Oregon Coast Visitors Association

Kind Traveler is proud to partner with the Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA) and participating hotel and charity partners to advance responsible tourism efforts along the Oregon Coast through Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back program. Through our partnership, a portion of every guest stay with participating hotel partners funds the mission of local charity beneficiaries, positively impacting the well-being of the Oregon Coast in creating a sustainable future.

Participating Lodging Partners

Member Since July 2024

$ 10426

total funds raised

100 %

donated to charities

392

Common Murre fed for (nearly) three weeks through Wildlife Center of the North Coast

119

days of food provided for one marine patient with Oregon Coast Aquarium

66

acres of protected land were cared for over a one month period with North Coast Land Conservancy

275

individuals who have received education on the cultural and environmental significance of sea otters through the Elakha Alliance Oregon

187

volunteer hours supported to educate about the culture, history, ecology, and stewardship of Cape Perpetua

243

teen interns provided with tidepool and marine reserve interpretive training by Friends of Otter Rock

Local Impact Partners

Kind Factors

Discover the Oregon Coast

Affectionately known as The People’s Coast, the 363-mile Oregon Coast offers a variety of unique and unforgettable experiences. Made up of three distinct regions - the South Coast, Central Coast, and North Coast - Oregon’s Coast is a richly diverse destination offering something for every type of Kind Traveler.

The South Coast, an off-the-beaten-path area encompassing Reedsport to Brookings-Harbor, is known for its coastal forest trails, secluded beaches, and the Port of Coos Bay. You'll find charming coastal beach communities and lighthouses along the Central Coast, which extends from Lincoln City to Florence. At the same time, the North Coast, from Astoria to Neskowin, is punctuated by historic towns and various eclectic communities. This region is also where the mighty Columbia River encounters the Pacific Ocean.

A place largely defined by its relationship to nature and abundance of rich natural resources, the Oregon Coast offers adventure and plenty of opportunities to unplug and recharge. And no matter what activity or region you choose, you’ll find a devotion to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and animal welfare.

 

Local Impact Partners

North Coast Land Conservancy - North Coast
A nationally accredited non-profit land trust, the North Coast Land Conservancy works to safeguard Oregon’s coastal lands and its seascapes. The organization was established in 1986 and has partnered with community organizations and individuals to acquire and preserve land for the long term. The organization’s vision is “a fully functioning coastal landscape where healthy communities of people, plants, and wildlife all thrive.”

 

 

Wildlife Center of the North Coast - North Coast
The Wildlife Center of the North Coast is a wildlife rehabilitation and conservation education center. Located in Astoria, Oregon, the center serves the state’s north coast and is the only wildlife care hospital in the region. The center's most critical work includes rescuing and rehabilitating “injured, sick, orphaned and displaced native wildlife to release healthy, strong creatures back into their appropriate habitat.”  Wildlife Center of the North Coast also offers a variety of wildlife conservation education programs and tours of the Center. Educational programs include summer camps and ambassador animal programs. 

 

 

Nestucca, Neskowin, and San Lake Watersheds Council - North Coast
The Council’s mission is to work with key stakeholders, such as private and governmental organizations, to improve the health of the region’s watersheds. Its efforts are designed to benefit individuals who live and work within the watershed’s boundaries and to protect the fish and wildlife that depend on it. Some of its restoration priorities include riparian restoration, habitat complexity projects, and fish passage improvement projects. The Council also periodically sponsors watershed clean-up days.

 

 

Oregon Coast Aquarium - Central Coast
Since its opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades, this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species.

 

 

Cape Perpetua Collaborative - Central Coast
The Cape Perpetua Collaborative focuses on land and sea stewardship and educates and inspires long-term thought and growth. The organization also serves as a voice for the land and sea and helps develop an “indelible bond to place.” Its efforts include building generational partnerships, creating synergy, and generating self-sustaining and leveraged resources. Some of the organization’s events designed to heighten nature awareness include tide pool ambassador tours and nature journaling workshops. 

