California & Oregon Coast Road Trip: The Ultimate West Coast Itinerary
A California and Oregon coast road trip is one of the most unforgettable ways to experience the beauty of the American West. With towering redwood forests, dramatic coastal cliffs, charming seaside towns, and countless scenic overlooks, this route is perfect for anyone who loves adventure and the open road. One of the most meaningful stops was visiting the high school where my grandpa graduated in 1959—a special reminder that the best road trips are often about the memories we make and the stories we uncover along the way.
Whether you’re planning a weeklong getaway or adding this route to a longer West Coast adventure, this California and Oregon coast road trip itinerary will help you discover some of the most beautiful places along the Pacific Coast.
This Pacific Coast Road Trip actually began for us in San Diego. Both my husband and I have family along the entire West Coast, so we took 3 weeks to see everyone in one go. We visited San Diego, the SF bay area, Napa for my parent’s 40th wedding anniversary, and then rented a car for our northern California & Oregon Coast road trip. Then we headed from the Orthodox monastery in Goldendale, WA up to Seattle to visit Ephraim’s parents, where we flew home from. Overall it was an unbelievable trip with many blessings and memories to cherish forever.
The Cathedral in Santa Rosa, CA
Coming from Napa, we started our journey at St. Seraphim of Sarov Cathedral in Santa Rosa. It is a thriving parish with so many young families as well as older couples. They have many priests and retired bishops there so it was a very blessed place to spend Pentecost. They also have relics of Saint Olga of Alaska, St Justin the New Martyr and St. Seraphim of Serov. We would love to go back when we are in the area.
We then cut over to the coast and drove through the iconic Bodega Bay. On the way is one of my favorite bakeries of all time, the Wildflour Bakery along the Bohemian Highway in Freestone. They make the most incredible breads, scones, and more. And they grow tons of their own produce and herbs that they add to their breads!
Historic Fort Ross, California
Our next stop on our Oregon Coast road trip was Fort Ross. This is an old historic site along the Pacific Ocean. Built by Russian settlers in the early 1800s, the fort gives you a fascinating glimpse into a lesser-known chapter of California history, when Russian traders and craftsmen lived and worked along this rugged coastline. Walking through the reconstructed buildings, gardens, and wooden stockade felt like stepping back in time. There were beautiful views of the ocean and we enjoyed seeing how they built this peaceful historic outpost.
Glass Beach, California
Driving about 2 hours north of Fort Ross is Glass Beach. We couldn’t resist walking along the beach and on the rocks so we decided to make a trip down to the water’s edge. There were lots of families and kids there exploring the rocks and catching little critters in the tide pools. We enjoyed sitting here for a while in silence, pondering the power of the ocean waves as they met the rocky shore.
Eureka! California
Finally arriving at our first overnight stop, we stayed at the historic Eureka Inn on our West Coast road trip. It’s a very cute Bavarian-looking inn, and was both affordable and filled with historic tidbits. Ephraim and I has breakfast and had some work meetings the next morning, and then we headed out to explore Old Town Eureka. We walked down to the water’s edge, window shopped in fun little stores like Land of Lovely and The Humboldt Mercantile and a cute little used book store. I love Dick Taylor Chocolate because I used to sell them at Whole Foods Market and always loved their unique flavors, so it was a surprise to get to do a full taste testing and learn about the founders! We enjoyed dinner at the Marina Restaurant overlooking the water.
The Land of the Giant Redwoods in Humboldt County
Next we had an adventure day looking at what the northern west coast is known for: the Redwoods. Our first stop was Meyers Flat, where we drove through the Avenue of the Giants and were surrounded by enormous Redwood trees. Nearby, we explored the Eternal Tree House (basically a hole inside the base of a giant redwood) and visited the famous Immortal Tree in Redcrest that stood 300 feet tall!
Our next highlight of the day was the Shrine Drive Thru Tree. At first we thought it might be lame because you have to pay to drive through the base of the giant redwood, but then we saw the other areas and it ended up being one of our favorite stops! We also drove through the Avenue of Giants which is a road that shows off the immense trees all around you.
Klamath & Crossing into Oregon
The next morning, we left California behind and headed north toward Oregon. We stopped at the historic Requa Inn for breakfast. In addition to the incredible food, there were amazing views overlooking the Klamath River that made us feel like we were in a European village. The Requa Inn is known for its Native American heritage in its location on the Yurok reservation. Although we didn’t stay here overnight, I highly recommend it if you’re doing a California & Oregon Coast road trip.
