The Perfect Day Trip to Lincoln City, Oregon: Top Things to Do

If you’re planning a day trip to Lincoln City, this guide is for you. Read on for the top things to do in Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast.

I grew up going to Lincoln City from Salem pretty regularly to visit my grandparents. Since the Oregon Coast is just over an hour’s drive from most cities in the Willamette Valley, it’s one of the best day trips (or weekend getaways) for us. I don’t know why it took me so long to write our own Lincoln City guide on the blog!

Updated: May 2024. Originally published: March 2021. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through one of our links, we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

How to Get to Lincoln City

Portland to Lincoln City is about a 2 hour drive via Newburg, passing through wine country, on OR-18.

Salem to Lincoln City takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes by car, on Highway 22 and then OR-18.

Things to do on the way to Lincoln City

If you’re driving to Lincoln City from Portland or Salem area, you’ll first pass through rolling farmlands of the Willamette Valley. This is Oregon wine country, so vineyards and wineries are never far away if you’re up for wine tasting.

At the junction of Highways 22 and 18 is the Spirit Mountain Casino. It has several restaurants, including an all-you-can-eat crab and prime rib buffet, and often hosts live entertainment.

As you continue on Oregon Highway 18, you’ll pass through H.B. Van Duzer Forest State Scenic Corridor along the Salmon River. Watch for wildlife, like deer and elk, and admire the old growth Douglas-fir trees.

Our top things to do in Lincoln City

These are some of my own favorite things to do in Lincoln City over the years.

1. Hiking in Lincoln City

Some of the best Lincoln City viewpoints are around Cascade Head. Growing up, we always went to the main Cascade Head Lower Viewpoint via the trail that starts off of 3 Rocks Road (Knights Park Trailhead).

God’s Thumb Hike

Recently, we discovered another great hike that leaves from the Roads End neighborhood, just South of Cascade Head. God’s Thumb via the Knoll offers spectacular coastal viewpoints to those who make the effort.

We parked in the designated area near the trailhead where Port Drive and NE Sal La Sea Drive meet. (Overflow parking is further down Sal La Sea, so be sure not to block residents’ driveways.)

The Knoll overlook is a relatively short-but-steep climb with rewarding views over Roads End and the rest of Lincoln City. It’s a great place for a scenic picnic.

As the trail continues to wind through the forest, it can get really muddy. Tip: If there’s been any rain within a week of your hike, you’ll want to wear waterproof hiking boots and bring hiking poles. This is especially true on the East side of the loop (if you’re not going out-and-back via the Knoll).

God’s Thumb ends with a narrow walkway and steep drop offs to reach the final overlook. Using hiking poles, the footing felt secure, so I didn’t find it too scary. But it’s not recommended for young children or off-leash dogs.

You can perch yourself on the bluff for a picnic, or just enjoy the views of Lincoln City to the South, Cascade Head and Camp Westwind to the North, and the waves crashing on rocks below. We spotted a seal swimming. If you’re lucky you might even see whales.

For an easy, flat Oregon Coast hike, head just South of Lincoln City and Siletz Bay to Salishan Resort. From the Salishan shopping center parking lot, follow a short coastal trail around the golf course to Salishan Drive.

The paved road continues to the end of Salishan Spit, a residential area with sandy beach on the West and views of the bay on the East. Look for seals and otters swimming!

2. Lincoln City Beach

The beach around Lincoln City is mostly flat and sandy. There are plenty of public entrance points to access the beach.

There are so many things you can do at the Lincoln City Beach!

For the brave and hot blooded, you could swim. Even in summer, though, the water is frigid. Some people find it refreshing, but I am not one of them.

People do surf at Lincoln City occasionally, but wearing a wet suit or dry suit is highly recommended year round. When the conditions are right, you can watch experts maneuver giant waves at Nelscott Cove.

The most popular activity on the beach is to simply go for a walk. You’ll come across all kinds of interesting shells, seaweed, tiny crabs, shiny rocks, and drift wood.

Find the tide pools for even more interesting sea anemones, starfish, and more! Popular places to check out tide pools are:
– The far end of the beach North from Roads End park (at low tide)
– At the NW 15th Street beach access
– Inn at Spanish Head South of the 35th Street beach access

Flying kites is also popular at Lincoln City’s beaches. There’s a kite festival both in summer and fall.

To explore another great beach, just half an hour from Lincoln City, visit the giant sand dune and admire haystack rock in Pacific City, Oregon.

3. Best food & restaurants in Lincoln City

After visiting the area for decades, my family has a few favorite Lincoln City restaurants.

For the best beach scenery, try Kyllo’s Grill. For classic clam-chowder in a family-friendly atmosphere, Mo’s Seafood and Chowder is our go-to.

For something a little nicer but not on the ocean, we’ve enjoyed The Wild Flower Grill and Blackfish Cafe.

Some of the best fish and chips can be found at Pub Fish and Chips. We have gone back to this place for our recent Lincoln City day trips and ordered take out for a picnic on the beach.

A long-standing brunch diner, Otis Cafe, is now more centrally located on Highway 101 in Lincoln City. (We have fond memories visiting the former location on our way to my grandparent’s house.)

4. Shopping in Lincoln City

We’re not big shoppers, but Lincoln City is known for a few specialty items that we like to pick up when we’re in town.

There are lots of cute little shops to be found in Lincoln City, whether you’re in the market for a new kite, souvenirs and trinkets, or beautiful art like the masterpieces at the Glass Art Studio.

Perhaps our favorite type of souvenir is some fudge and the iconic salt water taffy from Candyland.

For fresh-caught local seafood, famous smoked salmon, and other local delicacies, visit Barnacle Bill’s Seafood Market right on Highway 101 in town. It’s not cheap. But ordering from the open-air counter at this historic establishment is a true Lincoln City experience.

Visitors from out-of-State also tend to like shopping at the outlet malls in Lincoln City. Since Oregon has no sales tax, it’s like a double discount for non-Oregonians.

Salishan also has a cute little shopping center with a couple cafes, candy store, and boutiques. Next door, the Lincoln City Farmers and Crafters Market takes place on Sundays in the summer, weather permitting. 

Where to Stay in Lincoln City

Vacation rentals and hotels abound all over the coast. There’s a place to stay for every type of traveler.

When we celebrated my grandma’s 100 year life, we all stayed at Surftides Hotel, a cute 3-star hotel right on the beach.

Check rates and availability for Surftides Hotel >

For a place with kitchenette and beach access, check out the suites and studios at the Looking Glass Inn, right next to Mo’s seafood restaurant.

Check rates and availability for the Looking Glass Inn >

For hotel reward programs, one of the best values for IHG points that we’ve found in Oregon is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lincoln City.

It’s within walking distance from public beach access, Safeway, and a handful of restaurants, plus breakfast is included. In 4th floor rooms, you actually have partial views of the ocean.

Check rates and availability for Holiday Inn Lincoln City >

I hope this short guide to Lincoln City will help you plan the perfect Oregon Coast day trip or overnight stay. What are your favorite things to do in Lincoln City?

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– Best Oregon Road Trip Destinations
– Pacific City Trip Guide
– Things to do in Salem Oregon
– A Local’s Guide to Portland Oregon
– What to Pack for Portland Oregon
– Post-pandemic updates to know about Oregon travel right now