Best Stops on the Oregon Coast from Lincoln City to Depoe Bay

Let me help you plan your next trip to the Oregon Coast with suggestions on where to find the most unbelievable scenery and wildlife. In this post, I’ll go from north to south and highlight the best stops on the Central Oregon Coast between Lincoln City and Depoe Bay.

Roads End State Recreation Site

Cost: Free, no pass required

Dog friendly: Yes

Amenities: Restrooms, free public parking, picnic tables

When I make it to the coast, I can’t wait to see the water. The beach at Roads End State Recreation Site showcases the classic rugged Oregon coastline only minutes after reaching Lincoln City. From Highway 101 South, turn right onto NW Logan Road. The Roads End beach will be about a mile down the road on your left.

From the parking area, head down the short path to the beach through an impressive pile of driftwood. To the north, you’ll see the distinctive hump of the Thumb, sometimes called God’s Thumb. To the south is the town of Lincoln City. Take your time stretching your legs at this scenic beach. At the edge of town, Roads End is quieter and less developed than other beach access points in Lincoln City.

If you visit at low tide, head to the north end of Road’s End Beach to find a beautiful secret cove.

Hike up to the Knoll and the Thumb

Cost: Free, no pass required.

Distance: 3-mile loop trail to reach the Knoll, 4.8 miles to add the Thumb.

Difficulty: Moderate

Dog friendly: Yes

There are several options for free parking:

Start at Roads End Recreation Site and head through town to Sal de la Sea Trailhead. Please don’t climb the headland from the beach. You’ll be going through private property.
Park on the shoulder at the end of Sal de la Sea Dr to start at the Sal de la Sea Trailhead (no amenities). Parking here will mean the least amount of walking to reach the Knoll.
The Villages trailhead (recommended) has the most parking along the side of a paved road. Port-a-potty at the trailhead.
Note that this hike is surrounded by private property, so make sure to stay on the trail.

The hike to the Knoll is short and sweet with big rewards at the top. Climb up the steep and sometimes muddy hill through a forest of moss-covered Sitka spruce. When I visited in May, buttercup blossoms lined the trail. Look for elk tracks in the mud. This area is a favorite of theirs.

You’ll reach a field with a narrow path through tall grass. Continue on the path to reach a lookout point with views of Lincoln City, Devil’s Lake, and the mouth of the Siletz River as it empties into the Pacific Ocean. You can return down the hill at this point, finish the loop, or continue on the main trail to reach the Thumb.

Find details in my article on the hike to the Knoll and the Thumb.

See the flowers at The Connie Hansen Garden

Cost: Free, donations welcome

Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs welcome

Amenities: Restrooms, free public parking, benches, visitor’s center, some wheelchair-accessible paths.

This stop is a treat for flower lovers. The garden is the former home of gardener-extraordinaire Connie Hansen, who spent decades developing it into something special, minimizing grass and maximizing flowers. Neighbors formed a conversancy that purchased the property after Connie Hansen’s death to maintain the garden according to her vision. Volunteers continue to care for it with great skill and love. The mature and colorful rhododendrons are a must-see in the spring. There are hundreds in the garden and include several varieties.

Walk the beach at the D River State Recreation Site

Cost: Free, no pass required

Dog friendly: Yes

Amenities: Restrooms, free public parking, picnic tables, wheelchair access to the beach, nearby shops and restaurants

This beach is right in the heart of Lincoln City and begins where the D River, the shortest river in the world, flows from nearby Devil’s Lake into the Pacific Ocean. It is a great place to fly a kite and hosts a kite-flying festival each year. It also offers miles of coastline for a scenic stroll along the ocean.

Hunt for glass here! Throughout the year, over 3,000 handblown glass floats are scattered on the Lincoln City coast for lucky beachcombers to find. Local artists make each glass piece by hand. The galleries in Lincoln City are also a fun stop to see artisan glass creations.

