Along the Oregon shoreline you can find vacation rentals that treat you to spectacular vistas of the wild coast with its unparalleled beauty. Choose artsy little towns like Yachats or Florence, or opt to stay near a harbor where you can take whale-watching or fishing excursions out on the Pacific. Here’s a look at 10 of the top Oregon Shores vacation rental locations.
1. Florence
Head to Florence to visit sea lion caves or enjoy exploring off-road with your ATV. You have the chance to stay in a beachside home that opens on to the sand with a solarium to let you enjoy the majesty of an Oregon storm while remaining cozy, or opt for a sleek condo within walking distance of the pubs, restaurants and art galleries of Florence. The Hecata Head Lighthouse and Siuslaw River Bridge provide picturesque photo ops.
2. Yachats
The stark beauty of the Yachats coastline draws visitors here to see stunning geologic formations such as Devil’s Churn and Thor’s Well. Bring your dog to a cozy cottage across the street from the crashing waves, or rent a palatial vacation home with a private trail leading through the sand to the beach. The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area grants you mesmerizing views of the constantly changing ocean, and art galleries and spas await you in town when you’re ready for a little pampering.
3. Waldport
Hike the Oregon Trail while staying in Waldport, or visit the town of Waldport to enjoy homemade chocolates and intriguing shops. Let your family enjoy the feeling of living in a treehouse when you rent a home placed high off the ground with spectacular ocean views, or make your home-away-from-home a cozy cottage overlooking the Alsea River within a quick stroll of the ocean. For a day of adventure, you could rent kayaks to explore the river, and stop at the Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center to learn what it was like to travel through Oregon in bygone days.
4. Seal Rock
State parks that preserve the wild beauty of the Oregon coastline and quaint art galleries are both draws to the small coastline town of Seal Rock. Rent a cottage that’s steps away from climbing rocks and tidepools, or enjoy watching ocean storms and migrating birds from a secluded cabin perched high atop a coastal bluff. When you stroll down to Seal Rock State Park at low tide, your timing is perfect for exploring the amazing tidepools, or collect shells and sift through driftwood at Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site.
5. Newport
Combine vacation with education when you bring your family to Newport. The Hatfield Marine Science Center includes plenty of hands-on exhibits to expand kids’ understanding of marine life, and the Oregon Coast Aquarium gives you an underwater view of the ocean just outside the door of your vacation rental. You have the choice to stay in a spacious condo that’s walking distance to the Aquarium as well as the beach and marina, or open up the windows in an oceanfront home to hear and smell the waves.
6. Otter Rock
Walk or fly a kite along the edge of the surf on the beach at Otter Rock or Beverly Beach State Park, and then pick up a bottle of wine at the local Flying Dutchman Winery to enjoy back at your vacation rental. Cabins near the beach are ideal to bring your dog to, or you can choose a cozy A-frame with a private path to the beach.
7. Depoe Bay
Enjoy one of the most beautiful scenic drives along the Oregon coastline when you take the Otter Crest Loop on the way to your vacation rental in Depoe Bay. You could watch whales and waves from your oceanfront condo, or enjoy grilling on your large balcony with your whole family. Head out on a chartered boat trip to enjoy dolphin- and whale-watching, or plan to do some ocean fishing or crabbing, then bring dinner back to your condo.
8. Gleneden Beach
You can nestle into a cozy home a couple of blocks from the beach when you stay at Gleneden Beach. This Oregon coastal town is home to the Salishan Lodge, which awaits you with delicious spa treatments and top-notch golfing. Enjoy playing in the surf and watching the seals at Gleneden Beach, then return to your oceanfront cabin where you can listen to the waves crash as you make s’mores in your fire pit.
9. Lincoln City
Whether you prefer choosing a piece of beautiful hand-blown glass at a local gallery or playing the slots at the Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City has something to offer you. Enjoy the mesmerizing view of the ocean from your vacation condo on the sand, or rent a home in the center of town surrounded by pine trees and coastal wetlands. At the Roads End State Recreation Site, you can have fun kitesurfing or skim boarding, or get down in the sand with your kids to search for shells.
10. Neskowin
Neskowin is a gated community just north of Lincoln City that features dramatic views from its oceanfront homes. Rent a spectacular architect-designed house that opens right onto the sand, or arrange for your extended family to stay in a huge home surrounded by pine trees with immersive ocean views. The Neskowin Beach Golf Course is so beautiful, you may have trouble keeping your eye on the ball, but you can relax over a beer at the Neskowin Market Pub after 18 holes.
11. Pacific City
You can spend your vacation enjoying horseback rides through the surf and fishing expeditions out on the Pacific Ocean when you book a vacation rental in beautiful Pacific City. Spacious townhomes near the beach provide all the comforts of home with plenty of space to spread out, or get cozy in a cabin on the Nestucca River where fun in a canoe is right outside your front door every morning. Head to the Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area to climb up sand dunes and explore natural rock tunnels, and stop by local pubs and wineries to relax in the evening.
12. Tillamook
Yes, you can tour the Tillamook Cheese Factory when you stay in Tillamook, but don’t let that be your only stop in this lovely Oregon coastal town. Get outdoors to enjoy stunning natural beauty at the Cape Meares Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge (don’t miss the Octopus Tree!), and take the easy hike to Munson Creek Falls. From your vacation rental on Mills Creek, you can enjoy fishing in your back yard, or choose a beachfront home to let the rolling tides relax you from the deck.