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Oregon Coast Tour: Explore Ecola State Park
4.9
310 Ratings
Embark on an unforgettable Oregon Coast Tour and discover the breathtaking beauty of Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach, and scenic Highway 101. Spot wildlife, explore coastal rainforests, and enjoy the charm of quaint coastal towns. Book now!
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Ecola State Park - After driving through the lush Coast Range Mountains, our first stop will be at one of our coastline’s most breathtaking vistas which inspired William Clark (of the famous Lewis & Clark Expedition) to write in poetic fashion when his party first arrived in 1805, “… I beheld the grandest and most pleasing prospects my eyes had ever surveyed in front of a boundless ocean!”. That same sense of wonder still rings true for all who stand at Ecola Point, feel the salty sea air upon their face and cast their gaze out over the swirling blue-green waters of the mighty Pacific. The striking shoreline is dotted with dozens of dramatic basalt islands and arches, complimented by windswept rolling hills decorated with gnarled, ancient Sitka Spruce trees. Ecola has many beautiful locations of interest to explore and we may take a deeper dive into the park to search for wild herds of Roosevelt Elk, black bear, bald eagles, osprey, raccoons and even the mythical Sasquatch who roam these very forests!
- Indian Beach - If the flow of the day and time allow, sometimes your guide will choose to visit Indian Beach and stroll along the vast stretch of this exceedingly picturesque surfing beach peppered with rocky islands. As another fun option, sometimes we enjoy a short hike to a stunning viewpoint while walking through lush temperate rainforest filled with huckleberries, salmonberries, thimbleberries, ferns, lichens and liverworts which grow prolifically upon the colorful tapestry of the forest floor. Stroll through this unique forest surrounded by towering old-growth Spruce, majestic Hemlock and sacred Western Red Cedar arboreal giants! Your guide will unravel the myriad fascinating Native American uses of many of these forest treasures and we’ll discuss some of the cinematic fame these forests and beaches have garnered throughout the years!
- Cannon Beach - After our adventure in Ecola State Park, guests will enjoy an hour or so to wander through the streets of the charming seaside town of Cannon Beach, take in the many art galleries and eccentric culture, pick up a souvenir if desired and eat lunch at one of the many tasty bistros, restaurants, charcuteries, coffee shops and cafes. Of course, fresh seafood is always on the menu everywhere and fresh Pacific Coast salmon, steelhead, halibut, mussels, clams, chowder, crab and other tasty Northwest delicacies are always sure to please the palate! There are several top notch local micro-breweries, a micro distillery and multiple wine shops (often featuring our world-class Pinot Noir) if you care to imbibe in style! For those with a sweet tooth looking to indulge your cravings, Cannon Beach features a mouth-watering bakery, chocolate truffle stands, a very popular creperie and several salt water taffy and ice cream cone shops, which are sure to bring a smile to every traveler’s face.
- Haystack Rock - After lunch we often visit the world-famous Haystack Rock and learn about its fascinating geological history while observing the dozens of rare and beautiful nesting sea birds which make this dramatic 235-foot-tall basalt island their home! The lovable and iconic Tufted Puffin (think of a parrot crossed with a penguin) chooses to nest here by burrowing up to 6-feet deep into the grassy northern slope of the rock tower and raises its young within easy binocular range of the prolific tide pools below. These remarkable birds spend their winters on the open ocean, chasing fish and invertebrates by “flying” over 100 feet below the waves! If we happen to arrive at low tide, travelers always delight in wandering through the tide pools which reveal themselves between the shore and this beloved intertidal sea stack. Purple sea urchins, green anemones, red sea cucumbers, nudibranchs, mussels, chiton, limpets, various crabs and colorful sea stars abound in this fragile and delicate ecosystem!
- Hug Point State Park - The next adventure often includes a stop at Hug Point (tides permitting) which stuns travelers with its many caves, colorful sandstone cliff features, sweeping vistas, charming short hikes and even a waterfall which pours right down onto the beach during some portions of the year! Learn about the pioneers’ and early settlers’ use of the area and revel in the majesty of the mighty Pacific. Many tales of buried treasure, pirate smugglers, native American legends and ship-wrecked Spanish galleons from the 1600’s abound! This location is sometimes in place of Oswald-West State Park (or vice-versa) depending on the flow of the day, lunch time, previous hikes, stops and travelers’ interests. Hug Point boasts some of the most incredible vistas of the whole coast line with many hidden perches and lookouts which offer up jaw-dropping photograph opportunities!
- Oswald West State Park - Your guide has access to many different hidden gems along the coast and depending on time may choose to take you into the 2,484-acre Oswald West State Park to explore the beloved Short Sands beach which involves a beautiful ½-mile stroll through gigantic old-growth temperate rainforest, often brimming with fresh wild berries, which can be plucked right from the forest depending on the season. We follow the meandering path of Short Sands Creek which eventually makes its way out onto what the local surfers lovingly refer to as, “Shorty’s”! This iconic surfing beach also has a small waterfall at the far end, dramatic examples of geologic uplifting and tilting of the marine floor sediments, beautiful densely forested lava cliffs, sea birds galore and an endless supply of perfect waves rolling in. The park was named after Oregon’s 14th governor, Os West, who battled tirelessly to pass the famous “beaches bill” which ensured that all 363 miles of Oregon coastline are public!
