The One-Day Oregon Coast Trip: Where to Go for Fun and Variety of Activity

Oregon Beach Locations that Provide Everything for Your Family in One Afternoon

Considering your humble, Oregon Coast-loving writer lives not all that far away from Oregon's beaches, I admit that I've done more one-day trips there than staying overnight. But since I know that many tourists who either live in Oregon or from out of state only have limited time to visit certain locations, it sometimes works out that visiting the Oregon Coast means just a mere afternoon of cursory fun and relaxation. Once the tourist realizes how much there is to see and do along the Oregon Coast, there may be a tendency to get overwhelmed on what to do in a matter of hours instead of days or weeks. If you don't want to drive long distances to have fun for all members of the family, you'll be happy to know that the Oregon Coast offers various places where you can spend a few hours and have variety within short driving or even walking distance.

As anybody who's traveled with limited amounts of time in each location, parking is always going to be a problem in wasting time. When driving to the Oregon Coast, it's frequently recommended that you go either right before summer vacation starts or, better, in September or October when kids are back in school. The fall is actually the best and warmest time over say May or early June when the chances of rain or general cooler weather are more common. And I always recommend heading to the central to northern regions of the coast first where you'll find the most enjoyable beaches.

I've spent most of my life each summer visiting one of the best cities along the Oregon Coast where plenty of variety exists: Lincoln City. This small city is one I suggest you visit first if deciding where to go on the coast in one afternoon before moving on to somewhere else. Should you be traveling first in the valley, you can easily get to Lincoln City within a little over an hour via travel through the coastal mountain range. If you're in Portland, it might take a little longer, yet takes only an hour in the event you're in Salem the night before continuing your Oregon journey.