MtManMD Loc: Beaverton, Oregon

A photographer could spend a career just concentrating on the Oregon coast. For someone who hasn't visited much, the northern coast from Cannon Beach to Tillamook should be a high priority. Personally, I would say that my favorite area would be the southern coast from Bandon south. Remote, few people, many offshore rocks, great views from headlands and great public beaches. And the weather is warmer/nicer down there.

FramerMCB Loc: Northern, ID (formerly Portland, OR area)

And ICE CREAM too!!!

zuzanne Loc: Crawfordville, FL

Bandon By The Sea is also a great place to visit. The giant rocks on the edge of the shore offer some great landscape and birds to shoot. There is a small hotel that sits on the bluff overlooking the beach below and a good restaurant there as well. There is a great state park on the North side of the bay across from old town. The lighthouse and beach are easy walking from your car. Just remember the tides in Oregon can be very high and strong. Don't turn your back to the sea. Old Town Bandon has some cool shops and restaurants as well. The harbor has some good photos ops. Enjoy your trip.

zuzanne

Ovhnfinity

Astoria is at the tip top of the Oregon Coast and has really good photo ops. I would recommend Cape Perpetual (south of Yachats) at high tide. Thor's Well is located there and there is a hiking trail from there to Devil's Churn, another spectacular place to watch the tide come in. A great place to photograph wild water! Lots of old bridges all along Hwy 101. If you get as far down as Bandon you will amazing rock structures on the beach which are easily accessed at low tide for photographing. Google these places of you have access to a computer or if you have a smart phone. Have a wonderful trip!

Oly Guy

It's been 25 years but do get to Big Sur to the South-unbelievable ! Hi 1A I think- You could spend 2 weeks on the coast.

JBPDXOR Loc: Oregon

I would like to add depending from where you start, you have numerous routes to the Oregon Coast. I based from Starting with cities along I-5. From Portland; either down the Columbia river on Hwy #30 to Astoria or west on Hwy #26 to Seaside/Cannon Beach or Hwy #6 to Tillamook. From Salem;Hwy #22 to Lincoln City or Pacific City. Corvallis; Hwy #20 west to Newport. From Eugene; Hwy #126 west to Florence. From Drain; Hwy #38 west to Reedsport. From Roseburg; Hwy #42 west to Coos Bay. From Grants Pass; Hwy#199 west to Crescent City,CA

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Yup, that's all you need to know. Also, along the Columbia River from Portland.

j45 Loc: North Central CT

Yeah, check ahead of time. Crater Lake might be closed due to the amount of snow. I think there is a website for the area.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

While I certainly agree that Big Sur is a magnificent place, and outstanding for photography, it is also nearly 800 miles south of Portland on the California coast south of San Francisco. Not really an option for one driving and photographing the Oregon Coast. Best for its own trip at another time.

jdmarks64

One of my favorite places on earth is Ecola State Park just north of Cannon Beach, OR: Great serenity, lots of photo ops, and unrivaled scenic beauty.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

This is true of any travel. I have gone perhaps 15-20 miles in a day or none just exploring an interesting community or area. So unless you have a schedule to meet just enjoy what you see and be curious of that little local museum, you might be surprised at the treasure trove of items it might have worth seeing.

Teddy Hill

Get to the beach and pray for a clear or partly cloudy sunset. This shot was taken on March 8th.

Oregon Coast At Lincoln City

oregon don

I would suggest stopping at every pullout and state wayside as you go along the highway.

At every one you will find something special, from the old water line road to the large mixing bowel.

last spring I watched whales trying to find their way out of a blocked channel on their way north while at sunset bay state park.

If the surf is up, Boiler Bay wayside is a great place to watch.

Kuzano

UmmmH???

Big Sur.. not Oregon Coast. In fact, halfway down the Ca coast, below Monterey and Carmel, well south of SF.

It is beauteous however.

5 Days is a teaser on the Oregon Coast. I'd say, as mentioned before, relax and try to cover from Astoria down to Lincoln City. That's a bit less than the top half of the state. Many sights and waysides to pull off. A few lighthouses, but being decommissioned regularly.

Did someone say "passing lanes" on the Oregon Coast Highway.. Really???? There are passing lanes???.

Part of the north coast highway is a bit inland. Astoria to Tillamook and a bit south is along the coast. Then the inland portion comes back out to the Ocean above Lincoln City. As long as you are on the coastal portion of the highway, there will be plenty of photo ops. From Lincoln City, down through Depoe Bay and South to Florence is along the coast. Towns like Yachats and Waldport.

However, you'd be pushing to get much South of Lincoln City in five days, if you really plan on photography as you go.

One caution. Do not use a vehicle where valuables can be seen through the rear glass. A locking trunk on any vehicle is a real plus. Theft in the wayside parking lots is rampant, once you head over the dunes.

I used to travel the coast, and drove a beat up old Suburban with a locking metal box welded to the floor in the rear near the tailgate. Exercise caution. Most parking areas have been posted with warnings in the past.

Mulege2015

the boat harbors and marinas - Charleston - near Bandon - is great- always that fog and mist bring the colors of nature out everywhere - bridges, covered ones - rivers that travel inland from the coast - even Portland is wonderful to photograph as it is ecletic and colorful
enjoy your trip!