Commissioned as part of the original U.S. Highway system in 1926, Oregon's portion of U.S. 101 (Oregon Coast Highway) has changed little over the decades. Driving its 363-mile length is like taking a trip back in time and experiencing what motor travel used to be like before the arrival of Interstate freeways. The federal highway still serves as the main street for most of the coastal cities from Astoria to Brookings. Many stretches are narrow and winding, sometimes hugging the coastline, at other times swinging inland through farmland and forests. Modern highway interchanges are present but rare along the route. Junctions with state routes are usually at-grade rural crossings or city street intersections. Even the western terminus of U.S. 20 is at an unremarkable intersection with U.S. 101 in downtown Newport.
What the Oregon Coast Highway lacks in modern highway conveniences, it more than makes up for in recreational opportunities and scenic vistas. Part of the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, U.S. 101 offers easy access to dozens of state parks, waysides, and natural areas that dot the entire length of the Oregon coastline.
U.S. 101 Southbound: Tillamook to Newport
U.S. 101 southbound prepares to cross the Wilson River and enter the city of Tillamook. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
This sign at the northern edge of Tillamook announces an upcoming junction with Oregon 131 (Netarts Highway), but advises RV and truck traffic to use Front Street to access the highway.
A small city of 4,675, Tillamook is home to the Tillamook County Creamery Association, makers of cheese, ice cream, and other dairy products. The company's Visitor Center and manufacturing plant, located along U.S. 101 in the north part of town, is a popular tourist draw.
If you like clouds and gray skies, this is the place to live. Like most cities along the Oregon coast, Tillamook takes the brunt of weather systems moving off the Pacific; annual rainfall here tops 90 inches (compared to about 40 inches at Portland). Nevertheless, the overall climate is quite mild and snow and ice are extremely rare. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Upon entering downtown Tillamook, U.S. 101 breaks up into the Main Avenue/Pacific Avenue one-way couplet. Southbound traffic is routed down Main where it meets Oregon 6 eastbound and Oregon 131 westbound at Third Street. Eastbound Third Street is Oregon 6 (Wilson River Highway), which traverses the Coast Range before terminating at U.S. 26 northwest of Portland. Westbound 6th Street defaults to Oregon 131 (Netarts Highway), a short highway leading to Netarts Bay and the Pacific. Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
The one-way couplet comes to an end as southbound U.S. 101 prepares to leave Tillamook. Les Schwab Tires outlets, like the one in the background, are an omnipresent sight in the Pacific Northwest. Offering free flat repair (while you wait and eat popcorn, no less!), they can be a welcome sight to distressed motorists. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Departing Tillamook, U.S. 101 swings inland and the Coast Range looms on the horizon as the highway heads in an easterly direction. A mileage sign (first image) shows Newport to be 69 miles away. Hebo (19 miles) is at the junction of U.S. 101 and Oregon 22.
U.S. 101 is designated as a scenic byway, as this special shield indicates (second image). A former World War II blimp hangar visible in the background now houses the Tillamook Air Museum (it's that big gray thing that says "Air Museum"). Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
A flashing amber caution light announces the intersection with Long Prairie Road. Turn left here for the Tillamook airport and the air museum. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Six miles south of Tillamook, U.S. 101 meets Munson Creek Road, which leads to Munson Creek State Natural Area. Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Sandlake Road, which leads to Cape Lookout State Park, intersects the Oregon Coast Highway just north of the tiny town of Hemlock. This very scenic park, nestled between old growth forest and the rugged shoreline, offers campsites, cabins, and even yurts (but be sure to book ahead!). Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Newport is still 58 miles away according to this sign posted just past the Sandlake Road junction. No mention is yet made of Lincoln City, which is a heck of a lot larger than Hebo. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Approaching Beaver (yep, another wide spot in the road), southbound U.S. 101 veers sharply right at the intersection of Blaine Road. Blaine Road leads to, well,...Blaine (go figure) and also to the more exciting Upper Nestucca River Recreational Area, an OHV park. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
After the Blaine Road junction, the federal highway winds through exciting downtown Beaver. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
U.S. 101 continues its narrow, winding route south on the approach to Hebo. A lot of yellow reflective paint was used to stripe this section of the highway. Traveler's tip: try not to get stuck behind a school bus along this stretch. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Did I mention how narrow the highway is here? What passes for shoulders are laughable in spots. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Shoulders aren't appreciably wider as U.S. 101 southbound approaches its junction with Oregon 22 at Hebo. Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
