The drive down Route 101 along the Oregon Coast is nothing short of magical. Having traveled the East Coast’s Route 1 more times than I can count — from Maine to Florida — I felt a sense of completion as we traced the western shoreline. These two coastal routes couldn’t be more different, yet both offer unforgettable journeys. If you’re a road trip lover, driving both coasts should absolutely be on your bucket list.
We began our Oregon coast road trip in dramatic fashion. Day one greeted us with cold rain and moody skies. The Pacific was fierce — slate gray waves capped with white foam crashed against empty beaches and jagged sea stacks. The whole scene felt gothic and wild, instantly transporting me back to one of my favorite childhood shows: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. A widow and a ghost sea captain — it may sound corny, but it was beautifully haunting, much like that stretch of coastline.
By the second day, the sun broke through, casting the coast in a completely different light. Tourists emerged, beachcombers wandered, and the ocean looked inviting instead of ominous. We meandered through charming coastal towns like Astoria — yes, The Goonies was filmed there! — and Newport, an authentic, working fishing village that stole our hearts.
In Newport, we watched over a hundred male sea lions lounging along the docks, as they do each year. We indulged in freshly caught seafood and ended our day in what can only be described as the king of all dive bars. I’ve been in plenty of gritty watering holes, but this one took the prize. The only thing missing was a peg-legged sailor with an eye patch and striped shirt.
Sometimes the unplanned stops become the most memorable. The Oregon Coast reminded us of that again and again.
Great, evocative prose.