- Neahkahnie Mountain - If time permits we may also stop at a stunning viewpoint on Neahkahnie mountain which offers tremendous 180-degree views of the coast, Nehalem Bay, the charming seaside town of Manzanita and is one of the best spots in Oregon to spot Grey Whales on their 12,000 mile long migration between Alaska and Baja California. After an incredible day of exploring and sight seeing, we return to Portland back through the Clatsop and Tillamook forests and may possibly catch a glimpse of several of the Cascadian volcanoes before being dropped off back in the city with ample time to head out on the town and enjoy a world class meal, a tasty micro-brew or dozens of live music and cultural opportunities. Guests always return refreshed, invigorated and thrilled with the unspoiled, underdeveloped and wild nature of the uniquely scenic Oregon “People’s Coast”!
What's Included
- Refreshments provided
- Comfortable air-conditioned transport
Additional Information
Experience the enchanting Ecola State Park and marvel at the breathtaking vistas of Oregon’s wild and verdant coastline. Delight in the foggy coastal forests teeming with wild berries, time-worn Sitka Spruce trees, many types of ferns and lichens and a wealth of other natural wonders!
Take a peaceful walk through the charming seaside town of Cannon Beach, renowned for its expansive sandy shore, Haystack Rock, art exhibitions and chic boutiques.
Journey along the picturesque Highway 101, with pit stops at hidden beaches en route and savor the sight of bold Oregon surfers tackling the powerful Pacific waves!
Keep an eye out for gray whales, sea lions, seals, uncommon seabirds (like Tufted Puffins!), bald eagles, ospreys, impressive gatherings of Roosevelt Elk and innumerable other stunning instances of vibrant fauna (& flora) throughout the day from wind-battered basalt cliffs.
This tour package comprises snacks, drinks, a luxury van for transportation and the guidance of a naturalist.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(310 Ratings)
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Rodcarroll
May 28, 2024
Very Nice - I had a full day off from a work trip to Dave's Killer Bread. The Oregon Coast was nice, but not one of the seven wonders of the world. But the good part was learning about Oregon from Jim, our guide. I was looking for an Oregon experience and I got was I was looking for.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rick_m
May 27, 2024
Knowledgeable guide, wonderful views - We had rough and rainy weather, and it was still just a beautiful trip. The rainforests were amazing, and the coast was ruggedly beautiful.
Review provided by Viator
Storyteller558702
May 27, 2024
Great Tour - The tour guide was informative and accommodated everyone’s needs. The tour coverage of the coast was good based on the distance and areas
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mityl_b
May 25, 2024
Good - I liked the extensive commentary. The amount of time at each stop was appropriate, though lunch could probably be a quarter hour longer for us to properly explore. Will 100% recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Nick_d
May 25, 2024
Don’t question, just book it - Jim and Riley were so great from the minute we were picked up at the hotel. Very accommodating and flexible. If you’re deciding between two coast tours, book this one. We went a bit off the book due to weather, but it was still worth it.
Review provided by Viator
Chandra_a
May 25, 2024
Tour of a Lifetime - The tour was amazing! The coast of Oregon is absolutely stunning, magical, beautiful, and something I’ll never forget. The tour guides (Jim and Riley) were incredible: knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, funny, and the best at what they do.
Review provided by Viator
Jeanette_m
May 25, 2024
Great day trip of awe-inspiring sites along the Oregonian coast! - Highly recommend this day trip! Ryan is very informative and passionate about the region. His energy keeps the tour fun. He gives you a great tour of several beautiful sites along the coast and shares information about the geological characteristics of the PACNW.
Review provided by Viator
Mary_b
May 22, 2024
Super fun adventure! Along the Oregon Coast! - Excellent experience in every way. I loved seeing the ocean and all of the wonders and I would recommend this adventure to others.
Review provided by Viator
Eric_y
May 22, 2024
Awesome trip - Great views and the tour guide was awesome and made sure everyone was comfortable. Saw amazing places on the Oregon coast.
Review provided by Viator
Johnmark_b
May 25, 2024
Pretty Oregon Coast - Beautiful oregon coast. Our guide is very knowledgable about the tour places we were visited; however, sometimes it gets too much, to the point that it became irrelevant. Much appreciate if its just in simpler explanation with more relative to what we are seeing or observing rather academic theoretical sciences or complex history.
Some places were skipped. little dissapointed as I am expected to see those places based on itinerary. 1 or 2 maybe acceptable but 3 or more places, maybe unacceptable? Weather was fantastic that time.
Review provided by Viator
