Full-Day Guided Oregon Coast Tour from Portland
Overview
Stroll through the quaint coastal town of Cannon Beach, known for its long stretch of sandy beach, Haystack rock, art galleries and boutique shopping.
Travel along scenic Highway 101 stopping at secluded beaches along the way and enjoy the hearty Oregon surfers who brave the mighty Pacific!
Look for gray whales, sea lions, seals, rare seabirds (Tufted Puffins!), bald eagles, ospreys, majestic herds of Roosevelt Elk and countless other beautiful examples of exciting fauna (& flora) throughout the day from windswept basalt cliff perches.
This tour includes snacks, beverages, luxury van transportation and a naturalist guide.
Inclusions
- Snacks - Guests will be treated to cold bottled water, refreshing flavored seltzer waters and light snacks (granola bars/or other)
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entry/Admission - Ecola State Park
- Entry/Admission - Indian Beach
- Entry/Admission - Oswald West State Park
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach, OR 97110
After driving through the lush Coast Range Mountains, our first stop will be at one of our coastline's most breathtaking vistas which inspired William Clark (of the famous Lewis & Clark Expedition) to write in poetic fashion when his party first arrived in 1805, “… I beheld the grandest and most pleasing prospects my eyes had ever surveyed in front of a boundless ocean!”. That same sense of wonder still rings true for all who stand at Ecola Point, feel the salty sea air upon their face and cast their gaze out over the swirling blue-green waters of the mighty Pacific. The striking shoreline is dotted with dozens of dramatic basalt islands and arches, complimented by windswept rolling hills decorated with gnarled, ancient Sitka Spruce trees. Ecola has many beautiful locations of interest to explore and we may take a deeper dive into the park to search for wild herds of Roosevelt Elk, black bear, bald eagles, osprey, raccoons and even the mythical Sasquatch who roam these very forests!
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Indian Beach, Canon Beach Trail, Cannon Beach, OR 97110
If the flow of the day and time allow, sometimes your guide will choose to visit Indian Beach and stroll along the vast stretch of this exceedingly picturesque surfing beach peppered with rocky islands. As another fun option, sometimes we enjoy a short hike to a stunning viewpoint while walking through lush temperate rainforest filled with huckleberries, salmonberries, thimbleberries, ferns, lichens and liverworts which grow prolifically upon the colorful tapestry of the forest floor. Stroll through this unique forest surrounded by towering old-growth Spruce, majestic Hemlock and sacred Western Red Cedar arboreal giants! Your guide will unravel the myriad fascinating Native American uses of many of these forest treasures and we'll discuss some of the cinematic fame these forests and beaches have garnered throughout the years!
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Cannon Beach, Cannon Beach, Oregon
After our adventure in Ecola State Park, guests will enjoy an hour or so to wander through the streets of the charming seaside town of Cannon Beach, take in the many art galleries and eccentric culture, pick up a souvenir if desired and eat lunch at one of the many tasty bistros, restaurants, charcuteries, coffee shops and cafes. Of course, fresh seafood is always on the menu everywhere and fresh Pacific Coast salmon, steelhead, halibut, mussels, clams, chowder, crab and other tasty Northwest delicacies are always sure to please the palate! There are several top notch local micro-breweries, a micro distillery and multiple wine shops (often featuring our world-class Pinot Noir) if you care to imbibe in style! For those with a sweet tooth looking to indulge your cravings, Cannon Beach features a mouth-watering bakery, chocolate truffle stands, a very popular creperie and several salt water taffy and ice cream cone shops, which are sure to bring a smile to every traveler's face.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Haystack Rock, Us 101, Cannon Beach, OR 97110
After lunch we often visit the world-famous Haystack Rock and learn about its fascinating geological history while observing the dozens of rare and beautiful nesting sea birds which make this dramatic 235-foot-tall basalt island their home! The lovable and iconic Tufted Puffin (think of a parrot crossed with a penguin) chooses to nest here by burrowing up to 6-feet deep into the grassy northern slope of the rock tower and raises its young within easy binocular range of the prolific tide pools below. These remarkable birds spend their winters on the open ocean, chasing fish and invertebrates by "flying" over 100 feet below the waves! If we happen to arrive at low tide, travelers always delight in wandering through the tide pools which reveal themselves between the shore and this beloved intertidal sea stack. Purple sea urchins, green anemones, red sea cucumbers, nudibranchs, mussels, chiton, limpets, various crabs and colorful sea stars abound in this fragile and delicate ecosystem!
