Cape Lookout State Park [Oregon Coast Roadtrip]

During 0ur Oregon Coast roadtrip, we were staying in the town of Tillamook (of dairy products fame), which we used as a base from which to explore the epic Oregon coastline. From here we went up to the epic Cannon Beach, visited the well-known Rockaway Beach and town of Garibaldi and also stopped at the Tillamook dairy farm, where we sampled some of their delicious cheese, got a bird’s view of the behind the scenes and witnessed how the whole operation works.

Tillamook isn’t the most picturesque place, and we were feeling a bit down about having chosen to stay here, but in a split of a moment had our whole view of the area turned around. I spotted a ‘scenic route’ sign, and suggested we spend another hour exploring the area, because ‘why not’.

The roads quickly turned into a windy scenic drive and led us to a most spectacular beach on the Cape Lookout State Park. This was totally unexpected, it wasn’t somewhere we’d heard about. You’d think they’d be shouting about this little place from the rooftops, especially being so close to famous Tillamook and the disappointing Rockaway beach.

The beach had large expanse of sand, hugged by rugged cliffs and generous vegetation all around, the pacific on the horizon and just to top it all off, it was wrapped-up with a nice thin line of fog above the sea <3.

Considering we arrived at the beach at the end of the afternoon we really made the most of our time here: we ran like there was no tomorrow, played tag, and explored the tide-pools and even spotted some live acorn barnacles for the first time! We were mesmerised by the creatures, tiny little things that kept waving, in and out of their minuscule shells.

Just before the sun started to set, we dashed back to our car and tried to reach the cape to see the iconic lighthouse but ended up missing it, and instead watched the sun setting over the small, but very pretty town of Oceanside.

Biggest lesson learned? Always take the detour to your planned journey. Be curious, drive those extra miles, re-energise with the excitement of what could be.

STAY: You can camp right on the beach. I mean right there, moments from the sand. If I could turn back time, this is one of the things I would do differently. I would want to stay a week here, waking up and going to sleep with this view, no other plans in my mind.

Linking with Coombe Mill, Packing my Suitcase & My Travel Monkey.