Searching for the best time to visit the Oregon Coast? You’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about when to visit the Oregon Coast.
The Oregon Coast is a stunning travel destination that offers scenic landscape, sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and charming towns.
At the same time, it also has a reputation for being rainy, windy, and unpredictable.
So, when is the best time of year to visit the Oregon Coast? The answer depends on what you are looking for and what you are willing to tolerate.
Crowds and weather as well as accommodation pricing and availability depend on the time of year.
In this article, we’ll combine a bit of science with our own experience to help you learn what to expect and how to plan your trip when visiting the Oregon Coast during any time of the year.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing getaway, an outdoor adventure, or a cultural experience, the Oregon Coast has something for everyone and is totally worth a visit.
Let’s get started!
Best Time of Year to Visit Oregon Coast: Overview
As Oregon residents, beach lovers, and surfers, we’ve spent our fair share of time exploring the Oregon Coast.
We’ve seen all sorts of weather, from howling wind and sideways rain to abnormally warm and sunny days.
To revisit what we mentioned earlier, the best time to visit the Oregon Coast depends on what kind of experience you have in mind.
Are you wanting to make the most of outdoor adventures like camping, hiking, surfing, or just lounging on the beach?
You’ll probably want to go in the late spring, summer, or early fall for the best chance at fair weather.
Alternatively, are you looking to cozy up with a good book (book lovers check out Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport Oregon) and enjoy restaurants, shopping, and cafes?
You might consider a winter visit (which has less crowds and the moody weather is definitely a cool vibe).
When to Visit the Oregon Coast: A Quick Guide
If you’re short on time, use the table below to choose when to visit Oregon Coast attractions.
| What you want | Best time to go |
| The least chance of rain | Summer (July-August) |
| The least amount of wind | Summer (August-September) |
| To cozy up inside and watch a storm | Winter (November-February) |
| To catch an epic sunset | Spring and Fall |
| To watch whales | Spring migration (late March)Winter migration (December-January) |
| To go camping | Summer (though spots fill up)Late spring and early fall |
| To road trip Highway 101 | Late spring – early fall |
| To avoid the crowds | Late fall – early spring (October – March) |
| Lowest cost of accommodation | Winter (November-February) |
Best Time of Year to Visit Oregon Coast: By Season
Each time of year on the Oregon Coast is special in its own way, but you may prefer one season over another when deciding the best time to go to Oregon Coast attractions.
Summer
Summer on the Oregon Coast is probably the best time of year to visit for most people.
The temperatures are typically between 50 and 65 degrees F, which can be super refreshing if you’re escaping hotter temperatures inland.
There is very little rain in July and August, though there can still be clouds and wind.
Also, it seems that a foggy marine layer likes to hang around when inland temperatures are very hot.
In fact, it’s happened more than once where it is super nice in the Willamette Valley and we drive into a fog bank on the coast.
This can be a welcomed respite from the heat, but also sort of a bummer sometimes!
With great weather comes the crowds. During summer, accommodation can be more filled up and more expensive.
Campgrounds usually fill up completely all summer. Also, restaurants, tours, and other things to do are more crowded.
That said, the Oregon Coast never really gets that packed, so don’t let the thought of crowds keep you from enjoying a summer vacation to the Oregon Coast.
Fall
Fall brings cooler temperatures and more stormy weather than summer, but also less crowds.
Temperatures in the fall typically range from 45 to 60 degrees F, with about half of the days having some amount of rain.
All things considered, fall is a great time to visit the Oregon Coast. Although there is more rain than summer, fall still has less rain than spring and winter.
Yes there is some wind and rain in the fall, but there are still plenty of sunny days and less crowds than summer.
We think fall is a great time for camping on the Oregon Coast and campgrounds generally have open spots.
Last fall, we stayed in Pacific City and had a blast. There was lots of rain and wind, but also some incredible sunsets.
Frankly, the stormy weather makes for a cool vibe, as long as you don’t have to sleep in a wet tent.
In addition, fall is perhaps the best time to drive the Oregon Coast based on the balance of good weather and lower crowds.
Winter
Winter on the Oregon Coast has earned a reputation for being…less than ideal. It’s true: Oregon Coast winters have stormy weather and many rainy days.
On the plus side, temperatures typically stay above 40 degrees F, so you almost never have to worry about ice or snow.
That said, some of the roads over the coastal range can get snow and ice, so check Trip Check for up-to-date road condition.
During winter, you can expect temperatures between 40 and 55 degrees F as well as wind and rain. In fact, most days have some rain, though that doesn’t mean the entire day is rainy.
If you’re lucky, you can get sunny 60 degree days and clear nights in the winter, but this is an exception to the norm.
On the flip side, maybe you’re searching for stormy weather and dramatic waves. If that is the case, the best time to watch on the Oregon Coast is during winter!
Overall, winter has the least crowds but stormiest weather.
However, if you’re okay with cozying up inside your hotel with a good book and storm watching, winter on the Oregon Coast can be amazing.
Spring
Spring on the Oregon Coast is warmer, less rainy, and less windy than winter, but there’s still plenty of wind and rain to go around!