See the seals at Siletz Bay

Cost: Free, no pass required

Dog friendly: Yes

Amenities: Restrooms, free public parking, picnic tables, wheelchair access to the beach

Siletz Bay forms the junction where the Siletz River flows into the Pacific Ocean. It is a favorite hunting spot for harbor seals, who love to lounge on the Salishan Spit across the bay from the public beach. Harbor seals stick around the Ocean Coast year-round, so there is a good chance of seeing them whenever you visit. I’ve gone to this beach many times and have seen seals there every time, both in the water and lounging on the sand. Bring binoculars for a better view. This beach is also a favorite fishing spot for humans. You may see people setting crab traps, holding fishing poles, or digging for clams in the Siletz Bay Park.

The beach at Siletz Bay collects a colossal amount of driftwood. People get creative with it, and there are many makeshift structures along the beach.

After the beach, you may want to explore the adjacent Taft district. Check out Lincoln City Glass for glass-blowing demonstrations. There are also a couple of notable drink stops: Rusty Truck Brewing for local beer and pub food or visit Snug Harbor Bar & Grill, the Oregon Coast’s first bar.

Explore Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area

Cost: Free, no pass required

Dog friendly: Yes

Amenities: Restrooms, free public parking, large picnic area including a covered picnic structure

This park begins in the woods, with a large and scenic picnic area that is sheltered from the strong ocean winds. It’s the best picnic location on this list and would accommodate a larger group. For beach access, take the path under the bridge to reach the ocean. You’ll see interesting rock formations encrusted with mollusks. Look for anemones and starfish along the base of the rocks during low tide.

Take in the views at Boiler Bay Scenic Viewpoint

Cost: Free, no pass required

Dog friendly: Yes

Amenities: Restrooms, free public parking, picnic tables

Watch for gray whales and sea birds at this outrageously cool viewpoint. Boiler Bay is an easy pull-off when driving south on Highway 101 that is well worth the stop. Ocean views surround you in three directions as you stand on a rocky cliffside, providing a great vantage point for whale watching or simply enjoying the waves. There is a fence around the cliff, so it is still a good stop if you’re traveling with small children.

Look for migratory birds near Depoe Bay

There are several good spots to see migratory birds between Lincoln City and Depoe Bay. The Siletz Bay Park and Boiler Bay Viewpoint are often reliable birdwatching areas. I felt very lucky to see a colony of common murres at their nesting spot at one of the rock islands off Depoe Bay, as well as some gulls and cormorants as a bonus.

Visit the Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center

Cost: Free public street parking in Depoe Bay

Dog friendly: Yes, there are walkways and viewpoints around the Whale Watching Center

Amenities: Restrooms, benches, picnic tables, nearby shops and restaurants

While whale sightings wax and wane based on seasonal migrations, they can be seen almost year-round off the Oregon Coast. Depoe Bay is one of the best places to look for them. The Whale Watching Center in the center of town is free and open to the public. They have binoculars to borrow and volunteers to help with whale spotting. We are now in the spring season when northbound whales pass Depoe Bay during the migration that happens from March through June. The summer season is around the corner when whales come close to shore to feed. Summer is one of the best times in the year for whale watching, as well as being a great time to visit the coast.

From the Whale Watching Center, walk along the sea wall that runs through the center of town and watch the waves crash against the rocky coastline below.

There are also whale watching tours that depart from the Depoe Bay harbor if you’re looking to see whales by boat. Depoe Bay has the distinction of being home to the world’s smallest harbor, which is across the street from the Whale Watching Center.

Grab dinner in Depoe Bay

Highway 101 runs through the center of Depoe Bay, where it becomes lined with restaurants and shops, as well as a walkway overlooking the ocean. The town is a fun place to do some window shopping and perhaps pick up a souvenir of your trip.

There are a few restaurants in Depoe Bay where you can get an ocean view during dinner.

Tidal Raves is a seafood spot on the north end of town and is one of the first restaurants you pass on your way in. They have a good drink menu, including wine and craft cocktails. They don’t take reservations, so you may want to put your name down and explore the town if there’s a wait.

Horn Public House has a fantastic upstairs space overlooking the water. Stop in for pub fare and craft beers. This place is popular as well and there may be a wait.

Mazatlan is a hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant that is real hidden gem. Chips come hot to the table as soon as you sit down, and beer comes with a chilled glass. Even better, there’s a view of the ocean and the Whale Watching Center. We loved this laid back and comfortable spot.