Where to Watch Whales in Lincoln City - Oregon Coast Vantage Points You Didn't Know

Published 12/28/24 at 6:05 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Lincoln City, Oregon) – Lincoln City and its long expanse of sandy wonders is by far and away one of the most popular on the entire Oregon coast, if not the most. It doesn't hurt that just about all its beaches are low-lying accesses with a quick jaunt onto the beach.

Thus, it's not super well known for its high vantage points – especially those that are good for spotting whales, whether or not it's Whale Watch Week.

Or is it?

It turns out the fab central coast town has several viewpoints up on high that make it much easier to spot those gargantuan cetaceans. Indeed, much of Lincoln County's waters are the frequent feeding grounds of many so-called “resident whales” - those grays that like to hang out and dine on the all-you-can-eat buffet of this part of the Pacific.

Insider's Tip: high spots are also good for catching the “green flash at sunset,” which gets easier at times the farther up you are.

Winema Beach and Winema Wayfinding Point. It's a little ways north of Lincoln City – almost to Pacific City, just shy of MP 98. Yet it's a lovely structure with a half circle of rather intricate and elaborate stone and plenty of signage describing what you're seeing. The only thing is it's set rather far back, making a bit distant for spotting whales.

Still, it's definitely a good high vantage point.

From here you cross the border from north Oregon coast to central coast. Winema Wayfinding Point

Roads End State Recreation Site. At the very northern tip of Lincoln City there's this sizable state park and two fairly raised viewpoints from which to check out the waves. It's only about 20 feet up, but that's usually enough to give you good clearance to spot the great beasties.

The main parking lot includes a lot of grassy area, and it's in fact where a restaurant once stood until the 2000s. There's a second roundabout area next to that, but usually there's enough parking for everyone – even during whale season. Roads End State Recreation Site Landmarks, Beaches, Structures 

Clifftop at NW Jetty. Drive along the higher-edged cliffs on this street and eventually you come to a small gravel pullout that's not really meant to be. There's barely room for one vehicle so it's not an ideal to place to stop, but will do in a pinch. It has an excellent view, though. Clifftop Drive

NW 26th Access. This is likely one of three very best spots in Lincoln City to catch sight of cetaceans. The access is hard to find, behind some back roads, but once you're here you get an awesome look from up on high. The one setback is that it's a bit obstructed by cliffs and a home. However, you are fairly sheltered from winds up here.

Meanwhile, this is one delicious, somewhat hidden Lincoln City beach, which is rare to find in this busy town. NW 26th St. Access at Lincoln City

NW 21st Access. It's another nifty high point, but a small access parking lot with really only three or four spots sandwiched between parts of a hotel. It's quite a ways up, however, as you can see from the rather intense stairway going down.

Oh yes, it's a bear going up. Oceanlake Beach Access, Lincoln City: NW 21st, Stairway

Oceanview Walk Park. If you blink you'll miss it. Right next to Coho Oceanfront Lodge, in between it and another hotel immediately below, you'll find a wee walkway. Just a nondescript paved sidewalk heading west. It looks like it's part of the hotel. It's not: it's known as Oceanview Walk Park, right near about NW 16th Street and just north of the NW 15th St. ramp and access.

Here, it's one striking little Oregon coast hidden spot, though just a mere 40 feet worth of concrete and guardrail. Beyond, however, is likely the other best view in all of Lincoln City, with 100 feet between you and the sand below. So yeah, you could say it's a grand and gorgeous spot to find the fins out there.

From here through to the southern edges of Siletz Bay there's really just flatland in terms of beaches. Except for one spot.

Beach Avenue Overlook Park. Find Beach Ave. just before you enter Taft and head west. Follow it to its end, through neighborhood streets, and you come to this wild little oft-ignored beauty. You're on a cliff far above that ocean, and you get quite an eyeful of Siletz Bay's outer area as well. The park has a small amount of parking, but most striking is the bench tucked away in one corner and allowing mostly unobstructed views of the ocean. Beach Avenue Overlook Park

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