One of our first highlights on this day after breakfast was the Trees of Mystery in Klamath. We did a walk through the Redwood Canopy Trail on rope bridges, then rode the SkyTrail gondola which gave us a new perspective looking down on the forest canopy. Once you reach the top of the mountain, you can take the gondola back down, or you can do an advanced hike down. From experience, the advanced hike that they advertise is indeed, advanced.
As we continued north, we drove through the spectacular Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you stop off on these beaches if you can during your Pacific Coast road trip. Every turn seemed to reveal another dramatic overlook, rocky cliff, or hidden cove. It’s easy to see why this stretch of coastline is considered one of Oregon’s most beautiful.
By evening, we reached the Coos Bay and Bandon area. We explored the coastline around Sunset Bay State Park and Cape Arago State Park. This is definitely a place for hikers! Beautiful views and amazing cliffs, trees, and beaches.
Sand Dunes & Lighthouses on Oregon Coast
Wednesday morning began at the Coos Bay Farmers Market, where local vendors offered everything from fresh produce to handmade goods. After a walk along the Coos Bay Boardwalk, we continued north.
Then we made our way up to the famous Oregon Dunes. The soft sand was a striking contrast to the rocky coastline and giant trees. Massive hills of sand stretched as far as we could see in some places, creating a landscape that felt almost otherworldly. In the photo below, you can see the ocean, THEN forest, THEN sand dunes, THEN the look out (where we stood). Ephraim actually walked all the way down to the ocean from the lookout which he said was crazy that the sand dunes came AFTER the forest in relation to the ocean.
Further north, we stopped in Florence before visiting one of the most photographed landmarks on the Oregon Coast: Heceta Head Lighthouse. Perched high above the Pacific Ocean, the lighthouse was a light hike and offered a glimpse into Oregon’s maritime history.
Exploring Newport, Oregon
One of the destinations I was most excited to see is Newport, Oregon. They have a lively historic Bayfront where we watched sea lions make shenanigans for over an hour, shopped at candy stores, and bought a commemorative sweatshirt. We ate at Clearwater Restaurant with amazing food, and then drove to Newport High School. This was special for me because my grandpa Dan graduated high school from Newport High in 1959. It was the perfect mix of personal history, fun exploration, and gorgeous views. Overnight we stayed at the Hallmark Resort in Newport, which I highly recommend. We ate at Georgie’s the next morning, the perfect way to end our coastal trip before heading inland.
Onward to Salem
Ending our California & Oregon Coast road trip, we left the coast to go inland toward Salem where we stopped at Offbeat Coffeeshop and explored the area. Salem has super clear water and stunning views all around the city! From there we headed to Beaverton to spend the evening with Ephraim’s cousins.
The next day, we headed toward Multnomah Falls, one of Oregon’s most famous natural landmarks. From there, we continued toward Goldendale, enjoying views of Mount Hood rising above the landscape as we traveled east towards our next stop, St. John the Forerunner Monastery.
Reflections on our Pacific Coast Road Trip
Along the way, we wandered through quaint coastal towns, hiked to picturesque lighthouses and overlooks, discovered hidden beaches, and soaked in some of the most spectacular scenery the Pacific Coast offers.
As beautiful as the landscapes were, this trip reminded me that the best parts of traveling aren’t always the destinations—they’re the memories we made with the people we love, and the lessons we bring home with us. Here are a few things I learned.
Be present. The most satisfying place to be is right where you are now. Enjoy it.
Slow down and look around. Some of our favorite memories came from taking the scenic route and lingering a little longer to find hidden gems.
Challenge yourself. My favorite memories came from taking the harder hike, trying something unfamiliar, and not overthinking what I “could” or “couldn’t” physically do. I just worked with where I was at that day.
Be uniquely you. My husband and I were reminded to appreciate not only the things we enjoy together, but also the ways we’re different. Those unique perspectives and interests often led us to experiences we might have otherwise missed, making the journey even richer.
For anyone planning a California and Oregon coast road trip, I hope this itinerary inspires you to embrace the adventure, appreciate the journey as much as the destination, and create memories that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.
