Lonely Planet names 7 Oregon Coast towns with “the best beaches near Portland”

Portland may be one of Oregon’s best-known cities, but it also sits within driving distance of some of the state’s best beaches and coastal towns.

While a few are just over an hour away, others take longer to reach but are still worth the drive.

Lonely Planet recently created a list of some of the best beaches in and around Portland, highlighting beaches along the Oregon Coast within a three-hour drive of the city, as well as closer beaches along the Columbia River.

Each beach was recognized for qualities that set it apart, with categories such as Best for Photographers, Best for Movie Fans, Best for Surfing, Best for Families, and more.

Here are the seven Best Beaches near Portland recognized by Lonely Planet.

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach earned Lonely Planet’s pick for Best Beach for Photographers,” largely because of its dramatic coastal scenery and iconic Haystack Rock.

Haystack Rock is a 235-foot sea stack that rises just offshore and becomes especially popular at low tide, when visitors can explore the surrounding tide pools. The wide beach stretches along the community, giving visitors plenty of room for walking and photography.

The town itself has galleries, shops, restaurants, and a sizable collection of hotels and vacation properties. That popularity has a downside: parking and traffic can become difficult on sunny summer weekends.

Its popularity can mean heavy traffic and limited parking during warm summer weekends, so visitors traveling from Portland may want to arrive early.

How to stay: Find the right hotel in Cannon Beach by comparing rates and availability at Expedia and Booking.com.

Astoria

Astoria may not offer the traditional sandy beach experience of other destinations on the list, but its long connection to Hollywood helped it earn Lonely Planet’s pick for Best Beach for Movie Fans.

Located near the mouth of the Columbia River, the historic port city is known more for maritime history, Victorian architecture, restaurants, and movies filmed nearby more than for sprawling ocean beaches.

Movies such as The Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, and Free Willy were filmed in and around Astoria. Film fans can learn more about that history at the Oregon Film Museum, which occupies the former Clatsop County Jail.

Astoria is also a useful base for exploring the far northern Oregon Coast, including nearby Warrenton, Fort Stevens State Park, and the beaches around the mouth of the Columbia River.

How to stay: Find the right hotel in Astoria by comparing rates and availability at Expedia and Booking.com.

Sauvie Island: Walton Beach and Collins Beach

Travelers do not have to drive all the way to the Pacific to spend a day on the sand.

Sauvie Island was named by Lonely Planet for having the Best Beaches for City Proximity,” as the island provides one of the closest options for Portland-area residents looking for sand and water.

Walton Beach sits along the Columbia River on the eastern side of the island. Visitors come for walking, picnicking, and spending warm summer days along the river.

Farther north, Collins Beach includes a designated clothing-optional area.

Sauvie Island also has farms, produce stands, cycling routes, and seasonal attractions, making it an easy day trip when driving to the Oregon Coast is not practical.

Visitors should check current parking permit requirements and beach regulations before making the trip.

How to stay: Find the right hotel in Sauvie Island by comparing rates and availability at Expedia and Booking.com.

Seaside

Seaside was named the Best Beach for Families. It’s about an hour and a half outside of Portland, and offers a combination of a wide sandy beach and attractions within walking distance of the ocean.

Seaside is one of the Oregon Coast’s busiest resort communities. The city’s Promenade, commonly called the Prom, runs along the oceanfront and provides space for walking and cycling.

Nearby downtown Seaside has arcades, restaurants, shops, and other attractions that give families options beyond spending the entire day on the beach.

The community also hosts major annual events, including the Hood to Coast Relay finish and a large amateur beach volleyball tournament, both of which can significantly increase crowds and demand for lodging.

How to stay: Find the right hotel in Seaside by comparing rates and availability at Expedia and Booking.com.

Manzanita

For travelers looking for a quieter alternative to some of the North Coast’s busier destinations, Lonely Planet selected Manzanita as the Most Peaceful Beach.

Found about an hour and 43 minutes outside of Portland, Manzanita is a smaller coastal community between Cannon Beach and Tillamook.

Its long sandy beach sits beneath Neahkahnie Mountain, creating one of the more distinctive settings along the North Coast. Visitors can walk the beach, explore the community’s compact downtown, or use Manzanita as a base for nearby hiking and water activities.

Nehalem Bay and Wheeler provide additional opportunities for paddling and exploring the area.

Nearby Oswald West State Park is another major draw. Short Sand Beach, reached by trail through the forest, is particularly popular with surfers.

For travelers who want access to the North Oregon Coast without staying in one of its largest resort towns, Manzanita provides another option.

How to stay: Find the right hotel in Manzanita Beach by comparing rates and availability at Expedia and Booking.com.

Newport

Newport was recognized by Lonely Planet for having the Best Surfing Beaches thanks to several surf spots in and around the Central Oregon Coast community.

Agate Beach provides one option in Newport, while nearby Otter Rock is another popular destination for surfers. Local businesses offer surfboard and wetsuit rentals, as well as lessons for people still learning the sport.

There is plenty to do away from the waves, too.

Newport is home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, a historic working bayfront, and Nye Beach, where visitors can find restaurants, galleries, shops, and beach access.

Newport is also home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, giving families and travelers an indoor option when coastal weather turns wet.

How to stay: Find the right hotel near Newport by comparing rates and availability on Expedia and Booking.com.

Yachats

Rocky shoreline, marine life, and access to Cape Perpetua helped Yachats earn Lonely Planet’s selection for Best Beach for Tide Pools.

Unlike communities dominated by long stretches of sand, Yachats sits along a rugged section of the Central Oregon Coast where volcanic rock meets the Pacific.

The 804 Trail follows the shoreline and provides access to ocean views and rocky intertidal areas. South of town, travelers can continue exploring around Cape Perpetua Scenic Area.

The surrounding region also puts visitors within reach of Heceta Head Lighthouse and other scenic sections of the Central Coast.

Because much of the shoreline is rocky and exposed to powerful waves, travelers should pay attention to tide conditions and remain well back from unexpectedly large waves.

How to stay: Find the right hotel near Yachats by comparing rates and availability on Expedia and Booking.com.

What should travelers know before heading from Portland to the coast?

Oregon Coast driving conditions can change considerably by season.

Summer weekends can bring congestion on highways connecting Portland with Cannon Beach, Seaside, and Tillamook County, while winter travel can include heavy rain, wind, and occasional hazardous conditions.

Visitors should also check tide forecasts before exploring tide pools or rocky sections of shoreline. Sneaker waves, logs in the surf, and rapidly changing tides can create hazards even when conditions appear calm.