Spring, Exploring the Oregon Coast

My second time on a plane, and our first visit to the west coast. I’ve dreamed of exploring the world for as long as I can remember. I was that kid with a notebook full of printed out photos of my bucket list destinations.

The pull offs of Highway 101 have so many cool things to see and explore, like these tide pools that are open to the public.

As a professional photographer, I do still forget to take my phone out of my pocket.

Our first stop from the Portland airport, (after Arby’s) was Multnomah Falls, 53000 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, about forty five minutes north east of the city. This was definitely the most congested site we visited, so if you’re planning to visit make sure you have some time to spare, but it was such an incredible introduction to Oregon. The hiking trail is uphill, but not too hard, and the views of the Columbia River are gorgeous.

Our first stop along the coast. We headed about two hours west from Portland, through Eugene down to Yachats. We loved how many different places there are to stop along Highway 101, and every stop had something new to see.

We spent our four days in Oregon at the Ocean Cove Inn, with a perfect view of the bay in Yachats. It was super cool to stay in a less tourist filled area. The locals were friendly and very helpful with recommendations of where to explore. If you find yourself near Yachats, Oregon, go look at the largest sea lion cave in the country, just a few miles down the road.

Besides the sea lion cave, we also got to experience Thor’s Well, Devils Churn, the Spouting Horn, and several easily accessible hiking trails that looked straight out of an enchanted story. All along Highway 101, as well as many other pull off locations.

Heceta Head Lighthouse,  725 Summer St, Florence, OR 97439 is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the coast. It was an easy climb up to the top, and the hiking trails past the lighthouse had some of the best coastal views we got to see our whole trip.

Above Heceta Head, soaking wet and the happiest. Don’t be like us. Take a real rain jacket.

The very last we spent on the coast we finally got to see it in sunlight. After three very wet but visually enriching days, it was very welcome. Head over to my April styled shoot blog to see more of what we shot in the sun!

Overall, we love the west coast. We’ll be back. XX.