Full-Day Guided Oregon Coast Tour from Portland
Visit the magical Ecola State Park and gaze at stunning views of the rugged and lush Oregon coast. Revel in the misty coastal rainforests which abound with wild berries, ancient Sitka Spruce trees, dozens of species of ferns and lichens and myriad other exotic species!
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.
ItineraryThis 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
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Stroller accessible"
"Near public transportation"
"Most travelers can participate"
"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"
Start Time:
09:00 AM
Duration: 8 To 9 Hours
Start location: McCormick & Schmick's Harborside at the Marina, 309 SW Montgomery St, Portland, OR 97201, USA
Traveler pickup is offered
IF YOU DO NOT SELECT A SPECIFIC HOTEL!!! ... please plan on meeting us at our general pickup location ((ADDRESS: 309 SW Montgomery St., Portland, OR 97201))
This is right in front of MCCORMICK & SCHMICKS HARBORSIDE AT THE MARINA RESTAURANT in the South Waterfront Park area (near the circle roundabout).
***PARKING OPTION*** - If you're driving to the general pickup location, we recommend THE DOUGLAS GARAGE for parking as it's less than a block from McCormick & Schmick's Restaurant. Douglas Garage Parking address is: 1835 S River Dr, Portland, OR 97201.
***HOTEL PICKUP*** - If you would like to be picked up at a specific hotel, please indicate in your booking which hotel (from our list of available hotel pickups in the drop down menu) you would like to be picked up at. As long as you select a specific hotel from the list during the booking process, is it NOT necessary to email or call to confirm your hotel selection. Thank you!
***TOUR VEHICLE(S)*** - Most of our tours are run in a white Ford Transit, high roof, 12-passenger tour van. You may also be picked up in a silver & black Honda Pilot SUV or other tour vehicle which your guide will describe to you the night before your tour via text.
***PRE-TOUR GUIDE CONTACT & CONFIRMATION *** - Your tour guide will reach out to you via text (or email if no cell # is provided) the night before your tour (usually before 8:00pm PST) to confirm your pickup location, pickup time and to give you any further information related to the tour that is necessary. Please keep an eye on your phone and respond to your guide's text to confirm your pickup location and pickup time. Pickup times often start as early as 30 minutes BEFORE the tour departs. Your guide will give you any further specifics on pickup location and timing the night before the tour (or the day of the tour) if necessary. Please keep an eye on your phone for updates and respond quickly to your guide if contacted.
***WHAT TO BRING*** It's always a good idea to bring a layer or two for warmth, a good rain jacket, good walking or hiking shoes (& a hat and gloves in winter) on all tours as the climate is often variable in Oregon and our tour itineraries often vary widely in elevation and micro-climate. We provide light snacks (granola bars) and waters. We always encourage travelers to bring their own refillable water bottle (full) if they have one with them while they're traveling (ex: Nalgene, Clean Kanteen, Hydroflask, etc...) to reduce our plastic consumption and our impact on the planet. Feel free to bring more snacks if you'd like. Full day tours have a lunch stop (lunch is at guest's own expense) and 1/2 day tours do NOT have a lunch stop.
*NOTE - Our vans cannot accommodate large suitcases (but a small day pack, purse or similar is fine, as long as it can sit at your feet on the floor during the tour).
Cancellations and refunds:
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Portugues
Español
English
