The Central Coast

Lighthouses, coastal towns, and roads that hug the ocean. From the beach community of Lincoln City to the adventure-seeker’s dream at Florence, the Central Coast is defined by its relationship with the sea. This is the heart of the Oregon Coast.

Photo: Joey Hamilton

Lighthouses, coastal towns, and roads that hug the ocean. From the beach community of Lincoln City to the adventure-seeker’s dream at Florence, the Central Coast is defined by its relationship with the sea. This is the heart of the Oregon Coast.

On the Central Coast, it’s all about the ocean. Whether it’s surfing, fishing, or winter storm watching from a warm cabin with an ocean view, the Pacific is the main event. All roads seem to lead back to the ocean.

The towns of the Central Coast are immensely memorable, with one-of-a-kind attractions that are right at home near the water. Discover fascinating museums and aquariums, locally-owned shops with unique merchandise, historic boardwalks and harbors, and landmark restaurants known for their coastal cuisine. There’s fresh fish and crab to be caught, meals to eat with friends, beaches and trails to explore, and peaceful waterways to navigate. Enjoy.

Featured Spots

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Central Coast

White Wolf Sanctuary

Founded in 1999, White Wolf Sanctuary’s mission is to preserve and protect wolves, promote the recovery of wolf populations where appropriate and encourage conservation through education of all wildlife and the role it plays in the natural world. White Wolf Sanctuary is...

10095 E Alsea Hwy
Tidewater, OR

541-528-3588
Email us (whitewolfsanctuary[at]gmail[dot]com)

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Central Coast

Tah•Lume

Carefully curated, TAH·LUME is where you look to find one-of-a-kind and handcrafted items. They offer individually chosen products, pulled from small-batch makers, local artisans, and fellow lovers of the world’s curiosities. Their love for the natural world is evident in...

3229 SW Hwy 101
Lincoln City, OR

541-614-0890
Email us (contact[at]tahlume[dot]com)

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Central Coast

Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce

Founded in 1948, the Newport Chamber is a non-profit organization of more than 500 local businesses, organizations, and individuals. Their mission is to unite the efforts of the citizens in promoting the civic, commercial, agricultural, tourism, marine and industrial welfare...

555 SW Coast Hwy.
Newport, OR

541-265-8801
Email us (info[at]newportchamber[dot]org)

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Central Coast

Sea Lion Caves

America’s largest sea cave, Sea Lion Caves is a privately owned wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary that is the year-round home of the Steller sea lion. Sea Lion Caves is not a zoo, so the protected marine animals come and...

91560 Hwy 101
Florence, OR

(541)547-3111
Email us (info[at]sealioncaves[dot]com)

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Central Coast

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

Jutting into the Pacific Ocean, this harsh, unforgiving environment hosts many forms of life. Harbor seals and whales are visible offshore year-round. In spring and summer, thousands of seabirds flock to the near-shore islands to breed and raise their young....

750 NW Lighthouse Dr.
Newport, OR

541-574-3100
Email us (blm_or_no_yhona_comments[at]blm[dot]gov)

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Central Coast

Safari Town Surf Guided Kayak Tours

Guided kayak tours of the beautiful Salmon River Estuary. Guests paddle out near the Salmon River mouth where the river meets the sea. Our kayak tours offer amazing views of Cascade Head, Three Rocks, God’s Thumb, and more! Kayak Tours...

3026 NE Hwy 101
Lincoln City, OR

(541) 996-6335
Email us (safaritown[at]gmail[dot]com)

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Central Coast

Chinook Winds Casino Resort

Ocean-view suites, restaurant and lounge, pool, sauna, spa, live entertainment, childcare and arcade.

1777 NW 44th Street
Lincoln City, OR

888-244-6665
Email us (Heatherh[at]CWCResort[dot]com)

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Central Coast

Heceta Head Lighthouse

There are few more dramatic vistas along the Oregon Coast than Heceta Head, a 200-foot bluff that juts out into the sea and is crowned with a 56-foot-tall lighthouse that has steered ships from danger since 1894.  The view is...

Summer Street
Florence, OR

(541)547-3416

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Central Coast

Lincoln City Cultural Center

At the Lincoln City Cultural Center, they believe art is necessary for living well. Whether it’s experiencing live entertainment or expressing your creativity, Lincoln City Cultural Center is a community hub of artistic expression that can enrich your life. From...

540 NE Hwy 101
Lincoln City, OR

541-994-9994
Email us (lincolncityarts[at]gmail[dot]com)

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Central Coast

Yaquina Pacific Railroad Historical Society

Learn about Toledo’s local railroad history at the Yaquina Pacific Railroad Historical Society, which hosts a collection of railroad artifacts, locomotives and antique rail cars. You can explore the town’s rail past through these displays, including a visit inside the...

100 NW A Street
Toledo, OR

541-336-5256
Email us (yprhs[at]peak[dot]org)

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Central Coast

Salmon River Wooden Kayak Company

Salmon River Wooden Kayak Company provides guided kayak tours for small groups on the Salmon River estuary in Otis, Oregon. The rental inventory consists of hand made in the USA wooden kayaks for which are 15 ft and 17 ft...

2015 N Three Rocks Rd
Otis, OR

(541) 921-7127
Email us (bob[at]srkayak[dot]com)

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Central Coast

Oregon Coast Aquarium

Take a deep dive into marine science at one of the nation’s top aquariums. An icon of Newport, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is a public aquatic and marine science exhibition facility offering educational programs. Exhibits showcase seabirds, marine mammals, fishes,...

2820 SE Ferry Slip Road
Newport, OR

541-867-3474
Email us (info[at]aquarium[dot]org)

Travel Stories

Tide Pooling With an Expert at Cape Perpetua

Discover the wild and wonderful world of Oregon’s intertidal zones. Full of mystery, the intertidal zone on the Oregon Coast is brimming with colorful marine life. During low tide, a captivating cosmos is revealed — guides can help you explore...
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Travel Stories

Hike and Chill on the Oregon Coast Trail

Pair your next epic adventure with a scoop of locally crafted ice cream. Ocean vistas appear just around the bend along the rugged Oregon Coast Trail, which spans the mouth of the Columbia River in the north and the state...
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Travel Stories

Where to See the Eclipse on the Oregon Coast

Come for the celestial event of the year and stay for the magic of fall. When the sun and the moon align for an annular eclipse on the morning of October 14, 2023, Oregon Coast towns from Gleneden Beach on...
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Travel Stories

Food Carts on the Oregon Coast

Whether you’re looking for a quick meal on a Highway 101 road trip or a place to linger with a craft beer and live music, here are food-cart pods — and many other carts worth checking out — on the Oregon Coast.
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Travel Stories

Car-Free Trips on the North and Central Coasts 

The automobile holds a dear place in our hearts, but when it comes to travel, leaving the car at home opens up new ways to slow down, relax and really experience all that the Oregon Coast has to offer.
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Travel Stories

Beyond the Water’s Edge

Explore the wild Pacific on seafaring excursions off the Oregon Coast. Gazing out on the Oregon Coast from an overlook along the cliffs near Shore Acres State Park or Cannon Beach can be thrilling. Experiencing it from out on the...
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Events on the Central Coast

January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023

Explore Lincoln City’s Finders Keepers Glass Floats

Lincoln City, OR
September 23, 2023 - September 24, 2023

Lincoln City’s Fall Kite Festival

Lincoln City, OR

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