U.S. 101 enters Hebo (drumroll please), which is announced on this typically small ODOT sign. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Eastbound Oregon 22 branches off from U.S. 101 at Hebo; veer right to continue south on 101. McMinnville is actually located along Oregon 18, but Oregon 22 briefly joins with that highway at Valley Junction. Notice the backward "Ns" on the Hebo Inn sign- it's been that way for at least 30 years. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
It's only two miles to the next point on the map: Cloverdale. Newport is still 50 miles away. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Southbound U.S. 101 heads into the not-so-bustling unincorporated city of Cloverdale, home to roughly 250 people at last count. The double yellow stripe persists. Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Departing Cloverdale, the next place of note according to the mileage sign is Neskowin, 10 miles distant. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Resort drive branches from the Oregon Coast Highway, heading westbound to Woods, Tierra Del Mar, and, in cased you missed the turn back at Hemlock, Sandlake. Resort Drive links up with the Three Capes Scenic Route between Woods and Tierra Del Mar. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Lincoln City, now 22 miles away, is finally mentioned on a mileage sign. Finally got rid of that school bus, too. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Southbound U.S. 101 veers to the left yet again, this time at the junction with Brooten Road. Here's your last chance to link up with the Three Capes Scenic route that heads north up the coast back toward Tillamook. Pacific City (3 miles) offers lodging accommodations. Cape Kiwanda, at the north edge of the town, is probably one of the most photographed places on the Oregon Coast. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
U.S. 101 finally starts to widen a bit after the Pacific City junction. Could it be?...actual shoulders? Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Road-weary travelers stuck behind school buses and other slow movers will rejoice to see this passing lane provided north of Neskowin. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Southbound 101 returns to the Pacific shore briefly and a viewpoint is offered. The passing lane ends just past the viewpoint (first image). The view (second image) is classic Oregon coast: rugged headlands covered with wind-whipped Sikta spruces. Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
U.S. 101 narrows from four to two lanes after leaving the viewpoint. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Southbound U.S. 101 approaches Neskowin and a right turn onto Hawk Street takes you into the tiny shoreside town. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Departing Neskowin, the federal highway soon heads into the Siuslaw National Forest in southern Tillamook County. As the highway will climb several hundred feet in elevation, a passing lane is available for uphill traffic heading south. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Travelers along this stretch pass through a mosaic of mature and younger forests. They contain the typical coastal forest residents: Sitka spruce, western hemlock, Douglas-fir, western red-cedar, Oregon alder, and bigleaf maple. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Coming down the north slope of the hill, U.S. 101 enters Lincoln County. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
As U.S. 101 closes in on Lincoln City, a large sign announces the impending junction with Oregon 18 (Salmon River Highway). Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
A trumpet interchange handles the exchange of traffic between U.S. 101 and eastbound Oregon 18. The Salmon River Highway crosses the coast range and leads to the Willamette Valley town of McMinnville. To reach Salem, take Oregon 22 east from 18 at Willamina. Notice the lack of cardinal directions on the sign bridge. Perhaps ODOT assumed that drivers would know that they could only head east over Oregon 18. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Okay it's not exactly the Promised Land, but southbound 101 finally reaches Lincoln City (est. pop. 7,849 in 2005), the first town with over 1,000 residents encountered since leaving Tillamook. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06.
Five separate towns consolidated to form Lincoln City in 1965. Neighborhoods and districts within the town retain the old names: Oceanlake, Delake, Nelscott, Taft, and Cutler City. The longish 7.5-mile drive through Lincoln City may not be the most scenic drive on the coast, but the town has made an effort to spruce up appearances in recent years. The city promotes itself primarily as a tourist and retirement community. Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/06/06 and 4/07/06.
Though this sign posted at the intersection of 6th Drive/6th Street points the way to Devils Lake State Park, the official Oregon State Parks web site now refers to the site as Devils Lake State Recreation Area. The park straddles Devils Lake; the portion referenced here, on the northwest shore, offers overnight camping. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
One of Lincoln City's claims to fame is the D river, supposedly the "world's shortest river" as this sign along southbound 101 reports. The river flows approximately 120 feet from Devils Lake west to the Pacific. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/07/06.
Shortly after crossing the D River, southbound 101 meets East Devils Lake Road. This road travels along the southern and eastern shore of the lake, offering access to the state recreation area's day use facilities. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/07/06.
