Oregon Coast

Driving down the Oregon Coast was everything we imagined RV life to be. Free overnight parking felt like how all of Highway One must have been in the 70's. In addition, the sights weren't terrible either with lush hiking trails paired with odd rock formations jetting up from the water. It also includes the loudest cobble beach, bobbing seals, migrating grey whales and chubby red starfish at low tide. This specific area of the coast is a place to grow more conscious of your surroundings and to slow down. We met many like-minding travelers with the same approach, and it never got too crowded.

We drove the Oregon coastline in 5 nights in September 2016. Our first stop was the iconic Cannon Beach where the sunset was so good we went back for sunrise. We actually tried to overnight there in the parking lot but ended up getting kicked out by the police who told us where to should park instead. The next day, we made it 14 minutes down the road before stopping at Short Sand Beach, a secret surf spot recommended by a Portlander and old friend. Each day was completely different from the one before, with a mile separation between the two. Every dusk we watched the sun drop behind the horizon from our home for that night, and then open the RV door at dawn to the restless Pacific. Cape Kiwanda, Yaquina Head, Meyers Beach, the list goes on of all these special places where we long to return to explore more.

Previously, we passed through Oregon in 2015 and wound up in the Oregon Dunes because Lisa’s dad told us not to miss it. He used to travel the country delivering RVs back when his family started Beggs RV. When we first saw the dunes, we understood why he recommended it. Unfortunately, Victor and I were so blinded by the beauty that we did not comprehend how damaging the harsh sandy winds were to our cameras. Rest in peace to our Contax film camera! We ran and played through the dunes and then found ourselves one of my favorite campground sites we've ever stayed so far. Site No. 13 at Honeyman Campground. 

We took the hiking trail from Honeyman 2 miles to the Pacific Ocean. This proved to be a tough hike considering we saw no one else attempting it. Through the sinking dunes to a forest full of banana slugs that eventually opened up to a flat beach with no one else in sight. The water was too cold to swim, but sparkled at high noon like diamonds. Getting back to our campsite, we relaxed with a private deck overlooking a small lake. Not bad for a $6 state park!

Oregon coast landscape & travel photography by Lisa Beggs.

Year: 2016