Oregon Travel Tips from a West Coast Landscape Photographer
I have plenty of Oregon travel tips after road tripping through the beautiful region to take photos and sip wine, so I figured it was time to share them with other adventurous spirits!
My Oregon landscape photography series is one of my favourites! Probably because this Pacific Northwest region of the US is also one of my all-time beloved places to visit.
Whether you’re looking for fine art prints of Oregon or some travel ideas for your own trip, you’re in the right place. This blog is filled with both!
Oregon’s ecoregions are quite diverse, offering the opportunity to capture a variety of fine art nature prints in one single trip. It’s a landscape photographer’s dream, really!
It’s the perfect place to explore your creative side and try out any adventurous photography ideas that have been lingering in your mind. If you love the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest as much as I do, then you should definitely add this awe-inspiring region to your travel bucket list.
On top of the incredible scenery, there’s so much to do, see, and enjoy while you’re there. There’s truly never a dull moment! Part of the reason for my visits south of the border have been to capture Oregon landscape photos to add to my fine art photography collection, but I also love exploring the diverse natural environments and quaint communities you can find along the way!
The majority of my time in this state has been spent along the Coast Range Mountains, wine tasting throughout the state and just soaking up all that Oregon wine country has to offer.
However, my road trip began on the Oregon Coast, so that’s where I’ll start.
Oregon Coast Road Trip & Oregon Coast Landscape Photography
I was travelling to the Oregon Coast from my art studio in Squamish, BC, Canada. Highway 101 starts on the northern end, in Discovery Bay, Washington, and takes you along the Washington coast all the way through to the southern border of California.
If you can find the time to take the scenic long-way around, this is one of the Oregon travel tips that I would highly recommend. You could take this approach if going to the Oregon Coast from either the south or the north instead of Interstate 5.
Map from oregoncoasttravel.net
Visiting Astoria, Oregon
The first thing to note as soon as you cross the state line from Washington to Oregon is a tiny town called Astoria. It may not seem like much but it has quite a storied history. For anyone born in the 70s or 80s, you may remember The Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, and Free Willy movies which all happened to be filmed here. Talk about nostalgia!
Getting back to nature—some great Oregon Coast photography locations in this area include the Twilight Eagle Sanctuary in the Wolf Bay Wetlands and Young River Waterfalls.
Visiting Seaside, Oregon
Next stop down the coast is Seaside!
If you’re looking for places to take photos in Seaside, Oregon, I recommend Painted Rock Beach and Tillamook Head Trailhead, which is part of Ecola State Park. A seaside jaunt along the cliffside will offer you those classic PNW vibes.
If you’re visiting Ecola State Park, you should also check out Crescent Beach and take the hike into Indian Beach, which is also great for surfing!
If you’re not planning to surf when you hit any of these spots, go at low tide. The ocean rocks and floor will reveal a great deal of sea life just below the surface.
I’ve personally been surprised by the lack of people on these beaches when I’ve been there. There’s so much space and plenty of solitude, which is just perfect if that’s what you are looking for. The opportunities for beach photography or ocean gazing (at the many cool rock formations out in the surf of the Pacific Ocean) are spectacular.
Another reminder: You’re on the West Coast! Therefore, the sunsets are very worth the stay well into twilight hours. You won’t regret it!
If you are up for an adventure and don’t mind getting your feet a little wet, you can continue to walk about 6.5 km (or 4 miles) along the coastline. This will land you on the famed Cannon Beach, which is where I have spent most of my time on the Oregon Coast.
Visiting Cannon Beach, Oregon
Oh, Cannon Beach. One of the best seaside vacations you could ever ask for!
The town charm, the beaches, the Pacific Ocean mist, the incredible West Coast sunsets, the hours of walking you can enjoy; it immediately makes me exhale thinking about arriving for my stay.
While in town, walking down the beach with the aim to arrive at Sea Level Bakery + Coffee is a must. Their sticky buns and espresso are on-point. I also love old fashioned candy shops and you’ve got two to choose from in town: Schwietert's Cones & Candy and Bruce’s Candy Shop.
Just south of town in Manzanita is Yolk, an all-day eatery that is delectable for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. You can also try a walk down the 11km (or 7-mile) Manzanita Beach then warm up by the fire pits of Manzanita Winery with wine, beer, cider, flights, and charcuterie, which can’t be beat! They also have a love for dogs and welcome your companion to join whilst visiting…Can you really say no to a place that says hell yes to dogs? I think not!
About an hour south of Cannon Beach is the famous Tillamook Creamery. Similar to Beechers up in Washington, this is another stop for those who love naturally made cheeses.
Here are some photos of Cannon Beach that I captured when I was there last.
Wine Country, Oregon Travel Tips
After exploring the Oregon Coast, I travelled further inland to visit wine country.
Visiting Willamette Valley, Oregon
In 1983, the Willamette Valley became an official American Viticultural Area (AVA). The soil of this incredible wine region in Oregon is excellent for drainage as it used to be an old volcanic and sedimentary seabed about 13,000 years ago.
Because my focus was wine tasting, my trips here have not been photography-based. But visiting this area and savouring the amazing wine and food is definitely top of my Oregon travel tips list!
Visiting Walla Walla Valley, Washington (Near the Oregon Border)
Not exactly in Oregon, but not far away and worth the trip across the border, is The Walla Walla Valley in Washington. Walla Walla is another AVA located in the Eastern Cascades and Foothills, straddling the Washington and Oregon state border; yet another prime growing region for wine grapes. This region was recognized a year after Willamette Valley as an official AVA in 1984. At the time there were only 60 acres of vines planted versus today’s 1,500 acres of vineyards and 100 wineries.
Oregon Wine Tasting
Here’s a hot tip for those who don’t know the wine world too well in a very simplified explanation of a rather complex, fine science: Vineyards are where the grapes are grown (think of it like a farm or orchard) and wineries are where the wine is made.
The work of a vineyard owner starts around March. They grow and tend to the acreage throughout the year, and grapes are typically ready in September. They are then cut and shipped when the sugar content is at a specific level based on the varietal of grape being grown.
The crops of grapes are then delivered to the wineries, where the grapes are pressed, the winemakers perform their magic, the wine ages, the winemakers continue to perform magic, and when the timing is just right the wine is bottled and sold. Many vineyards do not process their own crops of grapes and prefer to sell their crops to wineries.
Remember Your Trip With Oregon Art
If you’re looking for an Oregon print to add a reminder of your amazing travels to your decor, check out my online art shop! I have several Oregon Coast landscape photography prints available for purchase that will bring the rugged beauty of the West Coast right into your home, along with art prints of my other travels around the world.
Speaking of other travels—check out my Creative Expeditions if you’re interested in inspiring group travel opportunities and want to be first to know when I’ve got an adventure in the works to save your spot.
I hope you enjoy Oregon’s stunning natural landscapes as well as its friendly culture, welcoming businesses, and delicious food and wine! Follow me on Instagram for more travel and art inspiration.`