In fact, spring is more rainy and windy than fall, but less rainy and windy than summer.
In our opinion, Spring is a great time to visit the Oregon coast, especially as you get closer to summer.
If you can swing it, the later part of spring is a good sweet spot between crowds and good weather.
Spring is also a great time to catch a sunset, because there are typically more clouds in the sky to catch those sweet sun rays.
In addition, spring may be the best time to travel to Oregon Coast destinations for whale watching, as you can spot Gray Whales in late March as they migrate to Alaska.
Weather on the Oregon Coast
Now dive deeper into the typical weather patterns on the Oregon Coast so that you can get an idea of what to expect during different times of the year.
We’ll take a close look at temperature, precipitation, and wind!
We created the following charts and tables using data from NOAA’s website from a weather station in Newport Oregon. Newport is in the center of the Oregon Coast so it represents the entire coast fairly well.
All of the data is from the last ten years (2014-2023). We used python to process the data in order to produce the results below.
Temperature on the Oregon Coast By Month
Oregon Coast temperatures remain relatively steady throughout the day and the year as a result of the influence of the Pacific Ocean.
In fact, there is usually no more than 20 degrees difference between the daily highs and lows.
Temperatures generally range between 40- and 50-degrees F in the winter, increasing to between 50- and 65-degrees F in the summer.
That said, there are some days in the 70s in the spring, summer, and fall. However, temperatures above 80 and below freezing are very rare.
Though it is rainy, if you’re visiting the Oregon coast during winter, you typically don’t have to worry about snow or ice.
Overall, the best month to visit Oregon Coast beaches is August if you want the warmest weather.
Rainfall on the Oregon Coast By Month
In contrast, rainfall is highly variable, with very little rainfall in July and August compared to an average of about 15 inches per month in December.
July and August are the driest months on the Oregon Coast with, while January and December are the wettest months.
The average number of days with rain per month can be seen in the table below. Again, winter months have the highest number of days with rain.
| Month | Average Number of Days With Rain |
| Jan | 18.5 |
| Feb | 19.6 |
| Mar | 19.4 |
| Apr | 17.2 |
| May | 12.1 |
| Jun | 9.3 |
| Jul | 3.8 |
| Aug | 4.3 |
| Sep | 8.7 |
| Oct | 15.4 |
| Nov | 19.3 |
| Dec | 21.4 |
From November to April, there are more days with rain than without! Of course, this doesn’t mean it rains the entire day, but rather that it rained during some point throughout the day.
To summarize, you should pack a raincoat and just be prepared for the rain! That said, if you want the best chance to avoid the rain, pick July or August.
Wind on the Oregon Coast By Month
Even when it’s not raining, the Oregon Coast can still be windy. In fact, if you’ve ever been on a windy beach you know it can become intolerable when sand is blowing into your eyes.
August and September are the least windy months on the Oregon Coast, while January and December are the most windy.
However, there can be some windy days even during the summer, with wind speeds above 25 miles per hour.
That said, there are lots of calm days in the summer with minimal wind. These are ideal for lounging on the beach or exploring a new hike.
| Month | Number of Days with Wind Speeds More than 15 mph |
| Jan | 20 |
| Feb | 17.5 |
| Mar | 19.6 |
| Apr | 18.7 |
| May | 18.2 |
| Jun | 17.4 |
| Jul | 18.9 |
| Aug | 16.1 |
| Sep | 14.1 |
| Oct | 14.9 |
| Nov | 18.6 |
| Dec | 19.1 |
While the monthly mean wind speed is below 10 mph for all months, most days have a wind speed of larger than 15 mph.
How to Plan Your Visit to the Oregon Coast During Any Time of Year
Whatever time of year you choose, you’re going to have a blast! The Oregon Coast has so much to offer, especially if you follow these tips to make the most of your visit.
- Pack extra clothes: Whatever the weather, you’ll probably get sandy and you’ll be thankful for that extra pair of pants (especially if it’s rainy).
- Bring a raincoat, umbrella, or poncho: As we’ve established above, you should prepare for rain even in the summer.
- Don’t be afraid of the wind: Don’t let a little wind keep you from exploring the beautiful Oregon Coast.
- Don’t forget the sunscreen: You’ll need it on a nice sunny day!
FAQ
What is the best time to go to Cannon Beach?
The best time to visit Cannon Beach Oregon is typically from late spring through early fall when the weather is the best! However, this also means more crowds, a harder time finding accommodations, and increased rates.
What is the cheapest time to visit the Oregon Coast?
The cheapest time to visit the Oregon Coast is during winter. Hotels on the Oregon Coast lower their rates during the downseason when compared to summer, when most people visit.
Conclusion
Hopefully you found this article helpful when planning the best time to visit the Oregon Coast! As you can see, the best time of year to visit the Oregon Coast really depends on what you want!
If this is your first time visiting the Oregon Coast, congratulations! You are in for a treat and are sure to have an amazing time.
You might find our other articles about the Oregon Coast helpful. If you’re still deciding on where to visit, we recommend Pacific City, Newport, or Cannon Beach. Of course, there are so many special spots all along the coastline. Have fun exploring!
