The Oregon Coast: One of the Best U.S. West Coast Beaches to Visit During the Summer

A Mini-Tour Through the History and Best Places to Visit Along Oregon's Scenic Coast

Native Americans were able to enjoy and thrive off the abundant natural resources of North America for centuries before the white man came to stake claim. But the areas of North America where Oregon's coastline is today wasn't populated by Native Americans until approximately 12,000 years ago...with barely enough evidence existing to this day that they were even there. The reason for the minimal evidence is because the Native American tribes near there only lived in the area by day to hunt for fish and other game to help them survive. This went on for thousands of years until various tribes (whose names are used today at well-known locales) were eventually set up in the area to live permanently. A lot of them probably fell in love with the qualities of the coasts of Oregon as a lot of people have in the modern era. If you don't mind some occasional windstorms (a rite of passage there), the mystique of the Oregon Coast is quite alluring. It also offers plenty of entertainment activities outside of walking, fishing or hunting for your own (let's hope not) survival.

About 200 years before tourism took over, the Spanish managed to sail there and claim ownership of the area during the early 1700's. The established tribes up and down the coast (the Tillamook, Siletz, Siuslaw, Alsea, Coos and Coquille) all encountered these visitors--yet no evidence really exists of any intense battles among them...despite it inevitably happening. Later, the British managed to map out the entire area thanks to Captain James Cook who arrived with his crew in 1776 where Cape Foulweather is today. Ironic that America was just gaining its own liberty while the British had squabbles with the Spanish over who could truly stake claim to the Oregon coast regions. Little-known explorer Robert Gray later found out by 1792 that the Oregon Coast was a goldmine in finding furs. But the Native Americans were left at peace there for a while longer. It wasn't until the world-famous Lewis & Clark expedition finished their journey west in where Astoria, Oregon is today did Native-Americans have their most meaningful encounters with European-born civilization.