Let me help you plan your next trip to the Oregon Coast with suggestions on where to find the most unbelievable scenery and wildlife. In this post, I’ll go from north to south and highlight the best stops on the Central Oregon Coast between Lincoln City and Depoe Bay.

Roads End State Recreation Site

Beach with dramatic headland in the distance

Cost: Oregon State Park Pass required, $10/day

Dog friendly: Yes

Amenities: Restrooms, free public parking, picnic tables

When I make it to the coast, I can’t wait to see the water. The beach at Roads End State Recreation Site showcases the classic rugged Oregon coastline, only minutes after reaching Lincoln City. From Highway 101 South, turn right onto NW Logan Road. The Roads End beach will be about a mile down the road on your left.

From the parking area, head down the short path to the beach through an impressive pile of driftwood. To the north, you’ll see the distinctive hump of the Thumb, sometimes called God’s Thumb. To the south is the town of Lincoln City. Take your time stretching your legs at this scenic beach. At the edge of town, Roads End is quieter and less developed than other beach access points in Lincoln City.

If you visit at low tide, head to the north end of Road’s End Beach to find a beautiful secret cove.

Until the end of March 2026, visiting Road’s End State Recreation Site was free. Now there’s a $10 day use fee if you don’t have an annual state park pass. If you’re only making quick stops on a road trip, it would probably make more sense to visit one of Lincoln City’s beaches with free parking instead. I’ll talk about D River State Recreation Site and Siletz Beach below.

Hike up to the Knoll and the Thumb

Views of Lincoln City from the Knoll — *The Knoll*

Cost: Free, no pass required.

Distance: 3-mile loop trail to reach the Knoll, 4.8 miles to add the Thumb.

Difficulty: Moderate

Dog friendly: Yes

There are several options for parking:

Start at Roads End Recreation Site ($10 fee) and head through town to Sal de la Sea Trailhead. Please don’t climb the headland from the beach. You’ll be going through private property.
Park on the shoulder at the end of Sal de la Sea Dr to start at the Sal de la Sea Trailhead (no amenities). Parking here requires the least walking to reach the Knoll. Spaces are limited. Parking is free.
The Villages trailhead (recommended) has the most parking along the side of a paved road. Port-a-potty at the trailhead. Parking is free.

Note that this hike is near private property, so make sure to stay on the trail.

The hike to the Knoll is short and sweet with big rewards at the top. Climb up the steep and sometimes muddy hill through a forest of moss-covered Sitka spruce. When I visited in May, buttercup blossoms lined the trail. Look for elk tracks in the mud. This area is a favorite of theirs.

You’ll reach a field with a narrow path through tall grass. Continue on the path to reach a lookout point with views of Lincoln City, Devil’s Lake, and the mouth of the Siletz River as it empties into the Pacific Ocean. You can return down the hill at this point, finish the loop, or continue on the main trail to reach the Thumb.

Find details in my article on the hike to the Knoll and the Thumb.

See the flowers at The Connie Hansen Garden

Cost: Free, donations welcome

Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs welcome

Amenities: Restrooms, free public parking, benches, a visitor’s center, and some wheelchair-accessible paths.

This stop is a treat for flower lovers. The garden is the former home of gardener-extraordinaire Connie Hansen, who spent decades developing it into something special, minimizing grass and maximizing flowers. Neighbors formed a conservancy that purchased the property after Connie Hansen’s death to maintain the garden according to her vision. Volunteers continue to care for it with great skill and love. The mature and colorful rhododendrons are a must-see in the spring. There are hundreds in the garden, including several varieties.

Walk the beach at the D River State Recreation Site

Restaurant and D River in front of beach

Cost: Free, no pass required

Dog friendly: Yes

Amenities: Restrooms, free public parking, picnic tables, and wheelchair access to the beach. Shops and restaurants are nearby.

D River State Recreation Site is right in the heart of Lincoln City. It begins where the D River, the shortest river in the world, flows from nearby Devil’s Lake into the Pacific Ocean. It is a great place to fly a kite and hosts a kite-flying festival each year. It also offers miles of coastline for a scenic stroll along the ocean.

Hunt for glass here! Throughout the year, over 3,000 handblown glass floats are scattered on the Lincoln City coast for lucky beachcombers to find. Local artists make each glass piece by hand. The galleries in Lincoln City are also a fun stop to see artisan glass creations.

See the seals at Siletz Bay

Cost: Free, no pass required

Dog friendly: Yes

Amenities: Restrooms, free public parking, picnic tables, wheelchair access to the beach

Siletz Bay, where the Siletz River flows into the Pacific Ocean, is one of the best wildlife watching spots between Lincoln City and Depoe Bay. It’s a favorite hunting spot for harbor seals, who love to lounge on the Salishan Spit across the bay from the public beach. Harbor seals stick around the Ocean Coast year-round, so there is a good chance of seeing them whenever you visit. I’ve gone to this beach many times and have seen seals there every time, both in the water and lounging on the sand. Bring binoculars for a better view. This beach is also a favorite fishing spot for humans. You may see people setting crab traps, holding fishing poles, or digging for clams in the Siletz Bay Park.

