coast will depend on your crowd tolerance, budget, and interests. Thanks to the great weather, summer is the most popular time to visit, but fall and winter are when you’ll find the best deals.

The Oregon coast is one of America’s most beautiful destinations—but the weather can be fickle. Drizzle and fog can quickly put the kibosh on outdoor activities, so it’s important to time your visit carefully.

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The best times of year to travel to the Oregon coast

Finding the best time to travel to the Oregon coast depends on a few key questions. Do you mind large crowds, and how do you feel about rain?

Peak season: May to September

The good: Warm weather, very little rain

The bad: Expensive hotels, large crowds

The weather: Mid-50s to High 60s

As the driest season of the year, summer is the perfect time to try outdoor activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, and crabbing. But beware—even at the peak of summer, ocean swimming probably isn’t in the cards. The water rarely gets above 58 degrees.

Try crabbing off the docks at

Kelly’s Brighton Marina

at Nehalem Bay or exploring the tide pools near Hug Point or

Haystack Rock

If you’re in a festival kind of mood, check out the annual

Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest

or the

Oregon Shorebird Festival

Pro Tip The summer crowds can be pretty big on the North Coast and Central Coast of Oregon, especially in Cannon Beach and Newport. The South Coast is less crowded due to its distance from major metropolitan areas.

Off-season: October to April

The good: Light crowds, cheaper lodging

The bad: Cooler weather, lots of rain

The weather: High 30s to upper 40s (winter) Low 40s to high 50s (spring)

The temperatures during Oregon’s “secret season” are much cooler, but that’s ok because most off-season activities take place indoors. One of the most unique things to do from December through February is storm watching. Locals love to curl up indoors (in front of a fire, if possible) to watch storms roll up and down the coast.

The whale migration is another great winter activity. Aim for the weeks between Christmas and New Year’s, and watch from an ocean-view room at the beachfront hotel of your choice.

When the weather starts to warm up in spring, you can check out local events like the

Savor Cannon Beach Wine & Culinary Festival

Get Lit at the Beach

(a gathering for readers)—plus, the whales will be heading back up the coast in late March.

Shoulder season: September to October

The good: Fewer people, plenty of sunshine

The bad: Not as many things to do, weather can change relatively quickly

The weather: Low 40s to Mid-60s

Locals call September through mid-October “second summer,” and it may offer the best weather of the year on the Oregon coast, with more stretches of sunny days than you’ll find at any other time.

Let your heart soar at the

Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival

, or hunt the city’s beaches for a

hand-blown glass float

if you visit in the fall. If you’re taking your pup on the road, check out the

Muttzanita Dog Festival

to have some beach fun with your fur baby and raise money for a local animal shelter.

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The cheapest time to travel to the Oregon coast

If you visit during the rainy season, between October and May, you’ll get great rates. But, generally, the absolute cheapest time to visit the Oregon coast is mid to late September.

Hotels average about $96 a night, while vacation rentals are around $200-$400 for the whole home—but you’ll pay much less in the shoulder season or the off-season.

If you’re worried that there won’t be as much to do, don’t be—coastal Oregon weather is pretty mild year-round.

MORE: The most important road trip safety essentials

Find the best month for your visit to the Oregon coast

Ready to narrow down the right month to travel to the Beaver State? Check out the table below to find the ideal time for your Oregon adventure based on the activities you’re planning.

Activity	Best month to visit	Why?
Columbia River Maritime Museum	Anytime	The Columbia River Maritime Museum is open year-round, but you’ll find smaller crowds in winter or spring.
Fort Stevens State Park	June, July, or August	Hit up Fort Stevens in the summer to avoid surprise rainstorms.
Cannon Beach & Haystack Rock	June, July, or August	Head to Cannon Beach in the summer for one of its many events.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area	Fall	Check out the dunes in autumn, when the coastal winds will keep the clouds at bay.
Ocean kayaking	Summer	Go ocean kayaking off the Oregon coast in summer for fine weather and calm water conditions.
Oregon Coast Aquarium	October - May	Stick to the off-season for aquarium tours: you’ll avoid crowds of families and children on summer vacation.
Goonies Filming Locations	Anytime	Visit the spots where they filmed the iconic 80s movie The Goonies any time of the year.
Sea Lion Caves	Winter	The sea lions hang out in their natural caves during the winter. In the spring, they tend to move to the rocks outside.

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Pro Tip You should expect rain at any time on the Oregon coast. Pack a poncho, rain boots, and warm layers no matter what time of year you go.

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FAQs

What is the worst time to travel to the Oregon coast?

With mild weather year-round, there isn’t a bad time to travel to the Oregon coast. If you want the best chance of avoiding the rain, though, travel during the summer months!

When is the rainy season in Oregon?

October through May are considered the “rainy season” on the Oregon coast, and November to January are the rainiest months.

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