Exploring the Pacific Northwest: An introduction to Oregon and Washington Coast

Although Q Campervans is based in Vancouver, Canada, the USA border does not limit your road-trip potential! Our insurance covers you in both countries. This unlocks a whole plethora of new destinations that will blow your mind. In this blog post, I am going to share a few reasons why you should visit Oregon and Washington Coast and highlight some incredible locations!

Secret Beach, Oregon Coast

Reason 1: A different PNW experience

While the west side of Canada has sooooo much to offer, it is simply a different geographical and cultural experience to travel the Oregon and Washington coast as compared to Canada. BC and Alberta have stunning mountain ranges, vast lakes, and a surprisingly diverse climate during the year. However, besides Vancouver Island, the ocean coast of western Canada is harder to access. Its beaches are more remote (although not less beautiful), and sparse. So if you are looking for a road-trip along the ocean coast and don’t want to visit Vancouver Island, the USA coast is perfect for you. All along Washington and Oregon are uncountable gorgeous beaches that provide never-ending stops for your trip. This is why the it is the perfect solution for a coastal road-trip.

Although most people assume that Canada and the USA are the same, it is a different experience that is incredibly hard to explain! The cities, culture, and people are just slightly different in an inexplainable way. The only way to find out is to explore both!

View of Baker Beach.

Reason 2: Year-round Capabilities

As explained in my other blog post “Renting a Campervan in Vancouver during winter!”, I explain how the USA is a perfect destination for winter van-life. Given that most of Canada, besides Vancouver and Vancouver Island, is usually below 0 degrees celsius in the winter, it's best to go south. If you are skiing and snowboarding, by all means northern Canada has that covered, but it can be quite a bit more chilly! The temperate climate of the Oregon and Washington Coast is mostly similar to that of Vancouver which means most of the winter will see temperatures easily ABOVE freezing. Plus the further south you go, the warmer it will get! This means even during the camping “off-season” you can explore the warmer American climate.

Another consideration is that “winter” will be shorter the further south you go on the USA coast! For example, in Vancouver it was around 10 degrees celsius mid-october, while southern Oregon coast was hovering around 20. The same would apply in the spring. Plus, shoulder seasons are far less busy in terms of campsites and other attractions. This means more flexibility with the times of year you can enjoy the coast!

Popular Attractions

Here I’ll share just a few AMAZING places to visit! Starting from North to South.

1. Dungeness Bay (Washington)

This is an extremely unique beach that extends far out into the Salish Sea providing endless beach side walking! If you would like an expedited way to the coast line, be sure to go through Deception Pass State Park to the Fort Casey-Port Townsend ferry. You can also go through Seattle towards Tacoma and back up, but this will take more gas and time! Depends if you want to explore the more populated areas of Washington or not. Another cool thing to note is the southern coast of Vancouver Island can be seen from much of the northern Washington coast!

My friend Matthew along the beaches of Dungeness Spit.

2. Lake Crescent (Washington)

I’ll be honest, when I visited the Washington Coast, I didn’t have time to go all the way to the western side where some of the most famous beaches and attractions are located. That’s why I can’t truthfully provide any insight into the area. However, I did loop the northern coast and down to Lake Crescent and back. I was able to take my van, Fred, and I had the best time! Lake Crescent has a bunch of fun little pull-outs along the weaving road that lines the lakeside. During wintertime the area is so peaceful and quiet. I stayed the night at Pillar Point Recreation Area and had the entire parking lot to myself!

Lunch stop with Fred along Lake Crescent.

3. Cannon Beach (Oregon)

Cannon beach is potentially Oregon’s most famous beach. The picture below speaks for itself. Although much of the coast is lined with beaches that are similar and provide countless attractions and activities, Cannon Beach is one of a kind. Do not skip this on your coastal road-trip!

4. Oregon Dunes

The Oregon dunes are massive! The tallest of them reachest heights of over 500 ft/150m. When visiting the area there are plenty of activities to do other than enjoy the scenery. Sand-boarding, Off-roading, hiking, and birding are among some of the popular activities to engage in. There are various viewpoints, campgrounds, and parking/day-use locations along the expansive “dune” area. The picture below was taken at Oregon Dunes Overlook.

Viewpoint along the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

5. Secret Beach

The short hike down to Secret Beach is well worth it! Don’t let the unassuming parking area fool you; This is a can’t miss location. My best way to describe it, is you feel like you are in the movie Narnia: Prince Caspian where it opens to a stunning beach. Although that was filmed in New Zealand, this is close enough! I could genuinely spend an entire day here just admiring the landscape.

Pinch me, I can’t believe this is a real place!

6. Stout Grove (California)

Okay… I know this is in California, but it is literally on the border of Oregon, so I had to include it. Located in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, the trees can reach heights of 300ft/90m. The tree bark is so large, it will swallow your entire hand. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been exposed to impressive forests your whole life, like me in Vancouver, the Redwoods are next level. Below is a picture of me beside one of the trees in Stout Grove. Even a small tree here is a massive one in any other forest across North America. Old-growth locations aren’t always easy to come by, so be sure to add this to your Oregon Coast road-trip!

Quennel (owner of Q Campervans) pictured with a HUGE Tree in Stout Grove.