A dog-friendly road trip along the Oregon Coast

The 101 highway is a beautiful road that winds its way along the Oregon Coast. It should be on your 'must do' list as there are so many amazing things to see along the way that are also dog-friendly. We really enjoyed spending a few nights in some of the small towns so we had time to enjoy the different attractions and vistas along the way.

While you could do the drive in one day if you wanted to pick and choose your favourite spots, it would also make a great weekend trip at a more relaxed pace. While some of the towns are close to each other, we found that each place still had its own unique features and attractions which made the multiple stops worthwhile.

There were many other places that we would have liked to have visited but didn’t due to time constraints (Yachats for example), but please leave a comment if you know of other dog-friendly places and things to do.

I've included a summary of the stops we made (in order from South to North) and at the end of the post you’ll also find a map with a summary of these locations and the total travel time.

Heceta Head Lighthouse - Scenic Viewpoint

We spotted this area as we were driving and decided to stop for a better look. After we drove over the large concrete span bridge, we turned and headed down the hillside until reaching the parking area. From here, there is a large, sandy beach that also has great views back to the bridge.

There was a slight swell when we visited so we let Beats run around and a paddle in the creek under the bridge instead of the beachfront.

There were a few groups picnicking here so it would also be a great spot to stop for lunch. On the hillside you can also get a glimpse of the Heceta Head Lighthouse through the trees as well as the romantic looking white guesthouse.

Devil's Churn

When we saw the sign for this, we were intrigued to see what it might be - so decided to pull over and check it out. After a nice, paved walk through the trees with Beats we reached an outcrop that provided a view down into an area where the sea meets a narrow inlet, hence the 'churn' part of the name. We stayed here for a while and got to see and hear the might of the ocean as it repeatedly hit the rocks, so it was well worth the stop.

Newport

Newport is a small coastal town with a large bridge that crosses its harbour front and is well with a visit.

Newport Harbour and Waterfront.

From the Port area you get great views out to the huge Yaquina Bay Bridge and there is plenty of space to walk your dog. As you continue around the harbourfront you'll come across sheds and fisheries on the water side and interesting buildings and cafes on the other.

We particularly liked exploring the area around ‘Ripley's Believe or Not’ as there were quite a few photo ops and colourful buildings there. Depending on the time of year, you might also see and hear the local Sea Lions who like to spend time lounging on the nearby wharves.

The Fort Adams Bay Walk

This walk takes you on a 2.25 mile trail around the Narragansett Bay and Park. During the walk you'll be able to explore the outer walls of the Fort and see different lighthouses. Its located at the end of the peninsula and has free parking on site.

Agate Beach

If your dog loves the beach, just a few minutes by car from Newport you'll find Agate Beach which is about 18 acres and is off leash all year long. There is plenty of parking as well as bathrooms on site. If your dog isn't too keen on the surf or the waves are too high, Big Creek also runs across the beach and offers your dog an alternative spot to get their paws wet.

Dog-Friendly Accommodation

We stayed at the Embarcadero Resort which offers fantastic views across the harbour and out to the Yaquina Bay Bridge. It also had a restaurant on site with a dog friendly patio that also had some great views.

For further information about Newport, visit www.discovernewport.org for a summary of other dog friendly walks, beaches and places to eat.

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area (and Lighthouse)

About ten minutes North of Newport you'll find the turnoff to Yaquina. The entry fee for this park is $7 per car (for a three day pass), but its free with an America the Beautiful Pass - which I highly recommend if you will be visiting several parks within a year.

Once you exit off the main highway, you stop at a booth to purchase your ticket and then follow a well developed paved road out to the lighthouse. We found there was plenty of parking and it was an easy, flat walk to take in all the key sights, including the cliffs, beach area and lighthouse.

Dogs are allowed on the trails and walkways, but not in the area right near the lighthouse or in the tide pools on Cobble Beach. We did see some dogs go on the path to the lighthouse (they stuck to the path and were leashed), so not sure how heavily this is enforced - but we got good views of the lighthouse from further back so didn't feel like we were missing out.

Tillamook

This small town is a foodies paradise and well worth visiting!

Tillamook Creamery

While dogs can't go inside the Creamery, its still worth a stop as the building and grounds are quite impressive and dogs are allowed to walk around the outside and sit at the outdoor tables (which are next to a large grassy area). While hot food needs to be ordered inside, there is a large ice-cream store that has external access, so you can also enjoy a delicious icy treat with your best bud.

If you did want to take turns at doing the self-guided tour (and grabbing lots of free samples at the end…) I think you could quite easily get around in about 15 minutes. They also have an impressive store on site where you can purchase different varieties of cheese and other souvenirs (including dog bowls, bandanas etc).

While there is plenty of on-site parking, the Creamery gets crazy busy and we were amazed by how many people stop there, so consider going outside of peak / lunch hours if you like a bit more space.

Blue Heron French Cheese Co.

Less than a five min drive from the Creamery is this adorable cheese store located in a barn shaped building - and their cheese is absolutely delicious. They have a bustling store on site selling all sorts of yummy food, sweets and gifts. In terms of tastings, you can choose from a selection of wine and cheese combos that are generous and really good value. While your dog can't go inside the store, they are welcome to join you outside where there is a pretty landscaped lawn with outdoor games and seating - so the perfect spot to enjoy a tasting on a sunny day.

