Oregon Coast itinerary 

6

Day 1 – Arrive in Portland

Pick up rental car. Check into Aloft Cascade Station (If you had a full travel day like me, you may want to stay somewhere near the airport and drive to the coast on day 2.)

Day 2 – Cannon Beach 

  • Check out of the Aloft
  • Drive to Tillamook / Pacific City – approx. 2 hours
  • Lunch at Pelican Brewing in Pacific City
  • Sightseeing and hiking: Cape Meares State Park, Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, Three Capes Scenic Route. Goonies film location: Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock
  • Check into Surfsand Resort (148 W Gower St, Cannon Beach (503) 436-2274): Guest rooms and suites with a low-key, coastal vibe. Wi-fi, lux bath amenities, deep soaking tubs and seasonal beachfront cabana service for the win.
  • Great eats: Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge, Public Coast Brewing Company, Pelican Brewing Company, The Bistro 

Goonies Film Locations: Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock 

  • Staying at Surfsand means you can see Haystack Rock from your room and Tillamook Head Lighthouse is in the distance. It’sone of Oregon’s most iconic spots home to tidepools and plenty of bird, including my fave: puffins. From spring to mid-summer they nest here. It’s a coastal game of Where’s Waldo as you search for bright orange beaks and yellow eyebrow tufts amongst the rocks. At low tide you can walk right up to the rock and search for sea stars and small fish. This area is part of Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and is a state-protected marine environment.
  • Cannon Beach is where the Fratelli car chase came to an end. It was the location of the 3rd Annual ORV Ralley and was filled with cars and spectators in the scene. Cannon Beach is also where the final scene from Point Break was filmed, too.

Day 3 – Cannon Beach 

  • Breakfast noms: Sleepy Monk Organic Coffee Roasters, Insomnia Coffee Company, Sea Level Bakery + Coffee, The Lazy Susan Cafe 
  • Beach Cruiser Rental
  • Lunch options: The Salmonberry, Pelican Pub & Brewery
  • Kayaking Tour with Kayak Tillamook at Nehalem Bay State Park (9500 Sandpiper Lane, Nehalem): See the  beautiful estuary while getting some exercise. Keep eyes peeled for eagles, elk, shrimp, clams and oysters.
  • Suggested Hike: Cape Falcon at Oswald West State Park 
  • Hike: Cape Falcon at Oswald West State Park
  • Overnight at Surfsand 
  • One of the coolest parks in Oregon is Oswald West State Park. Insane views of the Pacific. Two hours west of Portland on the north Oregon Coast, Oswald West State Park attracts beach goers, hikers and surfers.

For an easy hike, head to Cape Falcon. It’s a 4.8-mile out and back strol. To get to the trailhead drive about 13 miles south on Highway 101 from Cannon Beach. At Oswald West State Park, turn into the first large pullout on the right. Follow signs for Short Sands beach and Cape Falcon Trail. 

Day 4 – Astoria 

Day 5 – Astoria 

  • Brekkie ideas: Blue Scorcher Bakery Cafe, Astoria Coffee House 
  • Check out the Columbia Maritime Museum
  • Visit Fort Stevens and Shipwreck Beach
  • Climb the Astoria Column 
  • Go Bowling at Columbia Bowl (Goonies fans: see the glass where Chunk viewed the car chase from)
  • Overnight in Astoria 

Day 6 – Depart from Portland 

  • Check out of Bowline
  • Drive to Portland – 2 hours
  • Refuel and drop-off rental car at PDX Airport

Self-Guided Goonies Tour 

It’s been almost 40 years since The Goonies hit the silver screen, but die-hard fans still flock to Oregon’s Northern coast where most of the movie was filmed. Start in Astoria in the fictional Goon Docks neighborhood where you can drive by the main character’s houses and the Clatsop County Jail (Oregon Film Museum) where the break-out scene was filmed. Next, head to Ecola State Park where the Fratelli’s had their hideout. Although the hideout was taken down after filming, you will instantly recognize the surroundings. Walk the Indian Beach Trail to see where the Goonies search for the start of the treasure map. Next stop: Cannon Beach where the police chase the Fratelli’s car. It’s no surprise that this iconic spot was also featured in Point Break and Twilight.