U.S. 101 heads south into the Taft District at the southern end of town. It's a safe bet that despite the small permanent population, a good deal more than 7,849 people are present in town at any one moment. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
Schooner Creek flows into Siletz Bay as 101 departs Lincoln City. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
Newport is now less than 20 miles south. Next up along southbound U.S. 101 is the junction with Oregon 229 (Siletz Highway) at Kernville (which is more a place-name than a town). Oregon 229 travels south, roughly following the Siletz River to U.S. 20 and Toledo. Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
Past the Oregon 229 junction, U.S. 101 reverts to a two-lane highway. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
Traffic lights aren't commonly seen along 101 outside of incorporated towns, but this one is posted at Salishan Resort near Gleneden Beach. The resort boasts a world-class golf course, three restaurants, lodging, tennis courts, and a spa, among other amenities. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
The federal highway again widens to four lanes as it passes alongside vacation home developments in Coronado Shores and Lincoln Beach. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
However, it's back to two lanes on the approach to Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area. The mileage sign: Depoe Bay, 2; Newport, 15. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
Southbound U.S. 101 enters the small town of Depoe Bay (est. pop. 1,363 in 2005). A large sea wall runs parallel with the entire length of the downtown along 101, offering ocean views from downtown shops and sidewalks. Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/07/06 and 4/05/07.
Head-in parking in downtown Depoe Bay (first picture) literally faces the Pacific Ocean. Just south of the parking area, U.S. 101 crosses the entrance to Depoe Bay itself, billed as the world's smallest navigable harbor. The bridge at the 101 crossing was featured in a scene from the 1975 movie "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest." Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07 and 4/07/06.
Commissioned in 1996, a safety corridor stretches most the distance between Depoe Bay and Newport. Though the sign says it's 8 miles long, the ODOT master safety corridor list records it to be 9.1 miles in length. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/07/06.
Southbound U.S. 101 heads through patches of lush coastal forest south of Depoe Bay. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/07/06.
U.S. 101 approaches the junction for Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint at--you gotta love this name--Cape Foulweather. (Visit this link at the ODOT website for interactive panoramic views of the site.) A short loop road connects the highway with the viewpoint. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/07/06.
South of the viewpoint, U.S. 101 intersects with a side road that leads to yet another place on the Oregon Coast with a fun-sounding name, the Devils Punch Bowl. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/07/06.
Until the fall of 2008, this temporary bridge will carry U.S. 101 traffic across Spencer Creek at Beverly Beach State Park. Corrosion concerns closed the original 1946 structure. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
As southbound U.S. 101 closes in on Newport, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Oregon's tallest, can be seen on the headland at right. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/07/06.
The safety corridor ends as southbound 101 enters Newport (2005 est. pop. 9,833). A handsome sign at the entrance to town (second image) invites visitors to "Explore Newport, The Friendliest." It doesn't say the friendliest what. One would assume "town," but you never know. Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
Southbound U.S. 101 meets Lighthouse Drive which leads to Yaquina Head, proclaimed to be an "outstanding natural area." This Bureau of Land Management (BLM) site features spectacular ocean views from a craggy headland that juts into the Pacific at the north end of Newport. Also on site is a lighthouse dating from 1873, and shallow tide pools that are worth exploring (tip: wear waterproof clothes!). Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
Unfortunately, the trip that continues along south along 101 isn't terribly scenic, as the highway passes through a rather tedious commercial district en route to downtown Newport. Incorporated in 1882, the town is the namesake of Newport, Rhode Island. Primary industries are commercial fishing and tourism. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
The junction with U.S. 20 (eastbound to Corvallis) is announced as 101 approaches downtown. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
The intersection of U.S. 101 and Olive street in downtown Newport marks THE western terminus of U.S. 20 for--gasp--the entire nation. Note the "begin" tab: this is unusual for an Oregon sign, but ODOT may have figured that since this is THE western terminus, there might as well be some sort of fanfare. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
You'll find another historic lighthouse at Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site, located on the north shore of Yaquina Bay. Just before crossing the bay the two southbound lanes diverge, with the right hand lane leading to the recreation site. Through traffic heading over the Yaquina Bay Bridge should stay in the left lane. Photo taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
An Oregon coast landmark, the 1936 Yaquina Bay Bridge carries U.S. 101 across Yaquina Bay at the south end of Newport. The 3,223-foot structure features a combination of both steel and concrete arches, with a 600-foot steel through arch main span being the bridge's most prominent feature. Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
A Tsunami warning sign (first image) is posted for southbound traffic exiting the bridge. Warning signs such as this are frequent all along U.S. 101 in low lying areas. The Oregon Coast Aquarium and Hatfield Marine Science Center are popular attractions residing on the south shore of Yaquina Bay. Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07.
Yaquina Bay Bridge
Three views of the Yaquina Bay Bridge. Pictures 1 and 2 are looking from Newport Harbor. Picture 3, taken at the south end of the bridge, shows the gothic-style concrete arch supports. Photos taken by Matt Strieby 4/05/07 and 4/07/06.
