Oregon’s coastline is a nature lover’s paradise for awe-inspiring beauty. Having grown up in Southern California and now living in Bend, OR, I miss the beach – a lot. So this trip was entirely planned with the coast in mind and it delivered. We made three stops – Harris Beach, Tillicum Beach, and South Beach. We also squeezed in a few extra stops along the way including a trip to the Prehistoric Gardens, Cape Perpetua, and the Newport Aquarium.
Trip Overview
Harris Beach State Park –> Prehistoric Gardens –> Devil’s Churn –> Tillicum Beach –> South Beach State Park –> Oregon Coast Aquarium –> Head home!
Harris Beach State Park – Brookings, Oregon
Harris Beach delivered the classic moody PNW vibes. Everything was lush and green, like you were transported to a fairytale forest. But this otherworldly beauty comes at a cost and that cost is rain. We had a lot of rain at this stop. Constant mist along with a few bouts of sprinkling so our clothes and gear never fully dried until we left this location. Regardless, we still had so much fun! Down at Harris Beach State Park, there are tide pools that were so fun to explore! We saw loads of sea life – sea urchins, starfish, anemones, mussels, fish, crabs, and barnacles. The kids loved exploring the shoreline and spent hours searching for new finds.
Pros
- insanely beautiful beach
- lush, green campsites
- tide pools to explore
- clean bathrooms + showers
- playground at campground
Cons
- long (ish) and steep walk to the beach
- dog poop at the campsite – yuck, because dogs are allowed to camp there
- it can be very rainy and wet
- very popular, book as early as possible
The tide pools were so fun to explore!
So moody, so beautiful.
We visited the Brookings Harbor that sits on the Chetco River. There was a cozy coffee shop called Bell & Whistle Coffee House and fun little trinket stores that the kids enjoyed exploring.
From Harris Beach State Park, we made our way north along the coast and planned for a few fun destinations along the way! First stop, Prehistoric Gardens. The kids had a good time, but it was a little underwhelming if I’m being honest.
Prehistoric Gardens
Cape Perpetua – Devil’s Churn
This was a fun pit stop! It’s right off the Oregon Coast Highway, with ample parking available. It’s also right up the road from Thor’s Well, another cool spot to check out! There are a lot of scenic overlooks and natural wonders to explore on this stretch of coastline, so save some time in your day to make a few stops and soak in the PNW’s beauty!
Tillicum Beach – Yachats, Oregon
Tillicum Beach was my favorite spot of the three! The location was incredible, with our campsite mere seconds from the beach. You could reserve grassy sites that sit cliffside, overlooking the beach – stunning! The beach was clean and the sunsets were beautiful! It is a quick drive to Yachats downtown, which offers some great local eateries and shops to explore. Our favorites were Green Salmon (delicious pastries!) and Yachats Brewing + Farmstore.
Pros
- Beach is very accessible, quick walk from campsite
- Flush Toilets
- Beautiful ocean views
Cons
- No showers
- Small campground, book as early as possible
Oceanfront campsites
Stroll through the little downtown of Yachats, Oregon.
Tillicum Beach
South Beach State Park – Newport, Oregon
We had a great time at South Beach campground. The campground is large and very well-organized. It is certainly not the most beautiful location out of the three, but everything was clean and I loved having access to a warm shower at the end of the day. Because the campground is so big, you are more likely to find a last minute campsite. We did have to drive to beach access (or you could opt for the 20 minute walk), but once there, it’s a lovely expansive coastline that’s worth the extra effort. We also chose this spot based on its proximity to Newport, Oregon. Newport is a great coastal town with a lot of fun things to add to your itinerary – Newport Discovery Zoo, Oregon Coast Aquarium, and Yaquina Bay Lighthouse.
Pros
- Large campground
- Clean restrooms and showers
- Playground
- Located in Newport, Oregon which offers a lot of great activities and restaurants to explore
Cons
- Limited privacy, not a lot of tree coverage
- The beach access is a long walk or quick drive away
South Beach
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