New Places to Discover When Traveling in Newport Oregon

Pacific Northwest Coastline

I am no stranger to the Pacific Ocean, and run to the beaches whenever I can afford to miss my Utah Mountains. However, after living in Southern California for my teenage years, I wasn’t sure how much I’d love the Pacific Northwest Coastline. I’ve heard amazing things about the Oregon coast, and have spending a weekend in Portland on my bucket list for later. Although the North and South beaches are very different lifestyles, I can surely say that our trip traveling in Newport, Oregon had me falling in love with the cold, austere, and yet breathtakingly beautiful views.

Shopping in Newport Oregon

Newport’s Historic Bayfront

If you’re looking for a uniquely Oregon Coast experience, look no further than the Historic Bayfront! This is where many of the local small businesses keep shop; you are sure to find a quirky gift in one of the stores! My absolute favorite shop was the hippie-loving Jambo World Crafts for beautiful clothing, accessories, and other items. I also bought several of the Newport Bay Candle Company scents and they smell delightful and burn forever. Just be warned that the Bayfront does have a heavy fish smell because of the fishery located on the walk.

Nye Beach

We stayed in a house rental on High Street– just a 4 minute walk from this gorgeous area! On the journey down to the beach, you’ll find more than 40 restaurants and retail businesses that you can grab a bite to eat or a kitschy souvenir from. Nye Beach is perfect for long walks, fire pits, and dipping your toes in the ocean. It’s the complete opposite of the crowded beaches you’ll find elsewhere. Perfect for anyone looking to feel the ocean breeze and the serenity it brings!

Aquarium Village

Similar to the other two shopping centers, Aquarium Village in Newport Oregon is full of unique stores and small businesses that will keep you busy for hours. My favorite store in the spot was Pirates Plunders! It’s a thrifter’s dream with antiques and collectibles filling rooms and rooms. They had some of the raddest vintage clothing I’ve ever seen! This quirky shop is worth exploring.

Traveling in Newport Oregon: Where to Eat

Chowder Bowl

Despite the simple name, Chowder Bowl offers pretty fancy soups! I love, loved the comforting clam chowder I had, while my mom was head-over-heals for their chili. Be sure that you don’t skip out on their dessert! If available, I highly recommend the Lemonade Cake. Note: The wait is long and you must stay close by to hear your name called out the restaurant door.

South Beach Fish Market

I must confess that this location is very much a hole-in-the-wall. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover, as the fish and chips at South Beach Fish Market are famous! Be it lunch or dinner time, get here early to grab a table, or you’ll be stuck in line and miss out on a picnic table spot to eat at. I also recommend the fried shrimp from this local spot.

Chalet Restaurant and Bakery

This family-friendly restaurant has breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus available. Chalet Restaurant and Bakery even has plenty of gluten-free options— including deserts! Breakfast is served all-day and their Hazlenut Blueberry Pancakes are a family favorite. If breakfast isn’t your thing, there are plenty of sandwiches, salads, soups, and dinner specialties.

Ultralife Cafe

For all my coffee lovers and mimosa lovers alike, Ultralife Cafe is for you! There is a location in the Nye Beach shopping area, and another in town. Here, you can get any of your caffeine or alcohol fixes, as well as smoothies, pastries and sandwiches. I was amazed at their creative mimosa menu. It’s the perfect place to work on a computer or grab brunch!

Go to Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area when Traveling in Newport Oregon

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Reminiscent of The Lighthouse movie (with Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe) is Yaquina Head Lighthouse in Newport, OR. Although the movie wasn’t filmed there, it was like being on the movie set on the small cliffs. There is a fee to get into the Outstanding Natural Area, but free admittance with the National Parks and Federal Lands Pass, The “Golden Age”, Golden Eagle, & Golden Access Passes, and the Oregon Pacific Coast Passports. There is parking near the visitor center– offering easy access to the lighthouse via a paved walkway. Additional parking is also available closer to the lighthouse, making it accessible for all abilities. While there, you can take a walk around the building, enjoy the wildflowers on the hills, go on a hiking trail, view the birds, and check out the ocean waves below. We were able to see an eagle out on the gigantic ocean rocks, so bring your binoculars!

Cobble Beach

Below the iconic lighthouse are shores riddled with polished black pebbles called Cobble Beach. Not only is it a stunning sight to see, but a unique — and noisy — experience to hear as the waves crash over the shiny rocks. As far as I could tell from our visit, the beach is only accessible via stairs near the lighthouse, which may be difficult for some to descend.

Quarry Cove Tidal Pools

After supplying rock materials for highway building until the 1980s, Quarry Cove was turned into man-made tide pools. The ocean had other plans and not only brought in animals and food, but plenty of sand. Now, seals like to enjoy sunning on the beachy spot; it’s a great place to get in some seal watching! Quarry Cove can be accessed via wheelchair, but be sure to notify the visitor’s center so they can open the driveway gate for car access.

Traveling to Newport, Oregon Should Include Crabbing

A yearly tradition that my grandpa enjoys is crab fishing in Oregon. More recently, my dad has joined him on the adventure, and finally (this year) the grandkids came along! While there are places to catch crabs in Newport, my grandpa swears that the best area to crab fish is in Waldport, Oregon at McKinley’s Marina. Bring your own bait, but you can rent a boat, included gas and crab rings, from the marina. I was worried that fishing would be cold and wet, and while that turned out to be true, it was an experience of a lifetime and wasn’t miserable while out on the boat.

Cape Perpetua is a Must-See when Traveling in Newport Oregon

Yachats Coastline

In the southernmost area of Lincoln County is the small town of Yachats. The rough basalt coastline is surrounded by forest trees and green moss, creating a picturesque backdrop. Although beautiful, the geography is unforgiving and austere and visitors should remain alert. Along the highway, you’ll find pull-off parking lots with access to the water where you can watch powerful waves crash against the rocks.

Thor’s Well

A “sinkhole” in the ocean, just off the Yachats Coastline, Thor’s Well appears to drain ocean water as waves crash into the rocks. This is definitely only for those that make safety a priority, and requires agility to hike over the rocky area. Take beautiful pictures of the natural phenomenon, and also take caution while walking over the slippery coast.

Otter Rock Near Newport Oregon

Beach Area

First of all, this is one of the longest beaches (from sand to tide) that I have ever been on. The Oregon Coast has shallow waters, and when the tide is low, it reveals an almost endless view of sand! Otter Rock Beach is beautiful, with cliffs draped in moss, rocky areas for small tide pools, and plenty of area to set up camp. This is also one of the few areas that I saw where a surf shop did rentals and the waters were calm enough for people to get on their boards. This beach is kid-friendly and dogs are allowed on-leash. Keep in mind that beach access requires walking down, and up, a steep cliff staircase.

Devil’s Punchbowl Arch

At the end of 1st Street in Otter Rock, OR, you can find the Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area. At the top of the gated cliffs, there is a view above the Devil’s Punchbowl Arch, a collapsed sea cave shaped by waves. This amazing natural structure is worth seeing! Although we saw many people inside the bowl area on the beach below, we were unable to locate a safe way to access the hike. Keep in mind that if you do find the way down into the area, it should be during low tide.

Would you rather visit a beach in the South Pacific Sea (like Hawai’i) or North Pacific Sea (such as Oregon)? If you have been to the the Oregon coast and loved it, you should add a coastal Maine road trip to your bucket list!