Hwy 101 (Part 2): Crescent City, CA to Cannon Beach, OR

November 3, 2021

Bastendorff Beach, OR

I just love this place. We went during off season and there was practically no one else there. It was great. We had the whole place to ourselves. Quiet. Solitude. Peaceful. Just us and the ocean. It was cold, but still amazing. We stayed at Oceanside RV Resort and since it was off season we got half off the rates which made it super affordable. We had only one neighbor who we rarely saw. Low tide was amazing. It opened up the beach so you could pass on to another area that is inaccessible any other time. Surrounded by cliffs of evergreen trees. The beauty was wild and free, typical of the Pacific. High tide with a storm rolling by was amazing. The waves were huge and washed all the way up to edge of the park. There were tiny cottages you could rent, but since no one was there I made use of the porch and chairs that overlooked the ocean quite often. If we didn’t have the rv that tiny cottage, minus a bathroom, would have been amazing to stay in. Big fat purple starfish were a neat find, especially after high tide. The place did not disappoint. I would set out in the morning all bundled up with my camera, coffee and bag for collecting ocean treasures. Spend some valuable alone time breathing in the ocean air. After a while I would head back to the rv to warm up, have lunch and do it all again in the afternoon and evenings. Absolutely the best time. I so hope to go back there again for an extended visit.

Just down the road was Cape Argo State Park. A nice day trip from the rv park. Lots of views, trees, mist from the waves and ocean. This felt like a bonus to the already amazing area we had discovered. Another nice stop with amazing views. A place to slow down and take it all in.

Cape Perpetua, The Devil’s Churn and Thor’s Well

More stops along the way. We arrived at Devil’s Churn and Thor’s Well just before dark so I was not able to get the best photos of them. Still incredible though. There is something fascinating about watching the ocean slam into the coast. It creates interesting places. The realness of how powerful nature can be, the ocean can be, comes alive as it hurls itself across the rocks, forming them into various shapes. The power and beauty of nature coming together.

Newport, OR

Next stop was Newport. This town had the best pizza buffet with fantastic views of the ocean. Sadly, the restaurant must have become a casualty of the pandemic because the last time I looked it up I read that it was permanently closed. Hopefully, in time, another restaurant will take its place. I so hope to eat there and enjoy those views again. This is why when we travel I try to take it all in, as much as possible, because you may never come back and if you do it may not be available next time around. Enjoy it while you can and while it lasts. The photo is of the Yaquina Bay Bridge on a very foggy morning.

Agate Beach

Agate Beach, where sadly, there are no agates. ;( I made a special stop at this beach because I assumed the name meant agates to be found. No. No agates. Not a single one.

The Devil’s Punchbowl & Otter Rock

Beautiful place. A neat overlook to watch the waves crash in and out of this “punchbowl” over and over again. Again we arrived just before dark so we did not have long to enjoy the view, but there are so many spectacular places along this drive.

Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint with Whale Cove Habitat Refuge

A nice stop along the 101 drive. Large parking area which is good if you have a rv. Beautiful scenic views of the ocean. There is a little bench sitting practically on the edge of the cliff that you can relax on and take in the view for as long as you would like. I have a healthy respect for heights so I did not sit there, but my husband did.

Cannon Beach, OR

The well known, often photographed Cannon Beach. We arrived after dark so I did not get the regular photos you see so often of the rocks, but that’s ok. It is a nice spot. Next time I am there I hope to have more time to spend on the beach in the daylight. 🙂 This was our last stop in Oregon and the 101 drive. From here we cut across the top of Oregon and entered the southern part of Washington on a hilly drive to Interstate 5. I hope to come back and drive the Washington coast back down Hwy 101 soon. 🙂 I have another plan for us, 101 and the Pacific in mind.