The Oregon Coast doesn’t ease you into its beauty – it knocks you over with it, I call it Oregon Coast Wonders what you will find there.
One moment, you’re driving through dense pine forests, the next, the trees part to reveal vast stretches of sand, jagged cliffs, and monumental sea stacks rising from the Pacific like ancient guardians.
I’ve travelled a lot of coastlines, but Oregon’s is different. It’s wild, moody, and cinematic.
A place where the weather changes in minutes and the light paints the landscape in shifting tones. Jump over to my Instagram account – there are so many beautiful photos of my recent trip (September 2025).
Below the photograph are the spots where I’ve found the most dramatic sea stacks and cliffs, and how I captured them.
Oregons Coast Locations
Cannon Beach (Haystack Rock – my favorite!)
Cannon Beach is probably the most photographed spot on the Oregon Coast – and with good reason. Haystack Rock dominates the horizon, its silhouette instantly recognizable.
The key here is timing. At low tide, tide pools appear at the rock’s base, reflecting its shape in miniature. At sunset, the entire scene is bathed in warm light, with waves turning gold as they roll in.
Pro tip: Arrive early enough to explore the pools and set up your composition before the crowds.
Bandon Beach
If Cannon Beach is iconic, Bandon is otherworldly. Sea stacks of every shape and size scatter the shoreline, each with its own name and personality – like the dramatic “Face Rock” and the jagged “Cat and Kittens.”
I spent hours here, waiting for the perfect mix of tide and light. Just after the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky exploded in purples and pinks, turning the wet sand into a giant mirror.
Pro tip: Bring a tripod for long exposures – the retreating waves leave silky trails that add movement to your shot.
Shore Acres State Park
A lesser-known location, Shore Acres offers dramatic cliffs rather than sandy beaches. In winter, massive waves crash against the rocks, sending plumes of spray high into the air.
Photographing here feels like trying to capture the ocean’s raw power – and sometimes, you just have to stand back and let it happen.
Pro tip: Wear waterproof layers. The spray is no joke.
Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor
This stretch of coastline is like a highlight reel of Oregon’s beauty. Arches, coves, and towering sea stacks all within a few miles. My favorite spot is Natural Bridges, where two massive rock arches frame the churning ocean.
It’s a steep trail down, but the view is worth every step.
Pro tip: Sunset here is breathtaking, but even midday light works if you use the cliffs for shadow and depth.
