The Best Places for Storm Watching on the Oregon Coast
There’s something incredibly mesmerizing about the fury of Mother Nature painting drama on the Oregon coast. Dark clouds gathering over the roaring Pacific, wind swirling the surf into a frothy expanse, lightning shooting eerie illuminations across the skyline. And for storm watchers, the thrill is even greater. Here are ten of the best spots to surrender to the spectacle, rain boots and all.1. Ecola State Park
There’s no storm watching like gazing out over Tillamook Rock Lighthouse with the sky churned into an ominous ballet overhead. The park sits between Seaside and Cannon Beach, offering an exhilarating bird’s-eye view. A good bet is to head out there just before a storm hits.2. Coquille River Lighthouse
Perched near the mouth of the Coquille River in Bandon, this lighthouse is a splendid spot to watch a storm roll in. The rocky outcrops of Bullards Beach State Park offer an adventurous scramble as the tempest descends. Remember, this is a spot for hardy souls as winds here can get fierce.3. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
A little south of Yachats, this area features the highest accessible viewpoint on the Oregon Coast. It’s a veritable amphitheater for watching storms. Swing by the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center for insights into the area’s unique natural features, like Devil’s Churn and Thor’s Well.
4. Manzanita Beach
A quaint town with a vast open beach, Manzanita provides an excellent platform for watching the waves rise in might. Neahkanie Mountain looms nearby, adding an extra touch of drama. Seek refuge in a local café like Bread and Ocean for some warm cocoa as the storm unfolds.5. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Home to the tallest lighthouse in Oregon, the bluffs here offer 360-degree views of the tumultuous ocean and sky. Newport’s nearby Rogue Ales Brewery is a perfect cozy retreat for post-storm brews and chowder.6. Pacific City’s Cape Kiwanda
Famous for its Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda grants front-row seats to surges in the surf during a storm. One can huddle at the Pelican Brewing Company with a ‘Stormwatcher’s Winterfest’ brew in hand while witnessing nature’s grandest show.7. Shore Acres State Park
This gem near Coos Bay is famous for waves crashing dramatically against towering cliffs. During a storm, waves are known to catapult up to a hundred feet high. Keep a wise distance and wear sturdy raingear here!8. Cox Rock, Lincoln City
Hidden between Lincoln City’s high-rise condos, this spot offers panoramic views of the whipping wind and frothing waves. The area also delivers beachcomber’s delights between storms, known for the city’s “Finders Keepers” glass floats program.9. Oswald West State Park
A little south of Cannon Beach, this forested park has trails leading to some fantastic storm-vista points. The sandstone cliffs at Cape Falcon and Neahkanie offer audacious storm watchers with a commanding ocean view.10. Heceta Head Lighthouse
For some, nothing beats watching a storm from the comfort of a warm bed. At Heceta Head, you can do just that in the Keeper’s House B&B, enjoying a wild view in cozy style next to a vintage fireplace.Catching a winter storm on the Oregon Coast is truly a spectacle to remember. It’s an enthralling dance of roaring waves, swirling winds, and electrifying sky. Spotting that gust front, feeling the first raindrops, and observing the inhospitable sea from the beauty of our coast makes you appreciate nature in all its volatile glory. Now, bundle up, grab that thermos, stay safe, and get ready because storm watching is an Oregonian experience like no other.