Break up the driving with a visit to Camp 18 -- a favorite along Highway 26 between the coast and Portland. The interior is styled like a log cabin, with wood finishings and a chandelier made of antlers. This is a good place to get classic American food on your way from Portland. Their famous cinnamon rolls are a good pick for breakfast. Camp 18 is open every day from 8am to 8pm.

One of the Oregon Coast’s most iconic beaches, Cannon Beach is the ideal first stop for this day trip. The town got its name because of a shipwreck—sort of. The Navy schooner Shark ran aground in 1846, and its cannon washed ashore and was found near the town of Elk Creek in 1898, which later changed its name to Cannon Beach in honor of this event. You can see a replica of the cannon along US-101 as you drive into town.
Once at the beach, look for Haystack Rock, a 235-foot-high sea stack—the third tallest intertidal structure in the world. At low tide, you can approach Haystack Rock. Be on the lookout for the tufted puffins that like to nest on the sea stack.

Open seven days a week, Blue Scorcher is a perfect place to get a cup of coffee and a sweet treat on your day trip. The pastries are all made fresh from scratch using organic ingredients, and the coffee is made by expert baristas on an Italian manual-pull espresso machine. If you’re in the mood for something more hearty to fuel the rest of your day, Blue Scorcher also offers a menu of sandwiches and other lunch items.

The Astoria Column is both a work of art and one of the best lookouts on the Oregon Coast. The outside is painted with one long spiraling mural detailing the settler history of the region. It is 164 steps to the top, and once you get to the observation deck you are treated to views of Oregon and southwestern Washington, as Astoria is located at the mouth of the Columbia River.
Buy a small balsa wood glider (a toy airplane) at the gift shop, and launch it from the observation deck. It will glide on the thermals until pleasantly landing near the base of the tower. Admission to the Column is free, but parking is $5 per car, valid for one full year.

The Oregon Film Museum is a treat for any movie buff, but especially for fans of the Steven Spielberg cult classic The Goonies. Fans will recognize the museum itself as the county jail that the cold-hearted Fratellis escape in the opening scene. The museum pays tribute to that film, but also features exhibits that honor several of the other hit movies made in Oregon, such as Animal House, The Shining, and Twilight.

Putting your feet up at Fort George Brewery, a restored 1920s auto repair shop. The beers on tap here reflect the character and taste profiles associated with the Pacific Northwest, and are made with local ingredients. Enjoy a pizza or a salad along with your brew before you begin the trip home.

This is a pleasant place to stop on your drive back to Portland. It has a restroom, a monument, and perhaps most importantly, a view. Stand here to overlook beautiful Douglas fir forests and the Columbia River below. This park land was donated to the Oregon Highway Commission in 1922. Park here and enjoy the evening light.