Oregon Coast: A Destination to Disconnect and Unplug
By Alison Hoover
Vacation is meant to be a time of relaxation, enjoyable activities, and maybe catching up on sleep. Unfortunately, with smartphones at arms-length, vacation can sometimes turn into work emails, sports schedules, and homework from afar.
The Oregon Coast, with its hiking trails, beaches, and picturesque towns, is a great place to unplug and recharge your batteries. Here are a few recommendations for doing just that.
Off-the-Grid in Oregon
Ranked in the top 40% of ideal states for living off the grid, Oregon offers a great balance of resources and opportunities for disconnecting. While you may not be looking for an entirely off-grid experience, this status assures you the opportunity to minimize connectivity while capitalizing on nature, myriad activities, and a respect for environmental stewardship.
Relax on the Sand
The coastline offers countless beautiful beaches. Sit on the sand, listen to the waves, breathe in the salty air, and admire the stunning sunsets. You can easily take out a good ol’ paper map and bounce from beach to beach, or choose just one and turn off your phone as soon as your GPS gets you there.
Cannon Beach, one of the most famous beaches on the coast, is known for its basalt sea stack towering more than 200 feet above the sandy beaches. This particular beach attracts a lot of tourists, but there’s ample room to spread out.
With over 100 beaches dotting the coast, there are plenty to visit that are isolated and quiet if you’re looking for some alone time. Known for feeling remote and secluded, Arizona Beach is easily accessible via the 101. Once on the beach, you’ll be stunned by the beauty and grandeur of the natural rock formations. You might even want to re-plug just long enough to snap a photo.
If you’d like to take your beach vacation as an opportunity to treasure hunt, don’t miss Neahkahnie Beach. Legend has it that the mountain bordering this scenic stretch of land harbors treasures lost since the 1800s. Good luck!
Recharge in the Woods
There are countless wooded areas to traverse and enjoy the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Whether you like to bike or hike, bird watch or picnic, there’s a park for you.
From disc golf and kayak tours to a military museum and observation tower, Fort Stevens State Park offers something for everyone. You can even check out the yurts for an authentic off-grid experience.
The southern portion of the Oregon Coast Trail takes you through Harris Beach State Park and over the Chetco River Bridge. Much of this path is paved, making it ideal for respite-seekers with varying physical abilities.
While all of the trails feel remote and give you that feeling of disconnecting, you will never actually be too far from cheerful Oregonians and amenities all along the coast. With breathtaking views of the ocean, a vast and diverse canopy, and fairly mild weather, you’ll find yourself not wanting to reconnect.
Whether you’re looking to fully immerse yourself in an off-the-grid experience or you just want to turn off notifications for a few days, the Oregon Coast is a great place to do so. You can find places to camp or you can find a quaint vacation rental. Either way, you’re sure to be taken by the beauty and charm of the U.S.’s west coast.
Alison is a Midwesterner through and through and loves to spend her time baking and reading. Always at home in the dirt, as a kid, Alison raised a vegetable garden with her dad and flower gardens with her mom.