VERDICT: We gave 5 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!
This guide forms part of our complete USA Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across the United States.
Day 1: Historic Bridges, Sea Lions & Astoria’s Waterfront ✅
Day 2: Haystack Rock, Puffins & Oregon’s Most Beautiful Beach ✅
Day 3: Shipwrecks, Cheese & Portland’s Weird Side ✅
Day 4: Volcanoes, Forests & The Mountain That Changed America
Day 5: Small-Town Charm, Ferries & The Journey Home
Saying Goodbye to Cannon Beach
After two memorable days exploring Cannon Beach, it was time to continue our journey south before turning inland toward Portland.
Although Portland would be our destination for the evening, we had planned several fascinating stops along Oregon’s spectacular coastline. This would prove to be one of the most varied days of the entire road trip, combining maritime history, incredible scenery, local food, quirky attractions and one of America’s most unique cities.
Our route would take us approximately 225 kilometres.
Without stops the drive takes around three hours and fifteen minutes, but we had absolutely no intention of driving straight there.
Today’s route followed US Highway 101 South before joining Oregon Highway 6 East, eventually connecting with US-26 into downtown Portland.
As always, on the Oregon Coast, the journey itself was every bit as enjoyable as the destination.
Stop One — Fort Stevens State Park & The Peter Iredale Shipwreck
Our first stop took us north to Fort Stevens State Park, near the mouth of the Columbia River.
Many visitors know the area for the famous Peter Iredale Shipwreck, but few realize just how dramatic its story really is. Featured in our Columbia River Maritime Museum story.
The Peter Iredale was a four-masted steel sailing ship built in England in 1890. After years transporting cargo around the world, disaster struck in October 1906 when the vessel became caught in heavy winds while attempting to enter the Columbia River.
Despite the dangerous conditions, remarkably all 27 crew members survived after being rescued by the U.S. Life-Saving Service.
The ship itself, however, was left stranded forever.
More than a century later, its rusting steel skeleton remains embedded in the sand, slowly being reclaimed by the Pacific Ocean.
It has become one of Oregon’s most photographed landmarks.
Walking onto the beach, we immediately spotted the remains of the enormous hull emerging from the sand.
Although only a fraction of the original ship remains today, standing beside the twisted steel provides a fascinating reminder of the power of the Pacific Ocean.
Visitors wandered around the wreck taking photographs while children explored the surrounding beach.
It is difficult to imagine that this once-proud cargo ship travelled the world before ending its journey right here on the Oregon coast.
The beach itself is beautiful, stretching for kilometres in both directions with waves rolling endlessly onto the shoreline.
Even if the shipwreck had not been there, it would still have been worth visiting.
Worth the Stop? Read the full story.
Absolutely.
History, photography, wide sandy beaches and one of Oregon’s most iconic landmarks combine to make this an essential stop along the Oregon Coast.
Stop Two — Tillamook Creamery
Leaving Fort Stevens, we continued south along spectacular US Highway 101, passing forests, dairy farms and sweeping coastal scenery before arriving in the small community of Tillamook.
Long before we reached the creamery we knew we were getting close.
Rolling green farmland dotted with grazing dairy cows stretched across the landscape, perfectly illustrating why this region has become one of America’s most productive dairy areas.
The Tillamook Creamery is far more than simply a cheese factory.
Founded in 1909, the Tillamook County Creamery Association began as a farmer-owned cooperative dedicated to producing premium dairy products using milk from local family farms.
More than a century later, it remains farmer-owned and has grown into one of Oregon’s most recognized food brands.
Today’s modern visitor centre attracts hundreds of thousands of guests each year. Admission is free!
Inside, visitors can watch cheese production through large viewing windows while interactive displays explain how milk from local farms is transformed into the famous Tillamook cheddar.
We spent time exploring the exhibits before naturally making our way to the tasting area.
Sampling several varieties quickly confirmed why Tillamook has earned such an outstanding reputation.
Of course, no visit would be complete without lunch.
The restaurant overlooks portions of the production facility and serves an extensive menu featuring burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, fresh salads and, naturally, plenty of cheese.
After walking around for most of the morning, it was the perfect place to relax before continuing our drive toward Portland.
The attached gift shop was equally impressive, offering everything from locally produced cheeses and ice cream to souvenirs and kitchen products.
It was obvious that tourism has become a major part of the operation, yet despite its popularity the experience never felt overly commercial.
Instead, it offered an authentic glimpse into one of Oregon’s best-known agricultural success stories.
Worth the Stop? Read the full story
Without question.
Whether you’re travelling with children, enjoy local food or simply appreciate seeing how things are made, the Tillamook Creamery is one of the highlights of any Oregon Coast road trip.
Coming in Part 2: Read about our adventures here
- The famous Octopus Tree
- Cape Meares Lighthouse
- The “Graveyard of the Pacific”
- Scenic drive into Portland
- Hotel Deluxe, Portland – Disappointment
- Smallest Park in the World: Mill Ends Park
- Tom McCall Waterfront Park
- Voodoo Doughnut
- Keep Portland Weird – Famous Sign
- The largest independent bookstore in North America: Powell’s City of Books
- Top 10 Things to Do in Portland
Conclusion leading into Day 4 – Mount St. Helens
Continue Exploring Oregon
- Amazing Oregon Coast Wildlife
- Seaside, Oregon
- Astoria River Walk
- Nordic Park and Trolls
- Tillamook Creamery – Best Cheddar Cheese!
Nearby Attractions
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- 🎒 Travel gear from The Venturio
With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.