 

 

Friends of Otter Rock - Central Coast
Friends of Otter Rock is a community-led organization dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of the Otter Rock Marine Reserve, located along the Oregon Coast. The organization protects the diverse marine life and habitats within the reserve while promoting environmental education and awareness. By fostering a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems and encouraging sustainable practices, Friends of Otter Rock ensures that the beauty and biodiversity of Oregon’s coastal waters are preserved for future generations.

 

 

Elakha Alliance - South Coast
The Elakha Alliance is a unique non-profit organization dedicated to reintroducing sea otters to Oregon state coastal areas, making Oregon's marine and coastal ecosystem more robust and resilient. Sea otters have been missing from Oregon’s ecosystem for 110 years due to the 19th-century fur trade, but that is only a fraction of the time they thrived here. As a keystone species, sea otters are critical to maintaining the productivity and diversity of kelp forests. Sea otters are often deemed “climate warriors” as they help in sequestering carbon by promoting healthy kelp forests. 

 

How to Travel Kindly Along the Oregon Coast

When visiting the Oregon Coast, commit to being a responsible traveler by helping to keep the area the way you found it and taking steps to ensure that your visit is safe for everyone - including local wildlife and plant life.

That effort begins with adhering to what’s known locally as the “Code of the Coast,” a social contract that involves respecting other people and the coast itself. 

Respect the laws regarding drone usage. Drones can disturb wildlife and other travelers. Always respect and restraint when photographing nature along the Oregon Coast with drones. While drones are allowed, it’s essential to research all applicable state and federal laws.

Explore gently. The Oregon Coast offers many opportunities to explore nature, including tide pools. But when engaging in this popular activity, it’s important to walk on bare and dry rocks only to avoid crushing or harming coastal tide pool creatures. Additionally, keep dogs out of tide pool areas.

Take your trash with you. Whether it’s the Oregon Coast or anywhere else, take your trash and dispose of it properly. This approach is important whether you’re a local or a visitor. You can also take this effort a step further by packing out any food scraps or garbage you find while exploring the Oregon Coast. Removing trash, particularly food scraps, also helps local wildlife, as they do best when not eating human food.

Stay on designated trails: The Oregon Silverspot Butterfly is a threatened species native to the Oregon Coast region. To help protect this butterfly when you’re exploring nature via hiking or walking, stick to the marked trails. The butterfly, which is yellow and brown spotted, survives on early blue violets primarily located along the Oregon Coast. The butterfly larvae risk being crushed by hikers who explore off-trail.

Do not take souvenirs from the beach. Taking a rock or shell from the beach or forest as a memento of your visit can be tempting. But if everyone followed that tradition, there wouldn’t be much left. Visitors to the Oregon Coast are instead invited to be mindful stewards, enjoying their explorations without taking souvenirs from nature.
 

 

Mindful Adventures

Whether you choose the South Coast, Central Coast or North Coast, mindful adventure options are abundant.

The South Coast, a region also known as the Wild Rivers Coast, is known for its unbreakable bond with nature. It’s a place where visitors can explore the highest concentration of nationally designated Wild and Scenic rivers in the country. Mindful adventure options here range from fishing and boating to hiking and birding. Don’t miss the Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve. It’s one of the first two marine reserves in the state and a place dedicated to protecting the region’s biodiversity. Visitors will find rocky reefs, kelp forests, and marine mammals ranging from seals to sea lions.

Along the Central Coast the ocean is the main attraction, and many mindful adventures involve the water - including guided kayak tours. Among the kayaking highlights here is a Safari Town guided tour of the Siletz Bay Wildlife Refuge, one of a half-dozen National Wildlife Refuges that make up the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex. While kayaking the refuge, you’ll be exposed to the scenic estuarine habitat. 

Oregon’s North Coast, made up of artistic coastal towns and expansive stretches of uninterrupted sandy beaches, is also where you can explore the forest at the Tillamook Forest Center - a forest education and recreation center. Focused on helping visitors develop a deeper connection with Oregon’s forests through exploration, highlights include a theater, rotating educational exhibits, a lookout tower, and a suspension bridge.

 

Conscious Culture

There’s a diverse variety of cultural experiences available along the Oregon Coast. Among the not-to-miss highlights is the Oregon Coast Public Arts Trail, which showcases the creative efforts of coastal artists, which can be experienced via public murals, sculptures, and mosaics available to all visitors. More than 800 pieces of art are to be experienced along the trail - all for free. Visitors can find the art via an interactive map on The Oregon Coast website.

