PORT ORFORD, Ore. (CNN/Money) -
When people think of driving down the Pacific coast, they're usually thinking of California. California's coastline does, indeed, make for an excellent road trip. But let's not forget about a less celebrated Pacific coast drive: the Oregon shoreline.
Running 365 miles from Astoria, Oregon, to the California border, U.S. 101's route down the Oregon coast is among America's most beautiful drives. Virtually every twist and turn in the road brings another breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean, and over three dozen state parks -- the highest concentration per mile in the country -- provide ample opportunities for stretching your legs and hitting the beach. Here are some great stops along the way:
Fort Stevens State Park
Just off U.S. Highway 101, near Warrenton, Oregon
This former military installation figured prominently in two little-known footnotes to American history. The fort was built for the Civil War -- seemingly incongruous, given that the fighting was several thousand miles away, but the Union worried that the Confederacy would ally with England and attempt to control the Columbia River.
Although that attack never materialized a much later one did. During World War II, a Japanese sub fired 17 shells at Fort Stevens, making it the first (and still the only) military site in the lower 48 states to come under foreign attack since the War of 1812. All of this is explained at the park's excellent museum.
Gearhart
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This tiny village, with a population around 1,000, is the hometown and summer retreat of the celebrated chef James Beard, whose culinary heritage is maintained at several local eateries, most notably the Pacific Way Bakery & Cafe (601 Pacific Way, Gearhart, Oregon; 503-738-0245), where the food is much more sophisticated than the casual storefront setting would suggest.
Ecola State Park
U.S. Highway 101, Canon Beach, Oregon
As you drive along the Pacific coast, you're going to see lots of vistas that practically scream out, "Photograph me!" Eventually this gets numbing, even wearisome -- you can't stop and take a picture at every scenic overlook or else you'd be stopping the car every two minutes.
At some points you may find yourself muttering, "Okay, another breathtaking view, whatever," and driving on. But trust me on this one: You definitely want to stop to take in the view at Ecola State Park. The ocean's magnificent backdrop here includes the huge geological formations Haystack Rock and Neahkahnie Mountain, plus the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, which dates back to the 1880s. It's the most photographed spot on the coast, and with good reason.
Tillamook Air Museum
6030 Hangar Road, Tillamook, Oregon
Much like Fort Stevens, this attraction spotlights an obscure but fascinating aspect of America's military history. During World War II America's coastline was guarded by huge surveillance blimps. The story of these dirigibles -- as well as their spectacular hangar, which is among the largest wooden structures in the world -- has been preserved at this wonderful museum, which also features dozens of vintage fighter planes.
Sea Lion Caves
91560 U.S. Highway 101, Florence, Oregon
Probably my favorite spot on the entire Pacific Coast, this marvelous family-run tourist attraction on U.S. Highway 101 is a natural sea cave that houses America's only mainland sea lion rookery. First you observe the sea lions from an observation deck far above them; then you take an elevator down into the cave, where you can watch the playful critters as they frolic, swim, or just laze about. A can't-miss stop.
Prehistoric Gardens
U.S. Highway 101, South of Port Orford, Oregon
A classic tourist trap in the most endearing sense of the term, Prehistoric Gardens is a collection of about two dozen "scientifically correct" (read: really big) dinosaur sculptures, all of them painted in strikingly bright colors. The collection is the work of amateur paleontologist E.V. Nelson, who created his first dinosaur -- a T. Rex -- in 1953 and gradually added the others over the next 40 years or so. In short, like so many interesting places, Prehistoric Gardens is an impressive monument to one man's obsession. It's also just good, kitschy fun.
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