart and soul of the Beaver State in 2025, adding these cozy escapes is a must on your next Oregon road trip. These communities are places where you can still roam untouched miles of rugged coastline, watch nesting tufted puffins on a 235-foot glacial rock, or tour some of Oregon's best wineries in Sherwood. So, pack a bag, make sure you have enough storage on your phone for pictures (you will take a lot of photos), and set out on your next 2025 adventure in Oregon.