The beach at Siletz Bay collects a colossal amount of driftwood. People get creative with it, and there are many makeshift structures along the beach.

After visiting the beach, it’s worth exploring the adjacent Taft district. Check out Lincoln City Glass for glass-blowing demonstrations. There are also a couple of notable drink stops: Rusty Truck Brewing for local beer and pub food, or visit Snug Harbor Bar & Grill, the Oregon Coast’s first bar.

Explore Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area

Cost: Oregon State Park Pass required ($10/day)

Dog friendly: Yes

Amenities: Restrooms, free public parking, and a large picnic area with a covered picnic structure

Fogarty Creek State Recreation is south of Lincoln City’s sprawl, and feels more like nature than the beaches in town. The park begins in the woods, with a large and scenic picnic area that’s sheltered from the strong ocean winds. It’s the best picnic location between Lincoln City and Depoe Bay, especially if you have a larger group. Although you can’t see the ocean from the picnic area, it’s not far away. For beach access, take the path under the bridge to reach the ocean. You’ll see interesting rock formations encrusted with mollusks. Look for anemones and starfish along the base of the rocks during low tide.

Take in the views at Boiler Bay Scenic Viewpoint

Cost: Free, no pass required

Dog friendly: Yes

Amenities: Restrooms, free public parking, picnic tables

Boiler Bay is the most impressive viewpoint between Lincoln City and Depoe Bay. Watch for gray whales and seabirds at this outrageously cool road trip stop. Boiler Bay is an easy pull-off when driving south on Highway 101. The payoffs for stopping are huge. Ocean views surround you in three directions as you stand on a rocky cliffside, providing a great vantage point for whale watching or simply enjoying the waves. There is a fence around the cliff, so it is still a good stop if you’re traveling with small children.

Look for migratory birds near Depoe Bay

Large flock of common murres — *Common murres nest at Depoe Bay*

There are several good spots to see migratory birds between Lincoln City and Depoe Bay. The Siletz Bay Park and Boiler Bay Viewpoint are often reliable birdwatching areas. I felt very lucky to see a colony of common murres at their nesting spot at one of the rock islands off Depoe Bay, as well as some gulls and cormorants as a bonus. Skipping ahead a bit on the list, I’ve also had good luck spotting birds from the Depoe Bay seawall.

Visit the Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center

Cost: Free public street parking in Depoe Bay

Dog friendly: Yes, there are walkways and viewpoints around the Whale Watching Center

Amenities: Restrooms, benches, picnic tables, nearby shops and restaurants

While whale sightings wax and wane based on seasonal migrations, they can be seen almost year-round off the Oregon Coast. Depoe Bay is one of the best places to look for them. The Whale Watching Center in the center of town is free and open to the public. They have binoculars to borrow and volunteers to help with whale spotting. We are now in the spring season when northbound whales pass Depoe Bay during the migration that happens from March through June. The summer season is around the corner when whales come close to shore to feed. Summer is one of the best times in the year for whale watching, as well as being a great time to visit the coast.

From the Whale Watching Center, walk along the sea wall that runs through the center of town and watch the waves crash against the rocky coastline below.

Rainbow forms in mist of crashing wave at Depoe Bay seawall

Depoe Bay has the distinction of being home to the world’s smallest harbor, which is across the street from the Whale Watching Center. If you’re interested in looking for whales by boat, whale watching tours depart from the Depoe Bay harbor. Boat tours offer you a better chance of seeing a whale up close. It’s far from a sure thing, but when it happens, it’s unforgettable.

Grab dinner in Depoe Bay

Chips, salsa, bean dip, and beer — *Mazatlan*

Highway 101 runs through the center of Depoe Bay, where it becomes lined with restaurants and shops, as well as a walkway overlooking the ocean. The town is a fun place to do some window shopping and perhaps pick up a souvenir of your trip.

Depoe Bay has a few restaurants where you can get an ocean view during dinner:

Tidal Raves is a seafood spot on the north end of town. It’s one of the first restaurants you pass if you’re coming from Lincoln City. They have a good drink menu, including wine and craft cocktails. They don’t take reservations, so you may want to put your name down and explore the town if there’s a wait. A heads up for fellow vegetarians, your options will be limited to the drink menu.
Horn Public House has a fantastic upstairs space overlooking the water. Stop in for pub fare and craft beers. This place is popular as well, and there may be a wait.
Mazatlan is a hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant that is a real hidden gem. Chips come hot to the table as soon as you sit down, and beer comes with a chilled glass. Even better, there’s a view of the ocean and the Whale Watching Center. We loved this laid-back and comfortable spot.