Oceanside is a sleepy beach town on Oregon’s stunning coast. This charming town is less touristy and makes for the perfect weekend getaway. Keep reading to discover the best things to do in and around Oceanside, Oregon!
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7 Things to Do in Oceanside, Oregon
Table of Contents
- 1. Rent a Cottage on the Beach
- 2. Walk the Oceanside Beach Trail
- 3. Roast S’mores on the Beach
- 4. Ride E-bikes on the Beach in Pacific City
- 5. Tour the Tillamook Creamery
- 6. Take a Ride on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
- 7. Take a Day Trip to Cannon Beach
1. Rent a Cottage on the Beach
Oceanside is the perfect home base while exploring along the Oregon Coast.
One of the things that we love about Oceanside is that it is easy to find affordable vacation rentals overlooking the beach.
We booked this Airbnb and were spoiled with views of Oceanside Beach right out our back deck.
The cottage was spacious, clean, and reasonably priced, especially for the location.
A few other options for accommodations include The Oceanside Inn which offers great rates and great views. The Coastal Comfort is a spacious two-story vacation home with a balcony overlooking the ocean. If you’re traveling with kids, the Blue Moon vacation home is a great option that sleeps up to six people.
For a more adventurous experience, you can also camp on the beach along the Oregon Coast.
Oceanside is a walkable town where you can easily access Oceanside Beach as well as shops and cafes.
Try Roseanna’s Cafe for fresh seafood with a view.
Current Cafe & Lounge is the place to go for a hearty breakfast burrito and a cup of coffee.
2. Walk the Oceanside Beach Trail
Oceanside Beach is similar to Cannon Beach but without the crowds.
You’ll find impressive sea stack rock formations just off the coast and even a cool sea cave at the adjacent Tunnel Beach.
The best way to experience this beach is along the 0.86-mile out-and-back Oceanside Beach Trail.
The trail follows right along the coast where you can enjoy the views and the salty ocean air.
Our favorite time to walk the trail is in the early morning when the fog is rolling off the ocean.
Sunset is also a great time for a beach walk when the vibrant sky is showing off.
Oceanside Beach is a popular spot for shelling and rockhounding, so keep your eye out while walking.
It is one of the best places along the coast to find agates, quartz, jasper, and even petrified wood.
3. Roast S’mores on the Beach
Not all Oregon beaches allow beach fires, but Oceanside Beach is one that does.
Of course, you will first need to check the Fire District website for any burn restrictions that might be in place.
As long as there are no restrictions, there are several fire pits that have already been dug where you can build a fire on the beach.
Some important things to note is that fire pits should be no bigger than 3 feet in diameter and the flame should be no taller than 2 feet. Be sure to build your fire far away from any dune grass or brush.
Never leave the fire unattended and always put it out completely with water before you leave.
You are also not allowed to burn driftwood and logs found on the beach so bring your own firewood. Click the link for a full list of fire guidelines.
The closest store is Safeway in Tillamook where you can pick up s’mores ingredients, fire starter logs, a lighter, and roasting sticks.
The vacation rental homes usually come stocked with beach chairs, beach towels, and possibly a beach blanket.
It truly is magical to roast s’mores around a crackling fire under the stars while listening to the crashing waves.
It is one of our favorite things to do in Oceanside, Oregon.
4. Ride E-bikes on the Beach in Pacific City
Not all Oregon beaches allow motorized vehicles to be driven on the beach, but if you drive about a half hour south to Pacific City you can rent e-bikes and legally ride them right on the beach!
We rented bikes from E-Bike The Beach and had a great experience.
Riding on sand can be a bit tricky, but these fat tire bikes can handle the conditions well.
The best time to ride is at low tide so that you can ride on the hard-packed sand that is exposed at low tide. You’ll want to avoid riding in wet sand and dry soft sand.
There are several different trails and beaches where you can ride. The most popular is along Bob Straud Beach.
The 10-mile round-trip ride will take you along the coast all the way to the end of the peninsula to the Nestucca River Spit.
You can also ride along McPhillips Beach just north of Bob Straud Beach.
Be sure to stop and see the stunning formations at Cape Kiwanda on the south end of the beach.
If you’re feeling up to it, you can even hike to the top of the Cape Kiwanda sand dune for amazing views.
When you’re done biking, take time to explore around the cute coastal town of Pacific City.
If you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat at Grateful Bread Bakery.
We loved their sandwiches, cheese & potato soup, and home-baked goods.
The Pacific Coast Candy Shop is also the best place to go for homemade chocolates and sweets.
5. Tour the Tillamook Creamery
The Tillamook Creamery is located only about 10 miles from Oceanside and is worth a stop.
Here you will be able to take a free self-guided tour where you can watch the cheesemakers in action at the viewing gallery.
It’s fascinating to see the process and to watch the quality checkers hard at work.
The gallery is lined with informational signs where you’ll learn some cheesy facts, like did you know their cheeses are aged anywhere from 3 months to 5 years?
For a more in-depth experience, consider booking a behind-the-scenes guided tour.
They also have a sample counter where you can try the different flavors of Tillamook cheese.
Stop by the farm exhibit hall to learn more about the Tillamook milk cows.
These pampered cows are well taken care of, they have extra soft bedding, specially prepared food, rolling back massagers, and even fitness trackers!
You’ll find some fun and unique cheese-themed gifts at the Tillamook Market and some fresh dairy products at the Tillamook Farm Store.
Be sure to stop by the Dining Hall and order their famous Fried Cheddar Cheese Curds, Triple Mac & Cheese, or Double Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
Save room for a scoop of their signature ice cream from the ice cream counter!
Our favorite is the Caramel Toffee Crunch, White Chocolate Raspberry, Marionberry Pie, Oregon Strawberry, and Mountain Huckleberry.
I would recommend ordering an ice cream flight so that you can sample the different flavors.
6. Take a Ride on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad offers a variety of train rides throughout the year.
You can book a Fall Splendor Excursion in the fall or the Candy Cane Express train ride during the holidays.
During the warmer months, the scenic train ride from Garibaldi Beach to Rockaway Beach is a popular attraction.
This train ride is about a half-hour long as it takes you right along the coast with scenic views along the way.
Once you reach Rockaway Beach, you can explore the charming coastal town before taking the train back.
Tickets are reasonably priced, we paid only $25 at the time of our visit.
You can book tickets to ride inside the enclosed 1950s train car, or the outdoor train car for unobstructed views.
If the weather is good, I would recommend the outdoor train car.
7. Take a Day Trip to Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is one of the most popular destinations on the Oregon Coast and is worth the one-hour drive from Oceanside.
You’ll recognize the iconic Haystack Rock, a 235-foot basalt sea stack that was made famous in the 1980s cult classic, The Goonies.
At low tide, you can find tidal pools at the base of Haystack Rock that are filled with colorful sea stars, crabs, and other sea creatures.
Haystack Rock is also a nesting ground for Tufted Puffins and is one of the best and most accessible places to view them in the Northwest.
For a fun way to explore the beach, rent funcycles or fat tire bikes to ride along the beach.
The Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge is also a great spot to grab a delicious meal with views of Haystack Rock.
*Related post: If you are planning a trip to Oregon, I would also highly recommend spending time around Mount Hood. Check out our guide for The Best Things to Do in Mount Hood.
If you’re looking for souvenirs and local gifts, head over to N Hemlock Street. The street is lined with boutique shops and cute cafes, you could easily spend a few hours here.
I hope this guide will help you discover the best things to do in Oceanside, Oregon!
For more help planning your Oregon trip, see our guide for The Perfect 5-Day Oregon Itinerary.
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