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Hug Point State Park, Highway 101, Cannon Beach, OR
The next adventure often includes a stop at Hug Point (tides permitting) which stuns travelers with its many caves, colorful sandstone cliff features, sweeping vistas, charming short hikes and even a waterfall which pours right down onto the beach during some portions of the year! Learn about the pioneers' and early settlers' use of the area and revel in the majesty of the mighty Pacific. Many tales of buried treasure, pirate smugglers, native American legends and ship-wrecked Spanish galleons from the 1600’s abound! This location is sometimes in place of Oswald-West State Park (or vice-versa) depending on the flow of the day, lunch time, previous hikes, stops and travelers' interests. Hug Point boasts some of the most incredible vistas of the whole coast line with many hidden perches and lookouts which offer up jaw-dropping photograph opportunities!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Oswald West State Park, Oregon Coast Hwy, Manzanita, OR
Your guide has access to many different hidden gems along the coast and depending on time may choose to take you into the 2, 484-acre Oswald West State Park to explore the beloved Short Sands beach which involves a beautiful ½-mile stroll through gigantic old-growth temperate rainforest, often brimming with fresh wild berries, which can be plucked right from the forest depending on the season. We follow the meandering path of Short Sands Creek which eventually makes its way out onto what the local surfers lovingly refer to as, “Shorty’s”! This iconic surfing beach also has a small waterfall at the far end, dramatic examples of geologic uplifting and tilting of the marine floor sediments, beautiful densely forested lava cliffs, sea birds galore and an endless supply of perfect waves rolling in. The park was named after Oregon’s 14th governor, Os West, who battled tirelessly to pass the famous “beaches bill” which ensured that all 363 miles of Oregon coastline are public!
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Neahkahnie Mountain, Oregon 97131, USA
If time permits we may also stop at a stunning viewpoint on Neahkahnie mountain which offers tremendous 180-degree views of the coast, Nehalem Bay, the charming seaside town of Manzanita and is one of the best spots in Oregon to spot Grey Whales on their 12, 000 mile long migration between Alaska and Baja California. After an incredible day of exploring and sight seeing, we return to Portland back through the Clatsop and Tillamook forests and may possibly catch a glimpse of several of the Cascadian volcanoes before being dropped off back in the city with ample time to head out on the town and enjoy a world class meal, a tasty micro-brew or dozens of live music and cultural opportunities. Guests always return refreshed, invigorated and thrilled with the unspoiled, underdeveloped and wild nature of the uniquely scenic Oregon "People's Coast"!
Duration: 20 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- We are following all local, state and CDC guidelines related to Covid-19. As of April, 2023, NO MASKS OR VACCINATION CARDS ARE REQUIRED to participate in our tours. If you or someone you are traveling with feels ill or is showing symptoms of Covid-19 please contact us to reschedule. Thank you!
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
TJ was a great host, and took us to a number of stunning spots along the coast, sharing lots of historical tidbits along the way. Highly recommend to anyone looking to see some of the beauty Oregon's coast has to offer.
TJ was a great host, and took us to a number of stunning spots along the coast, sharing lots of historical tidbits along the way. Highly recommend to anyone looking to see some of the beauty Oregon's coast has to offer.This was the best tour! TJ is a phenomenal and knowledgeable guide. If you're looking for great Oregon tours, look no further than Infinite Oregon Tours. It's simply the best!
This was the best tour! TJ is a phenomenal and knowledgeable guide. If you're looking for great Oregon tours, look no further than Infinite Oregon Tours. It's simply the best!TJ is the best tour guide in my 40+ years of travel. Perfect location. Book all your travels with TJ!!
TJ is the best tour guide in my 40+ years of travel. Perfect location. Book all your travels with TJ!!The smell of the trees was my favorite. But the entire day was a memorable day for me. When I come back to Oregon, I will book another trip through you guys.
The smell of the trees was my favorite. But the entire day was a memorable day for me. When I come back to Oregon, I will book another trip through you guys.I highly recommend this tour of the Oregon coast. TJ was our guide and he was very knowledgeable. He made every aspect of the trip so much fun. We visited great look outs, hiking trails, beaches, rock formations, caves, rivers, creeks, waterfalls …we had a lovely stop to eat and shop in Cannon...
I highly recommend this tour of the Oregon coast. TJ was our guide and he was very knowledgeable. He made every aspect of the trip so much fun. We visited great look outs, hiking trails, beaches, rock formations, caves, rivers, creeks, waterfalls …we had a lovely stop to eat and shop in Cannon Beach. We went to the really beautiful spots for photo ops and TJ made sure to take the best pics. If you want to explore Oregon…this tour will not disappoint! We covered more than I expected and is definitely a great deal for the price. If you want to get out in nature and be entertained the whole day, this is IT. The van was comfortable and fully stocked with water and snacks. As a female solo traveler, I felt this was a safe way to see the coasts best features. We learned everything from geography to history to folklore …and never got bored. I’m making plans to bring my family and friends back soon! This tour was special and truly unforgettable. Definitely thankful for an awesome day!My niece and I wanted to plan some time exploring Oregon’s beautiful outdoors- so we decided to book this tour… and we are sooo glad we did! TJ was the BEST tour guide… (and I’ve been on a lot of tours). Super knowledgeable and a great source of positivity and good energy- which made the tour TH...
My niece and I wanted to plan some time exploring Oregon’s beautiful outdoors- so we decided to book this tour… and we are sooo glad we did! TJ was the BEST tour guide… (and I’ve been on a lot of tours). Super knowledgeable and a great source of positivity and good energy- which made the tour THAT much better. He took us to a few very cool stops on the way to the coast and then the timing was perfect for allowing us to explore the beach and the canyons and gorgeous landscape of the Oregon coast. He gave us great recommendations, was very accommodating (took 100 pictures without seeming put out by the request) , super personable… it was like having an old friend you haven’t seen since college, welcome you to his home state! His knowledge and love of his Oregon most definitely shone through the day, making it a fantastic experience for us!