Note; they do have some farm animals on site including goats and donkeys, so consider if your dog will be ok with these guys and always keep them on leash. They are to the side of the property and are fully fenced, so you could take a slightly longer route from the carpark to avoid them if need be.

Pelican Brewing Company

I'll admit that one of the main reasons I wanted to go here was because I'd seen their beer paddles on Instagram and they were so darn adorable that I immediately added Pelican to my Tillamook 'must do' list.

Pelican Brewing actually has four locations and as we were spending time in Tillamook we chose to go this one. It’s a working brewery so you can also view the large tanks and the beer making process inside, but it has plenty of outdoor seating. We ordered some delicious snacks and the super cool paddle and had a great time sampling all of their different beers. Their other breweries are all in beach locations, including Siletz bay, Pacific City and Cannon Beach - and have outdoor seating and allow dogs. If you like what you taste, you can also buy extra beer to takeaway on site. https://pelicanbrewing.com

Garibaldi

This very small town is worth stopping at as not only offers pretty views out to the inlet, but has one of the most fun dog-friendly activities you can do on the coast.

Oregon Scenic Railway

Ride the 'famous' vintage steam train from Garibaldi to Rockaway Beach. The train also featured in the cult film, Stand by Me (and I bet you can guess which iconic scene it was in!) . The ride itself takes around 90 minutes return and we travelled in an open carriage with great views out to the ocean for much of the way.

On arrival in Rockaway beach (from memory) you have around 30-40 mins to explore, which is either an easy walk to the beach for some photos, or to look around the small shopping district.

Dogs are asked to sit in the open carriages (which is the best place for sniffing anyway) and can only travel on the sightseeing tours. We just purchased our tickets on the day (at the train), but in peak times it would be advisable to book in advance, More info on the railway can be found here

Garibaldi Wharf

The Garibaldi Wharf area has some great photo opportunities, from the kitschy decorated buildings to the pretty views out to the hills from the end of the wharf and surrounding jetties on a clear day. There is also a small beach next to the RV park where we let Beatle have a run - and it’s a nice, short walk around the bay out to another long jetty.

Neahkahnie Viewpoint

We stopped at this viewpoint as it’s at a place in the road where you are quite high so offers spectacular views along the coastline and down to the huge beach below. The lookout area itself is quite large and has a rocky retaining wall for a bit of extra safety. We also spotted people having picnics on the nearby grass and it seemed to be quite a popular spot for a break.

Cannon Beach

If you have a dog and are traveling through this part of the world I'm not sure they'd ever forgive you if you didn't stop at the iconic Cannon Beack and Haystack Rock (made famous by 'The Goonies' film).

This was the most amazing beach, it’s off leash and feels like it goes on forever. We were lucky to be there during low tide, so there was so much space for Beats to run that we could barely keep up - and she had an absolute ball rolling in the wet sand.

We saw lots of other dogs there and I'm sure Beats was envious of the lucky doggos that get to call this place home. Make sure you snap lots of photos with Haystack Rock in the background.

Iconic Cannon Beach - the most amazing spot to run around!

After you've spent time on the beach you'll need some time to let your dog dry out and will have worked up an appetite.

We'd heard that Cannon Beach was great for seafood and one of the recommended places was Ecola Seafood Restaurant and Market so we headed there. While there was a long queue of people waiting, the line moved quickly and there was plenty of outdoor seating. Beats sat patiently to wait for her share of fish, (which was cooked beautifully) and scoffed it down faster than a pelican! We also tried out the Creperie across the road (Crepe Neptune). As we walked around town we also had to sample some sweet goodies from one of the bakeries on Hemlock Street.

Beautifully cooked Fish and Chips along the Coast

After eating, head back into town and explore the cute downtown area, which has lots of shops and art galleries. We also saw many different pieces of outdoor art as we explored and found that places with outdoor seating welcomed dogs.

There is also a Pelican Brewery in town that has a big outdoor deck and some great views. There were so many great looking places to eat that I wish we'd had more time - but it’s a great excuse to come back!

MAP

Here is a map that includes the location of the stops we made on this trip:

IN SUMMARY

We only stopped at a few places along the coast and I know there are many more that look equally as great! We found that everywhere we stopped Beatle was able to join us to look around.

We were driving North, on this trip, but I can see the benefit in also doing this drive from the other direction as you'll be driving on the coastal side of the road which can make it easier to pull over. Luckily there is good signage advising of upcoming attractions, lookouts etc so we usually had plenty of time to get organised. It also helps that the main attractions often have their own turning lanes so you don't feel as much pressure from cars waiting behind you.

We drove this in July, and while we did try and leave early to beat the traffic I still expected it would be much busier than it was. For the most part traffic was steady, people were driving with courtesy and Beatle got to stick her head out the window every now and then.

As this road was completely new to us, we downloaded maps before we went in case we lost mobile signal, made sure we had plenty of water and snacks, had a first aid kit in the car and gave ourselves plenty of time to get places. Because we didn't know the road at all, but expected it to be windy in parts, Beatle was also securely strapped into the backseat by her harness.

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