The Newport area of the Oregon coast has a lot to offer, with the amenities and maritime history of the city surrounded on both the north and south sides by scenic forested parks that wander down to the wave-battered rocky shore of the Pacific Ocean. Highway 101 curves around the topography of the coast, with lots of views and parks along the way. The parks have inland trails, tide pools, and interesting craggy seastack rock formations, and lighthouses still operate along the weather-beaten shoreline to protect passing ships.
Newport has an eclectic mix of historical districts (Bayfront, Nye Beach, and Deco Districts) with modern amenities, lots of galleries and interesting stores, good restaurants and candy shops, and a few cheesy tourist attractions thrown in for good measure. There are hotels, cottages, condos, and campgrounds to stay overnight, and plenty of delicious seafood that can come directly from the fishing vessels that pull up to docks right in Newport. Plenty to keep you busy for a week or more!
Viewpoint in Cape Perpetua Scenic Area of Siuslaw National Forest near the town of Yachats, looking south along the Pacific Ocean coast where highway 101 winds around by the tide pools
Wave in flight by the tidepools of Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
Looking inland to where big Pacific Ocean waves swelled by me and crashed into a burrowed out chasm on the coast
The 500-600 year Giant Spruce tree of Cape Perpetua Scenic Area has a hollowed out tunnel at its base, the remnants of the nurse log it grew upon centuries ago
Pacific Ocean waves spraying high into the air after hitting large rock seastacks at Seal Rock State Park, between Waldport and Newport
Waves pouring through basalt rock walls off the coast of Seal Rock State Park
Smiling with the scenery of Seal Rock State Park
The Yaquina Bay Bridge of Newport
The wide open sandy beaches of Newport
Working fishing boats at the Historic Bayfront District of Newport, bringing fresh catches to local restaurants and beyond
The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse at Yaquina Bay State Park in Newport; the entire house is period furnished and open to walk through with docents there to answer any questions
Large Colony Rock lies just off of Yaquina Head and is part of Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area; it is home to colonies formed by thousands of birds among seven different species
Yaquina Head Lighthouse in Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Walking the black rock beaches of Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Scenic Area
Devil’s Punchbowl (of Devil’s Punchbowl State Park) was formed when ocean waves coming through two sea caves kept battering on the cave roof and eventually the roof collapsed, forming the open cauldron