Regional art trails and tours are also available along the Oregon Coast, including the Seaside Mural Trail, the Cannon Beach Public Art Tour, and the City of Newport Bayfront Murals. 

Another cultural highlight is the Coos History Museum, the state’s oldest continuously operated historical society. The museum features more than 250,000 historic photos and constantly changing exhibits. It provides a historical overview of the region’s Coos and Coquille Indian tribes. Visitors also learn about coal miners, loggers, and shipbuilders, who played critical roles in the region's history.

 

 

Dine & Shop Kindly

Dining along the Oregon Coast is a special part of any visit that allows for experiencing the best local food movement, including sustainable seafood that emphasizes fare from Oregon-based fishers and crabbers. The region also features abundant produce grown by local farmers and a plethora of microbreweries and locally produced craft beers.

Discover the vibrant flavors of the Oregon Coast through the North Coast, Central Coast, and Wild Rivers Coast Food Trails. Each trail offers a unique taste of the region’s culinary heritage, from farm-fresh produce to locally caught seafood. As you explore, you’ll support local farmers, fishers, and artisans dedicated to sustainable practices, ensuring that every meal helps preserve the beauty and culture of the coast.

The South Coast offers various ways to experience local food. At Valley Flora in Langlois, fresh seasonal produce is available on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Farm tours are also available by appointment. In Bandon, the Bandon Farmers’ Market at the Warehouse also features farm-fresh food and artisan products created by craftsmen throughout the region.

When exploring the Central Coast, you can find vegan and vegetarian food in North Bend at The Tin Thistle Cafe. The Celtic-themed cafe serves village bowls, vegetarian burgers, soup, pies and smoothies. Otis Cafe, meanwhile, is a local institution serving a variety of fresh, homemade food, including breads and baked goods made onsite and menu items created with food delivered by Oregon-based businesses. 

Along the North Coast, The Pelican Brewing Company in Cannon Beach features a variety of noteworthy menu items, including vegan offerings such as the Portobello Banh Mi and a Ginger Lime Portobello Bowl. Visitors can also sample the Pelican Brewing Company’s craft beers. Also worth noting, The Pelican Brewing Company has long emphasized a variety of sustainability initiatives ranging from water conservation efforts to green power, energy generation, and community stewardship. 

Public Coast Brewing Company, also in Cannon Beach, emphasizes fresh, local ingredients and local craft beers. Much of what’s served by Public Coast incorporates ingredients from its own Public Coast Farm, where everything from hops and fruit trees to veggies and herbs is grown.

Getting There

Many visitors reach the Oregon Coast by car. The Pacific Coast Scenic Byway provides stunning views of the ocean, forests, and charming small towns, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination. From Portland, there are fairly direct routes to Astoria via U.S. 30, Cannon Beach via U.S. 26, and Depoe Bay via U.S. 99W and Ore. 18. Trip time from Portland to these destinations on the North Coast is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. From Medford, the most direct route to the south coast is via US-199 to Brookings. Alternatively, take I-5 N and OR-42 W to reach Bandon. Trip times from Medford to these destinations on the South Coast range from 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

For those opting to leave the car behind, traveling to Oregon’s North Coast via public transportation is seamless and stress-free. The NW Connector and POINT buses connect major cities like Portland and Salem with coastal towns such as Cannon Beach, Astoria, and Lincoln City. Once on the coast, local buses and bike-friendly routes make exploring the region’s beaches, parks, and towns easy and environmentally friendly. For more details, visit here.

Electric vehicle (EV) travel along the Oregon Coast is increasingly well-supported, with over 200 charging stations along the 363-mile stretch from Astoria to Brookings. Scenic road trips like the Oregon Coast Electric Byway allow EV drivers to explore the coast's beauty while staying charged and ready for adventure. Many hotels, restaurants, and attractions offer charging points, ensuring a worry-free and eco-conscious journey. For more details, visit here.

Learn More About How to Travel Kindly to the Oregon Coast