Oregon Coast Travel Photography by Carl James
20 Must Sees For Your Next Oregon Coast Road Trip
My friend and I just got back from the most INCREDIBLE road trip down the coast of Oregon and since I obviously brought my camera I had to share my favorite photos, and some of our favorite places to hike/stop along the way!
We did this road trip from September 10-16th which is just heading into off season and it was nowhere near as crowded as it might have been otherwise. We had the perfect combination of sun and rain too!
You'll see a lot of my REI backpack that I brought to use for a "spec shoot" and while I am in no way a professional hiker, it served me quite well! (This is not sponsored.)
Photos are shot with my Nikon Z series camera. :)
In order of our travels:
1. Mount Hood, Oregon
More of a walk than a hike, we did the entire loop around the lake and had fun looking at mushrooms, caterpillars, and of course the incredible views of Mount Hood. It's a simple little "hike" with a well outlined trail and a bit touristy, but definitely worth it for an easy peaceful walk through nature. :)
2. Multnomah Falls
This isn't much of a hike at all and is one of the most unreal views I've seen in my life. Absolutely incredible. It has a cute coffee shop, gift shop, and restaurant at the base - and it is VERY busy. GORGEOUS though, so definitely worth it. The falls are just off the road and if you want to see it from the top you can take a short but fairly steep hike up and it's a fun quick little stop.
3. Latourell Falls
We almost skipped this one and these are some of my absolute favorite photos from the entire trip so I'm SO glad we did this.
There is a hike to the top of the waterfall which is beautiful, and the hike down to the base of the waterfall is shorter and SO worth it. A bit cold if you're standing right next to it like we were though! I asked a couple if they would be wiling to let me take their photos and I love how they turned out!
4. Bridal Veil Falls
This isn't too far from Latourell Falls and is nice little hike through some beautiful scenery. Which I think is just a redundant thing to say altogether since just about every inch of the coast - and anywhere near it really is absolutely stunning.
5. Trail of Ten Falls
This was the longest hike of our trip and very much worth it. Though not for the faint of heart. There were many people who were turning back the whole time, though you should know it's a loop and once you're about half way through you might as well finish it. Haha. It's very surreal to stand under the waterfalls, feel the mist of water on your face, and just take a moment to listen to the water. I'm very much a nut about nature and I love to talk to the trees and I truly believe water holds so much wisdom.
An important note: the water was on the lower side at the time of our hike, but still absolutely stunning!
6. Ecola State Park
This was a neat stop! The views were incredible and we stopped to pick wild blackberries in the misting rain! Absolutely lovely, and delicious! These blackberries grow literally ALL along the coast and you'll be missing out if you don't take the time to enjoy some of the berries at least once along the way! I found this sweet couple to photograph who came in all the way from Germany!
7. Canon Beach
Canon beach is beautiful, especially if you want a cute little town to shop in and a nice beach to walk along! I don't have much to say about it that hasn't been said before so go, wander the beach, take time to just hang out, eat good food, and shop and browse your little hearts out!
And most definitely don't forget to do a little skippy skip on the beach!
Food recs:The Wayfarer Restaurant and Lounge, and Pelican Brewing company was a must stop for dinner, though you'll want to make a reservation unless you want to be on the waitlist. ;)
8. Elk Flats Trail Part 1
One of the best hikes of the trip for sure. There's an option to go right or left and we did both! Both were short and beautiful so this is if you head to the right! Absolutely gorgeous.
9. Elk Flats Trail Part 2
THIS was the spot. The lighting, the views.... GOREGOUS. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, but this was an incredible place to be, and a fairly short (though slippery) hike down.
10. Tillamook
Tillamook is definitely a spot for tourists. Fun, but more of a stop for the sheer sake of it as opposed to being anything inspiring or life changing. When I travel I always want to experience nature and life as the locals might, and while it was fun to see (and eat the ice cream and cheese curds) just go for the sheer sake of the "gimmick" so to speak.
11. God’s Thumb
Another favorite from the trip! The hike was absolutely gorgeous (longer than most!) and on the way back I just sang at the top of my lungs to the forest! It was fun to just let go and not care what other people might think, and to just exist in nature without inhibitions. Give it a try! :)
12. Tidal Raves Restaurant and Lookout in Depoe Bay
The food was phenomenal, but the VIEWS!! Million dollars worth. 10/10 all around.
13. Otter Rock
A quick stop for a picture, and perhaps a 5 minute "oneness" with nature just to remind yourself to slow down and just exist in the moment. And look out for the Sea Lions! They're adorable - binoculars are a must. Hard to distinguish the sky from the water here - it takes your breath away!
14. Mossy Creek Pottery
A perfect little stop to spend WAY too much money on some beautiful hand-made pottery that you absolutely won't regret buying!
15. Devil's Punchbowl State Natural Area + Moe's
We didn't actually make it to Devil's punchbowl but the beach was fun to wander around and look for crabs and starfish! Hard to find, but when you walk down from the views (where you should get some clam chowder and a Marionberry pie milkshake) head down the road to the bathrooms and across the street is a set of wooden stairs that go down to the beach.
Peep the cutest little crab that came out just for his portrait!
16. Yaquina Lighthouse
Beautiful and worth the views! The beach itself was a bit smelly, but the black rocks were incredible and you have to stop by and see at least of few of the lighthouses along the coast! ;)
17. Lincoln City + Sea Lion Docks
A fun place to drive around and shop - and even more fun to watch the sea lions! They're hilarious as they're all fighting over a spot to lay on the docks and take a nap! Apparently they're all bachelors and they head down the coast to San Francisco for mating once a year or so. Who knew! Look closely to see their little tantrums at each other. :P
18. Heceta Head Lighthouse
We didn't get super close because it was closed by the time we got there but it was a beautiful spot nonetheless! If you have a chance, definitely go give it a tour! :)
19. Sea Lion Caves
At the top is a cute gift shop and then you head outside and down an elevator to see the sea lions! The day we went there was only one sea lion but it was cute to see anyway, and the views at the opposite lookout were gorgeous too - and with Heceta Head Lighthouse in the distance!
20. Hobbit Beach
The PERFECT way to end our road trip! There was practically no one else here and it was such a peaceful place to end the night and watch the sunset! Underrated perhaps, and I'm sure the hikes around would have been as equally beautiful! Next time I need a couple to take photos of here too! ;)
Some gorgeous details and views along the way!
Be sure to follow me on Instagram for more travels and photos! :)
