Oregon Coast Attractions Within a Few Minutes' Drive: Depoe Bay Doesn't Know When to Stop

Published 02/27/25 at 6:45 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Depoe Bay, Oregon) – Depoe Bay does not know when to stop. Then again, that's a good thing in this case. It just doesn't quit when it comes to providing the immensely cool, the rugged, the mysterious and even the secretive. The central Oregon coast town itself is not quite a mile long, but the four miles on either side of make for more attractions than you can explore in a day. (Boiler Bay - Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

Within Depoe Bay itself there's exploration to last more than a day too. The spouting horn is pure madness under the right conditions, firing off jets of water that pummel the other side of the street. Shops of varied sorts create a potpourri of kitsch and cool, with keepsakes from your trip to interesting wearable art, to actual art galleries.

Candy shops are aplenty, but the yummy food options are to die for. Among one of the highlights of the entire Oregon coast is Tidal Raves, with a killer view as well. Downright delish fish dishes abound, sprinkled with herbs and spices in just the right amount to create an airy, light taste to everything that often sends your eyes rolling to the back of your head.

Within a few minutes' drive of either end of town there are gobs more of fascinating finds in the way of attractions. Boiler Bay has two major parts to it: the large headland state park and then the tiny bay where the remnant of an old shipwreck sits (the boiler which gave the bay its name).

At Depoe Bay, Tidal Raves provides this incredible view

Just north of Boiler Bay you'll quickly encounter a host of wild wonders and attractions with Fogarty Beach State Park and the clandestine cliffs of Fishing Rock State Recreation Site. Fogarty boasts some unusually large sand grains and plenty of peculiar rock formations that will cause some dropping of the jaw. Just north of all that sit the pristine sandy stretches of Lincoln Beach and Gleneden Beach, if you're longing for the softer strands.

Heading south from Depoe Bay, Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint sits right after Whale Cove and includes a large variety of intriguing sights and sites. It's much bigger than it looks, with a whole set of viewpoints tucked away in a forest at its northern end.

One of those is this lowly bench: a front row seat to ebullient wave pyrotechnics and a world of oceanic atmosphere.

Immediately south of that is Rodea Point and the entrance to Otter Loop Road. The point is one dramatic oceanic explosion after another, while the road hosts staggeringly beautiful cliffs, a dense rainforest and the delightful Ben Jones Bridge. Some of the most spectacular scenery on the entire Oregon coast sits along this somewhat secretive route.

Even more mind-boggling views await at Cape Foulweather, along with the cavernous Devil's Punchbowl and its wild, untamed neighboring beaches. These are also surfer hotspots.

An important travel tip for all these spots: if you're looking to get away from the crowds of more popular spots, these Depoe Bay-area attractions are the ticket. Even more about all these places is found at the Depoe Bay Virtual Tour, Map: Hotels in Depoe Bay - Where to eat - Depoe Bay Maps and Virtual Tours

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted