Is the Oregon Coast a Winter Destination? YES.

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Winter on Oregon’s Adventure Coast is sometimes warm, sometimes wet, but always wild & wonderful.

“At first blush, a winter trip to the Oregon coast might not seem as alluring as a summer vacation but to ignore our scenic shoreline in the winter is to miss out on a huge part of what makes it so special in the first place.” -From 30 reasons to love the Oregon coast in the winter

One of the draws of the Oregon Coast is its wild unpredictability. There is never a dull day when you live near the mighty Pacific ocean. You may be surprised to learn that winter on the Oregon Coast is actually a lot more pleasant than most people realize.

Despite what you may hear about cold and rainy Oregon winters, it’s not uncommon for coastal residents and visitors to be treated to spectacular balmy days of sunshine and warmer temperatures mimicking summer weather. In fact, if you’re visiting during the winter months, it might be wise to pack some lighter gear and even shorts!

Travel Oregon’s Emily Forsha says winter is her favorite season on the Oregon Coast. “You might find yourself cozying up by a fireplace, watching angry waves crash during a spectacular storm; or you may find yourself on an uncrowded beach on a clear, sunny day that ends with a sunset over a beach bonfire,” she writes in her post, The Oregon Coast, A Winter Odyssey.

A few of the featured activities travelers can safely enjoy this winter include:

• Crabbing and Clamming. January is a perfect time to go crabbing on the Southern Oregon Coast, whether you like to catch them yourself or just eat them. Any crabber will tell you the general rule of thumb if you wanna go crabbing is do it in a month with an ‘r’ (January, February, March, etc). Click here to read some important crabbing tips from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• Winter Storm Watching. The Cape Arago Beach Loop will take you to beaches and state parks where you can take in the breathtaking vantage points and see the famous seals and sea lions on the Oregon Coast. Be sure to read this post on how to safely view and photograph the amazing show the Pacific ocean puts on throughout the winter months.
• Tasting the best chowder on the Oregon Coast. There is nothing like capping off a day spent social distancing in the great outdoors with a hot, delicious bowl of savory Oregon Clam Chowder, and our local restaurants serve the BEST! Get yours to-go!
• Unplugging & Reconnecting With Nature at the South Slough NERR. There is plenty of space to spread out and safety explore miles of beautiful hiking trails and waterways.
• Trying their luck in one of our casinos. Did you know that our little corner of the Pacific Northwest is home to two of the area’s best casinos? Whether its slots, cards, or games, you’re sure to find round-the-clock adventure, fun, and (fingers crossed) millions right here. Our two casinos are located within a ten-minute drive of each other, so play your cards right and visit both. Learn more.
• Exploring the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America and it is like no place on earth. With more than 32,186 acres of dunes, forest, streams and lakes, there are plenty of opportunities for an amazing winter adventure.

We will post High Surf Warnings on our Facebook Page, so be sure to follow us. For more travel inspiration, see our Adventures page and our Trip Ideas page to see all there is to do on Oregon’s Adventure Coast! Or request a visitor’s packet today. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Editor’s Note: As the developments in Coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to unfold, please follow the direction from our public health authorities including the CDC, Oregon Health Authority, and Coos Health & Wellness to protect yourself, our community and our visitors.

Face coverings are mandatory for all when inside a public space AND outdoors when 6 ft distancing cannot be maintained.

If you are ready to travel, we are ready to welcome you back to Oregon’s Adventure Coast. However, if you are feeling ill or not comfortable traveling right now, we encourage to stay home and stay healthy. Let’s all do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Visit the state’s Safe+Strong Oregon page for more information.