Scenic Drives

Approaching from the north, the first exit to Cannon Beach winds down to Ecola Creek. Along the creek's shores, was an Indian village and nearby, a beached whale, when Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery visited the area nearly 200 years ago. Follow the signs to Ecola State Park for some of the best views of the coast. The road winds through coastal rainforest to an impressive viewpoint on Tillamook Head.

From the viewpoint at Ecola State Park you can look south to Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach and the Coast Range. The Tillamook Rock lighthouse can also be seen offshore to the west. The park offers hiking trails, picnic tables and a large parking lot. You can also drive to Indian Beach in a secluded cove. The view, even from the parking lot, is good and hiking trails retrace part of the route taken by William Clark, Sacagawea and a small party of the explorers on their historic visit to the area.

A drive through Cannon Beach on Hemlock Street will return you to Highway 101 south of town. Cannon Beach offers several outstanding choices for fine dining, unique cafes, bakeries, shopping and art galleries. Just south of the downtown area, Midtown Cannon Beach offers public parking and beach access near Haystack Rock. Spring and early summer at Haystack Rock offers views of tufted puffins, which nest on the rock. Low tide exposes easily accessible tidepools at its base. Just south of midtown, past Haystack Rock, is Tolovana State Wayside, which also offers parking and beach access just south of Haystack Rock. Continuing south on Hemlock Street, the road rejoins Highway 101.

Just south of Cannon Beach a roadside turnout at Silver Point offers views of the Pacific and a great view of Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock and Tillamook Head. Just a few minutes further and you reach Arcadia Beach State Recreation Area. The small parking offers scenic views, there are a few picnic sites and beach access. The beach features rock formations and tidepools. A few minutes further south is Hug Point State Recreation Area. There is beach access with caves, a waterfall and the remains of the old roadway, which skirted the cliff face.

A few minutes after passing through the Arch Cape tunnel, you enter Oswald West State Park. This beautiful park has several hiking trails through scenic rainforest to Short Sand Beach and another to the end of rugged Cape Falcon. Short Sand Beach is a favorite of surfers. Another trail climbs Neahkahnie Mountain, excellent for wildflowers in spring. There are many picnic sites near the main parking area and a paved trail winds through coastal rainforest to the beach.

As you continue south on Highway 101, climbing the edge of Neahkahnie Mountain, several cliffside turnouts offer vast views of the Pacific and the coastline to the south. From here, the highway drops down to the small towns of Manzanita and Nehalem. Nehalem Bay State Park is nearby with access to ocean beaches and Nehalem Bay. The park offers hiking and bike trails. Views of the Nehalem River estuary are offered as you drive toward the town of Wheeler. Birdwatchers should keep their eyes open for heron, shorebirds and birds of prey including bald eagles and osprey. Nehalem Bay Winery is just off 101 on Highway 53.