Southern Oregon Coast (Southbound), oregon
Attractions Guide

The following attractions are listed in order along a recommend route along Highway 101 down the picturesque Southern Oregon Coast, along which you'll find many stunning natural formations. This portion of the coast is located between Newport, Oregon and the California border. If you haven't yet seen the gorgeous Yaquina Head Lighthouse (near Newport), you might begin your day by visiting this idyllic lighthouse.

Continue down the coast to the incredible Cape Perpetua area, which features several amazing coastal formations within a small area. First you can admire the Devil's Churn formation, which puts on a brilliant show during low tide.

Drive up into the hills above the coast to the Cape Perpetua Overlook and walk along the 0.5 mile (0.8 km) round-trip Whispering Spruce Trail. The trail leads to a small stone structure from which you can enjoy fantastic views overlooking Cape Perpetua from high above.

In the lower part of the park you'll find the Sprouting Horn which frequently sprays water up like a spout through a small hole when the waves hit the cliffs just right. Adjacent is the mesmerizing Thor's Well, which quickly fills up with water before emptying, rising and falling with the waves. This powerful well is among the most iconic sights along the Oregon Coast and is quite stunning to behold.

Just after Cape Perpetua you might like to stop at the Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint, which overlooks the coastline leading up to Cape Perpetua.

Next you can drive south to Heceta Head, which hosts the charming little Heceta Head Lighthouse. The trailhead for the lighthouse is next to the very photogenic Cape Creek Bridge. Along the scenic walk to the lighthouse you can enjoy amazing views over the coast and admire the bridge framed behind the beach. The trail to the lighthouse is about 0.9 mile (1.4 km) round-trip.

Just south of Heceta Head are the Sea Lion Caves, which offers an elevator ride down to a sea cave which is seasonally filled with seals and sea lions.

Continue to the Oregon Dunes Overlook, which offers views over a striking landscape of rolling sandy dunes which dominate this part of the coastline (between Coos Bay and Heceta Head). You might even consider further exploring the dunes via hiking trails.

Afterwards continue much further south to the Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, which overlooks a majestic rocky part of the coastline.

At the very southern part of the Oregon Coast just above California you'll find the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, an extremely scenic part of the coast. First briefly stop to admire the amazing views over the coast from the Arch Rock Picnic Area.

Secret Beach

Just south of Arch Rock you'll find two of the park's most highly recommended hikes. The first hike you'll encounter is the 0.6 mile (1 km) round-trip Secret Beach Trail, which leads to a gorgeous beach.

Natural Bridges Cove

Nearby Secret Beach is the Natural Bridges Cove Trail, which features majestic tree-covered bridge formations along the coastline above the water. It's an easy 0.5 mile (0.8 km) round-trip walk to reach the viewpoint for the bridges, with the option of further hiking atop the bridges, although this small spur trail which leads over the bridges can be difficult to find.

Whaleshead

Just after Natural Bridges Cove you might like to pull off the highway for views over a small beautiful adjacent cove. Lastly you can stop at the Whaleshead Viewpoint, which overlooks a massive whale-shaped rock just off the coast.