Photo Courtesy: Bruce W Smith; Shore Acres State Park

Oregon’s Dramatic Coast

The rugged Oregon coast is known for its iconic sea stacks and pounding surf. Discover some of the best vantage points for watching magnificent Pacific storms roll in.

Shore Acres State Park

The Wild Rivers Coast near Coos Bay is home to Shore Acres State Park, a storm watcher’s paradise. Perched on cliffs, the park’s observation area provides a safe and spectacular vantage point to witness waves pummeling the shoreline. Look out toward the horizon as the weather turns, offering a grand theater of roiling clouds and churning seas. Extend the storm watching by staying the night at Bay Point Landing in a modern cabin or an Airstream. Alternatively, the Edgewater Inn Coos Bay offers an updated, classic motel experience.

Yachats

This charming coastal town is a popular destination for those seeking big waves and dramatic tides. For the best vantage point, head to the cliffs, which offer incredible views of the temperamental seas. Treat yourself to a stay at the Overleaf Lodge & Spa, where cliffside lodges provide dramatic ocean views from the comfort of your room. Sip a warm beverage, tucked indoors while the storms roar outside.

Depoe Bay

Known as the whale watching capital of the Oregon Coast, Depoe Bay is also a prime spot for storm watching during the winter months. The town’s small harbor and rocky shoreline amplify the dramatic crashing of the waves. The Channel House offers a touch of luxury with its oceanfront rooms, ensuring a spectacular and safe viewing experience. Wrap yourself in a plush robe and snuggle in to witness Mother Nature’s wrath only steps from your door. A short drive south makes for a great day trip to another of nature’s wonders, Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area. Don’t miss seeing these powerful surges where the ocean crashes into a large rock formation. Come back in spring during Whale Watch Week, March 21 through 29, when you have a chance to see these magnificent creatures breach along the coast.

Cannon Beach

Home to the iconic Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach is a beloved destination year-round. While the beach itself can be treacherous during a storm, several oceanfront resorts offer a safe and impressive indoor view of the theatrics. The Ocean Lodge and The Waves Hotel are both ideally situated for watching the storm from the warm sanctuary of your room.

Photo Courtesy: Bruce W Smith; Shore Acres State Park

Washington’s Wild Theatrics

From the expansive shoreline of Long Beach to the rugged haystacks of Ruby Beach, the Olympic and Long Beach peninsulas put you front and center to winter’s overdramatic displays. Communities such as Ilwaco, Westport and Kalaloch offer ideal launching points for viewing.

Cape Disappointment State Park

Sitting across the border from Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia River in the southwest corner of Washington, this park offers sheltered viewing of inclement weather from the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Feeling more adventurous? Witness surging seas at eye level from Waikiki Beach, located directly below the bluffs, or gaze up at Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, the oldest in Washington, as it casts its beacon offshore to passing ships in the night.

Long Beach

Head into the small town of Long Beach on the namesake peninsula, where the wide, sandy beaches become the backdrop for great storm walking and beach-combing. Pull on your rain poncho and get ready to witness some of the most dramatic views at the North Head Lighthouse in the neighboring town of Ilwaco. For a cozy place to lay your head, hunker down at the Adrift Hotel, which offers a hip, modern take on a coastal stay with the beach only a stone’s throw away.

Westport

Drive up the coast to brave the elements at the Westport Marina observation tower, or head to Westport Light State Park to watch fearless surfers catch the incoming swells. In Westport, you can find a room at The Westport Inn, which is a short walk from the marina and provides a cozy, classic motel experience, perfectly suited for both comfort and practicality.

Kalaloch & Ruby Beach

Venture into Olympic National Park, where a cabin at the Kalaloch Lodge can serve as your base for exploring iconic Ruby Beach, with its dramatic sea stacks. These ancient sentinels of stone stand firm against the relentless pounding of the waves, a truly magical sight. For an even more secluded retreat, the Lake Quinault Lodge, found deep in the rainforest, offers a more tranquil and majestic experience, especially as rain falls through the trees.

Photo Courtesy: Capture.Share.Repeat- Greg Jacobs; Westport, Washington

A Grand Finale in British Columbia

For the ultimate storm-watching adventure, extend a trek north to Tofino on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This laid-back summer haven transforms into a moody masterpiece in winter.